bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bortezomib-Induced Perimyocarditis in a Multiple Myeloma Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Alali Yaman , Baljevic Muhamed
Published: December 2021

Bortezomib (BTZ) is a proteasome inhibitor used in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) and other hematological malignancies. Although carfilzomib, a second-generation proteasome inhibitor, is most strongly associated with cardiotoxicity, BTZ has been associated with several cardiovascular complications including congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and rarely myocarditis. Here, we report the first case of a BTZ-induced perimyocarditis. The patient was a 40-year-old woman with recently diagnosed MM who was admitted to the hospital with syncope at the start of her second cycle of induction therapy with BTZ, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. She had a witnessed syncopal event in the emergency room with the telemetry showing sustained ventricular tachycardia. Laboratory workup showed elevated N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide and normal troponin I. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a low ejection fraction of 40% with global hypokinesis of the left ventricle and trace pericardial effusion. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium was consistent with acute myocarditis. The patient had recurrent pleuritic chest pain, and a repeat TTE showed worsening pericardial effusion consistent with pericarditis. Endomyocardial biopsy was done which showed nonspecific myocyte hypertrophy and foci of fibrosis, but was negative for giant cell myocarditis, hemochromatosis, and amyloidosis. Extensive infectious disease workup ruled out known infectious causes for perimyocarditis. Given the close timing between BTZ treatment (5 subcutaneous doses with a cumulative dose of 6.5 mg/m2), the absence of other iatrogenic or infectious causes, and probable or likely association with BTZ as assessed by the validated causality assessment scoring tools, it was concluded that the acute perimyocarditis was secondary to BTZ exposure. Here, we report the first case of BTZ-induced perimyocarditis and discuss the incidence and pathophysiology of BTZ-cardiovascular toxicity.
A Rare Case of a Metastatic Malignant Abrikossoff Tumor
Authors: Salaouatchi Mohamed Tayeb , De Breucker Sandra , Rouvière Héloise , Lesage Véronique , Rocq Laureen Jeanne Armande , Vandergheynst Frédéric , Beernaert Laetitia
Published: December 2021

Abrikossoff tumor, also called granular cell tumor (GCT), is a neoplasm of the soft tissues which is most commonly a solitary, painless, and benign tumor. However, 2% of Abrikossoff tumors can be malignant. We report here the case of a 75-year-old male who presented a local recurrence of Abrikossoff tumor of the left thigh. The anatomopathological analysis concluded to a malignant GCT, and the F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed multiple lesions in the lymph nodes and bones. The potential conversion to malignancy should alert practitioners because of the extremely poor prognosis. The diagnosis of malignant granular cell tumor should be based on a bundle of clinical and histological features and not solely on histologic features because of the challenging distinction between malignant and benign tumors due to the lack of well-defined criteria for the diagnosis of malignancy. Large size and recurrence are the most important clinical features predicting malignant behavior. Patients with a history of Abrikossoff tumor should be followed closely to monitor recurrence and malignant transformation. The apparent originality of our observation – which could lie in the evolution of a GCT tumor, initially considered as benign, to a malignant form – has to be challenged regarding the issue of classifying some cases according to the classical “benign” and “malignant” dichotomy.
Bone Metastasis of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Showing Pathological Complete Response to Osimertinib Monotherapy
Authors: Shintani Hiroshi , Oura Shoji , Yamaguchi Tomoyuki , Makimoto Shinichiro
Published: December 2021

A 70-year-old man with lung adenocarcinoma had undergone right lower lobectomy and lymph node dissection. Only 6 months later under adjuvant uracil and futraful therapy, the patient developed a solitary bone metastasis in the right 8th rib. Due to positive mutation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 21 L858R in the primary cancer, the patient received osimertinib monotherapy, leading to massive calcification of the osteolytic bone metastasis with significant decrease of standard uptake value on positron emission tomography. After 12 months of osimertinib monotherapy, slight enlargement of the ground glass nodule, i.e., presumed noninvasive lung cancer, in the right upper lobe, and no further occurrence of metastatic foci made us to resect both the lung nodule and the bone metastasis. Pathological examination showed the lung nodule to be noninvasive adenocarcinoma and the bone metastasis to have no viable cancer cells. The patient was discharged on the 8th postoperative day without any complication. On developing a therapeutic strategy for advanced/recurrent EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma, oncologists should note the possibility of pathological complete response to newly developed EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors including osimertinib for a presumed cure of oligometastatic lung adenocarcinoma.
Tattoos Dermatological Complications: Analysis of 53 Cases from Northern Poland
Authors: Rogowska Patrycja , Sobjanek Michał , Sławińska Martyna , Nowicki Roman J. , Szczerkowska-Dobosz Aneta
Published: December 2021

Background: The frequency of tattoos varies from 10% to 30% across the population worldwide. The growing popularity of tattooing increases the number of cutaneous reactions connected with this procedure. As we have not found any previous studies in the literature concerning tattoo complications in Poland and other Eastern European countries, we believe this to be the first study of this kind. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical spectrum of complications associated with the procedure of permanent tattooing among patients from Northern Poland. Methods: Medical data of 53 patients who developed tattoo-related cutaneous conditions were analyzed. All of the patients were consulted in the Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology Clinic in Gdańsk in the years 2018–2021. Medical history, dermatological assessment, and photographic documentation of skin lesions were performed in each case. Dermoscopic examination was carried out in 16 cases and 20 skin biopsies of the tattoo reactions were performed. Results: Twenty-one patients (40%) presented tattoo ink hypersensitivity reactions, out of which 18 were triggered by the red ink. In 11 cases (21%), contact dermatitis has developed after tattooing, while 9 of the patients (17%) presented tattoo infectious complications, including local bacterial infections, common warts, molluscum contagiosum, and demodicosis. We collected 8 cases (15%) of papulonodular reactions in black tattoos, and in 6 of them, histology showed granuloma formation. In 2 cases (4%), symptoms of anaphylaxis were observed after the tattooing procedure, and in another 2 cases (4%), Koebner phenomenon in the tattoo was diagnosed. Dermoscopy was the clue to the diagnosis in 4 cases. Conclusions: This is the first report presenting multiple cases of tattoo complications from Eastern Europe. The results of the study are consistent with other researches, showing a similar distribution of tattoo complications and that across the different pigments used, the red ink is most frequently responsible for tattoo reactions. We emphasize the usefulness of dermoscopic examination in the diagnosis of tattoo-related infections and draw the reader’s attention to the rare, yet hazardous complications connected with peri-tattooing anaphylaxis.
Long-Term Efficacy of a Treat-and-Extend Regimen with Ranibizumab in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Disease: An Open-Label 12-Month Extension to the CANTREAT Study
Authors: Kertes Peter J. , Sheidow Tom , Williams Geoff , Greve Mark , Galic Ivan J. , Baker Jason ,   on behalf of the CANTREAT Investigators
Published: December 2021

Introduction: The objective of this study is to assess the long-term effectiveness of a treat-and-extend (T&E) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor regimen in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who remain on T&E and those switched from once-monthly (OM) dosing to T&E (OM-T&E). Methods: In this 12-month extension of the 2-year CANTREAT study, patients received intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg in a T&E regimen. Main outcome measures included mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline and from month 24 to month 36; percentages of patients who gained ≥5, ≥10, or ≥15 Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters or lost ≥5, ≥10, or ≥15 letters from baseline and from month 24 to month 36; and number of injections administered from baseline and from month 24 to month 36 for both groups. Results: Of the 139 patients (73 T&E, 66 OM-T&E) in the extension, 121 (68 T&E, 53 OM-T&E) completed 36 months. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) BCVA changes from baseline to the extension last visit (month 33–36) were +6.6 (11.4) letters in the T&E group and +4.8 (14.3) letters in the OM-T&E group, representing maintenance of 24-month gains. The mean (SD) numbers of injections during the extension were 7.3 (2.7) for T&E and 7.1 (2.8) for OM-T&E. Discussion/Conclusion: These findings suggest that after 36 months of treatment, the mean BCVA improvement achieved at 24 months is maintained for both the patients exclusively treated with the T&E regimen and those that switched to T&E after 24 months in the OM regimen.
CCN2 (Cellular Communication Network Factor 2) Deletion Alters Vascular Integrity and Function Predisposing to Aneurysm Formation
Authors: Rodrigues-Díez Raúl R. , Tejera-Muñoz Antonio , Esteban Vanesa , Steffensen Lasse B. , Rodrigues-Díez Raquel , Orejudo Macarena , Rayego-Mateos Sandra , Falke Lucas L. , Cannata-Ortiz Pablo , Ortiz Alberto , Egido Jesus , Mallat Ziad , Briones Ana M. , Bajo M. Auxiliadora , Goldschmeding Roel , Ruiz-Ortega Marta
Published: December 2021

Background:

CCN2 (cellular communication network factor 2) is a matricellular protein involved in cell communication and microenvironmental signaling responses. CCN2 is known to be overexpressed in several cardiovascular diseases, but its role is not completely understood.

Methods:

Here, CCN2 involvement in aortic wall homeostasis and response to vascular injury was investigated in inducible
Ccn2
-deficient mice, with induction of vascular damage by infusion of Ang II (angiotensin II; 15 days), which is known to upregulate CCN2 expression in the aorta.

Results:

Ang II infusion in CCN2-silenced mice lead to 60% mortality within 10 days due to rapid development and rupture of aortic aneurysms, as evidenced by magnetic resonance imaging, echography, and histological examination.
Ccn2
deletion decreased systolic blood pressure and caused aortic structural and functional changes, including elastin layer disruption, smooth muscle cell alterations, augmented distensibility, and increased metalloproteinase activity, which were aggravated by Ang II administration. Gene ontology analysis of RNA sequencing data identified aldosterone biosynthesis as one of the most enriched terms in CCN2-deficient aortas. Consistently, treatment with the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone before and during Ang II infusion reduced aneurysm formation and mortality, underscoring the importance of the aldosterone pathway in Ang II–induced aorta pathology.

Conclusions:

CCN2 is critically involved in the functional and structural homeostasis of the aorta and in maintenance of its integrity under Ang II–induced stress, at least, in part, by disruption of the aldosterone pathway. Thus, this study opens new avenues to future studies in disorders associated to vascular pathologies.
Carotid Web Phenotype Is Uncommonly Associated With Classic Fibromuscular Dysplasia: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Sharashidze Vera , Nogueira Raul G. , Al-Bayati Alhamza R. , Bhatt Nirav , Nahab Fadi B , Yun Johanna , Allen Jason W. , Frankel Michael , Haussen Diogo C
Published: December 2021

Background and Purpose:

Carotid web (CaW) is an intimal form of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) involving the carotid bulb which has been increasingly recognized as a potential cause of recurrent ischemic strokes. It is overlooked as a separate entity and often dismissed if no coexistent signs of classic FMD changes are observed. We aim to evaluate the frequency of classic FMD in high-yield vascular territories in patients with symptomatic CaW.

Methods:

This was a retrospective analysis of a symptomatic CaW database of 2 comprehensive stroke centers (spanning September 2014–October 2020). The diagnosis of a CaW during a stroke workup was defined as the presence of a shelf-like linear filling defect in the posterior aspect of the carotid bulb on computed tomography angiography in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack of undetermined cause after a thorough evaluation. Neck computed tomography angiography and renal conventional angiography images were independently evaluated by two readers blinded to the laterality and clinical details to inspect the presence of underlying classic FMD.

Results:

Sixty-six patients with CaW were identified. Median age was 51 years (interquartile range, 42–57), and 74% were women. All patients had neck computed tomography angiography (allowing for bilateral vertebral and carotid evaluation), whereas 47 patients had additional digital subtraction angiography (which evaluated 47 carotids ipsilateral to the stroke and 10 contralateral carotids). Internal carotid artery classic FMD changes were noted in only 6 out of 66 (9%) in the ipsilateral carotids. No contralateral carotid or vertebral artery classic FMD changes were observed. Renal artery catheter-based angiography was obtained in 16 patients/32 arteries and only 1 patient/2 renal arteries demonstrated classic FMD changes.

Conclusions:

CaW phenotype is uncommonly associated with classic FMD changes. Coexistent classic FMD does not constitute a useful marker to corroborate or exclude CaW diagnosis.
The Authorship of al-Risāla l-Ǧāmiʿa Re-Examined
Authors: Mattila Janne
Published: December 2021

Rasāʾil Iḫwān al-Ṣafāʾ and its summary, al-Risāla l-Ǧāmiʿa, are commonly attributed to the same authors. The strongest argument for this is the presence of references from the former to the latter. The aim of the present article is to analyze all of these references to establish their import for the theory of common authorship. When the fourteen references in the Beirut edition are compared with the oldest manuscripts, the result is that only six of these references appear in the latter, and even among these two are highly ambiguous. The only references from Rasāʾil Iḫwān al-Ṣafāʾ to al-Risāla l-Ǧāmiʿa unambiguously confirmed by the oldest manuscripts are the four references in version B of epistle 52, which is itself of dubious authenticity. Since all or most of the references outside epistle 52 are then clearly later interpolations, the conclusion is that the references in Rasāʾil Iḫwān al-Ṣafāʾ do not support the theory of common authorship.
Phanariot Tongues: The Mavrocordatos Family and the Power of the Turkish Language in the Eighteenth-Century Ottoman Empire
Authors: Shafir Nir
Published: December 2021

The Phanariots — Grecophone Christian elites who ruled the Danubian principalities in the eighteenth century — were the only non-Muslims in the Ottoman Empire who claimed power by virtue of their command of the Turkish language. Why were they the rare exception and what does their story reveal about the ways in which power and language were intertwined in the early modern Ottoman Empire? The implicit power relations embedded in the Turkish language are rendered visible in a unique text written in 1731 in which Constantine Mavrocordatos, a Phanariot prince, attempted to school his younger brother in Turkish through a series of twelve, play-like dialogues. The dialogues did not aim to teach the formal grammar of Turkish but to demonstrate the power of speech by familiarizing the reader with the eloquent and witty repartee of Ottoman bureaucrats. Through an analysis of the text — which includes reestablishing its authorship and date of composition — the article examines the Phanariots’ liminal position in Ottoman governance, especially in the newly ascendant imperial bureaucracy, through the prism of language. In doing so, it also rewrites the place of the Mavrocordatos family in the story of the Enlightenment in the Ottoman Empire.
Morpho-Semantic Evidence of Emerging Subjectivity in the Language of the Nahḍah — A Proposal
Authors: Guth Stephan
Published: December 2021

This article reviews some key concepts of the Arab(ic) Nahḍah with the aim of highlighting the usefulness of a more genuinely linguistic, i.e., grammar- and etymology-oriented approach for a deeper understanding of some basic features of the foundational period of Arab modernity. My contention and starting-point is that the Nahḍah was, among other things, an era in which the Arab subject came to sense its own agency. This is reflected not only in the many phenomena we are used to associate with the Nahḍah — the emergence of the intellectual, of critical journalism, of historicism, sentimentalism, new literary genres, etc. — but also in the morpho-semantics of key Nahḍah terminology. I argue (a) that the self-referential t-morpheme that features in many words signifying important Nahḍah concepts, such as taraqqī, taqaddum, or tamaddun, can and should be seen in the same light, i.e., as an indicator of a new emphasis on the self. Moreover, I argue that both the grammatical form of the new vocabulary (e.g., the -iyyah suffix for abstracts, verbal nouns, the causative patterns of form II and IV) and its “original”, “basic” (root) meanings underline (b) secularisation and the concomitant centrality of the human being, as well as (c) proactivity, energetic verve, and creativity, i.e., the subject’s being a cause of change in time (hence history). Thus, each new conceptual term is a little ‘Nahḍah in a nutshell,’ containing the very essence of Nahḍawi thought and the actual experience of feeling “modern”.
Elotespora mumbaiensis sp. nov.: A novel species of Anamorphic Ascomycota reported from Peninsular India
Authors: DUBEY RASHMI
Published: December 2021

N/A
Mallomonas lusca sp. nov. (Synurales, Chrysophyceae)—a rare species from Southeast Asia
Authors: GUSEV EVGENIY , KEZLYA ELENA
Published: December 2021

A new species of tropical chrysophyte algae, Mallomonas lusca sp. nov. is described from Vietnam based on silica-scale morphology observed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Scales of this species were previously found in Malaysia, but had not yet been described. Mallomonas lusca belongs to section Torquatae and is most similar to M. favosa. Its scales have a unique conspicuous rounded pit with a raised thickened central area, which develops in association with the posterior pore in the angle of the posterior submarginal rib. This rounded pit is surrounded by delicate papillae across the border on the shield. Mallomonas lusca has been observed in six localities in Vietnam and one in Malaysia.
Morphological ontogeny of Perlohmannia nasuta (Acari, Oribatida, Perlohmanniidae), with comments on Perlohmannia Berlese
Authors: SENICZAK STANISŁAW , IVAN OTILIA , MARQUARDT TOMASZ , SENICZAK ANNA
Published: December 2021

The morphological ontogeny of Perlohmannia nasuta Schuster, 1958 is described and illustrated. The adult of this species is the most similar to that of P. dissimilis (Hewitt, 1908), but differs from it by having alveolar seta exp (versus setiform in P. dissimilis), which is unique in Perlohmannia Berlese, 1916. It also has more spines on the bothridial seta and shorter seta c1 than has P. dissimilis. The juveniles of P. nasuta have the prodorsal seta exp alveolar, 7–8 anterior spines on the bothridial seta, and seta e2 longer than f2. Claparède’s organ of larva is long and cudgel-shaped. This species differs clearly from P. dissimilis in the ontogeny of leg setae. In both species, hypertrichy occurs on tarsi, especially on tarsus I, but P. nasuta has more setae on tarsus I of deutonymph, tritonymph and adult than has P. dissimilis.
Ontogenetic instars of Hermannia longisetosa Subías & Shtanchaeva, 2013, with remarks on juveniles of Hermanniidae (Acari: Oribatida)
Authors: BAYARTOGTOKH BADAMDORJ , ERMILOV SERGEY G. , SHTANCHAEVA UMUKUSUM YA. , SUBÍAS LUIS S.
Published: December 2021

Information on the morphological ontogeny of the majority species of the family Hermanniidae is still lacking. In this work, the ontogenetic instars of the Mediterranean species, Hermannia longisetosa Subías & Shtanchaeva, 2013 are studied, based on material from northwestern Spain. Comparative characteristics of juveniles of species belonging to different genera of Hermanniidae are given based on our own data and available literature sources, and the major characteristics of larvae and nymphs are presented. An updated family and generic diagnoses based on juveniles of Hermanniidae are proposed. At the moment, the juveniles of two genera, Hermannia and Phyllhermannia are known, which differ from one another in the pattern of cuticle plications of the gastronotum; number of solenidia on leg tarsi I and II; number of setae on palp femur; setal formula of leg IV in protonymph; and the arrangement of gastronotic setae of c- and d-series.
Morphological ontogeny and ecology of Ceratozetes parvulus (Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae)
Authors: SENICZAK ANNA , SENICZAK STANISŁAW
Published: December 2021

The morphological ontogeny of Ceratozetes parvulus Sellnick, 1922 is described and illustrated. Some aspects of its ecology are also investigated. The juveniles of this species have short prodorsal and gastronotal setae, tubercles and transverse folds on the gastronotum and setiform bothridial seta. Most leg setae are short, thick and strongly reduced (lack of setae l’ on femur III of deutonymph and tritonymph, pl on tarsus I, it on all tarsi, and pv on tarsus IV of nymphs), which are unique in Ceratozetes Berlese, 1908. This species is common in peatlands, where it seems to prefer specifically drier microhabitats, like hummocks.
Etching Characteristics of Low-k Dielectric Using C5H2F10 Liquefied Gas Plasma for Mitigating of Global Warming Potential
Authors: Choi Yeonsik , Lee Jongchan , Oh Younghun , Lee Hyun Woo , Kwon Kwang-Ho
Published: December 2021

In this work, we studied the etch characteristics and dielectric constant change of SiOC thin films by plasma etching for the fabrication of nanoscale devices to evaluate the C5H2F10 as alternative etching gas. We performed plasma etching of SiOC films
with inductively coupled plasma using the CF4+X+O2 mixed gas, where X = CHF3 and C5H2F10. Plasma diagnosis such as optical emission spectroscopy and double Langmuir probe measurements were carried. We analyzed the chemical compositions
of residues on the etched SiOC film surface using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. After the process, contact resistance was measured using the transmission line method to analyze the degree of polymer on the surface of the silicon. Ellipsometry were used to evaluate the change in the dielectric
constant of the thin film due to plasma exposure. It was confirmed that the etched profile was more vertical than that of the CHF3 gas plasma, and the increase in the dielectric constant of the SiOC thin film by C5H2F10 gas plasma is less than that
of CHF3 gas plasma. These results confirmed that C5H2F10 gas was a powerful alternative to CHF3 gas in semiconductor processing for the fabrication of nanoscale devices.
Gold Nanoparticle-Optimized Computed Tomography Imaging Combined with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Rehabilitation Training of Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Zhang Yangfan , Luo Yuanyuan , Wu Xinglei , Yang Liuqiong , Cui Dandan , Wei Chunzhu , Wang Wenzhu
Published: December 2021

Traditional computed tomography (CT) contrast agents, such as iodine-containing small molecules (omnipaque), have limitations in some applications. The development of nanotechnology has made it possible to develop CT contrast agents based on this technology. In this study, a large number
of surface functional groups of the fifth-generation polyamide-amine dendrimer (P5-NH2) were applied to functionally modify polyethylene glycol (PEG), targeting molecules, or drugs, which were used as the carrier of CT contrast agents. With the help of sodium borohydride (NaBH4),
there was a rapid reduction. The fluorescein thiocyanate (FT) and PEG modified with lactobionic acid (PEG-LA) weres connected before gold coating to obtain gold nanoparticles coated with targeted dendrimer (Au(P5-LA)DENPs). In the experiment, the gold nanoparticles were characterized, and
the liver cancer nude mouse model was established, so as to analyze the CT imaging performance of the material. Besides, the above was applied in the motor function of children with cerebral palsy, and the improvement effect of CT imaging combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation based
on the preparation of nanomaterials on the movement function of children was analyzed and demonstrated with the help of graph theory. The results showed that the average particle size of gold nanoparticles was 1.88 nm. Within the range of 5 °C–50 °C and pH = 4–7, the physical
properties of the aqueous solution of this material were stable. What’s more, the cell activity still exceeded 80% when the material concentration reached 2000 nm. The nude mouse model of liver cancer indicated that the CT imaging based on this material enhanced the image contrast effect
of the tumor part, and the material had no obvious toxic and side effects. CT imaging based on the preparation of nanomaterials can promote transcranial magnetic stimulation to accelerate the efficiency of brain movement, accelerate the global and local information exchange and integration
speed of brain network, thereby improving the movement function of children.
Preparation of Novel Bi-Modal Nano Contrast Agent and Its Application in Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhang Shi , Fan Meizhen , Wang Yan , Zhan Zhiyong , Hu Ying , Yu Aiping
Published: December 2021

In the study, a new ultrasound contrast agent was used in the above diagnosis. Specifically, PLGA nanoparticles (PNA) loaded with Au nanorods and perfluorohexane (PFH) were prepared by the double emulsification method, and then the aptamer (APT) and PNA were connected by the carbodiimide
method to obtain dualmodal ultrasound/photoacoustic targeting contrast agent (APT-PNA). Subsequently, physical characterization was performed on the prepared material, and then a fluorescence microscope was used to detect in vitro binding to breast cancer MCF-7 cells, with the normal
nanoparticle group, HELA cell group, and APT interference group as controls. On this basis, it was used for the SLNB of breast cancer patients. The results showed that, the average particle size of APT-PNA was (468.5±23.6) nm, and the connection rate between the APT and the PNA reached
95.68%. After laser irradiation, the photo-induced phase changes of the APT-PNA were obvious. The APT-PNA aggregated around and bound firmly to breast cancer MCF-7 cells, while other control groups did not show obvious specific binding. After using APT-PNA, the ultrasound signal and photoacoustic
signal were obviously enhanced than before irradiation. Of the 40 patients who participated in the trial, 37 developed lymphatic imaging, with an imaging rate of 92.5%, and 32 of the 37 patients with lymphatic imaging developed lymph node imaging, with a success rate of 86.5%.
Real-Time Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Magnetic Nano-Beads for DNA Extraction
Authors: Xu Yun , Wu Yanqi , Liang Ling , Huang Pingping , Chen Rui , Qin Chuang , Luo Yongsheng
Published: December 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a ubiquitous nonfermentative gram-negative bacillus, residing in nature widely as a conditional pathogen that is commonly isolated from nosocomial infection cases, having a larger genome (5.5–7 Mbp). P. aeruginosa possesses
great environmental adaptability and higher mutation rates, which accounts for its ability to resist antibiotics. Furthermore, multi-antibiotics-resistant P. aeruginosa has recently been established to be responsible for increased nosocomial infection incidence. Therefore, to detect,
diagnose, and treat this life-threatening infection early enough, we introduced a real-time recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) method of rapid P. aeruginosa detection, which is time-saving, convenient, highly sensitive, and more specific than the traditional bacterial culture
method. System effectiveness and efficiency were then determined by a series of experiments, where specific RPA primers and probes accurately distinguished P. aeruginosa from other common pathogenic bacteria with optimal RPA reaction procedures set at 39 °C for 20 min. Additionally,
specific primers and probes were designed based on the oprF gene sequence of P. aeruginosa. Subsequently, a real-time RPA system was used to analyze 20 cases of different clinical samples for P. aeruginosa detection in blood, open wound swab, and sputum. Results indicated that
this system was suitable for bacterial analysis of common clinical sample types. The DNA extraction method used in this study was based on the magnetic beads method. In conclusion, this study established that the real-time RPA system was a rapid, specific, and sensitive method for clinical
P. aeruginosa detection, which can be integrated into automatic high-throughput detection machines.
Mesoporous TiO2 Nanaoparticles Inhibits Malignant Pancreatic Cancer Cells Through STAT Pathway
Authors: Li Jie , Xu Chao , Lu Yueyue , Zhang Yan , Tan Xiaoping
Published: December 2021

Nanoparticles are known to have recognition ability for targeted delivery, and are thus widely used in the treatments of diseases. Mesoporous nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have characteristics of nanomaterials and their porous structure with high surface area
strengthens their drug-loading capacity and targeting ability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of mesoporous nano-TiO2 on pancreatic cancer cells and STAT pathway activity. Initially, we prepared mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles that were characterized. Pancreatic
cancer cells were co-cultured with mesoporous nano-TiO2 nanoparticles at different concentrations (0.1 μg/mL, 0.5 μg/mL, 1 μg/mL, 5 μg/mL, and 10 μg/mL) or 10 μg/mL nano-TiO2 (positive control group) or cells
cultured alone (blank group). Cell viability was determined at several specific time points (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h). Transwell assay and scratching assay were conducted to determine the number of migrated and invaded cells. STAT3 and JAK2 expressions were examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot
analysis. The prepared mesoporous nano-TiO2 exhibited sharp diffraction peaks with enhanced intensity and diffraction rings. STAT pathway was activated in pancreas cancer cells, which had more fluorescent cells than normal cells. The presence of mesoporous nano-TiO2 nanoparticles
suppressed cancer cell viability and their inhibition rate increased with increased of nano-TiO2 concentration. The concentration of 10 μg/mL exhibited greatest inhibitory effect and 10 μg/mL mesoporous nano-TiO2 thus was chosen for experimental group.
The width of the scratch in the experimental group (19.97±0.82 mm) was higher than in the blank group and positive control group (P < 0.05); 10 μg/mL mesoporous nano-TiO2 significantly decreased the number of invaded cells (71.97±17.84) and number
of cell clones (156.91±31.03) (P < 0.05). The expression levels of STAT3 (0.41±0.06 μg/μL) and JAK2 (0.39±0.04 ug/ul) were diminished by treatment with mesoporous nano-TiO2. Mesoporous nano-TiO2 inhibits pancreatic cancer
cell growth and STAT expression, as its inhibitory effect depends on its concentration. These findings might provide a novel insight into nanoparticle-based treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Investigation of Anions Effects on the Morphology of NiO Nanostructures and Their Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensing Applications
Authors: Lal Ramesh , Mugheri Abdul Qayoom , Sangha Ali Asghar , Khan Shaista , Lal Bhajan , Mahmoud Mohamed H. , Alolayani Bader Mohammed , Fouad Hassan , Akhtar M. S.
Published: December 2021

It is essential to study the impact of anions happening the morphology of nanomaterials to prepare nanostructures with well-defined shape. This present work is based on the effect of anions (acetate, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate) on the morphology of nickel oxide nanostructures material
synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The prepared composite material structures were studied by XRD, SEM), and TEM. The synthesized nanostructures were fabricated for the non-enzymatic glucose sensors. These sensors can be used for the non-enzymatic glucose sensors to take a fast amperometric
response less time. The sensitivity for all four sensors of NiO grown using nickel acetate, nickel chloride, nickel nitrate, and nickel sulfate salts are in order of 212.71, 519, 419.57, and 79.28 μA/mM·cm2 respectively. The detection limits were estimated in the
order of 0.1 to 1.0 μM. The NiO nanostructures grown with nickel chloride salt were found the most sensitive in this respect and subjected to evaluation of other competing species during glucose-sensing such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, and sucrose. The found best NiO nanomaterial
remained positively used to quantify glucose levels in the blood serum of humans.
Observed and Modeled Urban Heat Island and Sea-Breeze Circulation Interactions: A Shanghai Case Study
Authors: Hu Yan , Tan Jianguo , Grimmond Sue , Ao Xiangyu , Yan Yafei , Liu Dongwei
Published: December 2021

Urban heat island (UHI) and sea–land-breeze systems are well-known and important characteristics of the climate of coastal cities. To model these, the accurate estimation of the surface energy balance (SEB) is a key factor needed to improve local-scale simulations of thermodynamic and dynamic boundary circulations. The Weather Research and Forecasting Model with a single-layer urban canopy model (WRF/SLUCM), with parameters derived from MODIS and local GIS information, is used to investigate the UHI and sea-breeze circulations (SBC) in the megacity of Shanghai. The WRF/SLUCM can reproduce observed urban radiation and SEB fluxes, near-surface meteorological variables, and the evolution of the UHI and SBC. Simulations for an August period show the maximum UHI tends to drift northwest in the afternoon, driven by the prevailing southeast wind. The sea breeze lasts for about 4 h and is strongest between 1200 and 1400 local time (UTC + 8 h). The interaction between UHI and SBC is evident with low-level convergence, upward motion, and moisture transport from the sea and urban breezes simulated. An urban circulation (horizontal/vertical/time scales: ∼20 km/∼1.5 km/∼3 h) with thermal vertical motions (∼1.5 m s−1) above the urban area and an SBC (horizontal/vertical/time scales: 6–7 km/∼1 km/2–3-h) above the northern coastal suburb occur. Combined the sea breeze and southerly winds form a low-level wind shear (convergence zone) ∼5 km from the coast that penetrates ∼20 km inland to the urban center. Using the WRF/SLUCM simulations we improve understanding of the complex spatial dynamics of summertime urban heating in coastal megacities, such as Shanghai.
Comparable Esophagectomy Outcomes by Surgeon Specialty: A NSQIP Analysis
Authors: Hsu Diana S. , Ely Sora , Gologorsky Rebecca C. , Rothenberg Kara A. , Banks Kian C. , Dominguez Dana A. , Chang Ching-Kuo , Velotta Jeffrey B.
Published: December 2021

Background

A few observational studies have found that outcomes after esophagectomies by thoracic surgeons are better than those by general surgeons.

Methods

Non-emergent esophagectomy cases were identified in the 2016-2017 American College of Surgeons NSQIP database. Associations between patient characteristics and outcomes by thoracic versus general surgeons were evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Of 1,606 cases, 886 (55.2%) were performed by thoracic surgeons. Those patients differed from patients treated by general surgeons in race (other/unknown 19.3% vs 7.8%; P<.001) but not in other baseline characteristics (age, sex, BMI, and comorbidities). Thoracic surgeons performed an open approach more frequently (48.9% vs 30.8%, P<.001) and had operative times that were 30 minutes shorter (P<.001). General surgeons had lower rates of reoperation (11.8% vs 17.2%; P=.003) and were more likely to treat postoperative leak with interventional means (6.3% vs 3.4%, P=.01). Thoracic surgeons were more likely to treat postoperative leak with reoperation (5.9% vs 3.6%, P=.01). There were no other differences in univariate comparison of outcomes between the two groups, including leak, readmission, and death. General surgery specialty was associated with lower risk of reoperation. Our multivariable model also found no relationship between general surgeon and risk of any complication (odds ratio 1.10; 95% CI .86 to 1.42).

Discussion

In our large, national database study, we found that outcomes of esophagectomies by general surgeons were comparable with those by thoracic surgeons. General surgeons managed postoperative leaks differently than thoracic surgeons.
The banquet of the kingdom
Authors: Oliver Juan M. C.
Published: December 2021

The use of virtual liturgy during the pandemic has shown dedication on the part of both clergy and laity. Employing virtual means to do this, however, presents questions and concerns about the nature of the Church and the eucharist in their eschatological dimension. This article explores this dimension and how it relates to the practice of virtual liturgy. In this article, the author describes the early eucharist as a meal involving physical bodies gathered to eat physical food and examines the meal as an anticipation of the kingdom of God, referring to literary and archeological examples and reviewing its historical tendency to be abridged into something immaterial. In the final section, the author notes how this history of abridgement, including virtual eucharists, destroys its eschatological dimension while promoting an individualistic, clericalist, and consumerist spirituality. A summary and suggestions for the better use of virtual media close the article.
Anglican adaptation to pandemic disease: a historical perspective
Authors: Turrell James F.
Published: December 2021

As churches navigate the “new normal” of hybrid/online worship and public health measures, history offers some resources that can help guide our thinking. Anglicanism has, from its birth in the sixteenth century, adapted to such epidemic challenges as sweating sickness, plague, smallpox, cholera, and influenza. Anglican theology favors corporate prayer (including dispersed, synchronous prayer) and encourages the idea of the sacramentality of the word. At the same time, it resists the idea of virtual sacraments apart from a physical gathering and rejects a eucharist at which only the celebrant receives the consecrated bread and wine. History rarely offers straightforward lessons, but it suggests that Anglicanism has sufficient resources within itself to sustain itself through even a prolonged pandemic.
A Case Study of Family Violence During COVID-19 in San Antonio
Authors: Leal Wanda E. , Piquero Alex R. , Kurland Justin , Piquero Nicole Leeper , Gloyd Elizabeth L.
Published: December 2021

The current study investigates the effects of coronavirus restrictions on family violence in the seventh largest city in the country, San Antonio, Texas. Two streams of data were used to evaluate the potential change between what occurred during the lockdown period versus what would have been expected, including the COVID-19 Government Response Stringency Index and police calls for service from the San Antonio Police Department. The methodological approach used takes advantage of feature engineering, various machine learning time series forecasting techniques commonly leveraged in financial technical analysis, as well as cross-validation for optimized model selection. These techniques have not been considered in previous domestic or family violence-related research. During the lockdown period in San Antonio, we observed a larger than expected increase in calls to police for family violence incidents. Specifically, an increase of over fourteen percent of police calls for family incidents was observed. The findings of the current study suggest that social service and social welfare agencies consider and plan for how future pandemics or other major disasters will affect the incidence of family violence and take appropriate steps now to bolster resources and scale up for the future.
Gender and Racial Gaps in Support for Policing and Correctional Reforms: Are the Gaps a Consequence of Political Partisanship?
Authors: Hansen Michael A. , Navarro John C.
Published: December 2021

Divisive criminal justice issues are typically framed through gender and racial lenses, with little empirical work considering the increasing role of political partisanship. Using the 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Study ( N = 55,000), we estimate multivariate models of support for four policing and correctional reforms. The models initially point to gender gaps and racial gaps. However, as with many public policy issues, support for criminal justice reforms are largely a product of political partisanship—the gender and racial gaps are largely a consequence of gender and racial gaps in partisanship and appear to be driven by white Republican men. As legislative bodies continue to be overrepresented with individuals with the same demographic profile, criminal justice reform prospects are limited.
US Media, Selective Exposure, and the Promotion of COVID-19 Vaccinations in Black and Latino Communities
Authors: Gondwe Gregory
Published: December 2021

Through selective exposure, this study examined the role the US news media played in encouraging or discouraging minority races from getting vaccinated. Through content analysis and focus groups, we were able to demonstrate that most media messages focused on prior beliefs in their reporting, therefore, discouraging the black and Latino minorities from getting the COVID-19 vaccinations. Further, while blacks and Latinos based their fears of the vaccines on health effects, white respondents were more concerned about government surveillance and the desire to go back to “normal” life after the quarantine. Ultimately, white respondents were more positive about vaccination arguing that they were tired of the quarantine and wanted normal life back.
Creep evaluation and temperature dependence in self-sensing micro carbon polymer-based composites for further development as an Internet of Things Sensor device
Authors: Tomás Miguel , Jalali Said , Silva de Vargas Alexandre
Published: December 2021

This article investigates the dependency of temperature on electrical resistance (R) change in micro carbon fiber polymer composites (MCFPC), for further development as an Internet of Things sensor from previous research works. Three mixtures were prepared using Dow Corning’s Silastic 145 as base polymer and made vary fiber content weight percentages: fiber diameter to length ratio ∅⁄l 0.13 and carbon fiber content of 13%; ∅⁄l:0.66 and carbon fiber contents of 40% and 50%. Composites tested were submitted to temperature loading, with a constant strain of 0.0%, for assessment of R when a change in the composite’s temperature occurs. The composite response was observed to follow an Arrhenius function, for temperatures ranging from −10°C to 40°C. The apparent activation energy was calculated to evaluate further differences between carbon fiber contents and the sensitivity factor, [Formula: see text] due to temperature is determined. The specimens were also tested with a constant strain of 2.86% to assess creep. It was found that creep and R, over the period of time in the analysis, best fit a discrete latent variable model. The sensitivity factor change is determined in regard to stress relaxation, [Formula: see text]. The properties of MCFPC investigated here can be used to establish relationships between electrical resistance outputs and environmental loading conditions for this type of composites, enabling the possibility of deployment as part of a management system network for structural monitoring with real-time data acquisition.
The Varying Mechanisms of Media Access: Explaining Interest Groups’ Media Visibility across Political Systems
Authors: Vesa Juho , Binderkrantz Anne Skorkjær
Published: December 2021

A growing body of studies analyzes interest groups’ media visibility. Yet little is known about how the drivers of media access may vary across different interest group systems. This article focuses on two major mechanisms through which organizations can gain media visibility: media management efforts and the newsworthiness of elite actors. We hypothesize that media effort explains interest groups’ media access more strongly in competitive, pluralist interest group systems and that insider (i.e. “elite”) status does so more strongly in hierarchical, corporatist systems. We analyze surveys and media data on interest groups in the pluralist United Kingdom, the moderately corporatist Denmark, and the more strongly corporatist Finland. As hypothesized, media effort is most effective in the UK and weakest in Finland. However, we find only weak support for the insider status hypothesis: there is some evidence of the expected cross-country differences, but the effects are small and unrobust.
And the Rest is History: Measuring the Scope and Recall of Wikipedia’s Coverage of Three Women’s Movement Subgroups
Authors: Nelson Laura K. , Getman Rebekah , Haque Syed Arefinul
Published: December 2021

Narrating history is perpetually contested, shaping and reshaping how nations and people understand both their pasts and the current moment. Measuring and evaluating the scope of histories is methodologically challenging. In this paper we provide a general approach and a specific method to measure historical recall. Operationalizing historical information as one or more word phrases, we use the phrase-mining RAKE algorithm on a collection of primary historical documents to extract first-person historical evidence, and then measure recall via phrases present on contemporary Wikipedia, taken to represent a publicly-accessible summary of existing knowledge on virtually any historical topic. We demonstrate this method using women's movements in the United States as a case study of a debated historical field. We found that issues important to working-class elements of the movement were less likely to be covered on Wikipedia compared to other subsections of the movement. Combining this method with a qualitative analysis of select articles, we identified a typology of mechanisms leading to historical omissions: paucity, restrictive paradigms, and categorical narrowness. Our approach, we conclude, can be used to both evaluate the recall of a body of history and to actively intervene in enlarging the scope of our histories and historical knowledge.