bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting Glucose Metabolism Sensitizes Pancreatic Cancer to MEK Inhibition
Authors: Yan Liang , Tu Bo , Yao Jun , Gong Jing , Carugo Alessandro , Bristow Christopher A. , Wang Qiuyun , Zhu Cihui , Dai Bingbing , Kang Ya'an , Han Leng , Feng Ningping , Jin Yanqing , Fleming Jason , Heffernan Timothy P. , Yao Wantong , Ying Haoqiang
Published: June 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is almost universally lethal. A critical unmet need exists to explore essential susceptibilities in PDAC and to identify druggable targets to improve PDAC treatment. KRAS mutations dominate the genetic landscape of PDAC and lead to activation of multiple downstream pathways and cellular processes. Here, we investigated the requirement of these pathways for tumor maintenance using an inducible KrasG12D-driven PDAC mouse model (iKras model), identifying that RAF-MEK-MAPK signaling is the major effector for oncogenic KRAS-mediated tumor maintenance. However, consistent with previous studies, MEK inhibition had minimal therapeutic effect as a single agent for PDAC in vitro and in vivo. Although MEK inhibition partially downregulated transcription of glycolysis genes, it failed to suppress glycolytic flux in PDAC cells, which is a major metabolic effector of oncogenic KRAS. Accordingly, an in vivo genetic screen identified multiple glycolysis genes as potential targets that may sensitize tumor cells to MEK inhibition. Inhibition of glucose metabolism with low-dose 2-deoxyglucose in combination with a MEK inhibitor induced apoptosis in KrasG12D-driven PDAC cells in vitro. The combination also inhibited xenograft PDAC tumor growth and prolonged overall survival in a genetically engineered PDAC mouse model. Molecular and metabolic analyses indicated that co-targeting glycolysis and MAPK signaling results in apoptosis via induction of lethal endoplasmic reticulum stress. Together, our work suggests that combined inhibition of glycolysis and the MAPK pathway may serve as an effective approach to target KRAS-driven PDAC.

Significance:

This study demonstrates the critical role of glucose metabolism in resistance to MAPK inhibition in KRAS-driven pancreatic cancer, uncovering a potential therapeutic approach for treating this aggressive disease.
Identification of a Novel Inflamed Tumor Microenvironment Signature as a Predictive Biomarker of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Immunotherapy in Non–Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Damrauer Jeffrey S. , Roell Kyle R. , Smith Markia A. , Sun Xuezheng , Kirk Erin L. , Hoadley Katherine A. , Benefield Halei C. , Iyer Gopakumar , Solit David B. , Milowsky Matthew I. , Kim William Y. , Nielsen Matthew E. , Wobker Sara E. , Dalbagni Guido , Al-Ahmadie Hikmat A. , Olshan Andrew F. , Bochner Bernard H. , Furberg Helena , Troester Melissa A. , Pietzak Eugene J.
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

Improved risk stratification and predictive biomarkers of treatment response are needed for non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Here we assessed the clinical utility of targeted RNA and DNA molecular profiling in NMIBC.

Experimental Design:

Gene expression in NMIBC samples was profiled by NanoString nCounter, an RNA quantification platform, from two independent cohorts (n = 28, n = 50); targeted panel sequencing was performed in a subgroup (n = 50). Gene signatures were externally validated using two RNA sequencing datasets of NMIBC tumors (n = 438, n = 73). Established molecular subtype classifiers and novel gene expression signatures were assessed for associations with clinicopathologic characteristics, somatic tumor mutations, and treatment outcomes.

Results:

Molecular subtypes distinguished between low-grade Ta tumors with FGFR3 mutations and overexpression (UROMOL-class 1) and tumors with more aggressive clinicopathologic characteristics (UROMOL-classes 2 and 3), which were significantly enriched with TERT promoter mutations. However, UROMOL subclasses were not associated with recurrence after bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy in two independent cohorts. In contrast, a novel expression signature of an inflamed tumor microenvironment (TME) was associated with improved recurrence-free survival after BCG. Expression of immune checkpoint genes (PD-L1/PD-1/CTLA-4) was associated with an inflamed TME, but not with higher recurrence rates after BCG. FGFR3 mutations and overexpression were both associated with low immune signatures.

Conclusions:

Assessment of the immune TME, rather than molecular subtypes, is a promising predictive biomarker of BCG response. Modulating the TME in an immunologically “cold” tumor warrants further investigation. Integrated transcriptomic and exome sequencing should improve treatment selection in NMIBC.
Leg Volume in Patients with Lipoedema following Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Fink Jodok M. , Schreiner Lisa , Marjanovic Goran , Erbacher Gabriele , Seifert Gabriel J. , Foeldi Martha , Bertsch Tobias
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Lipoedema is characterized as subcutaneous lipohypertrophy in association with soft-tissue pain affecting female patients. Recently, the disease has undergone a paradigm shift departing from historic reiterations of defining lipoedema in terms of classic edema paired with the notion of weight loss-resistant leg volume towards an evidence-based, patient-centered approach. Although lipoedema is strongly associated with obesity, the effect of bariatric surgery on thigh volume and weight loss has not been explored. Material and Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, thigh volume and weight loss of 31 patients with lipoedema were analyzed before and 10–18 and ≥19 months after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Fourteen patients, with distal leg lymphoedema (i.e., with healthy thighs), who had undergone bariatric surgery served as controls. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed-effects model adjusted for patient age and initial BMI. Results: Adjusted initial thigh volume in patients with lipoedema was 23,785.4 mL (95% confidence interval [CI] 22,316.6–25,254.1). Thigh volumes decreased significantly in lipoedema and control patients (baseline vs. 1st follow-up, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0001; baseline vs. 2nd follow-up, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0013). Adjusted thigh volume reduction amounted to 33.4 and 37.0% in the lipoedema and control groups at the 1st follow-up, and 30.4 and 34.7% at the 2nd follow-up, respectively (lipoedema vs. control p > 0.999 for both). SG and RYGB led to an equal reduction in leg volume (operation type × time, p = 0.83). Volume reduction was equally effective in obese and superobese patients (weight category × time, p = 0.43). Conclusion: SG and RYGB lead to a significant thigh volume reduction in patients with lipoedema.
The Association between Baseline Serum Lipids and Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Xie Qionghong , Shang Da , Wang Yujia , Zhang Min , Chen Yun , Xu Rong , Han Qingfeng , Ren Yeping , Chen Jianghua , Zhao Huiping , Chen Menghua , Dong Jie , Hao Chuan-Ming , Zhu Tongying
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Lipid disturbances are common in ESRD patients. In peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, dyslipidemia is even more common. This study aimed to examine whether serum lipids were associated with prognosis of PD patients. Methods: Patients from a multicenter retrospective cohort were used for the present study. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Cox regression was used to analyze the association between serum lipids including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides and the prognosis. Results: The results showed that lower total cholesterol and LDL levels at the initiation of PD predicted higher all-cause mortality in PD patients. Multivariate analysis reveal that the association disappeared after adjusting for age, gender, albumin, prealbumin, protein catabolic rate normalized to body weight, C-reactive protein, and residual renal function. Further analysis showed that patients with lower total cholesterol/LDL had a higher mortality only during the first 24 months of follow-up. In the patients who survived >2 years after PD, lower total cholesterol/LDL was not associated with higher long-term all-cause mortality any more. Conclusion: Lower total cholesterol/LDL levels at the initiation of PD were associated with overall mortality in PD patients. The association could be potentially modified by malnutrition, inflammation, and residual renal function or disappeared after 24 months.
Biomaterial Strategies to Bolster Neural Stem Cell-Mediated Repair of the Central Nervous System
Authors: Tejeda Giancarlo , Ciciriello Andrew J. , Dumont Courtney M.
Published: June 2021

Stem cell therapies have the potential to not only repair, but to regenerate tissue of the central nervous system (CNS). Recent studies demonstrate that transplanted stem cells can differentiate into neurons and integrate with the intact circuitry after traumatic injury. Unfortunately, the positive findings described in rodent models have not been replicated in clinical trials, where the burden to maintain the cell viability necessary for tissue repair becomes more challenging. Low transplant survival remains the greatest barrier to stem cell-mediated repair of the CNS, often with fewer than 1–2% of the transplanted cells remaining after 1 week. Strategic transplantation parameters, such as injection location, cell concentration, and transplant timing achieve only modest improvements in stem cell transplant survival and appear inconsistent across studies. Biomaterials provide researchers with a means to significantly improve stem cell transplant survival through two mechanisms: (1) a vehicle to deliver and protect the stem cells and (2) a substrate to control the cytotoxic injury environment. These biomaterial strategies can alleviate cell death associated with delivery to the injury and can be used to limit cell death after transplantation by limiting cell exposure to cytotoxic signals. Moreover, it is likely that control of the injury environment with biomaterials will lead to a more reliable support for transplanted cell populations. This review will highlight the challenges associated with cell delivery in the CNS and the advances in biomaterial development and deployment for stem cell therapies necessary to bolster stem cell-mediated repair.
The Effect of Sildenafil Citrate on Poor Endometrium in Patients Undergoing Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer following Resection of Intrauterine Adhesions: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Li Xin , Su Yan , Xie Qijun , Luan Ting , Zhang Mianqiu , Ji Xiaoyuan , Liu Yu , Zhao Chun , Ling Xiufeng
Published: June 2021

Background: The recent studies have shown that sildenafil citrate can enhance estrogen-induced proliferation of the endometrium in infertile women. Objective: This study was aimed to investigate whether sildenafil citrate could affect pregnancy outcomes in infertile women receiving frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) after resection of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs). Materials and Methods: A total of 310 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and divided into the control group (group A) and the sildenafil citrate group (or the SC group, group B). The 2 groups were, respectively, divided into 2 subgroups based on the severity of reformed adhesions: (1) group A1 (with mild IUAs) and group A2 (with moderate to severe IUAs) and (2) group B1 (with mild IUAs) and group B2 (with moderate to severe IUAs). Therapeutic effects of sildenafil citrate on the cases were evaluated after resection of IUAs during FET cycles. Endometrial thickness, endometrial pattern, and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated and compared between the 2 groups. Results: There was no significant difference in the number of embryos transferred between the 2 groups. The endometrial thickness in group B (0.80 [0.68–0.90] cm) was significantly higher than that in group A (0.73 [0.35–0.80] cm). Besides, the biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate (LBR) were 71.60, 50.83, and 39.17% in group B, which were significantly higher than those in group A, namely, 57.36, 34.73, and 23.68%, respectively (p < 0.05). The univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression showed that the LBR in either subgroups of group B after vaginal sildenafil treatment was significantly higher than that in the corresponding control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It was observed that the administration of sildenafil citrate during FET could effectively improve the poor endometrial conditions after FET following the resection of IUAs.
Usefulness of Quantitative Bone SPECT/CT for Evaluating Treatment Response in a Patient with Mandibular Osteomyelitis
Authors: Kitajima Kazuhiro , Noguchi Kazuma , Moridera Kuniyasu , Kishimoto Hiromitsu , Tsuchitani Tatsuya , Takahashi Yoshiyuki , Furudoi Shungo , Yamakado Koichiro
Published: June 2021

We report here a case of mandibular osteomyelitis in a 63-year-old female in which quantitative values determined using bone SPECT/CT were useful to evaluate response to antibiotic therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and sequestomy. After finishing therapy, the chief complaints were well relieved, and posttreatment Tc-99m HMDP bone SPECT/CT examination showed decreased uptake. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUV), peak SUV, mean SUV, metabolic bone volume, and total bone uptake of the untreated lesion were 6.26, 5.16, 3.97, and 11.86 mL and 42.21, respectively, which were decreased to 4.65, 3.90, 2.77, and 9.67 mL and 26.80, respectively, following hyperbaric oxygen therapy and antibiotic administration, and were moreover decreased to 4.28, 3.67, 2.75, and 6.24 mL and 17.19, respectively, after sequestomy. In comparison with pretreatment situation, those parameters were decreased by −25.7, −24.4, −30.2, −18.5, and −36.5%, respectively, following hyperbaric oxygen therapy and antibiotic administration, and moreover by −31.6, −28.9, −30.7, −47.4, and −59.3, respectively, after sequestomy, likely reflecting treatment response. Quantitative bone SPECT/CT may be useful to evaluate bone inflammatory activity and treatment response in a patient with mandibular osteomyelitis.
РОЗВИТОК МЕДИЦИНИ У ХАРКОВІ В XVIII - ХІХ ст.: ІСТОРІОГРАФІЧНИЙ АСПЕКТ
Authors: Necheglod L. M.
Published: June 2021

Автор статті характеризує основні тенденції в історичній літературі, яка розглядає питання розвитку історії медицини в місті Харкові. Хронологічно дослідження охоплює дореволюційну, радянську та сучасну історіографію.
Getúlio Vargas: A imagem do mito político
Authors: Braun Alice Jungblut , Magalhães Geovana Klaus
Published: June 2021

Sabendo que Vargas se dedicou a construir a própria imagem pública, é objetivo do presente trabalho estudar, utilizando fontes jornalísticas e propagandísticas, a imagem que este pretendia alcançar perante a população, as contradições que se fizeram ao longo da construção desta imagem e sua permanência na história. Para tanto, trabalhar-se-á a elaboração dessa imagem/figura durante as fases de Vargas na presidência, especialmente por meio dos aparatos como o Departamento de Imprensa e Propaganda e, mais tarde, da Agência Nacional. Com o uso das mais variadas plataformas e apesar de todas as contradições, Vargas tornou-se o primeiro presidente a possuir um legado memorável e é lembrado até a atualidade como um dos grandes políticos brasileiros. Muito bem sucedido na construção de sua imagem e como um mito político, contou com suporte da propaganda governamental e incluiu a população receptora. Primeiro aproximando-se da população, se autodeclarando “Pai dos Pobres”, depois como a solução perfeita para o Brasil e, por fim, “saindo da vida para entrar na história”, Vargas construiu sua imagem e legado. A complexidade e ambiguidade garantem a Vargas a sua força de permanência e o fazem um grande mito.
Activation of Autophagic Flux Blunts Cardiac Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Xie Min , Cho Geoffrey W. , Kong Yongli , Li Dan L. , Altamirano Francisco , Luo Xiang , Morales Cyndi R. , Jiang Nan , Schiattarella Gabriele G. , May Herman I. , Medina Jessica , Shelton John M. , Ferdous Anwarul , Gillette Thomas G. , Hill Joseph A.
Published: June 2021

Rationale:

Reperfusion injury accounts for up to half of myocardial infarct size, and meaningful clinical therapies targeting it do not exist. We have reported previously that autophagy is reduced during reperfusion and that HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibition enhances cardiomyocyte autophagy and blunts ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury when administered at the time of reperfusion. However, whether inducing autophagy per se, as opposed to other effects triggered by HDAC inhibition, is sufficient to protect against reperfusion injury is not clear.

Objective:

We set out to test whether augmentation of autophagy using a specific autophagy-inducing peptide, TB (Tat-Beclin), protects the myocardium through reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during reperfusion injury.

Methods and Results:

Eight- to 12-week-old, WT (wild type) C57BL6 mice and tamoxifen-inducible cardiomyocyte-specific ATG7 KO (ATG7 knockout) mice (to test the dependency on autophagy) were randomized into 2 groups: exposed to a control TS (Tat-scrambled) peptide or a TB peptide. Each group was subjected to I/R surgery (45-minute coronary ligation, 24-hour reperfusion). Infarct size, systolic function, autophagic flux, and ROS were assayed. Cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were exposed to TB during simulated I/R injury. ATG7 knockdown by small interfering RNA in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes was used to evaluate the role of autophagy. TB treatment at reperfusion reduced infarct size by 20% (absolute reduction; 50% relative reduction) and improved contractile function. Improvement correlated with increased autophagic flux in the border zone with less oxidative stress. ATG7 KO mice did not manifest TB-promoted cardioprotection during I/R. In neonatal rat ventricular myocytes subjected to I/R, TB reduced cell death by 41% and reduced I/R-induced ROS generation. Conversely, ATG7 knockdown in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes abolished these beneficial effects of TB on cell death and ROS reduction.

Conclusions:

Induction of autophagy at the time of reperfusion is sufficient to mitigate myocardial reperfusion injury by reducing ROS and cell death. Maintenance of appropriate autophagic flux may emerge as a viable clinical therapy to reduce reperfusion injury in acute myocardial infarction.
Impaired Binding to Junctophilin-2 and Nanostructural Alteration in CPVT Mutation
Authors: Yin Liheng , Zahradnikova Alexandra , Rizzetto Riccardo , Boncompagni Simona , Rabesahala de Meritens Camille , Zhang Yadan , Joanne Pierre , Marqués-Sulé Elena , Aguilar-Sánchez Yuriana , Fernández-Tenorio Miguel , Villejoubert Olivier , Li Linwei , Wang Yue Yi , Mateo Philippe , Nicolas Valérie , Gerbaud Pascale , Lai F. Anthony , Perrier Romain , Álvarez Julio L. , Niggli Ernst , Valdivia Héctor H. , Valdivia Carmen R. , Ramos-Franco Josefina , Zorio Esther , Zissimopoulos Spyros , Protasi Feliciano , Benitah Jean-Pierre , Gómez Ana M.
Published: June 2021

Rationale:

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a rare disease, manifested by syncope or sudden death in children or young adults under stress conditions. Mutations in the Ca
2+
release channel/RyR2 (type 2 ryanodine receptor) gene account for about 60% of the identified mutations. Recently, we found and described a mutation in RyR2 N-terminal domain, RyR2
R420Q
.

Objective:

To determine the arrhythmogenic mechanisms of this mutation.

Methods and Results:

Ventricular tachycardias under stress conditions were observed in both patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and knock-in mice. During action potential recording (by patch-clamp in knock-in mouse cardiomyocytes and by microelectrodes in mutant human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes), we observed an increased occurrence of delayed afterdepolarizations under isoproterenol stimulation, associated with increased Ca
2+
waves during confocal Ca
2+
recording in both mouse and human RyR2
R420Q
cardiomyocytes. In addition, Ca
2+
-induced Ca
2+
-release, as well as a rough indicator of fractional Ca
2+
release, were higher and Ca
2+
sparks longer in the RyR2
R420Q
-expressing cells. At the ultrastructural nanodomain level, we observed smaller RyR2 clusters and widened junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum measured by gated stimulated emission depletion super-resolution and electron microscopy, respectively. The increase in junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum width might be due to the impairment of RyR2
R420Q
binding to JPH2 (junctophilin-2), as there were less junctophilin-2 coimmunoprecipitated with RyR2
R420Q
. At the single current level, the RyR2
R420Q
channel dwells longer in the open state at low intracellular Ca
2+
([Ca
2+
]
i
), but there is predominance of a subconductance state. The latter might be correlated with an enhanced interaction between the N terminus and the core solenoid, a RyR2 interdomain association that has not been previously implicated in the pathogenesis of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

Conclusions:

The RyR2
R420Q
catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia mutation modifies the interdomain interaction of the channel and weakens its association with JPH2. These defects may underlie both nanoscale disarrangement of the dyad and channel dysfunction.
Turn-on fluorescent optical probing polypyrimidine: Efficient detecting method for Hg2+
Authors: Maimaitiyiming Xieraili , Yang Congcong , Abodurexiti Ayinuer , Abudurexiti Manzilan , Aximu Zulifeiya
Published: June 2021

The fluorescence of conjugated pyrimidine containing polymer P1 [poly(2,5-dido decyloxy-1,4-diethynyl phenylene-alt-2-amino-4,6-pyrimidine) and P2 [poly(2,5-dido decyloxy-1,4-diethynyl phenylene-alt-2-N,N-dimethylamino-4,6-pyrimidine) solution (Tetrahydrofuran) was gradually
quenched with the increasing concentration of I– (KI, in water solution) and followed with color change from transparent to yellow. The fluorescence was gradually recovered via adding of Mercury ion (Hg2+) accompanied color change from yellow to colorless since
the existing high binding constants and complexation ratio between Hg2+and I- . The presence of background metal cations which has weak interference for Hg2+ optical response. The experimental results reveal that polymers were kind of Hg2+ turn-on
optical probe with high sensitivity and anti-interference.
FeYO3@rGO nanocomposites: Synthesis, characterization and application in photooxidative degradation of atrazine under visible light
Authors: Al-Khthami Nada D. , Altalhi Tariq , Alsawat Mohammed , Amin Mohamed S. , Alghamdi Yousef G. , Zaki Zaki I. , Mohamed Reda M.
Published: June 2021

Different organic pollutants have been remediated photo catalytically by applying perovskite photocatalysts. Atrazine (ATR) is a pesticide commonly detected as a pollutant in drinking, surface and ground water. Herein, FeYO3@rGO heterojunction was synthesized and applied
for photooxidation decomposition of ATR. First, FeYO 3nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared via routine sol-gel. After that, FeYO3 NPs were successfully incorporated with different percentages (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt.%) of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in the synthesis of novel FeYO3@rGO
photocatalyst. Morphological, structural, surface, optoelectrical and optical characteristics of constructed materials were identified via X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), adsorption/desorption isotherms, diffusive reflectance
(DR) spectra, and photoluminescence response (PL). Furthermore, photocatalytic achievement of the constructed materials was evaluated via photooxidative degradation of ATR. Various investigations affirmed the usefulness of rGO incorporation on the advancement of formed photocatalysts. Actually,
novel nanocomposite containing rGO (15 wt.%) possessed diminished bandgap energy, as well as magnified visible light absorption. Furthermore, such nanocomposite presented exceptional photocatalytic achievement when exposed to visible light as ATR was perfectly photooxidized over finite amount
(1.6 g · L-1) from the optimized photocatalyst when illuminated for 30 min. The advanced photocatalytic performance of constructed heterojunctions could be accredited mainly to depressed recombination amid induced charges. The constructed FeYO3@rGO nanocomposite
is labelled as efficient photocatalyst for remediation of herbicides from aquatic environments.
AMD3100-tagged nano-gold as a targeting nanocarrier for delivery of doxorubicin into lung cancer cells
Authors: Liu Yali , Hu Changpeng , Zhou Min , Zhang Qian , Tang Qin , Lai Wenjing , Huang Jingbin
Published: June 2021

Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used as a traditional chemotherapy drug in tumor treatment, but its dose-dependent side effects make it susceptible to acquired resistance. CXCR4 is a chemokine receptor that has high expression in many cancers, including lung cancer. In this work, we studied
the possibility of using CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100, as a targeting molecule to targeted delivery of DOX to CXCR4 expressing lung cancer cells through conjugated gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). DOX was intercalated inside the pH-responsive doublestrand DNA (dsDNA) and then conveniently loaded
onto the Au NPs. The CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100, was bonded with LA-PEG, and then conjugated to the surface of Au-S bond. The doxorubicin release from AuNPs@DOX@AMD3100 NPs was in a pH-dependent model, and specificity of AuNPs@DOX@AMD3100 nanoparticle was verified by using free DOX and Au@DOX
NPs as control. Results in this work not only confirmed the possibility of using AMD3100 as a targeting ligand for tumor-targeted treatment, but also suggested that the non-toxic Au NPs is a prospect nanocarrier for target design of cancer therapy.
A facial in-situ approach to synthesize Ti2Nb10O29@PANI core-shell microspheres for high performance lithium ion battery anodes
Authors: He Luying , Shen Xin , Yao Yang , Li Hui
Published: June 2021

Polyaniline (PANI) wrapped Ti2Nb10O29 (TNO) micro-spherical composites were successfully synthesized via a solvothermal approach combined with a facial post in-situ polymerization method. Effects of different amounts of the PANI coatings on the
composite microspheres’ electrochemical properties were studied in detail. Results showed that the electrochemical performance of TNO@PANI anodes with 5 wt% PANI is the optimum among all the samples, giving capacity values as high as 272 mAh/g (1 C) and 190.1 mAh/g (20 C), respectively.
Moreover, the electrochemical impedance measurements exhibited that 5 wt% TNO@PANI composite electrode material possess a weaker charge transfer resistance. This indicates that an appropriate amount of polyaniline coating can effectively improve the electronic conductivity of TNO microspheres
and subsequently the electrochemical properties. In this work, we have demonstrated that 3D TNO@PANI composite microspheres not only deliver a higher initial Columbic efficiency but also can serve as next-generation lithium-ion battery electrode material with enhanced rate performance.
Cervical Endocrine Surgery With a Novel Opioid-Limited Perioperative Protocol
Authors: Boudiab Elizabeth M. , Lapkus Morta , Reilly Jordan , Studzinski Diane , Czako Peter , Asbahi Moumen , Schostak Michael , Schmidt Carol , Nagar Sapna
Published: June 2021

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated that patients undergoing cervical endocrine surgery could be comfortably discharged with minimal opioid analgesia. However, no study to date has examined the efficacy of limiting administration of opioids intraoperatively. We have developed a novel protocol for patients undergoing cervical endocrine surgery that eliminates perioperative opioids. We sought to determine the efficacy of this protocol and its impact on opioid use at discharge.

Methods

We conducted a prospective opt-in opioid-limited surgery program study to opioid-naive patients scheduled for cervical endocrine surgery beginning in August 2019. Postoperatively, nonopioid analgesia was encouraged, but patients were also given a low dose prescription for opioids at discharge. Patients were then matched with 2 retrospective control groups, patients from 2014-2016 and 2017-2018, in order to account for increased public awareness of opioid-prescribing patterns. Primary end points included perioperative opioid use. Secondary end points included postoperative pain scores and complications.

Results

218 patients underwent cervical endocrine surgery with our opioid-limited protocol between August 2019 and February 2020. Nine patients received opioids intraoperatively (4%) and 109 (50%) filled their opioid prescriptions at discharge. Compared to retrospective control groups, the average oral morphine equivalents (OME) administered intraoperatively and prescribed postoperatively were significantly lower ( P < .0001). Pain scores and complication rates were similar in all groups ( P = .7247).

Discussion

Our novel opioid-limited surgery protocol used in conjunction with preoperative counseling is an effective approach for pain control in patients undergoing cervical endocrine surgery and limits opioid exposure throughout the perioperative period.
Intraperitoneal Urinary Bladder Rupture as a Cause of Pneumoperitoneum
Authors: Parvez M Dar , Supreet Kour , Ajay Sharma , Subodh Kumar
Published: June 2021

The most common cause of pneumoperitoneum in trauma patients is hollow viscus injury; however, in patients with pneumoperitoneum on imaging and normal hollow viscus during the laparotomy, other rare causes of pneumoperitoneum like intraperitoneal urinary bladder rupture should be ruled out. Urinary bladder can rupture either extraperitoneally or intraperitoneally or both. Rupture of the urinary bladder is commonly seen in patients with abdominal trauma; however, pneumoperitoneum is usually not seen in patients with traumatic bladder rupture. Intraperitoneal bladder rupture is usually due to the sudden rise in intra-abdominal pressure following abdominal or pelvic trauma. However, it is a rare cause of pneumoperitoneum and is managed by surgical repair. We present a case of blunt trauma abdomen with pneumoperitoneum due to isolated intraperitoneal bladder rupture who was managed by exploratory laparotomy and primary repair of the urinary bladder.
Relationship Between High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Long-Term Outcomes in Elderly Patients With 3-Vessel Disease
Authors: Liu Yue , Zhang Ce , Jiang Lin , Xu Lianjun , Tian Jian , Zhao Xueyan , Feng Xinxing , Wang Dong , Zhang Yin , Sun Kai , Xu Jingjing , Liu Ru , Xu Bo , Zhao Wei , Hui Rutai , Gao Runlin , Gao Zhan , Song Lei , Yuan Jinqing
Published: June 2021

The prognostic value of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in complex coronary artery disease has not been fully established. We aimed to determine the association between hsCRP and long-term outcomes in elderly patients with 3-vessel disease (TVD). From April 2004 to February 2011, 3069 patients aged ≥65 years with TVD were consecutively enrolled and received medical treatment alone, percutaneous coronary intervention, or coronary artery bypass grafting. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their hsCRP levels: <3.00 mg/L (62.1%) and ≥3.00 mg/L (37.9%). The mean age was 71 ± 4 years. The high hsCRP group had more risk factors and more frequently received conservative treatment than the low hsCRP group. During a median follow-up period of 6.2 years, elevated hsCRP was significantly associated with increased all-cause death (19.5% vs 29.6%, P < .001), cardiac death (9.4% vs 15.2%, P = .001), and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (34.1% vs 42.5%, P = .001). Multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed that hsCRP was an independent predictor for all of these events. Combining hsCRP with Synergy between PCI with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery score II further improved the predictive power of the score. The relationship between hsCRP and mortality was relatively consistent across subgroups. Overall, hsCRP could prove useful for risk prediction in elderly patients.
Conscientious Objection: A Review of State Pharmacy Laws and Regulations
Authors: Achey Thomas S. , Robertson Ashley T.
Published: June 2021

Most states have adopted conscience clauses since the Roe v. Wade paradigm in the 1970s; however, not all clauses are respective to pharmacists. The purpose of this report is to quantify the presence of conscientious objection among US states with respect to pharmacist’s right to refuse to dispense. Fifty Boards of Pharmacy administrative codes were consulted for review. If Web sites were ambiguous or undeterminable, E-mail requests were sent on active legislation per National Association of Boards of Pharmacy contact information. Eleven states have conscience clauses present in their pharmacy administrative code—nearly double than last published in 2006. Requirements vary throughout the states including drug-specific limitations, requirement in writing, or notification in advance. Some states alternatively require duty to dispense. Less than one-fourth of United States boards of pharmacy provide a conscience clause or similar intended language in laws or policies. Within those states, pharmacists have a right to refuse to perform certain services based on religious, ethical, or moral objections. Imprecise language throughout the nation allows the rights to vary widely.
The New Political Economy of the Twenty-First-Century Higher Education
Authors: Bhushan Sudhanshu
Published: June 2021

I pose the problems of quality in higher education to be addressed through a bureaucratic, technology-centric and accountability-based framework. It relies heavily on quantitative, information-based and ideal institutional system of higher education. The new political economy of the twenty-first-century higher education creates the balance of power in favour of state and utilises the individual choice and market-based principle of governance. The article argues the alternative in terms of shifting the power in favour of academia. The power of academia shall be realised only if the attention is focussed both on creation as well as the purpose of knowledge in the twenty-first century. Universities need to be hermeneutic for allowing the scope of creative activity and accommodate the voices of marginalised sections. It means practical rationality should guide the academia and administrators of higher education.

JEL Code: I2, I28
Book review: Sudhanshu Ranjan, Justice vs. Judiciary: Justice Enthroned or Entangled in India?
Authors: Singh Tanushree
Published: June 2021

Sudhanshu Ranjan, Justice vs. Judiciary: Justice Enthroned or Entangled in India? New Delhi, India: Oxford University Press, 2019, xiv + 384 pp., ₹995 (Hardcover). ISBN: 978-0-19-949049-3, 0-19-949049-X.
Punitive Social Policy and Vital Inequality
Authors: Nosrati Elias , King Lawrence P.
Published: June 2021

Geographical inequalities in life and death are among the world's most pronounced in the United States. However, the driving forces behind this macroscopic variation in population health outcomes remain surprisingly understudied, both empirically and theoretically. The present article steps into this breach by assessing a number of theoretically informed hypotheses surrounding the underlying causes of such spatial heterogeneity. Above and beyond a range of usual suspects, such as poverty, unemployment, and ethno-racial disparities, we find that a hitherto neglected explanans is prison incarceration. In particular, through the use of previously unavailable county-level panel data and a compound instrumentation technique suited to isolating exogenous treatment variation, high imprisonment rates are shown to substantially increase the population-wide risk of premature death. Our findings contribute to the political economy of population health by relating the rise of the carceral state to the amplification of geographically anchored unequal life chances.
Re-municipalization of local public services: incidence, causes and prospects
Authors: Albalate Daniel , Bel Germà , Gradus Raymond , Reeves Eoin
Published: June 2021

Since the turn of the century, a global trend of re-municipalization has emerged, with cities reversing earlier privatizations and returning infrastructure and public service delivery to the public sector. The reversal of privatization measures is not an entirely new phenomenon. In the US, for example, returning public services to in-house production has been a long-standing feature of ‘pragmatic public management’. However, many cases of re-municipalization that have occurred since the early 2000s represent a distinctive shift from earlier privatization policies. High-profile cases in cities including Paris and Hamburg have thrust re-municipalization into the limelight as they have followed public campaigns motivated by dissatisfaction with the results of privatization and a desire to restore public control of vital services, such as water and energy. Just as the reform of public services towards privatization spawned a vast body of scholarship, the current re-municipalization phenomenon is increasingly attracting the attention of scholars from a number of disciplinary perspectives. The articles contained in this symposium contribute to this emerging literature. They address some of the burning issues relating to re-municipalization, but they also point to issues yet to be resolved and shed light on a research agenda that is still taking shape.
Immune Changes Induced by Orthodontic Forces: A Critical Review
Authors: Chaushu S. , Klein Y. , Mandelboim O. , Barenholz Y. , Fleissig O.
Published: June 2021

Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is generated by a mechanical force that induces an aseptic inflammatory response in the periodontal tissues and a subsequent coordinated process of bone resorption and apposition. In this review, we critically summarize the current knowledge on the immune processes involved in OTM inflammation and provide a novel insight into the relationship between classical inflammation and clinical OTM phases. We found that most studies focused on the acute inflammatory process, which ignites the initial alveolar bone resorption. However, the exact mechanisms and the immune reactions involved in the following OTM phases remain obscure. Recent studies highlight the existence of a typical innate response of resident and extravasated immune cells, including granulocytes and natural killer (NK), dendritic, and γδT cells. Based on few available studies, we shed light on an active, albeit incomplete, process of resolution in the lag phase, supported by continuously elevated ratios of M1/M2 macrophage and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio. This partial resolution enables tissue formation and creates the appropriate environment for a transition between the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, essential for the tissue’s return to homeostasis. Nevertheless, as the mechanical trigger persists, the resolution turns into a low-grade chronic inflammation, which underlies the next, acceleration/linear OTM phase. In this stage, the acute inflammation dampens, and a simultaneous process of bone resorption and formation occurs, driven by B and T cells of the adaptive immune arm. Excessive orthodontic forces or tooth movement in periodontally affected inflamed tissues may hamper resolution, leading to “maladaptive homeostasis” and tissue loss due to uncoupled bone resorption and formation. The review ends with a brief description of the translational studies on OTM immunomodulation. Future studies are necessary for further uncovering cellular and molecular immune targets and developing novel strategies for controlling OTM by local and sustained tuning of the inflammatory process.
Reconstructing Sociogenomics Research: Dismantling Biological Race and Genetic Essentialism Narratives
Authors: Herd Pamela , Mills Melinda C. , Dowd Jennifer Beam
Published: June 2021

We detail the implications of sociogenomics for social determinants research. We focus on education and race because of how early twentieth-century scientific eugenic thinking facilitated a range of racist and eugenic policies, most of which helped justify and pattern racial and educational morbidity and mortality disparities that remain today, and are central to sociological research. Consequently, we detail the implications of sociogenomics research by unpacking key controversies and opportunities in sociogenomics as they pertain to the understanding of racial and educational inequalities. We clarify why race is not a valid biological or genetic construct, the ways that environments powerfully shape genetic influence, and risks linked to this field of research. We argue that sociologists can usefully engage in genetics research, a domain dominated by psychologists and behaviorists who, given their focus on individuals, have mostly not examined the role of history and social structure in shaping genetic influence.
R2M Index 1.0: Assessing the Practical Relevance of Academic Marketing Articles
Authors: Jedidi Kamel , Schmitt Bernd H. , Ben Sliman Malek , Li Yanyan
Published: June 2021

Using text-mining, the authors develop version 1.0 of the Relevance to Marketing (R2M) Index, a dynamic index that measures the topical and timely relevance of academic marketing articles to marketing practice. The index assesses topical relevance drawing on a dictionary of marketing terms derived from 50,000 marketing articles published in practitioner outlets from 1982 to 2019. Timely relevance is based on the prevalence of academic marketing topics in practitioner publications at a given time. The authors classify topics into four quadrants based on their low/high popularity in academia and practice —“Desert,” “Academic Island,” “Executive Fields,” and “Highlands”—and score academic articles and journals: Journal of Marketing has the highest R2M score, followed by Marketing Science, Journal of Marketing Research, and Journal of Consumer Research. The index correlates with practitioner judgments of practical relevance and other relevance measures. Because the index is a work in progress, the authors discuss how to overcome current limitations and suggest correlating the index with citation counts, altmetrics, and readability measures. Marketing practitioners, authors, and journal editors can use the index to assess article relevance, and academic administrators can use it for promotion and tenure decisions (see www.R2Mindex.com). The R2M Index is thus not only a measurement instrument but also a tool for change.
Commercial Success Through Commercials? Advertising and Pay-TV Operators
Authors: Yang Joonhyuk , Lee Jung Youn , Chintagunta Pradeep K.
Published: June 2021

The U.S. pay television service market was dominated by cable operators until the nationwide entry of satellite operators in the early 1990s. The latter have been consistently growing their footprints since. This study documents the role of television advertising to explain satellite operators’ success. Using data on U.S. households’ subscription choices and operators’ advertising decisions, the authors document both demand- and supply-side conditions conducive to the growth of the satellite operators. First, the authors find that consumers in this market were sensitive to advertising, and especially so to that of the satellite operators (ad elasticities of about .05–.06 for satellite operators vs. .02 for cable operators). The authors employ a border strategy to demonstrate advertising-elastic demand and discuss its robustness to potential threats to identification. Second, the authors provide suggestive evidence that a form of asymmetric cost efficiencies in television advertising benefited the entrants more than the incumbents. Specifically, the unit costs of local advertising tend to be higher than those of national advertising, which likely allowed the satellite operators to better leverage their national presence with (cheaper) national advertising. Overall, this study highlights the interaction between advertising efficiencies and the scale of entry in explaining the competition between market incumbents and entrants.
Exercisers’ Affective and Enjoyment Responses: A Meta-Analytic and Meta-Regression Review
Authors: Tavares Vagner Deuel de Oliveira , Schuch Felipe Barreto , Tempest Gavin , Parfitt Gaynor , Oliveira Neto Leônidas , Galvão-Coelho Nicole Leite , Hackett Daniel
Published: June 2021

Affective responses and enjoyment of exercise mediate exercise adherence, but previous research findings have failed to examine nuances that may moderate this relationship. We examined the effects of exercise on affective and enjoyment responses during and post exercise through a systematic literature review and meta-regression analysis. We searched major databases up to July 9, 2020 for studies evaluating healthy adults’ acute and chronic responses to exercise, using either of The Feeling Scale or Physical Activity Enjoyment Scales. We calculated effect size (ES) values of 20 unique studies (397 participants; 40% females) as standardized differences in the means and expressed them as Hedges’ g, together with the 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Among acute studies examining affective responses, we found a greater positive effect post exercise for continuous training (CT) compared to high intensity interval training (HIIT) ( g = −0.61; 95%CI = −1.11, −0.10; p < .018), but there was no significant difference between these modes for effects during exercise. Subgroup analyses revealed that moderate, and not high intensity, CT, compared to HIIT, resulted in significantly greater positive affective responses ( g = −1.09; 95%CI = −1.88, −0.30; p < .006). In contrast, enjoyment was greater for HIIT, compared to CT ( g = 0.75; 95%CI = 0.17, −1.13; p = .010), but CT intensity did not influence this result. Among chronic studies, there was greater enjoyment following HIIT compared to CT, but these studies were too few to permit meta-analysis. We concluded that an acute bout of moderate intensity CT is more pleasurable, when measured post exercise than HIIT, but enjoyment is greater following HIIT, perhaps due to an interaction between effort, discomfort, time efficiency and constantly changing stimuli.
Taking Back Control over Markets: Jürgen Habermas on the Colonization of Politics by Economics
Authors: Verovšek Peter J
Published: June 2021

Recent developments have highlighted the tension between democracy and late capitalist economics. In the wake of the Great Recession, international market forces have increasingly taken de facto control of politics. My basic thesis is that a modified version of Jürgen Habermas’ colonization thesis, which opposes the takeover of social and political life by the forces of power (administration) and money (economics), productively conceptualizes these developments. I argue that this framework can help to both diagnose and combat the dangers associated with the overexpansion of functional systemic forces, as well as the broader instrumentalization that they promote. By drawing on his political writings on the future of the European Union after the crisis of the Eurozone, I oppose interpretations of Habermas as a pacified liberal by demonstrating that he shares Karl Marx’s commitment to combatting naturalized views of economics and material reproduction as a force that lie outside of human control.