bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sulfur Dioxide Capture in Metal‐Organic Frameworks, Metal‐Organic Cages, and Porous Organic Cages
Authors: Gupta Nishesh Kumar , López‐Olvera Alfredo , González‐Zamora Eduardo , Martínez‐Ahumada Eva , Ibarra Ilich A.
Published: February 2022

Capture, storage and subsequent controlled release or transformation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in mild conditions is still a challenge in the material science field. Recent advances in the use of porous materials have demonstrated good SO2 capture, particularly in metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), metal‐organic cages (MOCs), and porous organic cages (POCs). The striking feature of these porous materials is the high SO2 uptake capacity in reversible settings. A partially fluorinated MIL‐101(Cr) is stand‐alone material with the highest SO2 uptake in chemically stable MOFs. Likewise, metal‐free adsorbents like POCs exhibits a reversible SO2 uptake behavior. The SO2 adsorption characteristics of these three structurally and functionally unique adsorbent systems are highly dependent on the binding sites and mode of binding of SO2 molecules. This Review has highlighted the preferential binding sites in these materials to give a full perspective on the field. We anticipate that it will offer valuable information on the progress made towards improving SO2 capture by hybrid systems.
Culture of Cutaneous Leishmania from Skin Biopsy Specimens
Authors: Paun Andrea
Published: February 2022

This protocol describes the culture of Leishmania parasites from skin biopsy samples of patients with cutaneous lesions. The use of antibiotics to prevent bacterial contamination of these cultures increases the ability of researchers to collect isolates for various research purposes, including genetic analysis and in vitro and in vivo experiments. © Published 2022. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Basic Protocol: Culture of Leishmania from skin biopsy specimens.
Post‐Stroke Hemiplegic Rodent Evaluation: A Framework for Assessing Forelimb Movement Quality Using Kinematics
Authors: Balbinot Gustavo , Bandini Andrea , Schuch Clarissa Pedrini
Published: February 2022

Kinematics is the gold‐standard method for measuring detailed joint motions. Recent research demonstrates that post‐stroke kinematic analysis in rats reveals reaching abnormalities similar to those seen in humans after stroke. Nonetheless, behavioral neuroscientists have failed to incorporate kinematic methods for assessing movement quality in stroke models. The availability of a user‐friendly method to assess multi‐segment forelimb kinematics models should greatly increase uptake of this approach. Here, we present a framework for multi‐segment forelimb analysis in rodents after stroke. This method greatly enhances the understanding of post‐stroke forelimb motor recovery by including several movement quality metrics often used in human clinical work, such as upper‐limb linear and angular kinematics, movement smoothness and kinetics, abnormal synergies, and compensations. These metrics may constitute a preclinical surrogate for the Fugl‐Meyer assessment of hemiplegic patients. The data obtained using this method are 83 outputs of linear and angular kinematics and kinetics. The outputs also include 24 time series of continuous data, which afford a graphical representation of the kinematics and kinetics of the reaching cycle. We show that post‐stroke rodents displayed many features resembling those seen in humans after stroke that are evident only when multi‐segment kinematics models are considered. This method expands the knowledge derived from methods constrained to paw movements to a multi‐segment forelimb movement quality framework. Moreover, it highlights the need for preclinical work to consider more sensitive measures of sensorimotor impairment and recovery as a means to enhance the interpretation of true recovery and compensation. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 4 August 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol: Recording and data analysis of rodents performing the Montoya staircase task
Partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition during enamel development
Authors: Bazina Fayrouz , Brouxhon Sabine M. , Kyrkanides Stephanos
Published: February 2022

Objectives

We set out to investigate whether a hybrid stem‐like p‐EMT phenotype develops during murine molar enamel development in vivo.

Setting and Sample Population

Histology specimens incorporating molar tooth buds harvested from mice at post‐natal day 4 (P4) were included in our studies.

Materials and Methods

We employed double immunofluorescence staining to analyze the simultaneous expression of the epithelial marker E‐cadherin and the mesenchymal marker N‐cadherin in histology specimens with tooth buds harvested from P4 mice. Moreover, we evaluated the expression of the core master stem cell markers Oct4 and Sox2, as well as the mature ameloblast marker amelogenin.

Results

Here we document the co‐expression of E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin in a sub‐population of pre‐ameloblasts in the inner enamel epithelium suggestive of the presence of a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype resulting from p‐EMT. Moreover, the core stem cell factors Oct4 and Sox2 colocalized with E‐cadherin expressing pre‐ameloblasts, whereas the mesenchymal marker N‐cadherin was expressed specifically by amelogenin–positive mature secretory ameloblasts.

Conclusions

The differentiation of E‐cadherin–positive pre‐ameloblasts towards N‐cadherin–positive mature secretory ameloblasts transition through a previously unidentified epithelial/mesenchymal stage derived through p‐EMT, co‐expressing the master transcription factors Oct4 and Sox2.
Channel‐lobe transition zone development in tectonically active settings: Implications for hybrid bed development
Authors: Brooks Hannah L. , Ito Makoto , Zuchuat Valentin , Peakall Jeff , Hodgson David M.
Published: February 2022

Channel‐lobe transition zones are dynamic areas located between deepwater channels and lobes. Presented here is a rare example of an exhumed channel‐lobe transition zone from an active‐margin setting, in the Kazusa forearc Basin, Boso Peninsula, Japan. This Plio‐Pleistocene outcrop exposes a thick (tens of metres) channel‐lobe transition zone succession with excellent dating control, in contrast to existing poorly dated studies of thinner (metres) deposits in tectonically quiescent settings. This high‐resolution outcrop permits the roles of climate and associated relative sea‐level changes on stratigraphic architecture to be assessed. Three development stages are recognised with an overall coarsening‐upward then fining‐upwards trend. Each stage is interpreted to record one obliquity‐driven glacioeustatic sea‐level fall‐then‐rise cycle, based on comparison with published data. Deposition of the thickest and coarsest strata, Stage 2, is interpreted to record the end of a period of relative sea‐level fall. The thinner and finer strata of Stages 1 and 3 formed during interglacial periods where the stronger Kuroshio Oceanic Current, coupled to increased monsoonally driven tropical cyclone frequency and intensity, likely resulted in inhibited downslope sediment transfer. A key aspect of channel‐lobe transition zone deposits in this case is the presence of a diverse range of hybrid beds, in contrast to previous work where they have primarily been associated with lobe fringes. Here hybrid bed characteristics, and grain‐size variations, are used to assess the relative importance of longitudinal and vertical segregation processes, and compared to existing models. Compared to channel‐lobe transition zones in tectonically quiescent basin‐fills, this channel‐lobe transition zone shows less evidence of bypassing flows (i.e. thicker stratigraphy, more isolated scour‐fills, fewer bypass lags) and has significantly more hybrid beds. These features may be common in active basin channel‐lobe transition zones due to: high subsidence rates; high sedimentation rates; and disequilibrium of tectonically active slopes. This disequilibrium could rejuvenate erodible mud‐rich substrate, leading to mud‐rich flows arriving at the channel‐lobe transition zone, and decelerating rapidly, forming hybrid beds.
Effects of temperature and oxygen on cyanobacterial DNA preservation in sediments: A comparison study of major taxa
Authors: Mejbel Hebah S. , Dodsworth William , Pick Frances R.
Published: February 2022

The analysis of sediment DNA has emerged as a promising alternative to classical paleolimnological proxies, which typically rely on hard fossils to reconstruct environmental change. In recent studies, the timing and causes of apparent increases in toxic cyanobacterial blooms in lakes around the world have been identified by high‐throughput sequencing of cyanobacterial 16S rRNA genes from decadal‐ and centennial‐scale sediment records. However, the reconstruction of ecological time series can be influenced by DNA degradation processes interfering with taxonomic resolution and quantification of target genes. To determine whether some cyanobacterial taxa degrade more rapidly than others, a one‐year incubation experiment was performed to estimate degradation rates in sediments under contrasting environmental conditions of temperature (4°C vs. 25°C) and sediment redox (oxic vs. anoxic). Using sediments collected from an oligotrophic lake, serum bottles were inoculated with either Microcystis aeruginosa, Synechococcus sp., or Trichormus variabilis. These cyanobacteria were chosen because they are widespread yet exhibit contrasting morphologies. The absolute concentrations of the target genes were measured over time through droplet digital PCR. The three taxa exhibited log‐linear declines with different rates of decay. Based on first‐order linear decay models, Microcystis exhibited faster decay under oxic conditions, whereas Synechococcus sp. and Trichormus were both temperature and anoxic dependent. Overall, cyanobacterial decay rates were lowest under 4°C anoxic conditions, corresponding to conditions in deep temperate lakes. Under 4°C, Synechococcus exhibited the lowest degradation rates followed by Trichormus, then Microcystis. These findings will be useful in the interpretation of population and community structure data based on sediment DNA and advances our current understanding of cyanobacterial preservation in sediment.
Suppression of Self‐Discharge in Aqueous Supercapacitor Devices Incorporating Highly Polar Nanofiber Separators
Authors: Buxton Wesley G. , King Simon G. , Stolojan Vlad
Published: February 2022

One of the major problems limiting the applications of electric double‐layer (EDLC) supercapacitor devices is their inability to maintain their cell voltage over a significant period. Self‐discharge is a spontaneous decay in charged energy, often resulting in fully depleted devices in a matter of hours. Here, a new method for suppressing this self‐discharge phenomenon is proposed by using directionally polarized piezoelectric electrospun nanofiber films as separator materials. Tailored engineering of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber films containing a small concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) results in a high proportion of polar β phases, reaching 38 ± 0.5% of the total material. Inducing polarity into the separator material provides a reverse‐diode mechanism in the device, such that it drops from an initial voltage of 1.6 down to 1 V after 10 h, as opposed to 0.3 V with a nonpolarized, commercial separator material. Thus, the energy retained for the polarized separator is 37% and 4% for the nonpolarized separator, making supercapacitors a more attractive solution for long‐term energy storage.
Prevalence and prognostic impact of cognitive frailty in elderly patients with heart failure: sub‐analysis of FRAGILE‐HF
Authors: Yamamoto Shuhei , Yamasaki Saeko , Higuchi Satoko , Kamiya Kentaro , Saito Hiroshi , Saito Kazuya , Ogasahara Yuki , Maekawa Emi , Konishi Masaaki , Kitai Takeshi , Iwata Kentaro , Jujo Kentaro , Wada Hiroshi , Kasai Takatoshi , Nagamatsu Hirofumi , Ozawa Tetsuya , Izawa Katsuya , Aizawa Naoki , Makino Akihiro , Oka Kazuhiro , Momomura Shin‐ichi , Kagiyama Nobuyuki , Matsue Yuya
Published: February 2022

Aims

Although evidence suggests that cognitive decline and physical frailty in elderly patients with heart failure (HF) are associated with prognosis, the impact of concurrent physical frailty and cognitive impairment, that is, cognitive frailty, on prognosis has yet to be fully investigated. The current study sought to investigate the prevalence and prognostic impact of cognitive frailty in elderly patients with HF.

Methods and results

This study is a sub‐analysis of FRAGILE‐HF, a prospective multicentre observational study involving patients aged ≥65 years hospitalized for HF. The Fried criteria and Mini‐Cog were used to diagnose physical frailty and cognitive impairment, respectively. The association between cognitive frailty and the combined endpoint of mortality and HF rehospitalization within 1 year was then evaluated. Among the 1332 patients identified, 1215 who could be assessed using Mini‐Cog and the Fried criteria were included in this study. Among those included, 279 patients (23.0%) had cognitive frailty. During the follow‐up 1 year after discharge, 398 combined events were observed. Moreover, cognitive frailty was determined to be associated with a higher incidence of combined events (log‐rank: P = 0.0146). This association was retained even after adjusting for other prognostic factors (hazard ratio: 1.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.13–2.13). Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis using grip strength, short physical performance battery, and gait speed to determine physical frailty instead of the Fried criteria showed similar results.

Conclusions

This cohort study found that 23% of elderly patients with HF had cognitive frailty, which was associated with a 1.55‐fold greater risk for combined events within 1 year compared with patients without cognitive frailty.
Strong Red Up‐Conversion Emission in Thin Film Devices Based on Rare‐Earth Oxides Obtained from Templating 2D Coordination Networks
Authors: Godoy Agustín A. , Gomez Germán E. , Miranda Carlos D. , Illescas Marcos , Barja Beatriz C. , Vega Daniel , Bernini María C. , Narda Griselda E.
Published: February 2022

Coordination networks (CNs) with tailorable multi‐metallic composition were designed and then used as sacrificial materials to obtain promising materials with Up‐conversion (UC) properties. The metal‐organic precursors led to solid solutions of Rare‐Earth Oxides (REO)Y2O3:Yb3+/Er3+or Y2O3:Yb3+/Er3+/Gd3through a calcination process. In order to obtain luminescent UC platforms, spin‐coating technique was implemented to deposit these materials onto glass supports. The synthesized solids and the resulting films were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy – Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), infrared spectroscopy, powder (PXRD), and grazing incidence (GIXRD) X‐ray diffraction techniques. Moreover, the photophysical properties of bulk and deposited Y2O3:Ln3+doped oxides were evaluated after being irradiated with NIR wavelength (980 nm) laser to excite the Yb3+sensitizer ion. Besides, decay emission profiles from each sample were also obtained and lifetime (τobs) values were calculated. These results open up the implementation of REO thin films obtained through CN calcination for promising applications such as solar cells and sensor devices.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Suzuki Coupling and NIS‐Mediated Dehydrogenative Cylcoetherification: A Concise Approach to 6,6‐Disubstituted 6H‐benzo[c]chromenes and Total Synthesis of Didehydroconicol
Authors: Shekhar Chander , Satyanarayana Gedu
Published: February 2022

Benzo[c]chromones are valuable tricyclic systems of natural and biological significance. Herein, we report a concise approach of 6,6‐disubstituted 6H‐benzo[c]chromenes in a two‐step sequence starting from ortho‐bromo benzylic alcohols and arylboronic acids, using intermolecular palladium‐catalyzed C−C and intramolecular N‐Iodosuccinimide (NIS) mediated key C−O bonds construction. Besides, the current method explored broad substrate scope under robust conditions. Notably, the practicality of the present approach is further extended for the total synthesis of Didehydroconicol.
Divergent Annulation of Spiro[indoline‐pyran] and Fused (Epoxyetheno)indeno‐Furan from 1,2‐Diketone and 1‐Cyanoketone
Authors: Yadav Maruti B. , Vagh Sandip S. , Jeong Yeon Tae
Published: February 2022

A simple and efficient method for the construction of spiro[indoline‐pyran] and fused (epoxyetheno)indeno[1,2‐b]furan compounds from 1‐cyanoketones and 1,2‐diketone has been developed. The synthesis proceeded via the Knoevenagel and Michael adduct through intramolecular/Paal‐Knorr cyclization under similar reaction condition. The less commonly used 1‐cyanoketones and active carbonyl compounds served as the indole containing pyran and bicyclic furan source for the preparation of a new series of heterocyclic compounds. This heterocyclic structure allows one and more than one tetra‐substituted carbon center and sequential hexa‐ and penta‐cyclic core under very mild conditions and shows excellent chemo and regioselectivity. In addition, the synthesis of spiro[indoline‐pyran] and (epoxyetheno)indeno[1,2‐b]furan was demonstrated in a gram scale.
Influence of carbon binder domain on the performance of lithium‐ion batteries: Impact of size and fractal dimension
Authors: Chauhan Anshuman , Asylbekov Ermek , Kespe Susanne , Nirschl Hermann
Published: February 2022

A lithium‐ion battery (LIB) cathode comprises three major components: active material, electrical conductivity additive, and binder. The combination of binder and electrical conductivity additive leads to the formation of composite clusters known as the carbon binder domain (CBD) clusters. Preparation of a LIB cathode strongly influences the dispersion of the above‐mentioned constituents leading to the formation of distinct pore and electrical conduction networks. The resulting structure thus governs the performance of LIBs. The presence of CBD is essential for the structural integrity and sufficient electrical conductivity of the LIB cathode. However, CBD abundance in LIB cathodes leads to unfavorable gravimetrical and volumetrical consequences owing to its electrochemical inertness. Increasing CBD content adds to the weight of the LIBs, thus negatively impacting the energy density. Furthermore, increased electrical conductivity is won at a cost of ionic conductivity as CBD clusters breach the pore networks in the cathode microstructure. The following study establishes a link between the various possibilities of CBD cluster size and fractal dimension that may eventualize during the mixing process of slurry preparation to the resulting microstructural properties and hence to the performance of LIBs by means of idealized cathode geometries. Since the performance determining processes occur at the microstructural scale, which are often very tedious to study via experimental research, the study makes use of spatially resolving microstructural, numerical, simulations. The results demonstrate that the CBD cluster size has a strong influence on the cathode microstructure. The CBD cluster fractal dimension on the other hand displayed a minor influence on the structural properties of the cathode, and the size of the cluster primary particles was shown to be the dominant factor. Finally, performance evaluation simulations confirmed the trends seen in structural properties with changing cluster size and fractal dimension.
Recent advances in ion‐sensitive field‐effect transistors for biosensing applications
Authors: Ma Xiaohao , Peng Ruiheng , Mao Wei , Lin Yuanjing , Yu Hao
Published: February 2022

Over the past decades, considerable development and improvement can be observed in the area of the ion‐sensitive field‐effect transistor (ISFET) for biosensing applications. The mature semiconductor industry provides a solid foundation for the commercialization of the ISFET‐based sensors and extensive research has been conducted to improve the performance of ISFET, with a special research focus on the materials, device structures, and readout topologies. In this review, the basic theories and mechanisms of ISFET are first introduced. Research on ISFET gate materials is reviewed, followed by a summary of typical gate structures and signal readout methods for the ISFET sensing system. After that, a variety of biosensing applications including ions, deoxyribonucleic acid, proteins, and microbes are presented. Finally, the prospects and challenges of the ISFET‐based biosensors are discussed.
Nano‐scale BN interface for ultra‐stable and wide temperature range tolerable Zn anode
Authors: Jia Hao , Qiu Minghui , Tang Chunxia , Liu Hongqi , Fu Shaohai , Zhang Xiangwu
Published: February 2022

Aqueous Zn‐based energy storage device (ZESD) is a promising candidate for large‐scale energy storage applications due to its significant merits like low cost, inherent safety, and environmental benignity. However, one shortcoming of ZESDs is the performance deficiency of pristine Zn anode caused by detrimental dendrite formation and side reactions. In this work, a novel boron nitride nano‐scale interface was established for ultra‐stable and wide temperature range tolerable anode (BN@Zn) by a scalable magnetron sputtering technique. The as‐introduced BN layers afford enhanced Zn deposition kinetics for a wide temperature application range from −20 to 60°C and effectively mitigated dendritic growth, which were ascribed to the strong interlayer bonds and uniform active sites as demonstrated by both experimental and density functional theory research results. Thus, the ultra‐thin BN interface could significantly improve the reaction kinetics and electrochemical stability of Zn anode, providing a new perspective towards the advanced ZESDs.

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Large‐scale fabrication of core‐shell triboelectric braided fibers and power textiles for energy harvesting and plantar pressure monitoring
Authors: Li Yingying , Zhang Yihan , Yi Jia , Peng Xiao , Cheng Renwei , Ning Chuan , Sheng Feifan , Wang Sen , Dong Kai , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: February 2022

Flexible and wearable energy harvesting devices and multifunctional sensors have been widely reported, but challenges in the large‐scale manufacturing process still exist. This work reports a large‐scale fabrication method of core‐shell triboelectric braided fibers that exhibit stable structure and strong tensile strength, which can be further integrated into power textiles with different fabric structures, such as weaving and knitting, with the purpose of biomechanical energy harvesting or plantar pressure monitoring. The triboelectric braided fibers integrating on the knitting power textiles exhibit good pressure sensitivity and fatigue resistance, which is combined with traditional socks to measure the pressure distribution of the plantar in different positions. The weaving power textiles exhibit high electrical output, which can be used for biomechanical energy harvesting and can easily light up 116 commercial LEDs. This large‐scale preparation approach provides more possibilities for power textiles applications in self‐powered wearable electronics and human–computer interfacing.
Experimental study on the combustion of low‐calorific NG/N2 in a porous burner
Authors: Wang Guanqing , Shi Zhongyu , Xu Guohua , Luo Dan , Xu Jiangrong
Published: February 2022

Large amounts of low‐calorific fuel gas without oxygen (LCFGWO), generated by industry every year, are hardly utilized by the conventional combustion technology. Here, an LCFGWO mixture was simulated by diluting natural gas (NG) with nitrogen (N2), and its combustion under different lower heating values (LHV) was experimentally investigated in a SiC ceramic foam burner via an intermittent operation method. The key operating parameters of the burner (i.e., LHV, superficial velocity, and excess air ratio) were analyzed by focusing on its combustion characteristics (temperature profiles, super‐adiabatic effects, and emissions). The results showed that the initial position of the combustion flame was anchored downstream with decreasing LHV. As the LHV decreased to 3.36 MJ/Nm3, super‐adiabatic combustion began to appear, and the super‐adiabatic ratio slightly increased with decreasing LHV. Further, clean combustion of the NG/N2 mixtures in the burner could be achieved over a wide range of LHV with an optimal excess air ratio ranging from 1.3 to 1.5. Subsequently, the length of the porous medium was discussed in terms of the optimal excess air ratio. Its minimum length required to burn the NG/N2 mixtures was found to decrease exponentially with increasing LHV, and an exponential function was fitted to the experimental data. A mathematic correlation for designing the burner length was obtained by considering the effect of flame propagation velocity. These results are helpful toward the design of porous burners for the clean combustion of low‐calorific NG/N2.
Autoimmune hepatitis in pregnancy: Pearls and pitfalls
Authors: Chung Y. Y. , Heneghan Michael A.
Published: February 2022

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in pregnancy has many unique considerations. Evidence provided from single center studies with patient level data and nationwide population studies provide valuable insight into this complex situation. Because a planned pregnancy is a safer pregnancy, preconception counseling is a crucial opportunity to optimize care and risk stratify women with AIH. Women with chronic liver disease who receive preconception advice and counseling are more likely to achieve stable liver disease at conception and undergo appropriate variceal surveillance. Loss of biochemical response in pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes in unstable disease. New onset AIH in pregnancy should be managed with classical treatment regimens. The continued use of immunosuppression in pregnancy, with the exception of mycophenolate mofetil, has not shown to adversely affect the rates of stillbirth or congenital malformation. Previously adopted immunosuppression withdrawal paradigms in pregnancy should no longer be considered advantageous, because remission loss postdelivery is likely (12%–86%). Population studies, report improved outcomes with preterm birth rates falling from 20% to 9%–13% in AIH pregnancies over a 20‐year period. Newer data have also demonstrated an increased risk of gestational diabetes and hypertensive complications in AIH pregnancy, which has implications for management and preeclampsia prevention with aspirin use. This review aims to provide the framework to guide and manage pregnancy in AIH outlining pearls and pitfalls to ensure optimal outcomes for mother, baby and to reduce variation in practice.
A hierarchical regulatory network ensures stable albumin transcription under various pathophysiological conditions
Authors: Feng Rilu , Kan Kejia , Sticht Carsten , Li Yujia , Wang Shanshan , Liu Hui , Shao Chen , Munker Stefan , Niess Hanno , Wang Sai , Meyer Christoph , Liebe Roman , Ebert Matthias P. , Dooley Steven , Ding Huiguo , Weng Honglei
Published: February 2022

Background and Aims

It remains unknown how patients with liver failure maintain essential albumin levels. Here, we delineate a hierarchical transcription regulatory network that ensures albumin expression under different disease conditions.

Approach and Results

We examined albumin levels in liver tissues and serum in 157 patients, including 84 with HCC, 38 decompensated cirrhosis, and 35 acute liver failure. Even in patients with liver failure, the average serum albumin concentrations were 30.55 g/L. In healthy subjects and patients with chronic liver diseases, albumin was expressed in hepatocytes. In patients with massive hepatocyte loss, albumin was expressed in liver progenitor cells (LPCs). The albumin gene (ALB) core promoter possesses a TATA box and nucleosome‐free area, which allows constitutive RNA polymerase II binding and transcription initiation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α), CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), and forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) bound to the ALB enhancer. Knockdown of either of these factors reduced albumin expression in hepatocytes. FOXA2 acts as a pioneer factor to support HNF4α and C/EBPα. In hepatocytes lacking HNF4α and C/EBPα expression, FOXA2 synergized with retinoic acid receptor (RAR) to maintain albumin transcription. RAR nuclear translocation was induced by retinoic acids released by activated HSCs. In patients with massive hepatocyte loss, LPCs expressed HNF4α and FOXA2. RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR analyses revealed that lack of HNF4α and C/EBPα in hepatocytes increased hedgehog ligand biosynthesis. Hedgehog up‐regulates FOXA2 expression through glioblastoma family zinc finger 2 binding to the FOXA2 promoter in both hepatocytes and LPCs.

Conclusions

A hierarchical regulatory network formed by master and pioneer transcription factors ensures essential albumin expression in various pathophysiological conditions.
Immunoglobulin M: A Neglected Serum Biomarker in Treatment‐Naive Primary Biliary Cholangitis With Normal Alkaline Phosphatase
Authors: Ding Dawei , Xuan Guoyun , Hu Yinan , Yu Jiahao , Liu Yansheng , Guo Guanya , Ma Shuoyi , Yang Fangfang , Tian Siyuan , Ma Gang , Chen Ling , Zhou Xinmin , Shang Yulong , Han Ying
Published: February 2022

The diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in patients with seropositive anti‐mitochondrial antibody (AMA) but normal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) depends on a liver biopsy. We aimed to reveal potential serum biomarkers that could suggest the necessity of a liver biopsy in such patients. Retrospective analysis was performed. Subjects who were treatment naive with seropositive AMA but normal ALP and who underwent at least one liver biopsy between 2008 and 2020 were included in this study. Histologic biopsies were evaluated by two experienced pathologists blinded to the serum tests. A total of 115 patients who were treatment naive were included in this study. Of these, 77 patients (67%) exhibited histologic PBC features and nonspecific histologic features were found in the remaining 38 (33%) patients. Multivariate analysis suggested that baseline serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) >0.773 × upper limit of normal (ULN) (P < 0.001) and age >42 years (P = 0.002) were associated with the diagnosis of PBC through liver biopsies. A significant decrease in the median levels of gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and IgM was found in 54 patients with PBC who received ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Conclusion: For patients who were treatment naive with seropositive AMA but normal ALP, baseline serum IgM >0.773 × ULN and age >42 years were the factors that strongly suggested a diagnosis of PBC. In these patients receiving UDCA, a dynamic monitoring of GGT and IgM might be helpful in evaluating therapeutic responses.
Team boundary work and team workload demands: Their interactive effect on team vigor and team effectiveness
Authors: Leicht‐Deobald Ulrich , Lam Chak Fu , Bruch Heike , Kunze Florian , Wu Wen
Published: February 2022

Drawing from team‐level job demands‐resources theory, we hypothesize that team workload demands moderate the positive link between team boundary work (i.e., boundary spanning and boundary buffering) and team effectiveness (i.e., team innovation and team performance), such that boundary work is more beneficial for team effectiveness when teams face higher team workload demands. Furthermore, we predict that this interaction occurs through increased team vigor, where team vigor is defined as an affective emergent state characterized by positive valences and high activation levels experienced by team members. We largely find support for our model across two field studies: a cross‐sectional survey using three independent data sources (89 automotive research and development teams, including 724 team members, 89 team leaders and 18 managers) and a time‐lagged survey using two independent data sources (139 teams working in a Chinese utility company, including 640 team members and 139 team leaders). Our article contributes to team research by broadening our understanding of when and how team boundary work is associated with greater team effectiveness.
Dietary fats and their sources in association with the risk of bladder cancer: A pooled analysis of 11 prospective cohort studies
Authors: Dianatinasab Mostafa , Wesselius Anke , Salehi‐Abargouei Amin , Yu Evan Y. W. , Fararouei Mohammad , Brinkman Maree , van den Brandt Piet , White Emily , Weiderpass Elisabete , Le Calvez‐Kelm Florence , Gunter Marc J. , Huybrechts Inge , Zeegers Maurice P.
Published: February 2022

The effects of fat intake from different dietary sources on bladder cancer (BC) risk remains unidentified. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between fat intakes and BC risk by merging world data on this topic. Data from 11 cohort studies in the BLadder cancer Epidemiology and Nutritional Determinants (BLEND) study, provided sufficient information on fat intake for a total of 2731 BC cases and 544 452 noncases, which yielded 5 400 168 person‐years of follow‐up. Hazard ratios (HRs), with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were estimated using Cox‐regression models stratified on cohort. Analyses were adjusted for total energy intake in kilocalories, gender, smoking status (model‐1) and additionally for sugar and sugar products, beers, wine, dressing and plant‐based and fruits intakes (model‐2). Among women, an inverse association was observed between mono‐unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and BC risk (HR comparing the highest with the lowest tertile: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58‐0.93, P‐trend = .01). Overall, this preventative effect of MUFAs on BC risk was only observed for the nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) subtype (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.53‐0.91, P‐trend = .004). Among men, a higher intake of total cholesterol was associated with an increased BC risk (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.16‐1.61, P‐trend = .01). No other significant associations were observed. This large prospective study adds new insights into the role of fat and oils in BC carcinogenesis, showing an inverse association between consumption of MUFAs and the development of BC among women and a direct association between higher intakes of dietary cholesterol and BC risk among men.
Alcohol intake trajectories during the life course and risk of alcohol‐related cancer: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Bassett Julie K. , MacInnis Robert J. , Yang Yi , Hodge Allison M. , Lynch Brigid M. , English Dallas R. , Giles Graham G. , Milne Roger L. , Jayasekara Harindra
Published: February 2022

We examined associations between sex‐specific alcohol intake trajectories and alcohol‐related cancer risk using data from 22 756 women and 15 701 men aged 40 to 69 years at baseline in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. Alcohol intake for 10‐year periods from age 20 until the decade encompassing recruitment, calculated using recalled beverage‐specific frequency and quantity, was used to estimate group‐based sex‐specific intake trajectories. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for primary invasive alcohol‐related cancer (upper aerodigestive tract, breast, liver and colorectum). Three distinct alcohol intake trajectories for women (lifetime abstention, stable light, increasing moderate) and six for men (lifetime abstention, stable light, stable moderate, increasing heavy, early decreasing heavy, late decreasing heavy) were identified. 2303 incident alcohol‐related cancers were diagnosed during 485 525 person‐years in women and 789 during 303 218 person‐years in men. For men, compared with lifetime abstention, heavy intake (mean ≥ 60 g/day) at age 20 to 39 followed by either an early (from age 40 to 49) (early decreasing heavy; HR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.25‐2.44) or late decrease (from age 60 to 69) (late decreasing heavy; HR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.28‐2.93), and moderate intake (mean <60 g/day) at age 20 to 39 increasing to heavy intake in middle‐age (increasing heavy; HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.06‐1.97) were associated with increased risk of alcohol‐related cancer. For women, compared with lifetime abstention, increasing intake from age 20 (increasing moderate) was associated with increased alcohol‐related cancer risk (HR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.06‐1.48). Similar associations were observed for colorectal (men) and breast cancer. Heavy drinking during early adulthood might increase cancer risk later in life.
Massive hemorrhagic ascites associated with extensive severe peritoneal endometriosis: A rare case report
Authors: Papageorgiou Dimitrios , Prantalos Panagiotis , Tzavoulis Dimitrios , Sgouros Spiros N. , Ivros Nikolaos , Papakonstantinou Katerina
Published: February 2022

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Massive hemorrhagic ascites may be a symptom of peritoneal endometriosis.
The development of a hybrid model to forecast paddy water temperature as an alert system for high‐temperature damage
Authors: Xie Wenpeng , Kimura Masaomi , Asada Yohei , Iida Toshiaki , Kubo Naritaka
Published: February 2022

Climate change has led to increasing global air temperatures. In the field of crop cultivation, long‐term high temperatures (heatwaves) during the rice‐growing season might increase the risk of high‐temperature damage to rice, which might result in reductions to the yield and quality of rice. In this study, a hybrid forecast model consisting of a combined paddy field heat balance model and a meteorological forecast model is proposed for predicting 1‐day‐ahead water temperatures as an alert system for high‐temperature damage to paddy fields, with resolution in terms of hours. The results show close agreement between the measured and predicted water temperatures, and the high‐temperature alert accuracy was 88.5%. Additionally, the climate resilience of paddy fields was investigated by using the rising annual temperatures due to climate change. The observations indicate that while paddy fields are sensitive to the climate, their climate resilience can be improved through artificial measures. Farmers and managers of paddy fields can thus be made aware of the water temperatures of the paddy fields in advance to enable reasonable management of water resources and avoid high‐temperature damages caused by extreme weather conditions.
Renal tubular dysfunction and cancer mortality in the Japanese general population living in cadmium‐non‐contaminated areas
Authors: Nogawa Kazuhiro , Watanabe Yuuka , Sakuma Sayaka , Sakurai Masaru , Nishijo Muneko , Ishizaki Masao , Morikawa Yuko , Kido Teruhiko , Nakagawa Hideaki , Suwazono Yasushi
Published: February 2022

The relationship between cadmium exposure, exposure‐related renal tubular dysfunction, and mortality have been reported, mainly in the residents of Cd‐contaminated areas in Japan. The aim of this study was to establish the cause–effect relationship between renal tubular dysfunction and cancer mortality in the general population in non‐contaminated areas. A 19‐year cohort study was conducted in 1110 men and 1703 women in 1993 or 1994, who lived in three cadmium‐non‐contaminated areas. Mortality risk ratios of urinary β2‐microglobulin (β2MG) and N‐acetyl‐β‐glucosaminidase (NAG) for all malignant neoplasms and specific cancers were estimated using the Fine and Gray competing risks regression model. Significant hazard ratios (HRs) for liver and pancreas cancer were observed for NAG (liver: HR corresponding to an increase of 1 IU/g cr, 1.10, 95%CI, 1.02–1.19, pancreas: HR, 1.10, 95%CI, 1.02–1.19) in men. In women, a negative HR was observed for NAG (lung cancer: HR 0.80, 95% CI, 0.67–0.96) and for β2MG (all malignant neoplasms: HR, 0.97, 95% CI, 0.93–1.00). The present study indicated that renal tubular dysfunction was significantly related to mortality in the general population of cadmium‐non‐contaminated areas in Japan.
Assessment of communication and physical exam skills: A comparison of students, faculty and standardized patients
Authors: Cuevas‐Nunez Maria Carolina , Pulido M. Teresa , Harpe Spencer , Stein Amy B , Lempicki Kelly
Published: February 2022

Purpose/objectives

The objective of this retrospective study was twofold: it aimed to investigate dental students’ communication and physical exam self‐assessment skills by comparing students’ self‐evaluations with those completed by faculty and standardized patients (SPs). Second, it aimed to compare faculty and SPs assessment of students’ communication skills.

Methods

At the end of their first year of training, students (n = 127), participated in one SP encounter about an initial dental consultation. Students completed self‐assessment before receiving feedback from faculty (n = 19) and SPs (n = 19). The data source included evaluation forms submitted by students, faculty and SPs. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the overall scores between groups. Agreement between evaluations items were analyzed with McNemar's test (p < 0.05).

Results

Overall, there were no statistically significant differences in how students and faculty graded for either communication (p = 0.6724) or physical exam (p = 0.1921) skills. However, both students and faculty provided less favorable marks than SPs for communication skills with a statistically significant difference in the overall grading between both students and SPs (p = 0.0146) and between faculty and SPs (p = 0.0045).

Conclusions

While there was disagreement between students and faculty versus SPs, they weren't meaningful differences in scores and the dissimilarities mainly consisted of ratings of explanation skills. We suggest that, when applicable, dental student's self‐evaluations may represent an alternative to faculty assessments of communication and physical exam skills. Nonetheless, we recommend that SPs be included in the assessment of communication skills to provide students with comprehensive feedback that more realistically represents the natural patient‐provider relationship.
Junior faculty perspectives on the academic environment: A call for development and onboarding
Authors: Mays Keith A. , Burns Lorel E. , Branch‐Mays Grishondra , Quock Ryan
Published: February 2022

Background

One challenge in dental education is new faculty members can be hired with limited teaching experience or understanding of pedagogy. Recent publications document increasing initiatives of faculty development in US and Canadian dental schools. This study evaluates full‐time faculty perspectives of their develop and academic environment.

Methods

A 33‐item questionnaire distributed to senior administrators and forwarded to faculty, collected data on demographics and satisfaction, utilizing a 5‐item Likert scale, multiple choice, and binary yes/no questions. Responses were descriptively and statistically analyzed utilizing an analysis of variance, chi‐square, and two‐sample t‐test.

Results

There were 183 faculty respondents (37.7% male/62.3% female), age ranges were 20–29 (2.2%), 30–39 (53.5%), and 41–49(44.3). Respondents reported race/ethnicity: Caucasian (60.7%), Asian (19.1%), Hispanic (12.6%), Black/African American (5.5%), two or more races (2.2%), and Native American 0%. Length of employment was significantly associated with primary responsibility (p = 0.0023), recent publications (p < 0.0011), and short‐term intent to remain in academia (p = 0.046). There was a statistically significant difference between age and satisfaction with professional development (p = 0.0411), achieving career objectives (p = 0.0151), well‐being (p = 0.0492), access to resources for scholarly interests (p = 0.0114), communication (p = 0.0058), and assessment training (p = 0.0249). Non‐Caucasian faculty reported greater dissatisfaction with being treated respectfully (p = 0.0302), departmental commitment to diversity and inclusion (p = 0.0075), and departmental cooperation/teamwork (p = 0.0323).

Conclusions

A significant number of junior faculty have interest in academic dental careers. Institutions should invest in improving onboarding and professional development. Improve the early experiences of faculty, and foster diversity and inclusion and faculty well‐being.
Neural signatures of the development of antisocial behaviours and callous‐unemotional traits among youth: The moderating role of parental support
Authors: Huffman Landry Goodgame , Oshri Assaf
Published: February 2022

Comorbidity of antisocial behaviours (AB) and callous‐unemotional (CU) traits characterizes a subgroup of youth at risk for chronic and severe AB in adulthood. Although aberrant neural response to facial emotion confers heightened risk for AB and CU traits, the behavioural effect of this neural response varies by family context. The present study examines the effects of neural response to emotional faces, parental support and the interaction between the two as predictors of AB and CU traits in a longitudinal sample of preadolescents (Nbaseline = 11,883; Mage = 9.5; 47.8% female). Low CU youth who evinced attenuated response to fearful faces within the left superior temporal sulcus and fusiform gyrus showed smaller decreases of AB over time; these associations did not extend to high CU youth. Among high CU youth reporting low parental support, blunted response to fearful faces within the bilateral inferior parietal sulcus predicted smaller decreases of AB. Study findings highlight neurobehavioural differences between youth with high and low CU traits, as well as the interacting roles of negative face processing and parental support in the development of AB.
Postnatal depletion of serotonin affects the morphology of neurons and the function of the hippocampus in male rats
Authors: Ghaheri Safa , Niapour Ali , Sakhaie Nona , Sadegzadeh Farshid , Saadati Hakimeh
Published: February 2022

Serotonin (5‐HT) is an essential neurotransmitter for the refined organization of the cerebral cortex. Studies have suggested that altered serotonin signaling contributes to cognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders. However, the exact role of this neurotransmitter on the development of hippocampal neurons is not recognized. Here we aimed to examine the effects of the para‐chlorophenylalanine (PCPA; 100 mg/kg/daily, s.c. during the postnatal days 10–20), a reversible inhibitor of 5‐HT synthesis, on the serotonin level of the hippocampal and prefrontal cortex. We also focused on the morphology of the neurons in the hippocampus and spatial learning and memory. Our results indicated that the administration of PCPA led to a decrease in serotonin levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Postnatal serotonin depletion also induced subtle alterations in the neuronal populations of the hippocampus and impaired spatial memory in the adulthood period of life. We found that critical developmental periods of serotonin depletion caused degeneration and swelling of neurons as well as significant neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) areas. Thus, serotonin, a strikingly important neurotransmitter, can affect neuronal morphology, development, and hippocampal‐dependent memory.