bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presumed Silicone Oil Droplets After Intravitreal Pegcetacoplan Injections
Authors: Dessouki Amr , He Lingmin , Park Kaitlyn , Chen Howard , Chow Clement C.
Published: October 2023

Importance

Recently, intravitreal pegcetacoplan became the first drug to gain US Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of geographic atrophy associated with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration, but the administration of this medication may be associated with unanticipated posttreatment complications.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of presumed silicone oil droplets in the vitreous cavity after intravitreal injection of pegcetacoplan.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This case series study involved a retrospective record review of all 55 patients treated with intravitreal pegcetacoplan, 0.1 mL in 150-mg/mL solution, between March 24 and June 5, 2023, at a single specialty retina practice. All injections were done using needles from the kit supplied by Apellis Pharmaceuticals on a 1-mL McKesson Luer lock syringe.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The presence or absence of presumed silicone bubbles detected during dilated biomicroscopic fundus examination and/or on color fundus photographs, the presence or absence of symptoms, change in visual acuity, and/or increase in intraocular pressure.

Results

A total of 62 intravitreal pegcetacoplan injections were given to 55 patients (mean [SD] age, 83.8 [7.8] years; 33 women [60%]) from March 24 to June 5, 2023. Of the 55 patients, 16 (29%; mean [SD] age, 83.8 [7.4] years; 9 women [56%]) had presumed intravitreal silicone droplets discovered 2 to 4 weeks after treatment, 3 of which were documented on color fundus photographs. Of the 16 patients, 14 (88%) were symptomatic for new floaters that they described as persistent, while 2 (13%) were asymptomatic. There were no signs of inflammation or infection, no increases in intraocular pressure, and no changes in visual acuity for all 16 patients.

Conclusions and Relevance

A substantial percentage of patients had symptomatic floaters from presumed intravitreal silicone oil droplets after injections of pegcetacoplan using a McKesson 1-mL Luer lock syringe. These findings support consideration of informing patients of this potential adverse effect, avoiding use of the McKesson syringe, and considering use of silicone-free syringes for pegcetacoplan injections.
Subjective and Objective Hearing Loss Among US Adult Cancer Survivors
Authors: Wang Qian , Jiang Changchuan , Wen Chi , Xie Hui , Li Yannan , Zhang Yaning , Mady Leila J. , Bruno Debora S. , Dutcher Giselle M. A. , Chiec Lauren S. , Dowlati Afshin , Hsu Melinda L.
Published: October 2023

Importance

Cancer survivors are at a higher risk of developing hearing loss (HL) due to older age, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, the prevalence of HL among US cancer survivors remains unknown. Additionally, there is a lack of uniform HL screening guidelines for this enlarging population.

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of subjective HL and objective HL by audiometry test among cancer survivors and compare them with the general population as well as to assess the performance of subjective HL questions in detecting true (ie, audiometry-confirmed) HL.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In a cross-sectional design, adults between ages 20 and 80 years who had audiometry testing and responded to a hearing questionnaire from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2012, 2015-2016, and 2017 to March 2020 prepandemic survey cycles) were selected. Data analysis was conducted from August 13, 2022, to July 26, 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The weighted prevalence of subjective HL (troublesome hearing and tinnitus) and objective HL (speech-frequency HL and high-frequency HL) by audiometry were calculated. Analyses with χ2 testing and multiadjusted logistic regression models were used to compare HL between cancer survivors and the general population. To evaluate the performance of subjective HL questions as a tool to screen for objective HL by audiometry, areas under the curve were estimated using age- and gender-adjusted logistic regression.

Results

Among the total 9337 participants (weighted n = 90 098 441; 51.2% women), 10.3% were cancer survivors. Compared with the general population, cancer survivors had a higher prevalence of troublesome hearing (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.43; 95% CI, 1.11-1.84), tinnitus (AOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.94-1.74), speech-frequency HL (AOR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.11-1.85), and high-frequency HL (AOR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.29-2.34). When using the subjective HL tool and questioning regarding whether the participants were having troublesome hearing and/or tinnitus in screening for HL, the age- and gender-adjusted area under the curve was 0.88 in detecting speech-frequency HL and 0.90 in detecting high-frequency HL.

Conclusion and Relevance

The findings of this study suggest that cancer survivors have a significantly higher prevalence of HL than the general population. Two subjective HL questions could potentially accurately identify those who have true HL and provide a simple and efficient screening tool for health care professionals. Cancer survivors and their families should be educated and encouraged to discuss hearing concerns, and health care professionals should facilitate raising awareness and provide early screening and timely referral when HL is identified.
Risk Factors for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Systematic Review and Expert Consensus
Authors: Atsumi Tatsuya , Bae Sang‐Cheol , Gu Hong , Huang Wen‐Nan , Li Mengtao , Nikpour Mandana , Okada Masato , Prior David , Atanasov Petar , Jiang Xiaobin , Wilson Liam , Bloomfield Paul , Wu David Bin‐chia , Makanji Yogeshwar
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review of studies focusing on adult patients classified as having SLE‐related PAH by searching the electronic databases Embase, Medline, Medline in‐progress, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Ichushi Web, Kmbase, and KoreaMed. Based on the findings, we conducted a Delphi survey to build expert consensus on issues related to screening for PAH in patients with SLE and on the importance and feasibility of measuring the identified factors in clinical practice.

Results

We included 21 eligible studies for data synthesis. Sixteen factors were associated with an increased risk of SLE‐PAH: pericardial effusion, serositis, longer duration of SLE, arthritis, acute and subacute cutaneous lupus, scleroderma pattern on nailfold capillaroscopy, diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide in the lungs (DLCO) <70% predicted, interstitial lung disease, thrombocytopenia, and seven serological factors. Six factors were associated with a decreased risk of SLE‐PAH: malar/acute rash, hematologic disorder, renal disorder, higher Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score, and two serological factors. Among these, there were six risk factors on which the panelists reached strong or general consensus (peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity on echocardiography >2.8 m/s, pericardial effusion, DLCO <70% predicted, scleroderma pattern on nailfold capillaroscopy, brain natriuretic peptide >50 ng/l, and N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide >300 ng/l). The Delphi panel confirmed the need for a screening tool to identify patients with SLE at high risk of developing PAH and provided consensus on the importance and/or practicality of measuring the identified factors.

Conclusion

The risk factors we identified could be used in a screening algorithm to identify patients with SLE with a high risk of developing PAH to facilitate early diagnosis, which could improve prognosis and management of these patients.
Simultaneous Activation of Pyroptosis and cGAS‐STING Pathway with Epigenetic/ Photodynamic Nanotheranostic for Enhanced Tumor Photoimmunotherapy
Authors: Ding Feixiang , Liu Junyan , Ai Kelong , Xu Chun , Mao Xiaoyuan , Liu Zhaoqian , Xiao Haihua
Published: October 2023

Promoting innate immunity through pyroptosis induction or the cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase‐stimulator of interferon gene (cGAS‐STING) pathway activation has emerged as a potent approach to counteract the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and elicit systemic antitumor immunity. However, current pyroptosis inducers and STING agonists often suffer from limitations including instability, unpredictable side effects, or inadequate intracellular expression of gasdermin and STING. Here, a tumor‐specific nanotheranostic platform that combines photodynamic therapy (PDT) with epigenetic therapy to simultaneously activate pyroptosis and the cGAS‐STING pathway in a light‐controlled manner is constructed. This approach involves the development of oxidation‐sensitive nanoparticles (NP1) loaded with the photosensitizer TBE, along with decitabine nanomicelles (NP2). NP2 enables the restoration of STING and gasdermin E (GSDME) expression, while NP1‐mediated PDT facilitates the release of DNA fragments from damaged mitochondria to potentiate the cGAS‐STING pathway, and promotes the activation of caspase‐3 to cleave the upregulated GSDME into pore‐forming GSDME‐N terminal. Subsequently, the released inflammatory cytokines facilitate the maturation of antigen‐presentation cells, triggering T cell‐mediated antitumor immunity. Overall, this study presents an elaborate strategy for simultaneous photoactivation of pyroptosis and the cGAS‐STING pathway, enabling targeted photoimmunotherapy in immunotolerant tumors. This innovative approach holds significant promise in overcoming the limitations associated with existing therapeutic modalities and represents a valuable avenue for future clinical applications.
Utilization of Deposited Coke on Zeolites During the Catalytic Cracking of Nitrogen‐Containing Polymer for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Kokuryo Shinya , Shu Yasuhiro , Taniguchi Yurika , Takada Ryuji , Miyake Koji , Uchida Yoshiaki , Alemany‐Molina Gabriel , Morallón Emilia , Cazorla‐Amorós Diego , Nishiyama Norikazu
Published: October 2023

This work focuses on the development of a new method to utilize deposited coke on zeolite catalysts, formed during the plastic waste cracking. Nitrogen‐doped carbon catalysts are prepared using nylon‐66 and Zn2+ ion‐exchanged ZSM‐5 zeolites. After the cracking reaction, nitrogen‐doped carbon materials are obtained by removing zeolites from zeolite/coke composites using base and acid treatment. The synthesized N‐doped carbon using Zn2+ type ZSM‐5 zeolites exhibits higher catalytic performance on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with an onset potential of 0.95 V (vs RHE) and a half‐wave potential of 0.80 V (vs RHE) than that using H+ type ZSM‐5 zeolites. The characterization revealed that the evaporation of Zn2+ in zeolites significantly enhanced the porosity of N‐doped carbon. Moreover, the aromatization and poly‐cyclization reactions promoted the generation of highly active edge Valley‐N sites, leading to their outstanding activity on ORR. This work provides new directions for the utilization of deposited coke on zeolites.
Dollar store expansion and independent grocery retailer contraction
Authors: Lopez Rigoberto , Marchesi Keenan , Steinbach Sandro
Published: October 2023

This paper examines the effects of dollar store entry on independent grocery retailers in the United States between 2000 and 2019. We utilized an establishment‐level dataset comprising all grocery retailers and dollar stores in the country. Our findings indicate that dollar store entry is associated with a 5.7% decrease in sales, a 3.7% reduction in employment, and a 2.3% rise in the likelihood of independent grocery retailers quitting the business. These adverse entry effects are three times larger in rural than urban areas. Event studies indicate that the negative impact on sales and employment disappears gradually in urban areas but persists in rural communities. We document differences in treatment effects of dollar store entry across regions, retail formats, and time.
Tatton‐Brown–Rahman syndrome: Novel pathogenic variants and new neuroimaging findings
Authors: Jiménez de la Peña Mar , Rincón‐Pérez Irene , López‐Martín Sara , Albert Jacobo , Martín Fernández‐Mayoralas Daniel , Fernández‐Perrone Ana Laura , Jiménez de Domingo Ana , Tirado Pilar , Calleja‐Pérez Beatriz , Porta Javier , Álvarez Sara , Fernández‐Jaén Alberto
Published: October 2023

Tatton‐Brown–Rahman syndrome (TBRS) or DNMT3A‐overgrowth syndrome is characterized by overgrowth and intellectual disability associated with minor dysmorphic features, obesity, and behavioral problems. It is caused by variants of the DNMT3A gene. We report four patients with this syndrome due to de novo DNMT3A pathogenic variants, contributing to a deeper understanding of the genetic basis and pathophysiology of this autosomal dominant syndrome. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging assessments were also performed. All patients showed corpus callosum anomalies, small posterior fossa, and a deep left Sylvian fissure; as well as asymmetry of the uncinate and arcuate fascicles and marked increased cortical thickness. These results suggest that structural neuroimaging anomalies have been previously overlooked, where corpus callosum and brain tract alterations might be unrecognized neuroimaging traits of TBRS syndrome caused by DNMT3A variants.
Entheseal changes and activity patterns in southern African hunter‐gatherer/herders from the Holocene
Authors: Dinkele Elizabeth , Gibbon Victoria Elaine
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Activity patterns and lifeways in southern African hunter‐gatherer/herders (sAHGH) during the Holocene were dynamic, with subsistence activities and mobility varying through space and time. In this study, spatial and temporal variations in entheseal changes (ECs) are assessed as physical activity markers in sAHGH from the Holocene.

Methods

The Coimbra method was used to assess fibrocartilaginous ECs in the upper and lower limbs of 118 sAHGH from the Holocene. Descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations were used to explore the association between ECs, sex, age, ecological biomes, and temporality.

Results

A total of 118 individuals were sampled, comprising 67 males, and 42 females, mostly from the fynbos (59/118), forest (30/118) and succulent karoo biomes (16/118). ECs were identified in 94% of the sample. Interobserver scoring suggests our findings are likely to underrepresent the extent of EC score differences in sAHGH. Findings indicate a complex pattern of physical activity in sAHGH with differences attributable to regional ecology rather than age or sex. More prominent ECs were identified in individuals from the forest biome, relative to the fynbos and succulent karoo biomes. These were consistent with resource search and processing costs, and terrain differences in these ecozones. ECs were only detected temporally relative to the infiltration of pastoralism (at 2000 BP) when the data were stratified by ecological biome.

Discussion

This study provides evidence that regional ecology plays a central role in driving activity patterns regardless of social or cultural organization. Ecological biomes provide a gradient along which the temporal impact of resource limitations on human biology, activity patterns and sociocultural behaviors can be studied.
A Protocol for Activated Bioorthogonal Fluorescence Labeling and Imaging of 4‐Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase in Plants
Authors: Zeng Xiaoyan , Ma Xiaoxie , Dong Jin , Li Biao , Hua Liu Sheng , Yin Jun , Yang Guang‐Fu
Published: October 2023

4‐Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) plays a crucial role in the synthesis of nutrients needed to maintain optimal plant growth. Its level is closely linked to the extent of abiotic stress experienced by plants. Moreover, it is also the target of commercial herbicides. Therefore, labeling of HPPD in plants not only enables visualization of its tissue distribution and cellular uptake, it also facilitates assessment of abiotic stress of plants and provides information needed for the development of effective environmentally friendly herbicides. In this study, we created a method for fluorescence labeling of HPPD that avoids interference with the normal growth of plants. In this strategy, a perylene‐linked dibenzyl‐cyclooctyne undergoes strain‐promoted azide‐alkyne cycloaddition with an azide‐containing HPPD ligand. The activation‐based labeling process results in a significant emission enhancement caused by the change in the fluorescent forms from an excimer to a monomer. Notably, this activated bioorthogonal strategy is applicable to visualizing HPPD in Arabidopsis thaliana, and assessing its response to multiple abiotic stresses. Also, it can be employed to monitor in vivo levels and locations of HPPD in crops. Consequently, the labeling strategy will be a significant tool in investigations of HPPD‐related abiotic stress mechanisms, discovering novel herbicides, and uncovering unknown biological functions.
Photo‐Activating Biomimetic Polyoxomolybdate for Boosting Oxygen Evolution in Neutral Electrolytes
Authors: Li Da‐Huan , Zhang Xiao‐Yue , Lv Jiang‐Quan , Cai Ping‐Wei , Sun Yan‐Qiong , Sun Cai , Zheng Shou‐Tian
Published: October 2023

Inspired by the metal‐oxo cluster structural feature and charge separation behaviour of the oxygen evolving center (OEC) in photosystem II (PS‐II) under photoirradiation, a new crystalline photochromic polyoxomolybdate, MV2[β‐Mo8O26] (1, MV=methyl viologen cation), is designed as a biomimetic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst in neutral electrolytes. After photoinduced electron transfer (PIET) with colour change from colourless to grey, it remains in an ultra‐stable charge‐separated state over a year under ambient conditions. The observed overpotential at 10 mA ⋅ cm−2 and Tafel slope decrease by 49 mV and 62.8 mV ⋅ dec−1 after coloration, respectively. The outstanding OER performance of the coloured state in neutral electrolytes even outperforms the commercial RuO2 benchmark. Experimental and theoretical studies show that oxygen holes within polyanions after irradiation serve as sites for enhancing direct O−O coupling, thus effectively promoting OER. This is the first successful application of electron‐transfer photochromism to realize OER activity gain.
Stability and Crystallinity of Sodium Poly(Heptazine Imide) in Photocatalysis
Authors: Deng Quanhua , Li Haiping , Hu Wenxuan , Hou Wanguo
Published: October 2023

Poly(heptazine imide) (PHI) salts, as crystalline carbon nitrides, exhibit high photocatalytic activity and are being extensively researched, but its photochemical instability has not drawn researchers’ attention yet. Herein, sodium PHI (PHI−Na) ultrathin nanosheets with increased crystallinity, synthesized by enhancing contact of melamine with NaCl functioning as a structure‐induction agent and hard template, exhibits improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity, but low photochemical stability, owing to Na+ loss in the photocatalytic process, which, interestingly, can be enhanced by the common ion effect, e.g., addition of NaCl that is also able to remarkably increase the photoactivity with the apparent quantum yield at 420 nm reaching 41.5 %. This work aims at attracting research peers’ attention to photochemical instability of PHI salts and provides a way to enhance their crystallinity.
Imaging of Single Molecular Behaviors Under Bifurcated Three‐Centered Hydrogen Bonding
Authors: Wang Huiqiu , Chen Xiao , Xiong Hao , Cui Chaojie , Qian Weizhong , Wei Fei
Published: October 2023

The mechanism for interaction and bonding of single guest molecules with active sites fundamentally determines the sorption and subsequent catalytic processes occurring in host zeolitic frameworks. However, no real‐space studies on these significant issues have been reported thus far, since atomically visualizing guest molecules and recognizing single Al T‐sites in zeolites remain challenging. Here, we atomically resolved single thiophene probes interacting with acid T‐sites in the ZSM‐5 framework to study the bonding behaviors between them. The synergy of bifurcated three‐centered hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions can “freeze” the near‐horizontal thiophene and make it stable enough to be imaged. By combining the imaging results with simulations, direct atomic observations enabled us to precisely locate the single Al T‐sites in individual straight channels. Then, we statistically found that the thiophene bonding probability of the T11 site is 15 times higher than that of the T6 site. For different acid T‐sites, the variation in the interaction synergy changes the inner angle of the host–guest O−H⋅⋅⋅S hydrogen bond, thereby affecting the stability of the near‐horizontal thiophene and leading to considerable bonding inhomogeneities.
Detection of Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) by Interrupted Energy Transfer
Authors: Concellón Alberto , Swager Timothy M.
Published: October 2023

The ubiquitous presence of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous environments has aroused societal concern. Nonetheless, effective sensing technologies for continuous monitoring of PFAS within water distribution infrastructures currently do not exist. Herein, we describe a ratiometric sensing approach to selectively detect aqueous perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at concentrations of μg ⋅ L−1. Our method relies on the excitonic transport in a highly fluorinated poly(p‐phenylene ethynylene) to amplify a ratiometric emission signal modulated by an embedded fluorinated squaraine dye. The electronic coupling between the polymer and dye occurs through overlap of π‐orbitals and is designed such that energy transfer is dominated by an electron‐exchange (Dexter) mechanism. Exposure to aqueous solutions of PFAS perturbs the orbital interactions between the squaraine dye and the polymer backbone, thereby diminishing the efficiency of the energy transfer and producing a “polymer‐ON/dye‐OFF” response. These polymer/dye combinations were evaluated in spin‐coated films and polymer nanoparticles and were able to selectively detect PFAS at concentrations of ca. 150 ppb and ca. 50 ppb, respectively. Both polymer films and nanoparticles are not affected by the type of water, and similar responses to PFAS were found in milliQ and well water.
Efficient Catalytic Production of Hydrogen Peroxide Using Tin‐containing Zeolite Fixed Palladium Nanoparticles with Oxidation Resistance
Authors: Liu Yifeng , Liu Zhaoqing , Zhang Jian , Xiao Feng‐Shou , Cao Xiaoming , Wang Liang
Published: October 2023

The metal surfaces tend to be oxidized in air through dissociation of the O−O bond of oxygen to reduce the performances in various fields. Although several ligand modification routes have alleviated the oxidation of bulky metal surfaces, it is still a challenge for the oxidation resistance of small‐size metal nanoparticles. Herein, we fixed the small‐size Pd nanoparticles in tin‐contained MFI zeolite crystals, where the tin acts as an electron donor to efficiently hinder the oxidation of Pd by weakening the adsorption of molecular oxygen and suppressing the O−O cleavage. This oxidation‐resistant Pd catalyst exhibited superior performance in directly synthesizing hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen, with the productivity of hydrogen peroxide at ≈10,170 mmol gPd−1 h−1, steadily outperforming the catalysts tested previously. This work leads to the hypothesis that tin is an electron donor to realize oxidation‐resistant Pd within zeolite crystals for efficient catalysis to overcome the limitation of generally supported Pd catalysts and further motivates the use of oxidation‐resistant metal nanoparticles in various fields.
Efficient Removal of Antibiotic Resistance Genes through 4f‐2p‐3d Gradient Orbital Coupling Mediated Fenton‐Like Redox Processes
Authors: Li Fei , Wang Pengfei , Zhang Tao , Li Mingmei , Yue Shuai , Zhan Sihui , Li Yi
Published: October 2023

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) mediated radical and nonradical active substances can synergistically achieve the efficient elimination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, enhancing interface electron cycling and optimizing the coupling of the oxygen‐containing intermediates to improve PMS activation kinetics remains a major challenge. Here, Co doped CeVO4 catalyst (Co−CVO) with asymmetric sites was constructed based on Ce 4f−O 2p−Co 3d gradient orbital coupling. The catalyst achieved approximately 2.51×105 copies/mL of extracellular ARGs (eARGs) removal within 15 minutes, exhibited ultrahigh degradation rate (k=1.24 min−1). The effective gradient 4f‐2p‐3d orbital coupling precisely regulates the electron distribution of Ce−O−Co active center microenvironment, while optimizing the electronic structure of Co 3d states (especially the occupancy of eg), promoting the adsorption of oxygen‐containing intermediates. The generated radical and nonradical generated by interfacial electron cycling enhanced by the reduction reaction of PMS at the Ce site and the oxidation reaction at the Co site achieved a significant mineralization rate of ARGs (83.4 %). The efficient removal of ARGs by a continuous flow reactor for 10 hours significantly reduces the ecological risk of ARGs in actual wastewater treatment.
Identification of cold tolerance and some agronomic traits of advanced safflower genotypes developed by hybridization
Authors: Culpan Emrullah
Published: October 2023

The development of winter‐tolerant safflower genotypes is crucial for the improvement of global safflower agriculture. The aim of the present study was to determine the cold tolerance abilities and some agricultural characteristics of advanced safflower genotypes. For this purpose, 10 advanced safflower genotypes were used in four different locations. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Winter survival and agricultural characteristics were significantly affected by growing season, location and genotype. Winter survival varies between 86.43% and 93.91% among the genotypes which is promising for winter sowing. As the average of 2 years, the highest oil content (36.25%) was observed in genotype EC21 and it was followed by genotypes EC11 (35.51%) and EC20 (35.49%). As with the seed yield, the high winter survival of genotypes with high oil content is highly promising in terms of winter sowing. Safflower should be grown in winter with mild temperature regions for high seed yield and sustainable safflower production. Therefore, this study focused on winter‐tolerant genotypes that are superior one in terms of seed yield and oil content.
Intelligent self‐healable electroactive carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel containing conductive polythiophene and acid hydrolyzed cellulose
Authors: Danmatam Nanticha , Pearce John T. H. , Pattavarakorn Datchanee
Published: October 2023

Self‐healable electroactive carboxymethyl cellulose/polythiophene/acid hydrolyzed cellulose (CMC/PTh/AHC) hydrogels were successfully fabricated. AHC particles dispersed well in the CMC matrix improving hydrogels thermal stability. The electro‐responsive performance of the hydrogels was investigated with respect to bending angle and bending sensitivity. The results showed that under an applied electric field, the CMC/PTh/AHC hydrogels bend toward a cathode electrode. In addition, the electroactive performance of the hydrogels decreased with increased AHC content. The CMC/PTh/AHC10 (10 wt.% AHC) hydrogel exhibited the shortest induction time (τind) of 3.35 ± 0.56 s. For self‐healing, it was found that the hydrogel with addition of 2 wt.% AHC had the highest self‐healing efficiency on both tensile strength and elongation at break (93.37 ± 3.17% and 99.35 ± 12.11%, respectively). While the self‐healing efficiency on bending angle was 82.73 ± 14.55%. The results demonstrated that the properties of the CMC/PTh/AHC2 hydrogel were close to its original properties after healing for 24 h. The results demonstrated that the CMC/PTh/AHC hydrogel can be utilized as an actuator or artificial muscle using electrical stimulus.
Simultaneous marginal homogeneity versus directional alternatives for multivariate binary data with application to circular economy assessments
Authors: Bonnini Stefano , Borghesi Michela , Giacalone Massimiliano
Published: October 2023

Commodity price volatility is a major source of instability in those countries that are primarily commodity‐dependent and has a negative impact, especially on economic growth. With this premise, commodities represent an effective financial exchange tool that nowadays finds relevance in being involved in the processes inherent to environmental sustainability. This work focus on raw materials and their demand, connected with the need for a transition towards the Circular Economy, as part of a strategy to address commodity supply disruptions. It presupposes changes in the mentality and behavior of companies in the various economic sectors. A crucial issue debated in the literature concerns whether or not the size of the companies favors their attitude towards Circular Economy. We propose a nonparametric method to test the effect of firm size on their propensity to undertake Circular Economy activities. Considering of such activities, this propensity is a multidimensional concept and it can be represented by a ‐dimensional vector of proportions. Each element of the vector represents the share of companies of the population under study that implement a specific Circular Economy activity. The main difficulty of such a multivariate testing problem, together with the multidimensional nature of the dichotomous response, is the one‐sided type alternative, which is a stochastic dominance for multidimensional binary variables. A Monte Carlo simulation study proves the good power behavior of the proposed solution, based on a nonparametric approach. Case studies related to Italian small and medium enterprises in some strategic sectors are also addressed.
Optimization and validation of a bioanalytical HPLC–UV technique for simultaneous determination of underivatized phenylalanine and tyrosine in the blood for phenylketonuria diagnosis and monitoring
Authors: Rabti Hadjira , Amrane Mounira , Lalaouna Abdeldjalil , Flilissa Abdenacer , Benguerba Yacine
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to develop a fast, accurate, and precise high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection method for simultaneous analysis of underivatized phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr) in biological samples. Separation of the analytes was accomplished using a Discovery HS F5‐3 column, which offered better retention and peak symmetry for the tested analytes. Chromatographic conditions were optimized using central composite experimental design, and three factors were investigated: the concentration of ammonium acetate (A), the acetonitrile proportion in the mobile phase (B) and the column oven temperature (C). The approach was verified using β‐expectation tolerance intervals for total error measurement that did not exceed 15%. Optimal settings were A = 50 mm, B = 24% and C = 28°C. The method applicability was determined using human plasma from 75 volunteers. The limits of detection and quantification of the technique were satisfactory at 9 and 29 μm for Phe and 4 and 13 μm for Tyr. The mean analytical bias in spiking levels was acceptable, ranging from −1.649 to +1.659% for both substances, with RSD <5% in all instances. The suggested approach was successfully used to analyze Phe and Tyr in human blood samples and calculate the Phe/Tyr ratio.
Voice analysis results in individuals with Alzheimer's disease: How do age and cognitive status affect voice parameters?
Authors: Parlak Mümüne Merve , Saylam Güleser , Babademez Mehmet Ali , Munis Özlem Bizpınar , Tokgöz Sibel Alicura
Published: October 2023

Background

Reports of acoustic changes in the voice in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the relationship of acoustic changes with age and cognitive status are still limited.

Objective

This study aims to determine the changes in voice analysis results in AD, as well as the effects of age and cognitive status on voice parameters.

Methods

The study included 47 (AD: 30; healthy: 17) women with a mean age of 76.13 years. The acoustic voice parameters mean fundamental frequency (F0), relative average perturbation (RAP), jitter percent (Jitt), shimmer percent (Shim), and noise‐to‐harmonic ratio were detected. The mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) was utilized.

Results

F0, Shim, Jitt, and RAP values were found to be statistically significantly higher in individuals with AD compared to healthy individuals. There was a significant negative correlation between MMSE and F0, Jitt, RAP and Shim, and the MMSE score had a significant negative effect on F0, Jitt, and RAP (p < .05).

Conclusion

Cognitive status was discovered to significantly impact the voice, with fundamental frequency and frequency and amplitude perturbations increasing as cognitive level decreases. In order to contribute to the therapy process for voice disorders, cognitive functions can be focused on in addition to voice therapy.
Do environmental scores become multinational corporations' strategic “greenwashing” tool for window‐dressing carbon reduction? A cross‐cultural analysis
Authors: Peng Xuhui , Li Jingduan , Tang Qingliang , Lan Yi‐Chen , Cui Xinjian
Published: October 2023

Owing to the urgency of the climate change crisis and the emerging greenwashing issue that companies face, greenwashing in companies' carbon reduction is exceptionally important in the progress of global carbon reduction and the achievement of the Paris Agreement goals. Therefore, this study focused on multinational corporations (MNCs) listed on the 2021 Fortune Global 500 list (2001–2020) and used institutional theory to theoretically discuss and empirically test the relationship between MNCs' environmental scores and carbon emissions/intensity, as well as the moderating effect of national culture. Our results demonstrate that the environmental scores of MNCs positively affect their carbon emissions and intensity, meaning that managers tend to use high scores to hide their poor carbon reduction, showing a typical “talk” more and “act” less (i.e., greenwashing) behavior. Meanwhile, the moderating effects of individualism, masculinity, and uncertainty avoidance were negative. These revealed that the balance of MNCs' “talk” and “act” can be influenced by the domestic national cultural characteristics. Further analysis showed that the Paris Agreement did not prevent MNCs' greenwashing in carbon reduction. Such greenwashing behavior has become even worse in societies with power distance characteristics after the Paris Agreement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate companies' greenwashing in terms of carbon reduction. The goal is to enhance our understanding of why and how greenwashing occurs based on the institutional theory perspective, extend the application of institutional theory, enrich the literature on companies' greenwashing and national culture, and offer insight into interdisciplinary research between national culture and green transition management. Finally, suggestions for policymakers on how to prevent MNCs' greenwashing in carbon reduction, considering national cultural influence, were provided.
Efficacy of breast reconstruction for N2‐3M0 stage female breast cancer on breast cancer‐specific survival: A population‐based propensity score analysis
Authors: Zhao Yuting , Yan Lutong , Li Shouyu , Yang Zejian , Chai Na , Qiu Pei , Zhang Huimin , He Jianjun , Zhou Can
Published: October 2023

Background

The efficacy of breast reconstruction for patients with N2‐3M0 stage female breast cancer (FBC) remained unclear due to the lack of randomized clinical trials. This retrospective study aimed to explore the efficacy of breast reconstruction for patients with N2‐3M0 stage FBC.

Methods

Two thousand five hundred forty‐five subjects with FBC staged by N2‐3M0 from 2010 to 2016 were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Generalized boosted model (GBM) and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses and multivariable Cox analyses were employed to assess the clinical prognostic effect of postmastectomy reconstruction for patients with N2‐3M0 stage FBC in breast cancer‐specific survival (BCSS).

Results

Totally, 1784 candidates underwent mastectomy alone (mastectomy group), and 761 candidates underwent postmastectomy reconstruction (PMbR group), with 418 breast‐specific deaths after a median follow‐up time of 57 months (ranging from 7 to 227 months). BCSS in the mastectomy group showed no statistical difference from that in the PMbR group in the PSM cohort (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.70–1.25, p = 0.400) and GBM cohort (HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.56–1.01, p = 0.057). In the multivariate analyses, there was no difference in the effect of PMbR and mastectomy on BCSS in the original cohort (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.66–1.09, p = 0.197), PSM cohort (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.64–1.15, p = 0.310), and GBM cohort (HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.61–1.17, p = 0.298). Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) was a detrimental factor affecting BCSS for patients in the PMbR group.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that PMbR is an oncologically safe surgical treatment and can be widely recommended in clinics for females with non‐TNBC staged by T0‐3N2‐3M0.
Roles of long noncoding RNA in triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Das Plabon Kumar , Siddika Ayesha , Rashel Khan Mohammad , Auwal Abdul , Soha Kazi , Rahman Md. Arifur , Pillai Suja , Islam Farhadul
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating various hallmarks in cancers. Triple‐negative (Estrogen receptor, ER; Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, HER2; Progesterone receptor, PR) breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancers with a poor prognosis and no available molecular targeted therapy.

Methods

We reviewed the current literature on the roles of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis, therapy resistance, and prognosis of patients with TBNC.

Results

LncRNAs are associated with TNBC pathogenesis, therapy resistance, and prognosis. For example, lncRNAs such as small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12), highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), lincRNA‐regulator of reprogramming (LincRNA‐ROR), etc., are aberrantly expressed in TNBC and are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. LncRNAs act as a decoy, scaffold, or sponge to regulate the expression of genes, miRNAs, and transcription factors associated with pathogenesis and progression of TNBC. Moreover, lncRNAs such as ferritin heavy chain 1 pseudogene 3 (FTH1P3), BMP/OP‐responsive gene (BORG) contributes to the therapy resistance property of TNBC through activating ABCB1 (ATP‐binding cassette subfamily B member 1) drug efflux pumps by increasing DNA repair capacity or by inducing signaling pathway involved in therapeutic resistance.

Conclusion

In this review, we outline the functions of various lncRNAs along with their molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis, therapeutic resistance of TBNC. Also, the prognostic implications of lncRNAs in patients with TNBC is illustrated. Moreover, potential strategies targeting lncRNAs against highly aggressive TNBC is discussed in this review.
Profiles of volunteers' motivations and positive experiences relate to their sustained volunteering during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Qu Guoliang , Ju Enxia , Qin Guanglun , Chen Xuhai , Luo Yangmei
Published: October 2023

Volunteering benefits individuals and society but is hard to sustain, especially in emergencies. Based on the volunteer process model and self‐determination theory, this study identified the optimal number of motivations and positive experiences profiles and investigated these profiles' relationships with volunteers' sustained volunteering during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Seven hundred and eighteen volunteers completed a series of measures about motivations to volunteer (e.g., autonomous and controlled), positive experiences (e.g., satisfaction, meaningfulness and happiness) and sustained volunteering. Results indicated that meaningfulness and happiness positively predicted sustained volunteering but satisfaction did not. Furthermore, we identified four distinct groups using latent profile analysis: the highest autonomy‐best experience group (34.96%), high autonomy‐well experience group (44.84%), moderate autonomy‐general experience group (17.83%) and low autonomy‐bad experience group (2.37%). Volunteers in the highest autonomy‐best experience group showed the highest level of sustained volunteering compared to those in other groups. These findings suggest that volunteers' motivations and positive experiences play a combined role in sustained volunteering. They also have significance for fostering long‐term volunteering. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.
Synergistic effect of doxycycline and aqueous extract of irradiated khella on structure of nanobacteria isolated from kidney stones: In vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Fayez Nora , Ibrahim Mohamed Khaled , Farrag Hala Abdullah , Mohamed Marwa Abd El Hameed , Tablawy Seham Yousef El
Published: October 2023

Kidney stones have been associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney diseases, end‐stage renal failure. This study is devoted to isolate nanobacteria from patients with active urolithiasis and investigate the in vitro and in vivo antinanobacterial activity of some antibiotics alone or in combination with extracts of irradiated herbs from certain medicinal plants. Nanobacteria were detected using scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy, protein electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and DNA profile. The antimicrobial susceptibility of some biofilm‐producing nanobacterial isolates was evaluated. The effect of medicinal plant extracts on growth was tested. A combination treatment between the most potent extracts and antibiotics was tested on biofilm production, protein profile, release of 260 nm absorbing material, protein content, and ultrastructure of the strongest biofilm producers. In vivo study of nanobacteria and its treatment by the most potent agents was evaluated on male rats. Renal function was measured in serum; histological examination and oxidative stress parameters were determined in kidney tissues. Results showed that streptomycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, and water extracts of irradiated khella at 6 kGy had antinanobacterial activity. Meanwhile, the synergistic effect of the aqueous extract of irradiated Khella and doxycycline showed higher inhibition activity on microbial growth and biofilm production. They affected dramatically the strength of its cell membrane and subsequently its ultrastructure. Moreover, these results are confirmed by ameliorations in renal function and histological alterations. It could be concluded that the combination of DO and an aqueous extract of irradiated khella has an antinephrotoxic effect against nanobacteria‐induced renal toxicity.
Incidence and predictors of 30‐day and 6‐month stroke after TAVR: Insights from the multicenter OBSERVANT II study
Authors: Gorla Riccardo , Tua Lorenzo , D'Errigo Paola , Barbanti Marco , Biancari Fausto , Tarantini Giuseppe , Badoni Gabriella , Ussia Gian Paolo , Ranucci Marco , Bedogni Francesco , Baglio Giovanni , Rosato Stefano ,   the OBSERVANT II Research Group
Published: October 2023

Background

The incidence and predictors of 30‐day stroke after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) were derived from early studies investigating first‐generation devices. The incidence of 6‐month stroke and its related predictors are unknown.

Aims

To investigate the incidence and to identify procedural and patient‐related predictors of 30‐day and 6‐month stroke after TAVR.

Methods

Data from 2753 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR were obtained from the OBSERVANT‐II study, an observational, prospective, multicenter cohort study. The study endpoints were symptomatic 30‐day and 6‐month stroke after TAVR.

Results

The occurrence of a 30‐day and 6‐month stroke was low (1.3% and 2.4%, respectively) but with significant impact on survival. Aortic valve predilatation (odds ratio [OR]: 2.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–4.65, p = 0.023), diabetes (OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.56–6.18, p = 0.001), and left ventricle ejection fraction < 50% (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.04–4.47, p = 0.04) were independent predictors of 30‐day stroke, whereas diabetes (sub‐distribution hazard ratio [SHR]: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.25–3.42, p = 0.004), pre‐existing neurological dysfunction (SHR: 3.92, 95% CI: 1.54–10, p = 0.004), bicuspid valve (SHR: 4.75, 95% CI: 1.44–15.7, p = 0.011), and critical status (SHR: 3.05, 95% CI: 1.21–7.72, p = 0.018) were predictive of 6‐month stroke. Conversely, antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation were protective factors at both 30 days and 6 months.

Conclusions

Stroke after TAVR was rare. Predilatation was the only procedural factor predictive of 30‐day stroke, whereas the remaining were patient‐related risk factors, suggesting appropriate risk stratification preoperatively.
A rare type of polyp in the duodenum
Authors: Itami Kumi , Yoshikawa Takaaki , Yazumi Shujiro
Published: October 2023

Key Clinical Message

Although solitary P‐J type hamartomatous polyp in the duodenum is rare, the polyp has malignant potential. We should recognize the entity and resect it with a safety margin in case the polyp exhibits an irregular form.
Graphene Doped Carbon‐Gels and MnO2 for Next Generation of Solid‐State Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Rey‐Raap Natalia , Flores‐López Samantha L. , dos Santos‐Gómez Lucía , Brigandì Antonino , Thomas Minju , Stoyanova Antonia E. , Lufrano Francesco , Arenillas Ana
Published: October 2023

Supercapacitors are playing a very relevant role in many applications due to their capability to supply high power density and long durability. However, there is a growing demand to increase their energy density, in gravimetric and volumetric basis. There are different strategies to increase supercapacitor performance by improving the active materials used in the electrodes, the type of electrolyte used or even the configuration employed in the cell. In this work, a combination of these strategies is presented with the use of different active materials, electrolytes, and symmetric vs. asymmetric configuration. The supercapacitor with asymmetric configuration using the graphene‐doped carbon xerogel in the negative electrode and the manganese oxide in the positive electrode, along with the use of Na+‐form Aquivion electrolyte membrane as solid electrolyte, seems to be a promising combination to obtain a substantial enhancement of both gravimetric and volumetric capacitance. Furthermore, the device presents great stability in a wide operational voltage window from 0 to 1.8 V and with a neutral pH polymer electrolyte which contributes to improve the performance, safety, and long cycle life of the device.