bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract C068: Construction of preclinical study model for optimal anticancer drug selection using PDX model in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Tanaka Ryota , Kimura Kenjiro , Tani Naoki , Eguchi Shimpei , Kageyama Ken , Kushiyama Shuhei , Kurihara Shigeaki , Kinoshita Masahiko , Nishio Kohei , Shinkawa Hiroji , Ohira Go , Yamamoto Akira , Ishizawa Takeaki
Published: January 2024

Background: Translational research using the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model is progressing rapidly and is also becoming widespread in pancreatic cancer research. Since PDX models retain the characteristics and the heterogeneity of the primary tumor, PDX models can be reflected in the effectiveness of the anticancer drug in human. The purpose of this study was to establish the PDX library of pancreatic cancer for preclinical study. Methods: The tissues of the pancreatic cancer were obtained from patients who underwent surgery at our hospital. Two PDX models were established using immunodeficient rats. One case was effective in gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) therapy, and the other was ineffective in GnP therapy in preoperative treatment. 5-FU, CPT-11, L-OHP, GEM, and CDDP were administered to these PDX models once a week for 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was tumor shrinkage. Results: GEM was effective in PDX model in a case in which GnP therapy was effective in the clinical setting, in contrast, GEM was ineffective in PDX model in a case in which GnP was ineffective in the clinical setting. This result was correlated with actual clinical practice. Conclusions: In this study, single anticancer drug tests were performed on PDX models using immunodeficient rats. The efficacy of anticancer drugs was correlated with the clinical setting, indicating that our PDX models might be useful as a preclinical study model. We are currently conducting multi anticancer drug studies.

Citation Format: Ryota Tanaka, Kenjiro Kimura, Naoki Tani, Shimpei Eguchi, Ken Kageyama, Shuhei Kushiyama, Shigeaki Kurihara, Masahiko Kinoshita, Kohei Nishio, Hiroji Shinkawa, Go Ohira, Akira Yamamoto, Takeaki Ishizawa. Construction of preclinical study model for optimal anticancer drug selection using PDX model in pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Pancreatic Cancer; 2023 Sep 27-30; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(2 Suppl):Abstract nr C068.
Abstract C072: Andrographolide exhibits anti-cancer activity via restoring DNMT3B-suppressed ZNF382 expression in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Zhuang Kai-Ru , Chan Hsin-Yu , Chen Chian-Feng , Fu Shu-Ling
Published: January 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive and lethal malignancy. Due to the lack of early diagnosis and the limited response to current clinical treatments, PDAC has a high recurrence rate and a poor 5-year survival rate. Andrographolide, a labdane diterpenoid compound and the main active ingredient found in the medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata, is known for its anti-cancer effects against a variety of cancer types. Nevertheless, there are few studies on the anti-cancer activity and underlying mechanism of andrographolide against PDAC. We recently found that andrographolide suppressed cell viability, proliferation and migration abilities of PDAC cells, as well as impaired tumor growth in vivo. Notably, andrographolide induced the mRNA and protein expression of Zinc finger protein 382 (ZNF382) in PDAC cells. ZNF382 functions as a transcription repressor but its biological function in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. Through analysis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) patient data from TCGA, the expression of ZNF382 is lower in tumor samples than in normal tissues, and patients with higher ZNF382 expression showed better overall survival rates. Recently, we confirmed that ZNF382 expression was significantly decreased in clinical tumor tissues compared with matched normal tissues in 9 out of 10 pancreatic cancer patients. In addition, we demonstrated that overexpression of ZNF382 inhibited malignant phenotypes of PDAC cells and suppressed tumor growth in mice. Based on TCGA database analysis, the ZNF382 promoter is hypermethylated in primary pancreatic tumors, and this hypermethylation pattern correlates with its low expression. We further showed that andrographolide treatment inhibited the expression of DNA methyltransferase 3 beta (DNMT3B) and promoted the demethylation of ZNF382 promoter in PDAC cells. Notably, overexpression of DNMT3B attenuated both the andrographolide-induced expression of ZNF382 and its associated anti-cancer effects. In summary, our findings indicate that ZNF382 serves as a tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer and suggest that andrographolide exerts its anticancer effects in pancreatic cancer through the suppression of DNMT3B-dependent DNA methylation, leading to the reactivation of ZNF382 expression.

Citation Format: Kai-Ru Zhuang, Hsin-Yu Chan, Chian-Feng Chen, Shu-Ling Fu. Andrographolide exhibits anti-cancer activity via restoring DNMT3B-suppressed ZNF382 expression in pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Pancreatic Cancer; 2023 Sep 27-30; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(2 Suppl):Abstract nr C072.
Abstract C113: The mitochondrial calcium uniporter supports epithelial to mesenchymal transition of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Weissenrieder Jillian S. , Pitarresi Jason , Weinmann Natalie , Drager Rebecca , Paudel Usha , Rustgi Anil , Stanger Ben , Foskett J. Kevin
Published: January 2024

In spite of many new developments in cancer treatments and targeted therapies over the past few decades, outcomes for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients continue to be poor. Calcium signaling and mitochondrial function are known to contribute to cancer outcomes in many paradigms, yet much remains unknown in the context of PDAC. The mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter, MCU, is the main route by which mitochondria can take up Ca2+ into the mitochondrial matrix, where it drives metabolic activity in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and promotes ATP synthesis by the electron transport chain. Our previous work suggests that Ca2+ flux from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) into the mitochondria at mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) may be important to drive malignancy. Here, we show that MCU expression is associated with poor outcomes in PDAC patients and disease progression in murine organoid models of cancer development. Further, deletion of Mcu in murine KPC cells results in ablation of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, which reduces growth, proliferation, and clonogenicity. Tumor growth and metastatic colonization are also reduced in orthotopic implantation models, with some KPCY-McucKO models failing to develop primary lesions. This suggests that MCU, and thus mitochondrial Ca2+, play an important role in tumor growth. Critically, we here elucidate a heretofore unknown relationship between ER-to-mitochondrial Ca2+ flux through Mcu and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important process that contributes to poor outcomes in PDAC. To this end, McucKO associates with reduced basal Snail expression and reduced TGFβ secretion, and McucKO clones have a more epithelial morphology than their isogenic, Mcu-expressing counterparts. Both stable expression of Snail and treatment with TGFβ are able to rescue growth, mobility, and clonogenic deficits in McucKO cell lines to levels comparable to isogenic, Mcu-expressing cell lines. Uptake assays, metabolomics, isotope tracing, and mRNA-Seq have enabled us to elucidate metabolic and transcriptional rewiring induced by Snail and TGFβ treatment which may promote cell survival and proliferation despite the lack of Mcu. This work has important implications for potential targeting of Ca2+ signaling in the context of PDAC.

Citation Format: Jillian S. Weissenrieder, Jason Pitarresi, Natalie Weinmann, Rebecca Drager, Usha Paudel, Anil Rustgi, Ben Stanger, J. Kevin Foskett. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter supports epithelial to mesenchymal transition of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Pancreatic Cancer; 2023 Sep 27-30; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(2 Suppl):Abstract nr C113.
Peritoneal Microenvironment Promotes Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma Growth: A Multi-omics Approach Using Patient-Derived Xenografts
Authors: Pattalachinti Vinay K. , Ito Ichiaki , Chowdhury Saikat , Yousef Abdelrahman , Gu Yue , Gunes Betul Beyza , Salle Emma R. , Taggart Melissa W. , Fournier Keith , Fowlkes Natalie W. , Shen John Paul
Published: January 2024

Appendiceal adenocarcinoma (AA) is unique from other gastrointestinal malignancies in that it almost exclusively metastasizes to the peritoneal cavity. However, few studies have investigated the molecular interaction of the peritoneal microenvironment and AA. Here, we use a multi-omics approach with orthotopic and flank-implanted patient-derived xenografts (PDX) to study the effect of the peritoneal microenvironment on AA. AA tumors implanted in the peritoneal microenvironment tended to grow faster and displayed greater nuclear expression of Ki-67 relative to the same tumors implanted in the flank. Comparing the tumor-specific transcriptome (excluding stromal transcription), the peritoneal microenvironment relatively upregulated genes related to proliferation, including MKI67 and EXO1. Peritoneal tumors were also enriched for proliferative gene sets, including E2F and Myc Targets. Proteomic studies found a 2.5-fold increased ratio of active-to-inactive phosphoforms of the YAP oncoprotein in peritoneal tumors, indicating downregulation of Hippo signaling.

Implications:

The peritoneal microenvironment promotes growth of appendiceal tumors and expression of proliferative pathways in PDXs.
Preliminary Evaluation of in vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Features of Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Wang Ying , Chen Lixin , Qin Bei , Gao Xibo , Li Qinfeng
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a rare autoimmune disease, which needs to be distinguished from eczema, congenital syphilis, and tinea corporis in newborns. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) could be a helpful noninvasive diagnostic tool, which has been used to evaluate several inflammatory skin conditions. The aim of this study was to describe the RCM characteristics of NLE. Methods: Eleven NLE patients were included in the study, and all patients were evaluated clinically with RCM. We also evaluated RCM images from 11 eczema patients as controls. Results: Some major key diagnostic features of NLE can be observed by RCM: an enlarged honeycomb pattern (9/11, 81.8%), round-to-oval cyst-like structures were present (6/11, 54.5%), the normal ring-like structures were totally or partially obliterated (11/11, 100%) at the level of the dermo-epidermal junction, medium refractivity collagen fibers that were disorganized (10/11, 90.9%), numerous high refractivity round cells (11/11, 100%) in the dermis. Conclusion: RCM allows the visualization of major key diagnostic features of NLE and serves as a complementary diagnostic tool for NLE.
Addressing Structural Racism Through Public Policy Advocacy: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Albert Michelle A. , Churchwell Keith , Desai Nihar , Johnson Janay C. , Johnson Michelle N. , Khera Amit , Mieres Jennifer H. , Rodriguez Fatima , Velarde Gladys , Williams David R. , Wu Joseph C. ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Advocacy Coordinating Committee
Published: January 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Heart Association created a new 2024 Impact Goal with health equity at its core, in recognition of the increasing health disparities in our country and the overwhelming evidence of the damaging effect of structural racism on cardiovascular and stroke health. Concurrent with the announcement of the new Impact Goal was the release of an American Heart Association presidential advisory on structural racism, recognizing racism as a fundamental driver of health disparities and directing the American Heart Association to advance antiracist strategies regarding science, business operations, leadership, quality improvement, and advocacy. This policy statement builds on the call to action put forth in our presidential advisory, discussing specific opportunities to leverage public policy in promoting overall well-being and rectifying those long-standing structural barriers that impede the progress that we need and seek for the health of all communities. Although this policy statement discusses difficult aspects of our past, it is meant to provide a forward-looking blueprint that can be embraced by a broad spectrum of stakeholders who share the association’s commitment to addressing structural racism and realizing true health equity.
Optimal Minimal Stent Area and Impact of Stent Underexpansion in Left Main Up-Front 2-Stent Strategy
Authors: Kim Ju Hyeon , Kang Do-Yoon , Ahn Jung-Min , Kweon Jihoon , Choi Yeonwoo , Kim Hoyun , Lee Jinho , Chae Jihye , Kang Soo-Jin , Park Duk-Woo , Park Seung-Jung
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

We previously reported the use of minimal stent area to predict angiographic in-stent restenosis after drug-eluting stent implantation for unprotected left main (LM) disease. We aimed to evaluate the optimal minimal stent area criteria for up-front LM 2-stenting based on long-term clinical outcomes.

METHODS:

We identified 292 consecutive patients with LM bifurcation stenosis who were treated using the crush technique. The final minimal stent area was measured in the ostial left anterior descending artery (LAD), ostial left circumflex artery (LCX), and distal LM. The primary outcome was 5-year major adverse cardiac events, including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization.

RESULTS:

The minimal stent area cutoff values that best predicted the 5-year major adverse cardiac events were 11.8 mm
2
for distal LM (area under the curve, 0.57;
P
=0.15), 8.3 mm
2
for LAD ostium (area under the curve, 0.62;
P
=0.02), and 5.7 mm
2
for LCX ostium (area under the curve, 0.64;
P
=0.01). Using these criteria, the risk of 5-year major adverse cardiac events was significantly associated with stent underexpansion in the LAD ostium (hazard ratio, 3.14; [95% CI, 1.23–8.06];
P
=0.02) and LCX ostium (hazard ratio, 2.60 [95% CI, 1.11–6.07];
P
=0.03) but not in the distal LM (hazard ratio, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.34–1.91];
P
=0.63). Patients with stent underexpansion in both ostial LAD and LCX had a significantly higher rate of 5-year major adverse cardiac events than those with no or 1 underexpanded stent of either ostium (
P
<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Stent underexpansion in the LAD and LCX ostium was significantly associated with long-term outcomes in patients who underwent up-front 2-stenting for LM bifurcation stenosis.
Deployment of Point‐of‐Care Echocardiography to Improve Cardiac Diagnostic Access Among American Indians
Authors: de Loizaga Sarah , Benashley LeCario , Hoekzema Jacob , Ahmed Nahreen , Alexander Craig , Bolger Ann , Evers Patrick D. , Hill Garick D. , Nakagaayi Doreen , Nashio J. T. , Nunes Maria Carmo Pereira , Sable Craig , Tacuri Luz Marina , Danforth Kristen , Beaton Andrea , Close Ryan
Published: January 2024

Background

American Indians face significant barriers to diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. We sought to develop a real‐world implementation model for improving access to echocardiography within the Indian Health Service, the American Indian Structural Heart Disease Partnership.

Methods and Results

The American Indian Structural Heart Disease Partnership was implemented and evaluated via a 4‐step process of characterizing the system where it would be instituted, building point‐of‐care echocardiography capacity, deploying active case finding for structural heart disease, and evaluating the approach from the perspective of the clinician and patient. Data were collected and analyzed using a parallel convergent mixed methods approach. Twelve health care providers successfully completed training in point‐of‐care echocardiography. While there was perceived usefulness of echocardiography, providers found it difficult to integrate screening point‐of‐care echocardiography into their workday given competing demands. By the end of 12 months, 6 providers continued to actively utilize point‐of‐care echocardiography. Patients who participated in the study felt it was an acceptable and effective approach. They also identified access to transportation as a notable challenge to accessing echocardiograms. Over the 12‐month period, a total of 639 patients were screened, of which 36 (5.6%) had a new clinically significant abnormal finding.

Conclusions

The American Indian Structural Heart Disease Partnership model exhibited several promising strategies to improve access to screening echocardiography for American Indian populations. However, competing priorities for Indian Health Service providers' time limited the amount of integration of screening echocardiography into outpatient practice. Future endeavors should explore community‐based solutions to develop a more sustainable model with greater impact on case detection, disease management, and improved outcomes.
Advancing Cardiovascular Health Equity Globally Through Digital Technologies
Authors: Ogungbe Oluwabunmi , Longenecker Chris T. , Beaton Andrea , de Loizaga Sarah , Brant Luisa Campos Caldeira , Turkson Ocran Ruth‐Alma N. , Bastani Pouya , Sarfo Fred Stephen , Commodore‐Mensah Yvonne
Published: January 2024

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Digital health technologies are important public health interventions for addressing the burden of cardiovascular disease. In this article, we discuss the importance of translating digital innovations in research‐funded projects to low‐resource settings globally to advance global cardiovascular health equity. We also discuss current global cardiovascular health inequities and the digital health divide within and between countries. We present various considerations for translating digital innovations across different settings across the globe, including
reciprocal innovation
, a “bidirectional, co‐constituted, and iterative exchange of ideas, resources, and innovations to address shared health challenges across diverse global settings.” In this case, afferent reciprocal innovations may flow from high‐income countries toward low‐ and middle‐income countries, and efferent reciprocal innovations may be exported to high‐income countries from low‐ and middle‐income countries with adaptation. Finally, we discuss opportunities for bidirectional learning between local and global institutions and highlight examples of projects funded through the American Heart Association Health and Innovation Strategically Funded Research Network that have been adapted to lower‐resource settings or have the potential to be adapted to lower‐resource settings.
Using Artificial Intelligence for Rheumatic Heart Disease Detection by Echocardiography: Focus on Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Brown Kelsey , Roshanitabrizi Pooneh , Rwebembera Joselyn , Okello Emmy , Beaton Andrea , Linguraru Marius George , Sable Craig A.
Published: January 2024

Background

Identification of children with latent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) by echocardiography, before onset of symptoms, provides an opportunity to initiate secondary prophylaxis and prevent disease progression. There have been limited artificial intelligence studies published assessing the potential of machine learning to detect and analyze mitral regurgitation or to detect the presence of RHD on standard portable echocardiograms.

Methods and Results

We used 511 echocardiograms in children, focusing on color Doppler images of the mitral valve. Echocardiograms were independently reviewed by an expert adjudication panel. Among 511 cases, 229 were normal, and 282 had RHD. Our automated method included harmonization of echocardiograms to localize the left atrium during systole using convolutional neural networks and RHD detection using mitral regurgitation jet analysis and deep learning models with an attention mechanism. We identified the correct view with an average accuracy of 0.99 and the correct systolic frame with an average accuracy of 0.94 (apical) and 0.93 (parasternal long axis). It localized the left atrium with an average Dice coefficient of 0.88 (apical) and 0.9 (parasternal long axis). Maximum mitral regurgitation jet measurements were similar to expert manual measurements (
P
value=0.83) and a 9‐feature mitral regurgitation analysis showed an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.93, precision of 0.83, recall of 0.92, and F1 score of 0.87. Our deep learning model showed an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.84, precision of 0.78, recall of 0.98, and F1 score of 0.87.

Conclusions

Artificial intelligence has the potential to detect RHD as accurately as expert cardiologists and to improve with more data. These innovative approaches hold promise to scale echocardiography screening for RHD.
The effect of cerebellar TMS on error processing: A combined single-pulse TMS and ERP study
Authors: Berlijn Adam M. , Huvermann Dana M. , Groiss Stefan J. , Schnitzler Alfons , Mittelstaedt Manfred , Bellebaum Christian , Timmann Dagmar , Minnerop Martina , Peterburs Jutta
Published: January 2024

The present study investigated temporal aspects of cerebellar contributions to the processing of performance errors as indexed by the error-related negativity (ERN) in the response-locked event-related potential (ERP). We co-registered EEG and applied single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (spTMS) to the left posterolateral cerebellum and an extra-cerebellar control region (vertex) while healthy adult volunteers performed a Go/Nogo Flanker Task. In Go trials, TMS pulses were applied at four different time points, with temporal shifts of -100 ms, -50 ms, 0 ms, or +50 ms relative to the individual error latency (IEL, i.e., individual ERN peak latency + median error response time). These stimulation timings were aggregated into early (-100 ms, -50 ms) and late (0 ms, +50 ms) stimulation for the analysis. In Nogo trials, TMS pulses occurred 0 ms, 100 ms, or 300 ms after stimulus onset. Mixed linear model analyses revealed that cerebellar stimulation did not affect error rates overall. No effects were found for response times. As hypothesized, ERN amplitudes were decreased for cerebellar stimulation. No significant differences were found for the error positivity (Pe). Similar to TMS application to probe cerebellar-brain inhibition in the motor domain, the inhibitory tone of the cerebellar cortex may have been disrupted by the pulses. Reduced inhibitory output of the cerebellar cortex may have facilitated the processing of error information for response selection, which is reflected in a decreased ERN.
The GLM-spectrum: A multilevel framework for spectrum analysis with covariate and confound modelling
Authors: Quinn Andrew J. , Atkinson Lauren Z. , Gohil Chetan , Kohl Oliver , Pitt Jemma , Zich Catharina , Nobre Anna C. , Woolrich Mark W.
Published: January 2024

The frequency spectrum is a central method for representing the dynamics within electrophysiological data. Some widely used spectrum estimators make use of averaging across time segments to reduce noise in the final spectrum. The core of this approach has not changed substantially since the 1960s, though many advances in the field of regression modelling and statistics have been made during this time. Here, we propose a new approach, the General Linear Model (GLM) Spectrum, which reframes time averaged spectral estimation as multiple regression. This brings several benefits, including the ability to do confound modelling, hierarchical modelling, and significance testing via non-parametric statistics. We apply the approach to a dataset of EEG recordings of participants who alternate between eyes-open and eyes-closed resting state. The GLM-Spectrum can model both conditions, quantify their differences, and perform denoising through confound regression in a single step. This application is scaled up from a single channel to a whole head recording and, finally, applied to quantify age differences across a large group-level dataset. We show that the GLM-Spectrum lends itself to rigorous modelling of within- and between-subject contrasts as well as their interactions, and that the use of model-projected spectra provides an intuitive visualisation. The GLM-Spectrum is a flexible framework for robust multilevel analysis of power spectra, with adaptive covariate and confound modelling.
Nutritive value of cereal grains, protein meals and by-products for yellow mealworms
Authors: Pascual J.J. , Fasce B. , Martı́nez-de-Pablo A. , Andrade C. , López M.C. , Cambra-López M.
Published: January 2024

Nutritive value of raw materials is needed to formulate diets that fulfil the requirements of the yellow mealworms. The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional value of six raw materials commonly used in yellow mealworm feeding (barley grain, corn grain, hominy feed, wheat bran, corn gluten feed and soybean meal) and to propose prediction equations for the nutritive value of raw materials from their chemical composition. From Monday to Friday 5 g of raw material and 20 g of gel (source of water and micronutrients) were daily supplied. After two days of fasting, frass was collected. This procedure was repeated for 6 weeks. During this period, the initial and final weight of the larvae, the consumption of the raw material offered, and the production of faeces were controlled. Raw materials and faeces were analysed for dry matter (DM), ashes, crude protein (CP), ether extract, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and gross energy (GE), from which their coefficients of digestibility were determined. The digestible energy (DE) content of the raw materials was 13.8, 14.2, 11.6, 8.7, 6.9, 11.3 MJ DE/kg DM and the digestible protein (DP) was 61, 52, 48, 74, 70 and 242 g DP/kg DM for the barley grain, corn grain, hominy feed, wheat bran, corn gluten feed and soybean meal, respectively. DE content of raw materials was closely correlated with their content on ashes, starch and ADF (−0.83, +0.69 and −0.65, respectively; ), while DP content was mainly correlated with their content on CP, starch and ether extract (+0.95, +0.60 and −0.69, respectively; ). It can be concluded that mealworms have a good ability to utilize cereal starch, wheat bran diets should be complemented with digestible carbohydrates and protein sources, and soybean meal may be a good source of vegetable protein for mealworms.
Three new genera of arboreal dark sac spiders from southern Africa (Araneae: Trachelidae)
Authors: HADDAD CHARLES R. , LYLE ROBIN
Published: January 2024

As part of a revision of the Afrotropical species of Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 (Araneae: Trachelidae), we distinguished three new genera of primarily arboreal spiders from southern Africa that are described here: Coronarachne gen. nov., represented by four new species known from both sexes, C. denticulata sp. nov. (type species), C. penicillus sp. nov., C. setosa sp. nov. and C. unigena sp. nov., and C. neethlingi sp. nov., known only from the male; Falcaranea gen. nov., represented by three new species known from both sexes, F. amatola sp. nov., F. gladius sp. nov. (type species) and F. maputensis sp. nov.; and Trachecymbius gen. nov., represented by five new species, T. bosselaersi sp. nov. (♀), T. felis sp. nov. (♂♀), T. peterwebbi sp. nov. (♂), T. tyume sp. nov. (type species, ♂♀), and T. umbella sp. nov. (♀). These three genera share the presence of strongly protruding setal bases on the ventral surfaces of the anterior legs, which are more strongly developed in males and can be mistaken for small ventral cusps that are found in several trachelid genera. Identification keys are provided for each of the three genera and their phylogenetic affinities to other Afrotropical Trachelidae are evaluated based on the cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene. Most of the species described here were common in canopy fogging samples, and to a lesser extent beating, but are clearly a prominent component of the arboreal trachelid fauna in savanna and forest habitats in southern Africa.
A taxonomic study of the Platydracus brachycerus group with descriptions of three new species from China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Staphylininae)
Authors: ZHOU CHENG-LIN , ZHAO QING-HAO , TANG LIANG
Published: January 2024

We here propose a species group within the genus Platydracus, the brachycerus group, that is very likely associated with termites and includes three known species: Platydracus brachycerus Smetana & Davies, 2000; Platydracus juang Smetana, 2005; and Platydracus donnyi Rougemont, 2015. We also describe three new species belonging to this group, all from China: P. smetanai sp. n. (Zhejiang, Anhui, Hunan, Guangxi), P. gracilis sp. n. (Guangxi) and P. paragracilis sp. n. (Yunnan). Platydracus juang is newly recorded from Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan provinces. A key to species of the Platydracus brachycerus group is provided.
New records of Pseudopomyzidae in Brazil and description of the male of Latheticomyia infumata Wheeler (Diptera: Brachycera)
Authors: ALE-ROCHA ROSALY , BARROS LUANA
Published: January 2024

Latheticomyia Wheeler is recorded for the first time from Brazil, with records of Latheticomyia infumata Wheeler and Latheticomyia longiterebra Hennig. The male of L. infumata is described and the terminalia are illustrated. New records of Pseudopomyzella flava Hennig for the Brazilian Amazon are presented.
Divine Style
Authors: Dobbs-Allsopp F. W.
Published: January 2024

In exploring the seminal works of Walt Whitman, the great American poet, many commentators have acknowledged the underlying influence of The King James Bible. However, a study has yet to elucidate the precise manner in which the Bible has shaped Whitman’s poetic style.

This is the deficit that F. W. Dobbs-Allsopp seeks to address in his new piece of literary scholarship: 'Divine Style: Walt Whitman and the King James Bible'. Dobbs-Allsopp, Professor of Old Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, explicitly approaches Whitman from the perspective of a biblical scholar.

Utilising his wealth of expertise in this field, he constructs a compelling, erudite and methodical argument for the King James Bible’s importance in the evolution of Whitman’s style – from his signature long lines to the prevalence of parallelism and tendency towards parataxis in his works.

'Divine Style' focuses on Whitman’s output in the years preceding the release of his 1855 opus 'Leaves of Grass' through the general period of the book’s first three editions. In this, Dobbs-Allsopp’s exploration of the period is exhaustive – covering not just Leaves of Grass but recently recovered notebooks, newly digitised manuscripts and additions to the corpus, such as the novel 'Life and Adventures of Jack Engle'.

This is a work of careful, detailed scholarship, offering an authoritative commentary that will be a valuable resource for students of Whitman, biblical scholars and scholars of literature more generally.
Effects of Locking Compression Plate and Intramedullary Nailing on the Healing, Stress Factors and Inflammatory Factors of Patients with Open Humerus Fractures in Emergency
Authors: Wang Lizeng , Cui Tao , Lv Guangxin , Wang Weifeng , Tian Yanpeng , Wang Liping , Wang Guijiang
Published: January 2024

To investigate the efficacy of internal fixation with locking compression plate and intramedullary nailing in the treatment of open humerus fractures in emergency and their influences on the stress factors and inflammatory factors of patients. Sixty patients with open humerus fractures
admitted in emergency department from December 2017 to December 2019 were enrolled in this study, and they were randomly divided into group A (n = 30) and group B (n = 30) based on treatment methods. Patients in group A received the internal fixation with locking compression
plate, while patients in group B were treated with intramedullary nailing. The study compared various factors between the two groups, including operation time, surgical incision size, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative weight-bearing time, healing time, treatment effectiveness, inflammatory
factors, stress factors, and the incidence of postoperative complications. In group B, patients had significantly shorter operation times and less intraoperative blood loss compared to group A (P < 0.05). Additionally, patients in group B started postoperative shoulder training earlier.
The surgical incision size and fracture healing time did not show significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The excellent and good rate of treatment in group A was 93.33% while 96.67% for group B (P > 0.05). On the 7th day after operation, patients in both
groups exhibited increased serum levels of ESR, WBC, and IL-6. However, group B demonstrated significantly lower levels of these factors compared to group A (P < 0.05). Moreover, the norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and cortisol (Cor) all increased, and group B demonstrated lower
levels than group A (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in groups A and B were 36.67% and 13.33%, respectively (P < 0.05). Both internal fixation with a locking compression plate and intramedullary nailing are effective in treating open humerus fractures
in emergency cases. However, intramedullary nailing offers advantages such as shorter operation time, reduced intraoperative blood loss, lower postoperative stress and inflammatory responses, and a lower incidence of postoperative complications. Therefore, intramedullary nailing should be
promoted as a treatment option for these fractures.
Resin Loaded with Nanoparticles and Remineralizing Agents on the Bond Integrity and Microleakage of Tooth Color Restoration Bonded to the Bleached Enamel Surface
Authors: Alkhudhairy F. , Maawadh A. M. , Almohareb T.
Published: January 2024

Aims: Assessment of remineralizing agent-modified resin adhesives i.e., Nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP), Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP- ACP), and Sodium Fluoride (NaF) on the shear bond strength (SBS) and microleakage of tooth color
restoration bonded to the bleached enamel. Materials and Methods: Eighty premolar buccal enamel surfaces were bleached using a 10% carbamide peroxide gel. After 2 weeks samples were etched and then randomly allocated into four groups (n = 20) Group 1: No remineralizating agent
+ ER, Group 2: NaF + ER, Group 3: CPP-ACP + ER, and Group 4: NACP + ER. Composite restoration was performed followed by immersion in distilled water. Microleakage, SBS, and failure mode assessment were achieved. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of SBS and marginal sealing were compared
using the Tukey post hoc test and One-way ANOVA. Results: Group 1 samples displayed the maximum value of marginal leakage. However, Group 4 samples exhibited the minimum scores of microleakage. Regarding SBS, Group 4 unveiled the highest outcomes of bond integrity. Whereas, Group 1
presented the lowest value of SBS. Conclusion: NACP-modified resin adhesives proved to be a better and safer alternative in improving the bond strength and microleakage scores of tooth color restorative material to bleached enamel.
Efficacy of Riboflavin Activated by PDT, Sapindus macrossi when Used as Final Irrigant on Microleakage, Sealer Penetration, Extrusion Bond Strength, and Martens Hardness Sealed with Bioactive Cement
Authors: Alanazi Amer M. , Khan Azmat Ali , Mahmood Amer , Shafqat Shaheryar , Kamal Mohammad Amjad
Published: January 2024

Aim To compare the effects of riboflavin photosensitizer (RFP) Sapindus Macrossi (SM) on extrusion bond strength (EBS), Marten's hardness (MH), microleakage, and sealer penetration of bioactive cement. Materials and Methods Inclusion/exclusion criteria selected samples.
All samples were opened, and the working length was established using pro taper for canal completion and steady irrigation with 2.25% NaOCl. Four randomly chosen groups. EDTA, RFP final irrigant, SM, and saline were the groups. Obturated samples were vertically put in 1% methylene blue dye
and cut in half lengthwise for a stereomicroscope. SEM investigated dentinal tubule SP. Mean, standard deviation, and one-way ANOVA measured microleakage, EBS, and MH. Results Final watering procedures did not affect samples. Final irrigant SM increased sealer penetration. Radicular
dentin irrigated with 2.25% NaOCl+ SM had the highest EBS in the cervical region. Group 2: 2.25% NaOCl+ RFP had the lowest MH while Group 1: SM had the highest. Conclusion Sapindus mukorossi, often known as soapberry or reetha, could replace current watering methods when used with a
bioactive sealant.
Efficacy of S-1 Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Resected Biliary Tract Cancer: A Retrospective Propensity-Matched Analysis
Authors: Yoshida Michihiko , Yanagimoto Hiroaki , Tsugawa Daisuke , Akita Masayuki , Urade Takeshi , Nanno Yoshihide , Fukushima Kenji , Gon Hidetoshi , Komatsu Shohei , Asari Sadaki , Kido Masahiro , Toyama Hirochika , Ajiki Tetsuo , Fukumoto Takumi
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Surgical resection is considered an effective cure for biliary tract cancer (BTC); however, the prognosis is unsatisfactory despite improved surgical techniques and perioperative management. The recurrence rate remains high even after curative resection. The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in pancreatic and gastric cancers has been previously reported, and the feasibility of adjuvant therapy with S-1 has recently been reported in patients with resected BTC. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 on resected advanced BTC.

Methods

We included data from 438 BTC patients who underwent resection between 2001 and 2020. After excluding patients with pTis-pT1 (n = 112) and other exclusion criteria, 266 patients were included in the analysis.

Results

After propensity score matching, 48 patients received S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy (S-1 group), and 48 patients received non-S1 adjuvant chemotherapy or underwent surgery alone (Non-S-1 group). The patients in the S-1 group had significantly better overall survival (OS) than those in the non-S-1 group (MST 51 vs 37 months, hazard ratio [HR]:.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]:.30-.98, P = .04). The S-1 group had a significantly better recurrence-free survival (RFS) than the non-S-1 group (94 vs 21 months, HR: .57, 95% CI: .33-.97, P = .03). Subgroup analyses for OS and RFS exhibited the benefits of S-1 in patients aged <75 years and in patients with primary sites of extrahepatic and perineural invasion and curability of R0.

Discussion

S-1 adjuvant therapy is promising for improving the postoperative survival of patients with resected advanced BTC, positive nerve invasion, and R0 resection.
Enhancing the thermoelectric properties of bismuth antimony tellurides containing excess Te with respect to sintering temperature
Authors: Kim Hyo Jeong , Park Min Soo , Ha Gook Hyun , Kang NamHyun
Published: January 2024

Bi–Te-based thermoelectric materials with excellent room-temperature properties are difficult to commercialise because of their low dimensionless figure of merit ( ZT). In this study, a powder was synthesised by adding an excess amount of Te to improve its thermoelectric performance at room temperature. The synthesised powder was sintered using spark plasma sintering at various temperatures to examine the effect of temperature-dependent behaviour of Te on the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient. The excess Te-containing powder exhibited excellent electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient at high temperatures, and the thermal conductivity was significantly reduced. Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3+ x ( x = 2) showed a maximum room-temperature ZT of 1.57 at a sintering temperature of 450°C.
Consolidation of water-atomized chromium–nickel-alloyed powder metallurgy steel through novel processing routes
Authors: Nagaram Anok Babu , Sundaram Maheswaran Vattur , Gårdstam Johannes , Andersson Michael , Chen Zhuoer , Hryha Eduard , Nyborg Lars
Published: January 2024

When processing powder metallurgy (PM) steels, the conventional press and sinter route can reach a relative density up to 95%, which is insufficient for applications when dynamic mechanical performance is critical. In this study, a novel route is demonstrated consisting of cold isostatic pressing (CIP) followed by sintering and capsule-free hot isostatic pressing (HIP), allowing to achieve full density PM steels. Water-atomized steel powder admixed with 2 wt.% Ni was subjected to CIP and followed by sintering in 90N2/10H2 atmosphere at 1120 and 1250°C, and in vacuum (10−2 mbar) at 1250 and 1350°C, respectively. At the highest explored CIP pressure of 600 MPa, the three high-temperature sintering runs at 1250°C in 90N2/10H2 atmosphere and vacuum, and 1350°C in vacuum resulted in relative density of ∼94% and closed surface pores. This condition with necessary closed porosity then allowed subsequent capsule-free HIP after sintering, resulting in full densification of the components.
Damping and mechanical properties of SiC particles reinforced aluminium matrix composites prepared by colloidal dispersion and suction filtration method
Authors: Wang Xue Feng , Chen Li Tao , Sun Yong , Lv Zhao Zhao , Jia Yu Bo , Guo Yong Chun , Yi Hua Hui
Published: January 2024

In order to uniformly distribute SiCp in the aluminium matrix and prepare SiCp/Al composites with high mechanical and damping properties, a preparation method of colloidal dispersion and suction filtration was developed. It was observed from the microstructure of the composites that the SiCp/Al composites prepared by colloidal dispersion and suction filtration method had good interfacial structures, and the interfacial reaction between SiCp and aluminium matrix was effectively inhibited. Tensile mechanical properties at room temperature and damping properties in the temperature range of 25 °C to 300 °C were tested for the SiCp/Al composites with volume fractions of 5% to 10%. The results showed that SiCp/Al composites have excellent mechanical and damping properties when the volume fraction of SiCp was 7%. This is because SiCp were uniformly distributed in the aluminium matrix, and formed a good interfacial bond with the aluminium matrix, which benefitted both the interfacial slip loss and the strengthening effect of SiCp.
Men's Migration and Women's Health in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Migration's Economic Returns and Spousal Communication
Authors: Jansen Natalie , Agadjanian Victor
Published: January 2024

In this study, we investigate the association between men's labor migration and changes in their non-migrating wives’ self-rated health (SRH) over time using longitudinal data from rural Mozambique. In addition to comparing wives of non-migrants and wives of migrants, we account for variation in the economic impact of migration and in migrants’ phone communication with their spouses. We find that migrants’ wives are significantly less likely to report low SRH, compared to non-migrants’ wives, net of other factors. However, this net advantage is concentrated among migrants’ wives who receive frequent remittances and who report that their households’ conditions have improved thanks to husband's migration. We also find that women who engage in frequent phone communication with their migrant husbands have decreased likelihoods of low SRH, compared to migrants’ wives who do not communicate with their husbands during their migration and to women married to non-migrants, regardless of other characteristics. We interpret these findings within the context of multifaceted gendered implications of men's migration for left-behind women's health and wellbeing.
Alloy selection for wear-resistant lightweight aluminium brake disc
Authors: Shrestha Suman , Francis Robin , Smith Andrew
Published: January 2024

Brake discs for the rear axle of a high-performance sports car have been manufactured in three different lightweight materials; AA6082, AA7075 and AA2024 aluminium alloys. These were subsequently coated with a Keronite plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) ceramic layer. Full-scale dynamometer tests have been conducted against a standard low-met brake pad using a modified AK master test at increasing levels of braking temperature until a physical limit is reached. Microstructural characterisation of coating and brake pad wear and tribo-layer have been studied using SEM and EDX. In addition, post-dynamometer-test friction discs have been exposed to salt fog testing. Dynamometer tests give confidence that PEO-coated aluminium brake discs are a viable technical solution for vehicle lightweighting. In particular, compelling performance with respect to good coefficient-of-friction (CoF), extremely high coating adhesion, minimal disc and pad wear, low disc run-out, good heat dissipation, and good corrosion resistance has been demonstrated for Mat A (AA6082) alloy discs. Despite higher room temperature strength, the resulting performances of Mat B (AA7075) and Mat C (AA2024) are poor at higher braking temperatures, resulting in excessive coating spallation and subsequent grain boundary attack followed by severe intergranular corrosion.
Effects of aluminised-coating on microstructure and properties of Ni–Co-base superalloys
Authors: Hong Zhenjun , Li Yu , Liu Binggang , Jia Xiaoshuai
Published: January 2024

A Ni–Co-base superalloy was subjected to three different pack aluminising procedures (1000 °C for 3.5 h, 890 °C for 8 h and 620 °C for 10 h) to produce the Al-rich coating with simultaneously improved oxidation and wear resistance. All samples showed a multi-layer coating made up of (Ni, Fe, Co)Al phase, (Ni, Fe, Co)3Al phase and transition layer. The AT620 sample possessed the lowest oxidation rate but the highest double-edge-notched (DEN) strain during high-temperature stress rupture. The high oxidation resistance might be associated with the creation of Al2O3 layer (∼5.6 μm), contributing to an inhibition of oxygen permeation. However, a premature failure was caused by the strong deformation incompatibility between the substrate and alumina layer. The AT890 samples had higher oxidation and creep-induced-crack resistance than those of the AT1000 samples, which was the result of the effective Al inter-diffusions in the transition layer suppressing the undesirable Cr-rich σ phase.