bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real‐world KINDLE‐Latin America subset data on treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in patients with stage III non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Martin Claudio Marcelo , Puello‐Guerrero Adrián , Mas‐Lopez Luis Alberto , Campos‐Gómez Saul , Orlando‐Orlandi Francisco J. , Tejado Gallegos Luis Fernando , Huggenberger Reto
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Stage III non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) management is challenging given the heterogeneous nature of the disease. The LATAM subset of the real‐world, global KINDLE study reported the treatment patterns and clinical outcomes for LATAM from the pre‐immuno‐oncology era.

Methods

The study was conducted in seven countries (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay) in stage III NSCLC (American Joint Committee on Cancer, 7th edition) diagnosed between January 2013 and December 2017. Retrospective data from patients' medical records (index date to the end of follow‐up) were collected. Summary statistics, Kaplan–Meier survival estimates and a two‐sided 95% confidence interval (CI) were provided. Cox proportional hazard model was used for univariate and multi‐variate analyses.

Results

A total of 231 patients was enrolled, the median age was 65.0 years (range 21.0–89.0), 60.6% were males, 76.6% had smoking history, 64.0% had adenocarcinoma and 28.7% underwent curative resection. Multiple treatment regimens (>25) were used; chemotherapy alone was the most common (24.8%). The overall median progression‐free survival (mPFS) and median overall survival (mOS) were 14.8 months (95% CI, 12.1–18.6) and 48.6 months (95% CI, 34.7 to not calculable). Significantly better mPFS and mOS were observed for stage IIIA with curative surgery and resectable tumours and stage IIIB with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 0/1, female gender, resectable tumours, adenocarcinoma and curative surgery (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Results show diversity in treatment practices and the corresponding clinical outcomes in stage III NSCLC. There is a need to streamline treatment selection and sequencing to decrease relapse rates after initial therapy.
Identification and functional analysis of N6‐methyladenine (m6A)‐related lncRNA across 33 cancer types
Authors: Xu Dahua , Xu Zhizhou , Bi Xiaoman , Cai Jiale , Cao Meng , Zheng Dehua , Chen Liyang , Li Peihu , Wang Hong , Wu Deng , Yang Jun , Li Kongning
Published: July 2022

Background

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) plays an essential role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are discovered to be important targets of m6A modification, and they play fundamental roles in diverse biological processes. However, there is still a lack of knowledge with regards to the association between m6A and lncRNAs in human tumors.

Methods

The relationship between lncRNAs and 21 m6A regulators was comprehensively explored, through the integration of multi‐omics data from M6A2Target, m6A‐Atlas, and TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas). In order to explore the potential roles of m6A‐related lncRNAs in human tumors, three applicable methods were introduced, which include the construction of ceRNA networks, drug sensitivity estimation, and survival analysis.

Results

A substantial number of positive correlation events across 33 cancer types were found. Moreover, cancer‐specific lncRNAs were associated with tissue specificity, and cancer‐common lncRNAs were conserved in cancer‐related biological function. In particular, the m6A‐related lncRNA FGD5‐AS1 was found to be associated with cancer treatment, through its influence on cisplatin resistance in breast cancer patients. Finally, a user‐friendly interface Lnc2m6A, which is enriched with various browsing sections resource for the exhibition of relationships and putative biogenesis between lncRNAs and m6A modifications, is offered in http://hainmu‐biobigdata.com/Lnc2m6A.

Conclusions

In summary, the results from this paper will provide a valuable resource that guides both mechanistic and therapeutic roles of m6A‐related lncRNAs in human tumors.
Establishment of a risk model by integrating hypoxia genes in predicting prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xiao Wanyi , Tang Peng , Sui Zhilin , Han Youming , Zhao Gang , Wu Xianxian , Yang Yueyang , Zhu Ningning , Gong Lei , Yu Zhentao , Zhang Hongdian
Published: July 2022

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has a dismal prognosis, and hypoxia plays a key role in metastasis and proliferation of ESCC. Thus, we aimed to develop a hypoxia‐based gene signature to assist in the treatment decisions and prognosis.

Methods

We performed consensus clustering analysis on samples from GSE53625 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and used weighted gene co‐expression network analysis to filter out candidate modules, which were then intersected with differentially expressed genes from clustered subgroups to obtain hypoxia‐related genes (HRGs). After that, the aforementioned genes were used to construct risk score models and validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Cox regression analysis were used to construct a nomogram. Immunohistochemical was used to detect protein expression levels of relevant genes. Moreover, the relationship between risk scores and tumor microenvironment was explored.

Results

A hypoxia risk model containing six genes (PNPLA1, CARD18, IL‐18, SLC37A2, ADAMTS18, and FAM83C) was constructed by screening key HRGs. Poorer prognosis in the high‐risk group than in the low‐risk group. And Cox regression analysis showed that risk score was an independent prognostic factor. The nomogram based on risk scores could well predict 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival. P53, Wnt, and hypoxia signaling pathways may be some regulatory mechanisms of hypoxia associated with the tumor microenvironment. In addition, we confirmed the high expression of BGN and low expression of IL‐18 in ESCC tissues.

Conclusions

Our study determined the prognostic value of a 6‐hypoxia gene signature and a prognostic model, providing potential prognostic predictors and therapeutic targets for ESCC.
Oral administration of botryosphaeran [(1 → 3)(1 → 6)‐β‐d‐glucan] reduces inflammation through modulation of leukocytes and has limited effect on inflammatory nociception
Authors: Silva Nubia A. , Pereira Bianca G. , Santos Joyce A. , Guarnier Flávia A. , Barbosa‐Dekker Aneli M. , Dekker Robert F. H. , Kassuya Cândida A. L. , Bernardes Sara S.
Published: July 2022

Several biological activities of the fungal exopolysaccharide (1 → 3)(1 → 6)‐β‐d‐glucan (botryosphaeran) have been described in the literature, but its effects on inflammation have not been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the action of botryosphaeran on experimental mice models of carrageenan‐induced acute pleurisy and acute paw edema, and complete Freund's adjuvant‐induced persistent paw edema. All botryosphaeran doses tested (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg birth weight [b.w.], orally administered) reduced leukocyte recruitment, nitric oxide (NO) levels, and protein extravasation in the pleural cavity. Botryosphaeran (5 mg/kg b.w.) did not diminish edema and mechanical hyperalgesia in the paw within 4 h; however, cold allodynia was alleviated within the first 2 h. In the persistent paw inflammation model, the effects of daily oral administration of botryosphaeran (5 mg/kg b.w.) were evaluated over 3 and 7 days. The fungal β‐glucan significantly reduced the levels of the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6), and IL‐10, in the paw homogenates in both protocols, while paw edema and the levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) only diminished on Day 7. No effect in mechanical hyperalgesia was observed. Oral treatment for 3 or 7 days also decreased the plasma levels of NO, AOPP, TNF‐α, and IL‐10. On Day 7, the number of leukocytes in the blood was also reduced by this treatment. Importantly, botryosphaeran did not induce inflammation in mice when administered alone over 7 days. This study demonstrated the anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive potential of botryosphaeran in these experimental models, making this fungal β‐glucan a new possibility for complementary treating acute and chronic inflammation.
HDACs regulate the differentiation of endothelial cells from human iPSCs
Authors: Li Tao , Wu Haopeng , Wang Pingping , Kim Amy M. , Jia Junjing , Nolta Jan A. , Zhou Ping
Published: July 2022

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) possess the potential to differentiate toward vascular cells including endothelial cells (ECs), pericytes, and smooth muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone modification play a crucial role in regulating lineage differentiation and specification. Herein, we utilized a three‐stage protocol to induce differentiation of mesoderm, vascular progenitors, and ECs from hiPSCs and investigated the regulatory effects of histone acetylation on the differentiation processes. We found that the expression of several histone deacetylases (HDACs), including HDAC1, HDAC5, and HDAC7, were greatly upregulated at the second stage and downregulated at the third stage. Interestingly, although HDAC1 remained in the nucleus during the EC differentiation, HDAC5 and HDAC7 displayed cytosol/nuclear translocation during the differentiation process. Inhibition of HDACs with sodium butyrate (NaBt) or BML210 could hinder the differentiation of vascular progenitors at the second stage and facilitate EC induction at the third stage. Further investigation revealed that HDAC may modulate the stepwise EC differentiation via regulating the expression of endothelial transcription factors ERG, ETS1, and MEF2C. Opposite to the expression of EC markers, the smooth muscle/pericyte marker ACTA2 was upregulated at the second stage and downregulated at the third stage by NaBt. The stage‐specific regulation of ACTA2 by HDAC inhibition was likely through regulating the expression of TGFβ2 and PDGFB. This study suggests that HDACs play different roles at different stages of EC induction by promoting the commitment of vascular progenitors and impeding the later stage differentiation of ECs.
RETRACTED: High‐Resolution Imaging of Human Cancer Proteins Using Microprocessor Materials
Authors: Solares Maria J. , Jonaid G. M. , Luqiu William Y. , Berry Samantha , Khadela Janki , Liang Yanping , Evans Madison C. , Pridham Kevin J. , Dearnaley William J. , Sheng Zhi , Kelly Deborah F.
Published: July 2022

Mutations in tumor suppressor genes, such as Tumor Protein 53 (TP53), are heavily implicated in aggressive cancers giving rise to gain‐ and loss‐of‐function phenotypes. While individual domains of the p53 protein have been studied extensively, structural information for full‐length p53 remains incomplete. Functionalized microprocessor chips (microchips) with properties amenable to electron microscopy permitted us to visualize complete p53 assemblies for the first time. The new structures revealed p53 in an inactive dimeric state independent of DNA binding. Residues located at the protein‐protein interface corresponded with modification sites in cancer‐related hot spots. Changes in these regions may amplify the toxic effects of clinical mutations. Taken together, these results contribute advances in technology and imaging approaches to decode native protein models in different states of activation.
Modeling Thermophysical Properties of Carbon Dioxide: Performance Comparison and Assessment
Authors: Ding Lu , Zhao Bingtao , Hao Xiaohong
Published: July 2022

Although many mathematical models have been developed for predicting the density, viscosity, and thermal conductivity of CO2, their accuracy and applicability have not been sufficiently established in the gas/liquid and supercritical regions and, in particular, in the region around the critical point. To understand their performances, the models are compared and analyzed, including (i) the cubic equations of state, multi‐parameter equations, and the Helmholtz free energy‐based model for density, (ii) residual theory‐ and regression‐based models for viscosity and thermal conductivity, and (iii) artificial intelligence‐based models (neural networks/machine learning) for these properties. A technical assessment is then performed. The results may provide a positive reference for determining the thermophysical properties of CO2.
Data fusion of multiple‐information strategy based on Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy and Fourier‐transform mid infrared for geographical traceability of Wolfiporia cocos combined with chemometrics
Authors: Li Lian , Zhang Song , Zuo Zhi‐Tian , Wang Yuan‐Zhong
Published: July 2022

Owing to the widespread concern relating to herb safety and quality, there is a momentum to discriminate the geographical traceability of fungus with multiple‐information technologies. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the fusion strategy of multiple‐information for the geographical traceability of this fungus based on Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy (FT‐NIR) and Fourier‐transform mid infrared spectroscopy (FT‐MIR) with chemometrics. From all results, (1) comparative visualization of t‐distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t‐SNE) emerged that the superior effect of FT‐NIR spectroscopy was better than FT‐MIR, which were separated according to the samples of different regions; (2) in view of optimized spectrum, the geographical traceability of extreme learning machine (ELM) model was better than the partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) and support vector machine (SVM) models that the accuracy of training set for all models was 100%; (3) the accuracy of train and test for ELM model were 100% with single spectrum, low‐level, and mid‐level fusion of FT‐NIR and FT‐MIR based on principal components (PCs) and competitive adaptive weighting algorithm (CARS), which was suitable for geographical traceability and evaluation of this fungus. (4) The three models based on successive projection algorithm (SPA) were not dissatisfied for the geographical traceability of this fungus. (5) The result of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was consistent with the above results, which could distinguish samples according to different regions. All results showed that models could be developed as superior model on the foundation of single spectrum based on FT‐NIR, low‐level or mid‐level (except SPA) fusion of ELM, which could be employed in geographical traceability of Wolfiporia cocos, effectively.
Prussian Blue Type Cocatalysts for Enhancing the Photocatalytic Water Oxidation Performance of BiVO4
Authors: Meng Xiangyu , Xu Shiming , Zhang Chenchen , Feng Pengfei , Li Rui , Guan Hongxia , Ding Yong
Published: July 2022

The efficiency of photocatalytic overall water splitting reactions is usually limited by the high energy barrier and complex multiple electron‐transfer processes of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Although bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) as the photocatalyst has been developed for enhancing the kinetics of the water oxidation reaction, it still suffers from challenges of fast recombination of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs and poor photocatalytic activity. Herein, six MII‐CoIII Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) cocatalysts are synthesized and deposited on the surface of BiVO4 for boosting the surface catalytic efficiency and enhancing photogenerated carries separation efficiency of BiVO4. Six MII‐CoIII PBAs@BiVO4 photocatalysts all demonstrate increased photocatalytic water oxidation performance compared to that of BiVO4 alone. Among them, the Co−Co PBA@BiVO4 photocatalyst is employed as a representative research object and is thoroughly characterized by electrochemistry, electronic microscope as well as multiple spectroscopic analyses. Notably, BiVO4 coupling with Co−Co PBA cocatalyst could capture more photons than that of pure BiVO4, facilitating the transfer of photogenerated charge carriers between BiVO4 and Co−Co PBA as well as the surface catalytic efficiency of BiVO4. Overall, this work would promote the synthesis strategy development for exploring new types of composite photocatalysts for water oxidation.
Unravelling Enzymatic Features in a Supramolecular Iridium Catalyst by Computational Calculations
Authors: Tomasini Michele , Caporaso Lucia , Trouvé Jonathan , Poater Jordi , Gramage‐Doria Rafael , Poater Albert
Published: July 2022

Non‐biological catalysts following the governing principles of enzymes are attractive systems to disclose unprecedented reactivities. Most of those existing catalysts feature an adaptable molecular recognition site for substrate binding that are prone to undergo conformational selection pathways. Herein, we present a non‐biological catalyst that is able to bind substrates via the induced fit model according to in‐depth computational calculations. The system, which is constituted by an inflexible substrate‐recognition site derived from a zinc‐porphyrin in the second coordination sphere, features destabilization of ground states as well as stabilization of transition states for the relevant iridium‐catalyzed C−H bond borylation of pyridine. In addition, this catalyst appears to be most suited to tightly bind the transition state rather than the substrate. Besides these features, which are reminiscent of the action modes of enzymes, new elementary catalytic steps (i. e. C−B bond formation and catalyst regeneration) have been disclosed owing to the unique distortions encountered in the different intermediates and transition states.
Evolving therapeutic strategies for patients hospitalized with new or worsening heart failure across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Ostrominski John W. , Vaduganathan Muthiah
Published: July 2022

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic, progressive, and increasingly prevalent syndrome characterized by stepwise declines in health status and residual lifespan. Despite significant advancements in both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management approaches for chronic HF, the burden of HF hospitalization—whether attributable to new‐onset (de novo) HF or worsening of established HF—remains high and contributes to excess HF‐related morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures. Owing to a paucity of evidence to guide tailored interventions in this heterogeneous group, management of acute HF events remains largely subject to clinician discretion, relying principally on alleviation of clinical congestion, as‐needed correction of hemodynamic perturbations, and concomitant reversal of underlying trigger(s). Following acute stabilization, the subsequent phase of care primarily involves interventions known to improve long‐term outcomes and rehospitalization risk, including initiation and optimization of disease‐modifying pharmacotherapy, targeted use of adjunctive therapies, and attention to contributing comorbid conditions. However, even with current standards of care many patients experience recurrent HF hospitalization, or after admission incur worsening clinical trajectories. These patterns highlight a persistent unmet need for evidence‐based approaches to inform in‐hospital HF care and call for renewed focus on urgent implementation of interventions capable of ameliorating risk of worsening HF. In this review, we discuss key contemporary and emerging therapeutic strategies for patients hospitalized with de novo or worsening HF.
Performance of Afirma genomic sequencing classifier and histopathological outcome are associated with patterns of atypia in Bethesda category III thyroid nodules
Authors: Jin Xiaobing , Lew Madelyn , Pantanowitz Liron , Smola Brian , Jing Xin
Published: July 2022

Background:

Data on Afirma’s genomic sequencing classifier (GSC) performance in atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) subcategories is limited. This study investigated GSC performance in AUS nodules with architectural atypia (AUS‐A), cytological atypia (AUS‐C), architectural and cytological atypia (AUS‐AC), and predominantly Hürthle cells (AUS‐HC).

Methods:

This study retrieved consecutive thyroid nodules having a recurrent cytologic diagnosis of AUS with qualifiers and a concurrent GSC diagnostic result. All nodules were followed by either surgical intervention or clinical and/or ultrasound monitoring (≥6 months). GSC benign call rate (BCR), rate of histology‐proven malignancy, and diagnostic parameters of GSC were calculated for individual AUS subcategories. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test.

Results:

A total of 135 AUS nodules fulfilled inclusion criteria, including 79 AUS‐A, 9 AUS‐C, 29 AUS‐AC, and 18 AUS‐HC. BCR was 72.2%, 66.7%, 44.8%, and 77.8% in AUS‐A, AUS‐C, AUS‐AC, and AUS‐HC, respectively. AUS‐A showed a greater BCR than AUS‐AC (p < .05). All GSC‐benign nodules were considered benign on clinical or surgical follow‐up. Among GSC‐suspicious nodules, histology‐proven malignancies represented 4.5% of AUS‐A, 0% of AUS‐C, 56.3% of AUS‐AC, and 25.0% of AUS‐HC cases. AUS‐AC demonstrated a higher malignant rate compared with AUS‐A (p < .05). GSC offers 100% NPV and a wide range (5%–56%) of PPV across all AUS subcategories. AUS‐AC demonstrated a greater PPV compared with AUS‐A (p < .05).

Conclusion:

BCR of GSC and malignant rates associated with suspicious GSC may differ in various AUS subcategories. GSC‐suspicious nodules with both architectural and cytologic atypia are more likely to be malignant. These findings may improve clinical triage and/or management of patients with AUS thyroid nodules.
A Universal Multichannel Platform for Assembling Enzyme‐Based Boolean Logic Gates
Authors: Melman Yacob , Katz Evgeny , Smutok Oleh
Published: July 2022

Concatenated enzyme‐based Boolean logic gates activated with 5 chemical input signals were analyzed with a smartphone photo camera. Simultaneous detection of 32 input combinations was conveniently performed using enzyme‐modified fiberglass sensing spots generating fluorescence with different intensities for the 0 and 1 binary outputs. The developed technology offers an easy readout method for multi‐channel logic systems.
Reporting on sustainable development: Configurational effects of top management team and corporate characteristics on environmental information disclosure
Authors: Wang Ge , Zhang Huijin , Zeng Saixing , Meng Xiaohua , Lin Han
Published: July 2022

Although widely explored in many studies, how and why combined top management team (TMT) and corporate characteristics affect environmental information disclosures (EID) are still lacking clarity. This study uses both fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis and necessary condition analysis to reconcile the inconclusive results concerning the configurational effects of these characteristics on EID and to validate the robustness. From a sample of listed construction engineering corporates during the 2014–2018 period, the high EID level is associated with several complex configurations that contain the core characteristics such as corporate ownership and size, whereas the low EID level is related to the configurations including TMT salary and corporate profitability. The findings support the four tenets of equifinality, asymmetry, complexity, and causal asymmetry in complexity theory. Our results capture the complex non‐linear effects of TMT and corporate characteristics and shed new light on environmental disclosure management for corporate sustainable development.
Continuous Room‐Temperature Hydrogen Release from Liquid Organic Carriers in a Photocatalytic Packed‐Bed Flow Reactor
Authors: Ibrahim Malek Y. S. , Bennett Jeffrey A. , Abolhasani Milad
Published: July 2022

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Prof. Dr. Milad Abolhasani at North Carolina State University. The image shows an energy‐efficient strategy for on‐site and room‐temperature hydrogen release from liquid organic hydrogen carriers. The Research Article itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202200733.
Multiple reconfigurable intelligent surfaces assisted downlink NOMA system
Authors: Hemanta Kumar M. , Sharma Sanjeev , Deka Kuntal , Thottappan M.
Published: July 2022

Paper has considered multiple reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) assisted downlink non‐orthogonal multiple accesses (NOMA) system, referred to as MR‐NOMA. Multiple RISs create a line‐of‐sight (LOS) channel between BS and users to improve network coverage, especially in high frequencies and severe path attenuation scenarios. In MR‐NOMA, all RISs are in series and activated simultaneously; therefore, multiplicative beamforming gain from the inter‐RIS channels is achieved. Bit error probability (BEP) under the Rician fading channel is derived and compared with simulation results. It is observed that BEP performance depends on the number of passive reflecting elements, Rician factor, and positions of RISs panels in the MR‐NOMA.
Pace and shape of senescence in three species of duckweed
Authors: Paiha Austin P. , Laird Robert A.
Published: July 2022

Senescence is progressive bodily deterioration associated with declines in survival and fecundity in older age classes. There is great diversity in patterns of senescence across species, but these patterns can be difficult to compare formally due to variation in the absolute time scales in which species live and die: members of some species live for a matter of days, others for millennia. To address this issue, the “pace‐shape” approach was developed to decouple absolute time from analyses and instead standardize life history traits in terms of average life expectancy, facilitating intra‐ and interspecific comparisons. Here, we use this approach to distinguish the generic form of demographic trajectories (shape) from the time scale on which the trajectories occurred (pace) in three species of tiny, free‐floating aquatic plants known as duckweeds (Lemna gibba L., L. minor L., and L. turionifera Landolt), which have mean lifespans of less than a month under typical lab conditions, and exhibit age‐related declines in survivorship and reproduction. Using a randomized block design in which we tracked a final total of 430 individuals, we report differences in pace and shape among the three species. Specifically, the largest, least‐fecund, and typically longest‐lived species, L. gibba, tended to exhibit more rapid decreases in time‐standardized survivorship and fecundity compared with the other two species. This study emphasizes variation in aging patterns that can be found among plant species, including those in the same genus, and provides further validation for the utility of applying the pace and shape approach in interspecific comparisons.
Atrial fibrillation and risk of progressive heart failure in patients with preserved ejection fraction heart failure
Authors: Gierula John , Cole Charlotte A. , Drozd Michael , Lowry Judith E. , Straw Sam , Slater Thomas A. , Paton Maria F. , Byrom Rowenna J. , Garland Ellis , Halliday Georgia , Winsor Sarah , Lyall Gemma K. , Birch Karen , McGinlay Melanie , Sunley Emma , Grant Peter J. , Wessels David H. , Ketiar Elias M. , Witte Klaus K. , Cubbon Richard M. , Kearney Mark T.
Published: July 2022

Aims

Understanding of the pathophysiology of progressive heart failure (HF) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is incomplete. We sought to identify factors differentially associated with risk of progressive HF death and hospitalization in patients with HFpEF compared with patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods and results

Prospective cohort study of patients newly referred to secondary care with suspicion of HF, based on symptoms and signs of HF and elevated natriuretic peptides (NP), followed up for a minimum of 6 years. HFpEF and HFrEF were diagnosed according to the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Of 960 patients referred, 467 had HFpEF (49%), 311 had HFrEF (32%), and 182 (19%) had neither. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was found in 37% of patients with HFpEF and 34% with HFrEF. During 6 years follow‐up, 19% of HFrEF and 14% of HFpEF patients were hospitalized or died due to progressive HF, hazard ratio (HR) 0.67 (95% CI: 0.47–0.96; P = 0.028). AF was the only marker that was differentially associated with progressive HF death or hospitalization in patients with HFpEF HR 2.58 (95% CI: 1.59–4.21; P < 0.001) versus HFrEF HR 1.11 (95% CI: 0.65–1.89; P = 0.7).

Conclusions

De novo patients diagnosed with HFrEF have greater risk of death or hospitalization due to progressive HF than patients with HFpEF. AF is associated with increased risk of progressive HF death or hospitalization in HFpEF but not HFrEF, raising the intriguing possibility that this may be a novel therapeutic target in this growing population.
Five year risk assessment and treatment patterns in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Kjellström Barbro , Bouzina Habib , Björklund Erik , Beaudet Amélie , Edwards Susan C. , Hesselstrand Roger , Jansson Kjell , Nisell Magnus , Rådegran Göran , Sandqvist Anna , Wåhlander Håkan , Hjalmarsson Clara , Söderberg Stefan
Published: July 2022

Aims

Repeated risk assessments and treatment patterns over long time are sparsely studied in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH); thus, we aimed to investigate changes in risk status and treatment patterns in incident patients with CTEPH over a 5 year period.

Methods and results

Descriptive and explorative study including 311 patients diagnosed with CTEPH 2008–2019 from the Swedish pulmonary hypertension registry, stratified by pulmonary endarterectomy surgery (PEA). Risk and PH‐specific treatment were assessed in surgically treated (PEA) and medically treated (non‐PEA) patients at diagnosis and up to 5 years follow‐up. Data are presented as median (Q1–Q3), count or per cent. Prior to surgery, 63% in the PEA‐group [n = 98, age 64 (51–71) years, 37% female] used PH‐specific treatment and 20, 69, and 10% were assessed as low, intermediate or high risk, respectively. After 1 year post‐surgery, 34% had no PH‐specific treatment or follow‐up visit registered despite being alive at 5 years. Of patients with a 5 year visit (n = 23), 46% were at low and 54% at intermediate risk, while 91% used PH‐specific treatment.

In the non‐PEA group [n = 213, age 72 (65–77) years, 56% female], 28% were assessed as low, 61% as intermediate and 11% as high risk. All patients at high risk versus 50% at low risk used PH‐specific treatment. The 1 year mortality was 6%, while the risk was unchanged in 57% of the patients; 14% improved from intermediate to low risk, and 1% from high to low risk. At 5 years, 27% had a registered visit and 28% had died. Of patients with a 5 year visit (n = 58), 38% were at low, 59% at intermediate and 1% at high risk, and 86% used PH‐specific treatment.

Conclusions

Risk status assessed pre‐surgery did not foresee long‐term post‐PEA risk and pre‐surgery PH‐specific treatment did not foresee long‐term post‐PEA treatment. Medically treated CTEPH patients tend to remain at the same risk over time, suggesting a need for improved treatment strategies in this group.
Expeditious Synthesis of a Glycopeptide Library
Authors: Ben Abba Amiel Dror , Hurevich Mattan
Published: July 2022

Short proteoglycan fragments are of great importance for biochemical research. The solid‐phase synthesis of such glycopeptides relies on excessive use of glycosylated amino acids, extended reaction times, and additional post‐assembly deprotection protocols. We employed high‐shear mixing for expedient and equimolar O‐glycopeptide assembly. We further developed a stirring‐based deprotection on the solid support, thus completing the synthesis of a glycopeptide library in a minimal amount of time and purification hurdles.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylation of Allylic Chlorides to β,γ‐Unsaturated Esters/Amides under Mild Conditions
Authors: Wang Peng , Cao Zhusong . , Wang Yaxin X. , Neumann Helfried , Beller Matthias
Published: July 2022

Improved procedures for carbonylative transformations (alkoxy‐ and aminocarbonylation) of cinnamyl chloride to synthesize β,γ‐unsaturated esters/amides have been developed. Studying critical reaction parameters (palladium precursors, solvents and bases) enabled the practical preparation of diverse β,γ‐unsaturated esters/amides under mild conditions (low Pd catalyst loading, phosphine‐free, 2 bar CO, 60 °C). The optimal catalytic system shows excellent chemo‐ and regioselectivity for the activation of the allylic C−Cl bonds.
Age and the relative importance of liver‐related deaths in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Lin Huapeng , Yip Terry Cheuk‐Fung , Zhang Xinrong , Li Guanlin , Tse Yee‐Kit , Hui Vicki Wing‐Ki , Liang Lilian Yan , Lai Jimmy Che‐To , Chan Stephen Lam , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims:

It is unclear if the leading causes of death in patients with NAFLD differ by age. We aimed to investigate if the relative importance of liver‐related deaths is lower and overshadowed by cardiovascular and cancer‐related deaths in the elderly population.

Approach and Results:

We conducted a territory‐wide retrospective cohort study of adult patients with NAFLD between 2000 and 2021 in Hong Kong. The outcomes of interest were all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality. Age groups at death were studied at 10‐year intervals. During 662,471 person‐years of follow‐up of 30,943 patients with NAFLD, there were 2097 deaths. The top three causes of death were pneumonia, extrahepatic cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Liver disease was the sixth leading cause of death in patients aged 70–79 and 80–89 years, accounting for 5.1% and 5.9% of deaths, respectively, but only accounted for 3% or fewer of the deaths in the other age groups. Nonetheless, liver disease was the leading cause of death in patients with NAFLD‐related cirrhosis, accounting for 36.8% of all deaths. The incidence of liver‐related death was higher in men younger than age 70 but higher in women afterwards. The incidence of liver‐related death in women increased from 0.62 to 7.14 per 10,000 person‐years from age 60–69 to 70–79 years.

Conclusion:

The relative importance of liver‐related death increases with age in patients with NAFLD, especially among women. In patients with cirrhosis, liver disease is the leading cause of death.
An investigation of musculoskeletal discomforts among mining truck drivers with respect to human vibration and awkward body posture using random forest algorithm
Authors: Aliabadi Mohsen , Darvishi Ebrahim , Farhadian Maryam , Rahmani Ramin , Shafiee Motlagh Masoud , Mahdavi Neda
Published: July 2022

Using Random Forest algorithms, this study aimed to investigate musculoskeletal discomforts among mining truck drivers considering human vibration and awkward body posture. The study was conducted on 65 professional male drivers of mining trucks. The Cornell questionnaire was used to determine musculoskeletal discomforts. Drivers' exposure to vibrations was measured using the Svanteck 106 A vibration meter. The body posture was analyzed using the quick exposure check (QEC). The main mechanical and individual risk factors were used as predictor variables of musculoskeletal discomforts model. The relative importance of each feature on the discomforts was determined based on Random Forest algorithm compared with multiple linear regression using R Statistics Packages. The equivalent acceleration of whole‐body vibration (WBV) was higher than the exposure limit, however, the equivalent acceleration of hand‐transmitted vibration (HTV) was lower than the exposure limit. The body posture of drivers was from moderate to high risk so that investigation and changes are required soon. The predictive error of Random Forest model for musculoskeletal discomfort scores was at an acceptable level with root mean square error (RMSE) = 5.29 for the blind case of drivers compared with regressions model with RMSE = 15.92. Random forest showed that the awkward body posture, vibration, and age, respectively, have the greatest relative importance on musculoskeletal discomforts. The findings provide empirical evidence on the relative importance of risk factors on musculoskeletal discomfort so that awkward body posture has a greater effect compared with whole‐body vibration. Random forest provided better outputs and was more accurate compared with the regression method.
Overcoming the health systems' segmentation to achieve universal health coverage in Mexico
Authors: Meneses Navarro Sergio , Pelcastre‐Villafuerte Blanca Estela , Becerril‐Montekio Victor , Serván‐Mori Edson
Published: July 2022

Health is a human right that everyone should be able to exercise. Yet health systems segmentation and fragmentation are a major challenge to advancing universal health coverage (UHC) and achieving health equity. Between 2019 and 2020, Mexico launched a profound restructuration of its health system claiming its aim was to attain UHC, free healthcare services and drugs and to combat corruption. We analyse the implications of the modifications of the Mexican Constitution and the dismantling of the Seguro Popular de Salud (Popular Health Insurance) in relation to segmentation. We argue that, instead of advancing towards UHC and equality, these changes reinforce inequalities and that transforming health systems must respect human rights.
Direct ink writing of programmable functional silicone‐based composites for 4D printing applications
Authors: Lyu Zhiyang , Koh J. Justin , Lim Gwendolyn J. H. , Zhang Danwei , Xiong Ting , Zhang Lei , Liu Siqi , Duan Junfei , Ding Jun , Wang John , Wang Jinlan , Chen Yunfei , He Chaobin
Published: July 2022

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been widely used in flexible electronics, soft robotics, and bioelectronics. However, the fabrication of PDMS‐based devices has mostly relied on conventional approaches, such as casting and molding, thereby limiting their potential. Here we fabricate PDMS‐based composites with programmable microstructures by direct ink writing and realize their practical functionalities of four‐dimensional (4D) printing. The mechanical, thermomechanical and magnetic properties of the three‐dimensional‐printed composites can be well tailored by using carbon, metal, or ceramic functional fillers. By taking advantage of the printable, flexible, and magnetic PDMS composites, we demonstrate new practical functionalities of 4D printing by designing programmable architectures, including magnetic‐field‐driven battery cases and patchworks, as well as arbitrary morphing ceramic structures. In particular, 4D‐printed batteries are constructed by PDMS‐based battery cases for the first time, which can be actuated via external magnetic field. This study broadens the paradigm of 4D printing for prospective applications, such as implant batteries, biomimetic engineering, and customized biomedical devices.
Invoicing currency, exchange rate pass‐through, and value‐added trade: The case of Turkey
Authors: Saygılı Hülya
Published: July 2022

We explore the role of invoicing currency and global production integration in the effect of exchange rate pass‐through on import and export prices. We use 3‐digit product‐level data classified by end use and 2‐digit sector‐level data displaying varying integration with global value chains from an emerging country, Turkey. Overall, pass‐through rate significantly affects both export and import prices. Contrary to the literature, pass‐through is significantly higher for local currency‐priced goods. The relative rate of pass‐through to the U.S. dollar and euro‐priced goods is determined by the type of products and value‐added trade. Stronger integration with global value chains and the use of a vehicle currency tend to smooth out the response of domestic prices to changes in exchange rates.
Functionally Interpreting Security
Authors: McEvilley Michael , Winstead Mark
Published: July 2022

The outcomes of an exploration of what security means as an engineered function are presented, based upon principles of secure system design. The exploration was done to support an effort to formalize the syntax and semantics for the expression of security protection needs in system requirements, and to enable alignments with system safety and resilience requirements. The exploration produced a clearer interpretation of the essential aspects of security as postulated by foundational work on secure system design and was cross checked against representative classes of security requirement criteria to confirm accuracy and sufficiency of coverage of key security requirement types. The resultant perspective of what it means to be secure can be useful to inform the development of effective practices for the design of secure systems that are aligned with Future of Systems Engineering (FuSE) concepts, particularly security as a functional requirement. Further, the perspective helps to distinguish those characteristics of security (loss of “anything”) that are in common, and that contrast, with safety (loss of “specific things”) and resilience (loss of “capability”).
The partition of production between households and markets
Authors: Colburn Christopher , Zhou Haiwen
Published: July 2022

The process of industrialization was accompanied by the switch from household production to firm production. The industrialization process was also a process of population growth, the appearance of general‐purpose technologies, and the expansion of international trade. This paper studies the partition of production between households and firms in an analytically tractable general equilibrium model with a continuum of goods. We show that population growth, development of general‐purpose technologies, and the opening of international trade increase the percentage of goods produced by firms. However, with the appearance of a technology biased toward home production, the percentage of goods produced by households can increase.
DNA hypomethylation activation Wnt/TCF7L2/TDRD1 pathway promotes spermatogonial stem cell formation
Authors: Gao Xiaomin , Shi Xiang , Zhou Shujian , Chen Chen , Hu Cai , Xia Qian , Li Xinlin , Gao Wen , Ding Ying , Zuo Qisheng , Zhang Yani , Li Bichun
Published: July 2022

Detailed analysis of the regulatory mechanism of spermatogonia stem cell (SSCs) genesis can provide a novel strategy for the application of SSCs in the fields of transgenic animal production and regenerative medicine. Previous studies in this study showed that WNT signaling can positively regulate the formation of SSCs, but the exact regulatory mechanism is not clear. Here, we predicted the target gene of the Wnt/TCF7L2 pathway, namely TDRD1, by bioinformatics analysis. Functional studies revealed that overexpression of TDRD1 during RA‐induced SSCs formation in vitro significantly upregulated the expression of reproductive marker genes (Integrinβ1 and Integrinα6), and further flow cytometric analysis also confirmed that the formation efficiency of SSCs was significantly increased after overexpression of TDRD1; while interference with TDRD1 showed the exact opposite result. The in vivo experiments were consistent with the results of the in vitro experiments. Interestingly, although Wnt/TCF7L2 can promote the formation of SSCs, its function must be dependent on the expression of TDRD1, which was also repeatedly demonstrated as a target gene of the Wnt/TCF7L2 signaling pathway. Mechanistically, we found a large number of CpG sites in the TDRD1 promoter, and BSP analysis also confirmed that DNA methylation modifications in the TDRD1 promoter were significantly higher in embryonic stem cells than in SSCs, and further dual‐luciferase reporter system assays revealed that low DNA methylation modification levels could enhance TDRD1 promoter activity; although previous studies demonstrated that TCF7L2 could enrich in the TDRD1 promoter region, the binding of the two was dependent on low DNA methylation modification. Taken together, we confirmed that low DNA methylation mediates Wnt/TCF7L2 regulation of TDRD1 to promote the formation of SSCs, providing a basis for SSCs in improving animal productivity.
Design and optimization of a novel ellipsoidal baffle mixer with high mixing efficiency and low pressure drop
Authors: Zhao Shuangfei , Sheng Lianzhu , He Wei , Zhu Ning , Li Yuguang , Ji Dong , Guo Kai
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Throughput, mixing efficiency and pressure drop are three key performance indicators of a mixer or reactor. However, it is difficult to simultaneously achieve high throughput, high mixing efficiency and low pressure drop in a traditional mixer.

RESULTS

A novel mixer was designed and constructed by adding an ellipsoidal baffle to a large‐scale Y‐shaped mixer (YEBM) through computational fluid dynamics. The effects of ellipsoid period length, short and long axes, rotation direction, rotation angle and entrance angle of the mixer on mixing and flow characteristics were investigated and optimized. Compared with a 1 mm mixer, the throughput of the optimized YEBM is increased 100 times, the mixing efficiency is comparable and the pressure drop is reduced by 7.4%. Additionally, the application range of the YEBM with high mixing efficiency is extended to 499.1 < Re < 999.8.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the novel ellipsoidal baffle mixer could effectively enhance performance and reduce the pressure drop on the premise of ensuring high throughput. All the findings reported provide useful references for enhancement of mixing efficiency and reduction of pressure drop in a large‐scale mixer. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Isotope method to identify and quantify organic pollutant biodegradation during natural attenuation monitoring
Authors: Yuan Zhijiang , Dong Weihong , Jiang Weinan , Shen Xiaofang
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Organic pollution poses a huge threat to the environment and human health. It is necessary to evaluate the degree of the physical and chemical reactions of organic pollutants and to clarify the time and space laws of their degradation, so as to guide the pollution remediation work. This study aimed to evaluate the biodegradation process of typical pollutant components (benzene (BZ) and dichloroethylene (DCE)) in groundwater in a study area using the 13C compound specific isotope analysis, and to evaluate the differences in calculated degradation rates by using theoretical results.

RESULTS

The field‐measured spatio‐temporal concentrations of BZ and DCE and the isotope data of 13C and 14C in groundwater proved the leading role of microorganisms in the degradation process. The BZ degradation extent (92.11%) was higher than that of DCE (83.67%) within 1 year, and indoor experiments verified this result. Microbial degradation extents calculated by 13C isotope were 85% and 79%, respectively. The first‐order degradation kinetic model verified the reasonability of the degradation results calculated by 13C isotope; the deviations of the degradation extents calculated by field‐measured data and 13C isotope are both <10%. In addition, BZ was more likely to degrade upstream of the groundwater flow path.

CONCLUSION

Biodegradation was the most important attenuation method of BZ and DCE, but there were differences in the degradation abilities of BZ and DCE by biological action, and BZ was preferentially degraded over DCE in the groundwater flow path. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Strengthening the procedural fidelity research‐to‐practice loop in animal behavior
Authors: Kodak Tiffany , Bergmann Samantha , Waite Mindy
Published: July 2022

Procedural fidelity is the extent to which components of an intervention are implemented as designed. Procedural fidelity is measured as a dependent variable and manipulated as an independent variable. In research and practice, procedural‐fidelity data should be collected, monitored, and reported. Procedural fidelity as an independent variable has been investigated in humans using parametric analyses, and the current article summarizes some of the research conducted on the effects of procedural‐fidelity errors in behavior‐reduction and skill‐acquisition interventions. Connections were drawn to applied animal researchers and the work of animal behavior practitioners to produce implications for practice with human and animal clients and suggestions for future research. Further, there are multiple ways to measure procedural fidelity, and different conclusions can be drawn based on the measure and computation method. The current article describes procedural‐fidelity measures that are most applicable to animal behavior researchers and professionals.