bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NiO/MoO2/MoO3 prepared by normal pulse voltammetry as cathode catalysts to investigate the properties of microbial electrolysis cells
Authors: Zhang Wusheng , Zhao Yu , Zhang Jie , Chen Shuwei
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

A microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a bio‐hydrogen production device that uses electrochemically active bacteria on the anode combined with applied voltage to break down organic matter. However, the effects of element content on cathode reduction and cathode catalysts on bioanode activity remain unknown.

RESULTS

MEC cathodes with different content of Na2MoO4·2H2O (i.e. 0 g L−1 (Ni), 12.5 g L−1 (Ni–Mo 1), 25 g L−1 (Ni–Mo 2) and 37.5 g L−1 (Ni–Mo 3)) were fabricated by normal pulse voltammetry to evaluate the cathode performance. Nanoparticles of Ni electrode are crystalline NiO on the carbon fiber surface. Compared with the Ni electrode, the catalysts of Ni–Mo electrodes are composed of smaller crystalline NiO and amorphous Mo oxides. The results of electrochemical analysis confirmed that Ni–Mo 1 exhibited low exchange transfer resistance (148.72 Ω), high electrochemically active surface area and strong conductivity, resulting in optimal electrocatalysis performance. The newly fabricated electrodes are applied as cathodes in single‐chamber MEC reactors and inoculated with activated sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. High peak current density determined using cyclic voltammetry of the bioanode indicated the strong electrochemical activity of electroactive bacteria in the bioanode of Ni–Mo 1. This is because the low resistance in the MECs could accelerate electron transfer and boost electrochemical reaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The performance of cathodes with different Ni and Mo content in terms of electrochemical activity was evaluated. Consequently, the optimal cathode electrode in MECs was Ni–Mo 1. The obtained results reveal that the cathode affects the bioanode activity in MECs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
WDR3 promotes stem cell‐like properties in prostate cancer by inhibiting USF2‐mediated transcription of RASSF1A
Authors: Liu Weijing , Xie An , Xiong Jing , Li Sheng , Yang Lin , Liu Weipeng
Published: March 2023

Background

WD repeat domain 3 (WDR3) is involved in tumor growth and proliferation, but its role in the pathological mechanism of prostate cancer (PCa) is still unclear.

Methods

WDR3 gene expression levels were obtained by analyzing databases and our clinical specimens. The expression levels of genes and proteins were determined by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Cell‐counting kit‐8 assays were used to measure the proliferation of PCa cells. Cell transfection was used to investigate the role of WDR3 and USF2 in PCa. Fluorescence reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to detect USF2 binding to the promoter region of RASSF1A. Mouse experiments were used to confirm the mechanism in vivo.

Results

By analyzing the database and our clinical specimens, we found that WDR3 expression was significantly increased in PCa tissues. Overexpression of WDR3 enhanced PCa cell proliferation, decreased cell apoptosis rate, increased spherical cell number and increased indicators of stem cell‐like properties. However, these effects were reversed by WDR3 knockdown. WDR3 was negatively correlated with USF2, which was degraded by promoting ubiquitination of USF2, and USF2 interacted with promoter region‐binding elements of RASSF1A to depress PCa stemness and growth. In vivo studies showed that WDR3 knockdown reduced tumor size and weight, reduced cell proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis.

Conclusions

WDR3 ubiquitinated USF2 and inhibited its stability, whereas USF2 interacted with promoter region‐binding elements of RASSF1A. USF2 transcriptionally activated RASSF1A, which inhibited the carcinogenic effect of WDR3 overexpression.
Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) due to anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination: A systematic review
Authors: Amisha Fnu , Saluja Prachi , Malik Paras , Van Rhee Frits
Published: March 2023

Vaccination against SARS‐CoV2 has been the largest vaccination campaign over the past two decades. The aim of this study is to qualitatively assess the reported cases of acquired hemophilia A (AHA) that developed after COVID‐19 vaccination to further elaborate on incidence, presentation, treatment, and outcomes.We queried Medline (PubMed), Google Scholar, and Embase databases to find reported cases of AHA after COVID‐19 vaccines. We found 14 studies (19 cases) for this descriptive analysis. Most patients were elderly (mean age 73 years) and males (n = 12) with multiple comorbidities. All cases developed after mRNA vaccines ‐ BNT162b2 Pfizer‐BioNTech (n = 13) and mRNA‐1273 Moderna (n = 6). All except one patient were treated, with the most common therapy being a combination of steroids, immunosuppression, and rFVIII (n = 13). Two patients died due to acute respiratory distress, and gall bladder rupture with persistent bleeding, respectively. While evaluating a patient with bleeding diathesis after COVID‐19 vaccination, AHA should be kept in the differential diagnosis. Given the low incidence, we believe that the benefit of vaccination still outweighs the risk of disease acquisition.
Viruses and phospholipids: Friends and foes during infection
Authors: Rattay Stephanie , Hufbauer Martin , Hoboth Peter , Sztacho Martin , Akgül Baki
Published: March 2023

Viruses have evolved complex and dynamic interactions with their host cells to enable viral replication. In recent years, insights have been gained into the increasingly important role of the host cell lipidome in the life cycle of several viruses. In particular, viruses target phospholipid signaling, synthesis, and metabolism to remodel their host cells into an optimal environment for their replication cycle. Conversely, phospholipids and their associated regulatory enzymes can interfere with viral infection or replication. This review highlights examples of different viruses that illustrate the importance of these diverse virus–phospholipid interactions in different cellular compartments, particularly the role of nuclear phospholipids and their association with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐mediated cancer development.
ORF45, a multifunctional immediate early and tegument protein of KSHV
Authors: Liang Qiming , Zhu Fanxiu
Published: March 2023

Kaposi sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiological agent of several human diseases, including Kaposi sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and a subset of multicentric Castleman's disease. KSHV uses its gene products to manipulate many aspects of the host responses during its life cycles. Among KSHV‐encoded proteins, ORF45 is unique in both temporal and spatial expression: it is expressed as an immediate‐early gene product and is an abundant tegument protein contained in the virion. ORF45 is specific to the gammaherpesvirinae subfamily but the homologs share only very limited homology and differ dramatically in protein length. In the past two decades, we and others have shown that ORF45 plays critical roles in immune evasion, viral replication, and virion assembly by targeting various host and viral factors. Herein, we summarize our current knowledge of ORF45 throughout the KSHV life cycle. We discuss the cellular processes targeted by ORF45 with emphasis on the modulation of host innate immune responses and rewiring the host signaling through impacting three major posttranslational modifications: phosphorylation, SUMOylation, and ubiquitination.
Risk of hospitalization and sequelae in patients with COVID‐19 treated with 3‐day early remdesivir vs. controls in the vaccine and Omicron era: A real‐life cohort study
Authors: Mazzitelli Maria , Trunfio Mattia , Sasset Lolita , Scaglione Vincenzo , Ferrari Anna , Mengato Daniele , Gardin Samuele , Bonadiman Nicola , Calandrino Lucrezia , Agostini Elena , Cattelan Anna Maria
Published: March 2023

Recently, a benefit from administration of a 3‐day course of early remdesivir (ER) in the outpatients' setting was reported. However, real‐life data on its use is scarce. Therefore, we explored the ER clinical outcome in our outpatients' s cohort, compared to untreated controls. We included all patients who were prescribed ER from February to May 2022 and followed them up for 3 months and compared patients who received treatment with untreated controls. In the two groups the following outcomes were investigated: hospitalization and mortality rate, time of negativization and symptom's resolution, and postacute coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) syndrome prevalence. Overall, 681 patients were analyzed, mostly females (53.6%), and with a median age of 66 years (interquartile range: 54–77), 316 (46.4%) patients received ER, and 365 (53.6%) did not receive antiviral treatment (control group). Overall, 8.5% patients eventually required oxygen support, 8.7% were hospitalized for COVID‐19, and 1.5% died. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) immunization and ER (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.049 [0.015; 0.16], p < 0.001) independently reduced hospitalization risk. ER was significantly associated with a shorter duration of SARS‐CoV‐2 positivity at nasopharyngeal swabs (aβ −8.15 [−9.21; −7.09], p < 0.001) and of symptoms (aβ −5.11 [−5.82; −4.39], p < 0.001), and with lower rate of COVID‐19 sequelae compared to control group (aOR: 0.18 [0.10; 0.31], p < 0.001). Even in the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination and Omicron era, in patients at high risk of developing severe disease, ER demonstrated to have a good safety profile and to significantly reduce the risk of disease progression and COVID‐19 sequelae compared to untreated controls.
Evaluation of analgesic and prophylactic activity of curcumin against chikungunya‐infected acute/chronic arthralgic mice
Authors: Sengupta Siddhartha , Tripathi Anusri
Published: March 2023

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection, a global public health problem, might lead to acute/chronic polyarthritis causing long‐term morbidity among infected patients. But, except nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and immune‐related side‐effects, no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved analgesic drug is available till date for the treatment of CHIKV‐induced arthritis. Curcumin, a plant product with minimal toxicity has been FDA‐approved as a Generally Recognized As Safe drug. This study aimed to determine the analgesic and prophylactic effect of curcumin, if any, among CHIKV‐induced arthralgic mice. Arthritic pain was evaluated by von Frey assay, locomotory behavior by open‐field test, and feet swelling by calipers. Cartilage integrity and proteoglycan loss were evaluated by Safranin O staining followed by Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI), Standardized Microscopic Arthritis Scoring of Histological sections (SMASH) score, and type II collagen loss by immunohistochemistry. Mice were administered high (HD), mid (MD), and low (LD) curcumin doses, before (PT: pretreatment), during (CT: cotreatment) and after (Post‐T: posttreatment) CHIKV‐infection. Curcumin treatment using PTHD (2000 mg/kg), CTHD, and Post‐TMD (1000 mg/kg) significantly alleviated CHIKV‐induced arthritic pain by improving pain‐threshold, locomotory behavior and reducing feet swelling of infected mice. Also, decreased proteoglycan loss and cartilage erosion with lower OARSI, SMASH scores were observed among these three subgroups compared to infected ones. Compared to infected ones, one‐ to twofold increased intensity of type II collagen in knee medial femoral condyle and medial tibial plateau regions of these subgroups was observed by immunohistochemical staining. Thus, this study highlighted both the analgesic (CT, Post‐T), and prophylactic (PT) activity of curcumin in alleviating CHIKV‐induced acute/chronic arthritis within mouse model.
Stable and durable antibody responses in SARS‐recovered donors vaccinated with inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine
Authors: Jia Tingting , Wu Yuankai , Liao Guancheng , Lei Yuxuan , Wu Zhengyu , Yang Fangji , Chen Jiamin , Xie Qian , Luo Chuming , Chong Yutian , Luo Huanle , Shu Yuelong
Published: March 2023

Whether the immune imprinting caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV) affects the efficiency of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination has attracted global concern. Little is known about the dynamic changes of antibody response in SARS convalescents inoculated with three doses of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine although lack of cross‐neutralizing antibody response to SARS‐CoV‐2 in SARS survivors has been reported. We longitudinally examined the neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against SARS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐2 as well as spikes binding IgA, IgG, IgM, IgG1, and IgG3 antibodies in 9 SARS‐recovered donors and 21 SARS‐naïve donors. Stably higher nAbs and spike antigens‐specific IgA, IgG antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 were observed in SARS‐recovered donors compared with SARS‐naïve donors during the period with two doses of BBIBP‐CorV vaccination. However, the third‐dose BBIBP‐CorV stimulated a sharply and shortly higher increase of nAbs in SARS‐naïve donors than in SARS‐recovered donors. It is worth noting that, regardless of prior SARS infection, the Omicron subvariants were found to subvert immune responses. Moreover, certain subvariants such as BA.2, BA.2.75, or BA.5 exhibited a high degree of immune evasion in SARS survivors. Interestingly, BBIBP‐CorV recalled higher nAbs against SARS‐CoV compared with SARS‐CoV‐2 in SARS‐recovered donors. In SARS survivors, a single dose of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine provoked immune imprinting for the SARS antigen, providing protection against wild‐type SARS‐CoV‐2, and the earlier variants of concern (VOCs) including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta but not against Omicron subvariants. As such, it is important to evaluate the type and dosage of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine for SARS survivors.
Characterization of hepatitis virus co‐infections in a cohort of immigrants living in southern Italy
Authors: Pisaturo Mariantonietta , Alessio Loredana , Starace Mario , Macera Margherita , Occhiello Laura , Cordua Emanuele , Capuano Salvatore , Onorato Lorenzo , Scotto Gaetano , Di Caprio Giovanni , Calò Federica , Monari Caterina , Sagnelli Caterina , Coppola Nicola
Published: March 2023

To characterize viral hepatitis co‐infections in a cohort of immigrants living in southern Italy. In a prospective multicenter study, all undocumented immigrants and low‐income refugees consecutively evaluated for a clinical consultation at one of the five first‐level clinical centers in southern Italy from January 2012 to February 2020 were enrolled. All subjects included in the study were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV) and anti‐HIV; the HBsAg‐positive were screened also for anti‐delta. Of the 2923 subjects enrolled, 257 (8%) were HBsAg‐positive alone (Control group B), 85 (2.9%) only anti‐HCV‐positive (Control group C), 16 (0.5%) HBsAg/anti‐HCV‐positive (Case group BC), and 8 (0.2%) HBsAg/anti‐HDV‐positive (Case group BD). Moreover, 57 (1.9%) subjects were anti‐HIV‐positive. HBV‐DNA positivity was found less frequently in the 16 subjects in Case group BC (43%) and in the 8 in Case group BD (12.5%) than in the 257 in Control group B (76%; p = 0.03 and 0.0000, respectively). Similarly, HCV‐RNA positivity was more frequent in Case group BC than in Control group C (75% vs. 44.7% p = 0.02). The subjects in Group BC had a lower prevalence of asymptomatic liver disease (12.5%) than Control group B (62.2%, p = 0.0001) and Control group C (62.3%, p = 0.0002). Conversely, liver cirrhosis was more frequently identified in Case group BC (25%) than in Control groups B and C (3.11% and 2.35%, p = 0.0000 and 0.0004, respectively). The present study contributes to the characterization of hepatitis virus co‐infections in the immigrant population.
Dynamic changes in polioviruses identified by environmental surveillance in Guangzhou, 2009–2021
Authors: Chen Meizhong , Zhang Yong , Zhang Wei , Huang Shufen , Zhu Shuangli , Li Caixia , Guo Xue , Zeng Hanri , Fang Ling , Ke Bixia , Li Hui , Yoshida Hiromu , Xu Wenbo , Ke Changwen , Deng Xiaoling , Zheng Huanying
Published: March 2023

Polio cases can be missed by acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) case surveillance alone, emphasizing the importance of environmental surveillance (ES). In this study, to investigate the serotype distribution and epidemiological trends of poliovirus (PV), we characterized PV isolated from domestic sewage in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China from 2009 to 2021. A total of 624 sewage samples were collected from the Liede Sewage Treatment Plant, and the positive rates of PV and non‐polio enteroviruses were 66.67% (416/624) and 78.37% (489/624), respectively. After sewage sample treatment, each sewage sample was inoculated in six replicate tubes of three cell lines, and 3370 viruses were isolated during the 13‐year surveillance period. Among these, 1086 isolates were identified as PV, including type 1 PV (21.36%), type 2 PV (29.19%), and type 3 PV (49.48%). Based on VP1 sequences, 1057 strains were identified as Sabin‐like, 21 strains were high‐mutant vaccines, and eight strains were vaccine‐derived poliovirus (VDPV). The numbers and serotypes of PV isolates in sewage were influenced by the vaccine switch strategy. After type 2 OPV was removed from the trivalent oral PV (OPV) vaccine and a bivalent OPV (bOPV) was adopted in May 2016, the last type 2 PV strain was isolated from sewage, with no detection thereafter. Type 3 PV isolates increased significantly and became the dominant serotype. Before and after the second vaccine switch in January 2020, that is, from the first dose of IPV and second–fourth doses of bOPV to the first two doses of IPV and third–fourth doses of bOPV, there was also a statistical difference in PV positivity rates in sewage samples. Seven type 2 VDPVs and one type 3 VDPV were identified in sewage samples in 2009–2021, and phylogenetic analysis indicated that all VDPVs isolated from ES in Guangdong are newly discovered VDPVs, different from VDPV previously discovered in China, and were classified as ambiguous VDPV. It is noteworthy that no VDPV cases were reported in AFP case surveillance in the same period. In conclusion, continued PV ES in Guangzhou since April 2008 has been a useful supplement to AFP case surveillance, providing an important basis for evaluating the effectiveness of vaccine immunization strategies. ES improves early detection, prevention, and control; accordingly, this strategy can curb the circulation of VDPVs and provide a strong laboratory basis for maintaining a polio‐free status.
Left atrial appendage occlusion after thromboembolic events or left atrial appendage sludge during anticoagulation therapy: Is two better than one? Real‐world experience from a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Margonato Davide , Preda Alberto , Ingallina Giacomo , Rizza Vincenzo , Fierro Nicolai , Radinovic Andrea , Ancona Francesco , Patti Giuseppe , Agricola Eustachio , Bella Paolo Della , Mazzone Patrizio
Published: March 2023

Background

The role of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) for atrial fibrillation patients that during oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC) suffer from ischemic events or present LAA sludge, and the best postinterventional anticoagulant regimen, need to be defined. We present our experience with a hybrid approach of LAAO+ lifelong OAC therapy in this cohort of patients.

Methods

Out of 425 patients treated with LAAO, 102 underwent LAAO because, despite OAC, suffered from ischemic events or presented with LAA sludge. Patients without high bleeding risk were discharged with the aim of maintaining lifelong OAC. This cohort was then matched to a population who underwent LAAO in primary ischemic events prevention. The primary endpoint was the composite of all‐cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events consisting of ischemic stroke, systemic embolism (SE), and major bleeding.

Results

Procedural success was 98%, and 70% of patients were discharged with anticoagulant therapy. After a median follow‐up of 47.2 months, the primary endpoint occurred in 27 patients (26%). At multivariate analyses, coronary artery disease (OR 5.1, CI 1.89–14.27, p = .003) and OAC at discharge (OR 0.29, CI 0.11–0.80, p = .017) were associated with the primary endpoint. After propensity score matching, no significant difference was found in the survival free from the primary endpoint according to the indication for LAAO (p = .19).

Conclusions

In this high‐ischemic risk cohort, LAAO + OAC seem a long‐term safe and effective therapeutical approach, with no difference in the survival free from the primary endpoint according to the indication for LAAO in a matched cohort.
Can a familiar gender stereotype create a not‐so‐familiar benefit for women? Evidence of gendered differences in ascribed stereotypes and effects of team member adaptivity on performance evaluations
Authors: Carpini Joseph A. , Luksyte Aleksandra , Parker Sharon K. , Collins Catherine G.
Published: March 2023

Our research examines the differential effects of stereotypically feminine work behavior—team member adaptivity—on performance evaluations. Team member adaptivity requires being accommodating to changing relational and situational demands to achieve interdependent work goals. As such, women who engage in team member adaptivity will be recognized and rewarded more in their performance evaluations compared to men. We tested our model across three studies. As hypothesized, the results of Experimental Study 1 (N = 600) demonstrated team member adaptivity is subject to a gendered stereotype and ascribed to women more so than to men. Building on this finding, Field Study 2 (N = 96) demonstrated that team member adaptivity was positively related to performance evaluations for women but not for men. Study 3 used multi‐source dyadic data obtained from managers and their supervisors (N = 141) and demonstrated that women who engage in team member adaptivity receive more favorable performance evaluations than their male counterparts. Together, these studies demonstrated the benefits of team member adaptivity for women more so than for men. This research extends our understanding of social role theory as well as the outcomes of adaptive performance while also offering several avenues for future scholarship with the potential to address ongoing gender inequities in the workplace.
Could foliar applications of methyl jasmonate and methyl jasmonate + urea improve must grape aroma composition?
Authors: Garde‐Cerdán Teresa , González‐Lázaro Miriam , Marín‐San Román Sandra , Sáenz de Urturi Itziar , Murillo‐Peña Rebeca , Rubio‐Bretón Pilar , Pérez‐Álvarez Eva Pilar
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Grape aromas are formed by a great number of volatile compounds. Methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and urea (Ur) foliar applications have been studied to improve grape quality, but their combined application has never been studied.

RESULTS

In both seasons, MeJ application enhanced terpenoids and C6 compounds synthesis, though decreased alcohols content. Moreover, MeJ + Ur treatment reduced benzenoids and alcohols and did not affect C13‐norisoprenoids content. However, there was no clear effect of these treatments on the rest of the volatile compounds. Multifactorial analysis showed a season effect on all volatile compounds, except terpenoids. Discriminant analysis showed a good separation among samples under treatment criterion. The great effect of MeJ treatment on terpenoids was probably due to this elicitor influencing their biosynthesis.

CONCLUSION

Season has a strong influence on grapes aromatic composition since it affects all volatile compound families except terpenoids. MeJ foliar application enhanced terpenoids, C13‐norisoprenoids and C6 compounds synthesis, whereas decreased alcohols content; however, MeJ + Ur foliar treatment did not affect C13‐norisoprenoids and C6 compounds, and decreased benzenoids and alcohols grape compounds. Therefore, no synergistic effect was observed between Ur and MeJ on grape volatile compounds biosynthesis. Foliar application of MeJ seems to be sufficient to improve the aromatic quality of grapes. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Care at high‐volume centers is associated with improved outcomes for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A population‐level analysis
Authors: Patel Ranish K. , Sutton Thomas L. , Schwantes Issac R. , Behrens Shay , Pommier Rodney F. , Rocha Flavio G. , Sheppard Brett C.
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives

Primary resection and debulking of liver metastases have been associated with improved survival in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). The treatment patterns and outcomes differences between low‐volume (LV) institutions and high‐volume (HV) institutions remains unstudied.

Methods

A statewide cancer registry was queried for patients with nonfunctional PNET from 1997 to 2018. LV institutions were defined as treating <5 newly diagnosed patients with PNET per year, while HV institutions treated ≥5.

Results

We identified 647 patients: 393 with locoregional (n = 236 HV care, n = 157 LV care) and 254 with metastatic disease (n = 116 HV care, n = 138 LV care). Patients with HV care had improved disease‐specific survival (DSS) compared to patients with LV care for both locoregional (median 63 vs. 32 months, p < 0.001) and metastatic disease (median 25 vs. 12 months, p < 0.001). In patients with metastatic disease, primary resection (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.55, p = 0.003) and HV institution (HR: 0.63, p = 0.002) were independently associated with improved DSS. Furthermore, diagnosis at a HV center was independently associated with higher odds of receiving primary site surgery (odds ratio [OR]: 2.59, p = 0.01) and metastasectomy (OR: 2.51, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Care at HV centers is associated with improved DSS in PNET. We recommend referral of all patients with PNETs to HV centers.
Are the MIA and MSKCC nomograms useful in selecting patients with melanoma for sentinel lymph node biopsy?
Authors: Hosein Sharif , Drebin Harrison M. , Kurtansky Nicholas R. , Olofsson Bagge Roger , Coit Daniel G. , Bartlett Edmund K. , Marchetti Michael A.
Published: March 2023

Background and Methods

The Melanoma Institute of Australia (MIA) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) nomograms were developed to help guide sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) decisions. Although statistically validated, whether these prediction models provide clinical benefit at National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline‐endorsed thresholds is unknown. We conducted a net benefit analysis to quantify the clinical utility of these nomograms at risk thresholds of 5%–10% compared to the alternative strategy of biopsying all patients. External validation data for MIA and MSKCC nomograms were extracted from respective published studies.

Results

The MIA nomogram provided added net benefit at a risk threshold of 9% but net harm at 5%–8% and 10%. The MSKCC nomogram provided added net benefit at risk thresholds of 5% and 9%–10% but net harm at 6%–8%. When present, the magnitude of net benefit was small (1–3 net avoidable biopsies per 100 patients).

Conclusion

Neither model consistently provided added net benefit compared to performing SLNB for all patients.

Discussion

Based on published data, use of the MIA or MSKCC nomograms as decision‐making tools for SLNB at risk thresholds of 5%–10% does not clearly provide clinical benefit to patients.
The inaccuracies of gastric adenocarcinoma clinical staging and its predictive factors
Authors: Janczewski Lauren M. , Shah Dhavan , Wells Amy , Bentrem David J. , Abad John D. , Chawla Akhil
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Accurate clinical staging (CS) of gastric adenocarcinoma is important to guide treatment planning. Our objectives were to (1) assess clinical to pathologic stage migration patterns for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, (2) identify factors associated with inaccurate CS, and (3) evaluate the association of understaging with survival.

Methods

The National Cancer Database was queried for patients who underwent upfront resection for stage I–III gastric adenocarcinoma. Multivariable logistic regression was used to detect factors associated with inaccurate understaging. Kaplan–Meier analyses and cox proportional hazards regression were performed to assess overall survival (OS) for patients with inaccurate CS.

Results

Of 14 425 analyzed patients, 5781 (40.1%) patients were inaccurately staged. Factors associated with understaging included treatment at a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program, presence of lymphovascular invasion, moderate to poor differentiation, large tumor size, and T2 disease. Based on overall CS, median OS was 51.0 months for accurately staged patients and 29.5 months for understaged patients (<0.001).

Conclusion

Clinical T‐category, large tumor size, and worse histologic features lead to inaccurate CS for gastric adenocarcinoma, impacting OS. Improvements to staging parameters and diagnostic modalities focusing on these factors may improve prognostication.
Headstarting turtles to larger body sizes for multiple years increases survivorship but with diminishing returns
Authors: Mullin Damien I. , White Rachel C. , Mullen Jory L. , Lentini Andrew M. , Brooks Ronald J. , Litzgus Jacqueline D.
Published: March 2023

Headstarting is a conservation tool that assumes raising turtles in protected ex situ environments to larger body sizes, then releasing them back into the wild, increases their survivorship compared to wild, non‐headstarted turtles. Our goal was to quantitatively test this fundamental assumption by comparing somatic growth and survivorship among 3 age classes of headstarted juvenile wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) monitored for 3 years (2016–2018) in Ontario, Canada. Our age classes were turtles headstarted for 2 years (n = 15), turtles headstarted for 1 year (n = 30), and turtles incubated and hatched ex situ, then released (i.e., no headstarting; hatchlings, n = 30). Both age classes of headstarted turtles were radio‐tracked for 1 year after release. We released hatchlings in August and radio‐tracked them for 1 month. All cohorts exhibited positive somatic growth after release. One‐month post‐release survival of hatchlings was 70%. Turtles headstarted for 2 years had slightly higher 1‐year post‐release survivorship (67%) than turtles headstarted for 1 year (47%), but there was little to no evidence for a difference (P = 0.17). Modeling these survivorship results with real‐life constraints of only 100 hatchlings available for headstarting each year (biological constraint from source population), and a 100‐turtle capacity in our headstarting facility (economic constraint), projected similar population growth in 2‐year and 1‐year headstarting programs. When removing the 100‐turtle facility limit, the 2‐year program projected higher population growth but required space for 200 turtles in the headstarting facility, which may not be feasible for many programs. Our results support the fundamental assumption that headstarting increases survivorship, but we observed diminishing returns if headstarting was increased for longer than 1 year. Given the growing number of turtle headstarting projects globally, our study provides data that can aid in establishing cost‐ and resource‐effective best practices.
Photonic Bandgap Fiber Microlaser with Dual‐Band Emission for Integrated Optical Tagging and Sensing
Authors: Wang Yanqiong , Gong Chaoyang , Yang Xi , Zhu Tao , Zhang Ke , Rao Yun‐Jiang , Wei Lei , Gong Yuan
Published: March 2023

Lasers are emerging as novel photonic tags for single‐cell labeling, anticounterfeiting, and encryption technology due to their narrow linewidth, high spectral multiplexing capacity, and superior stimuli‐responsiveness. These laser‐encoded photonic tags mostly distinguish the heterogeneity but do not yet provide both tagging and sensing of biosamples, which is highly desirable for disease screening. Here, a photonic bandgap (PBG) fiber microlaser that works as a 2D tag and an immunosensor is developed. The tubular PBG structure allows strong light–matter interaction and supports dual‐band lasing in the same optical fiber, enabling massive biosample tagging and sensitive biodetection. By encoding the random resonant peaks in the short‐wave band and multiplexing in the spatial domain, a 2D laser tag is generated with a large encoding capacity (>28500). Immunosensing of microalbumin is realized by using the periodic resonant peaks in the long‐wave band, and a limit of detection of 0.06 ng µL−1is achieved. This work is inspiring for the development of high‐performance, multifunctional integrated devices for disease screening.
Smoothing Energy Transfer Enabling Efficient Large‐Area Quasi‐2D Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Cai Lei , Chen Jiangyu , Zang Jiaqing , Zhou Jungui , Zou Yatao , Bai Guilin , Chen Zhewei , Song Tao , Wang Chuan‐Kui , Sun Baoquan
Published: March 2023

Electroluminescence (EL) efficiency of perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) based on a few square millimeters has improved significantly in recent years. Nevertheless, the EL efficiency of PeLEDs would plunge once the active area is enlarged from a millimeter to even a subcentimeter due to the unsmooth energy transfer process among the edge region with numerous nonradiative recombination centers. Herein, an intriguing strategy is developed to realize high‐quality quasi‐2D perovskite thin film via tuning perovskite precursor rheological properties as well as modulating the substrate surface tension. The perovskite crystallization process is retarded by incorporating a strong chelating ligand into its precursor. Hydroxylamine‐O‐sulfonic acid, containing a sulfonic acid group and an amino group, acts as a strong chelating agent with lead ions (Pb2+), which exhibit great synergistic potential in defect passivation and crystallization modulation. As a result, a large‐area (25 cm2) quasi‐2D PeLED achieves an external quantum efficiency of 20.7% with uniform emitting characteristics, a record value among analogous same‐size PeLEDs. The work may pave the way to realize high‐performance large‐area perovskite optoelectronic devices.
Fabrication, Optical Property, and White LED Application of Novel Lanthanide‐Based Family Cs2NaLnX6 (X = Cl, Br, I) Perovskite Nanomaterials
Authors: Sun Liheng , Dong Biao , Sun Jiao , Wang Yue , Sun Rui , Hu Songtao , Zhou Bingshuai , Xu Wen , Bai Xue , Xu Lin , Zhou Donglei , Song Hongwei
Published: March 2023

Lead free double perovskites are highly promising optoelectronic materials, but most of them suffer from low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and poor stability. Herein, a series of lanthanide elements are used to prepare the lead free double perovskite Cs2NaLnX6 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals (NCs), acting as both the main structural ions and the 4f–4f emission centers. The mechanisms for the broadband emission of Cs2NaLnX6 NCs host are carefully studied based on various spectral results combining ultrafast dynamics detection and first‐principles calculation. The broadband emission of the Cs2NaLnX6 NCs originates from the self‐trapped exciton. The Cs2NaLnX6 NCs show remarkable water stability for more than eight months and favorable temperature and light irradiation stability (500 h). The PLQY for these materials is much higher than most of double perovskite materials, especially for Cs2NaEuCl6, which can approach to 70%. The white light emission from a single host material Cs2NaEuTbCl6 (Tb:Eu = 25:1) is obtained and applied to a light‐emitting diode device, with a good CIE (Commission International de L'Eclairage) coordinate of (0.334, 0.326) and color rendering index of 91.2. Overall, the characteristics of lanthanide ions endow the super performance of Cs2NaLnX6 NCs, which is obviously an important choice for future optoelectronic devices.
In Vitro Proof of Concept of a First‐Generation Growth‐Accommodating Heart Valved Conduit for Pediatric Use
Authors: Li Richard L. , Sun Mingze , Russ Jonathan B. , Pousse Pierre‐Louis , Kossar Alexander P. , Gibson Isabel , Paschalides Costas , Herschman Abigail R. , Abyaneh Maryam H. , Ferrari Giovanni , Bacha Emile , Waisman Haim , Vedula Vijay , Kysar Jeffrey W. , Kalfa David
Published: March 2023

Currently available heart valve prostheses have no growth potential, requiring children with heart valve diseases to endure multiple valve replacement surgeries with compounding risks. This study demonstrates the in vitro proof of concept of a biostable polymeric trileaflet valved conduit designed for surgical implantation and subsequent expansion via transcatheter balloon dilation to accommodate the growth of pediatric patients and delay or avoid repeated open‐heart surgeries. The valved conduit is formed via dip molding using a polydimethylsiloxane‐based polyurethane, a biocompatible material shown here to be capable of permanent stretching under mechanical loading. The valve leaflets are designed with an increased coaptation area to preserve valve competence at expanded diameters. Four 22 mm diameter valved conduits are tested in vitro for hydrodynamics, balloon dilated to new permanent diameters of 23.26 ± 0.38 mm, and then tested again. Upon further dilation, two valved conduits sustain leaflet tears, while the two surviving devices reach final diameters of 24.38 ± 0.19 mm. After each successful dilation, the valved conduits show increased effective orifice areas and decreased transvalvular pressure differentials while maintaining low regurgitation. These results demonstrate concept feasibility and motivate further development of a polymeric balloon‐expandable device to replace valves in children and avoid reoperations.
Mesoporous Natural Fiber Welded Cellulose Containing Silver Nanoparticles as a Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst
Authors: Larm Nathaniel E. , Gulbrandson Anders J. , Stachurski Christopher D. , Chase Mary A. , Trulove Paul C. , Durkin David P.
Published: March 2023

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are presented within mesoporous natural fiber welded (NFW) cellulose and demonstrated as robust catalysts to reduce 4‐nitrophenol using sodium borohydride. Growing AgNPs this way enables their retention within a nonderivatized, mesoporous, all‐cellulose NFW composite. At an AgNP loading of 1.0 wt%, no leaching is observed during rinsing with polar and nonpolar solvents or any of 12 catalyst cycles and the cloth is easily retrievable and reusable. Comparatively, a 1.0 wt% AgNP loading on non‐NFW cotton thread loses ≈95% of the starting Ag under similar conditions. Only at higher loadings is a very slow leaching observed in the NFW composite (<10% Ag loss). With a turnover frequency of 0.9 h–1 (as compared to 2.2 h–1 for the non‐NFW cotton thread), the catalytic activity suffers only minor impedance from the NFW structure while affording significant promise in future applications for leach‐resistant nonderivatized cotton (e.g., TiO2 or photonic nanomaterials). Finally, it is shown that combustion of AgNPs‐NFW composites creates Ag residues distinct from materials produced via combustion of AgNPs on non‐NFW cotton. While the residues produced comprise Ag and residual carbon, this method is viable for producing metal “sponges” from monometallic and bimetallic NPs on mesoporous cellulose.
Synaptic Density and Glucose Consumption in Patients with Lewy Body Diseases: An [11C]UCB‐J and [18F]FDG PET Study
Authors: Andersen Katrine B. , Hansen Allan K. , Schacht Anna Christina , Horsager Jacob , Gottrup Hanne , Klit Henriette , Danielsen Erik H. , Poston Kathleen L. , Pavese Nicola , Brooks David J. , Borghammer Per
Published: March 2023

Background

Patients with Lewy body diseases exhibit variable degrees of cortical and subcortical hypometabolism. However, the underlying causes behind this progressive hypometabolism remain unresolved. Generalized synaptic degeneration may be one key contributor.

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate whether local cortical synaptic loss is proportionally linked to the magnitude of hypometabolism in Lewy body disease.

Method

Using in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) we investigated cerebral glucose metabolism and quantified the density of cerebral synapses, as measured with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) PET and [11C]UCB‐J, respectively. Volumes‐of‐interest were defined on magnetic resonance T1 scans and regional standard uptake value ratios‐1 values were obtained for 14 pre‐selected brain regions. Between‐group comparisons were conducted at voxel‐level.

Results

We observed regional differences in both synaptic density and cerebral glucose consumption in our cohorts of non‐demented and demented patients with Parkinson's disease or dementia with Lewy bodies compared to healthy subjects. Additionally, voxel‐wise comparisons showed a clear difference in cortical regions between demented patients and controls for both tracers. Importantly, our findings strongly suggested that the magnitude of reduced glucose uptake exceeded the magnitude of reduced cortical synaptic density.

Conclusion

Here, we investigated the relationship between in vivo glucose uptake and the magnitude of synaptic density as measured using [18F]FDG PET and [11C]UCB‐J PET in Lewy body patients. The magnitude of reduced [18F]FDG uptake was greater than the corresponding decline in [11C]UCB‐J binding. Therefore, the progressive hypometabolism seen in Lewy body disorders cannot be fully explained by generalized synaptic degeneration. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Biologically active secoiridoids: A comprehensive update
Authors: Peng Zhongcan , He Jun , Cheng Yungchi , Xu Jiekun , Zhang Weiku
Published: March 2023

Secoiridoids are natural products of cyclopentane monoterpene derivatives that are formed by splitting the rings of cyclomethene oxime compounds at C‐7 and C‐8, and only account for a small part of cyclic ether terpenoids. Because of the chemically active hemiacetal structure in their common basic skeleton, secoiridoids have a wide range of biological activities, such as neuroprotective, anti‐inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and antinociceptive activities. Phenolic secoiridoids can also act against multiple molecular targets involved in human tumorigenesis, making them potentially valuable precursors for antitumor drug development. This review provides a detailed update, covering relevant discoveries from January 2011 to December 2020, about the occurrence, structural diversity, bioactivities, and synthesis of naturally occurring secoiridoids. We aimed to resolve the lack of extensive, specific, and thorough review of secoiridoids, as well as open new areas for pharmacological investigation and better drugs based on these compounds.
Müntz–Legendre wavelet method for solving Sturm–Liouville fractional optimal control problem with error estimates
Authors: Kumar Nitin , Mehra Mani
Published: March 2023

This paper develops a Müntz–Legendre wavelet method for solving a fractional optimal control problem with dynamic constraint as a fractional Sturm–Liouville problem. We first derive the necessary optimality conditions as a two‐point boundary value problem by using the calculus of variation and integration by part formula. The operational matrices for Müntz–Legendre scaling functions have been obtained, and by utilizing it, the two‐point boundary value problem has been converted into a system of algebraic equations. The
‐error estimates in the approximation of operations matrices and in the approximation of unknown variable by the Müntz–Legendre wavelet has been derived. In the last, illustrative examples have been taken to show the applicability of the proposed method.
Multivariable Rheological Models for Commercial Polypropylene with High Molar Masses
Authors: Castor Carlos A. , Fialho André I. O. de A. , Oechsler Bruno F. , Pinto José C.
Published: March 2023

This work investigates the fitting performance of conventional rheological models and the development of multivariable rheological models to reproduce experimental rheological data of different industrial grades of linear isotactic polypropylene (iPP) having high mass average molar masses, Mm (164–404 kg mol−1), at three temperature values (180–220 °C) over a wide range of shear rates (10−1–104s−1). A shear thinning behavior is found in all investigated conditions. However, a low shear rate primary Newtonian plateau for a short shear rate range is only identified for the smallest Mm among those investigated, and for higher Mm such primary plateaus are even found at shorter shear rate range. Among the investigated models, only Cross and Carreau–Yasuda models are effective to reproduce the data for a specific PP grade. Two modified models are proposed that incorporate three variables. In the modified Cross Model, it has been shown that the characteristic time (λ) between the Newtonian plateau at the low shear rates and the shear‐rate range with shear‐thinning behavior depends exponentially on the Mm, and it does not depend on the temperature. Both proposed models fit very well with the experimental data with shear thinning behavior for a wide range of Mm.
Development of a tool to assess bladder health knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (BH‐KAB)
Authors: LaCoursiere Daphne Yvette , Kane Low Lisa , Putnam Sara , Wyman Jean F. , Newman Diane K. , Cunningham Shayna , Rickey Leslie , Berry Amanda , Gahagan Sheila , Vaughan Camille P. , Brown Oluwateniola , Brady Sonya S. ,   Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Few instruments measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KAB) related to bladder health. Existing questionnaires have predominantly focused on KAB related to specific conditions such as urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and other pelvic floor disorders. To address this literature gap, the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) research consortium developed an instrument that is being administered in the baseline assessment of the PLUS RISE FOR HEALTH longitudinal study.

Methods

The bladder health knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (BH‐KAB) instrument development process consisted of two phases, item development and evaluation. Item development was guided by a conceptual framework, review of existing KAB instruments, and a review of qualitative data from the PLUS consortium Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences (SHARE). Evaluation comprised three methods to assess content validity and reduce and refine items: q‐sort, e‐panel survey, and cognitive interviews.

Results

The final 18‐item BH‐KAB instrument assesses self‐reported bladder knowledge; perceptions of bladder function, anatomy, and related medical conditions; attitudes toward different patterns of fluid intake, voiding, and nocturia; the potential to prevent or treat urinary tract infections and incontinence; and the impact of pregnancy and pelvic muscle exercises on bladder health.

Conclusion

The PLUS BH‐KAB instrument may be used independently or in conjunction with other KAB instruments for a more comprehensive assessment of women's KAB related to bladder health. The BH‐KAB instrument can inform clinical conversations, health education programming, and research examining potential determinants of bladder health, LUTS, and related behavioral habits (e.g., toileting, fluid intake, pelvic muscle exercises).