bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis after radical resection for patients with nonmetastatic pT3‐4 colon cancer
Authors: Mo Tai‐Wei , Zhang Zong‐Jin , Chen Yong‐Le , Huang Jun‐Hua , Su Dan , Song Wen‐Li , Hu Jian‐Cong , He Xiao‐Wen
Published: June 2022

Background

Patients with nonmetastatic pT3‐4 colon cancers are prone to develop metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis (mPC). Risk factors for mPC and the influence of mutant kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS)/neuroblastoma rat sarcoma (NRAS)/v‐raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status on mPC remain to be described in these patients.

Method

All enrolled patients were identified from the prospectively collected colorectal cancer database of a tertiary referral hospital between 2013 and 2018. Multivariate analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with mPC.

Results

Of the 1689 patients with nonmetastatic pT3‐4 colon carcinoma, 8.4% (142/1689) progressed to mPC. Endoscopic obstruction (HR = 3.044, p < 0.001), elevated CA125 (HR = 1.795, p = 0.009), pT (T4a vs. T3, HR = 2.745, p < 0.001; T4b vs. T3, HR = 3.167, p = 0.001), pN (N1 vs. N0, HR = 2.592, p < 0.001; N2 vs. N0, HR = 4.049, p < 0.001), less than 12 lymph nodes harvested (HR = 2.588, p < 0.001), mucinous or signet ring cell carcinoma (HR = 1.648, p = 0.038), perineural invasion (HR = 1.984, p < 0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy (HR = 1.522, p = 0.039) were strongly related to mPC but that mutant KRAS/NRAS/BRAF and MMR status was not associated with mPC.

Conclusion

This study identified the high‐risk factors for mPC in patients with nonmetastatic pT3‐4 colon carcinoma, and these factors should be considered in selective preventive therapy and close follow‐up for patients subsequently deemed to have high risk for mPC.
Pericellular heparan sulfate proteoglycans: Role in regulating the biosynthetic response of nucleus pulposus cells to osmotic loading
Authors: Krull Carly M. , Rife Jordan , Klamer Brett , Purmessur Devina , Walter Benjamin A.
Published: June 2022

Background

Daily physiologic loading causes fluctuations in hydration of the intervertebral disc (IVD); thus, the embedded cells experience cyclic alterations to their osmotic environment. These osmotic fluctuations have been described as a mechanism linking mechanics and biology, and have previously been shown to promote biosynthesis in chondrocytes. However, this phenomenon has yet to be fully interrogated in the IVD. Additionally, the specialized extracellular matrix surrounding the cells, the pericellular matrix (PCM), transduces the biophysical signals that cells ultimately experience. While it is known that the PCM is altered in disc degeneration, whether it disrupts normal osmotic mechanotransduction has yet to be determined. Thus, our objectives were to assess: (1) whether dynamic osmotic conditions stimulate biosynthesis in nucleus pulposus cells, and (2) whether pericellular heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) modulate the biosynthetic response to osmotic loading.

Methods

Bovine nucleus pulposus cells isolated with retained PCM were encapsulated in 1.5% alginate beads and treated with or without heparinase III, an enzyme that degrades the pericellular HSPGs. Beads were subjected to 1 h of daily iso‐osmotic, hyper‐osmotic, or hypo‐osmotic loading for 1, 2, or 4 weeks. At each timepoint the total amount of extracellular and pericellular sGAG/DNA were quantified. Additionally, whether osmotic loading triggered alterations to HSPG sulfation was assessed via immunohistochemistry for the heparan sulfate 6‐O‐sulfertransferase 1 (HS6ST1) enzyme.

Results

Osmotic loading significantly influenced sGAG/DNA accumulation with a hyper‐osmotic change promoting the greatest sGAG/DNA accumulation in the pericellular region compared with iso‐osmotic conditions. Heparanase‐III treatment significantly reduced extracellular sGAG/DNA but pericellular sGAG was not affected. HS6ST1 expression was not affected by osmotic loading.

Conclusion

Results suggest that hyper‐osmotic loading promotes matrix synthesis and that modifications to HSPGs directly influence the metabolic responses of cells to osmotic fluctuations. Collectively, results suggest degeneration‐associated modifications to pericellular HSPGs may contribute to the altered mechanobiology observed in disease.
Determination of the polyphenolic content of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Cosson and Durieu by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and evaluation of the antioxidant and antiglycation properties
Authors: Selama Ginane , Cadi Hafssa El , Ramdan Btissam , Majdoub Yassine Oulad El , Dugo Paola , Mondello Luigi , Cacciola Francesco , Nhiri Mohamed
Published: June 2022

Ammodaucus leucotrichus Cosson and Durieu, known as Sahara cumin, is a plant belonging to the Apiaceae family with a very strong smell of anise growing in the maritime sands in the countries of North Africa. The present work aims to study the polyphenolic profile of its seeds hydroalcoholic extract along with the determination of the antioxidant and antiglycation properties. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of 16 compounds, out of which 15 have been detected in this extract for the first time. Luteolin‐glucoside turned out to be the most abundant one (281.32 ± 0.34 mg/kg), followed by apigenin‐hexoside (235.06 ± 0.29 mg/kg) and luteolin (202.41 ± 0.40 mg/kg). In terms of antioxidant activity, a half‐maximal inhibitory concentration value as high as 0.39 ± 0.003 mg AAE/ml (w/v) was attained. Further, the antiglycation activity was determined to yield interesting results: at a concentration of 1.5 mg/ml, the extract showed an antiglycation activity (%I) of 61.86 compared to metformin as a positive control (%I = 84.01); on the other hand, increasing the concentration to 10 mg/ml, the inhibition activity switched to advanced glycation end products formation activation (%I = 41.71).
Optimization of the packing process of microcolumns with the embedded phosphodiester stationary phases
Authors: Dembek Mikołaj , Szumski Michał , Bocian Szymon , Buszewski Bogusław
Published: June 2022

The development of new home‐made stationary phases involves their packaging procedure and is crucial to obtain satisfactory working parameters. The parameter that illustrates the quality of the packed bed is its efficiency measured as the height equivalent to the theoretical plate. According to the Van Deemetr's equation, it depends on three factors, but only one of them, eddy diffusion, does not depend on the linear flow velocity. Therefore, in order to obtain it as low as possible, it is necessary to focus on a good filling of the column. Among many parameters affecting the quality of column packing, in our work we have focused on the choice of slurry solvent. Novel stationary phases with an embedded phosphodiester group were investigated. The suspensions in 16 solvents and solvent mixtures were studied for their stability, aggregation, sedimentation, and viscosity comparison. The efficiency of the packed microcolumns and its comparison was determined by chromatographic analyses using a polar (thymidine) and a nonpolar compound (naphthalene). The results obtained led to the conclusion that for these stationary phases, the best slurry solvent is the one that aggregates the phase while maintaining stability and having high viscosity.
A fast and efficient method to introduce apple latent spherical virus to legume plants via Agrobacterium rhizogenes‐mediated transformation of hairy roots
Authors: Xiong Ruyi , Wang Aiming , Marsolais Frédéric , Todd Christopher D.
Published: June 2022

Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a functional genomics tool used to determine the function of unknown genes or assess the impact of gene silencing on plant phenotype. However, VIGS methods for analyzing gene function are not equally efficient across species, and virus inoculation is difficult for some legume species. We describe a fast and efficient inoculation method using Agrobacterium rhizogenes K599 harboring an apple latent spherical virus (ALSV) full‐length cDNA clone. Pisum sativum cv. AAC Lacombe and Lens culinaris cv. CDC Viceroy showed silencing rates of 100% and 47.7%, respectively, within 30 days starting from seed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of virus inoculation by A. rhizogenes‐mediated introduction to legume plants. This work paves the way for high throughput gene function screening in Pisum sativum and other closely related legume crops using ALSV as a symptomless VIGS vector.
Aquatic particulate absorption coefficient combining extraction and bleaching optimized for inland waters
Authors: Cremella Bruno , Bélanger Simon , Huot Yannick
Published: June 2022

The particulate absorption coefficient is one of the fundamental inherent optical properties describing interactions of light with material in water. Its spectral properties contain important information about chemical and biological constituents. It is often partitioned into algal and non‐algal fractions which provide useful information describing phytoplankton. Particulate absorption coefficient has been routinely measured in the ocean particularly to calibrate remote sensing algorithms. However, the methods to measure marine algal and non‐algal absorbing fractions might fail in freshwaters due to difficulties extracting green‐algae pigments and cyanobacterial phycocyanin and the high organic content of the non‐algal particles, making direct bleaching biased. In this work, we describe a method with sequential extraction, bleaching, and post‐processing to obtain unbiased pigments and non‐algal absorption fractions in freshwater environments, and we compare it against the resulting fractions obtained by only extraction or bleaching, using samples collected from 649 lakes across Canada. The resulting non‐algal particles spectra from our method appear free of interfering pigments while maintaining spectral shapes, as verified by the higher correlation coefficient between the 400 and 700 nm exponential coefficient (S, often referred to as slope) of the non‐algal particles spectra and the organic fraction of total suspended solids, and by having a better correlation between the ratio of absorption coefficient of phytoplankton at 620 and 676 nm and cyanobacterial biomass percentage. Overall, this method solves the two problems in freshwater particulate absorption partitioning associated with (1) unextracted pigments with methanol extraction methods and (2) bias introduced to non‐algal absorption spectra from NaOH bleaching.
Polymers with Pendant Water‐Soluble Tetrafluorobenzene Sulfonic Acid Activated Esters: Synthesis, Stability, and Use for Glycopolymers in Water
Authors: Tsuji Sotaro , Kobayashi Kazuma , Fujii Toshiki , Imoto Hiroaki , Naka Kensuke , Aso Yuji , Ohara Hitomi , Tanaka Tomonari
Published: June 2022

Functional polymers can be synthesized via post‐polymerization modification with pendant‐activated ester groups on their backbones. There are, however, few reports on polymers bearing water‐soluble activated ester groups, as they are unstable in water. Herein, novel monomers and polymers bearing water‐soluble tetrafluorobenzene sulfonic acid (sulfoTFB) activated ester groups are reported. The corresponding sulfoTFB‐bearing polymers are successfully synthesized via controlled radical polymerization. The stabilities of the sulfoTFB‐bearing monomers and polymers are significantly improved by the introduction of an alkanediyl linker into sulfoTFB. The stability of sulfoTFB is found to be significantly improved when the linker is longer than a butanediyl linker, increasing in line with the length of the alkanediyl linker. The resulting sulfoTFB‐bearing polymer is used for synthesizing oligosaccharide‐grafted glycopolymers, which binds to lectin with high binding affinity, via post‐polymerization modification in water. This study thus details the preparation, investigation, and use of novel polymers with pendant water‐soluble sulfoTFB groups for post‐polymerization modification in water.
Nanostructure Control of an Antibiotic‐Based Polyion Complex Using a Series of Polycations with Different Side‐Chain Modification Rates
Authors: Ahmad Asmariah , Nii Teruki , Mori Takeshi , Katayama Yoshiki , Toyofuku Masanori , Kishimura Akihiro
Published: June 2022

Developing nanovehicles for delivering antibiotics is a promising approach to overcome the issue of antibiotic resistance. This study aims to utilize a polyion complex (PICs) system for developing novel nanovehicles for polymyxin‐type antibiotics, which are known as last resort drugs. The formation of antibiotic‐based PIC nanostructures is investigated using colistimethate sodium (CMS), an anionic cyclic short peptide, and a series of block catiomers bearing different amounts of guanidinium moieties on their side chains. In addition, only the modified catiomer, and not the unmodified catiomer, self‐assembles with CMS, implying the importance of the guanidine moieties for enhancing the interaction between the catiomer and CMS via the formation of multivalent hydrogen bonding. Moreover, micellar and vesicular PIC nanostructures are selectively formed depending on the ratio of the guanidine residues. Size‐exclusion chromatography reveals that the encapsulation efficiency of CMS is dependent on the guanidinium modification ratio. The antimicrobial activity of the PIC nanostructures is also confirmed, indicating that the complexation of CMS in the PICs and further release from the PICs successfully occurs.
Next‐generation sequencing in identification of pathogenic variants in primary hyperoxaluria among 21 Egyptian families: Identification of two novel AGXT gene mutations
Authors: Ahmed Hoda A. , Fadel Fatina I. , Abdel Mawla Mohamed A. , Salah Doaa M. , Fathallah Mohamed Gamal , Amr Khalda
Published: June 2022

Background

Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is a rare heterogeneous, autosomal recessive disorder of glyoxylate metabolism. It is characterized by excessive hepatic production of oxalate resulting in a wide spectrum of clinical, imaging, and functional presentation. The characteristic features of PH comprise of recurrent urolithiasis, renal stones, and/or nephrocalcinosis. Three known types of PH have been identified PH1, PH2, and PH3. Pathogenic variants in AGXT, GRHPR, and HOGA1 cause the phenotypic expression of PH.

Methods

In this study, we describe the clinical and genetic findings of 22 patients from 21 unrelated Egyptian families with the distinctive clinical features of PH. A thorough clinical evaluation followed by an NGS custom panel of AGXT, GRHPR, and HOGA1 genes was done.

Results

Two novel mutations (p.Gly27Glu and p.Gln256Serfs*17) and six previously reported mutations (p.Lys12Glnfs*156, p.Lys12Argfs*34, p.Ile244Thr, p.Asn22Ser, p.Pro11Leu, and p.Ile340Met) were identified in AGXT gene. The NGS panel results were validated thereafter using Sanger sequencing.

Conclusion

Our results extend the number of AGXT mutations identified so far and emphasize the important role of genetic testing in providing proper counseling and patients management.
Large time behavior of solutions to the inviscid liquid‐gas two‐phase flow model
Authors: Wang Wenjun
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this paper is to gain some insight into the existence theory and large time behavior of the inviscid liquid‐gas two‐phase flow model in
. Main focus is on the influences of the damping on the qualitative behavior of solutions of the corresponding Cauchy problem under only the smallness assumption on
‐norm of the initial perturbation. The energy method combined with the low frequency and high frequency decomposition is used to obtain the desired decay of the solution and hence global existence. As a byproduct,
‐
decay rates are obtained for the solution and its derivatives. This result implies that the friction effect of the damping contributes to enhance the decay rate of the velocity, even if there is no the additional
‐norm boundedness condition of the initial perturbation.
Fractional double phase Robin problem involving variable‐order exponents and logarithm‐type nonlinearity
Authors: Biswas Reshmi , Bahrouni Anouar , Fiscella Alessio
Published: June 2022

The paper deals with the logarithmic fractional equations with variable exponents

where
and
denote the variable
‐order
‐fractional Laplace operator and the nonlocal normal
‐derivative of
‐order, respectively, with
and
(
) being continuous. Here,
is a bounded smooth domain with
(
) for any
and
are a positive parameters,
and
are two continuous functions, while variable exponent
can be close to the critical exponent
, given with
and
for
. Precisely, we consider two cases. In the first case, we deal with subcritical nonlinearity, that is,
, for any
. In the second case, we study the critical exponent, namely,
for some
. Then, using variational methods, we prove the existence and multiplicity of solutions and existence of ground state solutions to the above problem.
Usefulness and prognostic value of diagnostic tests in patients with possible chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Authors: Thirouin Jeanne , Petiot Philippe , Antoine Jean‐Christophe , André‐Obadia Nathalie , Convers Philippe , Gavoille Antoine , Bouhour Françoise , Rheims Sylvain , Camdessanché Jean‐Philippe
Published: June 2022

Introduction/Aims

Recent guidelines define chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and possible CIDP. The aims of our study were to evaluate the value of diagnostic tests to support the diagnosis of CIDP in patients with possible CIDP and to identify prognostic factors of therapeutic success.

Methods

We conducted an observational retrospective two‐center study between 2014 and 2019. We selected patients with a clinical presentation suggesting CIDP, but whose electrodiagnostic (EDX) test results did not meet the EFNS/PNS 2021 criteria. We analyzed epidemiologic and clinical features, axonal loss on EDX, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), plexus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nerve biopsy, and therapeutic response.

Results

We selected 75 patients, among whom 30 (40%) responded to treatment. The positivity rates of CSF analysis, MRI and SSEPs were not influenced by the clinical presentation or by the delay between symptom onset and medical assessment. A high protein level in CSF, female gender, and a relapsing–remitting course predicted the therapeutic response.

Discussion

It is important to properly diagnose suspected CIDP not meeting EFNS/PNS 2021 EDX criteria by using supportive criteria. Specific epidemiological factors and a raised CSF protein level predict a response to treatment. Further prospective studies are needed to improve diagnosis and the prognostic value of diagnostic tests in CIDP.
One‐year follow‐up of disease burden and medication changes in patients with myasthenia gravis: From the MG Patient Registry
Authors: Lee Ikjae , Leach Justin M. , Aban Inmaculada , McPherson Tarrant , Duda Petra W. , Cutter Gary
Published: June 2022

Introduction/Aims

We studied the progression of myasthenia gravis (MG) disease burden and medication adjustment among MG Patient Registry participants.

Methods

Participants diagnosed with MG (age ≥18 years), registered between July 1, 2013 and July 31, 2018 and completing both 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up surveys, were included in this investigation. Participants were grouped into high‐burden (Myasthenia Gravis Activity of Daily Living scale [MG‐ADL] score ≥6) and low‐burden (MG‐ADL <6) groups based on MG‐ADL scores at enrollment. Demographics and disease history were compared between groups. MG‐ADL score change and medication changes (escalation, no change, de‐escalation) between enrollment and 12‐month follow‐up were compared between groups. Minimal symptom expression (MSE, MG‐ADL <2) at 12 months was compared between groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to study factors associated with MSE at 12 months.

Results

In total, 520 participants (56% female) were included in high‐burden (n = 248) and low‐burden (n = 272) groups. Those in the high‐burden group were more likely to be younger, female, and have shorter disease duration. At 12 months, MSE was achieved in 6% of the high‐burden group and newly achieved (42 of 201, 21%) or maintained (52 of 71, 73%) in the low‐burden group. In the multivariable analysis, being in the high‐burden group and use of pyridostigmine were associated with less likelihood of MSE, whereas MG‐ADL score improvement (>2 or >20%) at 6 months significantly increased the likelihood of achieving MSE at 12 months (P = .0004).

Discussion

In both groups, but more so in the high‐burden group, patients infrequently achieved MSE after 1 year of MG treatment. Baseline low disease burden, improvement at 6 months and no pyridostigmine use were associated with a higher likelihood of MSE at 12 months.
Therapeutic dentistry in prehistoric Maryland—New analyses from the Hughes (18MO1) archeological site
Authors: Nase John B. , Kollmann Dana D. , Dikin Dmitriy A. , Montoya Carolina
Published: June 2022

Late Woodland period prehistoric human remains recovered from the Hughes site (18MO1) in the 1930s were only recently submitted for bioarcheological analysis. These remains represent 20 individuals exhibiting varying degrees of preservation and representation. Among the remains are several teeth suspected of undergoing antemortem dental modification. All of the examined dental cavitations were deep, and some show excavation all the way to the pulp. Dental remains representing three individuals (two adult females and a child) were examined to define etiology of altered occlusal cavitations in these teeth. The findings provide evidence of prehistoric, therapeutic dentistry in the Middle Atlantic region of the eastern United States. Two mandibles and a maxillary right dental quadrant representing three individuals were analyzed utilizing radiographs, visible and alternate light source macro photography, and scanning electron microscopy in three modes of detection. All three specimens showed signs of both radial and concentric tool marks to varying degrees in both enamel and dentin borders of carious lesions. The shape of the cavitations do not follow normal pathological patterns of undisturbed occlusal decay in teeth. Further, evidence is presented that the excavative tool motion changes from rotational drilling to radial scooping the further posterior the cavitation is located in the oral cavity. Lastly, it is proposed that the reason for these modifications was therapeutic dentistry.
Revisiting the role of civic organizations in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan: Confidence, membership, and democratic practice
Authors: Moldogaziev Temirlan T. , Witko Christopher
Published: June 2022

In many emerging and authoritarian countries, civil society organizations that focus on political or sensitive policy issues are being cracked down upon, while service‐oriented ones are given a relatively greater ability to operate. What might the consequence of this be for democratic practice given the important role civic organizations play in this process? We examine this question by considering whether the absence of confidence in a country's governing institutions is related to membership in service‐rather than governance‐focused civic organizations, and how such membership is associated with elite‐challenging, political activities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. We find that individuals who have no confidence in state institutions are less likely to seek membership in governance‐focused civic organizations, but not necessarily in service‐focused ones. At the same time, membership in both types of civic organizations is associated with participation in political activities, while beliefs that a country is run democratically decreases it. This suggests that a variety of civic organizational types, even those without an explicit governance‐focus, contingent on perceptions of democratic governance and other covariates held constant, enhance democratic practice.
Personalized values in life as point of interaction with the world: Developmental/neurobehavioral basis and implications for psychiatry
Authors: Kasai Kiyoto , Yagishita Sho , Tanaka Saori C. , Koike Shinsuke , Murai Toshiya , Nishida Atsushi , Yamasaki Syudo , Ando Shuntaro , Kawakami Norito , Kanehara Akiko , Morita Kentaro , Kumakura Yousuke , Takahashi Yusuke , Sawai Yutaka , Uno Akito , Sakakibara Eisuke , Okada Naohiro , Okamoto Yasumasa , Nochi Masahiro , Kumagaya Shin‐ichiro , Fukuda Masato
Published: June 2022

Behavioral neuroscience has dealt with short‐term decision making but has not defined either daily or longer‐term life actions. The individual brain interacts with the society/world, but where that point of action is and how it interacts has never been an explicit scientific question. Here, we redefine value as an intrapersonal driver of medium‐ and long‐term life actions. Value has the following three aspects. The first is value as a driving force of action, a factor that commits people to take default‐mode or intrinsic actions daily and longer term. It consists of value memories based on past experiences, and a sense of values, the source of choosing actions under uncertain circumstances. It is also a multilayered structure of unconscious/automatic and conscious/self‐controlled. The second is personalized value, which focuses not only on the value of human beings in general, but on the aspect that is individualized and personalized, which is the foundation of diversity in society. Third, the value is developed through the life course. It is necessary to clarify how values are personalized through the internalization of parent–child, peer, and social experiences through adolescence, a life stage almost neglected in neuroscience. This viewpoint describes the brain and the behavioral basis of adolescence in which the value and its personalization occur, and the importance of this personalized value as a point of interaction between the individual brain and the world. Then the significance of personalized values in psychiatry is discussed, and the concept of values‐informed psychiatry is proposed.
Predicting peer acceptance and peer rejection for autistic children
Authors: Feldman Melanie , Hamsho Narmene , Blacher Jan , Carter Alice S. , Eisenhower Abbey
Published: June 2022

Autistic students often experience peer relationship difficulties. As peer acceptance and rejection may be malleable over time, we examined predictors of change in peer acceptance and peer rejection among early elementary‐age autistic students. We followed 166 autistic children (mean age: 6.1 years [range: 4–8], 82.5% boys, grades preK‐2nd) longitudinally across 2 school years. Social skills, internalizing problems, and externalizing behaviors were considered as predictors of change in teacher‐rated peer acceptance and rejection, covarying IQ and autism characteristics. Autistic children experienced high rejection and low acceptance; 51.9% of children were rejected by peers in one or both school years. Results revealed distinct predictors for peer acceptance versus rejection: social skills predicted change in peer acceptance across school years, whereas externalizing problems predicted change in peer rejection. Internalizing problems did not predict change in either construct. Findings can assist school professionals in supporting social acceptance and acceptance for young autistic students.
The role of high school student engagement in postsecondary enrollment
Authors: Fraysier Kathleen , Reschly Amy L.
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine whether secondary student engagement was predictive of college attendance. Data were drawn from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 9th grade (n = 21,444) and 11th grade (n = 20,549) cohorts. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze whether demographic, academic, financial, and engagement variables predicted postsecondary enrollment. Demographic (higher SES, attending a Catholic or private school) and academic (English and Math GPA) variables were predictive of college enrollment across both cohorts, as were participants' thoughts on the affordability of college. For ninth grade students, the engagement scales of family support for learning and future goals and aspirations remained significant predictors of enrollment after accounting for other variables. Among 11th grade students, peer support for learning, future goals and aspirations, and behavioral engagement remained significant predictors of enrollment. Student engagement is thought to underlie high school and college completion efforts but little research connects these levels of schooling. This study suggests providing support for students' engagement in high school could positively affect college enrollment. Financial education about the costs and options for paying for college may also be beneficial.
Proteomic analysis reveals stage‐specific reprogramed metabolism for the primary breast cancer cell lines MGSO‐3 and MACL‐1
Authors: Braga Fabio Henrique Guimarães , Gómez‐Mendoza Diana Paola , Lemos Rafael Pereira , Rodrigues‐Ribeiro Lucas , Raíssa‐Oliveira Brenda , Rodrigues Andréia Laura Prates , Gorshkov Vladimir , Kjeldsen Frank , Cruz Jader Santos , Verano‐Braga Thiago
Published: June 2022

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide. Its molecular subtypes are based on the presence/absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). MACL‐1 and MGSO‐3 are cell lines derived from primary tumor sites of patients diagnosed with luminal A subtype carcinoma (ER+/PR+/HER2−) and ductal carcinoma in situ (ER−/PR−/HER2+), respectively. However, these cell lines lost the expression of these markers over cell culturing, and both have triple‐negative phenotypes (ER−/PR−/HER2−), which has the poorest prognosis. Here, we sought to study the proteome signature of MGSO‐3 and MACL‐1, comparing them with the epithelial cell line MCF‐10A and the well‐established metastatic‐derived breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231. Our results showed that proteins associated with the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) were upregulated in MGSO‐3 and MACL‐1 cells. These cell lines also showed upregulation of pro‐apoptotic proteins when compared with MDA‐MB‐231. The molecular differences highlighted in this study may clarify the molecular basis behind cancer cells functioning and may reveal novel signatures across the breast cancer cell models.
Psychosocial characteristics of chronic pain in cancer survivors referred to an Australian multidisciplinary pain clinic
Authors: Glare Paul A. , Costa Daniel J. , Nicholas Michael K.
Published: June 2022

Objective

To describe the clinical and psychosocial characteristics of chronic pain in cancer survivors referred to one Australian hospital's ambulatory pain clinic over a 7‐year period (2013‐19), and to compare cancer treatment‐related pain with comorbid non‐malignant pain.

Method

Retrospective chart review including responses to standardized self‐report questionnaires (Brief Pain Inventory, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Pain Self‐Efficacy Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale), routinely collected in all patients referred to pain clinics at Australian and New Zealand hospitals.

Results

Of 3510 new referrals during the study period, 267 (7.5%) had a history of cancer and 176 (5.0%) met the study's eligibility criteria. Their average age was 63 ± 13 years, with 55% female. Breast cancer survivors were commonest, followed by hematological, prostate, melanoma, and colorectal, a median of 3 years post‐diagnosis. Pain was attributed to cancer treatment in 87 (49%), surgery being the commonest modality. Multimodal treatment (n = 89, 58%) was significantly commoner in the treatment‐related pain group (p < 0.001). Average pain severity was moderate, as was pain‐related disability and distress. Pain cognitions were often maladaptive (low pain self‐efficacy, high pain catastrophizing), predicted by pre‐existing anxiety and depression. Associations between pain cognitions and outcomes were medium‐to‐large. Differences between treatment pain and comorbid pain were small‐to‐medium. Their scores were similar to Australian pain clinic norms.

Conclusion

Cancer treatment causes tissue damage, but pain‐related distress and disability in survivors is associated with maladaptive pain cognitions. Survivors with poor pain outcomes should be evaluated for unhelpful thoughts and beliefs especially when they have pre‐existing depression or anxiety.
Recent insights into SARS‐CoV‐2 omicron variant
Authors: Silva Severino Jefferson Ribeiro da , Kohl Alain , Pena Lindomar , Pardee Keith
Published: June 2022

The SARS‐CoV‐2 omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first identified in Botswana and South Africa, and its emergence has been associated with a steep increase in the number of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. The omicron variant has subsequently spread very rapidly across the world, resulting in the World Health Organization classification as a variant of concern on 26 November 2021. Since its emergence, great efforts have been made by research groups around the world that have rapidly responded to fill our gaps in knowledge for this novel variant. A growing body of data has demonstrated that the omicron variant shows high transmissibility, robust binding to human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptor, attenuated viral replication, and causes less severe disease in COVID‐19 patients. Further, the variant has high environmental stability, high resistance against most therapeutic antibodies, and partial escape neutralisation by antibodies from convalescent patients or vaccinated individuals. With the pandemic ongoing, there is a need for the distillation of literature from primary research into an accessible format for the community. In this review, we summarise the key discoveries related to the SARS‐CoV‐2 omicron variant, highlighting the gaps in knowledge that guide the field's ongoing and future work.
Net‐benefit regression with censored cost‐effectiveness data from randomized or observational studies
Authors: Chen Shuai , Hoch Jeffrey S.
Published: June 2022

Cost‐effectiveness analysis is an essential part of the evaluation of new medical interventions. While in many studies both costs and effectiveness (eg, survival time) are censored, standard survival analysis techniques are often invalid due to the induced dependent censoring problem. We propose methods for censored cost‐effectiveness data using the net‐benefit regression framework, which allow covariate‐adjustment and subgroup identification when comparing two intervention groups. The methods provide a straightforward way to construct cost‐effectiveness acceptability curves with censored data. We also propose a more efficient doubly robust estimator of average causal incremental net benefit, which increases the likelihood that the results will represent a valid inference in observational studies. Lastly, we conduct extensive numerical studies to examine the finite‐sample performance of the proposed methods, and illustrate the proposed methods with a real data example using both survival time and quality‐adjusted survival time as the measures of effectiveness.
Constructing Reactive Micro‐Environment in Basal Plane of MoS2 for pH‐Universal Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis
Authors: Koudakan Payam Ahmadian , Wei Cong , Mosallanezhad Amirabbas , Liu Bo , Fang Yanyan , Hao Xiaobin , Qian Yitai , Wang Gongming
Published: June 2022

MoS2 represents a promising catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water splitting, but the inefficient catalytic activity in a pH‐universal environment is an obstacle to developing practical applications. Boosting and balancing the water dissociation and hydrogen desorption kinetics is crucial in designing high‐performance catalysts for the overall pH range. Herein, it is experimentally demonstrated that cobalt single‐atom doping can effectively construct a reactive CoMoS micro‐environment on the basal plane of MoS2 and thus alter the uniformity of surface electron density, which is further confirmed by the theoretical results. The reactive micro‐environment consisting of single‐atom Co with the surrounding Mo and S atoms possesses excellent water dissociation and hydrogen desorption kinetics, exhibiting a superior performance of 36 mV at 10 mA cm−2 with a Tafel slope of 33 mV dec−1 in the alkaline condition. Meanwhile, it also shows worthy activity in the acidic (97 mV) and neutral (117 mV) environments. This work provides a facile strategy to improve the HER catalysis of MoS2 in pH‐universal environments.
Silver Nanowire Composite Electrode Enabling Highly Flexible, Robust Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Booth Ronald E. , Schrickx Harry M. , Hanby Georgia , Liu Yuxuan , Qin Yunpeng , Ade Harald , Zhu Yong , O'Connor Brendan T.
Published: June 2022

Using Ag nanowires (NWs) is a promising approach to make flexible and transparent conducting electrodes for organic photovoltaics (OPVs). However, the roughness of the NWs can decrease device performance. Herein, a Ag NW electrode embedded in a UV‐curable epoxy that uses a simple mechanical lift‐off process resulting in highly planar electrodes is demonstrated. A bimodal blend of Ag NWs with varying aspect ratios is used to optimize the transparency and conductivity of the electrode. In addition, a ZnO layer is coated on the Ag NWs prior to the embedding process to ensure low contact resistance in the OPV cells. The resulting resin‐embedded ZnO‐encapsulated silver nanowire (REZEN) electrode is found to have excellent mechanical stability. REZEN electrode‐based OPV cells exhibit comparable performance with reference devices, achieving maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.5% and 13.6% respectively. The REZEN‐based OPV cells are also mechanically robust, retaining 97% of their PCE after 5000 cycles at R = 1.2 mm and 94% PCE after 1000 cycles at R = 0.55 mm. This flexibility is among the highest reported for freestanding devices. Thus, the REZEN electrode is a promising and simple strategy to achieve mechanically robust ITO‐free flexible OPV cells.
Knowledge chain integration of design structure matrix‐based project team: An integration model
Authors: Tian Shuo , Zhao Hangeng , Xu Xiaobo , Mu Rongchao , Ma Qiang
Published: June 2022

Based on the project team's knowledge activities in the knowledge chain, we analyse the knowledge management, develop a design structure matrix (DSM) model, and utilize the AIDER clustering to solve the cooperation problems caused by team members from different departments. By analysing the coupling relationship between team members' knowledge chains and clustering the knowledge activities with a high coupling degree, the project team's knowledge chain achieves integration. Finally, plugging the proposed method into a business case shows that the method can improve the project team's knowledge management performance.
Valorization of Potato Peels Starch for Efficient β‐Cyclodextrin Production and Purification through an Eco‐Friendly Process
Authors: Ben Amara Fakhreddine , Bouzid Moetaz , Sahnoun Mouna , Ben Nasr Yosri , Jaouadi Bassem , Bejar Samir , Jemli Sonia
Published: June 2022

Potato peels (PP) are agro‐industrial co‐products generated in huge quantities by the potato processing industry. Obtaining value‐added products from PP is a current research challenge. As cyclic oligosaccharides is produced from starch by the action of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase), β‐cyclodextrins (β‐CDs) are increasingly used in various industrial applications. In an attempt to develop a low‐cost process for β‐CDs production, starch is firstly extracted from PP. The productions of the US132 CGTase and β‐CDs are then optimized via experimental designs. The US132 CGTase production from the recombinant T7 express Escherichia coli strain is enhanced 20‐fold to reach 59.95 U mL−1. Subsequently, the β‐CDs production by the US132 CGTase is optimized to reach a high level (67.26 g L−1). The β‐CDs are then purified to homogeneity through a simple eco‐friendly crystallization method that provided a purification yield of 20%. This study reveals that β‐CDs production from valorized starch is a promising strategy used to valorize PP and minimize β‐CDs production cost.
Atomically dispersed dual‐metal‐site PGM‐free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Yang Xiaoxuan , Priest Cameron , Hou Yang , Wu Gang
Published: June 2022

Atomically dispersed and nitrogen coordinated single metal site (MNx, M = Fe, Co, or Mn) moieties embedded in partially graphitized carbon (denoted as M–N–C) are recognized as the most promising platinum group metal‐free catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. However, simply regulating their coordination environments and local structures of single metal sites cannot fundamentally change active site structure, which leads to insufficient activity and stability. A second transition metal can be incorporated to design dual‐metal sites, offering a new opportunity to modulate the electronic and geometric structures of M–N–C catalysts. Therefore, exploring optimal atomically dispersed dual‐metal‐site is essential to designing new active sites with enhanced ORR activity, and stability, especially breaking the activity‐stability trade‐off. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the advances in developing atomically dispersed dual‐metal site catalysts for the ORR, including innovative synthesis methods, primary structural configurations, and the mechanisms to promote catalytic performance. We aim to elucidate the crucial structure–property correlation, emphasizing the inherent electronic and geometric effects of dual metal sites. Finally, we discuss the current challenges of dual‐metal site catalysts concerning rational design, precise synthesis, and high‐fidelity structural characterization.
Fe‐based catalysts for nitrogen reduction toward ammonia electrosynthesis under ambient conditions
Authors: Zhu Haiding , Ren Xuefeng , Yang Xiaoxuan , Liang Xingyou , Liu Anmin , Wu Gang
Published: June 2022

As one of the most important chemicals and carbon‐free energy carriers, ammonia (NH3) has significant energy‐related applications in industry and agriculture. Ninety percent of NH3 is produced by the Haber–Bosch process using high‐purity N2 and H2 at high temperatures and pressures, which consumes about 1% of the total energy production and causes 1.4% of global CO2 emissions. The environmentally friendly electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) with low energy consumption is a promising alternative to the conventional Haber–Bosch process. However, the main issue is the low Faradaic efficiency and NH3 selectivity of electrochemical NRR, caused by inert nitrogen molecules and competitive hydrogen evolution reaction. As one of the cheapest and most abundant transition metals widely utilized in the Haber–Bosch process, the Fe element has presented the potential high performance for the electrochemical NRR. This article summarizes recent advances and research progress in non‐noble Fe‐based catalysts used for NH3 electrosynthesis. Various synthetic protocols, structure/morphology modification, performance improvement, and reaction mechanisms are comprehensively presented. Based on recent experimental and theoretical studies, we aim to illuminate the structure–property relationship and offer an excellent opportunity for engineering advanced Fe‐based catalysts for nitrogen fixation. The most critical challenges and opportunities for Fe‐based catalysts are also provided. This review would open up a promising avenue toward developing platinum‐group‐metal‐free catalysts for electrochemical NRR applications in the future.
Rational design of Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Han Ning , Feng Shihui , Guo Wei , Mora Omar Martinez , Zhao Xiaolin , Zhang Wei , Xie Sijie , Zhou Zhenyu , Liu Zhiwei , Liu Qiong , Wan Kai , Zhang Xuan , Fransaer Jan
Published: June 2022

Although the oxygen reduction process to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a green option for H2O2 generation, the low activity and selectivity hindered the industry's process. In recent years, the electrochemical synthesis of H2O2 through a 2e– transfer method of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has piqued the interest of both academics and industry. Metal oxide catalysts have emerged as a novel family of electrochemical catalysts due to their unusual physical, chemical, and electrical characteristics. In this work, we first developed a Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite oxide (Pr2NiO4+δ) as a highly selective and active catalyst for 2e– ORR to produce H2O2. Molybdenum was introduced here to adjust the oxidation states of these transition metals with successful substitution into Ni‐site to prepare Pr2Ni1‐xMoxO4+δ, and the molybdenum substitution improves the H2O2 selectivity during the ORR process, in 0.1 M KOH, from 60% of Pr2NiO4+δ to 79% of Pr2Ni0.8Mo0.2O4+δ at 0.55 V versus RHE. A limiting H2O2 concentration of 0.24 mM for Pr2NiO4+δ and 0.42 mM for Pr2Ni0.8Mo0.2O4+δ was obtained at a constant current of 10 mA/cm2 using a flow‐cell reactor using a gas‐diffusion electrode.
Hydrodynamic characteristics and application of tuned liquid dampers with internal damping devices
Authors: Zhang Lanfang , Zhang Lele , Xie Zhuangning
Published: June 2022

The hydrodynamic characteristics of rectangular tanks with internal damping devices, including baffles and paddles, are investigated using shaking table tests excited by colored noise. The complex second‐order blind identification method is employed to decouple fluid sloshing responses and to obtain mode shapes. The modal frequency and damping ratio are also identified by the modified Bayesian spectral density approach. The influence of baffle angle, paddle width, liquid depth, and excitation amplitude on the natural frequency and damping ratio of tuned liquid dampers (TLDs) is analyzed. Results show that the natural frequency is reduced due to the added mass produced by the damping devices, and the reduction increases gradually with the increase in the size of the damping devices, indicating that the influence of the added mass should be considered in the design. This result is essentially different from the conclusion of the existing finding that the modal frequency of TLD increases continuously with the increase in the baffle angle. Therefore, the tuning of TLD cannot be realized by rotating the baffles. Moreover, the damping ratio of TLD with paddles shows a nonlinear relationship with the fluid response. The nonlinear empirical model fitted by the test results can predict the damping ratio with high accuracy and can be used in the preliminary design of TLD for the wind‐induced vibration control of super‐tall buildings.
The effectiveness and limitations of digital images for taxonomic research
Authors: Phang Aireen , Atkins Hannah , Wilkie Peter
Published: June 2022

In response to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak, which effectively shut down fieldwork, laboratory and herbarium‐based studies, an evaluation was made of the effectiveness and limitations of undertaking a virtual taxonomic study using only online herbarium specimen resources related to the genus Madhuca (Sapotaceae) for the Flora of Singapore. The study demonstrated the immense value of digital images to basic taxonomic research but also found that diagnostic micro‐morphological characters, often critical in defining species boundaries, cannot be seen in many digital images, even at high resolution. Several recommendations are made on how to maximise the utility of online herbarium specimen images to help facilitate future taxonomic research, though it is clear that physical access to herbarium specimens remains essential.