bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Scale Numerical Assessments of Urban Wind Resource Using Coupled WRF-BEP and RANS Simulation: A Case Study
Authors: Mi Lihua , Han Yan , Shen Lian , Cai Chunsheng , Wu Teng
Published: October 2022

Urban wind resource assessments (WRAs) contribute to the effective exploitation of wind energy and thus are of significant importance to the sustainable development of cities. To improve the simulation accuracy of urban wind flow with high spatial resolution, this study implemented a multi-scale numerical assessment of the wind power potential in a highly-urbanized region with realistic terrain conditions by integrating the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations into the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with Building Effect Parameterization (WRF-BEP). The sensitivity analyses are first conducted to obtain an appropriate combination of physical parameterization schemes in the WRF-BEP model. Then, the wind tunnel tests are performed to validate the computational accuracy of urban wind flow using the RANS equations. Based on a close examination of the urban wind flow resulting from the coupled WRF-BEP and RANS simulations, the integration of micro-wind turbines into the building skin is not recommended in the highly-urbanized region. Furthermore, five optimum roof installation locations with low turbulence intensities (smaller than 18%) and high wind power densities (approximately 220 W/m2, 260 W/m2, 270 W/m2, 300 W/m2 and 400 W/m2, respectively) are identified. Finally, the important effects of the terrain conditions, planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization schemes and turbulence models on WRAs are discussed. The results of WRAs in this multi-scale numerical case study presented a systemic approach to effectively determine the installation locations of micro-wind turbines that possess the greatest potential to harness wind energy in a realistic highly-urbanized area.
Cloud Occlusion Probability Calculation Jointly Using Himawari-8 and CloudSat Satellite Data
Authors: Chen Xingfeng , Zhao Limin , Ding Haonan , Wang Donghong , Li Jiaguo , Cao Chen , Zheng Fengjie , Li Zhiliang , Liu Jun , Liu Shanwei
Published: October 2022

Cloud occlusion is an important factor affecting flight safety and scientific observation. The calculation of Cloud Occlusion Probability (COP) is significant for the planning of the flight time and route of aircraft. Based on Himawari-8 and CloudSat satellite data, we propose a method to calculate the COP. The COP statistics were carried out on different distances in 12 directions 6 km above Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA), at different heights and directions in the Haiyang aerostat production base, and at different times and seasons in Mount Qomolangma. It was found that the COP going in the southern direction from BCIA was greater than that in the northern direction by 0.67–3.12%, which is consistent with the climate conditions of Beijing. In Haiyang, the COP for several seasons in the direction of land was higher than in the direction of the ocean. The maximum COP for the 6 km altitude is 29.63% (summer) and the minimum COP is 7.59% (winter). The aerostat flight test can be conducted in the morning of winter and the direction of the ocean. The best scientific observation time for Mount Qomolangma is between 02:00 and 05:00 UTC in spring. With the increase in altitude, the COP gradually decreases. The research in this paper provides essential support for flight planning.
Correction: Wong et al. Investigation of a Collisional Radiative Model for Laser-Produced Plasmas. Atoms 2020, 8, 52
Authors: Wong Nicholas L. , O’Reilly Fergal , Sokell Emma
Published: October 2022

Text Correction [...]
Trapezoidal Intuitionistic Fuzzy Power Heronian Aggregation Operator and Its Applications to Multiple-Attribute Group Decision-Making
Authors: Selvaraj Jeevaraj , Gatiyala Prakash , Hashemkhani Zolfani Sarfaraz
Published: October 2022

Decision-making problems involve imprecise and incomplete information that can be modelled well using intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs). Various IFNs are available in the literature for modelling such problems. However, trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TrIFNs) are widely used. It is mainly because of the flexibility in capturing the incompleteness that occurs in the data. Aggregation operators play a vital role in real-life decision-making problems (modelled under an intuitionistic fuzzy environment). Different aggregation operators are available in the literature for better decision-making. Various aggregation operators are introduced in the literature as a generalization to the conventional aggregation functions defined on the set of real numbers. Each aggregation operator has a specific purpose in solving the problems effectively. In recent years, the power average (PA) operator has been used to reduce the effect of biased data provided by decision-makers. Similarly, the Heronian mean (HM) operator has a property that considers the inter-relationship among various criteria available in the decision-making problem. In this paper, we have considered both the operators (HM, PA) to introduce a new aggregation operator (on the set of TrIFNs), which takes advantage of both properties of these operators. In this study, firstly, we propose the idea of a trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy power Heronian aggregation (TrIFPHA) operator and a trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy power weighted Heronian aggregation (TrIFPWHA) operator by combining the idea of the Heronian mean operator and power average operator in real numbers. Secondly, we study different mathematical properties of the proposed aggregation operators by establishing a few essential theorems. Thirdly, we discuss a group decision-making algorithm for solving problems modelled under a trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy environment. Finally, we show the applicability of the group decision-making algorithm by solving a numerical case problem, and we compare the proposed method’s results with existing methods.
Entanglement Dynamics Governed by Time-Dependent Quantum Generators
Authors: Czerwinski Artur
Published: October 2022

In the article, we investigate entanglement dynamics defined by time-dependent linear generators. We consider multilevel quantum systems coupled to an environment that induces decoherence and dissipation, such that the relaxation rates depend on time. By applying the condition of partial commutativity, one can precisely describe the dynamics of selected subsystems. More specifically, we investigate the dynamics of entangled states. The concurrence is used to quantify the amount of two-qubit entanglement in the time domain. The framework appears to be an efficient tool for investigating quantum evolution of entangled states driven by time-local generators. In particular, non-Markovian effects can be included to observe the restoration of entanglement in time.
Developing Porous Ortho- and Pyrophosphate-Containing Glass Microspheres; Structural and Cytocompatibility Characterisation
Authors: Milborne Ben , Murrell Lauren , Cardillo-Zallo Ian , Titman Jeremy , Briggs Louise , Scotchford Colin , Thompson Alexander , Layfield Robert , Ahmed Ifty
Published: October 2022

Phosphate-based glasses (PBGs) are promising materials for bone repair and regeneration as they can be formulated to be compositionally similar to the inorganic components of bone. Alterations to the PBG formulation can be used to tailor their degradation rates and subsequent release of biotherapeutic ions to induce cellular responses, such as osteogenesis. In this work, novel invert-PBGs in the series xP2O5·(56 − x)CaO·24MgO·20Na2O (mol%), where x is 40, 35, 32.5 and 30 were formulated to contain pyro (Q1) and orthophosphate (Q0) species. These PBGs were processed into highly porous microspheres (PMS) via flame spheroidisation, with ~68% to 75% porosity levels. Compositional and structural analysis using EDX and 31P-MAS NMR revealed that significant depolymerisation occurred with reducing phosphate content which increased further when PBGs were processed into PMS. A decrease from 50% to 0% in Q2 species and an increase from 6% to 35% in Q0 species was observed for the PMS when the phosphate content decreased from 40 to 30 mol%. Ion release studies also revealed up to a four-fold decrease in cations and an eight-fold decrease in phosphate anions released with decreasing phosphate content. In vitro bioactivity studies revealed that the orthophosphate-rich PMS had favourable bioactivity responses after 28 days of immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). Indirect and direct cell culture studies confirmed that the PMS were cytocompatible and supported cell growth and proliferation over 7 days of culture. The P30 PMS with ~65% pyro and ~35% ortho phosphate content revealed the most favourable properties and is suggested to be highly suitable for bone repair and regeneration, especially for orthobiologic applications owing to their highly porous morphology.
Molecular Response of Ulva prolifera to Short-Term High Light Stress Revealed by a Multi-Omics Approach
Authors: Gu Kai , Liu Yuling , Jiang Ting , Cai Chuner , Zhao Hui , Liu Xuanhong , He Peimin
Published: October 2022

The main algal species of Ulva prolifera green tide in the coastal areas of China are four species, but after reaching the coast of Qingdao, U. prolifera becomes the dominant species, where the light intensity is one of the most important influencing factors. In order to explore the effects of short-term high light stress on the internal molecular level of cells and its coping mechanism, the transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, and lipid data of U. prolifera were collected. The algae were cultivated in high light environment conditions (400 μmol·m−2·s−1) for 12 h and measured, and the data with greater relative difference (p < 0.05) were selected, then analyzed with the KEGG pathway. The results showed that the high light stress inhibited the assimilation of U. prolifera, destroyed the cell structure, and arrested its growth and development. Cells entered the emergency defense state, the TCA cycle was weakened, and the energy consumption processes such as DNA activation, RNA transcription, protein synthesis and degradation, and lipid alienation were inhibited. A gradual increase in the proportion of the C4 pathway was recorded. This study showed that U. prolifera can reduce the reactive oxygen species produced by high light stress, inhibit respiration, and reduce the generation of NADPH. At the same time, the C3 pathway began to change to the C4 pathway which consumed more energy. Moreover, this research provides the basis for the study of algae coping with high light stress.
Plant Conservation vs. Folk Traditions: The Case of Ophrys scolopax Cav. (Orchidaceae) in Central Western Spain
Authors: González José A. , Bernardos Sonia , Amich Francisco
Published: October 2022

In central western Spain, the bee orchid Ophrys scolopax Cav. is limited to a few localities of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, reaching the municipality of Villarino de los Aires (Salamanca) to the north. Due to its restricted distribution, this plant is hardly known in this territory, with the exception of this village, where it is very popular. Although most of its inhabitants are unaware of various aspects of the biology of this orchid, for example its pollination strategy, the place where the only local population grows is well-known: the Teso de San Cristóbal (“St. Christopher’s Hill”), a place of ancient pagan rituals Christianised through the construction of a hermitage. The villagers also know that its flowering period coincides with the Easter celebration, and they have traditionally looked for and collected it there during Easter Monday. This ritual has evolved over time based on the needs and interests of the community. From a religious celebration aimed at blessing the fields, it became a game among young men to obtain prestige within the community, and from the end of the 20th century to the present, it has become a festival to revitalise cultural identity. In this article, we analyse how the aforementioned traditional practices affected this orchid species in the recent past, and we describe the educational actions (conferences, workshops, courses, etc.) carried out during the last ten years so that, while maintaining the cultural practices of the village, its population should be respected and conserved at the same time.
Electrophilic Aldehyde 4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal Mediated Signaling and Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: Sharma Sudha , Sharma Papori , Bailey Tara , Bhattarai Susmita , Subedi Utsab , Miller Chloe , Ara Hosne , Kidambi Srivatsan , Sun Hong , Panchatcharam Manikandan , Miriyala Sumitra
Published: October 2022

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), a by-product of aerobic life, are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons. The excess of ROS leads to oxidative stress, instigating the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the lipid membrane through a free radical chain reaction and the formation of the most bioactive aldehyde, known as 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). 4-HNE functions as a signaling molecule and toxic product and acts mainly by forming covalent adducts with nucleophilic functional groups in proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. The mitochondria have been implicated as a site for 4-HNE generation and adduction. Several studies clarified how 4-HNE affects the mitochondria’s functions, including bioenergetics, calcium homeostasis, and mitochondrial dynamics. Our research group has shown that 4-HNE activates mitochondria apoptosis-inducing factor (AIFM2) translocation and facilitates apoptosis in mice and human heart tissue during anti-cancer treatment. Recently, we demonstrated that a deficiency of SOD2 in the conditional-specific cardiac knockout mouse increases ROS, and subsequent production of 4-HNE inside mitochondria leads to the adduction of several mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins. Moreover, we highlighted the physiological functions of HNE and discussed their relevance in human pathophysiology and current discoveries concerning 4-HNE effects on mitochondria.
Combination of Immune-Related Network and Molecular Typing Analysis Defines a Three-Gene Signature for Predicting Prognosis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhang Jinguo , Pan Shuaikang , Han Chaoqiang , Jin Hongwei , Sun Qingqing , Du Jun , Han Xinghua
Published: October 2022

Recent breakthroughs in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promise in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Due to the intrinsic heterogeneity among TNBC, clinical response to ICIs varies greatly among individuals. Thus, discovering rational biomarkers to select susceptible patients for ICIs treatment is warranted. A total of 422 TNBC patients derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) dataset were included in this study. High immunogenic gene modules were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Immune-related genes (IRGs) expression patterns were generated by consensus clustering. We developed a three-gene signature named immune-related gene panel (IRGP) by Cox regression method. Afterward, the associations of IRGP with survival outcomes, infiltration of immune cells, drug sensitivity, and the response to ICIs therapy were further explored. We found five high immunogenic gene modules. Two distinct IRGclusters and IRG-related genomic clusters were identified. The IRGP was constructed based on TAPBPL, FBP1, and GPRC5C genes. TNBC patients were then subdivided into high- and low-IRGriskscore subgroups. TNBC patients with low IRGriskscore had a better survival outcome, higher infiltration of immune cells, lower TP53 mutation rate, and more benefit from ICIs treatment than high IRGriskscore patients. These findings offer novel insights into molecular subtype of TNBC and provided potential indicators for guiding ICIs treatment.
Aptamer Trimode Biosensor for Trace Glyphosate Based on FeMOF Catalytic Oxidation of Tetramethylbenzidine
Authors: Zhao Yuxiang , Chen Qianmiao , Zhang Chi , Li Chongning , Jiang Zhiliang , Liang Aihui
Published: October 2022

The stable and highly catalytic Fe metal–organic framework (FeMOF) nanosol was prepared and characterized by electron microscopy, and energy and molecular spectral analysis. It was found that FeMOF strongly catalyzed the oxidation of 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H2O2 to produce TMBox, which had a fluorescence (FL) peak at 410 nm. When silver nanoparticles were added, it exhibited strong resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) activity and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect. This new FeMOF nanocatalytic trimode indicator reaction was combined with the glyphosate aptamer reaction to establish a new SERS/RRS/FL trimode biosensor for glyphosate. The sensor can be used for the analysis of environmental wastewater, and a new method for detecting glyphosate content in wastewater is proposed. The linear range of the sensor is 0.1–14 nmol/L, the detection limit is 0.05 nmol/L, the recovery is 92.1–97.5%, and the relative standard deviation is 3.6–8.7%.
BODIPY-Based Fluorescent Probes for Selective Visualization of Endogenous Hypochlorous Acid in Living Cells via Triazolopyridine Formation
Authors: Hiranmartsuwan Peraya , Wangngae Sirilak , Nootem Jukkrit , Kamkaew Anyanee , Daengngern Rathawat , Wattanathana Worawat , Chansaenpak Kantapat
Published: October 2022

In this work, the two pyridylhydrazone-tethered BODIPY compounds (2 and 3) were synthesized. These compounds aimed to detect hypochlorous acid (HOCl) species via cyclic triazolopyridine formation. The open forms and the resulting cyclic forms of BODIPYs (2, 3, 4, and 5) were fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These two probes can selectively detect HOCl through a fluorescence turn-on mechanism with the limit of detections of 0.21 µM and 0.77 µM for compounds 2 and 3, respectively. This fluorescence enhancement phenomenon could be the effect from C = N isomerization inhibition due to HOCl-triggered triazolopyridine formation. In cell imaging experiments, these compounds showed excellent biocompatibility toward RAW 264.7 murine live macrophage cells and greatly visualized endogenous HOCl in living cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide.
Inter-City Emotional Synchrony Is Conditional on Mobility Patterns
Authors: Vachuska Karl
Published: October 2022

Recent research has attempted to document large-scale emotional contagion on online social networks. Despite emotional contagion being primarily driven by in-person mechanisms, less research has attempted to measure large-scale emotional contagion in in-person contexts. In this paper, I operationalize the temporal emotions associated with a particular city at particular points in time using sentiment analysis on Twitter data. Subsequently, I study how emotions converge between seven proximal cities in the state of Virginia, using two-way fixed effect models. I find that positive emotions tend to be synchronous between cities, but that effect is conditional on the level of contact between city residents at that period of time, as indicated by cell phone mobility data. I do not find any synchrony based on other types of emotions or general sentiment. I discourage drawing causal conclusions based on the presumed existence of several unmeasured sources of bias.
Deep Forest-Based DQN for Cooling Water System Energy Saving Control in HVAC
Authors: Han Zhicong , Fu Qiming , Chen Jianping , Wang Yunzhe , Lu You , Wu Hongjie , Gui Hongguan
Published: October 2022

Currently, reinforcement learning (RL) has shown great potential in energy saving in HVAC systems. However, in most cases, RL takes a relatively long period to explore the environment before obtaining an excellent control policy, which may lead to an increase in cost. To reduce the unnecessary waste caused by RL methods in exploration, we extended the deep forest-based deep Q-network (DF-DQN) from the prediction problem to the control problem, optimizing the running frequency of the cooling water pump and cooling tower in the cooling water system. In DF-DQN, it uses the historical data or expert experience as a priori knowledge to train a deep forest (DF) classifier, and then combines the output of DQN to attain the control frequency, where DF can map the original action space of DQN to a smaller one, so DF-DQN converges faster and has a better energy-saving effect than DQN in the early stage. In order to verify the performance of DF-DQN, we constructed a cooling water system model based on historical data. The experimental results show that DF-DQN can realize energy savings from the first year, while DQN realized savings from the third year. DF-DQN’s energy-saving effect is much better than DQN in the early stage, and it also has a good performance in the latter stage. In 20 years, DF-DQN can improve the energy-saving effect by 11.035% on average every year, DQN can improve by 7.972%, and the model-based control method can improve by 13.755%. Compared with traditional RL methods, DF-DQN can avoid unnecessary waste caused by exploration in the early stage and has a good performance in general, which indicates that DF-DQN is more suitable for engineering practice.
A Deep Learning-Aided Automated Method for Calculating Metabolic Tumor Volume in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Kuker Russ A. , Lehmkuhl David , Kwon Deukwoo , Zhao Weizhao , Lossos Izidore S. , Moskowitz Craig H. , Alderuccio Juan Pablo , Yang Fei
Published: October 2022

Metabolic tumor volume (MTV) is a robust prognostic biomarker in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The available semiautomatic software for calculating MTV requires manual input limiting its routine application in clinical research. Our objective was to develop a fully automated method (AM) for calculating MTV and to validate the method by comparing its results with those from two nuclear medicine (NM) readers. The automated method designed for this study employed a deep convolutional neural network to segment normal physiologic structures from the computed tomography (CT) scans that demonstrate intense avidity on positron emission tomography (PET) scans. The study cohort consisted of 100 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL who were randomly selected from the Alliance/CALGB 50,303 (NCT00118209) trial. We observed high concordance in MTV calculations between the AM and readers with Pearson’s correlation coefficients and interclass correlations comparing reader 1 to AM of 0.9814 (p < 0.0001) and 0.98 (p < 0.001; 95%CI = 0.96 to 0.99), respectively; and comparing reader 2 to AM of 0.9818 (p < 0.0001) and 0.98 (p < 0.0001; 95%CI = 0.96 to 0.99), respectively. The Bland–Altman plots showed only relatively small systematic errors between the proposed method and readers for both MTV and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). This approach may possess the potential to integrate PET-based biomarkers in clinical trials.
Prognosis and Immunological Characteristics of PGK1 in Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Analysis
Authors: Yang Yuechao , Cui Huanhuan , Li Deheng , Gao Yang , Chen Lei , Zhou Changshuai , Feng Mingtao , Tu Wenjing , Li Sen , Chen Xin , Hao Bin , Li Liangdong , Cao Yiqun
Published: October 2022

Background: Aerobic glycolysis plays a key role in tumor metabolic reprogramming to reshape the immune microenvironment. The phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) gene codes a glycolytic enzyme that converts 1,3-diphosphoglycerate to 3-phosphoglycerate. However, in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the role of PGK1 in altering the tumor microenvironment (TME) has not yet been determined. Methods: Raw data, including bulk DNA and mRNA-seq data, methylation modification data, single-cell RNA-seq data, proteomics data, clinical case characteristics survival, immunotherapy data, and so on, were obtained from multiple independent public data sets. These data were reanalyzed to uncover the prognosis and immunological characteristics of PGK1 in LUAD. Results: We found that PGK1 mRNA and protein were considerably over-expressed in LUAD compared to normal tissue and that high PGK1 expression is associated with poorer prognostic outcomes in LUAD. The enrichment analysis of PGK1 co-expressed genes in lung adenocarcinoma revealed that PGK1 may be involved in hypoxia, metabolism, DNA synthesis, cell cycle, PI3K/AKT, and various immune and inflammatory signaling pathways. Furthermore, PGK1 is also linked to the recruitment of numerous immune cells, including aDC (dendritic cells), macrophages, and neutrophils. More importantly, PGK1 was highly expressed in immunosuppressive cells, including M2 macrophages, Tregs, and exhausted T cells, among others. Finally, higher PGK1 expression indicated significant correlations to immune checkpoints, TMB (tumor mutation burden), and high response to immunotherapy. Conclusions: The presented findings imply that PGK1, as a glycolysis core gene, may be important for the modification of the immune microenvironment by interacting with the tumor metabolism. The results of this study provide clues for a potential immunometabolic combination therapy strategy in LUAD, for which more experimental and clinical translational research is needed.
The Clinical Characteristics and Treatments for Large Cell Carcinoma Patients Older than 65 Years Old: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Yao Anjie , Liang Long , Rao Hanyu , Shen Yilun , Wang Changhui , Xie Shuanshuan
Published: October 2022

Background: Pulmonary large cell carcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is a rare neoplasm with poor prognosis. In this study, our aim was to investigate the impact of radiation sequences with surgery for stage III/IV LCC patients between different age groups, especially in the elderly patients. Patients and Methods: The patients with LCC and other types of NSCLC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Then we divided the LCC patients into two age groups: <65 years old group and ≥65 years old group. Propensity score method (PSM) was used to control potential differences between different groups. The overall survival (OS) of LCC patients and other types of NSCLC patients were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were employed to explore the independent risk factors of OS. The forest plots of HRs for OS were generated to show the above outcomes more visually. Results: In total, 11,349 LCC patients and 129,118 other types of NSCLC patients were enrolled in this study. We divided LCC patients into <65 years old group (4300) and ≥65 years old group (7049). LCC patients was more common in whites (81.4%), males (58.3%), elderly (≥65 years old: 62.1%), east regions (52.7%), upper lobe (51.6%), right-origin of primary (55.4%), with advanced grade (54.2%) or stage (76.7%). After PSM, Kaplan–Meier analysis and multivariate Cox analysis showed significantly worse survival prognosis for LCC patients compared to other types of NSCLC, especially in the group ≥65 years old (HR: 1.230; 95% CI: 1.171–1.291; p < 0.001). For LCC patients, there were some risk survival factors including whites, males, not upper lobe, advanced stage, elder age at diagnosis, bone metastasis, liver metastasis, singled status, no lymphadenectomy, no surgery, and no chemotherapy (p < 0.05). In LCC patients ≥65 years old, radiation after surgery had significantly better impact on overall survival outcomes (HR: 0.863, 95% CI: 0.765–0.973, p = 0.016), whereas radiation prior to surgery (HR: 1.425, 95% CI: 1.059–1.916, p = 0.019) had significantly worse impact on prognosis of patients. In LCC patients <65 years old, radiation sequences with surgery had no significant impact on the OS of patients (p = 0.580), but ≥4 LNRs had significantly survival benefits to prognosis (HR:0.707, 95% CI: 0.584–0.855). Elderly LCC patients had worse malignant tumors than young patients, of which the majority were diagnosed as stage III/IV tumors. Conclusions: Postoperative radiotherapy may achieve a better prognosis for stage III/IV LCC patients older than 65 years old compared to other radiation sequences with surgery.
Trabectedin for Patients with Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Non-Interventional, Prospective, Multicenter, Phase IV Trial
Authors: Grünwald Viktor , Pink Daniel , Egerer Gerlinde , Schalk Enrico , Augustin Marinela , Deinzer Christoph K. W. , Kob Viola , Reichert Dietmar , Kebenko Maxim , Brandl Stephan , Hahn Dennis , Lindner Lars H. , Hoiczyk Mathias , Ringsdorf Uta , Hanker Lars C. , Hempel Dirk , De Rivas Beatriz , Wismann Tobias , Ivanyi Philipp
Published: October 2022

This non-interventional, prospective phase IV trial evaluated trabectedin in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in real-life clinical practice across Germany. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) rates at 3 and 6 months, as defined by investigators. Overall, 128 patients from 19 German sites were evaluated for efficacy and 130 for safety. Median age was 58.5 years (range: 23–84) and leiomyosarcoma was the most frequent histotype (n = 45; 35.2%). Trabectedin was mostly used as second/third-line treatment (n = 91; 71.1%). Median PFS was 5.2 months (95% CI: 3.3–6.7), with 60.7% and 44.5% of patients free from progression at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Median overall survival was 15.2 months (95% CI: 9.6–21.4). One patient achieved a complete and 14 patients a partial response, conferring an objective response rate of 11.7%. Decreases in white blood cells (27.0% of patients), platelets (16.2%) and neutrophils (13.1%) and increased alanine aminotransferase (10.8%) were the most common trabectedin-related grade 3/4 adverse drug reactions. Two deaths due to pneumonia and sepsis were considered trabectedin-related. Trabectedin confers clinically meaningful activity in patients with multiple STS histotypes, comparable to that previously observed in clinical trials and other non-interventional studies, and with a manageable safety profile.
LncRNA LINC01537 Promotes Gastric Cancer Metastasis and Tumorigenesis by Stabilizing RIPK4 to Activate NF-κB Signaling
Authors: Zhong Guang-Yu , Tan Jia-Nan , Huang Jing , Zhou Sheng-Ning , Yu Jin-Hao , Zhong Lin , Hou Dong , Zhi Shi-Lin , Zeng Jin-Tao , Li Hong-Ming , Zheng Chu-Lian , Yang Bin , Han Fang-Hai
Published: October 2022

Many studies reported that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in gastric cancer (GC) metastasis and tumorigenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs in GC remain unexplored to a great extent. LINC01537 expression level was detected using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Its biological roles in GC were then investigated using functional experiments. In order to investigate the underlying mechanism of LINC01537 in GC, RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, and ubiquitination assays were performed. LINC01537 was significantly overexpressed in GC tissues and associated with a poor prognosis. Functional experimental results revealed that LINC01537 promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells. The animal experiments revealed that LINC01537 promoted tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC01537 stabilizes RIPK4 by reducing the binding of RIPK4 to TRIM25 and reducing its ubiquitination degradation, thereby promoting the expression of the NF-κB signaling pathway. According to our findings, the LINC01537-RIPK4-NF-κB axis promoted GC metastasis and tumorigenesis.
Extracellular Vesicles Isolated from Plasma of Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Daratumumab Express CD38, PD-L1, and the Complement Inhibitory Proteins CD55 and CD59
Authors: Brennan Kieran , Iversen Katrine F. , Blanco-Fernández Alfonso , Lund Thomas , Plesner Torben , Mc Gee Margaret M.
Published: October 2022

Daratumumab (DARA) has improved the outcome of treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). DARA acts via complement-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Resistance to DARA may result from upregulation of the complement inhibitory proteins CD55 and CD59, downregulation of the DARA target CD38 on myeloma cells or altered expression of the checkpoint inhibitor ligand programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) or other mechanisms. In this study, EVs were isolated from peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) from multiple myeloma (MM) patients treated with DARA and PB of healthy controls. EV size and number and the expression of CD38, CD55, CD59 and PD-L1 as well as the EV markers CD9, CD63, CD81, CD147 were determined by flow cytometry. Results reveal that all patient EV samples express CD38, PD-L1, CD55 and CD59. The level of CD55 and CD59 are elevated on MM PB EVs compared with healthy controls, and the level of PD-L1 on MM PB EVs is higher in patients responding to treatment with DARA. CD147, a marker of various aspects of malignant behaviour of cancer cells and a potential target for therapy, was significantly elevated on MM EVs compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, mass spectrometry data suggests that MM PB EVs bind DARA. This study reveals a MM PB and BM EV protein signature that may have diagnostic and prognostic value.
Ancient Herbal Formula Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Decoction Protects Acute and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure via Inhibiting von Willebrand Factor Signaling
Authors: Lin Jiacheng , Ling Qihua , Yan Liang , Chen Bowu , Wang Fang , Qian Yihan , Gao Yueqiu , Wang Qian , Wu Hailong , Sun Xuehua , Shi Yanjun , Kong Xiaoni
Published: October 2022

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) are characterized by systemic inflammation and high mortality, but there is no effective clinical treatment. As a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, MaHuang-LianQiao-ChiXiaoDou decoction (MHLQD) has been used clinically for centuries to treat liver diseases. Methods: The LPS/D−GalN-induced ALF mice model and the CCl4+LPS/D−GalN-induced ACLF mice model were used to observe the therapeutic effects of MHLQD on mice mortality, hepatocytes death, liver injury, and immune responses. Results: MHLQD treatment significantly improved mice mortality. Liver injury and systemic and hepatic immune responses were also ameliorated after MHLQD treatment. Mechanistically, proteomic changes in MHLQD-treated liver tissues were analyzed and the result showed that the thrombogenic von Willebrand factor (VWF) was significantly inhibited in MHLQD-treated ALF and ACLF models. Histological staining and western blotting confirmed that VWF/RAP1B/ITGB3 signaling was suppressed in MHLQD-treated ALF and ACLF models. Furthermore, mice treated with the VWF inhibitor ADAMTS13 showed a reduced therapeutic effect from MHLQD treatment. Conclusions: Our study indicated that MHLQD is an effective herbal formula for the treatment of ALF and ACLF, which might be attributed to the protection of hepatocytes from death via VWF/RAP1B/ITGB3 signaling.
Ferroptosis-Related Gene GCLC Is a Novel Prognostic Molecular and Correlates with Immune Infiltrates in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Luo Lianxiang , Zhang Zhentao , Weng Yanmin , Zeng Jiayan
Published: October 2022

Ferroptosis, a newly discovered iron-dependent type of cell death, has been found to play a crucial role in the depression of tumorigenesis. However, the prognostic value of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains to be further elucidated. Differential expression analysis and univariate Cox regression analysis were utilized in this study to search for FRGs that were associated with the prognosis of LUAD patients. The influences of candidate markers on LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and ferroptosis were evaluated by CCK8, colony formation, and functional experimental assays in association with ferroptosis. To predict the prognosis of LUAD patients, we constructed a predictive signature comprised of six FRGs. We discovered a critical gene (GCLC) after intersecting the prognostic analysis results of all aspects, and its high expression was associated with a bad prognosis in LUAD. Correlation research revealed that GCLC was related to a variety of clinical information from LUAD patients. At the same time, in the experimental verification, we found that GCLC expression was upregulated in LUAD cell lines, and silencing GCLC accelerated ferroptosis and decreased LUAD cell proliferation and invasion. Taken together, this study established a novel ferroptosis-related gene signature and discovered a crucial gene, GCLC, that might be a new prognostic biomarker of LUAD patients, as well as provide a potential therapeutic target for LUAD patients.
Gold Nanostar-Based Sensitive Catechol Plasmonic Colorimetric Sensing Platform with Ultra-Wide Detection Range
Authors: Wang Huafeng , Fang Ting , Liu Hua , Wei Tianxiang , Dai Zhihui
Published: October 2022

High sensitivity and a wide detection range are always the pursuit of sensor design. In this work, gold nanostars (Au NSs) featuring the shape of sea urchins with an absorption peak at the near infrared region (822 nm) were prepared. We proposed a Au NSs-based plasmonic colorimetric sensing platform for ultrasensitive catechol (CC) detection with a wide detection range from 3.33 nM to 107 μM and a limit of detection (LOD) at 1 nM. The target analyte, CC, was used to reduce silver ions (Ag+) to form silver (Ag) coating on the surface of Au NSs, which caused a blue-shift in the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Au NSs. With the gradual increase in CC concentration, the Ag coating on the surface was gradually nucleated, and the LSPR blue-shift carried on. This strategy yields a wide LSPR shift by as much as 276 nm for plasmonic effects, enabling an ultra-wide range and the ultrasensitive detection of CC. This work will facilitate the research of target-mediated LSPR sensors and their wide application in environmental monitoring, food safety, and disease diagnosis.
Ag Nanoparticles Synthesized on Black-Titanium Dioxide by Photocatalytic Method as Reusable Substrates of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Cong Tianze , Zhang Yifeng , Huang Hui , Li Chengwei , Fan Zeng , Pan Lujun
Published: October 2022

The construction of excellent surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates needs rationally designed architectures of noble metals or semiconductors. In this study, Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are densely and uniformly synthesized on the surfaces of black-titanium dioxide (b-TiO2) NPs through a facile two-step photocatalysis method. The b-TiO2 improved the utilization efficiency of natural sunlight by the extension of light absorption from the ultraviolet (UV) to the visible (Vis) region. First, Ag seeds were densely grown in a short time on the surfaces of b-TiO2 NPs under the irradiation of UV light. Then, Ag NPs were grown slowly and uniformly from the Ag seeds under the irradiation of Vis light. The as-prepared Ag/b-TiO2 with high sensitivity achieved a limit of detection as low as 10−12 M for rhodamine 6G. Meanwhile, the substrate showed reusability due to the high photocatalytic ability of b-TiO2. The Ag/b-TiO2 SERS substrate achieves SERS detections of organic pollutants, such as hydroquinone, p-phenylenediamine, and terephthalic acid, indicating that this substrate possesses potential applications in food safety and environmental monitoring.
Ambulatory Sedation for Dental Procedures—Case of Cuenca, Ecuador
Authors: Velez-León Eleonor María , Vargas Karen Lozada , Cuenca-León Katherine , Acurio-Vargas Cristina , Zumba Adriana , Pacheco-Quito Edisson-Mauricio
Published: October 2022

In recent years, the dental treatment of children under sedation and/or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis has been developed as a behavioral management model in pediatric dentistry. The objective of this study was to establish the percentage of pediatric patients who required deep sedation on an outpatient basis in dental offices in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. An observational study was conducted with a sample of 450 records of school- and preschool-age patients, where the variables were type and time of treatment, age, and sex. Statistical data were analyzed using the statistical program SPSS V.27 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The highest percentage of children who received sedation were of preschool age. In general, there were three types of procedures per session, the most frequent being restorations (67%), followed by pulp treatment (49.8%) and, less frequently, minor surgery. The need for sedation for dental procedures is high in preschool patients, and ambulatory sedation has contributed to meeting this need. However, a regulation for its use is required at a national level.
Morphology and Growth Mechanism of β-Rhombohedral Boron and Pentagonal Twins in Cu Alloy
Authors: Han Junqing , Yuan Wentao , Wen Yihan , Wei Zuoshan , Gao Tong , Wu Yuying , Liu Xiangfa
Published: October 2022

In this work, boron particles with β-rhombohedral structure were prepared in Cu-4B alloy. The morphology and growth mechanism of β-B and pentagonal twins were analyzed. Results show that boron crystals possessed an approximate octahedral structure which consisted of two planes belonging to {001} facet and a rhombohedron formed by {101} planes. The morphology of the boron crystal was determined by the position and size of {001} planes. During growth, parts of boron crystal formed twins to reduce surface energy. Five particular single crystals can shape a pentagonal twin. The morphological distinction between pentagonal twins mainly came from the difference in morphology of single crystal. When the {001} exposed planes were large and showed a hexagonal shape, the boron crystal often formed parallel groupings and polysynthetic twins to reduce surface energy.
Sintilimab-Induced Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Patient with Radiation and Multichemorefractory Penile Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Lv Chuan , Wu Can , Zhang Yan , Li Wendong , Wang Xuesong , Liang Li
Published: October 2022

Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare disease. The treatment options for advanced penile cancer are often limited, and the prognosis remains poor. We reported a 52-year-old male recurrent and metastatic PSCC patient with high PD-L1 expression (90%) and TMB (14.4 muts/Mb). He had undergone penectomy, bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection, and excision of the abdominal wall mass. Despite cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy and sequential chemotherapy with docetaxel plus cisplatin then being carried out, the carcinoma still progressed. The patient then obtained progression-free survival with continuous sintilimab, although he experienced the new onset of ICI-induced diabetes after 24 cycles of sintilimab and required sustained insulin treatment. He had negative type 1 diabetes-associated autoantibodies and the susceptible HLA genotype DR3-DQ2 haplotype. This is the first patient with radiation and multichemorefractory PSCC who has obtained the remarkable anti-tumor effect of partial regression exceeding 32 months during continuous sintilimab and anlotinib treatment.
A Survey of Older Adults’ Self-Managing Cancer
Authors: Haase Kristen R. , Sattar Schroder , Dhillon Sandeep , Kilgour Heather M. , Pesut Jennifer , Howell Doris , Oliffe John L.
Published: October 2022

Background: Older adults living with cancer can experience significant challenges in managing their cancer treatment[s], care, and health. Cancer self-management is much discussed in the research literature, but less is known about the perceptions and experiences of older adults’, including their self-management capacities and challenges. This study explored the factors that supported and hindered cancer self-management for older Canadian adults living with cancer. Methods: We conducted a 17-item population-based telephone survey in the Canadian province of British Columbia among older adults (age ≥ 65) living with cancer. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data and thematic analysis for open-text responses. Results: 129 older adults participated in the study (median age 76, range: 65–93), of which 51% were living with at least one other chronic illness. 20% reported challenges managing their cancer treatment and appointments, while only ~4% reported financial barriers to managing cancer. We organized the findings around enabling and encumbering factors to older adults cancer self-management. The main encumbering factors to self-management included health system and personal factors (physical and emotional challenges + travel). Whereas enablers included: access to interpersonal support, helpful care team, interpersonal support and individual mindset. Conclusions: Considering factors which enable or encumber older adults’ cancer self-management is critical to supporting the growing aging population in the work required to manage cancer treatment and navigate cancer services. Our findings may guide the development of tailored resources for bolstering effectual self-management for older Canadians living with cancer.
Genome-Wide SNP Analysis Reveals the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of the Domestic Reindeer Population (Rangifer tarandus) Inhabiting the Indigenous Tofalar Lands of Southern Siberia
Authors: Kharzinova Veronika Ruslanovna , Dotsev Arsen Vladimirovich , Solovieva Anastasiya Dmitrievna , Shimit Larisa Delger-Oolovna , Kochkarev Anton Pavlovich , Reyer Henry , Zinovieva Natalia Anatolievna
Published: October 2022

Operating under the assumption that decline in population size increases the threat of loss of genetic diversity, herein, our first aim was to monitor and document the genetic diversity and population structure of the endemic Tuva–Tofalar reindeer, the number of which has seen a dramatic decrease. Second, we were interested in understanding of Tuva reindeer genetic relationship with four officially recognized reindeer breeds, whose wild populations inhabit the Far North of Russia, as well as with the domestic reindeer making up the Mongolian population. Our results, based on the genome-wide SNP genotypes generated by the BovineHD BeadChip, revealed a low level of genetic variability of Tuva population in terms of the values of both allelic and genetic diversity. The ADMIXTURE analysis, the PCA plot, and the Neighbor Net network results, showed that Tuva population shared genetic background with reindeer inhabiting Mongolia, an implication of their common origin. Moreover, all statistic approaches used in our study showed a distinctive shared genetic structure revealed in independent clusters found in the composition of: an admixed cluster of Tuvan and Mongolian populations, a cluster of domestic reindeer breeds, and a cluster of the wild populations—all of which indirectly points to the possibility of the independent origins (with regard to the domestication) of the reindeer groups studied herein. We believe that our findings will contribute to the formation of a rational basis for solving problems related to the conservation of domestic Tuva-Tofalar reindeer in order to increase the number of this substantial reindeer population which will contribute to the sustainable functioning of ecosystems and the lives and culture of indigenous peoples inhabiting the southern sections of Eastern Siberia.