bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inverse Cherenkov dielectric laser accelerator for ultra-relativistic particles
Authors: Zhang Liwen , Liu Weihao , Liu Yucheng , Jia Qika , Sun Baogen , Xu Hongliang , Liu Shengguang
Published: December 2022

Recently, the laser-driven dielectric particle accelerator based on the inverse Cherenkov effect has aroused great interest, because it provides an option for developing desktop or even on-chip particle accelerators. So far, only sub-relativistic cases have been investigated. Previous studies showed that when the particle velocity reaches ultra-relativistic range, the acceleration gradient of an inverse Cherenkov laser-driven dielectric accelerator with a single-side dielectric structure drops sharply. Here we illustrate that, by using a double-sided dielectric structure, a high acceleration gradient for ultra-relativistic particles can still be obtained. In addition, we find that, in the ultra-relativistic region, the acceleration gradient increases (not decreases) with the increase of particle energy. The single-sided and double-sided accelerator models under unilateral and bilateral laser-driven conditions are investigated in detail. The results obtained are important for developing an inverse Cherenkov laser-driven dielectric accelerator for both sub-relativistic and ultra-relativistic regions.
Electrical contact effects of flexible self-supporting DNA thin films for storage devices
Authors: Kokkiligadda Samanth , Kesama Mallikarjuna Reddy , Jeon Sohee , Jeong Jun-Ho , Park Sung Ha
Published: December 2022

The development of flexible DNA thin films embedded with diverse functional nanomaterials might be beneficial for electronic devices and biosensors. In this work, we fabricated two different types of electrodes (i.e. metal paste spotted electrodes and metal layer electrodes) on flexible drug- and dye-embedded DNA thin films to examine their electrical and capacitance properties for conduction and energy storage, respectively. Enhanced current and reduced capacitance of drug-embedded DNA thin films compared with pristine DNA with Ag paste electrodes were observed due to the intrinsic characteristics of the drugs. We used the electron-beam deposition process to fabricate relatively large-area metal-coated (e.g. Au and Al) electrodes, which ensures the creation of metal layers on both sides of the flexible thin films while improving metal contact. There was a significant current increase in DNA thin films with metal layer electrodes compared with DNA thin films with Ag paste electrodes. Furthermore, capacitances measured from Au/DNA/Au and Al/DNA/Al capacitors were relatively more stable than from Ag paste DNA thin films. The physical properties of our samples might be easily controlled by manipulating functional nanomaterials in DNA thin films and various types of metal layer electrodes. Our self-supporting DNA thin films with integrated nanomaterials and durable metal layer electrodes might be employed in flexible electronic devices such as nanogenerators, skin electronics and biosensors in the future.
Tunneling magnetoresistance and spin-valley polarization of aperiodic magnetic silicene superlattices
Authors: Villasana-Mercado P , Rojas-Briseño J G , Molina-Valdovinos S , Rodríguez-Vargas I
Published: December 2022

Magnetic silicene superlattices (MSSLs) are versatile structures with spin-valley polarization and tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) capabilities. However, the oscillating transport properties related to the superlattice periodicity impede stable spin-valley polarization states reachable by reversing the magnetization direction. Here, we show that aperiodicity can be used to improve the spin-valley polarization and TMR by reducing the characteristic conductance oscillations of periodic MSSLs (P-MSSLs). Using the Landauer–Büttiker formalism and the transfer matrix method, we investigate the spin-valley polarization and the TMR of Fibonacci (F-) and Thue–Morse (TM-) MSSLs as typical aperiodic superlattices. Our findings indicate that aperiodic superlattices with higher disorder provide better spin-valley polarization and TMR values. In particular, TM-MSSLs reduce considerably the conductance oscillations giving rise to two well-defined spin-valley polarization states and a better TMR than F- and P-MSSLs. F-MSSLs also improve the spin-valley polarization and TMR, however they depend strongly on the parity of the superlattice generation.
Finite-time blow-up and boundedness in a 2D Keller–Segel system with rotation
Authors: Li Yuxiang , Wang Wanwan
Published: December 2022

This paper deals with the initial-boundary value problem for a Keller–Segel system with rotation

{

u
t

=
Δ
u
−
∇
⋅
(
u

S

θ

∇
v
)
,

x
∈
Ω
,
 
t
>
0
,

0
=
Δ
v
−
v
+
u
,

x
∈
Ω
,
 
t
>
0
,

with zero-flux boundary condition for u and zero-Neumann boundary condition for v, where Ω is a bounded domain in

R

2

with smooth boundary

∂
Ω

,

S
θ

=

[

cos
θ

−
sin
θ

sin
θ

cos
θ

]

,

is a rotation matrix with

θ
∈
(
−

π
2

,

π
2

)

. We show that:

Let

Ω
⊂

R

2

be a general smooth bounded domain.

If

m
>

8
π

cos
θ

, then there exists nonnegative initial data u
0 satisfying

∫

Ω

u
0

d

x
=
m

, such that the corresponding nonradial solution of system (*) blows up in finite time and the blow-up point lies in Ω.

If

m
>

4
π

cos
θ

and

∂
Ω

contains a line segment, then there exists nonnegative initial data u
0 satisfying

∫

Ω

u
0

d

x
=
m

, such that the corresponding nonradial solution of system (*) blows up in finite time and the blow-up point lies on the line segment of

∂
Ω

.

Let

Ω
=

B
R

(
0
)

be a disc in

R

2

with radius R > 0 centered at origin. Although there is a rotation effect in system (*), solutions still preserve radial symmetry of initial data. If nonnegative radially symmetric initial data u
0 satisfies

∫

Ω

u
0

d

x
<

8
π

cos
θ

, then the corresponding radial solution of system (*) exists globally in time and is globally bounded.
Current–voltage characteristics and mechanisms of electron emission from cold cathodes in a helium discharge
Authors: Bokhan P A , Gugin P P , Lavrukhin M A , Kim V A , Shevchenko G V , Zakrevsky D E
Published: December 2022

The abnormal discharge (AD) in pure helium and in helium containing molecular impurities was investigated. The obtained results were compared with the parameters of wide-aperture AD and different variants of ‘open’ discharge. It was shown that in all of the investigated types of discharges the current–voltage characteristics (CVCs) and, correspondingly, the emission properties of cold cathodes are determined mainly not by their material, but by the doping of cathodes with atoms of working gases and the purity of experimental conditions. With the impurity content less than 10−4% of the helium atom concentration, the CVCs begin to acquire S-shaped form, which is associated with a change in the electron emission mechanism. It was shown that the diversity of the CVCs is caused by uncertainty in the values of the secondary electron emission coefficients γ and the electron multiplication coefficient α in the cathode layer at reduced electric field strength E/N

>

103 Td. The reproducibility of CVCs and, correspondingly, emission properties of cathodes can be ensured by high purity of the working gas and by maintenance of the cathode doping only by the working gas atoms.
High-speed videomicroscopy of sheared carbonyl iron suspensions
Authors: Martínez-Cano Óscar , Morillas Jose R , Cvek Martin , Ramírez Javier , de Vicente Juan
Published: December 2022

The postyield rheological regime is investigated in sheared magnetic field-responsive composites (i.e. carbonyl iron based magnetorheological fluids). When subjected to uniaxial DC fields, high-speed videomicroscopy techniques and dedicated image analysis tools demonstrate that dispersed magnetic microparticles self-assemble to form concentric layered patterns above a particular shear rate (

γ
˙

R

,c

). This critical shear rate for layer formation is dictated by a critical Mason number

M

n

c

∼

1 that is associated to the destruction of the last doublet in the chain-like aggregates. The number of layers, mean width, percentage of occupation and mean period are found to be very weakly dependent on the shear rate in start-up shearing flow tests. Experimental data for the mean period are in good agreement with an energy minimization theory.
Transient liquid assisted growth of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−x
films based on pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Queraltó Albert , Sieger Max , Gupta Kapil , Meledin Alexander , Barusco Pedro , Saltarelli Lavinia , de Palau Mariona , Granados Xavier , Obradors Xavier , Puig Teresa
Published: December 2022

We investigated the integration of transient liquid-assisted growth (TLAG) approach for epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−x
(YBCO) films by physical deposition methodologies (pulsed laser deposition (PLD)), as an additional opportunity for high-throughput growth of YBCO. As a prerequisite, highly flat and amorphous YBCO precursor films were deposited by PLD at temperatures below 400 °C on single-crystalline SrTiO3 (STO) and LaMnO3 (LMO)/STO, as well as industrial coated conductor architectures. Contrary to TLAG based on chemical solution deposition, where BaCO3 elimination is a key factor for the YBCO growth, TLAG-PLD growth is controlled by the transformation of Ba–Cu–O (s) to a transient liquid. High-quality c-axis YBCO films were successfully grown on different substrates, as demonstrated by high-resolution x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. In-situ resistance measurements revealed that the growth rates around 1000 nm s−1 can be achieved, outperforming the capabilities of standard PLD growth of REBa2Cu3O7 films by few orders of magnitude. Experimental conditions such as temperature, oxygen partial pressure, and heating ramp, were optimized to obtain critical temperature (T
c) values up to 90 K. Critical current densities of 15 MA cm−2 at 5 K and 1.7 MA cm−2 at 77 K were obtained for YBCO films of 450 nm on LMO/STO.
Effect of texture on hydrodynamic journal bearing performance under starvation lubrication
Authors: Li He , Niu Junkai
Published: December 2022

The effect of texture on tribological properties of journal bearings operating under starvation lubrication conditions is studied in this paper. The P-θ model with mass conservation boundary conditions is used to accurately predict the oil film distribution in the full oil film/starvation region of the textured bearing. The effects of various degrees of starvation lubrication on the tribological performance parameters, such as eccentricity, attitude angle, full film area, and friction coefficient, are discussed in textured bearings. The results show that the effect of texture on the bearing performance is affected by starvation lubrication conditions: (1) The effect severity varied with starvation levels; (2) The texturing still improved the operating performance of the journal bearing in the case of weak starvation; (3) Texturing increased the bearing load carrying capacity and reduced the friction coefficient, improving safety and preventing safety accidents due to oil supply problems.
Independent and Joint Associations of Exercise Blood Pressure and Cardiorespiratory Fitness With the Risk of Cardiovascular Mortality
Authors: Jae Sae Young , Kim Hyun Jeong , Kurl Sudhir , Kunutsor Setor K , Laukkanen Jari A
Published: December 2022

Background

We tested the hypothesis that an exaggerated systolic blood pressure (ESBP) at maximal exercise workload would be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and that high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) attenuates this risk.

Methods

This prospective study was based on the general population sample of 1,481 men (aged 42–61 years) who did not have a history of CVD at baseline and were followed up in the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease cohort study. Exercise blood pressure and CRF were measured during cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and an ESBP was defined by a peak systolic blood pressure ≥210 mm Hg and CRF categorized as tertiles and unfit and fit groups.

Results

During a 26-year median follow-up, 231 CVD deaths occurred. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, an ESBP was associated with an increased risk of CVD mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.06–1.94), while the highest tertile of CRF was associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality (HR 0.64, 0.43–0.95). In the joint association analyses of ESBP and CRF, ≥210 mm Hg-unfit group had a higher risk of CVD mortality (HR 1.70, 1.02–2.83), but also ≥210 mm Hg-fit group had an increased risk of CVD death (HR 1.95, 1.20–3.18) compared with their <210 mm Hg-fit counterparts.

Conclusions

These results indicate that an ESBP is independently associated with an increased risk of CVD death, but moderate-to-high levels of CRF does not attenuate CVD mortality risk in those with ESBP.
Origins of symbiosis: shared mechanisms underlying microbial pathogenesis, commensalism and mutualism of plants and animals
Authors: Wiesmann Christina L , Wang Nicole R , Zhang Yue , Liu Zhexian , Haney Cara H
Published: December 2022

Regardless of the outcome of symbiosis, whether it is pathogenic, mutualistic or commensal, bacteria must first colonize their hosts. Intriguingly, closely related bacteria that colonize diverse hosts with diverse outcomes of symbiosis have conserved host-association and virulence factors. This review describes commonalities in the process of becoming host associated amongst bacteria with diverse lifestyles. Whether a pathogen, commensal or mutualist, bacteria must sense the presence of and migrate towards a host, compete for space and nutrients with other microbes, evade the host immune system, and change their physiology to enable long-term host association. We primarily focus on well-studied taxa, such as Pseudomonas, that associate with diverse model plant and animal hosts, with far-ranging symbiotic outcomes. Given the importance of opportunistic pathogens and chronic infections in both human health and agriculture, understanding the mechanisms that facilitate symbiotic relationships between bacteria and their hosts will help inform the development of disease treatments for both humans, and the plants we eat.
Crustal structure and magmatism of the Marvin Spur and northern Alpha Ridge, Arctic Ocean
Authors: Funck Thomas , Shimeld John
Published: December 2022

The Marvin Spur is a 450-km-long east–west trending escarpment along the northernmost periphery of the Alpha Ridge, starting about 500 km from the coasts of Ellesmere Island and Greenland off the Arctic Ocean margin of North America and running subparallel to the Amerasian margin of the continental Lomonosov Ridge. This region was investigated as part of the Canada–Sweden Polar Expedition in 2016, from which two seismic profiles are presented. The first is a 165-km-long line along the crest of the Marvin Spur. The second is a 221-km-long line extending southwestward from the spur to the northern flank of the Alpha Ridge within the Cretaceous High Arctic Large Igneous Province (HALIP). Multichannel seismic reflection data were acquired along both lines using a 100-m-long streamer, and the airgun shots were also recorded using 16 sonobuoys and 5 stations on the sea ice to calculate a velocity model for the crust from forward modelling of seismic traveltimes. The Marvin Spur profile reveals up to 1100 m of sedimentary rocks on top of a 1-km-thick series of basalts (4.5–5.1 km s−1). Upper and lower crust have velocities of 5.8–5.9 km s−1 and 6.2–6.3 km s−1, respectively, with the upper crust being 1–2 km thick compared to around 13 km for the lower crust. A wide-angle double seismic reflection manifests the top and base of a 6-km-thick lower crustal layer that we interpret as magmatic underplating beneath the continental crust of the Marvin Spur. We correlate a high-amplitude magnetic anomaly on Marvin Spur with a comparable anomaly on Lomonosov Ridge by invoking 110 km of dextral strike-slip motion. Assuming that HALIP-related magmatic deposits generate these anomalies, the strike-slip motion pre-dates the main phase of magmatism (latest Cretaceous, 78 Ma). On the northern Alpha Ridge, sediments are around 1-km-thick and cover a 700 to 1700-m-thick series of basalts with velocities of 4.4–4.8 km s−1. Below is a 3-km-thick layer with intermediate velocities of 5.6 km s−1 and a lower crust with a velocity of 6.8 km s−1. Moho depth is not resolved seismically, but gravity modelling indicates a total thickness of 13 or 18 km for the igneous crust except for the Fedotov Seamount where Moho deepens by about 5 km. Construction of the seamount occurred in multiple magmatic phases, including flow eruptions during deposition of the Cenozoic sedimentary succession post-dating the main HALIP magmatism.
Impact of asymmetrical mass ejection from proto-white dwarfs on the properties of binary millisecond pulsars
Authors: Tang Wen-Shi , Gao Shi-Jie , Li Xiang-Dong
Published: December 2022

The standard formation theory of binary millisecond pulsars (BMSPs) predicts efficient orbital circularization due to tidal interaction during the previous mass transfer phase. Therefore, BMSPs are expected to have a circular orbit. However, the discovery of several eccentric BMSPs (eBMSPs) with a white dwarf (WD) companion has challenged this picture. In particular, recent observation reveals that the spin angular momentum of the eBMSP J0955−6150 is tilted at an angle >4.8○ from the orbital angular momentum. This is the first time that a tilt angle is deduced for eBMSPs, which provides an important clue to their formation mechanism. Both the orbital eccentricity and the tilt angle could be qualitatively accounted for by asymmetrical mass ejection during thermonuclear flashes from proto-WDs (so-called thermonuclear rocket model), but detailed studies are still lacking. In this paper, we simulate the impact of the kick caused by asymmetrical mass ejection on the properties of BMSPs. We find that the thermonuclear rocket model can potentially explain the observational characteristics of both eBMSPs and normal BMSPs under reasonable input parameters. In addition, our results predict a wide range of the orbital period (from less than one day to more than several hundred days) for eBMSPs, which can be tested by future observations.
The MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array: first data release
Authors: Miles M T , Shannon R M , Bailes M , Reardon D J , Keith M J , Cameron A D , Parthasarathy A , Shamohammadi M , Spiewak R , van Straten W , Buchner S , Camilo F , Geyer M , Karastergiou A , Kramer M , Serylak M , Theureau G , Venkatraman Krishnan V
Published: December 2022

We present the first 2.5 yr of data from the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array (MPTA), part of MeerTime, a MeerKAT Large Survey Project. The MPTA aims to precisely measure pulse arrival times from an ensemble of 88 pulsars visible from the Southern hemisphere, with the goal of contributing to the search, detection, and study of nanohertz-frequency gravitational waves as part of the International Pulsar Timing Array. This project makes use of the MeerKAT telescope and operates with a typical observing cadence of 2 weeks using the L-band receiver that records data from 856 to 1712 MHz. We provide a comprehensive description of the observing system, software, and pipelines used and developed for the MeerTime project. The data products made available as part of this data release are from the 78 pulsars that had at least 30 observations between the start of the MeerTime programme in February 2019 and October 2021. These include both sub-banded and band-averaged arrival times and the initial timing ephemerides, noise models, and the frequency-dependent standard templates (portraits) used to derive pulse arrival times. After accounting for detected noise processes in the data, the frequency-averaged residuals of 67 of the pulsars achieved a root-mean-square residual precision of $\lt 1 \, \mu \rm {s}$. We also present a novel recovery of the clock correction waveform solely from pulsar timing residuals and an exploration into preliminary findings of interest to the international pulsar timing community. The arrival times, standards, and full Stokes parameter-calibrated pulsar timing archives are publicly available.
Polypharmacy prevalence and associated factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A single-centre, cross-sectional study
Authors: Miyake Hirofumi , Sada Ryuichi Minoda , Akebo Hiroyuki , Tsugihashi Yukio , Hatta Kazuhiro
Published: December 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to clarify factors associated with polypharmacy among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods

This single-centre cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing the medical records and questionnaire data of 261 systemic lupus erythematosus patients at a teaching hospital in Japan from 1 September to 30 November 2020. Polypharmacy was defined as the regular administration of five or more oral medications; excessive polypharmacy consisted of the regular use of 10 or more oral medications. This study investigated (1) the prevalence of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy, (2) the distribution of medication types, and (3) the factors associated with polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy.

Results

The proportions of patients who exhibited polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy were 70% and 19%, respectively. Polypharmacy was associated with older age, long duration of systemic lupus erythematosus, high disease activity, and administration of glucocorticoids or immunosuppressive agents. Excessive polypharmacy was associated with a higher updated Charlson comorbidity index, history of visits to multiple internal medicine clinics, and presence of public assistance.

Conclusions

Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are related to medical aspects such as disease severity and comorbidities in addition to social aspects such as hospital visitation patterns and economic status.
ZYP1-mediated recruitment of PCH2 to the synaptonemal complex remodels the chromosome axis leading to crossover restriction
Authors: Yang Chao , Sofroni Kostika , Hamamura Yuki , Hu Bingyan , Elbasi Hasibe Tunçay , Balboni Martina , Chu Lei , Stang Dagmar , Heese Maren , Schnittger Arp
Published: December 2022

Chromosome axis-associated HORMA domain proteins (HORMADs), e.g. ASY1 in Arabidopsis, are crucial for meiotic recombination. ASY1, as other HORMADs, is assembled on the axis at early meiosis and depleted when homologous chromosomes synapse. Puzzlingly, both processes are catalyzed by AAA+ ATPase PCH2 together with its cofactor COMET. Here, we show that the ASY1 remodeling complex is temporally and spatially differently assembled. While PCH2 and COMET appear to directly interact in the cytoplasm in early meiosis, PCH2 is recruited by the transverse filament protein ZYP1 and brought to the ASY1-bound COMET assuring the timely removal of ASY1 during chromosome synapsis. Since we found that the PCH2 homolog TRIP13 also binds to the ZYP1 homolog SYCP1 in mouse, we postulate that this mechanism is conserved among eukaryotes. Deleting the PCH2 binding site of ZYP1 led to a failure of ASY1 removal. Interestingly, the placement of one obligatory crossover per homologous chromosome pair, compromised by ZYP1 depletion, is largely restored in this separation-of-function zyp1 allele suggesting that crossover assurance is promoted by synapsis. In contrast, this zyp1 allele, similar to the zyp1 null mutant, showed elevated type I crossover numbers indicating that PCH2-mediated eviction of ASY1 from the axis restricts crossover formation.
Reasons for E-cigarette Use, Vaping Patterns, and Cessation Behaviors Among US Adolescents
Authors: Lindpere Vanda , Winickoff Jonathan P , Khan Ali S , Dong Jianhu , Michaud Tzeyu L , Liu Jessica , Dai Hongying Daisy
Published: December 2022

Introduction

This study sought to examine reasons for youth e-cigarette use in association with vaping patterns and cessation behaviors.

Aims and Methods

A national representative sample of current (past 30-day) e-cigarette users in grades 6–12 was analyzed using the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), conducted from January to March 2020. An exploratory oblique factor analysis using a rotated pattern matrix to select salient variable-factor relationships yielded four subscales related to reasons for youth e-cigarette use. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to assess the associations of each subscale with vaping patterns (frequent e-cigarette use, dual use of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products) and vaping cessation behaviors (intention to quit vaping and past-year quit attempts).

Results

The 2020 NYTS sampled 180 schools with 1769 current e-cigarette users. Four main reasons for vaping were identified through factor analysis, including (1) replacing cigarettes, (2) product characteristics [eg, flavors, concealability, and vape tricks], (3) family/friend use, and (4) curiosity. Curiosity was associated with lower odds of frequent e-cigarette use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.5, p < .0001) and dual use of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products (AOR = 0.6, p = .01) but higher odds of intention to quit (AOR = 1.2, p = .26) and past year quit attempts (AOR =1.5, p = .01). Vaping due to product characteristics was associated with higher odds of frequent e-cigarette use (AOR = 1.7, p < .0001) and lower odds of intention to quit (AOR = 0.3, p < .0001) and past year quit attempts (AOR = 0.9, p = .01).

Conclusions

Adolescents vape for various reasons that follow distinct patterns and user characteristics. Overall, interventions tailored to address heterogeneous reasons for vaping may help optimize the reduction in youth e-cigarette use.

Implications

E-cigarettes have surpassed cigarettes and become the most commonly used tobacco product by US youths. Adolescents choose to vape for different reasons. This study examined reasons for youth e-cigarette use and their associations with vaping patterns and cessation behaviors. The product characteristics factor (eg, flavors, concealability, and vape tricks) was associated with more frequent e-cigarette use and lower odds of cessation behaviors, suggesting a need for flavor bans and product design regulation.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Biodegradable Polymer, Microcrystalline Sirolimus-Eluting Stent (MiStent) versus Another Biodegradable Polymer Sirolimus-Eluting Stent (TIVOLI): The DESSOLVE-C Trial
Authors: Wang Bin , Ma Sicong , Wang Zhiyong , Zhang Li , Pei Hanjun , Zheng Yang , Yang Yuejin , Zhang Zheng , Hu Xinqun , Ren Ziwen , Zhang Feng , Wang Changqian , Yang Renqiang , Yang Zhiming , Wang Yuexi , Fu Guosheng , Cao Yu , Yuan Zuyi , Xu Kai , Zhao Xin , Xu Bo , Qiu Miaohan , Jing Quanmin
Published: December 2022

Objective:

Data comparing the outcomes of MiStent (Micell Technologies, Durham, North Carolina, USA) microcrystalline biodegradable polymer (BP) drug-eluting stent (DES) and those of another post-marketing BP-DES, TIVOLI (EssenTech, Beijing, China) are rare. This study sought to compare the angiographic efficacy and clinical outcomes of the microcrystalline BP sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) system MiStent and those of TIVOLI BP-SES.

Methods:

The DESSOLVE-C trial was a prospective, single-blinded, multicenter, randomized trial (NCT02448524), which randomly assigned patients with de novo coronary lesions to receive MiStent or TIVOLI BP-SES by a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was a non-inferiority comparison of in-stent late lumen loss (LLL) by quantitative coronary angiography at 9 months. The secondary endpoint was device-related clinical cardiovascular composite events (target lesion failure (TLF), composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (MI), and clinically driven target lesion revascularization) and 1-year outcomes.

Results:

A total of 428 patients (216 patients in the MiStent group and 212 patients in the TIVOLI group) were enrolled and included in an intention-to-treat analysis. MiStent was not only non-inferior but superior to TIVOLI for in-stent LLL at 9 months ((0.23 ± 0.37) mm vs. (0.34 ± 0.48) mm, P for non-inferiority <0.001, P for superiority = 0.02). Although without significant difference, the rate of TLF in MiStent was quantitatively lower than that in TIVOLI (3.70% vs. 6.60%; P = 0.17).

Conclusion:

Compared with TIVOLI BP-SES, the MiStent system was superior in in-stent LLL at 9 months and had a comparable clinical benefit at 1 year in de novo coronary lesions.
HIV cure: an acceptability scientific agenda
Authors: Bonney Evelyn Y. , Lamptey Helena , Kyei George B.
Published: December 2022

Purpose of review

Recent years have seen major investments into HIV cure research, seeking a permanent cure or remission. The purpose of this review is to consider how this important research agenda could be broadened to include issues of acceptability and appropriateness for different populations.

Recent findings

We discuss how the definitions of cure such as functional cure (remission) or complete cure (viral elimination) could be interpreted differently by various populations. We also discuss the different methods of cure and the importance of including Africa in cure research to ensure that emerging remedies could be trialled and utilized on the continent that bears the brunt of the AIDS pandemic.

We propose that the social science research of HIV cure acceptability should be done concurrently with the basic and clinical sciences, to ensure that cure methods consider stakeholder preferences.
Neurofilament light chain as a biomarker of axonal damage in sensory neurons and paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with ovarian cancer
Authors: Mortensen Christina , Steffensen Karina Dahl , Simonsen Emma , Herskind Kamille , Madsen Jonna Skov , Olsen Dorte Aalund , Iversen Ditte Bork , Bergmann Troels Korshøj , Pottegård Anton , Stage Tore Bjerregaard
Published: December 2022

Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a barrier to effective cancer treatment and impacts quality of life among patients with cancer. We used a translational approach to assess the utility of neurofilament light chain (NFL) as a biomarker of PIPN in a human cell model and in patients with ovarian cancer. We measured NFL in medium from human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived sensory neurons (iPSC-SNs) exposed to paclitaxel. Serum NFL (sNFL) levels were quantified in 190 patients with ovarian cancer receiving paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy at baseline and after each of the following 2 or 6 cycles. Adverse outcomes related to PIPN were retrospectively obtained, and Cox regression model was performed with different sNFL cut-offs after first cycle. The apparent elimination half-life of sNFL was estimated in patients who discontinued paclitaxel. Paclitaxel neurotoxicity in iPSC-SNs was accompanied by NFL release in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.001, analysis of variance). Serum NFL levels increased substantially in patients during paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy with considerable interindividual variability. Patients with sNFL >150 pg/mL after first cycle had increased risk to discontinue paclitaxel early (unadjusted HR: 2.47 [95% CI 1.16-5.22], adjusted HR: 2.25 [95% CI: 0.88-5.79]). Similar trends were shown for risk of severe PIPN and paclitaxel dose reduction because of PIPN. The median elimination half-life of sNFL was 43 days (IQR 27-82 days). Neurofilament light chain constitutes an objective biomarker of neurotoxicity in iPSC-SNs and in ovarian cancer patients with high sNFL predicting PIPN-related adverse outcomes. If prospectively validated, NFL can be used to study PIPN and may guide clinical decision making and personalize treatment with paclitaxel.
Selective androgen receptor modulator microparticle formulation reverses muscle hyperalgesia in a mouse model of widespread muscle pain
Authors: Lesnak Joseph B. , Nakhla David S. , Plumb Ashley N. , McMillan Alexandra , Saha Sanjib , Gupta Nikesh , Xu Yan , Phruttiwanichakun Pornpoj , Rasmussen Lynn , Meyerholz David K. , Salem Aliasger K. , Sluka Kathleen A.
Published: December 2022

Chronic pain is a significant health problem associated with disability and reduced quality of life. Current management of chronic pain is inadequate with only modest effects of pharmacological interventions. Thus, there is a need for the generation of analgesics for treating chronic pain. Although preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate the analgesic effects of testosterone, clinical use of testosterone is limited by adverse androgenic effects. Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) activate androgen receptors and overcome treatment limitations by minimizing androgenic side effects. Thus, we tested whether daily soluble SARMs or a SARM-loaded microparticle formulation alleviated muscle hyperalgesia in a mouse-model of widespread pain (male and female C57BL/6J mice). We tested whether the analgesic effects of the SARM-loaded microparticle formulation was mediated through androgen receptors by blocking androgen receptors with flutamide pellets. In vitro and in vivo release kinetics were determined for SARM-loaded microparticles. Safety and toxicity of SARM treatment was determined using serum cardiac and liver toxicity panels, heart histology, and conditioned place preference testing. Subcutaneous daily SARM administration, and 2 injections, 1 week apart, of SARM-loaded microparticles alleviated muscle hyperalgesia in both sexes and was prevented with flutamide treatment. Sustained release of SARM, from the microparticle formulation, was observed both in vitro and in vivo for 4 weeks. Selective androgen receptor modulator treatment produced no cardiac or liver toxicity and did not produce rewarding behaviors. These studies demonstrate that SARM-loaded microparticles, which release drug for a sustained period, alleviate muscle pain, are safe, and may serve as a potential therapeutic for chronic muscle pain.
The Approach to Performance of Quality Upper Endoscopy in Lynch Syndrome (QUELS)
Authors: Farha Natalie , Kumar Shria , Katona Bryson W. , Hüneburg Robert , Lynch Patrick M. , Gupta Samir , Burke Carol A.
Published: December 2022

Strong evidence demonstrates the protective benefit of frequent colonoscopy surveillance for colorectal cancer prevention in Lynch Syndrome (LS) and is endorsed by many guidelines. Until recently, the evidence supporting the utility of upper endoscopy [esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)] for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer surveillance was limited. Over the last 3 years, multiple studies have demonstrated that EGD surveillance in LS is associated with the detection of both precancerous lesions and early-stage UGI cancers. On the basis of the emerging favorable evidence derived from EGD surveillance programs, the 2022 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines for LS recommend UGI surveillance with EGD starting between age 30 and 40 years with repeat EGDs every 2 to 4 years, preferably in conjunction with colonoscopy, in all patients with a germline pathogenic variant (PV) in MLH1, MSH2, EPCAM, and MSH6 and, because of the lack of data, consideration in PMS2. Standardization of the approach to performing EGD surveillance in LS and reporting clinically actionable findings is requisite for both improving quality and understanding the cost efficiency and outcomes of patients undergoing EGD as a surveillance tool. Accordingly, the primary objective of this Quality of Upper Endoscopy in Lynch Syndrome (QUELS) statement is to articulate a framework for standardizing the approach to performing and reporting EGD findings in patients with LS by introducing emerging quality metrics. The recommendations presented herein were developed from available evidence and consensus-based expert opinion and provide a practical approach for clinicians applying EGD surveillance in accordance with the most recent and existing LS guidelines.
Socioeconomic Disparities Associated With Health Care Utilization Among Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Hathaway Elizabeth C. , Lee Jungeun , Wojeck Robyn K.
Published: December 2022

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and debilitating disease associated with negative health outcomes and high health care utilization. Little is known about the role of demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with health care utilization in RA.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, insurance status, general health perception, and health care utilization among adults with RA.

Methods

In this cross-sectional analysis of data from 537 participants with a self-reported diagnosis of RA from the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the relationships between demographic and socioeconomic factors, insurance status, general health perception, and health care utilization (i.e., whether an individual saw a provider, had a routine place to go for health care, and stayed overnight in the hospital).

Results

The mean age of participants was 57 years old; 50% were females, 57.9% were non-Hispanic White, 17.9% were Black, and 15.2% were Mexican or other Hispanic. Individuals without health insurance were less likely than insured individuals with RA to have seen a provider, have a routine place to go for health care, and have stayed overnight in the hospital. Adults with RA who rated their health as very good or excellent were more likely to have a routine place for health care and less likely to stay overnight in the hospital than those who rated their health as fair or poor.

Discussion

Lack of health insurance significantly correlates with decreased health care utilization in adults with RA in the United States. Our findings underscore the need for more frequent assessment of insurance status in adults with RA to identify individuals at increased risk for reduced health care utilization and who are more likely to experience poorly perceived general health.
Applying a Reproductive Justice Lens to Enhance Research Engagement Among Systematically Underrepresented Childbearing Women
Authors: McGlothen-Bell Kelly , McGrath Jacqueline M. , Brownell Elizabeth A. , Shlafer Rebecca J. , Crawford Allison D.
Published: December 2022

Background

Historically, childbearing women from diverse and systematically hard-to-reach populations have been excluded from nursing research. This practice limits the generalizability of findings. Maximizing research strategies to meet the unique needs of these populations must be a priority.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to provide methodological context for the comprehensive application of reproductive justice strategies to guide research methods and promote engagement of underrepresented childbearing women while decreasing systemic bias.

Methods

In this article, we use a reproductive justice lens to characterize and define strategies for enhancing ethical and equitable engagement in research involving childbearing women who are often systematically underrepresented using a case study approach. Using a specific case study exemplar, the core tenets of reproductive justice are outlined and affirm the need to advance research strategies that create ethical engagement of diverse populations, transform oppressive social structures, and shift research paradigms so research objectives intentionally highlight the strengths and resiliency inherent to the targeted communities.

Results

We begin by describing parallels between the tenets of reproductive justice and the ethical principles of research (i.e., respect for persons, beneficence, and justice). We then apply these tenets to conceptualization, implementation (recruitment, data management, and retention), and dissemination of research conducted with childbearing women from diverse backgrounds who are systemically underrepresented. We highlight our successful research strategies from our case study example of women with histories of incarceration.

Discussion

To date, outcomes from our research indicate the need for multilevel strategies with a focus on respectful, inclusive participant and key community partner engagement; the time investment in local communities to promote equitable collaboration; encouragement of the patient's autonomous right to self-determination; and mitigation of power imbalances. Nurse researchers are well positioned to advance research justice at the intersection of reproductive justice and ethics to fully engage diverse populations in advancing health equity to support the best health outcomes.
Predictive Value of Routine White Blood Cell Count Obtained Prior to Discharge for Organ Space Infection in Children with Complicated Appendicitis: Results from the Eastern Pediatric Surgery Network
Authors: Cramm Shannon L , Graham Dionne A , Allukian Myron , Blakely Martin L , Chandler Nicole M , Cowles Robert A , Feng Christina , Kunisaki Shaun M , Russell Robert T , Rangel Shawn J ,   for the Eastern Pediatric Surgery Network (EPSN)
Published: December 2022

Background:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of a routine pre-discharge white blood cell count (RPD-WBC) for predicting post-discharge organ space infection (OSI) in children with complicated appendicitis.

Study Design:

This was a multicenter study using NSQIP-Pediatric data from 14 hospitals augmented with RPD-WBC data obtained through supplemental chart review. Children with fever or surgical site infection diagnosed during the index admission were excluded. Positive predictive value (PPV) for post-discharge OSI was calculated for RPD-WBC values of persistent leukocytosis (≥9.0x103 cells per microliter), increasing leukocytosis (RPD-WBC>preoperative WBC), quartiles of absolute RPD-WBC, and quartiles of relative proportional change from preoperative WBC. Logistic regression was used to calculate predictive values adjusted for patient age, appendicitis severity, and use of post-discharge antibiotics.

Results:

1264 children were included, of which 348 (27.5%) had a RPD-WBC obtained (hospital range: 0.8-100%, P<0.01). Median RPD-WBC was similar between children who did and did not develop a post-discharge OSI (9.0 vs. 8.9; p=0.57), and leukocytosis was absent in 50% of children who developed a post-discharge OSI. The PPV of RPD-WBC was poor for both persistent and increasing leukocytosis (3.9% and 9.8%, respectively), and for thresholds based on the quartiles of highest RPD-WBC values (>11.1, PPV: 6.4%) and greatest proportional change (<32% decrease from preoperative WBC; PPV: 7.8%).

Conclusions:

Routine pre-discharge WBC data have poor predictive value for identifying children at risk for post-discharge OSI following appendectomy for complicated appendicitis.
The First Insight into the Epigenetic Fusion Gene Landscape of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Ling Fei , Zhuo Noah , Zhuo Degen
Published: December 2022

Epigenetic fusion genes have been defined as the fusion genes produced viacis-splicing of read-through pre-mRNAs of two identical-strand neighbor genes and have been known for decades. However, they need to be adequately investigated. In this study, we analyze RNA-Seq data from 390 AML patients and identify 12,754 EFG isoforms encoded by 5,213 EFGs, one-sixth of all potential EFGs. We characterize 479 EFG isoforms whose recurrent frequencies range from 10% to 96.2% and show that most of them result from developmental interactions between recurrent inherited genetic and environmental abnormalities. Novel EFG isoforms generated during late developments reflect somatic genetic abnormalities and environmental stresses. These characteristics of EFG isoforms make it possible for clustering heatmap and counting for EFG isoforms to distinguish GTEx healthy individuals and AML patients. This study reveals that human genomes encode potential EFGs equal to the total number of human genes and pseudogenes. EFGs provide one of the most powerful and economical tools to monitor the earliest signals from somatic genetic and environmental abnormalities.
Stromal resistance to castration-induced prostate regression in a mouse model of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Zhang Renyuan , Singh Shalini , Pan Chunliu , Xu Bo , Kindblom Jon , Yeh Shu-Yuan , Chang Chawnshang , Eng Kevin H. , Krolewski John J. , Nastiuk Kent L.
Published: December 2022

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-neoplastic proliferative disease producing lower urinary tract symptoms related to the enlarged prostate. BPH is pathologically characterized by hyperplastic growth in both epithelial and stromal compartments. Androgen signaling is essential for prostate function and androgen blockade is the second-line medical therapy to relieve symptoms of BPH. Here we examined the prostates of probasin promoter-driven prolactin (Pb-PRL) transgenic mice, a robust model of BPH that spontaneously develops prostate enlargement, to investigate prostate regression in response to surgical castration. Serial ultrasound imaging demonstrated very uniform self-limited growth of Pb-PRL prostate volume that is consistent with the benign, limited cellular proliferation characteristic of BPH and that contrasts with the highly variable, exponential growth of murine prostate cancer models. Castration elicited only a partial reduction in prostate volume, relative to castration-induced regression of the normal prostate gland. The anti-androgen finasteride induced a diminished reduction of Pb-PRL prostate volume versus castration alone. The limited extent of Pb-PRL mouse prostate volume regression correlated with the initial volume of the stromal compartment, suggesting a differential sensitivity to androgen withdrawal of the epithelial and stroma compartments. Indeed, two-dimensional morphometric analyses revealed a distinctly reduced rate of regression for the stromal compartment in Pb-PRL mice. The myofibroblast component of the Pb-PRL prostate stroma appeared normal, but contained more fibroblasts and extracellular collagen deposition. Like normal prostate, the rate of regression of the Pb-PRL prostate was partially dependent on TGFß and TNF signaling, but unlike the normal prostate, the extent of castration-induced regression was not affected by TGFß or TNF blockade. Our studies show that androgen deprivation can effectively reduce the overall volume of hyperplastic prostate, but the stromal compartment is relatively resistant, suggesting additional therapies might be required to offer an effective treatment for the clinical manifestations of BPH.
Antiviral activity of Cytomegalovirus-specific CD4+ T cells against lytically infected non-haemopoietic cells
Authors: Lim EY , Houldcroft CJ , Jackson SE , Okecha G , Wills M
Published: December 2022

HCMV establishes a lifelong latent infection in its host, eliciting a broad immune response involving both the innate and adaptive arms of immunity. In immunocompromised individuals, recovery of the HCMV-specific CD4+ T cell response is associated with a lower risk of HCMV reactivation and disease, suggesting that CD4+ T cells contribute significantly to control of viral replicationin vivo. However, most prior studies of the HCMV-specific CD4+ T cell response have been performed with the aim of either predicting those at risk for HCMV reactivation and end-organ disease, or identifying markers which are associated with higher risk of HCMV viraemia. Few studies have examined the mechanisms of viral control of CD4+ T cells in response to cells lytically infected with HCMV. In this paper, we show that CD4+ T cells from a HCMV-seropositive donor can prevent viral dissemination in autologous fibroblasts, that the secretome from these cells is also antiviral, and that IFN-γ is a key cytokine in the secretome. We also show that MHC Class II antigen presentation by monocytes was critical to driving this HCMV-specific CD4+ T cell response.