bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Patients With Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Pow-Sang Julio M.
Published: June 2022

Localized prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease. However, some diagnostic features are helpful in categorizing patients into risk groups for adverse outcomes, such as pathology, imaging, and genetic profiling. Risk‐specific management options, including active surveillance, can be tailored to individual patients based on their risk profile. Clinicians should discuss the risks and benefits of each of these options with patients for informed decision-making.
Vaccinations for Patients With Cancer and Cancer Survivors
Authors: Rodriguez Maria Alma
Published: June 2022

Patients with cancer and cancer survivors are vulnerable to infection, rendering vaccination a necessary intervention. The vaccination process represents a unique challenge in these populations—it is often impossible or impractical to delay the start of cancer treatment for immunizations, and vaccines may fail to trigger an appropriate protective immune response in immunocompromised patients and cancer survivors, with residual immune deficits. Additionally, live attenuated vaccines are contraindicated due to an increased risk of prolonged shedding and disease presence. The current NCCN Guidelines for Survivorship, which reflect the most up-to-date, evidence-based data relating to survivorship, detail the appropriate immunization practices in these highly susceptible populations.
Farklı ayçiçeği çeşitlerine ait tohumların bazı fiziksel ve renk karakteristikleri ile mekanik davranışlarının belirlenmesi
Authors: GÜL Esra Nur , ALTUNTAŞ Ebubekir , GÖK Hüsne
Published: June 2022

Bu çalışmada, Tunca, Tarsan-1018 ve Reyna ayçiçeği çeşitlerine ait tohumların bazı fiziksel ve renk karakteristikleri ile mekanik davranışları incelenmiştir. Çalışmada kullanılan Tunca, Tarsan-1018 ve Reyna ayçiçeği çeşitlerinin nem içerikleri sırasıyla %5.92, %6.58 ve %6.05 (k.b) olarak belirlenmiştir. Ayçiçeği çeşitlerinin fiziksel özellikleri içinde geometrik, hacimsel karakteristikleri ile renk karakteristikleri ile beraber farklı hızlar ve eksenlerdeki mekanik davranışları incelenmiştir. L* parlaklık değerlerinin Tunca çeşidinde daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayçiçeği çeşitlerine ait tohumların sıkıştırma testleri kapsamında kırılma kuvveti, deformasyon, kırılma enerjisi, sertlik ve kırılma gücü; 30, 60 ve 90 mm min-1 yükleme hızları ve uzunluk ve kalınlık yükleme eksenleri için incelenmiştir. Tunca çeşidinde 30 mm min-1 hızındaki kırılma kuvveti değerleri diğer çeşitlere göre daha yüksek, Tunca ve Tarsan-1018 çeşitleri için ise genişlik ekseni boyunca kırılma kuvveti değerleri daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Ayçiçeğinin işlenmesi, son ürün kalitesi ve tüketici istekleri açısından tohumların hasat sonrası teknolojileri için bazı fiziksel ve renk karakteristikleri ile mekanik davranışlarının göz önünde bulundurulması gereklidir.
Uncovering the natural variability of araucariacean exudates from ex situ and in situ tree populations in New Caledonia using FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Seyfullah Leyla J. , Roberts Emily A. , Jardine Phillip E. , Rikkinen Jouko , Schmidt Alexander R.
Published: June 2022

Background

Understanding the natural variability of plant resins is crucial for evaluating the chemical information stored in ambers that may support inferring palaeoenvironmental conditions. However, even among extant resin-producing plants, the variation of resinous exudates within and between tree genera and species is still poorly understood.

Methods

We analysed plant exudates from across the Araucariaceae in New Caledonia using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection mode (FTIR-ATR). Both, wild (in situ) and arboretum grown (ex situ) populations were used to uncover the effects of intergeneric, inter- and intraspecific variation of the araucariacean plants on the resin chemistry.

Results

We show that even resins from the same species in the same habitat do have natural (intraspecific) chemical variation. Some of the variation can result from the degree of resin polymerisation, but this is not the only source of variation. Wild sourced resins have greater natural intraspecific chemical variation than the arboretum sourced ones. Interspecific and intergeneric differences were not easy to distinguish in the resins sampled. This has strong implications for the evaluation of the chemical information from worldwide ambers: multiple samples should be analysed to give a more accurate picture of the natural chemical variation present and how this may or may not overlap with the chemistries of other resin types. Additionally we discovered that the Araucariacean species can produce up to three distinct types of exudate (gum, resin, and gum resin). This is the first time that gum resins have been identified and characterized with FTIR-ATR. We also provide a guide on how to distinguish the exudate types when using FTIR-ATR.
Bilinear pooling in video-QA: empirical challenges and motivational drift from neurological parallels
Authors: Winterbottom Thomas , Xiao Sarah , McLean Alistair , Al Moubayed Noura
Published: June 2022

Bilinear pooling (BLP) refers to a family of operations recently developed for fusing features from different modalities predominantly for visual question answering (VQA) models. Successive BLP techniques have yielded higher performance with lower computational expense, yet at the same time they have drifted further from the original motivational justification of bilinear models, instead becoming empirically motivated by task performance. Furthermore, despite significant success in text-image fusion in VQA, BLP has not yet gained such notoriety in video question answering (video-QA). Though BLP methods have continued to perform well on video tasks when fusing vision and non-textual features, BLP has recently been overshadowed by other vision and textual feature fusion techniques in video-QA. We aim to add a new perspective to the empirical and motivational drift in BLP. We take a step back and discuss the motivational origins of BLP, highlighting the often-overlooked parallels to neurological theories (Dual Coding Theory and The Two-Stream Model of Vision). We seek to carefully and experimentally ascertain the empirical strengths and limitations of BLP as a multimodal text-vision fusion technique in video-QA using two models (TVQA baseline and heterogeneous-memory-enchanced ‘HME’ model) and four datasets (TVQA, TGif-QA, MSVD-QA, and EgoVQA). We examine the impact of both simply replacing feature concatenation in the existing models with BLP, and a modified version of the TVQA baseline to accommodate BLP that we name the ‘dual-stream’ model. We find that our relatively simple integration of BLP does not increase, and mostly harms, performance on these video-QA benchmarks. Using our insights on recent work in BLP for video-QA results and recently proposed theoretical multimodal fusion taxonomies, we offer insight into why BLP-driven performance gain for video-QA benchmarks may be more difficult to achieve than in earlier VQA models. We share our perspective on, and suggest solutions for, the key issues we identify with BLP techniques for multimodal fusion in video-QA. We look beyond the empirical justification of BLP techniques and propose both alternatives and improvements to multimodal fusion by drawing neurological inspiration from Dual Coding Theory and the Two-Stream Model of Vision. We qualitatively highlight the potential for neurological inspirations in video-QA by identifying the relative abundance of psycholinguistically ‘concrete’ words in the vocabularies for each of the text components (e.g.,questions and answers) of the four video-QA datasets we experiment with.
Determination of muscle strength and function in plesiosaur limbs: finite element structural analyses ofCryptoclidus eurymerushumerus and femur
Authors: Krahl Anna , Lipphaus Andreas , Sander P. Martin , Witzel Ulrich
Published: June 2022

Background

The Plesiosauria (Sauropterygia) are secondary marine diapsids. They are the only tetrapods to have evolved hydrofoil fore- and hindflippers. Once this specialization of locomotion had evolved, it remained essentially unchanged for 135 Ma. It is still controversial whether plesiosaurs flew underwater, rowed, or used a mixture of the two modes of locomotion. The long bones of Tetrapoda are functionally loaded by torsion, bending, compression, and tension during locomotion. Superposition of load cases shows that the bones are loaded mainly by compressive stresses. Therefore, it is possible to use finite element structure analysis (FESA) as a test environment for loading hypotheses. These include muscle reconstructions and muscle lines of action (LOA) when the goal is to obtain a homogeneous compressive stress distribution and to minimize bending in the model. Myological reconstruction revealed a muscle-powered flipper twisting mechanism. The flippers of plesiosaurs were twisted along the flipper length axis by extensors and flexors that originated from the humerus and femur as well as further distal locations.

Methods

To investigate locomotion in plesiosaurs, the humerus and femur of a mounted skeleton ofCryptoclidus eurymerus(Middle Jurassic Oxford Clay Formation from Britain) were analyzed using FE methods based on the concept of optimization of loading by compression. After limb muscle reconstructions including the flipper twisting muscles, LOA were derived for all humerus and femur muscles ofCryptoclidusby stretching cords along casts of the fore- and hindflippers of the mounted skeleton. LOA and muscle attachments were added to meshed volumetric models of the humerus and femur derived from micro-CT scans. Muscle forces were approximated by stochastic iteration and the compressive stress distribution for the two load cases, “downstroke” and “upstroke”, for each bone were calculated by aiming at a homogeneous compressive stress distribution.

Results

Humeral and femoral depressors and retractors, which drive underwater flight rather than rowing, were found to exert higher muscle forces than the elevators and protractors. Furthermore, extensors and flexors exert high muscle forces compared to Cheloniidae. This confirms a convergently evolved myological mechanism of flipper twisting in plesiosaurs and complements hydrodynamic studies that showed flipper twisting is critical for efficient plesiosaur underwater flight.
Anatomical Investigation of the Cardiac Apex
Authors: Trainini Jorge , Beraudo Mario , Wernicke Mario , Carreras Costa Francesc , Trainini Alejandro , Mora Llabata Vicente , Lowenstein Haber Diego , Bastarrica María Elena , Lowenstein Jorge
Published: June 2022

Background: Understanding cardiac anatomy is the key to solve unknown issues about its function. The continuous and helical myocardial structure plays a fundamental role in its torsion-detorsion motions. Does the apex, a constitutive part of the ventricle, have relevance in cardiac dynamics or is it simply a cul-de-sac? The aim of this study was to answer this question. Methods. Four young bovine and four human hearts (two embryos and two adults) were used for the anatomo-histological studies. Two procedures were carried out for this investigation: a) the continuous myocardium unfolding to observe the fiber arrangement at the tip of the left ventricle, called the apical zone; and b) horizontal and longitudinal sections to study the structure of the apex. The horizontal sections were performed between the middle 2/3 and the apex, and the longitudinal ones, sectioning left ventricular apex, with an apex-base orientation. Results. In all the human and bovine hearts studied we found that the apex corresponds only to the left ventricle, where the twist of the descending segment is located, in the ascending continuity of the myocardium. The apical cul-de-sac has practically no muscular plane at its end. It is internally lined by the endocardium and externally by the epicardium. The muscular plane has only 10% thickness of the adjacent myocardium, a structural concept confirmed by transillumination. Conclusions. The apex is a cul-de-sac practically devoid of muscle, in which the endocardium and epicardium are attached, but which performs the functions of supporting intraventricular pressures and being a constitutive part of the torsion and detorsion motions
Effect of Multiple-choice Questions Sequence on the Results of Cardiology Exams
Authors: Galli Amanda , Lobianco Mirta Daniela , Swieszkowski Sandra , Kazelian Lucía , Gimeno Graciela , Lapresa Susana , Pages Marisa , Grancelli Hugo
Published: June 2022

Background: Some authors have pointed out that setting up an exam with random questions can impair student performance. Since the COVID-19 pandemic and compulsory social isolation, postgraduate medical education activities became virtual and exams were implemented online. Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse whether the random order of questions has any effect on test results. Method. Two exams were written: one on the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and another on Heart Valve Diseases. For each topic, two questionnaires were designed: a version with the questions in logical order and according to the estimated difficulty and another with the same questions randomly distributed. Each exam had 50 multiple-choice questions with 3 options, and the maximum possible score was 50 The exams were taken on the Moodle platform, with synchronous modality, and the time available was 75 minutes. The results were expressed as scores obtained (range and central tendency) and according to the index of difficulty of the questions. Results. The number of respondents was 284 residents, students of the Biannual Cardiology Course: two 1st year groups (Prevention topic) and two 2nd year groups (Valve diseases). There was no difference between the results of the two versions of the same exam. Conclusions. This study lacks sufficient power to support either way of question order in clinical sciences exams, giving rise to new queries.
Transurethral Holmium Laser Cystolithotripsy Under Local Anaesthesia in Adult Patients: A Prospective Observational Study at a Tertiary Care Centre in North-east India
Authors: Sailo Stephen Lalfakzuala , Sailo Laltanpuii , Wann Cornerstone
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Urinary bladder stones comprise 5% of all urinary stones. Various modalities for the treatment of symptomatic bladder stones are available. They are open cystolithotomy, extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy, cystolitholapaxy, suprapubic or transurethral cystolithotripsy using various energy sources. Presently transurethral Holmium laser cystolithotripsy is considered as the treatment of choice for symptomatic bladder stones. Aim: To report the experience of holmium laser cystolithotripsy for the treatment of symptomatic urinary bladder stones under local anaesthesia in adult patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 86 patients at Department of Urology, NorthEastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, Meghalaya, India, between June 2016 and August 2019. It included consecutive adult patients with symptomatic bladder stones of size upto 4 cm who underwent transurethral holmium laser cystolithotripsy under local anaesthesia during the study period. Laser energy was delivered through a 9.5F semi rigid ureteroscope using 365 µm or 550 µm end-firing fibre. Pain during the procedure was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of the results. Results: During the study period, 86 patients (84 men, 2 women) underwent transurethral Holmium laser cystolithotripsy under local anaesthesia. Complete fragmentation of the stones was achieved in all patients. The mean stone size was 15.04 mm and the mean operating time was 23.81 minutes. The procedure was well tolerated by the patients and the mean pain score was 3.26. It was associated with minor complications only. There was no major complication or mortality during the study. Conclusion: Transurethral holmium laser cystolithotripsy under local anaesthesia is a safe procedure. It is well tolerated by adult patients and it can be used for the treatment of bladder stones of size upto 4 cm.
Response of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to Irrigation Scheduling and Nutrient Management
Authors: Sharma Priyansh Kumar , Goyal Girish , Tomar S. S. , Tripathi Ankur
Published: June 2022

A research study was carried out during Rabi, 2020-21 at Crop Research Centre (CRC), School of Agriculture, ITM University, Gwalior (MP) to investigate the response of barley crop (Hordeum vulgare L.) to irrigation scheduling and nutrient management. The study was carried out in split plot design with irrigation scheduling at different crop growth stages and nutrient management. The main plots consisted of 3 irrigation treatments viz., I0: No irrigation; I1: Irrigation at CRI stage; I3: Irrigation at CRI and tillering stages and sub plots consisted of  four nutrient management treatments viz., N1, N2, N3 and N4. The results of the study revealed that irrigations scheduled at CRI and late tillering stages recorded maximum grain yield (4309.50 kg ha-1) which was 28.90% and 20.90% significantly higher than barley plants received no irrigation and one irrigation at CRI stage, respectively. Among nutrient management, application of 100% NPK with foliar application of 19:19:19 at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) registered significantly higher yield attributes and seed yield of barley (4064.40 kg ha-1) while the treatment combination, two irrigations and 100% NPK with foliar application of 19:19:19 fertilizer at 30 and 60 days after sowing fetched maximum gross (₹ 89256.00/ha) and net returns (₹ 60836.00/ha) and B:C ratio of 3.15.
Review on the Ethnobotany, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Senna occidentalis L. (Fabaceae): Potential Application as Remedy in the Treatment of Dysmenorrhea
Authors: Kalombo Alain S-P. Kabasele , Mukeba Florent Biduaya , Idrissa Assumani Zabo , Divengi Jean-Paul Nzambi , Mbuyi Patience Lunkondo , Kayembe Jean-Pierre K. , N’Da David Dago
Published: June 2022

Senna occidentalis L. has been used in several traditional medicines against various diseases and this is based on its botanical, ethnopharmacology, and phytochemistry profiles. This powerful herb is recognized for its antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimutagenic, protective, and inflammatory hepatic activity. Multiple chemical compounds, including achrosine, aloe-emodin, emodin, anthraquinones, etc., have been isolated from this plant. The results of this bibliographic research thus presented in this review have demonstrated the ability of certain extracts from S. occidentalis L. to lower the lipid peroxide content, the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and phospholipase A2 in exudates of the granuloma of cotton pellets, thus resulting in a reduced availability of arachidonic acid, an important precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, which are the only likely source and/or cause of dysmenorrhea. Thus, based on its phytochemical profile and its pharmacological properties, it is therefore suggested that S. occidentalis would be a potential and effective remedy in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Performance of Leguminous Crops under Different Tillage Practices in Silty Loam Soil of Balochistan
Authors: Sharif Muhammad , Ullah Misbahn , Ziad Tariq , Khan Imran , Khan Nasir
Published: June 2022

Balochistan is the province of Pakistan that facing serious issues such assoil erosion, structural instability, and nutrient depletion, and water scarcity, accumulation of excessive salts in soil and low contents of organic matter. Unfortunately, the current exhaustive cropping system and intensive ploughing further promoting the mentioned problems. The following study was designed with the objective i) to evaluate the effects of different tillage and legumes on soil organic carbon dynamic in upland of Balochistan. ii) To compare the outcomes of various tillage practices on legume crop manufacturing in upland of Balochistan. Treatments consist of zero tillage (ZT), minimal tillage (MT) and traditional tillage (CT) and crop become gram develop at some point of summer time season.  Experimental results revealed that soil pH under ZT (8.1) MT (8) CT (8); EC under ZT (1.3dsm-1) MT (0.84 dsm-1) CT (0.87 dsm-1); MOC under ZT (0.27%) MT (0.24%) CT (0.25%); POC under ZT (0.45%) MT (0.42%) CT (0.4%), TOC under ZT (0.84%) MT (0.82%) CT (0.78%); OM under ZT (0.7%) MT (0.7%) CT (0.64%); MBC under ZT (0.53%) MT (0.52%) CT (0.46%); Moisture Content under ZT (16.51) MT (15.87) CT (15.16); temperature Under ZT (23.067) MT (22.867) CT (22.733) Plant emergence Under ZT (81.6%) MT (80%) CT (79%); Biological yield Under ZT (0.3933kgm-2) MT (0.38 kgm-2) CT (0.38 kgm-2); Grain Yield under ZT (0.14 kgm-2) MT (0.13 kgm-2) CT (0.12 kgm-2). It is concluded that guar crop germination was a serious problems under all the tillage practices. However, soil properties were improved with reduction of tillage practices especially buildup of organic carbon was observed under zero tillage practices.
Cerebroplacental Doppler Indices in Intrauterine Growth Restriction Fetuses before and after Maternal Dexamethasone Management
Authors: Belal Mona A. , Borg Hesham M. , El-Badry Amr M. , Awara Ahmed M.
Published: June 2022

Background: IUGR increases the risk for intrapartum asphyxia, preterm delivery, and risks associated with preterm delivery, including but not limited to respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Doppler ultrasound gives us information on the vascular resistance and, indirectly, on the blood flow. The aim of this work is to assess any change in the cerebroplacental Doppler ratio before and after receiving Dexamethasone on pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University on 60 pregnant females after counseling and explaining of the procedure to patients, assurance of confidentiality, anonymity and their acceptance.

Results: The mean GA was 32 weeks and mean weigh of the fetus was 1165 kg with mean amniotic fluid index 5.85 cm. There was significant increase in MCA PI after treatment p-value <0.001. there was significant decrease in UMA PI after treatment with p-value <0.001.

Conclusions: Dexamethasone use in cases of IUGR is associated with significant improvement in the form of decrease in umbilical artery S/D ratio and pulsatility index.
Green Chemistry and Microwave Irradiation Technique: A Review
Authors: Tiwari Shashank , Talreja Shreya
Published: June 2022

Green Chemistry is a term used for the process of making chemical substances in a sustainable way. The aim of green chemistry is to minimize the hazardous footprint on the environment produced by manufacturing and production of various chemical compounds. Green chemistry focuses on using less toxic materials in synthesis of chemicals by increasing efficacy of chemical synthesis and minimizing waste production. The way forward with green chemistry includes use of various potent techniques like microwave irradiation technique. The use of microwave assisted technique has brought a revolution in the field of chemical study and manufacturing. Through this technique even minute compounds and molecules can be synthesized in a fraction of time. The microwave is primarily used in heating the chemical material by conduction and dipolar polarization. The use of microwave irradiation technique is regarded as a crucial element of green chemistry because it produces clean compounds without any residual toxins. The compounds produced are very efficient as they have higher yields and better reactivity and selectivity. The microwave irradiation technique is widely used in the field of nanotechnology as well.
Excavations at Musselburgh Primary Health Care Centre
Authors: Kirby Magnus , Anderson Sue , Bidwell Paul , Clarke Ann , Cool Hilary E M , Cressey Mike , Croom Alex , Cruikshanks Gemma , Ellis Clare , Evans Jane , Gröcke Darren R , Hartley Kay , Hudak Eniko , Hunter Fraser , Johnson Melanie , McLaren Dawn , Montgomery Janet , Moore Joanna , Nowell Geoff , Pashley Vanessa , Rose Alice , Thoms Jennifer , Tomlin Roger , Wild Felicity C
Published: June 2022

An excavation was undertaken by CFA Archaeology Ltd (CFA) between August and November 2010 on the site of the new Musselburgh Primary Health Care Centre. The site, which lies to the south of Inveresk Road, is centred on NGR: NT 3428 7224. Until its demolition, the area had been occupied by Brunton Wireworks. The Scheduled Monument of Inveresk Roman Fort lies at the top of the steep slope c 50m to the south of the excavation site. The excavation identified six phases of activity on the site, the earliest being a Mesolithic flint scatter. The area was used as a burial ground in the Iron Age and a ring ditch may also be of prehistoric date. Later, six Roman inhumation burials (four of which had been decapitated) and a horse burial were interred, and a possible Roman fortlet was constructed. Across the site, a network of interconnected ditches formed part of a Roman-period field system, which cut through the rampart of the possible fortlet, and through a number of the graves. Along the southern boundary of the site a large accumulation of Roman midden deposits overlay features associated with the field system, although it may have started to build up while the latter was still in use. A post-built structure was also found, one post of which cut a ditch of the field system. The midden deposits extended along the full length of the southern boundary of the site, measuring 110m long by up to 20m wide. Numerous artefacts were recovered, representing the rubbish and discarded personal belongings of the fort occupants. The pottery included samian bowls with personal names scratched on the bases. Evidence from these, together with isotopic analysis of the human skeletons, shows that the ethnic origin of those living in the fort was diverse, as would be expected for the Roman army.
Finding the Blackfriars
Authors: Wilson Donald , Franklin Julie , Henderson David , Ryder Peter , Fawcett Richard
Published: June 2022

Redevelopment of the Old High School, Edinburgh (NGR: NT 2615 7347), provided an opportunity to investigate the speculated location of a Dominican friary, known to have been founded in the early 13th century. The site was also the known location of the 16th-century Royal High School, a predecessor of the present Old High School building constructed in 1777. The scope of the archaeological work included the excavation of a relatively small area to the front of the Old High School building. This area contained some of the most significant archaeological remains recently found in Edinburgh’s Old Town. These included an early medieval boundary ditch; the surviving remains of two walls, interpreted as being associated with the medieval Dominican friary church and 88 accompanying burials spread across three distinct areas. Six of these burials were radiocarbon dated, returning a range of dates between the 13th and 17th centuries, providing the first clear evidence of the existence of the friary in this location. The most significant of the burials was associated with a cross slab grave cover and located in an area interpreted as the claustral area of the friary. Both the cross slab and the associated burial were dated to the late 13th century. Further stone wall foundations relating to the 16th-century Royal High School building were also identified within the excavation area. Several further features ranging from medieval stone-lined drains to 19th-century walls and culverts were recorded during further groundworks across the remainder of the site.
Candidate imaging biomarkers forPMP22‐related inherited neuropathies
Authors: Roth Alison R. , Li Jun , Dortch Richard D.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Charcot–Marie–Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) are caused by mutations to theperipheral myelin protein 22(PMP22) gene. A need exists for sensitive and reliable biomarkers of progression and treatment response. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics of nerve pathology and morphology were investigated for this purpose.

Methods

MRI was performed at 3.0 T in the thigh of CMT1A (N = 11) and HNPP patients (N = 12) and controls (N = 23). Three potential imaging biomarkers of the sciatic nerve were investigated: 1) magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), which assays myelin content, and 2) cross‐sectional area (CSA) and 3) circularity, which assay morphological changes. Potential imaging biomarkers were compared across cohorts and assessed for relationships with disability in the legs (CMTESL), compound motor action potentials (CMAP), and motor conduction velocities (MCV). Inter‐rater reliability and test–retest repeatability were established for each imaging metric.

Results

Significant differences in MTR, CSA, and circularity were observed in CMT1A relative to controls (p = 0.02,p < 0.001, andp = 0.003, respectively, via Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests). Differences were not observed in the HNPP cohort. Significant relationships were observed between MTR and clinical metrics (CMTESL:p = 0.003, CMAP:p = 0.03, MCV:p = 0.01); and between CSA and electrophysiology (CMAP:p = 0.002, MCV:p < 0.001). All metrics were reliable and repeatable with MTR the most reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] >0.999, CV = 0.30%) and repeatable (ICC = 0.84, CV = 3.16%).

Interpretation

MTR, CSA, and circularity showed promise as reliable and sensitive biomarkers of CMT1A, but not HNPP. These warrant longitudinal investigation as response biomarkers in upcoming clinical trials of CMT1A, while other methods should be considered for HNPP.
Physician survey finds use of PDMPs steadily increasing amid barriers
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: June 2022

Physicians' use of data within prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) continues to increase steadily, likely a result of state mandates around use, suggests a newly published study based on results of a survey of office‐based physicians. The study's lead author told ADAW the study also illustrates that a substantial number of physicians continue not to be maximizing the availability of PDMP data, with overall workload cited as a major contributor.
Schwann Cells in Peripheral Cancers: Bystanders or Promoters?
Authors: Yurteri Ümmügülsüm , Çifcibaşı Kaan , Friess Helmut , Ceyhan Güralp O. , Istvanffy Rouzanna , Demir Ihsan Ekin
Published: June 2022

The tumor microenvironment is subject to intense investigation in terms of its influence on tumorigenesis. Despite the fact that Schwann cells are cancer cells’ early interaction partners, investigations on tumor progression and the molecular drivers of carcinogenesis do not place enough emphasis on them. Recent studies have shown that malignant cells and nerves interact on several levels during early carcinogenesis. For instance, the emergence of nerves in cancer, known as cancer neo‐neurogenesis, is one important mechanism that contributes to cancer progression. Recent studies on Schwann cells brought the investigation of tumor–nerve interactions to a whole new level. Schwann cells make up the majority of glial cells in the peripheral nervous system, are outstandingly plastic cells, and serve a variety of roles in most organs. All these properties make Schwann cells excellent potential targets for tumor cells to exploit and turn them into promoters of carcinogenesis. In the present review, the distinctive features of Schwann cell–tumor cell interactions and the implications of this interaction on the tumor microenvironment are outlined. Further, this study points out the neglected aspects of Schwann cells in the tumor microenvironment and provides a potential new avenue for future research.
Laser‐Driven Wireless Deep Brain Stimulation using Temporal Interference and Organic Electrolytic Photocapacitors
Authors: Missey Florian , Donahue Mary J. , Weber Pascal , Ngom Ibrahima , Acerbo Emma , Botzanowski Boris , Migliaccio Ludovico , Jirsa Viktor , Głowacki Eric Daniel , Williamson Adam
Published: June 2022

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a technique commonly used both in clinical and fundamental neurosciences. Classically, brain stimulation requires an implanted and wired electrode system to deliver stimulation directly to the target area. Although techniques such as temporal interference (TI) can provide stimulation at depth without involving any implanted electrodes, these methods still rely on a wired apparatus which limits free movement. Herein organic photocapacitors as untethered light‐driven electrodes which convert deep‐red light into electric current are reported. Pairs of these ultrathin devices can be driven using lasers at two different frequencies to deliver stimulation at depth via temporally interfering fields. This concept of laser TI stimulation using numerical modeling, tests with phantom brain samples, and finally in vivo tests is validated. Wireless organic photocapacitors are placed on the cortex and elicit stimulation in the hippocampus, while not delivering off‐target stimulation in the cortex. This laser‐driven wireless TI evokes a neuronal response at depth that is comparable to control experiments induced with deep brain stimulation protocols using implanted electrodes. This work shows that a combination of these two techniques—temporal interference and organic electrolytic photocapacitors—provides a reliable way to target brain structures requiring neither deeply implanted electrodes nor tethered stimulator devices. The laser TI protocol demonstrated here addresses two of the most important drawbacks in the field of DBS and thus holds potential to solve many issues in freely moving animal experiments or for clinical chronic therapy application.
If Mendel Was Using CRISPR: Genome Editing Meets Non‐Mendelian Inheritance
Authors: Hudzieczek Vojtěch , Hobza Roman , Cápal Petr , Šafář Jan , Doležel Jaroslav
Published: June 2022

On July 20 this year, 200th anniversary of the birth of Gregor Mendel, an Augustinian monk who laid the foundations of genetics, is celebrated. His findings provided the stepping stone for rational crop improvement based on cross breeding and selection. While this approach contributed to the development of superior varieties, its potential is limited by genetic variability available within a species and its relatives. Even though physical and chemical mutagenesis enabled the induction of new genetic variability on a large scale, random mutagenesis did not allow targeting particular genome loci. This became feasible only after the development of genome editing tools in the beginning of the 21st century and the ability to precisely edit plant genomes opened a new era in plant research and crop breeding. Mendel probably did not consider a possibility of directly modifying genetic information and the advantages which genetic engineering can bring to society. However, the basic principles of inheritance he discovered are indispensable for any effort to develop improved varieties. In this review, recent advances in plant genome editing are summarized with emphasis on non‐Mendelian inheritance in the light of the need to produce more food for the growing human population.
Macroporous Graphene Frameworks for Sensing and Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Mohamed Nahla B. , El‐Kady Maher F. , Kaner Richard B.
Published: June 2022

3D architectures based on graphene have triggered a great deal of interest in energy, sensing, and environmental applications. This work describes, a simple electrochemical approach for the direct deposition of a functionalized graphene framework by utilizing electrostatic interactions between graphene oxide (GO) and a cationic surfactant. The surfactant improves the adsorption of GO sheets on the electrode surface, allowing the integration of individual graphene sheets into 3D structures with large electrochemically active surface area. Without using binders or conductive additives, the current approach leads to supercapacitors with high specific capacitance (320 F g−1) and areal capacitance (≈400 mF cm−2 for two electrode cells with single‐sided coatings), which compares favorably to commercial activated carbon supercapacitors. Moreover, the supercapacitors demonstrate low internal resistance (≈1 Ω cm−2), excellent cycling stability (no loss observed after 10 000 cycles) while also maintaining superior rate capability. In another application, these frameworks  were successfully implemented as an electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous determination of small biomolecules including ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid with high sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility. This work provides a simple, yet effective, strategy for the fabrication of macroporous electrodes with superior chemical, structural, and electrical properties that are desirable for a broad range of applications.
Fluorine Functionalized MXene QDs for Near‐Record‐Efficiency CsPbI3 Solar Cell with High Open‐Circuit Voltage
Authors: Xu Dongfang , Li Tong , Han Yu , He Xuexia , Yang Shaomin , Che Yuhang , Xu Jie , Zou Hong , Guo Xi , Wang Jungang , Lei Xuruo , Liu Zhike
Published: June 2022

CsPbI3 inorganic perovskites have attracted significant attention due to their desirable bandgap for tandem solar cells and excellent thermal stability. However, CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) still exhibit low efficiency and high energy loss due to nonradiative recombination. Herein, functionalized Ti3C2Fx quantum dots (QDs) are prepared and selected as interface passivators to enhance the performance of CsPbI3 PSCs. The systematic experimental results reveal that Ti3C2Fx QDs serve as effective passivators mainly in three aspects: 1) p‐type Ti3C2Fx QDs can tune the energy level of perovskite films and provide an efficient pathway for hole transfer; 2) Ti3C2Fx QDs can effectively passivate defects and reduce interfacial nonradiative recombination, and 3) Ti3C2Fx QDs form a barrier layer to prevent water invasion and improve the stability of CsPbI3 PSCs. Consequently, the champion CsPbI3 PSC with Ti3C2Fx QDs treatment exhibits an excellent efficiency of 20.44% with a high open‐circuit voltage of 1.22 V. Meanwhile, the corresponding device without encapsulation retained 93% of its initial efficiency after 600 h of storage in ambient air.
Microfluidic T Cell Selection by Cellular Avidity
Authors: Ashby Julian F. , Schmidt Julien , KC Neelima , Kurum Armand , Koch Caroline , Harari Alexandre , Tang Li , Au Sam H.
Published: June 2022

No T cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapies have obtained clinical approval. The lack of strategies capable of selecting and recovering potent T cell candidates may be a contributor to this. Existing protocols for selecting TCR T cell clones for cell therapies such as peptide multimer methods have provided effective measurements on TCR affinities. However, these methods lack the ability to measure the collective strength of intercellular interactions (i.e., cellular avidity) and markers of T cell activation such as immunological synapse formation. This study describes a novel microfluidic fluid shear stress‐based approach to identify and recover highly potent T cell clones based on the cellular avidity between living T cells and tumor cells. This approach is capable of probing approximately up to 10 000 T cell–tumor cell interactions per run and can recover potent T cells with up to 100% purity from mixed populations of T cells within 30 min. Markers of cytotoxicity, activation, and avidity persist when recovered high cellular avidity T cells are subsequently exposed to fresh tumor cells. These results demonstrate how microfluidic probing of cellular avidity may fast track the therapeutic T cell selection process and move the authors closer to precision cancer immunotherapy.
2D‐Material‐Integrated Micromachines: Competing Propulsion Strategy and Enhanced Bacterial Disinfection
Authors: Huang Yun , Guo Jianhe , Li Yufan , Li Huaizhi , Fan Donglei Emma
Published: June 2022

2D transition‐metal‐dichalcogenide materials, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) have received immense interest owing to their remarkable structure‐endowed electronic, catalytic, and mechanical properties for applications in optoelectronics, energy storage, and wearable devices. However, 2D materials have been rarely explored in the field of micro/nanomachines, motors, and robots. Here, MoS2 with anatase TiO2 is successfully integrated into an original one‐side‐open hollow micromachine, which demonstrates increased light absorption of TiO2‐based micromachines to the visible region and the first observed motion acceleration in response to ionic media. Both experimentation and theoretical analysis suggest the unique type‐II bandgap alignment of MoS2/TiO2 heterojunction that accounts for the observed unique locomotion owing to a competing propulsion mechanism. Furthermore, by leveraging the chemical properties of MoS2/TiO2, the micromachines achieve sunlight‐powered water disinfection with 99.999% Escherichia coli lysed in an hour. This research suggests abundant opportunities offered by 2D materials in the creation of a new class of micro/nanomachines and robots.
Stable Solid Electrolyte Interphase In Situ Formed on Magnesium‐Metal Anode by using a Perfluorinated Alkoxide‐Based All‐Magnesium Salt Electrolyte
Authors: Xiao Jianhua , Zhang Xinxin , Fan Haiyan , Zhao Yuxing , Su Yi , Liu Haowen , Li Xuanzhang , Su Yipeng , Yuan Hua , Pan Ting , Lin Qiyuan , Pan Ludi , Zhang Yuegang
Published: June 2022

Passivation of the Mg anode surface in conventional electrolytes constitutes a critical issue for practical Mg batteries. In this work, a perfluorinated tert‐butoxide magnesium salt, Mg(pftb)2, is codissolved with MgCl2 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) to form an all‐magnesium salt electrolyte. Raman spectroscopy and density function theory calculation confirm that [Mg2Cl3·6THF]+[Mg(pftb)3]− is the main electrochemically active species of the electrolyte. The proper lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level of the [Mg(pftb)3]− anion enables in situ formation of a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on Mg anodes. A detailed analysis of the SEI reveals that its stability originates from a dual‐layered organic/inorganic hybrid structure. Mg//Cu and Mg//Mg cells using the electrolyte achieve a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.7% over 3000 cycles, and low overpotentials over ultralong‐cycle lives of 8100, 3000, and 1500 h at current densities of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mA cm−2, respectively. The robust SEI layer, once formed on a Mg electrode, is also shown highly effective in suppressing side‐reactions in a TFSI−‐containing electrolyte. A high Coulombic efficiency of 99.5% over 800 cycles is also demonstrated for a Mg//Mo6S8 full cell, showing great promise of the SEI forming electrolyte in future Mg batteries.
Organic Heterojunction Transistors Based on DEP‐DTT Isomers and PTCDI‐CH2C3F7
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Ma Zhiying , Wang Hua , Shi Jianwu
Published: June 2022

Organic heterojunction transistors (OHJTs) are fabricated with three isomers, DEP‐bb‐DTT, DEP‐bt‐DTT, and DEP‐tt‐DTT as p‐type semiconductors, and PTCDI‐CH2C3F7 as n‐type semiconductor. All the OHJTs present n‐channel and ambipolar operating modes in turn with the thickness (t) of the isomers films increasing. The properties of p‐type semiconductors directly affect the performances of OHJTs. The amplitude variation of the highest field‐effect mobilities for holes (μh) and electrons (μe) in OHJTs is consistent with that of μuni in their unique OFETs. The μe in DEP‐bb‐DTT/PTCDI‐CH2C3F7 OHJTs present flipped V‐shaped behaviors, while they show the upright and inverted V‐shaped combination patterns in DEP‐bt‐DTT/PTCDI‐CH2C3F7 and DEP‐tt‐DTT/PTCDI‐CH2C3F7 OHJTs. By analyzing these p‐type isomers pristine and annealed films, a transformation from monolayer to bilayer occurring in the initial growth course of the DEP‐bt‐DTT and DEP‐tt‐DTT films is discovered and responsible for the variation tendencies of μe. The layers of the p‐type materials films are responsible for the occasions of the highest μh and μe emerging.
Liquid–Liquid Encapsulation of Ferrofluid Using Magnetic Field
Authors: Banerjee Utsab , Misra Sirshendu , Mitra Sushanta K.
Published: June 2022

Encapsulated magnetic microdroplets are of paramount importance in drug targeting and therapeutic applications. However, conventional techniques for generating encapsulated magnetic microdroplets suffer from several challenges, including lack of monodispersity, inflexibility in core–shell combinations, and complex device architecture to achieve encapsulation. Herein, a facile magnet‐assisted framework to controllably wrap ferrofluid (FF) droplets inside polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) floating on a water bath is developed. A permanent magnet placed at the bottom of a static glass cuvette pulls the ferrofluid droplet across the PDMS–water interface, which results in the wrapping of the FF droplet by a thin PDMS layer. The deformation of the FF–PDMS interface and the encapsulation of FF inside PDMS thereof is attributed to the interplay of magnetic force and force due to PDMS–water interfacial tension. Based on the experimental observations, three regimes are identified, namely, stable encapsulation, unstable encapsulation, and no encapsulation, which depends on the magnetic Bond number (Bom) and the thickness of the PDMS layer (δ). The versatility of the technique is demonstrated further by showing stable wrapping of multiple ferrofluid droplets inside the same encapsulated cargo and successful underwater manipulation of the encapsulated droplets, which finds relevance in the encapsulation and magnet‐assisted actuation of novel encapsulated materials.
Foams Stabilized by AquivionTM PFSA: Application to Interfacial Catalysis for Cascade Reactions
Authors: Feng Andong , Dedovets Dmytro , Zhang Shi , Sha Jin , Schwiedernoch Renate , Gao Jie , Gu Yunjiao , Pera‐Titus Marc
Published: June 2022

Foams are attractive platforms for engineering gas–liquid–solid catalytic microreactors with enhanced triphasic contact. In this study, the foaming properties of surface‐active AquivionTM perfluorosulfonic acid resin (AquivionTM PFSA) are unraveled. Stable aqueous and non‐aqueous foams are prepared driven by hydrogen bond interactions between AquivionTM PFSA and protic solvents (e.g., benzyl alcohol, aniline, water). In light of these unique properties, a catalytic foam system for one‐pot cascade deacetalization–hydrogenation reactions is designed. As proof of concept, benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal is converted into benzyl alcohol with 84% overall yield at room temperature in a foam system in the presence of AquivionTM PFSA and Pd/SiO2 catalysts, whereas the yield is halved in a non‐foam system. The enhanced reaction efficiency is attributed to a marked increase in interfacial area of the foam system and preferential location of catalytic acid centers at the gas–liquid interface.
Low‐Cost Volumetric 3D Printing of High‐Precision Miniature Lenses in Seconds
Authors: Xu Ya , Huang Peng , To Suet , Zhu Li‐Min , Zhu Zhiwei
Published: June 2022

3D printing is a promising method for the generation of complex‐shaped optical components. However, the printing efficiency, form accuracy, and surface smoothness are still challenging, especially for the printing of optical components. In this study, by synergizing the volumetric projection stereolithography, meniscus equilibrium effect, and iterative learning scheme, a low‐cost volumetric 3D printing method is developed for the ultra‐fast and high‐precision fabrication of miniature lenses with sub‐nanometric roughness. By including the covered liquid film as a part of the printed lens in the iterative learning, a low form error at the micrometer scale is achieved for the printed lens without any prior knowledge of the 3D printing process. As a demonstration, a sphere lens at the millimeter scale is directly printed in 2 s, achieving a peak‐to‐valley profile error of less than 5 µm, a sub‐nanometric roughness of rms = 0.614 nm, and an imaging resolution of 203.2 lp mm−1. It suggests that besides fast prototyping, the developed 3D printing strategy is suitable for the massive production of precise lenses.