bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Ocular Findings in Vitiligo
Authors: Belkheir Najat , Albarghathi Adam , Alsdae Ghait , Alshwin Faraj , Duweb Gamal
Published: July 2022

Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder of the skin and mucous membranes with worldwide incidence of 0.5-2%. The aim of this cross sectional study was to assess the ocular involvement in vitiligo patients. Two hundred patients clinically diagnosed vitiligo attending vitiligo clinic, dermatology department, Jomhorya hospital, Benghazi-Libya over a period of 6 months enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All patients were exposed to detailed disease history and thorough dermatological examination. Out of the total cases, 100 patients had a standard Ophthalmologic examination in cooperation with an ophthalmologist in Benghazi eye hospital. Results of our study showed a slightly higher prevalence of vitiligo in females (male: female ratio 1:2.8). The mean age of onset for males was 22.4 years and for females 24.8 years and 58.5% of patients develop vitiligo below 20 years of age. Generalized vitiligo was the commonest clinical type of vitiligo (57.5%). The relationship between the duration of the disease and its type was statistically significant (P<0.05), there was also a significant relationship between the type of vitiligo and its severity (P< 0.01). Sixteen patients (8%) had segmental vitiligo and the face was the common site involved. The lower limbs were the most commonly affected sites of the body (57%). Ocular changes were seen in 40% of patients and specific ocular abnormalities like uveitis, iritis, and iris and retinal pigmentary abnormalities are present in 15% of patients, nonspecific ocular abnormalities were present in 33% of patients. There was no statistically significant correlation between specific ocular abnormalities, severity and duration of vitiligo.
Cost‐Effectiveness of Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy and Physical Therapy for Degenerative Meniscal Tear
Authors: Williams Emma E. , Katz Jeffrey N. , Leifer Valia P. , Collins Jamie E. , Neogi Tuhina , Suter Lisa G. , Levy Bruce , Farid Alexander , Safran‐Norton Clare E. , Paltiel A. David , Losina Elena
Published: July 2022

Objective

We examined the cost‐effectiveness of treatment strategies for concomitant meniscal tear and knee osteoarthritis (OA) involving arthroscopic partial meniscectomy surgery and physical therapy (PT).

Methods

We used the Osteoarthritis Policy Model, a validated Monte Carlo microsimulation, to compare three strategies, 1) PT‐only, 2) immediate surgery, and 3) PT + optional surgery, for participants whose pain persists following initial PT. We modeled a cohort with baseline meniscal tear, OA, and demographics from the Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis Research (MeTeOR) trial of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus PT. We estimated risks and costs of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy complications and accounted for heightened OA progression post surgery using published data. We estimated surgery use rates and treatment efficacies using MeTeOR data. We considered a 5‐year time horizon, discounted costs, and quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) 3% per year and conducted sensitivity analyses. We report incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios.

Results

Relative to PT‐only, PT + optional surgery added 0.0651 QALY and $2,010 over 5 years (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio = $30,900 per QALY). Relative to PT + optional surgery, immediate surgery added 0.0065 QALY and $3080 (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio = $473,800 per QALY). Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios were sensitive to optional surgery efficacy in the PT + optional surgery strategy. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, PT + optional surgery was cost‐effective in 51% of simulations at willingness‐to‐pay thresholds of both $50,000 per QALY and $100,000 per QALY.

Conclusion

First‐line arthroscopic partial meniscectomy has a prohibitively high incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio. Under base case assumptions, second‐line arthroscopic partial meniscectomy offered to participants with persistent pain following initial PT is cost‐effective at willingness‐to‐pay thresholds between $31,000 and $473,000 per QALY. Our analyses suggest that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy can be a high‐value treatment option for patients with meniscal tear and OA when performed following an initial PT course and should remain a covered treatment option.
Evolving Experimental Platforms to Evaluate Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Sharma Tiffany T. , Rabizadeh Rebecca R. , Prabhakar Vibhav S. , Bury Matthew I. , Sharma Arun K.
Published: July 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactorial disease defined by chronic intestinal inflammation with idiopathic origins. It has a predilection to affect the mucosal lining of the large intestines and rectum. Management of UC depends upon numerous factors that include disease pathogenesis and severity that are maintained via medical or surgical means. Chronic inflammation that is left untreated or managed poorly from a clinical stance can result in intestinal ulceration accompanied by resulting physiological dysfunction. End‐stage UC is mediated by surgical intervention with the resection of diseased tissue. This can lead to numerous health‐related quality of life issues but is considered a curative approach. Regimens to treat UC are ever evolving and find their basis within various platforms to evaluate and treat UC. Numerous modeling systems have been examined to delineate potential mechanisms of action. However, UC is a heterogenous disease spanning unknown genetic origins coupled with environmental factors that can influence disease outcomes and related treatment procedures. Unfortunately, there is no one‐size‐fits‐all model to fully assess all facets of UC. Within the context of this review article, the utility of various approaches that have been employed to gain insight into different aspects of UC will be investigated.
Amnion Cells in Tailored Hydrogels Deposit Human Amnion Native Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Avilla‐Royo Eva , Roschitzki Bernd , Pfammatter Sibylle , Grossmann Jonas , Airaghi Pietro , Vonzun Ladina , Ochsenbein‐Kölble Nicole , Vallmajo‐Martin Queralt , Ehrbar Martin
Published: July 2022

Fetal therapies regularly result in iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes (iPPROM), which is associated with preterm birth. Biomaterials that promote the healing of traumatized fetal membranes (FMs) may prevent iPPROM‐associated preterm births, addressing this unmet clinical need. Here, a fully defined synthetic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel is developed to study the healing functions of human amnion‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMCs) in 3D cultures. A pipeline to analyze extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins deposited by hAMCs in PEG hydrogels is established involving label‐free quantification of mass‐spectrometry data. Owing to the contaminant‐free PEG hydrogels and a short fetal bovine serum (FBS)‐free culture period, 128 ECM proteins, of which 97 are present in the native amnion, are identified. Upon stimulation with platelet‐derived growth factor BB (PDGF‐BB), a cell proliferation and migration inducing factor, hAMCs remodel their surroundings and deposit ECM proteins pericellularly. Among the most abundantly deposited amnion proteins, transforming growth factor β‐induced protein ig‐h3 (TGFβi), a very distinctive amnion protein that is involved in the wound healing cascade, is identified. These data support the potential of PDGF‐BB to promote the repair of traumatized FMs and encourage its use for the engineering of biomaterials for FM healing, to ultimately prevent iPPROM.
A Fibrinogen‐Mimicking, Activated‐Platelet‐Sensitive Nanocoacervate Enhances Thrombus Targeting and Penetration of Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Effective Thrombolytic Therapy
Authors: Huang Yu , Jiang Jingxuan , Ren Jie , Guo Yuanyuan , Zhao Qianqian , Zhou Jia , Li Yuehua , Chen Rongjun
Published: July 2022

The development of a fibrinolytic system with long circulation time, high thrombus targeting, efficient thrombus penetration, effective thrombolysis, and minimal hemorrhagic risk remains a major challenge. Herein, inspired by fibrinogen binding to activated platelets in thrombosis, this article reports a fibrinogen‐mimicking, activated‐platelet‐sensitive nanocoacervate to enhance thrombus penetration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for targeted thrombolytic therapy. This biomimetic nanothrombolytic system, denoted as RGD‐Chi@tPA, is constructed by “one‐pot” coacervation through electrostatic interactions between positively charged arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (RGD)‐grafted chitosan (RGD‐Chi) and negatively charged tPA. Flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy measurements show targeting of RGD‐Chi@tPA to activated platelets. Controlled tPA release triggered by activated platelets at a thrombus site is demonstrated. Its targeted fibrinolytic and thrombolytic activities are measured in in vitro models. The pharmacokinetic profiles show that RGD‐Chi@tPA can significantly prolong circulation time compared to free tPA. In a mouse tail thrombus model, RGD‐Chi@tPA displays efficient thrombus targeting and penetration, enabling a complete vascular recanalization as confirmed by the fluorescence imaging, histochemical assay, and laser speckle contrast imager. Consequently, RGD‐Chi@tPA induces a substantial enhancement in thrombolysis with minimal hemorrhagic risk compared to free tPA. This simple, effective, and safe platform holds great promise for the development of thrombolytic nanomedicines.
An Initial Covalent Organic Polymer with Closed‐F Edges Directly for Proton‐Exchange‐Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Li Xueli , Liu Qingbin , Yang Bolong , Liao Zhijian , Yan Wensheng , Xiang Zhonghua
Published: July 2022

Covalent organic polymers (COPs) are a class of rising electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) due to the atomically metrical control of the organic molecular components along with highly architectural robustness and thermodynamic stability even in acid or alkaline media. However, the direct application of pristine COPs as acidic ORR electrocatalysts, especially in device manner, e.g., in proton‐exchange‐membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), remains a big challenge. Currently, the decoration toward electronic structures of active sites is considered a vital pathway to enhancing the acidic ORR activity of carbon‐based electrocatalysts. Here, an initial F‐decorated fully closed π‐conjugated quasi‐phthalocyanine COP (denoted as COPBTC‐F) is reported. The introduction of the closed‐F edges stepwise drags more electrons from FeN4 sites in COPBTC‐F into the catalyst margin, which weakens the occupied numbers of bonding orbitals between COPBTC‐F and OH* intermediates at the rate‐determining step, exhibiting over five times intrinsic performance beyond the counterpart without F functionalities (termed as COPBTC). Significantly, the maximum power density utilizing COPBTC‐F as a cathode catalyst in PEMFCs is remarkably increased by an order of magnitude compared with COPBTC, which is a stride forward among catalysts based on a pyrolysis‐free conjugated‐polymer network in device manner to date.
Additive Manufacturing of Subject‐Conformal Receive Coils for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Vanduffel Hanne , Parra‐Cabrera Cesar , Gsell Willy , Oliveira‐Silva Rodrigo , Goossens Louca , Peeters Ronald , Himmelreich Uwe , Van Hooreweder Brecht , Sakellariou Dimitrios , Vanduffel Wim , Ameloot Rob
Published: July 2022

High signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) is crucial to obtaining high‐quality magnetic resonance (MR) images. However, a poor fit of fixed‐size radiofrequency (RF) coils to the subject often limits the SNR both in research and clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) practice. Therefore, there is an urgent need to fabricate RF coils that exhibit a close geometrical fit (or are subject conformal) to the to‐be‐imaged region. A range of 3D printing methods are proposed for producing such conformal coils and overcoming constraints in geometrical complexity, production time, and cost. Laser powder bed fusion and stereolithography‐based methods are explored. The fully digital workflow allows for the seamless integration of electromagnetic simulations of geometrically complex coils, resulting in rapid design iterations. SNR gains up to 68% are observed for single 3D‐printed subject‐conformal coils compared to a state‐of‐the‐art commercially available (nonconformal) coil array. In addition to tests on phantoms, a conformal 3D‐printed coil is used to image the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb from a volunteer on an MRI scanner to demonstrate the improved image quality.
A Self‐Powered, Single‐Mode Tactile Sensor Based on Sensory Adaptation Using Piezoelectric‐Driven Ion Migration
Authors: Lee Ey‐In , Park Jin‐Woo
Published: July 2022

A piezoelectric tactile sensor is beneficial for creating a self‐powered system with a compact design, which is essential in electronic‐skin technology. However, piezoelectricity is only capable of dynamic pressure detection because it responds to sudden environmental changes. Since it is common to add another sensing unit to detect static pressure that accompanies bulkiness, including a measuring apparatus, we demonstrate a self‐powered, single‐mode piezoelectric tactile sensor by fabricating a piezoelectric gel through the electrospinning technique. As piezoelectricity senses the dynamic pressure without an external power supply, ions detect the static pressure by maintaining the potential difference upon sustained pressure. Since each component outputs a voltage signal of the same type but different profiles upon pressure, it is possible to distinguish dynamic and static pressure in a single mode. Moreover, inspired by the sensory adaptation of mammalian skin, an ion‐assisted piezoelectric tactile sensor efficiently detects concurrently stacked stimuli by decreasing the output signal for sustained stimuli. The sensitivity for superimposed pressure upon initial 14.7 kPa increases by more than four times compared to that without sensory adaptation for both dynamic and static pressure.
Broadband Enhancement of Cherenkov Radiation Using Dispersionless Plasmons
Authors: Hu Hao , Lin Xiao , Liu Dongjue , Chen Hongsheng , Zhang Baile , Luo Yu
Published: July 2022

As one of leading technologies in detecting relativistic particles, Cherenkov radiation plays an essential role in modern high‐energy and particle physics. However, the limited photon yield in transparent dielectrics makes efficient Cherenkov radiation only possible with high‐energy particles (at least several MeV). This restriction hinders applications of Cherenkov radiation in free‐electron light source, bio‐imaging, medical therapy, etc. Broadband enhancement of Cherenkov radiation is highly desired for all these applications, but still widely acknowledged as a scientific challenge. To this end, a general approach is reported to enhance the photon yield of Cherenkov radiation using dispersionless plasmons. Broadband dispersionless plasmons can be realized by exploiting either the acoustic nature of terahertz plasmons in a graphene‐based heterostructure or the nonlocal property of optical plasmons in a metallodielectric structure. When coupled to moving electrons, such dispersionless plasmons give rise to a radiation enhancement rate more than two orders of magnitude (as compared with conventional Cherenkov radiation) over an ultrabroad frequency band. Moreover, since the phase velocity of dispersionless plasmons can be made as small as the Fermi velocity, giant radiation enhancements can be readily induced by ultralow‐energy free electrons (e.g., with a kinetic energy down to 3 eV), without resorting to relativistic particles.
Self‐Imaging Based Programmable Spin‐Wave Lookup Tables
Authors: Gołębiewski Mateusz , Gruszecki Paweł , Krawczyk Maciej
Published: July 2022

Inclusion of spin waves into the computing paradigm, where complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor devices are still at the fore, is now a challenge for scientists around the world. In this work, a wave phenomenon that has not yet been used in magnonics‐self‐imaging, also known as the Talbot effect, to design and simulate the operation of interference systems that perform logic functions on spin waves in thin ferromagnetic multimode waveguides is utilized. Lookup tables operating in this way are characterized by high programmability and scalability; thanks to which they are promising for their implementation in field‐programmable gate arrays circuits, where multiple logic realizations can be obtained.
Flexible 3D Printed Acrylic Composites based on Polyaniline/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors
Authors: Arias‐Ferreiro Goretti , Lasagabáster‐Latorre Aurora , Ares‐Pernas Ana , Dopico‐García M. Sonia , Pereira N. , Costa P. , Lanceros‐Mendez S. , Abad María‐José
Published: July 2022

The development of tunable UV‐curable polymeric composites for functional applications, taking into consideration environmental issues and additive manufacturing technologies, is a research topic with relevant challenges yet to be solved. Herein, acrylic composites filled with 0–3 wt.%. polyaniline/ multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PANI/MWCNT) are prepared by Digital Light Processing (DLP) in order to tailor morphology, thermal, mechanical, and electromechanical properties. Viscosity, real‐time infrared spectroscopy, and cure depth tests allow optimizing resin composition for suitable DLP printing. 2 wt.% is the maximum filler content reproducibly embedded in the polymer matrix. The advantages of PANI/MWCNT (50/50 wt.%) compared with single‐component composites include safety issues, enhanced printability, increased electrical conductivity and thermal stability, and lower electrical percolation threshold (0.83 wt.%). Above this threshold the composites display excellent piezoresistive response, no hysteresis, and stability for over 400 compression cycles. The pressure sensibility (PS) of 2 wt.% composites decreases with applied pressure from PS ≈ 15 to 0.8 Mpa−1 for maximum pressures of 0.02 and 0.57 MPa, respectively. A proof‐of‐concept of the functionality of the novel materials is developed in the form of a tactile sensor, demonstrating their potential for pressure sensing applications as cost‐effective, sustainable, and flexible materials for printed electronics.
Transition Metals Embedded Siloxene as Single‐Atom Catalyst for Advanced Sulfur Host in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Gong Ning , Hu Xuewen , Fang Tiantian , Yang Changyu , Xie Tianzhu , Peng Wenchao , Li Yang , Zhang Fengbao , Fan Xiaobin
Published: July 2022

The practical applications of lithium–sulfur batteries are presently hindered by the shuttle effect, sluggish reaction kinetics, and poor electronic conductivity of sulfur. Siloxene, a new 2D nanomaterial with three types of structures (Weiss, chain like, and Kautsky), is regarded to be a promising cathode‐supporting material for Li–S batteries. Herein, a series of 3d transition metal single‐atom embedded siloxenes (TM‐SA‐siloxenes) is designed and their potential in Li–S batteries is evaluated by first‐principles calculations. It is found that Weiss‐siloxene shows the best polysulfide anchoring ability and lowest Gibbs free energy for the sulfur reduction reaction (SRR). Among a series of TM‐SA‐siloxenes, Co‐SA‐siloxene is identified as the optimal candidate. It shows moderate adsorption energies for polysulfides and outstanding bifunctional electrocatalytic activity for SRR and Li2S decomposition, as well as excellent electronic conductivity. It is also revealed that suitable d and p band center positions, obvious hybridization between Co–3d and S–3p orbitals, and more charge obtained from adsorbed polysulfides, contribute to the high redox kinetics of Co‐SA‐siloxene for the catalyzing conversion of polysulfides. These interesting results provide valuable theoretical guidance for the study of siloxene‐based cathode host materials for Li–S batteries.
Does direct observation influence the quality of workplace‐based assessment documentation?
Authors: Landreville Jeffrey M. , Wood Timothy J. , Frank Jason R. , Cheung Warren J.
Published: July 2022

Background

A key component of competency‐based medical education (CBME) is direct observation of trainees. Direct observation has been emphasized as integral to workplace‐based assessment (WBA) yet previously identified challenges may limit its successful implementation. Given these challenges, it is imperative to fully understand the value of direct observation within a CBME program of assessment. Specifically, it is not known whether the quality of WBA documentation is influenced by observation type (direct or indirect).

Methods

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of observation type (direct or indirect) on quality of entrustable professional activity (EPA) assessment documentation within a CBME program. EPA assessments were scored by four raters using the Quality of Assessment for Learning (QuAL) instrument, a previously published three‐item quantitative measure of the quality of written comments associated with a single clinical performance score. An analysis of variance was performed to compare mean QuAL scores among the direct and indirect observation groups. The reliability of the QuAL instrument for EPA assessments was calculated using a generalizability analysis.

Results

A total of 244 EPA assessments (122 direct observation, 122 indirect observation) were rated for quality using the QuAL instrument. No difference in mean QuAL score was identified between the direct and indirect observation groups (p = 0.17). The reliability of the QuAL instrument for EPA assessments was 0.84.

Conclusions

Observation type (direct or indirect) did not influence the quality of EPA assessment documentation. This finding raises the question of how direct and indirect observation truly differ and the implications for meta‐raters such as competence committees responsible for making judgments related to trainee promotion.
Formal models for the study of the relationship between fluctuating asymmetry and fitness in humans
Authors: Farrera Arodi
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To evaluate three of the main verbal models that have been proposed to explain the relationship between fluctuating asymmetry and fitness in humans: the “good genes,” the “good development,” and the “growth” hypotheses.

Materials and Methods

A formal model was generated for each verbal model following three steps. First, based on the literature, a theoretical causal model and the theoretical object of inquiry were outlined. Second, an empirical causal model and the targets of inference were defined using observational data of facial asymmetries and life‐history traits related to fitness. Third, generalized linear models and causal inference were used as the estimation strategy.

Results

The results suggest that the theoretical and empirical assumptions of the “good genes” hypothesis should be reformulated. The results were compatible with most of the empirical assumptions of “the good development” hypothesis but suggest that further discussion of its theoretical assumptions is needed. The results were less informative about the “growth” hypothesis, both theoretically and empirically. There was a positive association between facial fluctuating asymmetry and the number of offspring that was not compatible with any of the empirical causal models evaluated.

Conclusions

Although the three hypotheses focus on different aspects of the link between asymmetry and fitness, their overlap opens the possibility of a unified theory on the subject. The results of this study make explicit which assumptions need to be updated and discussed, facilitating the advancement of this area of research. Overall, this study elucidates the potential benefit of using formal models for theory revision and development.
The evolutionary history of infectious disease in the ancient Americas and the pathogenic consequences of European contact
Authors: Joseph Sophie K. , Lindo John
Published: July 2022

The increasing availability of next generation sequencing techniques in recent decades has led to new discoveries, and sometimes the redefinition of conventional hypotheses, regarding many complex human‐pathogen evolutionary relationships. These new discoveries are particularly poignant in studies of the Americas, where research into Indigenous ancestry and migration has historically been ignored. As a result, conventional hypotheses regarding the origin of global pathogens like tuberculosis, syphilis, and malaria in the Americas and their spread within the continents have been mischaracterized. Fortunately, recent studies using molecular techniques have now superseded these missteps, which were often based in anecdotal accounts from colonial missionary reports rather than rigorous scientific study. It is now clear that there was not a unidirectional pipeline of pathogen introduction that began with European contact; instead, a rich and varied microbiological landscape already existed in the Americas. This synthesis of research regarding the origin and spread of pathogens in the Americas examines the scope of this changing perception within the fields of paleogenomics and paleomicrobiology.
Complex‐Amplitude Metasurface Design Assisted by Deep Learning
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Xiaohu , Liu Kaifeng , Zhang Haimo , Shi Lintong , Song Shichao , Tang Dongliang , Guo Yongcai
Published: July 2022

Metasurfaces can enable powerful manipulations for electromagnetic waves, thus many exotic functionalities have been realized. However, constrained by the complexity of metasurface‐modulated complex amplitudes (amplitude and phase), the design of complex‐amplitude metasurfaces sets a high threshold for researchers because of the requirement of plenty of specialized knowledge. In this paper, a deep learning scheme that uses a forward surrogate network to assist complex‐amplitude metasurface design is proposed. The model is simple to construct and easy to converge in training. Accordingly, two complex‐amplitude multiplexing devices, which can simultaneously display a nanoprinting image at the device surface and one/two holographic images in the far field, are designed with the proposed network using the cross‐shaped meta‐atom. The results show that the demonstrated scheme can be used to design the complex‐amplitude metasurface devices easily and effectively once training of the network is completed, and the single‐layer smooth structure holds the advantage for the fabrication. The proposed method here is promising to realize designs of more complex‐amplitude meta‐devices, multi‐polarization, and multi‐wavelength multiplexing meta‐devices.
Thiol‐Disulfide Exchange as a Route for Endosomal Escape of Polymeric Nanoparticles
Authors: Kanjilal Pintu , Dutta Kingshuk , Thayumanavan S
Published: July 2022

Endosomal entrapment has remained the major bottleneck for cytosolic delivery of nanoparticle‐based delivery systems. Uncovering fundamentally new pathways for endosomal escape is therefore highly sought. Herein, we report that disulfide bonds can enhance endosomal escape through contacts with cellular exofacial thiols, in addition to facilitating cellular uptake. Our results are supported through comparative analysis of polymeric nanogels with variable accessibility to disulfide bonds by placing these functionalities at the core or the shell of the nanogels. The findings here inform future chemical design of delivery vehicles.
Phase Separation of Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A1 upon Specific RNA‐Binding Observed by Magnetic Resonance**
Authors: Ritsch Irina , Lehmann Elisabeth , Emmanouilidis Leonidas , Yulikov Maxim , Allain Frédéric , Jeschke Gunnar
Published: July 2022

Interaction of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) with specific single‐stranded RNA and its relation to liquid‐liquid phase separation (LLPS) were studied in vitro by magnetic resonance based on site‐directed spin labelling. An ensemble model of dispersed hnRNP A1 in the absence of RNA was derived from distance distributions between spin labelled sites and small angle X‐ray scattering. This model revealed a compact state of the low‐complexity domain and its interaction with the RNA recognition motifs. Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement NMR spectroscopy confirmed this interaction. Addition of RNA to dispersed hnRNP A1 induced liquid‐droplet formation. Such LLPS depended on RNA concentration and sequence, with continuous wave EPR spectroscopy showing an influence of RNA point mutations on local protein dynamics. We propose that an interplay of sequence‐specific RNA binding and LLPS contributes to regulation of specific RNA segregation during stress response.
Insights into the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate in methanol
Authors: Ma Meiyuan , Wang Shuai , Liu Yue , Yu Hailong , Yu Shitao , Ji Congcong , Li Haiyan , Nie Genkuo , Liu Shiwei
Published: July 2022

With concern to sustainable development, it is necessary to establish a recycling process of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Methanolysis of PET is promising for chemical recovery of PET and the products are mainly dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and ethylene glycol (EG), but the conditions of state‐of‐art depolymerization are severe. Here, we synthesized ionic liquid [HO3S‐(CH2)3‐NEt3]Cl‐[ZnCl2]0.67with Brönsted–Lewis di‐acid and used it to efficiently catalyze the methanolysis of PET (mmethanol:mPETabout 4) at milder temperature of 195°C with yield of DMT about 78.4%. Reaction kinetics was studied and the result indicated the depolymerization of PET was a first‐order kinetic reaction with the apparent activation energy of DMT formation about 17.63 kJ mol−1. Random sampling experiment was also conducted and the results showd that DMT was the product of deep depolymerization of PET and two methanol molecules were needed to form DMT and EG in the depolymerization process. This study provides an efficient method to the recycling use of PET and wais significant to waste recovery and green environment.
Highly‐durable hydrophobic and adhesive coatings fabricated from graphene‐grafted methacrylate copolymers
Authors: Shi Chengyu , Zhang Yulei , Lu Xinyuan , He Zaozhen , Pan Aizhao , Chang Gang , He Ling
Published: July 2022

The demand for highly‐durable protective coatings for use in extreme environments is continually growing, however, poor durability and adhesion restricted their practical applications. Herein, we prepared a novel solution‐processable graphene‐based copolymer for fabricating highly‐durable protective coatings. The random‐structured copolymer GO‐g‐(PMMA‐co‐PMPS) was prepared by graphene‐based initiator (GO‐g‐Cl) initiating methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP). The copolymers rendered the coatings with high transmittance (~95%), high hydrophobicity (water contact angles = 113.8 ± 2.13°), and strong adhesion (1.26–1.38 MPa). Tetrahydrofuran (THF)‐casted coating surface presented a higher Si content and greater surface roughness than that cast from dimethyl carbonate (DMC), yielding more hydrophobic coating than those cast from DMC. The coatings could be coated on different substrates (glass, aluminum, and sandstone); and besides, the structures and performance of the coatings remained unchanged, even exposing to acid/alkali, salt, and ultraviolet light irradiation. These high‐performance properties make the GO‐based copolymers ideal candidates for fabricating high‐durability protective coatings.
A new sliding mode controller for wind turbine pitch angle control
Authors: Esmaeili Jajarm Ali , Dideban Abbas , Ozgoli Sadjaad
Published: July 2022

This paper focuses on variable‐speed wind turbines where control is aimed at stabilizing the output power. A hybrid control algorithm is proposed which includes a new arrangement of two controllers along with an observer. Estimation of power coefficient via sliding mode observer reduces the amount of errors caused by changing the power coefficient parameter in different turbines. Moreover, the use of this special arrangement of sliding mode controller, proportional‐integral (PI) controller and sliding mode observer, removes one of the controller parameter denoting wind speed from the designed algorithm, which in turn eliminates disturbances related to wind speed changes. In order to show the efficiency of the proposed control method, the performances of the controllers are evaluated by simulation in MATLAB software.
Are local students disadvantaged? Understanding institutional, local and national sense of belonging in higher education
Authors: Ahn Mi Young , Davis Howard H.
Published: July 2022

Research on inequality in higher education (HE) is often dominated by class‐based assumptions about traditional and non‐traditional students. This binary distinction emphasising students’ socio‐economic status tends to oversimply the complexity of educational inequality, neglecting crucial factors which affect the perception of social position. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the understanding of inequalities in HE with new data on the meaning of locality, using evidence from comparative studies of institutions. Locality is interpreted as an inclusive concept capturing place identity as well as local attachments based on language, culture and the natural environment. The qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 192 participants in three distinctly different HE institutions, which were deliberately selected according to their socio‐economic, cultural, and institutional status. This mixed methods research confirms the importance of different types of belonging at institutional, local and national levels, and their different effects on student groups. The study captures to what extent geographical mobility is associated with social class, by examining students’ sense of belonging and their interpretation of locality in universities across Wales. It challenges the notion of disadvantaged background, and poses a critical question about cultural and geographical familiarity. This study therefore enriches the current debates about the impact of social inequality alongside social class on students’ belonging, success and retention in HE.
The reliability and validity test of subjective cognitive decline questionnaire 21 with population in a Chinese community
Authors: Hao Lixiao , Jia Jianguo , Xing Yue , Han Ying
Published: July 2022

Background

Subjective cognitive decline‐questionnaire 9 (SCD‐Q9) was developed to detect SCD complaints at risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, our previous findings indicated that its coverage might be insufficient. To test this hypothesis, we recently translated SCD‐Q21.

Objective

To examine the reliability and validity of this translated SCD‐Q21 and to explore its effectiveness for discriminating MCI from controls.

Methods

Item analysis was performed to understand its item discrimination and homogeneity. The Cronbach's α and Spearman‐Brown's split‐half coefficients were calculated to test its reliability. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) value, Bartlett's sphericity test, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used to examine its construct validity. The content validity was evaluated using five‐grade Likert scale. Finally, the SCD‐Q21 scores in MCI and controls were compared.

Results

The difference of each item between the extreme groups was significant. The Cronbach's α coefficient was .913 and Spearman‐Brown's split‐half coefficient was .894. When performing holding one‐out approach, the Cronbach's α coefficient ranged from .906 to .914. The KMO value was .929 and the difference of Bartlett's Sphericity test was significant. All experts scored 5 points when assessing its content. Finally, a significant difference of score was found between MCI and NC groups.

Conclusions

The reliability and validity of the SCD‐Q21 are good, which may pave a way for its application in a wider Chinese‐speaking population.
ITGB1 as a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune suppression in gastric cancer
Authors: Gu Wenchao , Sun Hui , Zhang Meng , Mo Shaocong , Tan Cong , Ni Shujuan , Yang Zongcheng , Wang Yulin , Sheng Weiqi , Wang Lei
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Gastric cancer is one of the common malignant tumors with a high incidence and mortality in China. Prognostic biomarkers and potential predictors of the treatment efficacy of gastric cancer urgently need to be identified. Integrin‐β (ITGB) is a superfamily of integrins and is involved in cell adhesion, tissue repair, immune response, and tumor metastasis.

Methods

We analyzed ITGB1 expression in our hospital samples of the gastric cancer cohort. And the public data of The Cancer Genome Atlas stomach adenocarcinoma (TCGA‐STAD), The Asian Cancer Research Group (ACRG)/GSE62254, and GSE15459 data sets were analyzed by using the bioinformatic methods. The relationships between ITGB1 expression and clinicopathological features, patient prognosis, activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway, and tumor immunosuppressive factors were also explored.

Results

The positive rate of ITGB1 expression in the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center gastric cancer tumor tissues was 61.4% (258/420) and correlated with deep invasion (p = 0.017), an advanced clinical stage (p = 0.011), and a poor prognosis (p < 0.05). The TCGA‐STAD/ACRG/GSE15459 cohorts also showed similar results. ITGB1 is one of the upstream molecules of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway and is correlated with tumor immune suppression. In gastric cancer, we found a correlation between ITGB1 expression and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway activity. In the TCGA‐STAD/ACRG/GSE15459 cohorts, ITGB1 expression was positively associated with immunosuppressive factors and negatively associated with immunoactive factors. Patients with low ITGB1 expression exhibited a significantly high immunotherapy response ratio according to an analysis of tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE), which may indicate that ITGB1 is a potential predictor of immunotherapy efficacy.

Conclusions

ITGB1 affects the prognosis in gastric cancer patients and plays a core role in immune suppression in gastric cancer.
Application of biologics for ridge preservation/reconstruction after implant removal
Authors: Monje Alberto , Suárez‐López del Amo Fernando
Published: July 2022

Background

The purpose of this review was aimed at providing the rationale supported with a series of cases to apply biologics to enhance orchestrating the healing process at implant removal sites.

Implant removal is commonly applied on a daily basis, in particular, in cases that exhibit esthetic failures linked to inadequate implant position or in cases of advanced peri‐implantitis. Implant removal sites differ substantially from tooth extraction sockets. Implants are ankylosed within the alveolar bone, which therefore have neither mechanoreception nor the elasticity provided by periodontal ligament fibers. As a result, the bone‐to‐implant contact must be disrupted by means of using a reverse‐torque device to minimize trauma. It is possible that the surrounding bone provides limited vascularity, which may interfere with the healing and bone forming process within the socket. Therefore, the use of biologics may enhance this healing and accelerate bone formation in sites where implants are removed due to hopeless functional or esthetic prognoses.

Conclusion

The use of biologics, in particular autologous blood‐derived products, may enhance and boost the healing process to potentiate bone availability at a later stage during implant placement.
Phenolic Content and in Vitro Antioxidant, Anti‐Inflammatory and antimicrobial Evaluation of Algerian Ruta graveolens L.
Authors: Mokhtar Meriem , Youcefi Fatma , Keddari Soumia , Saimi Yahia , Otsmane Elhaou Siham , Cacciola Francesco
Published: July 2022

Plants constitute a valuable source of natural antioxidants such as polyphenols and are responsible for exhibiting many biologically significant functions. Ruta species including Ruta chalepensis L. and Ruta graveolens L. are widespread species in Algeria and are used as medicinal plants to treat various diseases; however, so far, most of the conducted studies focused on analyzing alkaloids and essential oils mostly on R. chalepensis. The aim of the present research is to investigate the phenolic profile of the aerial parts of Ruta graveolens L. from Algeria and assess its in vitro antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The total polyphenols and flavonoids were assessed using colorimetric methods, and the individual polyphenols were identified and quantified using HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated with DPPH and β‐carotene tests, and the anti‐inflammatory activity with inhibition of bovine serum albumin denaturation and HRBC membrane stabilization methods. The results showed that Ruta graveolens extract is rich in phenolic compounds with a total phenol and flavonoid contents of 41.63±0.394 mg GAE/gE and 13.97±0.33 mg EQ/gE, respectively. Nine phenolic compounds were determined, including three phenolic acids and six flavonoids. Rutin was the major phenolic compound in Ruta graveolens (464.95 μg/g), followed by syringic acid (179.74 μg/g), and naringenin (109.78 μg/g). R. graveolens phenolic extract also showed good antioxidant activity with values of 0.77 mM TE/g DW and 0.37 mM β‐CE/g DW with DPPH and β‐carotene tests, respectively. For the anti‐inflammatory activity, the highest tested concentration (200 μg/mL) gave 50.61 % of inhibition of the denaturation of albumin and 44.12 % of membrane stabilization. With regards to antimicrobial results, Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive bacteria with an inhibition zone of 14.37 mm and MIC value of 0.625 mg/mL, followed by Listeria monocytogenes (11.75 mm and MIC=1.25 mg/mL), and Escherichia coli (10.25 mm and MIC=1.25 mg/mL).
Nickel and Palladium Catalyzed C−H Trifluoromethylation using Trifluoromethyliodide: Investigations into New Reactivity
Authors: Solomon Nicholas S. D. , Bhadbhade Mohan , Tian Ruoming , Keaveney Sinead T.
Published: July 2022

Due to the prevalence of the trifluoromethyl group (CF3) in high‐value organic compounds, there is a constant demand for more selective, efficient and economical trifluoromethylation strategies. In this report we present detailed experimental and computational investigations into the use of cheap and atom‐economical CF3I in transition metal catalyzed trifluoromethylation. The mechanistic insight gained allowed novel C−H trifluoromethylation processes to be developed, using both palladium and nickel catalysis. The reported methodology is remarkably selective for C−H trifluoromethylation, with substituents such as amino, nitro, bromo and aldehydes tolerated. Our experimental and computational studies suggest that radical species are not involved, and that the key C−H activation step is facilitated by an unusual difluorocarbene intermediate. Importantly, arylCF3 formation occurs through unique arylCF2‐F based reductive elimination, likely from Pd(II)/Ni(II) but potentially through oxidatively‐induced reductive elimination from Pd(IV)/Ni(IV). This is the first example of nickel‐mediated trifluoromethylation where reductive elimination from nickel can occur in a catalytic manner.
Structural Variety of Niobium(V) Polyoxo Clusters Obtained from the Reaction with Aromatic Monocarboxylic Acids: Isolation of {Nb2O}, {Nb4O4} and {Nb8O12} Cores
Authors: Andriotou Despoina , Duval Sylvain , Volkringer Christophe , Trivelli Xavier , Shepard William E. , Loiseau Thierry
Published: July 2022

The reactivity of aryl monocarboxylic acids (benzoic, 1‐ or 2‐naphtoic, 4’‐methylbiphenyl‐4‐carboxylic, and anthracene‐9‐carboxylic acids) as complexing agents for the ethoxide niobium(V) (Nb(OEt)5 precursor has been investigated. A total of eight coordination complexes were isolated with distinct niobium(V) nuclearities as well as carboxylate complexation states. The use of benzoic acid gives a tetranuclear core Nb4(μ2‐O)4(L)4(OEt)8] (L=benzoate (1)) with four Nb−(μ2‐O)−Nb linkages in a square plane configuration. A similar tetramer, 7, was obtained with 2‐naphtoic acid by using a 55 % humid atmosphere synthetic route. Two types of dinuclear brick were identified with one central Nb−(μ2‐O)−Nb linkage; they differ in their complexation state, with one bridging carboxylate ([Nb2(μ2‐O)(μ2‐OEt)(L)(OEt)6], with L=1‐naphtoate (3) or anthracene‐9‐carboxylate (5)) or two bridging carboxylate groups ([Nb2(μ2‐O)(L)2(OEt)6], with L=4’‐methylbiphenyl‐4‐carboxylic (4) or anthracene‐9‐carboxylate (6)). An octanuclear moiety [Nb8(μ2‐O)12(L)8(η1‐L)4−x(OEt)4+x] (with L=2‐naphtoate, x=0 or 2; 8) was obtained by using a solvothermal route in acetonitrile; it has a cubic configuration with niobium centers at each node, linked by 12 μ2‐O groups. The formation of the niobium oxo clusters was characterized by infrared and liquid 1H NMR spectroscopy in order to analyze the esterification reaction, which induces the release of water molecules that further react through oxolation with niobium atoms, in different {Nb2O}, {Nb4O4} and {Nb8O12} nuclearities.
Risk and incidence of head and neck cancers in veterans living with HIV and matched HIV‐negative veterans
Authors: Mazul Angela L. , Hartman Christine M. , Mowery Yvonne M. , Kramer Jennifer R. , White Donna L. , Royse Kathryn E. , Raychaudhury Suchismita , Sandulache Vlad C. , Ahmed Sarah T. , Zevallos Jose P. , Richardson Peter A. , Sikora Andrew G. , Chiao Elizabeth Y.
Published: July 2022

Background

Persons living with HIV/AIDS have a higher incidence of virus‐related and tobacco/alcohol‐related cancers. This study is the first to estimate the effect of HIV versus HIV‐negative veterans on the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma incidence in a large retrospective cohort study.

Methods

The authors constructed a retrospective cohort study using patient data from 1999 to 2016 from the National Veterans Administration Corporate Data Warehouse and the VA Central Cancer Registry. This cohort study included 45,052 veterans living with HIV/AIDS and 162,486 HIV‐negative patients matched by age, sex, and index visit (i.e., HIV diagnosis date or clinic visit date). The age‐standardized incidence rates and estimated adjusted hazard ratios were calculated with a Cox proportional hazards regression for oropharyngeal and nonoropharyngeal head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The authors also abstracted human papillomavirus (HPV) status from oropharyngeal HNSCC diagnosed after 2010.

Results

Veterans living with HIV/AIDS (VLWH) have 1.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36, 2.14) times the risk of oropharyngeal cancer and 2.06 (95% CI, 1.76, 2.42) times the hazard of nonoropharyngeal cancer compared with HIV‐negative veterans. VLWH with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) were more likely to be HPV‐positive (N = 30 [81.1%]) than the HIV‐negative veterans with OPSCC (N = 50 [67.6%]), although this difference was not significant (p = .135). For nonoropharyngeal cancer, the increased risk of oral cavity cancer among VLWH drove the increased risk.

Conclusions

The study results suggest that HIV may play a role in virally mediated and nonvirally mediated HNSCC. As the HIV prevalence rises in the United States due to better survival and the incidence of HPV‐positive oropharyngeal HNSCC increases, the interaction between HPV and HIV becomes increasingly relevant.