bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of social disparities on 10 year survival in pediatric patients with Wilms' tumor
Authors: Chalfant Victor , Riveros Carlos , Stec Andrew A.
Published: August 2022

Background

To stratify 10‐year survival outcomes by degree of social disparities in pediatric Wilms' tumor patients. We applied the Social Deprivation Index (SDI) to survival outcomes from the national SEER database to elucidate the effects of lower socioeconomics on cancer survival.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed using the national Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) oncology registry from 1975 to 2016 based on county‐level data. Pediatric patients (<18 years old) with a diagnosis of WT (C64.9) and confirmed based on histology codes (8960/8963) were included. SDI scores were calculated for each patient and initially divided into quintiles. Patients were delineated into high‐risk (>60th percentile/more deprived) or low‐risk (<60th percentile/less deprived) groups. Statistics were assessed using Fisher's exact test, Student's t‐test, and Kaplan–Meier assessed survival differences with log‐rank test for trend.

Results

A total of 3406 patients were included with 1366 patients reported in the high‐risk group and 2040 patients in the low‐risk group. Quintile data demonstrated a stratification in survival based on socioeconomic status. Patients in more socially deprived counties were significantly (p = 0.035) more likely to have worse overall survival compared with those living in less deprived areas at 10‐year (87.3% vs 89.3%) follow‐up.

Conclusions

10‐year overall and cancer‐specific survival data for patients with Wilms' tumor stratify by socioeconomic lines. This represents an area that needs to be addressed in this pediatric oncologic population. Patients from more socially deprived areas have significantly worse 10‐year overall survival rates and noticeably different 10‐year cancer‐specific survival rates.
βIII‐tubulin suppression enhances the activity of Amuvatinib to inhibit cell proliferation in c‐Met positive non‐small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Brayford Simon , Duly Alastair , Teo Wee Siang , Dwarte Tanya , Gonzales‐Aloy Estrella , Ma Zerong , McVeigh Laura , Failes Timothy W. , Arndt Greg M. , McCarroll Joshua A. , Kavallaris Maria
Published: August 2022

Non‐Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer death. Resistance to therapy is a significant problem, highlighting the need to find new ways of sensitising tumour cells to therapeutic agents. βIII‐tubulin is associated with aggressive tumours and chemotherapy resistance in a range of cancers including NSCLC. βIII‐tubulin expression has been shown to impact kinase signalling in NSCLC cells. Here, we sought to exploit this interaction by identifying co‐activity between βIII‐tubulin suppression and small‐molecule kinase inhibitors. To achieve this, a forced‐genetics approach combined with a high‐throughput drug screen was used. We show that activity of the multi‐kinase inhibitor Amuvatinib (MP‐470) is enhanced by βIII‐tubulin suppression in independent NSCLC cell lines. We also show that this compound significantly inhibits cell proliferation among βIII‐tubulin knockdown cells expressing the receptor tyrosine kinase c‐Met. Together, our results highlight that βIII‐tubulin suppression combined with targeting specific receptor tyrosine kinases may represent a novel therapeutic approach for otherwise difficult‐to‐treat lung carcinomas.
Exploring self‐disclosure between the survivor‐therapist and survivor‐clients: An autoethnography of the value of ‘sisterhood’ between female survivors of sexual violence
Authors: Bainbridge Amanda
Published: August 2022

Background

This autoethnographic study explores the interrelationships between self‐disclosure and working as a survivor‐therapist with clients who are also survivors of sexual violence. Themes explored include post‐traumatic growth of the author in relation to two occurrences of therapy and within the training experience, the concept of sisterhood between female survivors, and impact of self‐disclosure from the survivor‐therapist.

Aim

The aim was to explore how survivor‐therapist self‐disclosure might impact the therapeutic experience for clients identifying as survivors.

Methodology

An autoethnographic three‐phased approach was created to collate and analyse data from the author's personal and reflective journals, spanning the journey from client to qualified therapist. Themes analysed were as follows: “post‐traumatic growth,” “sisterhood” and “self‐disclosure.”

Findings

This research demonstrates the value of sisterhood between female identifying survivors of sexual violence and highlights the implicit “knowing” that may deepen the therapeutic relationship where therapist self‐disclosure is used judiciously in service of the client.

Implications

The research is situated in contribution to an existing dialogue, and recommendations are made for practice improvement and towards generation of ongoing research within a wider social narrative.
Self‐compassion, coping strategies and gender differences in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy practitioners during COVID‐19: Lessons learnt
Authors: Keyes Jessica , Yankouskaya Ala , Panourgia Constantina
Published: August 2022

Effective coping strategies can protect against the adverse effects of stress. This study investigated self‐compassion's ability to predict approach and avoidance coping in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy practitioners (PCPPs) during COVID‐19, and whether this differed between genders. To date, no research has investigated this relationship, despite positive associations being drawn in other populations. Three hundred and nineteen PCPPs completed an online survey including the Brief COPE and Self‐Compassion Short Form. Self‐compassion significantly predicted greater use of approach coping and reduced use of avoidance coping. The predictive ability of self‐compassion was slightly better in female practitioners. Self‐judgement arose as a prominent subscale of self‐compassion across genders, increasing both approach and avoidance coping. Implications for future research and practice are discussed, concerning barriers to self‐compassion and the requirement of therapeutic programmes and psychoeducation as a prerequisite for effective coping strategies in the PCPP population.
An Overview on Synthetic and Medicinal Perspectives of [1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine Scaffold
Authors: Merugu Srinivas Reddy , Cherukupalli Srinivasulu , Karpoormath Rajshekhar
Published: August 2022

[1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine is an important heterocyclic scaffold known to have a wide range of pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, anti‐tubercular, CB2 cannabinoid agonists, feticide, and adenosine antagonists. Several clinical trials and marketed drugs such as Trapidil, Essramycin, Pyroxsulam, DSM‐265, Flumetsulam, GNF‐6702, and Cevipabulin indicate the potential of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine moiety with various functional groups in medicinal chemistry. Herein, we represent a concise report focusing on the synthetic strategies used for diversely substituted [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine analogs and their pharmacological applications. To the best of our knowledge, since 1980, we are the first to write a review on this emerging scaffold, which reveals the synthetic strategies, and pharmacological activities of differently substituted [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine with special emphasis on structure‐activity relationship studies.
AIEgens Based on Anion‐π+ Interactions: Design, Synthesis, Photophysical Properties, and Their Applications in Material Science and Biology
Authors: Lal Koner Apurba , Chopra Deepak , Patil Nitin T.
Published: August 2022

The design of novel aggregation‐induced emission luminogens (AIEgens), has generally been facilitated by disrupting the possibility of π‐π stacking. The recent literature describes a novel strategy to design AIEgens by introducing anion‐π+ interactions to prevent the detrimental π‐π stacking. This new strategy provides access to intrinsically charged AIEgens whose photophysical properties can be tuned either by incorporating different substituents on the π‐molecular scaffold to modulate the acidity for tuning the interaction energy between a π‐acceptor and counter‐anions. This concept article provides a brief overview of the field, focusing on the synthesis of AIEgens, their photophysical properties, crystallography studies and their applications in live cell fluorescence imaging.
Hypoxia‐induced miR‐182‐5p regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch by targeting RGS5
Authors: Wang Xiaozhou , Xu Xiaolong , Zhu Qinfang , Han Ying , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2022

In response to vascular injury or alterations in the local environment, such as hypoxia and hypertension, contractile vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are able to switch to a synthetic phenotype characterized by increased extracellular matrix synthesis with decreased expression of contractile markers. miR‐182‐5p has recently been reported to play a regulatory role in VSMCs proliferation. However, little is known about its target genes and related pathways in VSMCs phenotypic switch. Here, we investigated the function of miR‐182‐5p in VSMCs phenotypic switch. The results showed that upregulation of miR‐182‐5p promoted the switching of VSMCs from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype under hypoxic conditions. Mechanistically, hypoxia elevated miR‐182‐5p, leading to a reduction in expression of contractile markers and weakened RhoA signaling. Using bioinformatics analysis, dual‐luciferase reporter assays and rescue assays, we demonstrated that miR‐182‐5p suppressed RhoA signaling by targeting RGS5. Collectively, the results from the present study indicated that miR‐182‐5p/RGS5/RhoA axis regulated hypoxia‐induced VSMCs phenotypic switch.
(Na0.74Ag1.26)BaSnS4: A New AgGaS2‐Type Nonlinear Optical Sulfide with a Wide Band Gap and High Laser Induced Damage Threshold
Authors: Zhou Wenfeng , Liu Wenlong , Guo Sheng‐Ping
Published: August 2022

The development of high‐power solid‐state lasers is in urgent need of infrared (IR) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with wide band gaps and high laser‐induced damage thresholds (LIDTs). Herein, a new compressed chalcopyrite‐like IR NLO crystal (Na0.74Ag1.26)BaSnS4 was successfully synthesized using a facile high‐temperature solid‐state method. Its structure can be considered as a variant of chalcopyrite AgGaS2 (AGS)‐type ones. It features a three‐dimensional framework constructed by corner‐sharing {[(Na/Ag)S4]7−}∞ layers and isolated SnS4 tetrahedra with negative cavities occupied by counter ion Ba2+. (Na0.74Ag1.26)BaSnS4 exhibits phase‐matchable moderate SHG response (0.31 × AGS), wide band gap (3.70 eV), and high LIDT (6.44 × AGS). Theoretical calculations reveal that the NLO response of (Na0.74Ag1.26)BaSnS4 is mainly originated from the synergetic effects of AgS4 and SnS4 tetrahedra, and the inclusion of alkaline and alkaline earth metals is responsible for the wide band gap and high LIDT. Moreover, the discovery of this chalcopyrite‐like compound will provide a feasible design strategy for the exploration of new promising IR NLO materials.
Discriminating Chiral Supramolecular Motions by Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Authors: Li Junfeng , Peng Xuelei , Hou Chenxi , Shi Shunan , Ma Jiamian , Qi Qi , Lai Wen‐Yong
Published: August 2022

Molecular motions are closely associated with the behaviors and properties of organic materials. However, monitoring molecular motions is challenging. Herein, a chiral supramolecular system consisting of L‐/D‐phenylalanine (LPF/DPF) as a chiral inducer and an achiral tetraphenylethene derivative (TPEF) as a molecular rotor has been proposed and explored for real‐time discriminating the supramolecular motions by the visualization of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) signal variations. Derived from the ordered molecular motions of TPEF induced by LPF/DPF, highly organized aggregates have been progressively assembled in a controlled manner with differentiated morphologies, including spherical particles, one‐dimensional fibers, and floor‐shaped supercrystals. Notably, increasing level of ordered aggregates, in turn, led to quenching emissions, while the CPL signals have been dramatically amplified accompanying by a sharp enhancement of luminescence dissymmetry factors (glum) from nearly 0 to −0.1. The significant amplification of CPL is attributed to the ordered aggregates of supramolecules, leading to the decrease of electric transition dipole moments in supramolecular system. As a result of the chiral supramolecular motions powered by supramolecular crystallization, the supramolecular motions are conveniently discriminated by visual CPL signal variation with an enhancement of glum value from 0 to −0.1 in real time.
Phase partition and KPI‐related process monitoring for batch processes using a novel canonical correlation analysis strategy
Authors: Gao Xuejin , He Zihe , Gao Huihui , Qi Yongsheng
Published: August 2022

Key performance indicators (KPI)‐related process monitoring has been of great significance to ensure product quality and economic benefits for batch processes. Considering that different phases exhibit different characteristics, one of the key issues is how to partition the whole batch process into different phases and characterize them separately by multiple phase models. In order to model and monitor batch processes more accurately and efficiently, a novel canonical correlation analysis (CCA) strategy is proposed in this paper. The phase partition algorithm is designed based on the joint canonical variable matrix (JCVM). Different from previous methods, it considers the time sequence of operation phases and can distinguish the phase switches from dynamics anomalies. Using this algorithm, phases are separated in order from a KPI‐related perspective, revealing high correlation among variables. After phase partition, a novel multi‐phase local neighbourhood standardization CAA (MPLNSCCA) method focusing on KPI is set up for online monitoring, which could further address the misclassification problems. The advantages of the proposed method are illustrated by two case studies, a penicillin simulation platform and an industrial application of Escherichia coli fermentation, respectively.
Weighted lens depth: Some applications to supervised classification
Authors: Cholaquidis Alejandro , Fraiman Ricardo , Gamboa Fabrice , Moreno Leonardo
Published: August 2022

Starting with Tukey's pioneering work in the 1970s, the notion of depth in statistics has been widely extended, especially in the last decade. Such extensions include those to high‐dimensional data, functional data, and manifold‐valued data. In particular, in the learning paradigm, the depth‐depth method has become a useful technique. In this article, we extend the lens depth to the case of data in metric spaces and study its main properties. We also introduce, for Riemannian manifolds, the weighted lens depth. The weighted lens depth is nothing more than a lens depth for a weighted version of the Riemannian distance. To build it, we replace the geodesic distance on the manifold with the Fermat distance, which has the important property of taking into account the density of the data together with the geodesic distance. Next, we illustrate our results with some simulations and also in some interesting real datasets, including pattern recognition in phylogenetic trees, using the depth‐depth approach.
Atrial fibrillation bleeding risk and prediction while treated with direct oral anticoagulants in warfarin‐naïve or warfarin‐experienced patients
Authors: Perino Alexander C. , Fan Jun , Pundi Krishna , Schmitt Susan , Kothari Mitra , Din Natasha , Heidenreich Paul A. , Turakhia Mintu P.
Published: August 2022

Background

In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), bleeding risk scores provide only modest discrimination for major or intracranial bleeding. However, warfarin experience may impact HAS‐BLED  (Hypertension, Abnormal renal/liver function, Stroke, Bleeding history or predisposition, Labile international normalized ratio, Elderly (>65 years), Drugs/alcohol concomitantly) score performance in patients evaluated for DOACs, as HAS‐BLED was derived and validated in warfarin cohorts.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients prescribed DOAC for AF in the Veterans Health Administration between 2010 and 2017. We determined modified HAS‐BLED score discrimination and calibration for bleeding, for patients treated with DOAC, stratified by prior warfarin exposure. We also determined the association between DOAC–warfarin‐naïve status to bleeding (nonintracranial and intracranial) with DOAC–warfarin‐experienced patients as reference.

Results

The DOAC analysis cohort included 100, 492 patients with AF (age [mean ± SD]: 72.9 ± 9.6 years; 1.7% female; 90.1% White), of which 26, 760 patients (26.6%) and 73, 732 patients (73.4%) were warfarin experienced or naïve, respectively. HAS‐BLED discrimination for bleeds was modest for patients treated with DOAC, regardless of prior warfarin experience (concordance statistics: 0.53–0.59). For DOAC–warfarin‐naïve patients, as compared to DOAC–warfarin‐experienced patients, adjusted risk of intracranial bleeding was lower, while risk of nonintracranial bleeding was higher (intracranial bleeding propensity adjusted with inverse probability of treatment weights [IPTWs]: hazard ratio [HR]: 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78–0.95, p = .0040) (nonintracranial bleeding propensity adjusted with IPTW: HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.11–1.19, p < .0001).

Conclusion

Patients’ modified HAS‐BLED score at the time of DOAC initiation, regardless of prior warfarin use, provided only modest discrimination for intracranial and nonintracranial bleeds. These data argue against maintaining DOAC eligible patients on warfarin therapy regardless of modified HAS‐BLED score.
Structural Phase Transitions in Anthracene Crystals
Authors: Hino Yuto , Matsuo Takumi , Hayashi Shotaro
Published: August 2022

Invited for this month′s cover is the collaborating group of Prof. Shotaro Hayashi at Kochi University of Technology. The cover picture shows anthracene molecules depicted among sakura blossoms at Kochi University of Technology (KUT). Anthracenes are arranged with falling petals, giving a beautiful image of the molecular crystal engineering field. The cover was designed by Yuto Hino. More information can be found in the Review by S. Hayashi and co‐workers.
Glycolaldehyde as a Bio‐Based C1 Building Block for Selective N‐Formylation of Secondary Amines
Authors: Flynn Matthew T. , Liu Xin , Dell'Acqua Andrea , Rabeah Jabor , Brückner Angelika , Baráth Eszter , Tin Sergey , de Vries Johannes G.
Published: August 2022

Biomass derived glycolaldehyde was employed as C1 building block for the N‐formylation of secondary amines using air as oxidant. The reaction is atom economic, highly selective and proceeds under catalyst free conditions. This strategy can be used for the synthesis of cyclic and acyclic formylamines, including DMF. Mechanistic studies suggest a radical oxidation pathway.
Enriched environment rescues neonatal pain induced cognitive deficits and the impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity later in life
Authors: Min Cuiting , Ling Ru , Chen Mengying , Xia Dongqing , Chen Ran , Li Xiaonan
Published: August 2022

Although extensive and untreated pain that occurs during a critical developmental window may impair cognition later in life, environmental interventions early in life might promote cognition. However, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Our current study utilized a rat model of “repetitive needle pricks” from the day of birth (P0) to postnatal day 7 (P7) to mimic the painful experience of preterm neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. Enriched environment (EE) during development period (from P15 to P70) was implemented as a nonpharmacological intervention approach. Electrophysiological recording, behavioral tests, and biochemical analysis were performed after the end of EE (between P71 and P80). The results showed neonatal repetitive pain resulted in a reduction in mechanical withdrawal thresholds by the von Frey test in P70 (p < .001). Furthermore, neonatal repetitive pain impaired spatial learning and memory (p < .05) and even led to dysfunction in fear memory (p < .01). In contrast, EE rescued neonatal pain‐induced cognitive deficits and normalized hippocampal long‐term potentiation in rats exposed to neonatal pain (p << .05). The beneficial effect of EE might be the improvements in hippocampal synaptic plasticity via upregulating neurotrophic factors and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the hippocampus. Our findings provide evidence that early environmental intervention might be a safe strategy to overcome neurodevelopmental abnormalities in preterm infants who experienced multiple procedural painful events during the early critical period.
Dual Palladium‐Photoredox Catalyzed C−H functionalization
Authors: Saha Partha Sarathi , Gopinath Purushothaman
Published: August 2022

Functionalization of unactivated C−H bonds is a highly desirable process in organic chemistry as it gives direct access to new functional groups in a single step. This process is generally achieved using transition metal catalysts, and among them, palladium plays an important role due to its unique reactivity. Recently, photoredox catalysis has witnessed a huge surge, and many new and valuable organic reactions are uncovered periodically. Dual transition metal – photoredox catalysis on the other hand, has taken organic synthesis to new heights by achieving transformations that were previously not possible or difficult to achieve by both forms of catalysis independently. In this direction, many new and interesting dual palladium‐photoredox catalyzed C−H functionalization reactions combining the synergistic effects of both palladium and photoredox have been reported in the past few years, and it is imperative to summarize these reactions for further developments in this area.
Designing a Peptide‐modified Screen‐printed Gold Electrode as a Sensor for the Human Monocytic Leukemia Cell Line
Authors: Kodaira Keito , Kuramitz Hideki , Sugawara Kazuharu
Published: August 2022

We designed a screen‐printed gold electrode (SPGE) with a peptide to detect cancer cells. The ability to sense circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and monitor their movement in blood vessels is important for cancer diagnosis. Human monocytic leukemia cells were selected as a model of CTCs because of their origin. The cell‐recognition and cell‐sensing peptide moieties were EICADP and Y4C. The SPGE was modified with the cell‐recognition moieties of the CY4EICADPY4C in a bridge‐type construction due to the cysteine residue at both terminals. The calibration curve was linear and ranged from 25 to 2,000 cells/mL with a LOD of 8 cells/mL.
Ferrocene derivatives with planar chirality and their enantioseparation by liquid‐phase techniques
Authors: Peluso Paola , Mamane Victor
Published: August 2022

In the last decade, planar chiral ferrocenes have attracted a growing interest in several fields, particularly in asymmetric catalysis, medicinal chemistry, chiroptical spectroscopy and electrochemistry. In this frame, the access to pure or enriched enantiomers of planar chiral ferrocenes has become essential, relying on the availability of efficient asymmetric synthesis procedures and enantioseparation methods. Despite this, in enantioseparation science, these metallocenes were not comprehensively explored, and very few systematic analytical studies were reported in this field so far. On the other hand, enantioselective high‐performance liquid chromatography has been frequently used by organic and organometallic chemists in order to measure the enantiomeric purity of planar chiral ferrocenes prepared by asymmetric synthesis. On these bases, this review aims to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview on the enantioseparation of planar chiral ferrocenes by discussing liquid‐phase enantioseparation methods developed over time, integrating this main topic with the most relevant aspects of ferrocene chemistry. Thus, the main structural features of ferrocenes and the methods to model this class of metallocenes will be briefly summarized. In addition, planar chiral ferrocenes of applicative interest as well as the limits of asymmetric synthesis for the preparation of some classes of planar chiral ferrocenes will also be discussed with the aim to orient analytical scientists towards ‘hot topics’ and issues which are still open for accessing enantiomers of ferrocenes featured by planar chirality.
Lean Cell Finalization in Lithium‐Ion Battery Production: Determining the Required Electrolyte Wetting Degree to Begin the Formation
Authors: Hagemeister Jan , Stock Sandro , Linke Moritz , Fischer Marius , Drees Robin , Kurrat Michael , Daub Rüdiger
Published: August 2022

In order to make electric transportation more accessible, the cost of lithium‐ion batteries must decrease. One way to achieve this is by increasing the production rates, especially in the time‐consuming steps of electrolyte filling and cell formation. Within this work, lithium‐ion pouch and hardcase cells are filled with electrolyte and the formation is started at varying wetting degrees. Data from the formation, stabilization, and life cycle testing are analyzed to determine the effect of an incomplete wetting degree on the cell quality. Additionally, postmortem analysis is performed to help understand the mechanisms induced when a cell with incomplete wetting is subjected to a current. The pouch cells demonstrate a linear capacity fade, regardless of the wetting degree, but feature strong lithium plating which becomes visible during postmortem analysis. In contrast, the hardcase cells display a clear correlation between the cell quality and the wetting degree in both the life cycle test and the postmortem analysis. It is shown that a wetting degree of 98% is required before starting the formation to avoid lithium plating in the cell.
Superior cycle performance of Li metal electrode with {110} surface texturing
Authors: Hu Xitao , Gao Yao , Zhang Biao , Shi Le , Li Quan
Published: August 2022

Li metal foil is a most promising candidate for Li metal batteries, but its poor cycle stability remains a major obstacle limiting its development for practical applications. In the present work, we show that crystallographic orientation (surface texturing) of Li foil plays a key role in determining the cycle performance of the Li metal anode in both symmetrical cells and full cells. Li foil of {110} texturing is demonstrated to have superior cycling stability when compared to Li {100} or pristine Li foils without specific texturing. Experimental evidence and computational modeling suggest that the enhanced cycle performance of Li {110} originates from the low‐surface energy/surface diffusion barrier associated with the Li {110} plane, leading to not only dense Li plating but also uniform stripping during cycling. Capacity retention of 96.1% (125.0 mAh/g) after 400 cycles is demonstrated in a full cell with Li {110} anode and LiFePO4 cathode at 1 C. This work adds to the current understanding of electrochemical plating/stripping of Li metal, and leads to new technologies that can largely extend the cycle life of Li metal electrode for the next generation of energy storage devices.

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The effect of gender on end‐user preferences for yam quality descriptors
Authors: Effah‐Manu Liticia , Wireko‐Manu Faustina D. , Agbenorhevi Jacob K. , Maziya‐Dixon Bussie , Oduro Ibok N. , Baah‐Ennum Theresa Y.
Published: August 2022

Improving the effectiveness of breeding programs could be achieved by breeding for consumers' preferences. The relationship between gender and consumer preferences for yam was studied using purposeful sampling for key informants, focus group discussions (FGDs), and individual interviews. Data from qualitative interviews were transcribed and quantitative data analyzed using SPSS (version 20). Cramer's V (Phi) and logistic regressions were used to explain the observations. Males prioritized income‐generating varieties over females, while females ranked tuber morphological characteristics high. Sex‐based preference for yams showed that moldability and sweet taste are preferred by both females and males. Moderately hard boiled yams and shelf stable food products are liked by males, whereas aroma is rated highly by females. Males described yams that have a longer digestion time as “heavy” and preferred such varieties. Watery tubers and tubers not turning brown are important characteristics during processing. The Phi of 0.157 and 0.163 for sex and ethnic groups show moderate to strong associations between choices for descriptors by females, males, and various ethnic groups. These findings imply that gender disaggregation of information on preference for yam quality descriptors should be considered in future yam breeding programs as it may improve adoption rate and enhance food security.
Bioactivity‐guided isolation of anti‐inflammatory limonins from Chukrasia tabularis
Authors: Shen Jin‐Huang , Zhang Yi‐Fan , Zhang Li , Yang Na‐Na , Ma Xin‐Hua , Zhong Tian‐Hua , Zhang Yong‐Hong
Published: August 2022

Chukrasia tabularis is an economically important tree and widely cultured in the southeast of China. Its barks, leaves, and fruits are consumed as a traditional medicine and perceived as a valuable source for bioactive limonin compounds. The extracts from root barks of C. tabularis showed significant anti‐inflammatory effect. The aim of this research was to explore the material basis of C. tabularis anti‐inflammatory activity, and to purify and identify anti‐inflammatory active ingredients. By a bioassay‐guided isolation of dichloromethane fraction obtained two novel phragmalin limonins, Chukrasitin D and E (1 and 2), together with 12 known limonins (3–14). The chemical structure of these compounds is determined on the basis of extensive spectral analysis and chemical reactivity. In addition, the activities of these isolated limonins on the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) in RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were evaluated. Limonins 1 and 2 indicated significant anti‐inflammatory activity with IC50 values of 6.24 and 6.13 μM. Compound 1 notably inhibited the production of NF‐κB, TNF‐α and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) in macrophages. The present results suggest that the root barks of C. tabularis exhibited anti‐inflammatory effect and the limonins may be responsible for this activity.
The contribution of edible cricket flour to quality parameters and sensory characteristics of wheat bread
Authors: Bartkiene Elena , Starkute Vytaute , Katuskevicius Konstantinas , Laukyte Neringa , Fomkinas Markas , Vysniauskas Edikas , Kasciukaityte Paulina , Radvilavicius Emilis , Rokaite Skaiste , Medonas Domantas , Valantinaviciute Emilija , Mockus Ernestas , Zokaityte Egle
Published: August 2022

This study evaluated the influence of edible cricket flour (ECF) on the quality parameters and sensory characteristics of wheat bread (WB), including the formation of volatile compounds (VC) and their relationship with emotions (EM) induced for consumers. ECF reduced dough pH, redness, and yellowness. At 5%, ECF increased the porosity of WB (by 7.87%). The quantity of ECF significantly affected WB's specific volume (p = .030), porosity (p = .0001), shape coefficient (p = .0001), and mass loss (p = .023). All WB with ECF had a more intense color and additive odor. Bread samples with 10% and 15% ECF had more intense overall, additive, acidity, and bitterness flavors. However, all WB had similar overall acceptability (OA) and no correlations were found between OA and VC. The EM “happy” and “sad” were expressed more intensely for WB with 15% ECF, and significant correlations were established between the EM “happy” and separate VC. The main VC in WB were ethanol; 1‐butanol and 3‐methyl; 1‐hexanol; estragole; and hexanoic acid. Finally, 5% ECF could be incorporated into the main WB formula without having a negative impact on bread quality. Also, ECF influences VC formation, and separate VC could be related to emotions induced for consumers.
Astrocyte‐specific loss of lactoferrin influences neuronal structure and function by interfering with cholesterol synthesis
Authors: Xu Shuang‐Feng , Pang Zhong‐Qiu , Fan Yong‐Gang , Zhang Yan‐Hui , Meng Yu‐Han , Bai Chen‐Yang , Jia Meng‐Yu , Chen Yan‐Hong , Wang Zhan‐You , Guo Chuang
Published: August 2022

Growing evidence indicates that circulating lactoferrin (Lf) is implicated in peripheral cholesterol metabolism disorders. It has emerged that the distribution of Lf changes in astrocytes of aging brains and those exhibiting neurodegeneration; however, its physiological and/or pathological role remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that astrocyte‐specific knockout of Lf (designated cKO) led to decreased body weight and cognitive abnormalities during early life in mice. Accordingly, there was a reduction in neuronal outgrowth and synaptic structure in cKO mice. Importantly, Lf deficiency in the primary astrocytes led to decreased sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (Srebp2) activation and cholesterol production, and cholesterol content in cKO mice and/or in astrocytes was restored by exogenous Lf or a Srebp2 agonist. Moreover, neuronal dendritic complexity and total dendritic length were decreased after culture with the culture medium of the primary astrocytes derived from cKO mice and that this decrease was reversed after cholesterol supplementation. Alternatively, these alterations were associated with an activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibition of SREBP2 nuclear translocation. These data suggest that astrocytic Lf might directly or indirectly control in situ cholesterol synthesis, which may be implicated in neurodevelopment and several neurological diseases.
Loss of heat shock factor 1 promotes hepatic stellate cell activation and drives liver fibrosis
Authors: Choudhury Asmita , Ratna Anuradha , Lim Arlene , Sebastian Rebecca M. , Moore Christopher L. , Filliol Aveline A. , Bledsoe Jacob , Dai Chengkai , Schwabe Robert F. , Shoulders Matthew D. , Mandrekar Pranoti
Published: August 2022

Liver fibrosis is an aberrant wound healing response that results from chronic injury and is mediated by hepatocellular death and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). While induction of oxidative stress is well established in fibrotic livers, there is limited information on stress‐mediated mechanisms of HSC activation. Cellular stress triggers an adaptive defense mechanism via master protein homeostasis regulator, heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), which induces heat shock proteins to respond to proteotoxic stress. Although the importance of HSF1 in restoring cellular homeostasis is well‐established, its potential role in liver fibrosis is unknown. Here, we show that HSF1 messenger RNA is induced in human cirrhotic and murine fibrotic livers. Hepatocytes exhibit nuclear HSF1, whereas stellate cells expressing alpha smooth muscle actin do not express nuclear HSF1 in human cirrhosis. Interestingly, despite nuclear HSF1, murine fibrotic livers did not show induction of HSF1 DNA binding activity compared with controls. HSF1‐deficient mice exhibit augmented HSC activation and fibrosis despite limited pro‐inflammatory cytokine response and display delayed fibrosis resolution. Stellate cell and hepatocyte‐specific HSF1 knockout mice exhibit higher induction of profibrogenic response, suggesting an important role for HSF1 in HSC activation and fibrosis. Stable expression of dominant negative HSF1 promotes fibrogenic activation of HSCs. Overactivation of HSF1 decreased phosphorylation of JNK and prevented HSC activation, supporting a protective role for HSF1. Our findings identify an unconventional role for HSF1 in liver fibrosis. Conclusion: Our results show that deficiency of HSF1 is associated with exacerbated HSC activation promoting liver fibrosis, whereas activation of HSF1 prevents profibrogenic HSC activation.
An integrated deep learning‐based model of spatial cells that combines self‐motion with sensory information
Authors: Aziz Azra , Sreeharsha Peesapati S. S. , Natesh Rohan , Chakravarthy Vaddadhi S.
Published: August 2022

A special class of neurons in the hippocampal formation broadly known as the spatial cells, whose subcategories include place cells, grid cells, and head direction cells, are considered to be the building blocks of the brain's map of the spatial world. We present a general, deep learning‐based modeling framework that describes the emergence of the spatial‐cell responses and can also explain responses that involve a combination of path integration and vision. The first layer of the model consists of head direction (HD) cells that code for the preferred direction of the agent. The second layer is the path integration (PI) layer with oscillatory neurons: displacement of the agent in a given direction modulates the frequency of these oscillators. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the PI‐cell responses showed the emergence of cells with grid‐like spatial periodicity. We show that the Bessel functions could describe the response of these cells. The output of the PI layer is used to train a stack of autoencoders. Neurons of both the layers exhibit responses resembling grid cells and place cells. The paper concludes by suggesting the wider applicability of the proposed modeling framework beyond the two simulated studies.
Surgical coronary revascularization in patients with COVID‐19; complications and outcomes: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ayati Aryan , Hosseini Kaveh , Hadizadeh Alireza , Jalali Arash , Lotfi‐Tokaldany Masoumeh , Milan Nesa , Bagheri Jamshid , Ahmadi Tafti Seyed Hossein
Published: August 2022

Background and Aims

Coronary artery disease is high‐risk comorbidity of COVID‐19 infection. Nonelective coronary artery revascularization in COVID‐19 patients carries substantial risk. Therefore, it is essential to understand the risk factors and outcomes fully. This study aims to evaluate the prognosis of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in patients with COVID‐19.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study assesses 171 patients who underwent urgent and emergent CABG in Tehran Heart Center from March 2020 to September 2021. The patients were allocated to cases and controls based on COVID‐19 infection status. Demographic and clinical features, alongside the complications and outcomes, were compared between the two groups.

Results

According to diagnostic criteria, 62 patients were diagnosed with COVID‐19 (Case) and 109 patients had no COVID diagnosis (Control). Regarding the demographics and risk factors, hypertension was more prevalent among patients with COVID‐19 (64.5% compared to 43.1% p= 0.007). Length of hospital stay, ventilation time, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay time were significantly higher in patients infected with COVID‐19. Postoperative complications, including stroke, atrial fibrillation, pleural effusion, blood transfusion, and Inotrope use, were significantly higher in the case group. Mortality rates were also higher in COVID‐19 patients with an odds ratio of 1.53; however, this difference is not statistically significant (p: 0.44, 95% CI = 0.50–4.01).

Conclusion

COVID‐19 is associated with a significantly higher hospital stay, ventilation time, and ICU stay. Mortality rates are also higher, albeit insignificantly. Various postoperative complications are also higher with COVID‐19.
Catchment response to intense rainfall: Evaluating modelling hypotheses
Authors: Astagneau Paul C. , Bourgin François , Andréassian Vazken , Perrin Charles
Published: August 2022

Floods resulting from high‐intensity rainfall events are known to be difficult to simulate. The catchment response to such events is very heterogeneous due to complex combinations of hydrological processes at fine temporal and spatial scales. The goal of this study is to find a way to inform the structure of a hydrological model on the variability in catchment response to rainfall events. To that end, rainfall intensity was used as a proxy for the activation of fast heterogeneous runoff processes. We developed three hypotheses that increase the versatility of a hydrological model by modifying the volume and temporal distribution of effective rainfall when high‐intensity rainfall events occur. These modifications were implemented within the GR5H lumped rainfall–runoff model. The different model versions were run on 229 French catchments where 10 652 flood events were selected. Model performance was assessed considering five groups of catchments, and model performance was also evaluated based on three event characteristics. Results showed that introducing a dynamic dependency of fluxes to rainfall intensities at the hourly time step helps to improve the simulation of floods, especially on Mediterranean catchment areas. Generic values of the additional parameters are proposed to limit the increase in calibration complexity.
Person‐years of life lost and lost earnings from cigarette smoking‐attributable cancer deaths, United States, 2019
Authors: Islami Farhad , Marlow Emily C. , Zhao Jingxuan , Wiese Daniel , Asare Samuel , Bandi Priti , Thomson Blake , Zheng Zhiyuan , Nargis Nigar , Yabroff K. Robin , Jemal Ahmedin
Published: August 2022

State‐specific information on lost earnings due to smoking‐attributable cancer deaths to inform and advocate for tobacco control policies is lacking. We estimated person‐years of life lost (PYLL) and lost earnings due to cigarette smoking‐attributable cancer deaths in the United States nationally and by state. Proportions and numbers of cigarette smoking‐attributable cancer deaths and associated PYLL among individuals aged 25 to 79 years in 2019 were calculated and combined with annual median earnings to estimate lost earnings attributable to cigarette smoking. In 2019, estimated total PYLL and lost earnings associated with cigarette smoking‐attributable cancer deaths in ages 25 to 79 years in the United States were 2 188 195 (95% CI, 2 148 707‐2 231 538) PYLL and $20.9 billion ($20.0 billion‐$21.7 billion), respectively. States with the highest overall age‐standardized PYLL and lost earning rates generally were in the South and Midwest. The estimated rate per 100 000 population ranged from 352 (339‐366) in Utah to 1337 (1310‐1367) in West Virginia for PYLL and from $4.3 million ($3.5 million‐$5.2 million) in Idaho to $14.8 million ($10.6 million‐$20.7 million) in Missouri for lost earnings. If age‐specific PYLL and lost earning rates in Utah had been achieved by all states, 58.2% (57.0%‐59.5%) of the estimated total PYLL (1 274 178; 1 242 218‐1 306 685 PYLL) and 50.5% (34.2%‐62.4%) of lost earnings ($10.5 billion; $7.1 billion‐$13.1 billion) in 2019 nationally would have been avoided. Lost earnings due to smoking‐attributable cancer deaths are substantial in the United States and are highest in states with weaker tobacco control policies.
Investigating the role of aligner material and tooth position on orthodontic aligner biomechanics
Authors: Kaur Harsimrat , Khurelbaatar Tsolmonbaatar , Mah James , Heo Giseon , Major Paul W. , Romanyk Dan L.
Published: August 2022

The primary objective of this work was to investigate the effect of material selection and tooth position on orthodontic aligner biomechanics. Additionally, material property changes with thermoforming were studied to elucidate its role in material performance in‐vitro. An orthodontic simulator (OSIM) was used to evaluate forces and moments at 0.20 mm of lingual displacement for central incisor, canine and second premolar using Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyurethane (PU) and Glycol‐modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET‐G) materials. The OSIM was scanned to generate a model used to fabricate aligners using manufacturer‐specified thermoforming procedures. Repeated measures of MANOVA was used to analyze the effect of teeth and material on forces/moments. The role of thermoforming was evaluated by flexural modulus estimated by 3‐point bend tests. Pre‐thermoformed and post‐thermoformed samples were prepared using as‐received sheets and those thermoformed over a simplified arch using rectangular geometry, respectively. Groups were compared using Two‐way ANOVA. The PET, PU, and PET‐G materials exerted maximum buccal force and corresponding moments on the canine. PU exerted more buccal force than PET‐G on the canine and second premolar, and more than PET on the second premolar. The impact of thermoforming varied according to the specific polymer: PET‐G remained stable, there was a slight change for PET, and a significant increase was noted for PU from pre‐thermoformed to post‐thermoforming. The results of this study elucidate the influence of material and arch position on the exerted forces and moments. Further, the mechanical properties of thermoplastic materials should be evaluated after thermoforming to characterize their properties for clinical application.
Recent advances in total synthesis of natural products by masked ortho‐benzoquinones
Authors: Chen Chih‐Ming , Hsieh Hsing‐Pang
Published: August 2022

The Diels‐Alder adducts of masked ortho‐benzoquinone (MOB) normally perform high regio‐ and stereoselectivity and are generated under mild conditions. The advantages of MOB include: (a) Containing highly functional moieties: alkene, diene, carbonyl, enone, and dienone; (b) Easily accessible from 2‐methoxyphenol derivatives via oxidative dearomatization, and related 2‐methoxyphenol easily prepared from commercially available starting materials; (c) The Diels‐Alder adducts possessing unique features such as regio‐ and stereoselectivity and at least four contiguous stereogenic centers in one step. Furthermore, related bicyclo[2.2.2]octenone skeleton can be applied to further complex structure construction by various chemical transformations, such as radical cyclization, oxa‐di‐π‐methane rearrangement, Beckwith‐Dowd rearrangement, hydrogen atom transfer reaction, Cope rearrangement, Wanger‐Meerwein rearrangement, carbonyl‐ene reaction, aldol reaction, ring opening etc. Among these advantages, MOB system is prospected to continue as an important intermediate for total synthesis of natural products.
Learning curve for performing laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in biliary surgery 2.0 era
Authors: Durán Manuel , Silvestre José , Hernández Jara , Briceño Javier , Martínez‐Isla Alberto , Martínez‐Cecilia David
Published: August 2022

Background

Recent trials and metanalysis have demonstrated the favorable results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for the treatment of cholecysto‐choledocholithiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the LC + LCBDE learning curve including transcystic and transductal approaches and its effect on the outcomes.

Methods

We identified all unselected patients who underwent LC + LCBDE by a single surgeon between May 2017 and July 2021. Pre‐, intra‐, and postoperative data were analyzed using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis to evaluate the learning curve.

Results

A total of 110 patients were included. Total postoperative complications rate was 12.7%, including bile leakage in six (5.5%) patients. Mean length of hospital stay was 2.7 (1‐14) days. No patient had conversion to open surgery. The CUSUM graph divided the learning curve into three distinct phases: (1) Learning (1–38), (2) Competence (39–61) and (3) Proficiency (62–110). There was a significant increase in the transcystic approach rate with each phase (44.7% vs 73.9% vs 98%; P < .001). A significant decrease in the operative time (150.9 vs 117.6 vs 99.9 min; P < .001) and complication rate (21.1% vs 21.7% vs 2%; P = .01) were observed across the three phases.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the learning curve for complete competence in LC + LCBDE is approximately 60 cases, provided that proper training is available. The initial learning phase can be carried out safely and efficiently with acceptable results.