bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of gene mutations in homologous recombination repair pathways in Japanese patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer in real‐world clinical practice: The multi‐institutional observational ZENSHIN study
Authors: Uemura Hiroji , Oya Mototsugu , Kamoto Toshiyuki , Sugimoto Mikio , Shinozaki Kenta , Morita Kiyomi , Koto Ryo , Takahashi Mai , Nii Masahiro , Shin Eisei , Nonomura Norio
Published: November 2022

Background

Metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a genetically heterogeneous disease with a poor prognosis. The prevalence of mutations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway genes, including BRCA1/2, as well as treatment patterns and clinical outcomes, are not well characterized among Japanese men with mCRPC.

Methods

This multicenter, noninterventional cohort study enrolled Japanese men with mCRPC from 24 institutions between 2014 and 2018. Mutations in the 15 HRR‐related genes were assessed using archival primary or metastatic tumor samples. Patterns of sequential therapies for mCRPC were investigated. Patients were followed up for survival evaluation including prostate‐specific antigen progression‐free survival (PSA‐PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Of the 143 patients analyzed, HRR‐related mutations were detected in 51 patients (35.7%). The most frequently mutated genes were CDK12 (N = 19, 13.3%), followed by BRCA2 (N = 18, 12.6%), ATM (N = 8, 5.6%), and CHEK2 (N = 3, 2.1%). The most common type of first‐line therapy for mCRPC was next‐generation hormonal agents (NHA, 44.4%), followed by first‐generation antiandrogens (FGA, 30.3%), and taxanes (22.5%). Commonly prescribed first−/second‐line sequential regimens included FGA/NHA (17.6%), NHA/NHA (15.5%), and NHA/taxanes (14.1%). The median PSA‐PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 5.6 and 26.1 months, respectively. Patients carrying BRCA1/2 mutations had numerically shorter PSA‐PFS (median 3.3 vs. 5.9 months) and OS (median 20.7 vs. 27.3 months) than those without mutations.

Conclusions

In conclusion, approximately one‐third of Japanese patients with mCRPC carried mutations in HRR‐related genes in this study. The real‐world outcomes of mCRPC are poor with conventional therapy, warranting an expansion of treatment options based on genetic abnormalities of the disease.
Trends in survival for cancer patients aged 65 years or over from 1995 to 2014 in the United States: A population‐based study
Authors: An Lan , Ju Wen , Zheng Rongshou , Zeng Hongmei , Zhang Siwei , Chen Ru , Sun Kexin , Li Li , Wang Shaoming , Wei Wenqiang
Published: November 2022

Background

Adults aged 65 years and above account for over half of all cancer diagnoses in the United States, but little is known about trend of elderly cancer survival in the United States. We aimed to assess the survival trend for elderly cancer in the United States from 1995 to 2014.

Methods

We used data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 12 registries and included 1,112,441 eligible patients aged 65 years or older who were diagnosed between 1995 and 2014 with cancer and followed up until December 2019. Overall and stage‐specific 5‐year relative survival, ratio of observed survival to expected survival, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of elderly cancer patients stratified by age were estimated during four periods (1995–1999, 2000–2004, 2005–2009, and 2010–2014). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios for cancer‐specific death among patients diagnosed during 2000–2004, 2005–2009, 2010–2014, compared diagnoses in 1995–1999. We also calculated stage distribution and treatment rate during four periods.

Results

In the United States, 5‐year relative survival for elderly cancer patients improved from 57.3% (95% CIs 57.0–57.5) in 1995–1999 to 60.7% (60.5–60.9) in 2010–2014. After controlling for sociodemographic and tumor characteristics, about a 19% reduction in cancer‐specific deaths among diagnoses in 2010–2014 compared with 1995–1999. Cancer survival improved for elderly patients in all age groups, with exception of stable survival for patients aged 85 and above. Comparing 1995–1999 with 2010–2014, relative survival improved from 84.7% (84.3–85.1) to 86.7% (86.3–87.0) for localized stage and from 12.4% (12.1–12.7) to 18.7% (18.4–19.0) for distant stage for all cancers combined. The trends in stage distribution and treatment rate for all cancers combined were relatively stable.

Conclusions

In the United States, survival for elderly cancer patients has improved slightly from 1995 to 2014, possibly mainly due to advances in treatment. Further studies are warranted to explore interventions to improve elderly cancer survival.
Synthesis, characterization and absolute configurations of methyl ladderanoates
Authors: Harris Constance M. , Harris Thomas M. , Stec Donald F. , Schley Nathan D. , Johnson Jordan L. , Covington Cody L. , Polavarapu Prasad L.
Published: November 2022

Methyl esters of [5]‐ladderanoic acid and [3]‐ladderanoic acid were prepared by esterification of the acids isolated from biomass at a wastewater treatment plant. Optical rotations at six different wavelengths (633, 589, 546, 436, 405 and 365 nm) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra in the 1800–900 cm−1 region were measured in CDCl3 solvent and compared with quantum chemical (QC) predictions using B3LYP functional and 6‐311++G(2d,2p) basis set with polarizing continuum model representing the solvent. QC predictions gave negative optical rotations at all six wavelengths for (R)‐methyl [5]‐ladderanoate and positive optical rotations for (R)‐methyl [3]‐ladderanoate, the same signs as previously reported for the corresponding acids. The crystal structure of (−)‐methyl [5]‐ladderanoate independently confirmed (R) configuration. The QC‐predicted VCD spectra using Boltzmann population weighted spectra of individual conformers did not provide satisfactory quantitative agreement with the experimental VCD spectra. An improved quantitative agreement for VCD spectra could be obtained when conformer populations were optimized to maximize the similarity between experimental and predicted VCD spectra, but more improvements in VCD predictions are needed.
Sky‐Blue Aggregation‐Induced Delayed Fluorescence Luminogens with High Horizontal Dipole Orientation for Efficient Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes†
Authors: Huang Ruishan , Yang Zuguo , Chen Hao , Liu Hao , Tang Ben Zhong , Zhao Zujin
Published: November 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Efficient and stable blue luminescent organic materials are highly demanded in the field of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) but still remain challenging. In this work, two new sky‐blue luminescent molecules comprised of electron acceptor of benzophenone and electron donors of spiro[acridine‐9,9'‐fluorene] and carbazole are designed and synthesized, and their thermal stability, electrochemical behaviors, photophysical properties, carrier transport ability and electroluminescence performance are investigated. They exhibit distinct merits of aggregation‐induced delayed fluorescence with high solid‐state photoluminescence quantum yields, balanced bipolar carrier transport and high horizontal dipole ratios. Highly efficient OLEDs using both molecules as emitters are obtained, which radiate strong sky‐blue light and provide outstanding external quantum efficiencies of up to 33.3% with small roll‐offs.
Innovative Diagnostic Peptide‐Based Technologies for Cancer Diagnosis: Focus on EGFR‐Targeting Peptides
Authors: Ahmadi Mohammad , Ahmadyousefi Yaghoub , Salimi Zahra , Mirzaei Rasoul , Najafi Rezvan , Amirheidari Bagher , Rahbarizadeh Fatemeh , Kheshti Javad , Safari Armin , Soleimani Meysam
Published: November 2022

Active targeting using biological ligands has emerged as a novel strategy for the targeted delivery of diagnostic agents to tumor cells. Conjugating functional targeting moieties with diagnostic probes can increase their accumulation in tumor cells and tissues, enhancing signal detection and, thus, the sensitivity of diagnosis. Due to their small size, ease of chemical synthesis and site‐specific modification, high tissue penetration, low immunogenicity, rapid blood clearance, low cost, and biosafety, peptides offer several advantages over antibodies and proteins in diagnostic applications. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most promising cancer biomarkers for actively targeting diagnostic and therapeutic agents to tumor cells due to its active involvement and overexpression in various cancers. Several peptides for EGFR‐targeting have been identified in the last decades, which have been obtained by multiple means including derivation from natural proteins, phage display screening, positional scanning synthetic combinatorial library, andin silicoscreening. Many studies have used these peptides as a targeting moiety for diagnosing different cancersin vitro, in vivo, and in clinical trials. This review summarizes the progress of EGFR‐targeting peptide‐based assays in the molecular diagnosis of cancer.
Heat‐Shock Proteins
Authors: Hagymasi Adam T. , Dempsey Joseph P. , Srivastava Pramod K.
Published: November 2022

Heat‐shock proteins (HSPs), or stress proteins, are abundant and highly conserved, present in all organisms and in all cells. Selected HSPs, also known as chaperones, play crucial roles in folding and unfolding of proteins, assembly of multiprotein complexes, transport and sorting of proteins into correct subcellular compartments, cell‐cycle control and signaling, and protection of cells against stress and apoptosis. More recently, HSPs have been shown to be key players in immune responses: during antigen presentation as well as cross‐priming, they chaperone and transfer antigenic peptides to class I and class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complexes. In addition, extracellular HSPs can stimulate and cause maturation of professional antigen‐presenting cells of the immune system, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. They also chaperone several toll‐like receptors, which play a central role in innate immune responses. HSPs constitute a large family of proteins that are often classified based on their molecular weight as Hsp10, Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90, etc. This unit contains a table that lists common HSPs and summarizes their characteristics including (a) name, (b) subcellular localization, (c) known function, (d) chromosome assignment, (e) brief comments, and (f) references. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A wireless power transfer system based on quasi‐parity–time symmetry with gain–loss ratio modulation
Authors: Li Jianguo , Zhang Bo
Published: November 2022

Wireless power transfer (WPT) systems based on parity–time (PT) symmetry can realize robust power transfer against the fluctuation of distance. There is an exceptional point (EP) that partitions the PT‐symmetric and PT‐broken phase, and it is nonadjustable at the conventional system with unity gain–loss ratio unless changing circuit parameters, which limits the improvement of its transfer performance. This paper proposed a novel quasi‐PT‐WPT system based on gain–loss ratio modulation. The proposed system can operate under different gain–loss condition with constant transfer power and efficiency regardless of coupling coefficient variation at the PT‐symmetric phase, which can enhance either the maximum transfer efficiency or distance alternatively. The proposed system consists of a nonlinear gain with adjustable gain–loss ratio to enable the transfer performance control, which is implemented by the virtual impedance. Experimental results verified the correctness of the theoretic analysis and implied the inherent contradiction between the transfer efficiency and distance.
The role of emotion regulation in the relationship between mindfulness and risk factors for disordered eating: A longitudinal mediation analysis
Authors: Osborne Emma L. , Ainsworth Ben , Chadwick Paul , Atkinson Melissa J.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Evidence suggests mindfulness may reduce risk factors for disordered eating. However, mechanisms of change in this relationship are unclear. This longitudinal study tested whether emotion regulation mediates the prospective associations between mindfulness and two proximal risk factors for disordered eating: weight and shape concerns, and negative affect.

Method

This study is a secondary analysis of data collected within an eating disorder prevention trial. Adolescent girls (N = 374, Mage  = 15.70, SD = 0.77) completed self‐report measures of mindfulness, emotion regulation, weight and shape concerns, and negative affect at baseline, 2 months following baseline, and 7 months following baseline. Path analyses were computed to test hypothesized indirect effects using confidence intervals based on 5000 bootstrap samples.

Results

Higher baseline mindfulness predicted lower weight and shape concerns and negative affect at 7 months via a mediator of better emotion regulation at 2 months. This effect remained while controlling for earlier measurements of the mediator and outcome in the model of negative affect but not weight and shape concerns.

Discussion

Emotion regulation may be an important mechanism explaining how mindfulness influences negative affect. Efforts should be made to intervene on mindfulness and emotion regulation in prevention and early intervention programmes for eating disorders and other psychiatric conditions.

Public Significance

Research has shown that mindfulness can help to reduce some of the risk of developing an eating disorder. This study explored whether mindfulness reduces some of this risk by helping people to better manage their emotions. Understanding this process can help us to develop better mindfulness‐based strategies to support people who are at risk of developing an eating disorder.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of neuropathic pain associated with coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Di Stefano Giulia , Falco Pietro , Galosi Eleonora , Di Pietro Giuseppe , Leone Caterina , Truini Andrea
Published: November 2022

Background and Objective

Neuropathic pain is an occasionally reported complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) that has received increased attention in scientific literature. In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, we aimed to provide information on the frequency of neuropathic pain associated with COVID‐19.

Databases and Data Treatment

We systematically reviewed and analysed literature regarding neuropathic pain associated with COVID‐19. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. We considered prospective and retrospective studies published up until September 2022 (limitations included English language, full‐text publications and studies including at least 10 patients). A random effects meta‐analysis was performed and heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed.

Results

We identified 149 studies. We included 17 studies in the systematic review, and six studies reporting the frequency of neuropathic pain in the acute/subacute phase of COVID‐19 in the meta‐analysis. The estimated frequency of neuropathic pain ranged between 0.4 and 25%. Forest plot analysis showed that the random effect overall frequency was 10% (95% confidence interval: 5%–15%), with a high level of heterogeneity (Chi2 = 104; Tau2 = 0.004; df = 5; I2 = 95%; test for overall effect: Z = 3.584; p < 0.0005). The overall risk of bias was moderate in all studies selected, particularly due to the poor description of neuropathic pain diagnostic criteria.

Conclusions

The pooled estimated frequency of neuropathic pain associated with COVID‐19 should be considered with caution due to the high heterogeneity across studies and the poor description of the neuropathic pain diagnostic criteria applied.

Significance

Emerging evidence supports the development of neuropathic pain as a complication of COVID‐19. However, longitudinal studies enrolling consecutive patients with COVID‐19 that detail the diagnostic criteria for neuropathic pain are needed to better assess the frequency of this condition.
RETRACTED: Activation‐based recurrent learning method for wearable sensor data processing in human activity recognition
Authors: Hsu Ching‐Hsien , Wu Hao , Lin Weiwei , Kobusinska Anna , Xia Feng
Published: November 2022

Human activity recognition using wearable sensors is a universal application for providing additional real‐time support in AAL and medical healthcare systems. Input signals and sensor data are analyzed for the features, followed by correlation analysis to achieve better recognition accuracy. In this article, activation‐based recurrent learning for human activity detection is introduced. This method is based on recurrent neural networks that pre‐classifies the features and extract them for time and rate based on the input signals. Following the pre‐classification, the repetitive learning estimates the features for the correlation and activities to reduce false‐negative errors in processing. This recurrent process is validated using a conditional activation function and rectified linear unit for joint and concurrent layer processing. The combined processing feature of this proposed method helps to improve the accuracy by 92% and recall by 94.5% by reducing the computation time. The performance of the proposed method is analyzed for six activities, varying iterates, and at time intervals.
Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte and hypopharyngeal cancer prognosis: System review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hu Xianyang , Tian Tengfei , Zhang Xueyan , Sun Qin , Chen Yanyang , Jiang Wenxiu
Published: November 2022

Several studies have reported the value of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for the prognosis of hypopharyngeal cancer. However, contradictory findings have also been published. We aimed to clarify the effect of NLR on the prognosis of hypopharyngeal cancer through meta‐analysis. Systematic search of PubMed and other database with study selection and data extraction. The combined hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using STATA, applying either a fixed‐effects or random‐effects model. Meta‐regression, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were used to analyze sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias were also assessed. This meta‐analysis included 2232 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer from seven studies. The combined HR (OS, HR = 1.80, 95CI%, 1.14–2.82; PFS, HR = 1.88, 95CI%, 1.26–2.79) suggested that high NLR was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS). Pretreatment NLR can be used as an effective serological indicator to assess the prognosis of patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.
The fluctuation of skin perfusion pressure in hemodialysis patients treated with LDL apheresis therapy: A comparison of LDL adsorption and double filtration plasmapheresis
Authors: Yoshimura Hitoshi , Yoshikawa Yuki , Noguchi Yuki , Totani Teruhiko , Kusuta Risa , Shimazu Keiji , Tanaka Atsuo , Komura Kazumasa
Published: November 2022

Background

There have been a number of reports suggesting that LDL apheresis, including LDL adsorption and double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), can be applied for the treatment of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in hemodialysis patients, whereas there is no definitive recommendation for the use of LDL apheresis.

Study Design

The change of skin perfusion pressure (SPP) during LDL apheresis was measured in every single treatment to determine the effect of LDL adsorption and DFPP on improving blood flow in lower extremity PAD hemodialysis patients. Eleven hemodialysis patients treated with more than two series of LDL apheresis were involved in the study. “One series” included 10 treatments of LDL apheresis according to the Japanese health care insurance system.

Results

In total, 320 treatments (32 series) of LDL apheresis were performed utilizing either LDL adsorption or DFPP treatment in 11 patients. The SPP values pre‐ and post‐apheresis were recorded in 315 treatments (228 LDL adsorption and 87 DFPP). The SPP was significantly improved after both LDL adsorption (P < .001) and DFPP (P = .002) treatment. The median change of SPP was significantly larger in the LDL adsorption group (12.6 mm Hg, range: −48.5, 77.0 mm Hg) than in the DFPP group (6.7 mm Hg, range: −42.0, 72.5 mm Hg) (P = .003). The LDL adsorption consistently offered a significant increase in the SPP, whereas DFPP treatment seemed to have modest effects on the improvement of SPP compared to the LDL adsorption.

Conclusions

These data indicate that LDL adsorption should be considered the primary LDL apheresis therapy for lower extremity PAD in hemodialysis patients to achieve improvement of blood flow.
Amlodipine: Can act as an antioxidant in patients with transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia? A double‐blind, controlled, crossover trial
Authors: Darvishi‐Khezri Hadi , Khalilzadeh Arjmandi Hadiseh , Aliasgharian Aily , Shaki Fatemeh , Zahedi Mohammad , Kosaryan Mehrnoush , Karami Hossein , Naeimayi Aali Raheleh , Salehifar Ebrahim
Published: November 2022

Background and Aim

This study aimed to assess the antioxidant effects of amlodipine in transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia (TDT) patients.

Methods

This crossover trial consisted of two sequences (AP and PA). In the AP sequence, nine cases received amlodipine 5 mg daily (phase I) and then were switched to placebo (phase II). In PA sequence, 10 patients took the placebo (phase I) and were shifted to amlodipine (phase II). The washout period was 2 weeks. The length of each phase was 6 months. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA, μmol/L), carbonyl (protein CO, μM/L), glutathione (GSH, nM/L), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC, μmol FeSO4/L) were measured in the beginning and at the end of phases I and II. The clinical significance was viewed as a minimum change difference of 5% for each outcome between amlodipine and placebo.

Results

Seventeen cases completed the study. According to the baseline MDA values, the adjusted Hedges's g for MDA was −0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.26 to 0.08. After controlling the baseline protein CO values, Hedges's g computed for protein CO was −0.11, 95% CI −0.76 to 0.55. The estimated values of the adjusted Hedges's g for GSH and TAC were also 0.26, 95% CI −0.40 to 0.91, and 0.42, 95% CI −0.24 to 1.09, respectively. The change difference for MDA was 8.3% (protein CO 2.2%, GSH 3.1%, and TAC 12.9%).

Conclusion

Clinically, amlodipine therapy is an efficacious adjuvant treatment with conventional iron chelators for improving the levels of MDA and TAC in patients with TDT.
Informal mentoring support as a potential moderator of the relation between adolescent dating violence victimization and substance use
Authors: Vengurlekar Ishan N. , Steggerda Jake C. , Brown Melissa , Kiefer Julia L. , Cavell Timothy A.
Published: November 2022

Research links adolescent dating violence (ADV) victimization to negative developmental outcomes, including involvement in substance use. Informal mentoring is associated with several positive outcomes, including reduced risk of substance use. Addressed in this study is whether support from an informal mentor can function to protect victims of ADV from involvement in substance use. Participants were 152 adolescents (grades 9–12). Findings revealed a significant association between ADV victimization and adolescents' involvement in substance use, as well as some evidence that support from an informal mentor moderates that link. When informal mentor support was low or at the mean, ADV victimization was significantly linked to adolescents' involvement in substance use; when informal mentor support was high, ADV victimization was unrelated to substance use involvement. Discussed are research and practice implications of the potential protective role of informal mentors for victims of ADV.
Phosphorus adsorption on iron‐coated sand under reducing conditions
Authors: Barcala Victoria , Jansen Stefan , Gerritse Jan , Mangold Stefan , Voegelin Andreas , Behrends Thilo
Published: November 2022

Mitigation measures are needed to prevent large loads of phosphate originating in agriculture from reaching surface waters. Iron‐coated sand (ICS) is a residual product from drinking water production. It has a high phosphate adsorption capacity and can be placed around tile drains, taking no extra space, which increases the farmers’ acceptance. The main concern regarding the use of ICS filters below groundwater level is that limited oxygen supply and high organic matter concentrations may lead to the reduction and dissolution of iron (hydr)oxides present and the release of previously adsorbed phosphate. This study aimed to investigate phosphate adsorption on ICS at the onset of iron reduction. First, we investigated whether simultaneous metal reduction and phosphate adsorption were relevant at two field sites in the Netherlands that use ICS filters around tile drains. Second, the onset of microbially mediated reduction of ICS in drainage water was mimicked in complementary laboratory microcosm experiments by varying the intensity of reduction through controlling the oxygen availability and the concentration of degradable organic matter. After 3 yr, ICS filters in the field removed phosphorus under low redox conditions. Over 45 d, the microbial reduction of manganese and iron oxides did not lead to phosphate release, confirming field observations. Electron microscopy and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy did not evince systematic structural or compositional changes; only under strongly reducing conditions did iron sulfides form in small percentages in the outer layer of the iron coating. Our results suggest that detrimental effects only become relevant after long periods of operation.
Synthesis, photophysical properties, and biological activities of some new thienylpyridines, thienylthieno[2.3‐b]pyridines and related fused heterocyclic compounds
Authors: Abuelhassan Suzan , Bakhite Etify A. , Abdel‐Rahman Abdu E. , El‐Mahdy Ahmed F. M. , Saddik Abdelreheem A. , Marae Islam S. , Abdel‐Hafez Shams H. , Tolba Mahmoud
Published: November 2022

Both 2‐(N‐arylcarbamoyl)methylsulfanyl‐3‐cyano‐5‐ethoxycarbonyl‐6‐methyl‐4‐(2′‐thienyl)pyridines 2a‐e and their isomers, 3‐amino‐2‐(N‐arylcarbamoyl)‐5‐ethoxy‐carbonyl‐6‐methyl‐4‐(2′‐thienyl)thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines 3a‐e were synthesized by reaction of ethyl 3‐cyano‐1,2‐dihydro‐6‐methyl‐4‐(2′‐thienyl)‐2‐thioxopyridine‐5‐carboxylate (1) with the respective N‐aryl‐2‐chloroacetamides in the presence of different basic catalysts. Compounds 3a‐e were used as precursors for synthesizing of pyridothienopyrimidinones 4a‐e, pyridothienotriazinones 5a‐e and tetrahydropyridothienopyrimidinones 6a‐c via treatment with triethyl orthoformate, nitrous acid, and/or 4‐chlorobenzaldehyde respectively. The photophysical properties of aminothienylthienopyridines 3a‐e and tetrahydropyridothieno‐pyrimidine‐4(3H)‐ones 6a‐c were studied and the fluorescence data revealed that all selected compounds possess AIE behaviors in solution and in solid state. Most of the prepared compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antibacterial and antifungal activities, and considerable results were obtained. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of thienopyridines 3a‐d against MCF‐7 and HepG2 cell lines was evaluated and they showed moderate to very strong activity.
The willingness of Chinese healthcare workers to receive monkeypox vaccine and its independent predictors: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Hong Jing , Pan Bo , Jiang Hui‐Juan , Zhang Qing‐Mei , Xu Xiao‐Wan , Jiang Han , Ye Jiang‐e , Cui Yu , Yan Xiao‐Jie , Zhai Xiao‐Feng , Yu Qin
Published: November 2022

The global monkeypox outbreak in 2022 has severely affected the life and health of people. Currently, partial smallpox vaccines have been approved for monkeypox prevention. Considering the potential occupational health risks of monkeypox infection among healthcare workers (HCWs), this study explored the willingness of Chinese HCWs to receive the monkeypox vaccine and analyzed the factors influencing their decision. We conducted an online cross‐sectional survey among HCWs of 10 Chinese hospitals from May 30th, 2022 to August 1st, 2022. Specifically, a self‐report questionnaire was administered to evaluate the attitude and acceptance of HCWs toward the monkeypox vaccine, followed by a multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the independent predictors of vaccination. The survey included 1032 participants, of whom 90.12% expressed their willingness for vaccination (vaccine hesitancy rate = 9.88%). Univariate analysis showed that 11 variables differed significantly between the vaccine acceptance and vaccine hesitancy groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the age of 30–40 years (odds ratio [OR] = 0.504, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.284–0.893, p = 0.019 vs. age of <30 years old), working in a secondary hospital (OR = 0.449, 95% CI: 0.249–0.808, p = 0.019 vs. working in a tertiary hospital), considering vaccination necessary for controlling monkeypox infection (OR = 4.135, 95% CI: 2.109–8.106, p < 0.001 vs. not considering it necessary), willingness to pay for the monkeypox vaccine (OR = 2.125, 95% CI: 1.206–3.745, p = 0.009 vs. no willingness to pay), considering implementation of mandatory vaccination necessary (OR = 1.990, 95% CI: 1.023–3.869, p = 0.043 vs. not considering it necessary), and recommending family members and friends to take the vaccine (OR = 13.847, 95% CI: 7.487–25.609, p < 0.001 vs. not recommending) were crucial independent predictors of the willingness to receive monkeypox‐related vaccination. This study evaluated the acceptance and hesitancy rates of Chinese HCWs toward the monkeypox vaccine and found that the willingness to receive vaccination was mainly correlated to age, hospital level, and attitude toward vaccination. Therefore, to promote vaccine absorption, we recommend expanding publicity, formulating reasonable policies, and improving the recognition of vaccines.
Implementation of Public Health Genomics in Africa: Lessons from the COVID‐19 pandemic, challenges, and recommendations
Authors: Moyo Enos , Moyo Perseverance , Mashe Tapfumanei , Dzobo Mathias , Chitungo Itai , Dzinamarira Tafadzwa
Published: November 2022

Public Health Genomics (PHG) is a relatively new field. The wide application of genomic technologies played a pivotal role in elucidating the full genomic sequence of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. This breakthrough proved to be the starting point in the manufacture of diagnostic kits and the subsequent making of vaccines. Beyond the COVID‐19 pandemic, many African countries can take advantage of the various investments in genomic technologies to introduce and intensify the use of genomics for public health gain. Public Health Genomics effectively monitors, prevents, and manages non‐communicable and infectious diseases. However, there are several challenges to implementing PHG in Africa. In this perspective article, we discuss the utilization of PHG during the COVID‐19 pandemic, the lessons learned from using PHG to manage and contain the COVID‐19 pandemic, as well as potential challenges Africa may face when putting PHG into practice compared to challenges of other regions. We also discuss our recommendations for overcoming these challenges.
Commercial funding and estimated intervention effects in randomized clinical trials: Systematic review of meta‐epidemiological studies
Authors: Nejstgaard Camilla Hansen , Laursen David Ruben Teindl , Lundh Andreas , Hróbjartsson Asbjørn
Published: November 2022

We investigated to which degree commercial funding is associated with estimated intervention effects in randomized trials. We included meta‐epidemiological studies with published data on the association between commercial funding and results or conclusions of randomized trials. We searched five databases and other sources. We selected one result per meta‐epidemiological study, preferably unadjusted ratio of odds ratios (ROR), for example, odds ratio(commercial funding)/odds ratio(noncommercial funding). We pooled RORs in random‐effects meta‐analyses (ROR <1 indicated exaggerated intervention effects in commercially funded trials), subgrouped (preplanned) by study aim: commercial funding per se versus risk of commercial funder influence. We included eight meta‐epidemiological studies (264 meta‐analyses, 2725 trials). The summary ROR was 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.85–1.06). Subgroup analysis revealed a difference (p = 0.02) between studies of commercial funding per se, ROR 1.06 (0.95–1.17) and studies of risk of commercial funder influence, ROR 0.88 (0.79–0.97). In conclusion, we found no statistically significant association between commercial funding and estimated intervention effects when combining studies of commercial funding per se and studies of risk of commercial funder influence. A preplanned subgroup analysis indicated that trials with high risk of commercial funder influence exaggerated intervention effects by 12% (21%–3%), on average. Our results differ from previous theoretical considerations and findings from methodological studies and therefore call for confirmation. We suggest it is prudent to interpret results from commercially funded trials with caution, especially when there is a risk that the funder had direct influence on trial design, conduct, analysis, or reporting.
Purification of carboxymethylated fatty alcohol derivates using ion exchange resins
Authors: Cattelaens Frederike , Jäger Martin , Myrdek Thomas
Published: November 2022

During synthesis of the surfactants, several byproducts are formed that impact the physico‐chemical properties as well as the quality of the product. Removal of these impurities is hence of vital interest, but the purification has remained chemically challenging. In this work, the ion exchange resin type I strong base anion polymeric catalyst was used to remove impurities such as remaining raw material and byproducts from different ether carboxylic acid surfactants. The efficiency of this preparative purification method was determined through analysis of the product composition using different analytical techniques such as titrimetric acid and saponification value determination, gas chromatography, Infrared (IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The results showed the high efficiency of the purification of the ether carboxylic acid surfactants using ion exchange resin. For all purified samples, the amount of byproducts such as esters and remaining raw material was found significantly reduced. Pure anionic surfactants (>90%) were obtained. Its ease of use and high efficiency render the method suitable for carboxymethylated surfactants. Additional investigations on industrial scales and further surfactant purification are yet to be analyzed.
On a class of pseudodifferential operators on the product of compact Lie groups
Authors: Federico Serena , Parmeggiani Alberto
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a bisingular pseudodifferential calculus, along the lines of the one introduced by L. Rodino in his paper of 1975, is developed in the global setting of a product of compact Lie groups. The approach follows that introduced by M. Ruzhansky and V. Turunen in their book of 2010 (see also V. Fischer's paper of 2015), in that it exploits the harmonic analysis of the groups involved.
Mild Neurological Phenotype Associated with Hypomorphic Variants in the Ataxia‐Telangiectasia Mutated Gene
Authors: Caputi Caterina , Federici Giulia , Soddu Silvia , Travaglini Lorena , Piane Maria , Bertini Enrico , Zanni Ginevra , Leuzzi Vincenzo
Published: November 2022

Background

Ataxia‐telangiectasia (A‐T) is a progressive multisystemic neurodegenerative disease. The phenotypic spectrum includes conditions (variant A‐T) with mild, late‐onset, and atypical clinical presentations characterized by the prevalence of dyskinetic rather than ataxic features.

Cases

We describe the clinical presentations of 3 siblings with early‐onset truncal ataxia without obvious neurological deterioration or biological markers of classic A‐T phenotype. We performed functional and genetic evaluation of 3 siblings with very mild neurological phenotype. Genetic evaluation with a next‐generation sequencing panel for genes causative of cerebellar ataxia detected 2 known ATM gene variants, missense c.9023G>A p.(Arg3008His), and leaky splicing c.1066‐6T>G variants. Functional studies showed mildly reduced ATM expression and residual kinase activity in the probands compared with healthy controls.

Conclusions

These results suggest the importance of investigating ATM variants even in the presence of clinical and biological atypical cases to ensure specific therapeutic regimens and oncological surveillance in these patients.
Design and characterization of a minimized planar dual‐band MIMO circular ring antenna with high efficiency
Authors: Cai Jing , Dong Guiting , Zhang Chuanba , Li Huiyang , Shi Xiaojing , Liu Gui
Published: November 2022

A minimized planar dual‐band multiple‐input multiple‐output antenna with high efficiency for the fifth‐generation applications is proposed in this paper. The designed antenna is composed of two identical radiating elements and a defected ground structure (DGS). Each radiating element is made up of a circular ring, a U‐shaped microstrip, a T‐shaped microstrip, and an L‐shaped microstrip. A rectangular microstrip with a small square stub is connected to the DGS to improve the isolation. The size of the designed antenna element is 24 mm × 15 mm. The measured reflection coefficients are less than ∗10 dB in the 5G New Radio n77/n78/n79 (3.3–4.2 and 4.8–4.96 GHz). The total peak gain and efficiency are greater than 3.5 dBi and 82%, respectively. The values of calculated envelope correlation coefficient are lower than 0.015. The proposed dual‐band MIMO antenna is suitable for 5 G applications.
Investigation and reduction of finite width effect of coupling beam in bandwidth estimation of coupled MEMS resonator
Authors: Brinda Ramasamy , Kanthamani Sundharajan
Published: November 2022

Band pass filters are realized by coupled microelectromechanical resonators and their bandwidth is determined by the ratio of coupling beam stiffness to resonator beam stiffness at the coupling location. The coupling beam is connected to the resonator beam in such a way that the resonator beam length and coupling beam width are in the same axis. Practically, it is not possible for the coupling beam to make contact with the resonator beam at a single point. But presently, coupled resonators are designed for specific bandwidth by considering resonator beam stiffness at any point within the contact area between the coupling beam and resonator beam. Due to the finite width of the coupling beam, resonator stiffness at the coupling location is multivalued. It causes additional velocity coupling. So, the bandwidth calculated using single‐point stiffness on the resonator beam will be far from the bandwidth of the actually coupled resonator. For the first time, this finite‐width effect is taken into account. The novelty of this work is the consideration of this finite width effect of coupling beam and cancellation of additional velocity coupling to minimize error in bandwidth estimation. This is achieved by a combination of λ/4 and 3λ/4 coupling beams. In this work, the coupled resonator is modeled using an electrical equivalent circuit.
Design of matched filter for signal‐to‐noise ratio maximization to improve data rate
Authors: Prakash V. , Manimegalai C. T.
Published: November 2022

The matched filter is an optimal linear filter for maximizing signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in the presence of additive random noise. Learning‐based matched filter is the proposed work. The proposed model supports (i) maximizing the SNR and (ii) setting the threshold, it is also called an intelligent matched dual tire filter. This improves the SNR by about 20 dB and the corresponding data rate to over 400 MBit/s. The bit error rate for 20 dB is very lower than FEC (10−3) of up to 10−7. The accuracy of the proposed matched learning filter is proved to be above 95%. Indoor visible light communication is one of the applications, and it can also be used for image processing and outdoor communication such as satellite and radar communication. It is obvious for communication as it avoids signal degradation, lobing, and overfitting to achieve a better data rate. This requires funding support and infrastructure facility that can be used to deploy the proposed algorithm in the real‐time scenario in the future.
Dead detector element detection in flat panels using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Box Jon , Salazar Adam , Johnson Dan , Rutel Isaac
Published: November 2022

Background

Independent testing of image quality metrics is important to provide an unbiased determination of medical imaging performance. Due to the underreporting by vendors of dead detector elements, which are elements that do not function but may be corrected using information from surrounding pixels, the health of all imaging detector elements is infrequently reported and extraordinarily difficult to independently determine or verify through traditional means without vendor largesse. In many instances, dead detector data, or dead pixel maps, are only available at the discretion of the vendors, which renders these data inaccessible to many medical physicists.

Purpose

We provide a mechanism to predict which detector elements are dead from a single flat field image and describe a convolutional neural network (CNN) to address this task. This technique provides a vendor‐independent and potential correction algorithm‐independent means for obtaining this information, which directly relates to the image quality of the diagnostic imaging system.

Methods

A data set of 61 flat field images was obtained from two Varian on‐board imaging (OBI) systems. These images were taken with a range of kVp and mAs settings and with differing levels of copper filtration in the beam path. The dead pixel maps for these detectors were also acquired and used to label the ground truth subimages—or small square images from the original, larger image—from the flat field images. This data set was then used to train, test, and validate five unique CNNs on the task of identifying dead detector elements from subimages derived from the flat field images.

Results

The CNNs were validated with an average precision of 0.96, an average recall of 0.48, and an average F1 score of 0.55 attributed to the scarcity and imbalanced nature of available data, and the difficulty in training neural networks using flat‐field images. However, performance drastically improved when utilizing a subset of the data with a high dynamic range.

Conclusion

This work shows the feasibility of using a CNN to detect dead detector elements from flat field images taken on a detector. Robust training of this type of algorithm could lead to a generalized model that may provide an independent evaluation of dead detectors for a wide range of vendors and models. Ultimately, this method can be a valuable tool for physicists performing quality assurance procedures on all digital diagnostic imaging systems, including X‐ray, mammography, and fluoroscopy.
Artificial intelligence‐based prediction of lycopene content in raw tomatoes using physicochemical attributes
Authors: Sharma Arun , Tiwari Akshat Dutt , Kumari Monika , Kumar Nishant , Saxena Vikas , Kumar Ritesh
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Lycopene consumption reduces risk and incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Tomatoes are a rich source of phytochemical compounds including lycopene as a major constituent. Lycopene estimation using high‐performance liquid chromatography is time‐consuming and expensive.

Objective

To develop artificial intelligence models for prediction of lycopene in raw tomatoes using 14 different physicochemical parameters including salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), firmness, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), colour values on Hunter scale (L, a, b), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity (AOA).

Material and methods

The post‐harvest data acquisition was collected through investigation for more than 100 raw tomatoes stored for 15 days. Linear multivariate regression (LMVR), principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were developed by splitting data set into train and test datasets. The training of models was performed using 10‐fold cross validation (CV).

Results

Principal component analysis showed strong positive association between lycopene, colour value ‘a’, TPC, TFC and AOA. The R2 (CV), root mean square error (RMSE) (CV) and RMSE (Test) for best LMVR model was observed to be at 0.70, 8.48 and 9.69 respectively. The PCR model revealed R2 (CV) at 0.59, RMSE (CV) at 8.91 and RMSE (Test) at 10.17 while PLSR model revealed R2 (CV) at 0.60, RMSE (CV) at 9.10 and RMSE (Test) at 10.11.

Conclusion

Results of the present study show that epidemiological studies suggest fully ripened tomatoes are most beneficial for consumption to ensure recommended daily intake of lycopene content.
Prune‐belly syndrome with severe lordosis
Authors: Konno Hiroko , Murakoshi Takeshi
Published: November 2022

Key points

What's already known about this topic?

Orthopedic issues in children with prune‐belly syndrome are common because of the lack of the abdominal musculature.

What does this study add?

Even extreme fetal lordosis can be improved substantially after birth.

Our patient with a prenatal diagnosis of prune‐belly syndrome and severe scoliosis could run, jump and maintain a seated position at 4 years of age without orthotic support or surgical treatment.
Longitudinal effects of using and discontinuing central nervous system medications on cognitive functioning
Authors: Koch Elise , Johnell Kristina , Kauppi Karolina
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To investigate the longitudinal effect of using and discontinuing central nervous system (CNS) medications on cognitive performance.

Methods

Using longitudinal cognitive data from population representative adults aged 25–100 years (N = 2188) from four test waves 5 years apart, we investigated both the link between use of CNS medications (opioids, anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives) on cognitive task performance (episodic memory, semantic memory, visuospatial ability) across 15 years, and the effect of discontinuing these medications in linear mixed effects models.

Results

We found that opioid use was associated with decline in visuospatial ability whereas using anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives was not associated with cognitive decline over 15 years. A link between drug discontinuation and cognitive improvement was seen for opioids as well as for anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives.

Conclusions

Although our results may be confounded by subjacent conditions, they suggest that long‐term use of CNS medications may have domain‐specific negative effects on cognitive performance over time, whereas the discontinuation of these medications may partly reverse these effects. These results open up for future studies that address subjacent conditions on cognition to develop a more complete understanding of the cognitive effects of CNS medications.
Optical, Photo, and X‐Ray Luminescence Properties of Samarium Ions Doped with Borophosphate Glasses
Authors: Kiwsakunkran Nuchjaree , Chanthima Natthakridta , Kim HongJoo , Kaewkhao Jakrapong
Published: November 2022

The optical, photo, and X‐ray luminescence properties of Sm3+ ion‐doped Li2O–Al2O3–Gd2O3–B2O3–P2O5 glasses are evaluated. The glasses are fabricated by the melt quenching technique. The absorption spectra exhibit the hypersensitive transitions 6H5/2→6P3/2 and 6H5/2→6F7/2 at the visible and near‐infrared range respectively. The glasses display four major transitions characteristic of Sm3+ ion for photoluminescence and X‐ray luminescence, with the most intense one corresponding to the 4G5/2→6H7/2 transition. The best emitting samarium concentration obtained by X‐ray excitation is compared to BGO crystals. The integral scintillation efficiency of glass is determined by total area under all of peak spectrum. The results indicate the promising application of these glasses in scintillators and for X‐ray sensing devices.