bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequential treatment of afatinib and osimertinib or other regimens in patients with advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer harboring EGFR mutations: Results from a real‐world study in South Korea
Authors: Kim Taeyun , Jang Tae Won , Choi Chang Min , Kim Mi‐Hyun , Lee Sung Yong , Park Cheol‐Kyu , Chang Yoon Soo , Lee Kye Young , Kim Seung Joon , Yang Sei Hoon , Ryu Jeong Seon , Lee Jeong Eun , Lee Shin Yup , Park Chan Kwon , Lee Sang Hoon , Jang Seung Hun , Yoon Seong Hoon
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The optimal sequence for the administration of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for treating non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sequential afatinib and osimertinib treatment in patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations.

Materials and methods

Electronic records of patients with EGFR‐mutated NSCLC, who were administered afatinib and osimertinib (group A) or other chemotherapy (group B) between October 2014 and 2019, across 16 hospitals in South Korea were reviewed. The primary outcome, time on treatment (TOT), secondary outcome, and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and log‐rank test. Multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Of the 737 patients who received frontline afatinib treatment, 324 with complete records were selected (group A: 126, group B: 198). All patients in group A were T790M positive after afatinib, while patients in group B were all negative or unknown. The median TOT was 35.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.7−45.6) in group A and 20.8 months (95% CI: 19.4−24.0) in group B. The median TOT with afatinib was 13.0 months (95% CI: 12.0−13.9) overall and 15.7 months (95% CI: 13.9−17.3) in group A. The 2‐ and 3‐year survival rates were 86.0 and 69.3% in group A and 75.9 and 55.3% in group B, respectively.

Conclusion

Sequential afatinib and osimertinib treatment resulted in better survival rates than treatment with afatinib followed by other chemotherapies.
Trigonal Prismatic Coordination of Discrete Rare Earth Ions, Enforced by the Polyoxotungstate [P4W27O99(H2O)]16–
Authors: Iftikhar Tuba , Izarova Natalya V. , van Leusen Jan , Kögerler Paul
Published: July 2021

A family of solution‐stable polyanions [Na⊂{LnIII(H2O)}{WVIO(H2O)}PV4WVI26O98]12− (Ln=Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y) represent the first examples of polyoxometalates comprising a single lanthanide(III) or yttrium(III) ion in a rare trigonal prismatic O6 environment. Their synthesis exploits the reactivity of the organophosphonate‐functionalized precursor [P4W24O92(C6H5PVO)2]16− with heterometal ions and yields hydrated potassium or mixed lithium/potassium salts of composition KxLnyH12–x–y[Na⊂{Ln(H2O)}{WO(H2O)}P4W26O98]⋅nH2O⋅mLiCl (x=8.5–11; y=0–2; n=24–34; m=0–1.5). The Dy, Ho, Er and Yb derivatives are characterized by slow magnetization relaxation.
The Coordinate Reaction Model: An Obstacle to Interpreting the Emergence of Chemical Complexity
Authors: Ribó Josep M. , Hochberg David
Published: July 2021

The way chemical transformations are described by models based on microscopic reversibility does not take into account the irreversibility of natural processes, and therefore, in complex chemical networks working in open systems, misunderstandings may arise about the origin and causes of the stability of non‐equilibrium stationary states, and general constraints on evolution in systems that are far from equilibrium. In order to be correctly simulated and understood, the chemical behavior of complex systems requires time‐dependent models, otherwise the irreversibility of natural phenomena is overlooked. Micro reversible models based on the reaction‐coordinate model are time invariant and are therefore unable to explain the evolution of open dissipative systems. The important points necessary for improving the modeling and simulations of complex chemical systems are: a) understanding the physical potential related to the entropy production rate, which is in general an inexact differential of a state function, and b) the interpretation and application of the so‐called general evolution criterion (GEC), which is the general thermodynamic constraint for the evolution of dissipative chemical systems.
Catalyst Deactivation During Rhodium Complex‐Catalyzed Propargylic C−H Activation
Authors: Möller Saskia , Jannsen Nora , Rüger Julia , Drexler Hans‐Joachim , Horstmann Moritz , Bauer Felix , Breit Bernhard , Heller Detlef
Published: July 2021

Detailed mechanistic investigations on our previously reported synthesis of branched allylic esters by the rhodium complex‐catalyzed propargylic C−H activation have been carried out. Based on initial mechanistic studies, we present herein more detailed investigations of the reaction mechanism. For this, various analytical (NMR, X‐ray crystal structure analysis, Raman) and kinetic methods were used to characterize the formation of intermediates under the reaction conditions. The knowledge obtained by this was used to further optimize the previous conditions and generate a more active catalytic system.
Imidazolium‐Functionalized Chemically Robust Ionic Porous Organic Polymers (iPOPs) toward Toxic Oxo‐Pollutants Capture from Water
Authors: Sen Arunabha , Dutta Subhajit , Dam Gourab K. , Samanta Partha , Let Sumanta , Sharma Shivani , Shirolkar Mandar M. , Ghosh Sujit K.
Published: July 2021

Fabricating new and efficient materials aimed at containment of water contamination, in particular removing toxic heavy metal based oxo‐anions (e. g. CrO42−, TcO4−) holds paramount importance. In this work, we report two new highly stable imidazolium based ionic porous organic polymers (iPOPs) decorated with multiple interaction sites along with electrostatics driven adsorptive removal of such oxo‐anions from water. Both the iPOPs (namely, iPOP‐3 and iPOP‐4) exhibited rapid sieving kinetics and very high saturation uptake capacity for CrO42− anions (170 and 141 mg g−1 for iPOP‐3 and iPOP‐4 respectively) and ReO4− (515.5 and 350.3 mg g−1 for iPOP‐3 and iPOP‐4 respectively), where ReO4− anions being the non‐radioactive surrogative counterpart of radioactive TcO4− ions. Noticeably, both iPOPs showed exceptional selectivity towards CrO42− and ReO4− even in presence of several other concurrent anions such as Br−, Cl−, SO42−, NO3− etc. The theoretical binding energy calculations via DFT method further confirmed the preferential interaction sites as well as binding energies of both iPOPs towards CrO42− and ReO4− over all other competing anions which corroborates with the experimental high capacity and selectivity of iPOPs toward such oxo‐anions.
Pd‐Catalyzed 2,3‐Allenylation of Oxindoles with 2,3‐Allenylic Carbonates
Authors: Lin Jie , Jia Minqiang , Ma Shengming
Published: July 2021

Main observation and conclusion

Allenes and oxindoles are two classes of very important compounds for medicinal chemistry and organic chemistry. Thus, it is of high interest to combine an allene and an oxindole into one molecule. Herein, the first example of palladium‐catalyzed exclusive 2,3‐allenylation reaction of oxindoles with 2,3‐allenylic carbonates has been successfully developed. A rationale for the selectivity of 2,3‐allenylation over the expected 1,3‐alkadienylation has been proposed.
Synthetic estimation for the complier average causal effect
Authors: Agniel Denis , Cefalu Matthew , Han Bing
Published: July 2021

We propose an improved estimator of the complier average causal effect (CACE). Researchers typically choose a presumably consistent estimator for CACE in studies with noncompliance when many other lower variance estimators may be available. We propose a synthetic estimator that combines information across all available estimators, leveraging the efficiency in lower variance estimators while maintaining low bias. Our approach minimizes an estimate of the mean squared error of all convex combinations of the candidate estimators. We derive the asymptotic distribution of the synthetic estimator and demonstrate its good performance in simulation, displaying robustness to inclusion of even high‐bias estimators.
Piezoelectric Crystals as an Example for Structure‐Property‐Relation
Authors: Broß Cara , Plöger Tobias , Enzingmüller Carolin , Parchmann Ilka
Published: July 2021

Die in diesem Artikel vorgestellte Unterrichtseinheit thematisiert das Basiskonzept der Struktur‐Eigenschafts‐Beziehungen anhand des Phänomens der Piezoelektrizität. Die Unterrichtseinheit ist für den Chemieunterricht in der Sekundarstufe I ausgelegt und bildet eine gewinnbringende Ergänzung zu der Betrachtung von Struktur‐Eigenschafts‐Beziehungen bei Salzen. Das interessante und zukunftsrelevante Phänomen der Piezoelektrizität wird auf unterschiedlichen Abstraktionsebenen untersucht, auf denen Zusammenhänge zwischen Struktur und Eigenschaften herausgestellt werden. Durch diese Vorgehensweise kann das Basiskonzept als strukturierendes Element des Fachwissens gefestigt werden. Zudem wird durch die sukzessive Konkretisierung der fachlichen Erklärung des Phänomens das komplexe Thema zugänglich und verständlich. Neben diesem theoretischen Zugang zum Phänomen züchten die Schüler:innen eigene piezoelektrische Kristalle, anhand derer sie anschließend den piezoelektrischen Effekt in einem selbstkonstruierten Versuchsaufbau messen können.
Polynomial analogy‐based software development effort estimation using combined particle swarm optimization and simulated annealing
Authors: Shahpar Zahra , Bardsiri Vahid Khatibi , Bardsiri Amid Khatibi
Published: July 2021

Software development effort estimation is an effective factor in the success or failure of software projects. There are several methods to estimate the effort of software projects, the most common of which is analogy‐based estimation (ABE). In this article, a polynomial version of ABE (named PABE) is presented, in which, the project effort is calculated based on a polynomial ensemble of different ABE models. To optimize the controllable parameters of the PABE model, a combined global–local search metaheuristic algorithm based on particle swarm optimization and simulated annealing is utilized in two steps. At the first step, for each similarity and adaptation function, the optimized ABE model is determined by exploiting the optimal value of feature weights, the number of similar projects, and other parameters of the ABE model. Then, at the second step, the amount of effort attained by the optimized models is used for estimating the final effort by the proposed polynomial equation. The proposed PABE method has been successfully executed on five well‐known software effort estimation datasets: Maxwell, Albrecht, Cocomo81, Desharnais, and Kemerer. Obtained results show the superiority of the proposed PABE model in terms of accuracy and efficiency compared to other techniques.
An efficient field programmable gate array based hardware architecture for efficient motion estimation with parallel implemented genetic algorithm
Authors: Teja Nandireddygari Ramya , Arunmetha S. , Bachu Srinivas
Published: July 2021

The main idea of this article is to propose a hardware design of block matching (BM) algorithm for an efficient motion estimation (ME) strategy in a field programmable gate array platform based on a parallel implemented genetic algorithm (GA). Easiness and the effectiveness of the BM algorithm while implementing have a major drawback of low quality and computationally cost expensive during the process of ME. Therefore, here in this article, we suggest GA based BM for a quick and cost‐effective computation of motion vectors, without negotiating the quality factor. The ME carried out for various video sequences is implemented by using Xilinx ISE Design Suite 14.1. Delay, time, area, power, PSNR, MSE, SNR, SSIM, and NRMSE are the metrics used for analyzing the performance, and the simulation outcome shows that this parallel implemented BM architecture design shows an exotic improvement in time, quality and in utilization of power on estimating the motion than that of the conventional designs.
Family environmental factors in at‐risk mental states for psychosis
Authors: Hinojosa‐Marqués Lídia , Domínguez‐Martínez Tecelli , Barrantes‐Vidal Neus
Published: July 2021

The family environment represents an important psychosocial factor that impacts psychosis prognosis, but little is known about its effect on the at‐risk stages of psychosis. This study presents a comprehensive review and summarizes the state of the art of study on the wide range of family factors related to family functioning in the At‐Risk Mental State (ARMS) for psychosis, as well as family interventions in ARMS individuals. Publications were retrieved by an extensive search on MEDLINE, PsycINFO and SCOPUS (1990–2020). Expressed Emotion is the most studied variable in ARMS literature, but there is scarce evidence of the role of other significant family factors at the ARMS stage. Overall, high Expressed Emotion did not appear to be reactive to ARMS patients' poor clinical status. However, initial evidence has suggested that relatives' beliefs about the disorder may play a significant role, either as mediators of these relationships or as predictors of Expressed Emotion. Available literature yet to yield a consistent pattern of findings on the association between Expressed Emotion or other family functioning indicators and negative outcomes, but some longitudinal studies highlight the greater potential for the protective effects of positive family environments at the ARMS stage. Family‐based interventions have demonstrated benefits for both ARMS individuals and family dynamics. An increased focus on the impact of the at‐risk stage of illness on relatives' mental well‐being is required to provide family support based on their needs and to clarify the mechanisms leading to dysfunctional family dynamics during the critical ARMS period.
Native forest cover safeguards stream water quality under a changing climate
Authors: Piffer Pedro Ribeiro , Tambosi Leandro Reverberi , Ferraz Silvio Frosini de Barros , Metzger Jean Paul , Uriarte María
Published: July 2021

Ensuring a sufficient and adequate supply of water for humans and ecosystems is a pressing environmental challenge. The expansion of agricultural and urban lands has jeopardized watershed ecosystem services and a changing climate poses additional risks for regional water supply. We used stream water quality data collected between 2000 and 2014, coupled with detailed precipitation and land cover information, to investigate the effects of landscape composition and short‐term precipitation variability on the quality of water resources in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The state is home to over 45 million people and has a long history of human landscape modification. A severe drought in 2014–2015 led to a major water crisis and highlighted the fragility of the regional water supply system. We found that human‐dominated watersheds had lower overall water quality when compared to forested watersheds, with urban cover showing the most detrimental impacts on water quality. Forest cover was associated with a better overall water quality across the studied watersheds, with forested watersheds having low turbidity and high dissolved oxygen. High precipitation led to increased turbidity and fecal coliforms levels and lower dissolved oxygen in streams but these effects depended on watershed land cover. High precipitation diluted concentrations of nitrogen and dissolved solids in highly urbanized watersheds but exacerbated turbidity in pasture‐dominated watersheds. Given the high costs of water treatment in densely populated regions, there is a pressing need to plan and manage landscapes in order to ensure adequate water resources. In tropical regions, maintaining or restoring native vegetation cover is a promising intervention to sustain adequate water quality.
Fungal–fungal and fungal–bacterial interactions in aquatic decomposer communities: bacteria promote fungal diversity
Authors: Baudy Patrick , Zubrod Jochen P. , Konschak Marco , Kolbenschlag Sara , Pollitt Annika , Baschien Christiane , Schulz Ralf , Bundschuh Mirco
Published: July 2021

Fungi produce a variety of extracellular enzymes, making recalcitrant substrates bioavailable. Thus, fungi are central for the decomposition of dead organic matter such as leaf litter. Despite their ecological importance, our understanding of relationships between fungal species diversity and ecosystem functioning is limited, especially with regard to aquatic habitats. Moreover, fungal interactions with other groups of microorganisms such as bacteria are rarely investigated. This lack of information may be attributed to methodological limitations in tracking the biomass of individual fungal species in communities, impeding a detailed assessment of deviations from the overall performance expected from the sum of individual species’ performances, so‐called net diversity effects (NDEs). We used fungal species‐specific biomolecular tools to target fungal–fungal and fungal–bacterial interactions on submerged leaves using four cosmopolitan aquatic fungal species and a stream microbial community dominated by bacteria. In microcosms, we experimentally manipulated fungal diversity and bacterial absence/presence and assessed functional performances and fungal community composition after 14 d of incubation. Fungal community data were used to evaluate NDEs on leaf colonization. The individual fungal species were functionally distinct and fungal cultures were on average more efficient than the bacterial culture. In absence of bacteria, NDEs correlated with growth rate (negatively) and genetic divergence (positively), but were predominantly negative, suggesting that higher fungal diversity led to a lower colonization success (niche overlap). In both absence and presence of bacteria, the overall functional performances of the communities were largely defined by their composition (i.e., no interactions at the functional level). In the presence of bacteria, NDEs correlated with genetic divergence (positively) and were largely positive, suggesting higher fungal diversity stimulated colonization (niche complementarity). This stimulation may be driven by a bacteria‐induced inhibition of fungal growth, alleviating competition among fungi. Resulting feedback loops eventually promote fungal coexistence and synergistic interactions. Nonetheless, overall functional performances are reduced compared to bacteria‐free cultures. These findings highlight the necessity to conduct future studies, investigating biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships using artificial systems, without exclusion of key organisms naturally co‐occurring in the compartment of interest. Otherwise, study outcomes might not reflect true ecological relationships and ultimately misguide conservation strategies.
Reconciling trait based perspectives along a trait‐integration continuum
Authors: Fontana Simone , Rasmann Sergio , de Bello Francesco , Pomati Francesco , Moretti Marco
Published: July 2021

Trait based ecology has developed fast in the last decades, aiming to both explain mechanisms of community assembly, and predict patterns in nature, such as the effects of biodiversity shifts on key ecosystem processes. This body of work has stimulated the development of several conceptual frameworks and analytical methods, as well as the production of trait databases covering a growing number of taxa and organizational levels (from individuals to guilds). However, this breeding ground of novel concepts and tools currently lacks a general and coherent framework, under which functional traits can help ecologists organize their research aims, and serve as the common currency to unify several scientific disciplines. Specifically, we see a need to bridge the gaps between community ecology, ecosystem ecology, and evolutionary biology, in order to address the most pressing environmental issues of our time. To achieve this integration goal, we define a trait‐integration continuum, which reconciles alternative trait definitions and approaches in ecology. This continuum outlines a coherent progression of biological scales, along which traits interact and hierarchically integrate from genetic information, to whole organism fitness‐related traits, to trait syndromes and functional groups. Our conceptual scheme proposes that lower‐level trait integration is closer to the inference of ecoevolutionary mechanisms determining population and community properties, whereas higher‐level trait integration is most suited to the prediction of ecosystem processes. Within these two extremes, trait integration varies on a continuous scale, which relates directly to the inductive‐deductive loop that should characterize the scientific method. With our proposed framework, we aim to facilitate scientists in contextualising their research based on the trait‐integration levels that matter most to their specific goals. Explicitly acknowledging the existence of a trait‐integration continuum is a promising way for framing the appropriate questions, thus obtaining reliable answers and results that are comparable across studies and disciplines.
Direct Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Glycosyl Disulfides from Glycosyl Bromides
Authors: Kundu Monalisa , Misra Anup Kumar
Published: July 2021

A significantly fast one step reaction condition has been developed for the synthesis of unsymmetrical anomeric glycosyl disulfide derivatives in excellent yield by the treatment of anomeric glycosyl bromides with a combination of carbon disulfide (CS2) and sodium sulfide nonahydrate (Na2S ⋅ 9H2O) in the presence of symmetrical alkyl, aryl and glycosyl disulfides at room temperature. Exclusive formation of anomerically beta‐disulfides was observed under the reaction conditions. Most of the reactions are high yielding and suitable for scale‐up synthesis.
A variational rigid‐block modeling approach to nonlinear elastic and kinematic analysis of failure mechanisms in historic masonry structures subjected to lateral loads
Authors: Portioli Francesco P. A. , Godio Michele , Calderini Chiara , Lourenço Paulo B.
Published: July 2021

Displacement‐based methods contained in recent standards for seismic safety assessment require the determination of the full nonlinear pushover curve for local failure mechanisms in historic masonry structures. This curve should reflect both the initial elastic behavior and the rigid body behavior after the activation of rocking. In this work, a rigid block model is proposed for the displacement‐based seismic assessment of local collapse mechanisms of these structures. Masonry is modeled as an assemblage of two‐dimensional rigid blocks in contact through frictional interfaces. Two types of contact models are formulated to capture, respectively, the pre and postpeak branches of the pushover curve: a unilateral elastic contact model, capturing the initial nonlinear behavior up to the force capacity of the structure, corresponding to the activation of the collapse mechanism, and a rigid contact model with finite friction and compressive strength, which describes the rigid‐body rocking behavior up to the attainment of the displacement capacity of the structure. Tension‐only elements are also implemented to model strengthening interventions with tie‐rods. The contact problems associated with the elastic and rigid contact models are formulated using mathematical programming. For both models, a sequential solution procedure is implemented to capture the variation of the load multiplier with the increasing deformation of the structure (P–Δ effect). The accuracy of the modeling approach in reproducing the pushover curve of masonry panels subjected to horizontal seismic loads is evaluated on selected case studies. The solution is first tested against hand calculations, existing analytical models, and distinct element simulations. Then, comparisons against experimental tests follow. As a final application, the failure mechanism and pushover curve of a triumphal masonry arch are predicted by the model and its seismic assessment is performed according to codified force‐ and displacement‐based methods, demonstrating the adequacy of the proposed tool for practice.
Cost‐effectiveness of oral cancer screening approaches by visual examination: Systematic review
Authors: Thankappan Krishnakumar , Subramanian Sujha , Balasubramanian Deepak , Kuriakose Moni Abraham , Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy , Iyer Subramania
Published: July 2021

The present study is the first systematic review of papers that have performed a full economic evaluation on oral cancer screening strategies using visual oral examination. The review questions were (1) Is screening a cost‐effective strategy in oral cancer? (2) What is the most cost‐effective strategy among the different screening approaches in oral cancer? The main outcome measure was the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio. The study identifies and reviews seven full economic evaluations. The included studies scored 75%–100% on the methodological appraisal. Majority of the studies reports that oral cancer screening is a cost‐effective strategy, especially in an opportunistic setting and high‐risk subset of patients. The results were sensitive to cost and effectiveness parameters. Oral cancer screening, though found cost‐effective, the uncertainty around these parameters necessitates additional studies that include better estimates in the modeling assessments. The heterogeneity in studies limited comparison and generalization.
Perceived barriers, relationship quality, and informal mentors: Adolescents' preference for disclosing about dating violence
Authors: Mapes Ayla. R. , Cavell Timothy A.
Published: July 2021

This study examined associations among adolescents' likelihood of disclosure about dating violence, perceptions of barriers to disclosure, and quality of the relationship with various sources of support. Data were gathered from 152 students in a southern high school. Results indicated youth perceived fewer barriers to disclosing to mentors compared with friends and parents, and youth reported highest relationships quality with informal mentors. However, youth indicated highest likelihood of disclosure to friends, followed by informal mentors and parents. Both relationship quality and perceived barriers to disclosure about dating violence were associated with likelihood of disclosure to friends and parents, but only relationship quality was related to likelihood of disclosure to informal mentors. Current findings (a) suggest adolescents' preferences for disclosing about dating violence are influenced by perceived barriers and relationship quality with sources of support and (b) highlight the promise of informal mentors as an additional resource for adolescents.
Mn–Co binary oxides for low‐temperature catalytic oxidation of NO: effect of SO2 and regeneration
Authors: Tang Xiaolong , Chen Du , Chu Chao , Gao Fengyu , Yi Honghong , Wang Chengzhi
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

In this paper, Mn–Co binary oxides prepared by an (NH4)2CO3‐assisted co‐precipitation method were used for the catalytic oxidation of NO at low temperatures.

RESULTS

Experimental results showed that the Mn–Co binary catalysts prepared with manganese acetate and cobalt nitrate exhibited the highest oxidation activity, obtaining a NO conversion of 76% at 200 °C and 80% at 250 °C. The passivation effect of SO2 was found to be irreversible in the examination of the resistance to SO2 or/and H2O(g). Furthermore, characterization by X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and in situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform spectroscopy (DRIFTs) revealed that the passivation effect was due to the bidentate and surface or bulk‐like sulfates generated on the surface of the catalyst.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of intermediate species during the in situ DRIFTs characterization revealed that these sulfate species competed with nitrate/nitrite species for adsorption and affected the activity. Moreover, the poisoned catalysts could be regenerated to remove the majority of the bidentate and surface or bulk‐like sulfates from the surface and maintain the excellent NO catalytic oxidation activity. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Effect of different storage conditions on COVID‐19 RT‐PCR results
Authors: Yilmaz Gulec Elif , Cesur Nevra P. , Yesilyurt Fazlioğlu Gonca , Kazezoğlu Cemal
Published: July 2021

Highlights

It is best to store COVID‐19 swab samples in VTM to get the most reliable PCR results.

Positive COVID‐19 swab samples can be stored for at least 5 days at both room temperature and 4°C without loss of positivity.

Samples with high viral loads with CTs below 25 can be stored at both room temperature and 4°C without loss of positivity for up to 12 days.
Host miR‐4301 promotes rotavirus replication via PPP1R3D in Caco‐2 cells
Authors: Song Lijun , Wang Xiaotong , Zhong Peicheng , Chen Jiabo , Tang Zhi , Zhu Xuemei , Chen Yang , Dai Guiqin , Zhou Yujing , Li Feng , Feng Yuxuan , Zhao Wenchang
Published: July 2021

To investigate the role of miR‐4301 in rotavirus (RV)‐infected Caco‐2 cells. In this experiment, RNAs of RV‐infected Caco‐2 cells were extracted, and the high‐throughput second‐generation sequencing was performed to detect the expression profiles of host microRNAs (miRNAs). Synthetic miRNA mimics and inhibitors were examined (quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qPCR], crystalline violet, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy) to evaluate the effect on RV replication. Target genes of miR‐4301 were predicted by software analysis. The expression of target genes was evaluated by qPCR and Western blot after transfected with miRNA inhibitor/mimic, and crystalline violet and qPCR were used to detect the downregulation effects of target genes on RV replication. By transfecting miRNA inhibitors/mimics and detecting downstream target genes, the mechanism of miRNA affecting RV replication was analyzed. There were 78 known miRNAs with significant differential expression, including 39 upregulated miRNAs and 39 downregulated miRNAs. The results showed that miR‐4301 exerted a key role in enhancing RV replication. PPP1R3D protein which can inhibit RV replication was predicted as the target gene of miR‐4301 by software analysis. While upregulating miR‐4301 by RV, the expression of PPP1R3D and glycogen synthase (GS) is suppressed. For the first time, the effect of miR‐4301 on RV infection, and its influence on GS was investigated. Specifically, RV inhibits host cell glycogen synthesis to utilize the host intracellular glucose for promoting its own replication.
Evaluation of rapid antibody test and chest computed tomography results of COVID‐19 patients: A retrospective study
Authors: Ozturk Ali , Bozok Taylan , Simsek Bozok Tugce
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin M/immunoglobulin G (IgM/IgG) rapid antibody test results in symptomatic patients with COVID‐19 and their chest computed tomography (CT) data. A total of 320 patients admitted to our hospital for different durations due to COVID‐19 were included in the study. Serum samples were obtained within 0–7 days from COVID‐19 patients confirmed by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and chest CT scan. According to the SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐PCR results, the patients included in the study were divided into two groups: PCR positive group (n = 46) and PCR negative group (n = 274). The relationship between chest CT and rapid antibody test results were compared statistically. Of the 320 COVID‐19 serum samples, IgM, IgG, and IgM/IgG were detected in 8.4%, 0.3%, and 11.6% within 1 week, respectively. IgG/IgM antibodies were not detected in 79.7% of the patients. In the study, 249 (77.8%) of 320 patients had positive chest CT scans. Four (5.6%) of 71 patients with negative chest CT scans had IgM and two (2.8%) were both IgM/IgG positive. IgM was detected in 23 (9.2%), IgG in one (0.4%), and IgM/IgG in 35 (14%) of chest CT scan positive patients. The rate of CT findings in patients with antibody positivity was found to be significantly higher than those with antibody negativity. The results of the present study show the accurate and equivalent performance of serological antibody assays and chest CT in detecting SARS‐CoV‐2 within 0–7 days from the onset of COVID19 symptoms. When RT‐PCR is not available, we believe that the combination of immunochromatographic test and chest CT scan can increase diagnostic sensitivity for COVID‐19.
BoDV‐1 infection induces neuroinflammation by activating the TLR4/MyD88/IRF5 signaling pathway, leading to learning and memory impairment in rats
Authors: Tang Tian , Guo Yujie , Xu Xiaoyan , Zhao Libo , Shen Xia , Sun Lin , Xie Peng
Published: July 2021

Borna disease virus (BoDV‐1) can infect the hippocampus and limbic lobes of newborn rodents, causing cognitive deficits and abnormal behavior. Studies have found that neuroinflammation caused by viral infection in early life can affect brain development and impair learning and memory function, revealing the important role of neuroinflammation in cognitive impairment caused by viral infection. However, there is no research to explore the pathogenic mechanism of BoDV‐1 in cognition from the direction of neuroinflammation. We established a BoDV‐1 infection model in rats, and tested the learning and memory impairment by Morris water maze (MWM) experiment. RNAseq was introduced to detect changes in the gene expression profile of BoDV‐1 infection, focusing on inflammation factors and related signaling pathways. BoDV‐1 infection impairs the learning and memory of Sprague‐Dawley rats in the MWM test and increases the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus. RNAseq analysis found 986 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 845 genes were upregulated and 141 genes were downregulated, and 28 genes were found to be enriched in the toll‐like receptor (TLR) pathway. The expression of TLR4, MyD88, and IRF5 in the hippocampus was significantly changed in the BoDV‐1 group. Our results indicate that BoDV‐1 infection stimulates TLR4/MyD88/IRF5 pathway activation, causing the release of downstream inflammatory factors, which leads to neuroinflammation in rats. Neuroinflammation may play a significant role in learning and memory impairment caused by BoDV‐1 infection.
Soil nitrogen‐hydrolyzing enzyme activity and stoichiometry following a subtropical land use change
Authors: Zhang Qian , Zhang Dandan , Wu Junjun , Li Jinsheng , Feng Jiao , Cheng Xiaoli
Published: July 2021

Soil extracellular enzyme activities reflect the microbial nutrient demand by microorganisms and can be strongly affected by land use change. However, how soil N‐hydrolyzing enzymes and soil extracellular enzyme stoichiometry (EES) respond to land use change remains unclear. Here, we explored seasonal variations in β‐1,4‐N‐acetyl glucosaminidase and leucine aminopeptidase activities and EES under afforested land (woodland and shrubland), cropland, and uncultivated land for better understanding microbial metabolism around the Danjiangkou Reservoir area. Both afforested and cropland soils averaged higher N‐hydrolyzing enzyme and specific enzyme activities [i.e., enzyme activities per unit of soil organic nitrogen (SON)] compared to the uncultivated soils, indicating fast N turnover rates after afforestation and cultivation. Higher N‐hydrolyzing enzyme activities under afforestation and cultivation could be attributed to increasing soil organic carbon and soil organic nitrogen contents. All land use types were generally restricted by nutrients limitation than C demand as mean soil ecoenzymatic C:N:P ratios deviated from 1:1:1. However, afforestation and cultivation r|esulted in greater C demand and alleviate nutrient limitation for soil microorganisms with higher ecoenzymatic C:N ratios, C:P ratios, and vector lengths. In addition, all land use types were restricted by P than N limitation with ecoenzymatic N:P ratios less than 1 and vector angle >45°, among which afforestation increased P limitation and cultivation alleviated P limitation for microbes compared with uncultivated land. Overall, our results provide insight into mechanisms of soil microbial metabolic limitation regulated by soil N‐hydrolyzing enzyme activity and EES under global land use change.
Anthropogenic and climatic‐driven peatland degradation during the past 150 years in the Greater Khingan Mountains, NE China
Authors: Han Dongxue , Gao Chuanyu , Liu Hanxiang , Li Yunhui , Cong Jinxin , Yu Xiaofei , Wang Guoping
Published: July 2021

Relationships between modern pollen, climate, and human activities are important for improving the explanation of fossil records. To better understand anthropogenic and climatic impact on peatland vegetation and environment, we assessed the impact of the human influence index (HII) on modern pollen assemblages from 61 surface soil samples (different land‐use types) in the Greater Khingan Mountains by using detrended correspondence analysis and redundancy analysis. Based on the palynological analysis, 210Pb age‐depth model, and weighted averaging partial least squares, we reconstructed HII values of Tuqiang peatland in the Greater Khingan Mountains during the last 150 years. The reconstructed HII values demonstrated that the intensity of human activities increased gradually before 1900 AD, when the population of Heilongjiang Province was less and its native inhabitants continued to hunt and gather. During the period of 1900–1950 AD, human influence intensity increased sharply and reached peak values. Wars and placer gold mining caused large numbers of people immigrated north to Heilongjiang Province, rapid population growth strengthened the human impact intensity. In addition, invaders exploited the forest resources without limit. Widescale deforestation and land reclamation destroyed vegetation landscape and reduced forest coverage seriously, which led to soil erosion and land degradation. With the foundation of new China (1949 AD), the implementation of forest protection policies clearly reduced the human disturbance intensity. However, due to the needs of economic development, human influence intensity increased again after 2000 AD.
Association between the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the ADRB3 gene and overactive bladder
Authors: Çırakoğlu Abdullah , Fejzullahu Arta , Benli Erdal , Yuce Ahmet , Ayyıldız Ali , Aynacıoğlu A. Şükrü
Published: July 2021

Background

The β3‐adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) is very important in the regulation of the human detrusor muscle function. The well‐known tryptophan64arginine polymorphism of the ADRB3 gene alters the response of the receptor to various stimuli, including adrenalin and noradrenalin, and may increase the susceptibility to develop overactive bladder (OAB). Therefore, this study was performed to determine whether ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphism is associated with the pathophysiology of OAB syndrome.

Methods

The study group (n = 150) consists of 72 patients with OAB and 78 controls without OAB. Venous blood samples were taken from all participants to analyze the ADRB3 gene Trp64Arg polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. We compared the distribution of Trp64Arg polymorphism and symptom severity in both OAB and non‐OAB subjects using χ2 test and Mann–Whitney's U test, respectively.

Results

The frequency of the 64Arg variant (heterozygous plus homozygous) in OAB and non‐OAB subjects was 15.3% and 14.1%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the OAB and non‐OAB groups in regard to the distribution frequency of ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphism. The total frequency (OAB + non‐OAB, 76 women and 74 men) of the Arg64 variant allele was 5.9% and 10.8% in women and in men, respectively. Although the frequency of the Arg64 variant was nearly twofold higher in men compared to women, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that the ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphism is not significantly associated with OAB syndrome in a sample of Turkish OAB patients.
Electrochemically activated solution as bladder irrigation—An individual curative trial in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and recurrent urinary infections
Authors: Weyler Max , Jaekel Anke , Kirschner‐Hermanns Ruth , Kowollik Michael , Zeller Federico , Knuepfer Stephanie
Published: July 2021

Aims

Driven by increasing awareness of antibiotic stewardship, especially in the vulnerable group of patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), whose frequent need for invasive interventions leads to a high incidence of recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs), the goal was to find an alternative to antibiotic treatment. Our intention was for the treatment to be locally administered and well‐tolerated as well as to avoid the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 12 catheterized NLUTD patients was performed within the setting of an individual curative trial. The decision to implement the investigational intervention was made on an individual basis with the aim of eliminating lower urinary tract bacteria before diagnostic procedures or to treat rUTI. Electrochemically activated solution (ECAS) was used as bladder irrigation (BI). The following assessments were undertaken: microbiological analysis of urine, analysis of leukocytes/erythrocytes (per µl urine); microbial resistance and sensitivity to antibiotics before and after therapy; clinical signs and patients' state of health.

Results

Eradication of bacteria or an increase in microbial sensitivity to antibiotics was observed in 50%–70% of patients. No adverse events were seen. Due to the restrictions of an individual curative trial, the results are limited by the small number of patients and the absence of a control group.

Conclusion

In NLUTD patients with rUTIs, the use of ECAS BI to eliminate bacteriuria before invasive procedures (e.g., urodynamics, preoperative procedures) or to treat rUTI was shown to be a promising alternative to antibiotic treatment.
Stress‐related topology optimization for castable design
Authors: Wang Chao , Xu Bin , Duan Zunyi , Rong Jianhua
Published: July 2021

Considering structural strength and castability in topology optimization is very attractive from the perspective of theory and application. This article introduces stress considerations into casting‐oriented topology optimization to explore structural optimization methods that simultaneously consider the above two vital design indicators. Two stress‐related topology optimization formulations for castable design are proposed and assessed systematically, namely, a compliance minimization with stress and casting constraints and a stress minimization with casting constraint. An effective optimization algorithm is developed to overcome various numerical difficulties caused by stress and castability issues in the solution. Particularly, a nonuniform threshold scheme along with the corresponding implementation algorithm is proposed to improve the casting constraint on irregular structures without appreciably increased computational effort. Benchmark examples are presented to discuss the numerical characteristics of the achieved designs and demonstrate the effectiveness of the introduced algorithms. This research illustrates the necessity and feasibility of stress considerations in casting‐oriented topology optimization. The results show that it is more appropriate to treat stress as a constraint rather than an optimization objective in the casting‐constrained topology optimization. The proposed formulations and algorithms allow designers to effectively achieve high‐performance castable designs with required structural strength requirements.
4D Aliphatic photopolymer polycarbonates as direct ink writing of biodegradable, conductive graphite‐composite materials
Authors: Brooks Scott , Cartwright Zachary , Merckle David , Weems Andrew C.
Published: July 2021

Photopolymers are one of the fastest growing 3D printing material classes, despite the lack of diversity in performance or composition. A simple addition of graphite nanopowder is explored for tailoring aliphatic polycarbonate performance and enhancing advanced material properties, targeting the mechanical performance of the norbornene‐containing poly(norbornene trimethyl carbonate) using poly(trimethyl propane allyl ether carbonate) for thermoset formation using thiol‐ene photochemistry. A 30 wt% graphite‐composite photopolymer ink displays shear thinning behavior suitable for pneumatic direct ink write (DIW) printing, along with enhanced elastic modulus (15–542 MPa) and an increase in ultimate strength (2–22 MPa for the composite ink) without significant variation in the glass transition temperature. The composites are further demonstrated as 4D materials including shape memory, conductivity, and recyclability, with this work serving as a guide for designing DIW inks from photopolymer resins.
Synthesis and structure‐activity relationship of mitochondria‐targeting peptoids with varying hydrophobicity and cationic charge
Authors: Kim Soyoung , Lee Ji‐Yu , Choi Jieun , Nam Ho Yeon , Seo Jiwon , Lee Jiyoun
Published: July 2021

Mitochondria‐targeted delivery methods offer a straightforward approach for studying mitochondria‐related diseases and potentially streamlining therapeutic development. Peptoids (oligo‐N‐substituted glycines) are biocompatible peptidomimetics that display similar physicochemical properties as peptides with the added advantage of enhanced resistance to proteolytic cleavage. In particular, amphipathic peptoids are membrane‐permeable and their cationic charges and hydrophobicity can be readily modified for specific purposes, such as cell penetration, anti‐cancer or antibacterial activity. Previously, we identified a series of amphipathic peptoids that showed efficient cell penetration and mitochondrial localization. As a continued effort to identify selective mitochondrial transporters, we designed new analogs with varying hydrophobicity and net charges. We observed that overall increase in hydrophobicity did not result in enhanced mitochondrial localization while maintaining high cell permeability. Moreover, a certain degree of a positive net charge was critical for mitochondrial localization. In conclusion, our mitochondria‐targeting peptoids provide a highly selective and robust delivery system for bioactive molecules.