bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexible Etherified and Esterified Triphenylethylene Derivatives and Their Evaluation on ER‐positive and Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Hassan Aya S. , Wober Jannette , Vollmer Günter , Abadi Ashraf H. , Ahmed Nermin S.
Published: January 2022

Tamoxifen (TAM) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) with potential clinical benefits for all stages of breast cancer. TAM is primarily metabolized to more potent metabolites via polymorphic CYP2D6. This affects the clinical outcome of TAM treatment. Herein we report novel TAM analogues that can avoid metabolism via CYP2D6. The novel analogues bear a flexible skeleton. Compounds have either an ester group on ring C or homodiaminoalkoxy groups on rings B and C. Compound 6 (E/Z‐4‐[1‐[4‐(2‐diethylaminoethoxy)phenyl]‐3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐methyl[propenyl]phenol) was found to be ten‐fold more potent than TAM on MCF‐7 cells (GI50=0.15 μM). It showed fivefold greater inhibitory activity on MDA‐MB‐231 cells than TAM (GI50=1.71 μM). Compound 13 (4‐{3,3‐bis‐[4‐(3‐dimethylaminopropoxy)phenyl]‐2‐methylallyl}methoxybenzene) was the most potent among the homodiaminoalkoxy derivatives (GI50=0.44) on both MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, the COMPARE algorithm suggested that it has different molecular targets from those of some other reported anticancer drugs.
Verrucous carcinoma of the vulva: Patterns of care and treatment outcomes
Authors: Dryden Sara M. , Reshko Leonid B. , Gaskins Jeremy T. , Silva Scott R.
Published: January 2022

Background

Verrucous vulvar carcinoma (VC) is an uncommon and distinct histologic subtype of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The available literature on VC is currently limited to case reports and small single institution studies.

Aims

The goals of this study were to analyze data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to quantitate the incidence of VC and to investigate the effects of patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment regimens on overall survival (OS) in women with verrucous vulvar carcinoma.

Methods and results

Patients diagnosed with vulvar SCC or VC between the years of 2004 and 2016 were identified in the NCDB. OS was assessed with Kaplan–Meier curves and the log‐rank test. Construction of a Cox model compared survival after controlling for confounding variables. The reported incidence of SCC of the vulva has significantly increased since 2004 (p < .0001). In contrast, the incidence of VC has remained stable (p = .344) since 2004. Compared to SCC, VC was significantly more likely to be diagnosed in older women (p < .0001) and treated with surgery alone (p < .0001). However, on propensity score weighted analysis there was a trend toward improved 5‐year OS in women with VC compared to those with SCC (63.4% vs. 57.7%, p = .0794). Multivariable Cox survival analysis showed an improvement in OS in VC patients treated with both primary site and regional lymph node surgery compared to primary site surgery alone (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.46–0.97, p = .0357).

Conclusion

Verrucous carcinoma is more likely to present in older women. Regional lymph node surgery in addition to primary site surgery significantly improves OS in VC patients.
KubFBS: A fine‐grained and balance‐aware scheduling system for deep learning tasks based on kubernetes
Authors: Liu Zijie , Chen Can , Li Junjiang , Cheng Yi , Kou Yingjie , Zhang Dengyin
Published: January 2022

The past decade witnessed a remarkable increase in deep learning (DL) workloads which require GPU resources to accelerate the training process. However, the existing coarse‐grained scheduling mechanisms are agnostic to information other than the number of GPUs or GPU memory, which results in performance degradation of DL tasks. Moreover, the common assumption held by the existing balance‐aware DL task scheduling strategies, a DL task consumes resources once it starts, fails to reduce resource contention, and further limits execution efficiency. To address these problems, this article proposes a fine‐grained and balance‐aware scheduling model (FBSM) which considers the resource consumption characteristic of the DL task. Based on FBSM, we propose customized GPU sniffer (GPU‐S) and balance‐aware scheduler (BAS) modules to construct a scheduling system called KubFBS. The experimental results demonstrate KubFBS accelerates the execution of DL tasks while improving the load balancing capability of the cluster.
Subversion of infiltrating prostate macrophages to a mixed immunosuppressive tumor‐associated macrophage phenotype
Authors: Boibessot Clovis , Molina Oscar , Lachance Gabriel , Tav Christophe , Champagne Audrey , Neveu Bertrand , Pelletier Jean‐François , Pouliot Frédéric , Fradet Vincent , Bilodeau Steve , Fradet Yves , Bergeron Alain , Toren Paul
Published: January 2022

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) support tumor progression within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Many questions remain as to the origin, development, and function of TAMs within the prostate TME. Evaluation of TAMs in prostate cancer (PCa) patients identified the immunosuppressive TAM marker CD163 in adjacent normal epithelium as an independent predictor of metastases or PCa death. Flow cytometry analyses identified prostate TAMs as frequently expressing both proinflammatory M1 (CCR7+) and immunosuppressive M2 (CD163+) markers. In vitro, we demonstrate PCa cells similarly subvert human M1 macrophages toward a mixed M1/M2 macrophage phenotype favoring tumor growth. Further the cytokine milieu‐induced transition between immunosuppressive M2 to proinflammatory M1 (M2→M1) macrophages is abrogated by the presence of PCa cells. RNA sequencing suggests alterations in chemokine expression in prostate TAMs due to the presence of PCa cells. Together, our results suggest that prostate TAMs originate from inflammatory infiltrating macrophages, which are then reprogrammed mainly by PCa cells, but also the cytokine milieu. A better understanding of this subversion of macrophages within the prostate may lead to novel treatment strategies.
Ferrocenyl Gold Complexes as Efficient Catalysts
Authors: Pérez‐Sánchez Juan Carlos , Herrera Raquel P. , Gimeno M. Concepción
Published: January 2022

More than half a century after the discovery of the ferrocene structure in 1951, it remains as a suitable building block in many research areas, including catalysis with the development of key chiral catalysts. On the other hand, gold‐mediated catalysis has been raised in recent years, allowing the creation of a great variety of C−C bonds and C‐heteroatom bonds. In this context, this review covers the recent advances made with the combination of these two iconic figures in the organometallic chemistry field, since the first gold catalyzed reaction using a ferrocene ligand reported in 1986. The combination of the excellent properties and versatility of this metallocene, has allowed the obtainment of a plethora of ligands for metal catalysis, although their use joined to gold catalysis is still scarcely explored.
Low‐Cost Transition Metal‐Catalyzed Heck‐Type Reactions: An Overview
Authors: Alisha Mathews , Philip Rose Mary , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: January 2022

Heck coupling has emerged as an effective and powerful tool for C−C bond formations, with applications in academic and industrial grounds. The conventional Mizoroki‐Heck reaction employed expensive Pd based catalysts, however, developments to meet low‐cost replacements to Pd is relevant from a sustainable point of view. Heck‐type couplings involving cost‐effective transition metals such as Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu have been established in the recent decades. Herein, we have comprehended the developments in low‐cost transition metal‐catalyzed Heck couplings covering the literature from 2016.
Rechargeable Aluminum‐Air Batteries Based on Aqueous Solid‐State Electrolytes
Authors: Gaele Maria F. , Di Palma Tonia M.
Published: January 2022

The feasibility to recharge aluminum‐air cells realized with a dual water‐based electrolyte without separator is demonstrated. The dual electrolyte, made of polyvinyl alcohol and Xanthan gum, has a different water content, lower at the anodic interface, where parasitic reactions involving hydrogen production play a crucial role in hindering metal re‐deposition, and higher at the cathode side, where water, depending on the pH, allows an efficient reduction of oxygen during discharge or the oxygen evolution during cell charging. The galvanostatic cycles show in the first discharge and charge cycles, the characteristic plateau trends of secondary batteries. By electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis effected after each discharge/charge phase and by measuring anode and cathode potentials during cycling, it is demonstrated that, during the first cycles, the re‐deposition of aluminum is possible by adopting adequate water management in the electrolyte, while the cell malfunctioning in the subsequent cycles is mainly due to the damage of the cathode.
Comparison of Dynamic Charge Acceptance Tests on Lead–Acid Cells for Carbon Additive Screening
Authors: Bozkaya Begüm , Bauknecht Sophia , Settelein Jochen , Kowal Julia , Karden Eckhard , Giffin Guinevere A.
Published: January 2022

Including a certain amount of carbon in the negative active material is currently the state‐of‐the‐art method to improve the dynamic charge acceptance (DCA) of lead–acid batteries. The DCA is a key parameter of batteries used in microhybrid cars where brake energy recuperation is implemented. To find the optimal carbon additive, it is essential to test the carbon both in short‐term and long‐term tests. This work investigates the long‐term and short‐term DCA of 2 V, 2.5 Ah lead–acid cells and correlates the results with the external surface area of the carbon. Five different carbons with tailored particle size (27–633 nm) and external surface area (7.1–159.3 m2 g−1) are employed as additives in the negative electrodes. The charge acceptance of cells according to the charge acceptance test 2 (SBA), the DCA (EN) test, and the run‐in DCA test (Ford) is increased via an increase in the carbon external surface area. A correlation between the short‐term tests and the first week of the run‐in DCA test is established for the carbon impact. After several weeks of run‐in DCA test, the carbon effect is diminished and only a differentiation between high and low DCA cells is possible.
Tailoring Conductive 3D Porous Hard Carbon for Supercapacitors
Authors: Qi Huiqian , Xu Jijian , Sun Peng , Qi Xiaohuan , Xiao Yang , Zhao Wei , Joshi Rakesh , Huang Fuqiang
Published: January 2022

Hard carbon has attracted great attention for energy storage owing to low cost and extremely high microporosity, however, hindered by its low electrical conductivity. The common strategy to improve the conductivity is through graphitization process which requires temperatures as high as 3000 °C and inevitably destroys the porous structure. Herein, a balance between the specific surface area and electrical conductivity in a 3D porous hard carbon by in situ iron‐catalyzed graphitization process together with the Si–O–Si network is successfully achieved. The Fe can accelerate the localized graphitization at relatively low temperature (1000 °C) to form nanographite domains with enhanced conductivity, while the Si–O–Si network contributes to generating a 3D porous structure. As a result, the optimized hard carbon exhibits a 3D interconnected and hierarchical porous structure with extremely high specific surface area (2075 m2  g−1) and excellent electrical conductivity (12 S cm−1) which is comparable with that of artificial graphite. And thus, high capacitance of 315 F g−1 and excellent rate capability (174 F g−1 at 40 A g−1) are simultaneously achieved when used as electrodes for supercapacitors. The strategy is promising to build hard carbon materials with well‐tuned properties for high‐performance energy storage.
Exploration of nanozymes in viral diagnosis and therapy
Authors: Lee Jiyoung , Liao Hongwei , Wang Qiyue , Han Jieun , Han Jun‐Hyeok , Shin Ha Eun , Ge Minghua , Park Wooram , Li Fangyuan
Published: January 2022

Nanozymes are nanomaterials with similar catalytic activities to natural enzymes. Compared with natural enzymes, they have numerous advantages, including higher physiochemical stability, versatility, and suitability for mass production. In the past decade, the synthesis of nanozymes and their catalytic mechanisms have advanced beyond the simple replacement of natural enzymes, allowing for fascinating applications in various fields such as biosensing and disease treatment. In particular, the exploration of nanozymes as powerful toolkits in diagnostic viral testing and antiviral therapy has attracted growing attention. It can address the great challenges faced by current natural enzyme‐based viral testing technologies, such as high cost and storage difficulties. Therefore, nanozyme can provide a novel nanozyme‐based antiviral therapeutic regime with broader availability and generalizability that are keys to fighting a pandemic such as COVID‐19. Herein, we provide a timely review of the state‐of‐the‐art nanozymes regarding their catalytic activities, as well as a focused discussion on recent research into the use of nanozymes in viral testing and therapy. The remaining challenges and future perspectives will also be outlined. Ultimately, this review will inform readers of the current knowledge of nanozymes and inspire more innovative studies to push forward the frontier of this field.
Differential Orthopedia Homeobox expression in pulmonary carcinoids is associated with changes in DNA methylation
Authors: Moonen Laura , Mangiante Lise , Leunissen Daphne J. G. , Lap Lisa M. V. , Gabriel Aurelie , Hillen Lisa M. , Roemen Guido M. , Koch Alexander , van Engeland Manon , Dingemans Anne‐Marie C. , Foll Matthieu , Alcala Nicolas , Fernandez‐Cuesta Lynnette , Derks Jules L. , Speel Ernst‐Jan M.
Published: January 2022

Limited number of tumor types have been examined for Orthopedia Homeobox (OTP) expression. In pulmonary carcinoids, loss of expression is a strong indicator of poor prognosis. Here, we investigated OTP expression in 37 different tumor types, and the association between OTP expression and DNA methylation levels in lung neuroendocrine neoplasms. We analyzed publicly available multi‐omics data (whole‐exome‐, whole‐genome‐, RNA sequencing and Epic 850K‐methylation array) of 58 typical carcinoids, 27 atypical carcinoids, 69 large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and 51 small cell lung cancer patients and TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) data of 33 tumor types. 850K‐methylation analysis was cross‐validated using targeted pyrosequencing on 35 carcinoids. We report bimodality of OTP expression in carcinoids (OTPhigh vs OTPlow group, likelihood‐ratio test P = 1.5 × 10−2), with the OTPhigh group specific to pulmonary carcinoids while absent from all other cohorts analyzed. Significantly different DNA methylation levels were observed between OTPhigh and OTPlow carcinoids in 12/34 OTP infinium probes (FDR < 0.05 and β‐value effect size > .2). OTPlow carcinoids harbor high DNA methylation levels as compared to OTPhigh carcinoids. OTPlow carcinoids showed a significantly worse overall survival (log‐rank test P = .0052). Gene set enrichment analysis for somatically mutated genes associated with hallmarks of cancer showed robust enrichment of three hallmarks in the OTPlow group, that is, sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressor and genome instability and mutation. Together our data suggest that high OTP expression is a unique feature of pulmonary carcinoids with a favorable prognosis and that in poor prognostic patients, OTP expression is lost, most likely due to changes in DNA methylation levels.
Clinical characteristics and surgical management of endometriosis‐associated infertility: A multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Bhurke Aishwarya V. , DasMahapatra Pramathes , Balakrishnan Sheila , Khan Shagufta A. , Mortlock Sally , Das Vinita , Chellamma Nirmala , Cheruvara Vadakkathil Sowmini , Srivastava Aarti , Majumdar Amiya , Pasi Achhelal , Sachdeva Geetanjali , Montgomery Grant W. , Gajbhiye Rahul K.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To study clinical, surgical characteristics and the relationship between endometriosis lesion types and conception rate after surgery in infertile women with endometriosis.

Methods

A prospective, multicenter cohort of 204 women (age 20–35 years) with endometriosis was followed up post‐surgery between November 2017 and February 2020 at three tertiary‐care hospitals.

Results

Based on the severity of endometriosis lesion type, deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) (81/204, 39.7%) was the most common lesion; followed by ovarian endometriosis (OMA) (64/204, 31.4%), and superficial peritoneal endometriosis (SUP) (59/204, 28.9%). Endometriosis patients had a single lesion type (94/204, 46.1%), two lesion types (77/204, 37.7%), or three lesion types (33/204, 16.2%) with significant differences between regions (P < 0.001). Around 40% (37/95) of obese women had SUP (P = 0.003) whereas 78% (14/18) of underweight women had DIE (P < 0.001). Significant differences in mean Endometriosis Fertility Index scores between endometriosis lesion types and patients with one, two, and three types of lesions were observed (P < 0.001). The majority (22/32, 68.8%) of the women conceived naturally after the surgery. Half (16/32; 50%) of the women with a single lesion type conceived after the surgery; of which most (13/16, 81.2%) had SUP, followed by OMA (2/16, 12.5%), and DIE (1/16, 6.3%).

Conclusion

Women with SUP and only one type of endometriotic lesion were more likely to conceive post‐surgery.
Prioritization of areas suitable for rice cultivation based on the economic value of irrigation water
Authors: Rezaei Golaz , Khaledian Mohammadreza , Kavoosi‐Kalashami Mohammad , Rezaei Mojtaba
Published: January 2022

This study assessed the economic value of rice irrigation water in four key rice‐producing provinces of Iran: Guilan, Mazandaran, Khuzestan and Fars. In this respect, the production function approach and cross‐section data of 2014–2015, collected from paddy farmers in each province, were applied. In this research, two approaches were used: (i) determining the economic value of irrigation water after omitting outliers and extreme observations (first approach); (ii) determining the economic value of rice irrigation water using relevant observations that match the yield–input consumption trend equation (second approach). The results of the first and second approaches showed that Guilan province was ranked first in terms of economic value of rice irrigation water with average economic values of US$0.47 and 0.53, Mazandaran ranked second with average economic values of US$0.35 and 0.32, Khuzestan province ranked third with US$0.17 and 0.16 and Fars province ranked fourth with US$0.09 and 0.09, respectively. Therefore, it is recommended that farmers cultivate rice in the two first provinces that enjoy enough water and, also, in the two last provinces limit the scope of their cultivation because of water scarcity. This methodology can be employed in other regions to prioritize areas suitable for rice cultivation.
Second‐order asymmetric convolution network for breast cancer histopathology image classification
Authors: Hou Cunqiao , Li Jiasen , Wang Wei , Sun Lin , Zhang Jianxin
Published: January 2022

Recently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been widely utilized for breast cancer histopathology image classification. Besides, research works have also convinced that deep high‐order statistic models obviously outperform corresponding first‐order counterparts in vision tasks. Inspired by this, we attempt to explore global deep high‐order statistics to distinguish breast cancer histopathology images. To further boost the classification performance, we also integrate asymmetric convolution into the second‐order network and propose a novel second‐order asymmetric convolution network (SoACNet). SoACNet adopts a series of asymmetric convolution blocks to replace each stand square‐kernel convolutional layer of the backbone architecture, followed by a global covariance pooling to compute second‐order statistics of deep features, leading to a more robust representation of histopathology images. Extensive experiments on the public BreakHis dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of SoACNet for breast cancer histopathology image classification, which achieves competitive performance with the state‐of‐the‐arts.
TREM-1 is required for enhanced OpZ-induced superoxide generation following priming
Authors: Murthy Shubha , Baruah Sankar , Bowen Jayden L , Keck Kathy , Wagner Brett A , Buettner Garry R , Sykes David B , Klesney-Tait Julia
Published: January 2022

Inflammatory agents, microbial products, or stromal factors pre-activate or prime neutrophils to respond to activating stimuli in a rapid and aggressive manner. Primed neutrophils exhibit enhanced chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and respiratory burst when stimulated by secondary activating stimuli. We previously reported that Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) mediates neutrophil effector functions such as increased superoxide generation, transepithelial migration, and chemotaxis. However, it is unclear whether TREM-1 is required for the process of priming itself or for primed responses to subsequent stimulation. To investigate this, we utilized in vitro and in vivo differentiated neutrophils that were primed with TNF-α and then stimulated with the particulate agonist, opsonized zymosan (OpZ). Bone marrow progenitors isolated from WT and Trem-1–/– mice were transduced with estrogen regulated Homeobox8 (ER-Hoxb8) fusion transcription factor and differentiated in vitro into neutrophils following estrogen depletion. The resulting neutrophils expressed high levels of TREM-1 and resembled mature in vivo differentiated neutrophils. The effects of priming on phagocytosis and oxidative burst were determined. Phagocytosis did not require TREM-1 and was not altered by priming. In contrast, priming significantly enhanced OpZ-induced oxygen consumption and superoxide production in WT but not Trem-1–/– neutrophils indicating that TREM-1 is required for primed oxidative burst. TREM-1-dependent effects were not mediated during the process of priming itself as priming enhanced degranulation, ICAM-1 shedding, and IL-1ß release to the same extent in WT and Trem-1–/- neutrophils. Thus, TREM-1 plays a critical role in primed phagocytic respiratory burst and mediates its effects following priming.
Pan-cancer analysis of GALNTs expression identifies a prognostic of GALNTs feature in low grade glioma
Authors: Mao Chengzhou , Zhuang Shi-Min , Xia Zijin , Xiao Zhi-Wen , Huang Chun-Xia , Su Qiang , Chen Jun , Liao Jing
Published: January 2022

Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (GalNAc-Ts), a group of isoenzymes that initiate mucin-type O-glycosylation, have been shown to mediate tumor growth and metastasis in various cancer types. However, data on the clinical significance and features of GalNAc-Ts remain scant. Here, we used Oncomine and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases to analyze the transcription and survival effect of GALNTs (N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase genes) in pan-cancer. The data showed that the GALNTs were aberrantly expressed in various human cancers and significantly associated with patients’ clinical outcomes. The expression of 13 GALNTs were correlated with prognosis in brain low grade glioma (LGG) patients. In addition, based on the expression profiles of GALNT family genes in TCGA-LGG dataset, we identified 2 molecular subtypes (cluster1/2) by consensus clustering and analyzed tumor heterogeneity. Our results demonstrated that cluster 2 group was associated with poor prognosis, CD8+ T cells, macrophages and DCs infiltration, up-regulated expression of immune checkpoints, and higher tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score, indicating that GalNAc-Ts might contribute to tumor immune escape. Furthermore, we employed LASSO regression and time-dependent ROC analysis to construct a GALNTs-related prognostic signature with the TCGA-LGG dataset, and then validated the signature using 2 external cohorts. Taken together, our study successfully developed a novel prognostic biomarker for LGG and provides a basis for personalized immunotherapy in brain cancer.
Comparison of Four‐Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of Left Ventricular Fluid Dynamics and Energetics in Ischemic and Restrictive Cardiomyopathies
Authors: Riva Alessandra , Sturla Francesco , Pica Silvia , Camporeale Antonia , Tondi Lara , Saitta Simone , Caimi Alessandro , Giese Daniel , Palladini Giovanni , Milani Paolo , Castelvecchio Serenella , Menicanti Lorenzo , Redaelli Alberto , Lombardi Massimo , Votta Emiliano
Published: January 2022

Background

Time‐resolved three‐directional velocity‐encoded (4D flow) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables the quantification of left ventricular (LV) intracavitary fluid dynamics and energetics, providing mechanistic insight into LV dysfunctions. Before becoming a support to diagnosis and patient stratification, this analysis should prove capable of discriminating between clearly different LV derangements.

Purpose

To investigate the potential of 4D flow in identifying fluid dynamic and energetics derangements in ischemic and restrictive LV cardiomyopathies.

Study Type

Prospective observational study.

Population

Ten patients with post‐ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), 10 patients with cardiac light‐chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL‐CA), and 10 healthy controls were included.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5 T/balanced steady‐state free precession cine and 4D flow sequences.

Assessment

Flow was divided into four components: direct flow (DF), retained inflow, delayed ejection flow, and residual volume (RV). Demographics, LV morphology, flow components, global and regional energetics (volume‐normalized kinetic energy [KEV] and viscous energy loss [ELV]), and pressure‐derived hemodynamic force (HDF) were compared between the three groups.

Statistical Tests

Intergroup differences in flow components were tested by one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA); differences in energetic variables and peak HDF were tested by two‐way ANOVA. A P‐value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

ICM patients exhibited the following statistically significant alterations vs. controls: reduced KEV, mostly in the basal region, in systole (−44%) and in diastole (−37%); altered flow components, with reduced DF (−33%) and increased RV (+26%); and reduced basal–apical HDF component on average by 63% at peak systole. AL‐CA patients exhibited the following alterations vs. controls: significantly reduced KEV at the E‐wave peak in the basal segment (−34%); albeit nonstatistically significant, increased peaks and altered time‐course of the HDF basal–apical component in diastole and slightly reduced HDF components in systole.

Data Conclusion

The analysis of multiple 4D flow‐derived parameters highlighted fluid dynamic alterations associated with systolic and diastolic dysfunctions in ICM and AL‐CA patients, respectively.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

3
Role of genetic variants and host polymorphisms on COVID‐19: From viral entrance mechanisms to immunological reactions
Authors: Adli Abolfazl , Rahimi Mandana , Khodaie Reza , Hashemzaei Niloofar , Hosseini Sayed M.
Published: January 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by a highly pathogenic emerging virus, is called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of this virus is in infancy; however, investigation on the pathogenic mechanisms of the SARS‐CoV‐2 is underway. In COVID‐19, one of the most remarkable characteristics is the wide range of disease manifestation and severity seen across individuals of different ethnic backgrounds and geographical locations. To effectively manage COVID‐19 in the populations, beyond SARS‐CoV‐2 detection, serological response assessment, and analytic techniques, it is critical to obtain knowledge about at‐risk individuals and comprehend the identified variations in the disease's severity in general and also in the populations' levels. Several factors can contribute to variation in disease presentation, including population density, gender and age differences, and comorbid circumstances including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity. Genetic factors presumably influence SARS‐CoV‐2 infection susceptibility. Besides this, COVID‐19 has also been linked with a higher risk of mortality in men and certain ethnic groups, revealing that host genetic characteristics may affect the individual risk of death. Also, genetic variants involved in pathologic processes, including virus entrance into cells, antiviral immunity, and inflammatory response, are not entirely understood. Regarding SARS‐CoV‐2 infection characteristics, the present review suggests that various genetic polymorphisms influence virus pathogenicity and host immunity, which might have significant implications for understanding and interpreting the matter of genetics in SARS‐CoV‐2 pathogenicity and customized integrative medical care based on population investigation.
The positive potential of presenteeism: An exploration of how presenteeism leads to good performance evaluation
Authors: Wang Mengyuan , Lu Chang‐qin , Lu Luo
Published: January 2022

The presenteeism literature to date has largely focused on the negative aspects of presenteeism. Little is known about the potential functional or positive aspects of presenteeism. Drawing on the social cognitive framework of presenteeism, we examined the positive effects of presenteeism on performance evaluation in the context of high work demands. Across two experimental scenario studies (Studies 1a and 2) and two time‐lagged field studies (Studies 1b and 3), we found that presenteeism was beneficial for employees' performance evaluations, especially under high work demands. Furthermore, we found that employees' affective commitment explained why presenteeism had a positive effect on performance evaluations under high work demands. Building on trait activation theory, we further demonstrate that proactive coping employees were more likely to be activated to commit presenteeism and to subsequently attained better job performance under high work demands. Taken together, our results illustrate when and why presenteeism can lead to better performance evaluations, as well as who may benefit from the act of presenteeism. These findings elucidate the functional or “good” aspects of presenteeism. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Effect of periacetabular osteotomy on the distribution pattern of subchondral bone mineral density in patients with hip dysplasia
Authors: Shimizu Tomohiro , Takahashi Daisuke , Nakamura Yumejiro , Miyazaki Takuji , Yokota Shunichi , Ishizu Hotaka , Iwasaki Norimasa
Published: January 2022

Despite the availability of long‐term follow‐up data, the effect of pelvic osteotomy on the natural history of osteoarthritis is not yet fully understood, partly because there is untapped potential for radiographs to better describe osteoarthritis. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the distribution of subchondral bone mineral density (BMD) across the acetabulum in patients with hip dysplasia immediately (2 weeks) and 1 year after undergoing periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). To that end, we reviewed 40 hips from 33 patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip who underwent PAO between January 2016 and July 2019 at our institution. We measured subchondral BMD through the articular surface of the acetabulum using computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry, dividing the distribution map into nine segments. We then compared the subchondral BMD between 2 weeks and 1 year after PAO in each area. At 2 weeks after PAO, the high‐density area tended to be localized particularly in the lateral part of the acetabulum, whereas 1 year after PAO, the high‐density area moved to the central and lateral parts. The percentage ratios of the subchondral BMD for the central–posterior, lateral–central, and lateral–posterior areas relative to the central–central area were significantly decreased at 1 year after PAO, as compared to those at 2 weeks after PAO. These findings suggest that loading was altered by PAO to be more similar to physiological loading. A long follow‐up observational study is warranted to confirm the association between early changes in subchondral BMD by PAO and joint degeneration.
Cartilage contact characteristics of the knee during gait in individuals with obesity
Authors: Li Jing‐Sheng , Tsai Tsung‐Yuan , Clancy Margaret M. , Lewis Cara L. , Felson David T. , Li Guoan
Published: January 2022

Obesity increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Knee joint contact characteristics have been thought to provide insights into the pathogenesis of knee OA; however, the cartilage contact characteristics in individuals with obesity have not been fully described. We conducted cartilage‐to‐cartilage contact analyses through high‐precision fluoroscopy imaging with subject‐specific magnetic resonance cartilage models. Twenty‐five individuals with obesity were recruited for this study, and previously published data consisted of eight nonobese individuals who were used as the comparator group. In both groups, knees were imaged by a dual fluoroscopic imaging system during treadmill walking, and the tibiofemoral cartilage contact locations were analyzed and described on the tibial plateau in the medial−lateral (ML) and anterior−posterior (AP) directions and on femoral condyle surfaces using contact angles in the sagittal plane and deviation angles in a plane perpendicular to the sagittal plane. On the medial tibial plateau, the ML contact locations in the individuals with obesity were located more medially than in the nonobese group throughout the stance phase. The medial plateau AP contact locations in individuals with obesity showed a different pattern compared with the nonobese group. The ML contact excursions on the medial plateau in the individuals with obesity were larger than in the nonobese group. These findings suggest that obesity affects the contact location mainly in the medial compartment, which explains, in part, the high prevalence of medial knee OA in the obese population.
3D Printing Tannic Acid‐Based Gels via Digital Light Processing
Authors: Li Ning , Xiang Zuojia , Rong Youjie , Zhu Lisheng , Huang Xiaobo
Published: January 2022

Photocurable 3D printing of polyphenol‐based gels has been limited by the catechol groups, which can scavenge free radicals generated by photoinitiators during photopolymerization. Herein, a 3D‐printed gel composed of poly‐acrylamide (PAM) and tannic acid (TA) is presented, fabricated by using glycerol as shielding of TA and a commercial digital light processing printer. The printed gels are based on a polymeric network interpenetrated by TA‐glycerol, enabling the printed objects with various favorable properties, such as improved toughness, anti‐dehydration, antioxidant and antibacterial properties, etc. The proposed strategy enables photocurable 3D printing of polyphenol‐based gels with complex architecture, paving the way for future applications in various fields, ranging from soft wearable devices to tissue engineering.
Can international students help enhance China's urban innovation?
Authors: Xu Junbing , Wei Zhongmei , Yao Haitang
Published: January 2022

The growing number of international students coming to China has injected new vitality into the development of an innovative economy in the mainland. In this paper, we employ a panel fixed‐effect model to examine how international students affect China's technological innovation. Our paper finds that international students in China have significantly promoted urban innovation in China, reflected not only in the expansion of urban innovation scale but also in the improvement of the urban patent structure and innovation quality. This highlights the need to increase the scale of international education and improve the quality of international education.
Polymer‐based nanocomposites fabricated by microemulsion method
Authors: Salabat Alireza , Mirhoseini Farid
Published: January 2022

Nanocomposites have been introduced as organized and engineering structures with high‐performance and unique physical and chemical properties. Polymer‐based nanocomposites, containing different nanoparticles and polymers, have been extensively considered in various industries especially for medical, energy, and environmental applications. The physical, chemical and mechanical properties of nanocomposites are extremely related to the particle size, size distribution and also homogeneity of the fillers. Obviously, these characteristics of the nanocomposites are straightly depending on preparation methods. Based on the literature survey, various chemical methods are used to prepare nanocomposite materials. The chemical preparation methods include sol–gel, in‐situ polymerization, intercalation, exfoliation, solution mixing process, melt mixing process, microemulsion, and so on. As an interesting research field, that is our favorite, for the first time the use of microemulsion method for synthesis of polymer‐based nanocomposites by microemulsion systems have been reviewed. Moreover, recently some ionic liquid‐based microemulsion systems have been introduced as a new microemulsion route for nanocomposites preparation. The microemulsion method as a novel route is believed to have potential for obtaining monodisperse and homogeneous engineering nanocomposites
The impact of using creative drama in the delivery of Body Safety Training Programs for preschool children on preventing sexual abuse in Turkey
Authors: Citak Tunc Gulseren , Yavas Halil
Published: January 2022

The study focuses on the impact of the creative drama method on child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention program in Turkey. A pretest–posttest experimental design with a control group was used in the study. The research was carried out with a total of 72 preschool children aged 3–6 years. Data were collected by What If Situations Test (WIST). A creative drama activity was conducted for the experimental group before training. Body Safety Training (BST) was used in both groups. The average WIST posttest scores were statistically significantly higher compared to pretest scores for the children in both groups (p < .05). A comparison of pretest and posttest assessment found that there was no statistically significant difference (p > .05) between the two groups in regard to the WIST assessment averages. BST Program has a positive impact on increasing personal safety skills when implemented together with creative drama activities.
Arabidopsis CIA2 and CIL have distinct and overlapping functions in regulating chloroplast and flower development
Authors: Yang Chun‐Yen , Yan Wen‐You , Chang Hsin‐Yen , Sun Chih‐Wen
Published: January 2022

Arabidopsis CHLOROPLAST IMPORT APPARATUS 2 (CIA2) and its paralogous protein CIA2‐LIKE (CIL) are nuclear transcription factors containing a C‐terminal CCT motif. CIA2 promotes the expression of nuclear genes encoding chloroplast‐localized translocons and ribosomal proteins, thereby increasing the efficiency of protein import and synthesis in chloroplasts. We have previously reported that CIA2 and CIL form a homodimer or heterodimer through their C‐terminal sequences and interact with other nuclear proteins, such as CONSTANS (CO), via their N‐terminal sequences, but the function of CIL had remained unclear. In this study, we verified through transgenic cia2 mutant plants expressing the CIL coding sequence that CIL is partially functionally redundant to CIA2 during vegetative growth. We also compared phenotypes and gene expression profiles of wildtype Col‐0, cia2, cil, and cia2/cil mutants. Our results indicate that CIA2 and CIL coordinate chloroplast biogenesis and function mainly by upregulating the expression of the nuclear factor GOLDEN2‐LIKE 1 (GLK1) and chloroplast transcription‐, translation‐, protein import‐, and photosynthesis‐related genes, with CIA2 playing a more crucial role. Furthermore, we compared flowering phenotypes in single, double, and triple mutant plants of co, cia2, and cil. We found that CIA2 and CIL participate in modulating long‐day floral development. Notably, CIA2 increases flower number and height of the inflorescence main axis, whereas CIL promotes flowering.
Biosolids processing effect on sulfur plant availability
Authors: Moore Amber D. , Smith Eliza , Bary Andy , Sullivan Dan M.
Published: January 2022

Understanding the S nutritive value of biosolids produced by various processing methods is important for growers who apply biosolids to crop production fields. Our project goals were to determine how processing method and biosolids’ properties influence S availability and S fertilizer value. Fourteen biosolids materials were selected for the trial, including those produced with aerobic digestion (n = 2), anaerobic digestion (n = 5), dual digestion (n = 1), composting (n = 2), lagoon storage (n = 2), sawdust blending (n = 1), and alkaline stabilization (n = 1). Biosolids were air‐dried, ground, and added to a Walla Walla silt loam soil at a rate of 100 mg S kg–1 soil. The treated soils were incubated at 25 ℃ and extracted for SO4–S on Days 1, 13, 29, 44, and 83. Mean plant available S was greatest for the alkaline stabilized biosolids (52%), followed by anaerobically digested biosolids (40%), sawdust blended biosolids (37%), lagoon slurry (36%), dual digestion biosolids (31%), aerobically digested biosolids (15%), and composted biosolids (4%). Biosolids pH, organic C/total S, total Ca, total S, and SO4–S concentrations were well correlated to S release rate, plant available S, or both. Sulfur mineralization of organic S compounds is known to be influenced by organic C/total S, whereas Ca and pH effects may be related to gypsum (CaSO4) dissolution and oxidation of hydrogen sulfide compounds. The correlations discussed here may need to be further investigated and verified on additional soil types and under field conditions prior to grower adoption.
Quantifiable correlation of ToF‐SIMS and XPS data from polymer surfaces with controlled amino acid and peptide content
Authors: Taylor Michael , Simoes Fabio , Smith James , Genapathy Sivaneswary , Canning Anne , Lledos Marina , Chan Weng C. , Denning Chris , Scurr David J. , Steven Rory T. , Spencer Steve J. , Shard Alexander G. , Alexander Morgan R. , Zelzer Mischa
Published: January 2022

Peptide‐coated surfaces are widely employed in biomaterial design, but quantifiable correlation between surface composition and biological response is challenging due to, for example, instrumental limitations, a lack of suitable model surfaces or limitations in quantitatively correlating data from different surface analytical techniques. Here, we first establish a reference material that allows control over amino acid content. Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerisation is used to prepare a copolymer containing alkyne and furan units with well‐defined chain length and composition. Huisgen Cu(I)‐catalysed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition reaction is used to attach the model azido‐polyethyleneglycol‐amide‐modified pentafluoro‐l‐phenylalanine to the polymer. Different compositional ratios of the polymer provide a surface with varying amino acid content that is analysed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS). Nitrogen‐related signals are compared with fluorine signals from both techniques. Fluorine and nitrogen signals from both techniques are found to be related to the copolymer compositions, but the homopolymer data deviate from this trend. The approach is then translated to a heparin‐binding peptide that supports cell adhesion. Human embryonic stem cells cultured on copolymer surfaces presenting different amounts of heparin‐binding peptide show strong cell growth while maintaining pluripotency after 72 h of culture. The early cell adhesion at 24 h can be correlated to the logarithm of the normalised CH4N+ ion intensity from ToF‐SIMS data, which is established as a suitable and generalisable marker ion for amino acids and peptides. This work contributes to the ability to use ToF‐SIMS in a more quantitative manner for the analysis of amino acid and peptide surfaces.
S‐Benzyl‐N,N′‐diphenyl Isothiouronium Iodide as an Efficient Organocatalyst for the Transfer Hydrogenation of 1,4‐Benzoxazines
Authors: Kang Sungmin , Yeo Hyoung Min , Kim Taek Hyeon
Published: January 2022

This study reports on the isothiouronium salt catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of various 3‐substituted‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazines, with Hantzsch esters as a hydrogen source. Transfer hydrogenation of 1,4‐benzoxazines has been successfully carried out with small amount of 1 mol% S‐benzyl‐N,N′‐diphenyl isothiouronium iodide as a catalyst. Various 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazines were obtained in quantitative yield at room temperature.
Factors influencing strength loss of glass‐fiber‐reinforced composite bars in highly alkaline environment of concrete
Authors: Nassar Roz‐Ud‐Din , Dominguez Gustavo D. , Soroushian Parviz , Balachandra Anagi , Weerasiri Rankothge , Darsanasiri Nalin , Abdol Nastran
Published: January 2022

Steel corrosion is a significant problem of concrete‐based infrastructure, and it increases the repair costs of the damage to structures. Glass‐fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite bars are corrosion‐proof and exhibit relatively higher strength than ordinary steel reinforcement. However, GFRP bars degrade when exposed to the highly alkaline environment of concrete over extended periods. This study focuses on the effect of the high alkalinity of concrete on the tensile strengths of several types of GFRP bars. Different accelerated aging techniques were employed to evaluate the effects of GFRP characteristics (fiber volume fraction, matrix composition, bar diameter, and presence of protective coating) on the alkali resistance. The test results indicated that the alkali attack significantly decreased the tensile strength of GFRP, increasing with age. The alkali resistance of the GFRP bars increased up to a fiber volume fraction of 50% but decreased when the fiber volume fraction increased to 60% and above. The effects of protective coating on alkali resistance were generally positive but not consistent, and the effects of the matrix type and bar diameter on the alkali resistance of GFRP bars were insignificant. Accelerated aging did not change the bond strength but altered the failure mechanism associated with the bond failure of the specimens.