bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
4D Printing of Shape‐Memory Semi‐Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Based On Aromatic Heterochain Polymers
Authors: Bardakova Kseniia N. , Kholkhoev Bato Ch. , Farion Ivan A. , Epifanov Evgenii O. , Korkunova Olga S. , Efremov Yuri M. , Minaev Nikita V. , Solovieva Anna B. , Timashev Peter S. , Burdukovskii Vitaliy F.
Published: September 2021

Most of the presently known thermosensitive shape‐memory polymers suitable for 4D printing have insufficient mechanical strength and thermal stability that restricts their potential areas of application. Here, new photosensitive compositions (PSCs) based on aromatic heterochain polymers – poly‐N,N′‐(m‐phenylene)isophthalamide (MPA) or poly‐2,2′‐(p‐oxydiphenylene)‐5,5′‐dibenzimidazole (OPBI) – for DLP printing are proposed. Thermal post‐curing and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) are used for post‐processing of the structures. During the scCO2 treatment the removal of unreacted monomeric component (N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) and its uncrosslinked oligomers is accompanied by the preservation of the initial degree of crosslinking. The more stable shrinkage is observed for the combined post‐processing method (T°+scCO2) in the case of OPBI‐PSC and after the heat treatment for MPA‐PSC specimens. The method of post‐processing and the nature of the heterochain polymer strongly affect the mechanical properties and thermal resistance of the structures. The tensile strength has the maximum value after the thermal post‐treatment (101.1 ± 7.1 and 78.4 ± 5.1 MPa of OPBI‐PSC and MPA‐PSC, respectively). The intense destruction of the materials is observed at 393 and 408 °C for MPA‐PSC and OPBI‐PSC, respectively. Moreover, the 4D‐printed structures exhibit excellent shape memory performance at transition temperatures >100 °C, thus have a great potential for the use in aerospace, robotics, sensorics.
Foam fractionation removal of multiple per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances from landfill leachate
Authors: McCleaf Philip , Kjellgren Ylva , Ahrens Lutz
Published: September 2021

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a common contaminant in municipal landfill leachate and are recognized as a pollutant on global scale. The present work examined foam fractionation (FF) in batch and continuous modes as an appropriate treatment technique for PFAS removal for the landfill leachate and found stable removal efficiency of greater than 90% for PFOA (C7), PFOS (C8), PFHxS (C6), and PFHpA (C6) and 6:2 FTSA (C6). For other PFAS such as PFNA (C8), PFPeS (C4), PFHxA (C5), PFHpS (C7), and PFBS (C4), a less stable removal between 80% and 50% was achieved while between 50% and 20% removal was observed for EtFOSAA (C8), PFBA (C3), PFDA (C9), FOSA (C8), PFPeA (C4), and MeFOSAA (C8). Increased air flowrate, addition of iron (III) oxide (Fe+3) coagulant, conductivity, and greater untreated leachate PFAS concentration were factors resulting in increased removal efficiency for the majority of PFAS.

Article Impact Statement

Efficient PFAS removal from landfill leachate using surface‐active foam fractionation treatment with examination of key process parameters.
A rare case of Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease reported from Nepal
Authors: Neupane Durga , Gupta Prashant Kumar , Subedi Sushil Sharma , Gupta Dilip , Chhetri Sunit
Published: September 2021

Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease, though rare, should be considered in the clinical picture of rapidly progressive dementia and absence of verbal response as evident in our case despite the absence of typical radiological picture.
Rare primary peritoneal mucinous adenocarcinoma in a 69‐year‐old man
Authors: Satoh Fumiko , Tsutusmi Yutaka
Published: September 2021

Primary peritoneal mucinous adenocarcinoma is rare in men. The low‐grade tumor consisted of mucin‐producing columnar cells with minimal nuclear atypia. Relationship to pseudomyxoma peritonei and disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis is discussed.
Treatment in the absence of disease reclassification among men on active surveillance for prostate cancer
Authors: Kirk Peter S. , Zhu Kehao , Zheng Yingye , Newcomb Lisa F. , Schenk Jeannette M. , Brooks James D. , Carroll Peter R. , Dash Atreya , Ellis William J. , Filson Christopher P. , Gleave Martin E. , Liss Michael , Martin Frances , McKenney Jesse K. , Morgan Todd M. , Nelson Peter S. , Thompson Ian M. , Wagner Andrew A. , Lin Daniel W. , Gore John L.
Published: September 2021

Background

Maintaining men on active surveillance for prostate cancer can be challenging. Although most men who eventually undergo treatment have experienced clinical progression, a smaller subset elects treatment in the absence of disease reclassification. This study sought to understand factors associated with treatment in a large, contemporary, prospective cohort.

Methods

This study identified 1789 men in the Canary Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance Study cohort enrolled as of 2020 with a median follow‐up of 5.6 years. Clinical and demographic data as well as information on patient‐reported quality of life and urinary symptoms were used in multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models to identify factors associated with the time to treatment

Results

Within 4 years of their diagnosis, 33% of men (95% confidence interval [CI], 30%‐35%) underwent treatment, and 10% (95% CI, 9%‐12%) were treated in the absence of reclassification. The most significant factor associated with any treatment was an increasing Gleason grade group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 14.5; 95% CI, 11.7‐17.9). Urinary quality‐of‐life scores were associated with treatment without reclassification (aHR comparing “mostly dissatisfied/terrible” with “pleased/mixed,” 2.65; 95% CI, 1.54‐4.59). In a subset analysis (n = 692), married men, compared with single men, were more likely to undergo treatment in the absence of reclassification (aHR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.04‐6.66).

Conclusions

A substantial number of men with prostate cancer undergo treatment in the absence of clinical changes in their cancers, and quality‐of‐life changes and marital status may be important factors in these decisions.

Lay Summary

This analysis of men on active surveillance for prostate cancer shows that approximately 1 in 10 men will decide to be treated within 4 years of their diagnosis even if their cancer is stable.

These choices may be related in part to quality‐or‐life or spousal concerns.
Computer‐aided procedure for the analysis of the Bezold effect in achromatic samples on periodic test
Authors: Defez Beatriz , Moncho‐Santonja María , Peris‐Fajarnés Guillermo , Morcillo Eva M.
Published: September 2021

The Bezold effect is described as the modification in the visual perception of an object, caused by the surrounding area. Perceptual effects like this have an important role in the interpretation of colors and shapes. Industrial sectors where the appearance of products is an essential factor of success are very much conditioned by these effects. So far, the evaluation of the Bezold effect has been evaluated by means of physical samples. Here we propose a computer‐aided procedure, which simulates the physical conditions. The software has proved to provide a time‐saving method for the evaluation of the Bezold effect, so that more and more exhaustive experiments could be performed tounderstand better the phenomenon. On the other side, the study of the differences between the observation of physical and computer samples is a goal in itself, since companies of all sectors present their products online massively. This is a new research line we are currently developing for several companies of the fine arts, textile, and ceramic clusters.
(Photo)electrocatalytic Versus Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Authors: Bellardita Marianna , Loddo Vittorio , Parrino Francesco , Palmisano Leonardo
Published: September 2021

The front cover artwork is provided by the authors, University of Palermo (Italy). The image depicts the synergic coupling of the electrocatalytic system (yellow wire) with a photocatalytic one (blue wire), represented by the weaving of the two wires together. The coupled system is used for the photoelectrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to form light organic species with possible simultaneous hydrogen production. Read the full text of the Review at 10.1002/cptc.202100030.
More women with children drinking to cope during pandemic
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2021

Research conducted by Research Triangle Institute (RTI) funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found increases across the board and noted that these increases occurred as “off‐premises” (not at bars or restaurants) alcohol availability went up. These increases in availability, mainly curbside pickups and home delivery, were made as policy reactions to the pandemic, aimed at keeping people out of liquor stores (which mostly remained open, as somehow considered essential) where they could transmit COVID‐19. But they show every sign of persisting beyond the pandemic. The alcohol beverage industry likes relaxing restrictions and is behind many states' decisions to keep home‐delivery and curbside sales, as well as the “to‐go” drinks sold by restaurants, a reality beyond the pandemic.
Improvement of Treg immune response after treatment with tocilizumab in giant cell arteritis
Authors: Samson Maxime , Greigert Hélène , Ciudad Marion , Gerard Claire , Ghesquière Thibault , Trad Malika , Corbera‐Bellalta Marc , Genet Coraline , Ouandji Sethi , Cladière Claudie , Thebault Marine , Ly Kim Heang , Liozon Eric , Maurier François , Bienvenu Boris , Terrier Benjamin , Guillevin Loïc , Charles Pierre , Quipourt Valérie , Devilliers Hervé , Gabrielle Pierre‐Henry , Creuzot‐Garcher Catherine , Tarris Georges , Martin Laurent , Saas Philippe , Audia Sylvain , Cid Maria Cinta , Bonnotte Bernard
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To study the percentage, suppressive function and plasticity of Treg in giant cell arteritis (GCA), and the effects of glucocorticoids and tocilizumab.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained from 40 controls and 43 GCA patients at baseline and after treatment with glucocorticoids + IV tocilizumab (n = 20) or glucocorticoids (n = 23). Treg percentage and phenotype were assessed by flow cytometry. Suppressive function of Treg was assessed by measuring their ability to inhibit effector T‐cell (Teff) proliferation and polarisation into Th1 and Th17 cells.

Results

Treg (CD4+CD25highFoxP3+) frequency in total CD4+ T cells was decreased in active GCA patients when compared to controls (2.5% vs. 4.7%, P < 0.001) and increased after treatment with tocilizumab but worsened after treatment with glucocorticoids alone. Treg lacking exon 2 of FoxP3 were increased in GCA patients when compared to controls (23% vs. 10% of total Treg, P = 0.0096) and normalised after treatment with tocilizumab + glucocorticoids but not glucocorticoids alone. In GCA patients, Treg were unable to control Teff proliferation and induced ˜50% increase in the amount of IL‐17+ Teff, which was improved after in vitro blockade of the IL‐6 pathway by tocilizumab.

Conclusion

This study reports quantitative and functional disruptions in the regulatory immune response of GCA patients and demonstrates that, unlike glucocorticoids, tocilizumab improves Treg immune response.
Erectile dysfunction and diabetes: A melting pot of circumstances and treatments
Authors: Defeudis Giuseppe , Mazzilli Rossella , Tenuta Marta , Rossini Giovanni , Zamponi Virginia , Olana Soraya , Faggiano Antongiulio , Pozzilli Paolo , Isidori Andrea M. , Gianfrilli Daniele
Published: September 2021

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose, is among the most common chronic diseases. The incidence and prevalence of DM have been increasing over the years. The complications of DM represent a serious health problem. The long‐term complications include macroangiopathy, microangiopathy and neuropathy as well as sexual dysfunction (SD) in both men and women. Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been considered the most important SD in men with DM. The prevalence of ED is approximately 3.5‐fold higher in men with DM than in those without DM. Common risk factors for the development of DM and its complications include sedentary lifestyle, overweight/obesity and increased caloric consumption. Although lifestyle changes may help improve sexual function, specific treatments are often needed. This study aims to review the definition and prevalence of ED in DM, the impact of DM complications and DM treatment on ED and, finally, the current and emerging therapies for ED in patients with DM.
Loss of density dependence underpins decoupling of livestock population and plant biomass in intensive grazing systems
Authors: Li Ang , Chen Shi
Published: September 2021

Across the world, social‐ecological rangeland systems have been transformed from a preindustrial extensive status to intensive exploitation, often leading to long‐term livestock population booms, overgrazing, and rangeland degradation. To understand the regulatory mechanisms involved in such historical social‐ecological transformations, we collected population data on the native sheep of the last nomadic county in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (1961–2005). We detected changes in internal feedbacks (e.g., density‐dependent effects) and external disturbance (e.g., winter harshness, rainfall, harvest) between the extensive and intensive management periods using regression models of sheep population growth rate and counterfactual analyses. We found that, in the extensive period, sheep populations were regulated during harsh winters by climate, while they were regulated during mild winters by negative density dependence. In the intensive period, the negative feedback of density dependence was removed through the provision of additional forage and shelter, and only winter climate and growing season rainfall regulated sheep populations. Counterfactual analyses also confirmed the irreplaceable role of density‐dependence in maintaining a sustainable rangeland ecosystem. Although herders attempted to adapt to the removal of negative feedbacks by improving livestock harvest, overgrazing and grassland degradation remain a challenge in this system. We conclude that internal feedbacks within social‐ecological systems should be carefully anticipated and accounted for when managing rangelands for sustainability.
Synthesis of Alkoxy‐Substituted Oligosilanes using [β‐(Alkoxy)disilanyl]lithium
Authors: Matsuo Takumi , Yamaguchi Tatsuya , Hirohata Tomoki , Nakamoto Masaaki , Yamamoto Yohsuke , Maeda Yutaka , Kawachi Atsushi
Published: September 2021

Herein, the synthesis of (tert‐butoxy)oligosilanes using [β‐(tert‐butoxy)disilanyl]lithium 3 is described. Compound 3 was prepared by (a) the reduction of (tert‐butoxy)chlorodiphenylsilane (1) with lithium and (b) tin‐lithium exchange of [(tert‐butoxy)diphenylsilyl]stannane 6 with n‐BuLi. Disilanyllithium 3 was reacted with mono‐ and dihalosilanes and a dihalodisilane to form tri‐, penta‐, and hexasilanes bearing tert‐butoxy groups at the terminal silicon atoms. Functional group transformations of the oligosilanes were also performed. The structures of the oligosilanes were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X‐ray crystallography. The structures and photophysical properties were discussed based on density functional theory calculations.
Electrochemical sensing at nanoporous film‐coated electrodes
Authors: Ito Takashi , Nathani Akash
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we highlight the uniqueness of nanoporous film‐coated electrodes as electrochemical sensing platforms. Specifically, we focus on discussing electrodes coated with insulator‐based monolithic films comprising vertically‐oriented, rigid cylindrical nanopores of uniform diameters (2–200 nm). The electrode coating results in the formation of an array of recessed nanodisk electrodes, and thus we named them recessed nanodisk‐array electrodes (RNEs). We first summarize the properties of nanoporous films commonly used for RNE fabrication, including nanoporous anodic alumina membranes, track‐etched polymer membranes, block copolymer‐derived nanoporous films, and mesoporous silica films. Subsequently, we discuss representative works that take advantage of the uniform size/shape of the nanopores for enhancing electrochemical detection selectivity and sensitivity. RNE‐based sensors measure faradaic currents from redox‐active analytes or exogenously‐added electroactive species that penetrate through the nanopores, or those from redox‐active moieties tethered to the surface of the nanopores or underlying electrodes. The enhanced detection selectivity of these sensors is attributed to the preferential partitioning of analytes into the nanopores or steric/electrostatic exclusion of interfering species. In particular, the uniform sizes/shapes of RNE nanopores play key roles in their higher molecular sieving selectivity and also in the better control of the detection selectivity based on electrostatic/chemical interactions. The detection sensitivity of RNE‐based sensors can be improved by tailoring the chemical environments of the nanopores for analyte preconcentration or for steric/electrostatic manipulation of the dynamics of redox‐tagged binding moieties. These unique characteristics of RNEs, in addition to the mitigation of electrode fouling by the nanoporous films, will enable the development of pretreatment‐free electrochemical sensors for complex matrix solutions.
Try these strategies to boost summer course enrollment
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: September 2021

About three out of four students who have graduated from Elon University since 2018 have taken a summer class. But getting that number of students to commit to taking summer courses didn't just happen overnight. And no one knows this better than Alexander Taylor.
Evolutionary robustness of killer meiotic drives
Authors: Madgwick Philip G. , Wolf Jason B.
Published: September 2021

A meiotic driver is a selfish genetic element that interferes with the process of meiosis to promote its own transmission. The most common mechanism of interference is gamete killing, where the meiotic driver kills gametes that do not contain it. A killer meiotic driver is predicted to spread rapidly through a population at the expense of other genes in the rest of the genome. The rapid spread of a killer meiotic driver is expected to be chased by the rapid spread of a suppressor that returns fair meiosis. Paradoxically, while this might imply that meiotic drivers should be evolutionarily transient, numerous ancient killer meiotic drivers have been discovered that have persisted for millions of years. To understand the rationale that could potentially explain such evolutionary robustness, we explore different possible mechanisms of killer meiotic drive and the different possible associated mechanisms of suppression. We use a framework that considers how the different stages of meiosis result in different structured interactions among cells with different genotypes in various combinations. Across possible interactions, we show that there are three genotypically distinct drive mechanisms that create alternative selective conditions for the spread of different types of suppressors. We show that killer meiotic drivers are more evolutionarily robust if they operate among sister cells (after meiosis I and before meiosis II) than at any other point during meiosis. The different drive mechanisms we identify make testable predictions that could explain why some killer meiotic drivers are transient while others are ancient.
Antibiotic residues in cattle and sheep meat and human exposure assessment in southern Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Yu , Lu Jianjiang , Yan Yujun , Liu Jinhua , Wang Manli
Published: September 2021

In recent years, antibiotics have become widely used in animal breeding. The application of antibiotics in livestock may lead to the presence of antibiotic residues in animal‐derived foods, especially meat, that may pose a threat to human health. In this study, 26 common antibiotics (eight sulfonamides, nine fluoroquinolones, four tetracyclines, and five macrolides) were screened in 88 meat samples (cattle muscles and sheep muscles, kidneys, and livers) obtained from southern Xinjiang. The antibiotics were screened via the clean‐up step based on solid‐phase extraction and determined through ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Moreover, their risk to human health was analyzed. Overall, 16 antibiotics were detected with a total detection rate of 95.46%. The percentage of noncompliant samples was 28.41% with an exceedance maximum residue limit of 1.14%. The illegal use rate of the antibiotic norfloxacin was 27.27%. The estimated daily exposure doses of all compounds in adults were <102.218 ng/kg bw/day even after applying the worst‐case scenario approach. This result demonstrated that the antibiotic residues in the tested samples imposed negligible harm to people's health and had an acceptable level of food safety risk. However, the high detection frequencies found in this work indicated that the risk of antibiotic residues could not be ignored given the cumulative risk of antibiotics, particularly the emergence of bacterial resistance, to the human body. The need for effective strategies and publicity for the judicious use of antibiotics to safeguard residents’ health is immediate.
Magnetic resonance imaging‐based radiogenomics analysis for predicting prognosis and gene expression profile in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Gao Yan , Mao Yitao , Lu Shanhong , Tan Lei , Li Guo , Chen Juan , Huang Donghai , Zhang Xin , Qiu Yuanzheng , Liu Yong
Published: September 2021

Background

To establish a radiomics nomogram for survival prediction and determine if genomic data were related to radiomics signature in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

Radiomics features were extracted from contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted images (CE‐T1WI) in 316 patients. A progression‐free survival (PFS) nomogram was developed and validated by the combination of the radiomics signature and clinicopathologic factors. Whole transcriptomics sequencing was performed in pretreatment tumor samples; correlation of gene expression and radiomics signature was further investigated.

Results

A 24‐feature‐combined radiomics signature was highly correlated with PFS; its integration with clinical predictors showed good prediction performance in the training and the validation cohort (C‐index: 0.80 and 0.73). A significant correlation was observed between certain gene expression and Rad‐score, especially the mRNA expression of CDKL2, PLIN5, and SPAG1.

Conclusion

As a noninvasive method, the MRI‐based radiomics signature might enable the pretreatment prediction of prognosis and gene expressions profile in advanced NPC.
Deep learning on compressed sensing measurements in pneumonia detection
Authors: Islam Sheikh Rafiul , Maity Santi P. , Ray Ajoy Kumar , Mandal Mrinal
Published: September 2021

Pneumonia is one of the very common life‐threatening diseases and needs proper diagnosis at an early stage to be cured expeditiously. Medical practitioners use chest X‐ray as the best imaging modality to identify pneumonia. Due to the limited facilities available at the remote places and the need of maintaining the social distancing imposed by the recent outbreak of coronavirus disease, one may not have ease of access to a professional radiologist. This article proposes a deep learning (DL) framework that detects pneumonia from X‐ray images to assist the medical practitioners located at distant places. The X‐ray images are captured as compressed sensing (CS) measurements i.e. very few numbers of samples are observed in order to obtain an energy efficient and bandwidth preserving system to be utilized for far‐end pneumonia detection purpose. Extensive simulation results show that the proposed approach enables the detection of pneumonia with 96.48% accuracy when only 30% samples are transmitted.
Crocetin imparts antiproliferative activity via inhibiting STAT3 signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Mohan Chakrabhavi Dhananjaya , Kim Chulwon , Siveen Kodappully Sivaraman , Manu Kanjoormana Aryan , Rangappa Shobith , Chinnathambi Arunachalam , Alharbi Sulaiman Ali , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S. , Kumar Alan Prem , Ahn Kwang Seok
Published: September 2021

STAT3 is a key oncogenic transcription factor, often overactivated in several human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). STAT3 modulates the expression of genes that are connected with cell proliferation, antiapoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, and immune evasion in tumor cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of crocetin on the growth of HCC cells and dissected its underlying molecular mechanism in imparting a cytotoxic effect. Crocetin suppressed proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and counteracted the invasive capacity of HCC cells. Besides, crocetin downregulated the constitutive/inducible STAT3 activation (STAT3Y705), nuclear accumulation of STAT3 along with suppression of its DNA binding activity in HCC cells with no effect on STAT5 activation. Crocetin suppressed the activity of upstream kinases such as Src, JAK1, and JAK2. Sodium pervanadate treatment terminated the crocetin‐propelled STAT3 inhibition suggesting the involvement of tyrosine phosphatases. Crocetin increased the expression of SHP‐1 and siRNA‐mediated SHP‐1 silencing resulted in the negation of crocetin‐driven STAT3 inhibition. Further investigation revealed that crocetin treatment inhibited the expression of STAT3 regulated genes (Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL, cyclin D1, survivin, VEGF, COX‐2, and MMP‐9). Taken together, this report presents crocetin as a novel abrogator of the STAT3 pathway in HCC cell lines.
Establishment of a simplified dichotomic size‐exclusion chromatography for isolating extracellular vesicles toward clinical applications
Authors: Guo Jiahui , Wu Caihong , Lin Xinyi , Zhou Jian , Zhang Jiayi , Zheng Wenting , Wang Tong , Cui Yizhi
Published: September 2021

Size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) is a widely adopted method for the isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from complex samples. SEC can efficiently remove high‐abundant proteins, while often requires multiple fractionation operation using diversified column settings. In this study, we aim to establish a simplified SEC method to acquire high quality EVs. In comparison of all three cross‐linked Sepharose resins with the sample types of FBS and human serum (HS), CL‐6B and CL‐4B showed superior performance in regular SEC to CL‐2B in terms of significantly narrower EV and protein peaks, higher resolutions and EV purity. By increasing their bed volumes to 20 ml, the resolutions of CL‐6B and CL‐4B columns could be significantly improved, while the CL‐6B column had the best performance with higher particle yields and tighter EV peaks. With the CL‐6B 20 ml column, we further established a simplified dichotomic SEC method that only requires two bulk elutions to acquire EVs in the Eluate 1 and proteins in the Eluate 2. We further justified that such CL‐6B columns were reusable for at least 10 consecutive times, and the dichotomic SEC was applicable to EV isolations from HS and FBS‐free supernatants of fluorescently labelled and unlabelled SW620 cells. The proteomics analysis implicated that although the two methods had dissimilar abilities in removing different co‐isolating contaminant proteins from EVs, the dichotomic SEC and ultracentrifugation could isolate EVs from human plasma with comparable purity. This dichotomic SEC has its intriguing potential to be used for EV preparation toward clinical testing and/or basic research.
Reporting quality of abstracts of randomized controlled trials related to implant dentistry
Authors: Menne Max C. , Pandis Nikolaos , Faggion Clovis M.
Published: September 2021

Background

The abstract of a scientific article should be accurate and detailed in summarizing the information of the full‐text because it is the first article section the reader examines. This study assessed the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) abstracts related to implant dentistry and examined associations between reporting quality and study characteristics.

Methods

On January 17, 2021, we searched the PubMed database for abstracts of RCTs published in high‐ranked periodontology and implant dentistry journals from 2016 to 2021. For each abstract, we assessed if the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials for Abstracts (CONSORT‐A) checklist items were reported completely, partially, or not reported. An Overall CONSORT Score (OCS) and relative score (OCS%) were calculated as a proxy to checklist adherance. Linear regression models were fitted to analyze associations between trial characteristics and completeness of reporting.

Results

Four hundred and thirty‐four of the 678 retrieved abstracts were eligible for inclusion. The mean OCS and OCS% were 6.23 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.56) or 41.5% (SD = 10.4), respectively. Items most frequently reported included the title (n = 434; 100%), intended intervention (n = 425; 98%), and conclusions (n = 430; 99%). Participant allocation, masking, and trial registration were rarely completely reported with frequencies of 2%, 3%, and 4%, respectively. We found that number of authors, continent, type of RCT, number of centers, report of ethical approval, funding, structure, and length of the abstract were associated with reporting quality.

Conclusion

The reporting quality of abstracts in RCTs related to implant dentistry is suboptimal. Journals should start to incorporate and endorse the use of the CONSORT‐A guidelines in their instructions to authors to enhance reporting quality.
Vertical distribution of phosphorus fractions and the environmental critical phosphorus level in acidic red soil under long‐term fertilizer and lime application in southern China
Authors: Huang Jing , Zhou Ling‐hong , Liu Shu‐jun , Han Tian‐Fu , Hayatu Nafiu Garba , Li Dong‐Chu , Zhang Shu‐Xiang , Wang Bo‐Ren , Zhang Hui‐Min
Published: September 2021

Background

Phosphorus (P) deficiency in acidic red soil restricts crop yield. However, long‐term application of phosphate fertilizer can cause potential environmental risks due to the accumulation of P in the soil.

Aims

Our aim was to determine the distribution characteristics of P fractions in acidic red soil profiles and the environmental risk of soil P losses after application of organic fertilizer and lime, and analyze the key factors driving P distribution in the soil profile of acidic red soil.

Methods

Based on the long‑term applicationof fertilizers and quicklime in the acidic soil under wheat–maize rotation system, contents of soil Olsen‐P and CaCl2‐P, as well as pH, at multiple soil layers between 0 and 50 cm depths were monitored. The environmental critical P levels were determined using a two‐segment linear model.

Results

During 1990–2010 and 2011–2014, application of phosphate fertilizer or quicklime on acidic red soil significantly (p < 0.05) increased the annual average aboveground biomass of wheat and maize and P recovery efficiency. Soil Olsen‐P and CaCl2‐P contents increased with the application of phosphate fertilizer, especially in combination with manure, and the increase mainly concentrated at the 0–20‐cm soil layer. The environmental critical Olsen‐P content was 99.7 mg kg−1. The Olsen‐P contents at different soil layers were mainly affected by cumulative P and organic P inputs, but were less affected by soil pH.

Conclusions

The application of organic fertilizer and lime can prevent the acidification of red soil, and the application of organic fertilizer should reduce the total phosphate fertilizer input to prevent rapid accumulation of P and risk of P loss in leachate while still improving the crop utilization rate of P fertilizer. Thus, this strategy should help achieve the concomitant goals of high crop yield and environmental protection.
Pomegranate fruit pulp polyphenols reduce diet‐induced obesity with modulation of gut microbiota in mice
Authors: Song Haizhao , Shen Xinchun , Chu Qiang , Zheng Xiaodong
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Pomegranate is a rich source of polyphenols and has been used as a dietary supplement and pharmaceutical ingredient. This study aimed to investigate the pomegranate fruit pulp polyphenols (PFP) with regard to their anti‐obesity activity and gut microbiota‐modulating effect in mice. Thirty‐six 4‐week‐old specific pathogen‐free C57BL/6J mice (weight: 17.7–20.8 g) were randomly divided into three groups and fed with low‐fat diet (10% fat energy), high‐fat diet (HFD) (45% fat energy), or HFD supplemented with PFP by intragastric administration for 14 weeks. The obesity‐related clinical indicators were investigated, and the composition of fecal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing.

RESULTS

Our results showed that PFP treatment reduced HFD‐induced body weight gain by 35.23% (P < 0.05), steatosis scores by 50% (P < 0.05) and insulin resistance by 56.84% (P < 0.05), compared with the mice fed HFD alone. Moreover, compared with the mice in the HFD group, PFP supplement changed the composition of the gut microbiota, and enriched Akkermansia muciniphila, Parabacteroides distasonis, Bacteroides acidifaciens, Mucispirillum schaedleri and Lachnospiraceae bacterium 28‐4, which were negatively correlated with physical biomarkers, including body weight, glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

PFP alleviated HFD‐induced obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in mice, and the changes in the gut microbiota might be one of the potential mechanisms through which PFP improved obesity and obesity‐related disorders, eventually benefiting the recipient. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Assessment of multiple ecosystem metabolism methods in an estuary
Authors: Loken Luke C. , Van Nieuwenhuyse Erwin E. , Dahlgren Randy A. , Lenoch Leah E. K. , Stumpner Paul R. , Burau Jon R. , Sadro Steven
Published: September 2021

Ecosystem metabolism is a key ecological attribute and easy to describe, but quantifying metabolism in estuaries is challenging. Properly scaling measurements through time and space requires consideration of hydrodynamics and mixing water from heterogeneous sources, making any estimation uncertain. Here, we compared three methods for modeling ecosystem metabolism in a portion of the Sacramento‐San Joaquin Delta. Metabolism estimates based on laboratory incubations, continuous in situ buoys, and an oxygen isotope approach all indicated the system was net heterotrophic, and calculated rates were comparable in magnitude when averaged over the 2‐month study. Daily metabolic rates based on in situ buoys were the most variable, likely due to horizontal and vertical advection and poor portrayal of the dissolved oxygen budget. After temporally averaging in situ buoy estimates or smoothing the dissolved oxygen time series for tidal effects, rates were more comparable to the other methods, which may be necessary to account for tidal advection and unbalanced contributions from subhabitats within the metabolic footprint. Incubation‐based rates represent the finest temporal and spatial scale and only account for pelagic processes, which may explain why incubation‐based rates were lower than the other two methods. The oxygen isotope method provided temporally and spatially integrated rates that were bracketed by the other two methods and may be a valuable tool in systems matching the model requirements. Because uncertainty arises in each method from a number of assumptions and scaling calculations, the resolution of metabolic rates in estuaries is likely coarser and more variable than in other aquatic ecosystems.
Self‐Regenerating of Functional Polymer Surfaces by Triggered Layer Shedding Using a Stimulus‐Responsive Poly(urethane)
Authors: Deng Zhuoling , Lienkamp Karen
Published: September 2021

Regeneration of functional surfaces after damage or contamination could extend the life time of devices. Such regeneration can be achieved by layer shedding (like a lizard shedding its skin). In this work, triggered self‐regeneration of functional surfaces by an external stimulus is presented. Polymer multilayer stacks are assembled alternatingly from discrete 20–300 nm thick functional layers and depolymerizable interlayers, which are used as sacrificial layers. The sacrificial layers are depolymerizable poly(benzyl carbamates) end‐capped with 4‐hydroxy‐2‐butanone. Their depolymerization is triggered by alkaline pH, at which the end‐cap is cleaved. This initiates a 1,6‐elimination cascade of the polymer backbone, during which CO2 is released. Thus, the layer shedding is driven synergistically by mass transport and buoyancy forces. Proof‐of‐concept is achieved using poly(styrene) as a model functional layer, and also studied for hydrophilic, antimicrobially active poly(oxanorbornene) layers. The multilayer assembly and disassembly process is monitored by ellipsometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. FTIR spectra taken after degradation are confirmed the regeneration of the surface functionality.
SynWiki: Functional annotation of the first artificial organism Mycoplasma mycoidesJCVI‐syn3A
Authors: Pedreira Tiago , Elfmann Christoph , Singh Neil , Stülke Jörg
Published: September 2021

The new field of synthetic biology aims at the creation of artificially designed organisms. A major breakthrough in the field was the generation of the artificial synthetic organism Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI‐syn3A. This bacterium possesses only 452 protein‐coding genes, the smallest number for any organism that is viable independent of a host cell. However, about one third of the proteins have no known function indicating major gaps in our understanding of simple living cells. To facilitate the investigation of the components of this minimal bacterium, we have generated the database SynWiki (http://synwiki.uni-goettingen.de/). SynWiki is based on a relational database and gives access to published information about the genes and proteins of M. mycoides JCVI‐syn3A. To gain a better understanding of the functions of the genes and proteins of the artificial bacteria, protein–protein interactions that may provide clues for the protein functions are included in an interactive manner. SynWiki is an important tool for the synthetic biology community that will support the comprehensive understanding of a minimal cell as well as the functional annotation of so far uncharacterized proteins.
Scientific and regulatory evaluation of empirical pharmacometric models: An application of the risk informed credibility assessment framework
Authors: Skottheim Rusten Ine , Musuamba Flora Tshinanu
Published: September 2021

Empirical pharmacometric models are part of practically every regulatory submission for a new drug. The use of the models often exceeds descriptory roles and this change in their context of use increase the requirements on the evidence to support that they are credible. However, when it comes to assessing the trust in a model for a specific application, current tools are skewed to technical aspects and guidance documents often focused on model reporting or the iterative learning loops of model informed drug development (MIDD). There is an unmet need for a holistic tool that provide an end‐to‐end link from the initial question to the model‐informed decision. We suggest the risk‐informed credibility framework can be used for this purpose and offers strong support for the pharmacometrics models. We also introduce two tables for explicit description of key attributes of the model evaluation to facilitate and streamline the communication between stakeholders.
Marmosets: a promising model for probing the neural mechanisms underlying complex visual networks such as the frontal–parietal network
Authors: D’Souza Joanita F. , Price Nicholas S. C. , Hagan Maureen A.
Published: September 2021

The technology, methodology and models used by visual neuroscientists have provided great insights into the structure and function of individual brain areas. However, complex cognitive functions arise in the brain due to networks comprising multiple interacting cortical areas that are wired together with precise anatomical connections. A prime example of this phenomenon is the frontal–parietal network and two key regions within it: the frontal eye fields (FEF) and lateral intraparietal area (area LIP). Activity in these cortical areas has independently been tied to oculomotor control, motor preparation, visual attention and decision-making. Strong, bidirectional anatomical connections have also been traced between FEF and area LIP, suggesting that the aforementioned visual functions depend on these inter-area interactions. However, advancements in our knowledge about the interactions between area LIP and FEF are limited with the main animal model, the rhesus macaque, because these key regions are buried in the sulci of the brain. In this review, we propose that the common marmoset is the ideal model for investigating how anatomical connections give rise to functionally-complex cognitive visual behaviours, such as those modulated by the frontal–parietal network, because of the homology of their cortical networks with humans and macaques, amenability to transgenic technology, and rich behavioural repertoire. Furthermore, the lissencephalic structure of the marmoset brain enables application of powerful techniques, such as array-based electrophysiology and optogenetics, which are critical to bridge the gaps in our knowledge about structure and function in the brain.
Therapie des Trockenen Auges
Authors: Korbmacher Jonas Philipp , Geerling Gerd
Published: September 2021

Die Therapie des Trockenen Auges stellt eine schwierige Aufgabe für den behandelnden Augenarzt dar. Fortschritte in unserem Verständnis der Risikofaktoren, der Ätiologie und Pathophysiologie des Trockenen Auges haben zu einer Weiterentwicklung der Behandlungsstrategien geführt. Vor Beginn der Therapie ist die korrekte Zuordnung in eine wässrig-muzinöse Tränenfilmdysfunktion (Mindersekretion), in eine lipidbedingte Tränenfilmdysfunktion (hyperevaporative Form durch eine abnormen Meibom-Drüsen-Physiologie) oder in eine variable Kombination wichtig. Unter Berücksichtigung aktueller Empfehlungen der DOG, des BVA und des TFOS DEWS II Unterausschusses wurde ein Behandlungsalgorithmus abgeleitet, der ein schrittweises Vorgehen je nach Schweregrad der Erkrankung darstellt.
Addressing the privacy paradox on the organizational level: review and future directions
Authors: Gotsch Mauro Luis , Schögel Marcus
Published: September 2021

The discrepancy between informational privacy attitudes and actual behaviour of consumers is called the “privacy paradox”. Researchers across disciplines have formulated different theories on why consumers’ privacy concerns do not translate into increased protective behaviour. Over the past two decades multiple differing explanations for the paradox have been published. However, authors generally agree that companies are in a strong position to reduce consumers’ paradoxical behaviour by improving their customers’ informational privacy. Hence, this paper aims at answering the question: How can companies address the privacy paradox to improve their customers’ information privacy? Reviewing a sample of improvement recommendations from 138 papers that explore 41 theories in total, we determined that companies can generally align their privacy practices more closely with customers’ expectations across 4 inter-connected managerial processes: (1) strategic initiatives, (2) structural improvements, (3) human resource management, and (4) service development. The findings of this systematic literature review detail how companies can address both the rational and irrational nature of the privacy decision-making process. Furthermore, we propose a dynamic model able to identify weaknesses and strengths in companies’ privacy orientation.
The Reference of ‘God’: An Apophatic Perspective
Authors: Sikora Piotr
Published: September 2021

In this paper I examine Hugh Burling’s inspiring proposal that the reference of ‘God’ is determined by the description: ‘the being worthy of our worship’. I argue that a more detailed analysis of the notion of being worthy of our worship leads to the conclusion that the proposed description is paradoxical, and cannot fulfill the role Burling would like it to play in determining the reference of the term ‘God’. Subsequently, I provide several examples implying that (1) being worthy of our worship is a necessary condition for any candidate to be the referent of the term ‘God’, but (2) the semantics of ‘God’ is considerably more complicated than Burling takes it to be. Finally, I show that religious people who use the word ‘God’ are either idolatrous or trapped in an apophatic paradox of the reference of ‘God’.
Unraveling the politics of ‘doing inclusion’ in transdisciplinarity for sustainable transformation
Authors: Kok Kristiaan P. W. , Gjefsen Mads D. , Regeer Barbara J. , Broerse Jacqueline E. W.
Published: September 2021

Transdisciplinary research and innovation (R&I) efforts have emerged as a means to address challenges to sustainable transformation. One of the main elements of transdisciplinary efforts is the ‘inclusion’ of different stakeholders, values and perspectives in participatory R&I processes. In practice, however, ‘doing inclusion’ raises a number of challenges. In this article, we aim to contribute to re-politicizing inclusion in transdisciplinarity for transformation, by (1) empirically unraveling four key challenges that emerge in the political practice of ‘doing inclusion’, (2) illustrating how facilitators of inclusion processes perform balancing acts when confronted with these challenges, and (3) reflecting on what the unfolding dynamics suggests about the politics of stakeholder inclusion for societal transformation. In doing so, we analyze the transdisciplinary FIT4FOOD2030 project (2017–2020)—an EU-funded project that aimed to contribute to fostering EU R&I systems’ ability to catalyze food system transformation through stakeholder engagement in 25 Living Labs. Based on 3 years of action-research (including interviews, workshops and field observations), we identified four inherent political challenges to ‘doing inclusion’ in FIT4FOOD2030: (1) the challenge to meaningfully bring together powerful and marginalized stakeholders; (2) combining representation and deliberation of different stakeholder groups; (3) balancing diversities of inclusion with directionalities implied by transformative efforts; and (4) navigating the complexities of establishing boundaries of inclusion processes. We argue that by understanding ‘doing inclusion’ as a political practice, necessitating specificity about the (normative) ambitions in different inclusion settings, facilitators may better grasp and address challenges in transdisciplinarity for transformation.