bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case of estrogen‐secreting adrenocortical carcinoma: Comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis of disorganized steroid genesis
Authors: Yokoyama Megumi , Kijima Toshiki , Takada‐Owada Atsuko , Sakamoto Kazumasa , Suzuki Issei , Nishihara Daisaku , Nakamura Yasuhiro , Ishida Kazuyuki , Kamai Takao
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Adrenocortical carcinoma rarely secretes estrogens, and little is known regarding the mechanism of intra‐tumor estrogen production. We report an estrogen‐secreting adrenocortical carcinoma in a postmenopausal woman, where comprehensive immunohistochemical analyses of the resected tumor revealed disorganized steroidogenesis.

Case presentation

A 68‐year‐old woman presented with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding and was found to have a left adrenal tumor. Serum estradiol and testosterone were elevated but they normalized after resection of the tumor, suggestive of adrenocortical carcinoma with disorganized steroidogenesis. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the tumor expressed aromatase which converts androgens into estrogens. Furthermore, the tumor lacked 17βHSD2, which converts estradiol to estrone, suggesting that estradiol accumulated as the final product of the tumor's steroidogenic pathway.

Conclusion

The capability of adrenocortical carcinoma to produce estrogen can be demonstrated by comprehensive immunohistochemical analyses of steroidogenic enzymes, such as those reported here.
Two cases of delayed onset of immune‐related adverse events after discontinuation of nivolumab in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer
Authors: Nakai Yasutomo , Otsuka Tomoyuki , Inoue Takako , Nawa Takatoshi , Hatano Koji , Yamamoto Yoshiyuki , Nagahara Akira , Nakayama Masashi , Kakimoto Ken‐ichi , Nishimura Kazuo
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Delayed onset of immune‐related adverse events following immune‐checkpoint inhibitor discontinuation is underrecognized because of little available evidence.

Case presentation

A 50‐year‐old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (Case 1) and 58‐year‐old woman with renal cell carcinoma and retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis (Case 2) underwent nivolumab therapy. Case 1: Progressive disease forced nivolumab discontinuance after 18 months, and he underwent two courses of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. immune‐related adverse events of pneumonitis, hepatitis, and renal dysfunction were diagnosed 142 days after nivolumab discontinuation, and he recovered with immunosuppressive treatment. Case 2: The immune‐related adverse event of pneumonitis forced nivolumab discontinuance after 14 months, and two courses of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy were administered. The immune‐related adverse event of hepatitis was diagnosed 436 days after nivolumab discontinuation, and she recovered with immunosuppressive treatment.

Conclusion

Two patients with delayed onset of immune‐related adverse events after nivolumab discontinuation were recovered with immunosuppressive treatment.
CPEB1 enhances erastin‐induced ferroptosis in gastric cancer cells by suppressing twist1 expression
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Tao , Zhang Yang , Liu Jiaqi , Song Jie , Han Yanlong , Wang Lihong , Yang Shuang , Zhu Lili , Geng Rui , Li Weimin , Yu Xiaoguang
Published: June 2021

The induction of ferroptosis is considered a new strategy for cancer treatment. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1 (CPEB1) is a post‐transcriptional regulatory factor, whose low expression has been reported to link to the enhanced metastasis and angiogenesis of gastric cancer (GC). In this study, to explore the role of CPEB1 in ferroptosis, GC cells with overexpressed or silenced CPEB1 expression were treated with erastin, a classic ferroptosis inducer. The results showed that erastin dose‐dependently decreased the viability of four GC cell lines (AGS, SNU‐1, Hs‐746 T, and HGC‐27), suggesting that ferroptosis could be triggered in these GC cells. Interestingly, HGC‐27 cells overexpressing CPEB1 were more sensitive to erastin, generated more lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and their glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) expression and GSH content were reduced. Contrarily, CPEB1‐silenced AGS cells were more resistant to erastin. Mechanically, we demonstrated that CPEB1 overexpression reduced the expression of twist1, an inhibitor of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), thereby activating the ATF4/ChaC Glutathione Specific Gamma‐Glutamylcyclotransferase 1 (CHAC1) pathway (CHAC1, a molecule known to induce GSH degradation). Furthermore, re‐expression of twist1 in GC cells impaired the effects of CPEB1 overexpression in presence of erastin. Additionally, similar to the in vitro results, the growth‐inhibiting effects of erastin on GC xenografted tumors were also augmented by CPEB1 overexpression in vivo. Collectively, we demonstrate that CPEB1 facilitates erastin‐induced ferroptosis by inhibiting twist1.
Pediatric Dose Selection for Therapeutic Proteins
Authors: Malik Paul R. V. , Temrikar Zaid H. , Chelle Pierre , Edginton Andrea N. , Meibohm Bernd
Published: June 2021

In selecting optimal dosing regimens in support of the clinical use of monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic proteins in pediatric indications, the unique pharmacokinetic properties of this class of biologics, as well as the underlying physiologic and pathophysiologic processes and their modulation by childhood growth and development, needs to be appreciated. During drug development, first‐in‐pediatric dose selection is a capstone event in the pediatric investigation plan that relies heavily on extrapolation of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from adult to pediatric populations. It is facilitated by combinations of pharmacometric approaches, including allometry, physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling, and population pharmacokinetic analyses, although data on reliability and qualification of some of these tools in the context of therapeutic proteins are still limited but emerging. Presented data suggest nonlinear relationships between body weight and both clearance and volume of distribution for therapeutic proteins in pediatric populations, with allometric exponents of 0.75 and 0.8, respectively. For newborns and infants (<1 year), even higher nonlinearity seems to occur. Translation of the quantitative characterization of the pediatric pharmacokinetics of therapeutic proteins into dosing regimens for the drug label requires compromising between precision dosing and clinical practicability, with tiered dosing algorithms based on size or age strata being the currently most frequently applied methodology.
Pediatric Drug‐Drug Interaction Evaluation: Drug, Patient Population, and Methodological Considerations
Authors: Gonzalez Daniel , Sinha Jaydeep
Published: June 2021

Hospitalized pediatric patients and those with complex or chronic conditions treated on an outpatient basis are commonly prescribed multiple drugs, resulting in increased risk for drug‐drug interactions (DDIs). Although dedicated DDI evaluations are routinely performed in healthy adult volunteers during drug development, they are rarely performed in pediatric patients because of ethical, logistical, and methodological challenges. In the absence of pediatric DDI evaluations, adult DDI data are often extrapolated to pediatric patients. However, the magnitude of a DDI in pediatric patients may differ from adults because of age‐dependent physiological changes that can impact drug disposition or response and because of other factors related to the drug (eg, dose, formulation) and the patient population (eg, disease state, obesity). Therefore, the DDI magnitude needs to be assessed in children separately from adults, although a lack of clinical DDI data in pediatric populations makes this evaluation challenging. As a result, pediatric DDI assessment relies on the predictive performance of the pharmacometric approaches used, such as population and physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling. Therefore, careful consideration needs to be given to adequately account for the age‐dependent physiological changes in these models to build high confidence for such untested DDI scenarios. This review article summarizes the key considerations related to the drug, patient population, and methodology, and how they can impact DDI evaluation in the pediatric population.
Understanding the Role of Pharmacometrics‐Based Clinical Decision Support Systems in Pediatric Patient Management: A Case Study Using Lyv Software
Authors: Jarugula Praneeth , Scott Sarah , Ivaturi Vijay , Noack Andreas , Moffett Brady S. , Bhutta Adnan , Gobburu Jogarao V.S.
Published: June 2021

Pharmacometrics could play a key role in shifting pediatric pharmacotherapy from dosing for an average patient to individualizing dosing. Clinicians can have these quantitative tools at their disposal without requiring significant training through the development of clinical decision support systems with easy‐to‐use interfaces that have a back‐end analysis engine or pharmacometric model that uses extensive electronic health record data to predict an individualized dose for each patient. There has been increased development of these clinical decision support systems recently, and for these tools to make the proper breakthrough into clinical practice, it is of utmost importance to perform rigorous testing to ensure adequate predictive performance. In this article, we walk through the components of a decision support tool and the testing required to determine its robustness using an example of a decision support tool we developed for vancomycin dosing in pediatrics.
The amino acid and lipophilic profiles of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) larvae fluctuate with diapause
Authors: Tanwar Aditya K. , Kirti Jagbir S. , Kumar Sandeep , Dhillon Mukesh K.
Published: June 2021

The Chilo partellus (Crambidae: Lepidoptera) larvae undergoes both hibernation and estivation in India. Although, much has been done on reproductive physiological aspects, little is known about biochemical changes happening during hibernation and estivation in C. partellus. Thus, we mapped changes in amino acid and lipophilic profiles of C. partellus larvae while undergoing hibernation and estivation using high‐performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. The studies revealed higher amounts of amino acids namely, serine, glycine, histidine, arginine, proline, tyrosine, and methionine in estivation, while lower in hibernation as compared with nondiapause larvae of C. partellus. Furthermore, the amounts of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and alanine in hibernation, and threonine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and leucine in estivation were on par with nondiapause larvae. The lipophilic compounds namely, linoleic acid, stearic acid, eicosanoic acid, and n‐pentadecanol were lower in hibernation than estivation and nondiapause larvae of C. partellus. Palmitoleic acid and methyl 3‐methoxytetradecanoate contents were higher in hibernation than estivation and nondiapause, while myristic acid and lathosterol contents were higher in estivation than hibernation and nondiapause larvae of C. partellus. Cholesterol content was higher, while squalene and gamma‐ergostenol were lower in hibernation and estivation as compared with nondiapause larvae of C. partellus. These findings suggest that certain amino acids may be constituents of heat‐shock proteins and help C. partellus during estivation. However, the lipophilic compounds could be helpful in maintaining development during hibernation and estivation in C. partellus.
Preliminary Exploration of the Application of Vesical Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (VI‐RADS) in Post‐treatment Patients With Bladder Cancer: A Prospective Single‐Center Study
Authors: Cao Bohong , Li Qing , Xu Peirong , Chen Weijie , Hu Xiaoyi , Dai Chenchen , Shan Yingchan , Ding Yuqin , Mao Wei , Liu Kai , Wu Pu‐Yeh , Sun Weiling , Rao Shengxiang , Zeng Mengsu , Jiang Shuai , Zhou Jianjun
Published: June 2021

Background

Vesical Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (VI‐RADS) has been shown to be effective in diagnosing muscle invasion of bladder cancer (BC) in primary patients.

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of VI‐RADS in a BC target population which included post‐treatment patients, and to determine the repeatability.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Seventy‐three patients (42 with primary BC, 31 with post‐treatment BC).

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0 T MRI with propeller fast spin‐echo T2WI, echo planer imaging diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging (DCEI).

Assessment

VI‐RADS scores were independently assessed by five radiologists with different levels of experience. The diagnostic efficiency in each group (primary and post‐treatment) and of each radiologist was assessed.

Statistical Tests

Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the curve (AUC) in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were calculated to evaluate VI‐RADS diagnostic performance. Interobserver agreement was assessed using weighted Kappa statistics. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

At the corresponding cut‐off, AUC values of three groups range from 0.936 to 0.947 and AUC values of five observers range from 0.901 to 0.963. There was no significant difference between the AUCs in the primary and post‐treatment groups (P = 0.870). The cut‐off of the whole group and the post‐treatment group was ≥4, and the cut‐off of the primary group was ≥3. The Kappa values of interobserver agreements range from 0.709 to 0.923.

Conclusions

After expanding the target population to include post‐treatment patients, VI‐RADS still has good diagnostic efficacy and repeatability. VI‐RADS could potentially be a preoperative staging tool for post‐treatment patients.

Level of Evidence

1

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Disturbed Interhemispheric Functional and Structural Connectivity in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Cui Ying , Tang Tian‐Yu , Lu Chun‐Qiang , Lu Tong , Wang Yuan‐Cheng , Teng Gao‐Jun , Ju Shenghong
Published: June 2021

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with cognitive decline and altered brain structure and function. However, the interhemispheric coordination of T2DM patients is unclear.

Purpose

To investigate interhemispheric functional and anatomic connectivity in T2DM, and their associations with cognitive performance and endocrine parameters.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

38 T2DM patients and 42 matched controls.

Field Strength/Sequences

3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner; magnetization‐prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence; fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery sequence; single‐shot, gradient‐recalled echo‐planar imaging sequence (resting‐state functional MRI); and diffusion‐weighted spin‐echo‐based echo‐planar sequence (diffusion tensor imaging).

Assessment

Voxel‐mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) value was calculated based on the functional images. Fibers passing through the regions with significant VMHC differences were identified using an atlas‐guided track recognition. The mean fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and fiber length were extracted and compared between the two groups. Finally, correlational analyses were performed to examine the relationships between abnormal interhemispheric connectivity, cognitive performances, and endocrine parameters.

Statistical Tests

Two‐sample t‐tests were performed controlling for confounding factors, with partial correlation analysis. False discovery rate (FDR) correction was used for multiple comparisons. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

T2DM patients exhibited significantly decreased VMHC between bilateral lingual gyrus and sensorimotor cortex. The fibers connecting lingual gyrus in patients showed significantly lower FA (P = 0.011) and shorter fiber length (P < 0.001), while the differences in sensorimotor fibers were insignificant (P = 0.096 for FA, P = 0.739 for fiber length and P = 0.150 for MD). The FA value in the lingual fibers was negatively correlated with insulin resistance (IR) level in T2DM group after FDR correction (R = −0.635).

Data Conclusion

We noted disruptions in interhemispheric coordination in T2DM patients, involving both functional and anatomical connectivities. IR might be a promising therapeutic target in the intervention of T2DM‐related cognitive impairment.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
A Schrödinger–Poisson model for output characteristics of trigate ballistic Si fin field effect transistors (FinFETs)
Authors: Memon Qamar‐ud‐din , Ahmed Umer F. , Ahmed Muhammad M.
Published: June 2021

This article presents a Schrödinger–Poisson based technique to predict characteristics of trigate Si fin field effect transistors (FinFETs). The channel characteristics are modeled by a three‐dimensional (3D) Schrödinger wave equation considering quantum‐mechanical ballistic transport. Using a nonequilibrium green function and a 3D Poisson equation, drain current associated with source‐drain Fermi energy difference is evaluated. Contact resistance and its impact on the drain current is adjusted using a modeled parameter in Fermi‐Dirac distribution function. It is observed that the drain current as a function of drain bias saturates because of the finite carrier supply from the source electrode. The model is calibrated using TCAD simulations for quantum transport. To validate the proposed model, output and transfer characteristics of nanoscale FinFETs are compared with experimental data and a good degree of accuracy is observed. It has been demonstrated that the proposed model has the ability to predict FinFETs characteristics having .
Schwann cell precursors generate sympathoadrenal system during zebrafish development
Authors: Kamenev Dmitrii , Sunadome Kazunori , Shirokov Maxim , Chagin Andrey S. , Singh Ajeet , Irion Uwe , Adameyko Igor , Fried Kaj , Dyachuk Vyacheslav
Published: June 2021

The autonomic portion of the peripheral nervous system orchestrates tissue homeostasis through direct innervation of internal organs, and via release of adrenalin and noradrenalin into the blood flow. The developmental mechanisms behind the formation of autonomic neurons and chromaffin cells are not fully understood. Using genetic tracing, we discovered that a significant proportion of sympathetic neurons in zebrafish originates from Schwann cell precursors (SCPs) during a defined period of embryonic development. Moreover, SCPs give rise to the main portion of the chromaffin cells, as well as to a significant proportion of enteric and other autonomic neurons associated with internal organs. The conversion of SCPs into neuronal and chromaffin cells is ErbB receptor dependent, as the pharmacological inhibition of the ErbB pathway effectively perturbed this transition. Finally, using genetic ablations, we revealed that SCPs producing neurons and chromaffin cells migrate along spinal motor axons to reach appropriate target locations. This study reveals the evolutionary conservation of SCP‐to‐neuron and SCP‐to‐chromaffin cell transitions over significant growth periods in fish and highlights relevant cellular‐genetic mechanisms. Based on this, we anticipate that multipotent SCPs might be present in postnatal vertebrate tissues, retaining the capacity to regenerate autonomic neurons and chromaffin cells.
Benign Intratracheal Thyroid: A Systematic Review of 43 Cases With Five New Case Reports
Authors: Ma Hongzhi , Brooks Jennifer A. , Iwata Ayaka J. , Li Pingdong , Zhong Qi , Fang Jugao , Randolph Gregory W.
Published: June 2021

Objective/Hypothesis

To examine the clinical features of benign intratracheal thyroid (ITT) and their management strategies and outcomes.

Study Design

Case series study.

Methods

This systemic review was conducted in two international academic centers. This review includes 43 patients: one new case from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, four new cases from Beijing Tongren Hospital, and 38 previously published cases. We analyzed these 43 cases and summarized the patients' epidemiological data, clinical features, and treatment regimens.

Results

ITTs were less common in men than in women (male:female ratio of 3:10). ITT was observed in patients as young as neonates and as old as 85 years. Orthotopic thyroid nodules were present in 55.8% of the patients with ITT. Malignancy was incidentally found in 4.6% of all ITTs. Imaging examinations showed that the ITTs were typically attached to the posterolateral/lateral tracheal wall of the first, second, or third tracheal rings. Tissue attachment between the ITT and normal thyroid lobes was seen in 59.5% of the patients. Thirty‐seven patients underwent surgery: 30 underwent open surgery, and seven underwent endoscopic debulking resections. One neonate received thyroid suppression therapy. One patient with ITT and papillary thyroid cancer was treated with radiotherapy and ultimately died after recurrence.

Conclusions

Surgical resection is an effective treatment for benign ITT. We hypothesized that abnormalities during the embryonic development of Berry's ligament might play a role in ITT pathogenesis.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 131:E2609–E2617, 2021
Reliable sampled‐data control for nonlinear switched systems with packet dropout and multiple sampling periods
Authors: Li Qian , Liu Xinzhi , Zhu Qingxin , Zhong Shouming
Published: June 2021

This paper addresses the problems of exponential mean‐square stability and reliable sampling data control design for nonlinear switched systems. First, a common model of actuator fault is used to give a description of the nonlinear of controller. The packet loss is assumed to be affected by multiple sampling periods. By input delay method, probability distribution of stochastic delay which takes value in m (m ≥ 2) given intervals is obtained. Second, using average dwell time method, sufficient conditions in the form of linear matrix inequality (LMI) are obtained to ensure the stability of considered switched systems. Moreover, an illustration example is used to demonstrate the validity of the sampling controller designed.
The Instagrammable outdoors – Investigating the sharing of nature experiences through visual social media
Authors: Arts Irma , Fischer Anke , Duckett Dominic , van der Wal René
Published: June 2021

Despite the growing popularity of Instagram as a medium to portray nature and the outdoors, there remains limited research available exploring its influence on people's experiences in nature. We investigate Instagram as a three‐way negotiation between users, the platform's affordances and social norms associated with both Instagram use and outdoor experiences.

Moving beyond polarized, conceptual debates situating social media affordances within dystopias and eutopias, we provide empirical insight from the lived experiences of everyday Instagram users reflecting upon their mediated outdoor activities.

We found that participants shared special moments, beautiful landscapes and happy memories while they struggled with notions of authenticity associated with these experiences. They perceived certain scenes as more ‘Instagrammable’ than others, and this led to sharing homogenous stories and visual representations of the outdoors.

At the same time, participants actively reflected on this standardization and aestheticization of the landscape and their experiences, and highlighted strategies to counter this, such as actively following voices normally under‐represented in media portraying outdoor activities or posting pictures that were not ‘polished’.

We conclude that to understand modern‐day interactions with nature and move beyond purely theoretical discussions about the flaws or merits of social media, we need to look at users' own strategies that integrate visual social media into their outdoor activities, while taking into account how platform features and social norms contribute to the construction of these activities.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Heterogenous presence of neutrophil extracellular traps in human solid tumours is partially dependent on IL‐8
Authors: de Andrea Carlos E , Ochoa María Carmen , Villalba‐Esparza María , Teijeira Álvaro , Schalper Kurt A , Abengozar‐Muela Marta , Eguren‐Santamaría Iñaki , Sainz Cristina , Sánchez‐Gregorio Sandra , Garasa Saray , Ariz Mikel , Ortiz‐de‐Solorzano Carlos , Rodriguez‐Ruiz María E , Perez‐Gracia Jose L , Lozano María D , Echeveste José I , Sanmamed Miguel F , Melero Ignacio
Published: June 2021

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are webs of extracellular nuclear DNA extruded by dying neutrophils infiltrating tissue. NETs constitute a defence mechanism to entrap and kill fungi and bacteria. Tumours induce the formation of NETs to the advantage of the malignancy via a variety of mechanisms shown in mouse models. Here, we investigated the presence of NETs in a variety of human solid tumours and their association with IL‐8 (CXCL8) protein expression and CD8+ T‐cell density in the tumour microenvironment. Multiplex immunofluorescence panels were developed to identify NETs in human cancer tissues by co‐staining with the granulocyte marker CD15, the neutrophil marker myeloperoxidase and citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit), as well as IL‐8 protein and CD8+ T cells. Three ELISA methods to detect and quantify circulating NETs in serum were optimised and utilised. Whole tumour sections and tissue microarrays from patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; n = 14), bladder cancer (n = 14), melanoma (n = 11), breast cancer (n = 31), colorectal cancer (n = 20) and mesothelioma (n = 61) were studied. Also, serum samples collected retrospectively from patients with metastatic melanoma (n = 12) and NSCLC (n = 34) were ELISA assayed to quantify circulating NETs and IL‐8. NETs were detected in six different human cancer types with wide individual variation in terms of tissue density and distribution. At least in NSCLC, bladder cancer and metastatic melanoma, NET density positively correlated with IL‐8 protein expression and inversely correlated with CD8+ T‐cell densities. In a series of serum samples from melanoma and NSCLC patients, a positive correlation between circulating NETs and IL‐8 was found. In conclusion, NETs are detectable in formalin‐fixed human biopsy samples from solid tumours and in the circulation of cancer patients with a considerable degree of individual variation. NETs show a positive association with IL‐8 and a trend towards a negative association with CD8+ tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Self‐esteem in adolescents with learning difficulties: A study from the perspective of the students, parents, and teachers
Authors: Caqueo‐Urízar Alejandra , Mena‐Chamorro Patricio , Atencio‐Quevedo Diego , Flores Jerome , Urzúa Alfonso
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the association between learning difficulties and self‐esteem in adolescents in northern Chile. The study sample comprised 116 students aged 13–17 years from government‐subsidized schools. The Child and Adolescent Assessment System (SENA) was used to measure the variables considered in this study. The results showed that learning and school problems were able to predict 16% (F = 6.416; p = .000; R
2
a = 0.16) of self‐esteem variance. It seems that students who present difficulties in their learning process are more vulnerable to not appreciating their qualities and feeling less proud of themselves, which could decrease their self‐esteem. These findings should inform the design of future psychoeducational interventions that promote healthy self‐esteem.
Ball‐Milling Effect on Biomass‐Derived Nanocarbon Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhang Jun J. , Sun Yin , Guo Li K. , Sun Xian N. , Huang Nai B.
Published: June 2021

Nano‐carbon oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst having a large N atoms content derived from biomass has been widely studied recently in fuel cells. In this paper, yuba of high‐protein (wt. 53 %) was employed as precursor to fabricate N self‐doped porous carbon ORR electrocatalysts with high N content. In terms of ORR performance, Y‐850 exhibited the optimal electrocatalytic activity among all the samples at different pyrolysis temperatures, which is comparable that of commercial 20 % Pt/C. The prominent ORR characteristic of Y‐850 is mainly contributed by its high N content, especially high graphitic‐N content. In order to further improve its ORR performance, ball‐milling was conducted on Y‐850 before and after pyrolysis. The results indicate that an appropriate ball‐milling before pyrolysis can effectively increase the limited current density of ORR.
DFT and TD‐DFT Study on Azobenzene‐Based Dye Covalently Attached to Silane Coupling Agents: Toward Dye‐Sensitized TiO2 Catalyst and Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Takeshita Tatsuya
Published: June 2021

Herein, density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) studies of 4‐[(4‐methoxyphenyl)diazenyl]naphthalen‐1‐amine (MPDNA) covalently attached to a silane coupling agent (SCA) (namely, 4‐(triethoxysilyl)butane‐1,2‐epoxide (OTES)) with a terminal oxirane group (MPDNA‐OTES) were performed to determine the influence of SCAs on the geometry of photosensitizing dyes with multiple photoisomers or conformers. CH−O interaction between the hydroxyl group, which was formed by an epoxy ring‐opening reaction between MPDNA and OTES, and the 1‐naphthylamine moiety resulted in two conformers of MPDNA‐OTES. The dominant trans‐isomer conformation of MPDNA‐OTES indicates a high driving force of electron injection (−1.61 eV) and significantly contributes to the photocurrent in dye‐sensitized TiO2 catalysts and dye‐sensitized solar cells. It is concluded that by combining OTES and a photosensitizing dye containing a 1‐naphthylamine moiety, the CH−O interaction can be utilized to regulate the geometry of the dye to realize characteristics favorable for electron injection into the conduction band of TiO2.
Complementary Photo‐Synapses Based on Light‐Stimulated Porphyrin‐Coated Silicon Nanowires Field‐Effect Transistors (LPSNFET)
Authors: Li Xiaokang , Yu Bocheng , Wang Bowen , Bi Ran , Li Haixia , Tu Kun , Chen Gong , Li Zhihong , Huang Ru , Li Ming
Published: June 2021

Neuromorphic computing has emerged as the high‐energy‐efficiency and intelligent solution for processing sensory data. As a potential alternative to neuromorphic computing, photo‐excited synaptic systems can integrate the functions of optoelectronic sensing and synaptic computing to realize the low‐power and high‐performance visual perception. However, one major challenge in high‐efficient photo‐excited synaptic system is to realize the complementarily enhanced and inhibited synaptic behaviors with small hardware cost as possible. Another challenge is to fabricate the photo‐synapse devices with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)‐compatible process to achieve high enough integration density for practical application. Here, a CMOS‐compatible Light‐stimulated Porphyrin‐coated Silicon Nanowire Field Effect Transistor (LPSNFET) technology is proposed and developed to form the complementary photo‐synapses with only two CMOS‐like transistors. LPSNFET exhibits fivefold improvement in photo‐sensitivity compared to the bare silicon nanowire (SiNW) devices, and can still show obvious responses when incident illumination power is as low as 0.1 mW cm−2. Moreover, it enables tunable dynamic synaptic plasticity and versatile synaptic functions. Especially, the complementarily enhanced and inhibited behaviors can be realized by modulating SiNW/porphyrin interface via simply changing the MOS type of LPSNFET, which acts like the photonic counterpart of CMOS technology to provide the basic brick for building complex neuromorphic circuits efficiently and economically. Finally, the CMOS process compatibility of LPSNFET provides potential application in future large scale in‐sensor computing.
Life Prediction of Residual Current Device Based on Wiener Process with GM (1, 1) Model
Authors: Liu Guojin , Wang Ze , Li Xiang , Yue Chenghao , Li Wenhua
Published: June 2021

Residual current device (RCD), the critical equipment to protect the safety of electrical users, are known to experience performance degrade over time during their use lifetime. Therefore, in order to promptly replace the RCD before failure, it is very important to predict its lifetime. In order to predict the remaining life of the RCD, a constant‐stress accelerated degradation test (CSADT) and a combination prediction model are proposed. First, the CSADT is conducted with temperature as the acceleration stress and the residual operating current as degradation characteristic. Then, based on the prediction result of pseudo failure life, a combination model of Wiener process and GM (1, 1) model is given. Finally, the remaining life of the RCD under normal use environment is extrapolated. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Effect of acetylated cellulose nanocrystals on solid‐state foaming behaviors of chain‐extended poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)
Authors: Cui Yalin , Luo Jingyun , Deng Yafeng , Wang Xiangdong , Zhou Hongfu
Published: June 2021

Fully biodegradable chain‐extended poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (CPBAT)/acetylated cellulose nanocrystals (ACNCs) nanocomposites were prepared by the melt compounding process. The dispersibility of CNCs in deionized water was improved through the surface acetylation, which was observed by atomic force microscope and transmission electron microscope. The chain extender was added to the PBAT matrix to improve the melt strength and viscoelasticity of PBAT. The ACNC nanoparticles which served as bionano‐reinforcing fillers were introduced into CPBAT to further improve the crystallization behaviors and rheological properties of CPBAT/ACNCs nanocomposites. Finally, the CPBAT/ACNCs nanocomposite foams were prepared via batch supercritical CO2foaming process. The cell structure and morphology of various CPBAT/ACNCs foams were investigated by scanning electron microscope. It was found that the introduction of ACNC nanoparticles led to a reduction of cell size, an increase in cell density and in the uniform cell distribution owing to the heterogeneous cell nucleation effect of ACNCs. Meanwhile, the volume expansion ratio (VER) of CPBAT foams reached to 9.21 times, the highest VER reported for PBAT foam in the current literature. Also, the thermal conductive properties of nanocomposites and foams also were studied by a laser thermal conductivity analyzer.
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome: Epilepsy as possible aetiology in two cats
Authors: Gómez Álvarez Christian M. , Soler Arias Elber Alberto
Published: June 2021

Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS) is a poorly understood entity whose aetiology is currently unknown. Epilepsy has been proposed as a possible cause, but no evidence has been shown. Two cats, aged 1.5 and 2 years old, were studied for neurological episodes characterised by skin rippling, muscle spasms, licking and biting of the lumbar area, head shaking, tail swinging and presumptive hallucinations, among other symptoms. Physical and neurological examination, brain magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were unremarkable. However, electroencephalogram (EEG) showed polyspike‐like epileptic discharges originated in the temporoparietal area in one cat and focal sharp waves in left frontotemporal area in the other one. In both cases, the episodes were reduced significantly in response to anticonvulsant therapy. Based on these results, EEG could be part of FHS diagnostic test and epilepsy considered as a possible aetiology.
Dose-dependence of radiotherapy-induced changes in serum levels of choline-containing phospholipids; the importance of lower doses delivered to large volumes of normal tissues
Authors: Jelonek Karol , Krzywon Aleksandra , Papaj Katarzyna , Polanowski Pawel , Szczepanik Krzysztof , Skladowski Krzysztof , Widlak Piotr
Published: June 2021

Background

Conformal radiotherapy is a primary treatment in head and neck cancer, which putative adverse effects depend on relatively low doses of radiation delivered to increased volumes of normal tissues. Systemic effects of such treatment include radiation-induced changes in serum lipid profile, yet dose- and volume-dependence of these changes remain to be established.

Methods

Here we analyzed levels of choline-containing phospholipids in serum samples collected consecutively during the radiotherapy used as the only treatment modality. The liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) approach applied in the study enabled the detection and quantitation of 151 phospholipids, including (lyso)phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins.

Results

No statistically significant differences were found in the pretreatment samples from patients with different locations and stages of cancer. To compensate for potential differences between schemes of radiotherapy, the biologically effective doses were calculated and used in the search of correlations with specific lipid levels. We found that the levels of several phospholipids depended on the maximum dose delivered to the gross tumor volume and total radiation energy absorbed by the patient’s body. Increased doses correlated with increased levels of sphingomyelins and reduced levels of phosphatidylcholines. Furthermore, we observed several phospholipids whose serum levels correlated with the degree of acute radiation toxicity.

Conclusion

Noteworthy, serum phospholipid levels were associated mainly with volumes of normal tissues irradiated with relatively low doses (i.e., total accumulated dose 20 Gy), which indicated the importance of such effects on the systemic response of the patient’s organism to intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).
Robotic hernia surgery I. English version
Authors: Ramser Michaela , Baur Johannes , Keller Nicola , Kukleta Jan F. , Dörfer Jörg , Wiegering Armin , Eisner Lukas , Dietz Ulrich A.
Published: June 2021

The treatment of inguinal hernias with open and minimally invasive procedures has reached a high standard in terms of outcome over the past 30 years. However, there is still need for further improvement, mainly in terms of reduction of postoperative seroma, chronic pain, and recurrence. This video article presents the endoscopic anatomy of the groin with regard to robotic transabdominal preperitoneal patch plasty (r‑TAPP) and illustrates the surgical steps of r‑TAPP with respective video sequences. The results of a cohort study of 302 consecutive hernias operated by r‑TAPP are presented and discussed in light of the added value of the robotic technique, including advantages for surgical training. r‑TAPP is the natural evolution of conventional TAPP and has the potential to become a new standard as equipment availability increases and material costs decrease. Future studies will also have to refine the multifaceted added value of r‑TAPP with new parameters.
The impact of repeated mass antigen testing for COVID-19 on the prevalence of the disease
Authors: Kahanec Martin , Lafférs Lukáš , Schmidpeter Bernhard
Published: June 2021

In the absence of effective vaccination, mass testing and quarantining of positive cases and their contacts could help to mitigate pandemics and allow economies to stay open. We investigate the effects of repeated mass testing on the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, using data from the first ever nationwide rapid antigen testing implemented in Slovakia in autumn 2020. After the first round of testing, only districts above an ex ante unknown threshold of test positivity were re-tested. Comparing districts above and below the threshold, we provide evidence that repeated mass antigen testing can temporarily reduce the number of new infections. Our results suggest that mass testing coupled with the quarantining of positive cases and their contacts could be an effective tool in mitigating pandemics. For lasting effects, re-testing at regular intervals would likely be necessary.
A fast $$(2 + \frac{2}{7})$$-approximation algorithm for capacitated cycle covering
Authors: Traub Vera , Tröbst Thorben
Published: June 2021

We consider the capacitated cycle covering problem: given an undirected, complete graph G with metric edge lengths and demands on the vertices, we want to cover the vertices with vertex-disjoint cycles, each serving a demand of at most one. The objective is to minimize a linear combination of the total length and the number of cycles. This problem is closely related to the capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP) and other cycle cover problems such as min-max cycle cover and bounded cycle cover. We show that a greedy algorithm followed by a post-processing step yields a $$(2 + \frac{2}{7})$$

(
2
+

2
7

)

-approximation for this problem by comparing the solution to a polymatroid relaxation. We also show that the analysis of our algorithm is tight and provide a $$2 + \epsilon $$

2
+
ϵ

lower bound for the relaxation.
Impact Evaluation of Alternative Irrigation Technology in Crete: Correcting for Selectivity Bias
Authors: Vrachioli Maria , Stefanou Spiro E. , Tzouvelekas Vangelis
Published: June 2021

The interest in promoting food and water security through development projects has led to the need to evaluate the impact of these projects. This study evaluates the impact from transitioning to a modern irrigation technology. Deciding to adopt or not an alternative irrigation technology (sprinklers) is not necessarily a random determination. Therefore, selection bias can be present and this can lead to biased estimates. In this study, we apply methodological specifications to correct for self-selectivity biases. Then, we measure and compare the technical efficiency scores from adopters and non-adopters. The empirical application uses data covering 56 small-scale greenhouse farms in Crete (Greece) for the cropping years 2009-2013. The results reveal that the average technical efficiency for farmers who adopted sprinkler irrigation is lower than the group of non-adopters, when the presence of selectivity bias cannot be rejected. This implies that either the farmers need more time to incorporate the know-how of the newly acquired technology or they become less motivated after the adoption. Consequently, agricultural water saving technologies need to be promoted in combination with support to the farmers, so they can cope with the lower performance in the first years after adoption.
Methanol dynamics in H-ZSM-5 with Si/Al ratio of 25: a quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) study
Authors: Matam Santhosh K. , Catlow C. Richard A. , Silverwood Ian P. , O’Malley Alexander J.
Published: June 2021

Methanol dynamics in zeolite H-ZSM-5 (Si/Al of 25) with a methanol loading of ~ 30 molecules per unit cell has been studied at 298, 323, 348 and 373 K by incoherent quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS). The elastic incoherent structure factor (EISF) reveals that the majority of methanol is immobile, in the range between 70 and 80%, depending on the measurement temperature. At 298 K, ≈ 20% methanol is mobile on the instrumental timescale, exhibiting isotropic rotational dynamics with a rotational diffusion coefficient (DR) of 4.75 × 1010 s−1. Upon increasing the measurement temperature from 298 to 323 K, the nature of the methanol dynamics changes from rotational to translational diffusion dynamics. Similar translational diffusion rates are measured at 348 and 373 K, though with a larger mobile fraction as temperature increases. The translational diffusion is characterised as jump diffusion confined to a sphere with a radius close to that of a ZSM-5 channel. The diffusion coefficients may be calculated using either the Volino–Dianoux (VD) model of diffusion confined to a sphere, or the Chudley–Elliot (CE) jump diffusion model. The VD model gives rise to a self-diffusion co-efficient (Ds) of methanol in the range of 7.8–8.4 × 10–10 m2 s−1. The CE model gives a Ds of around 1.2 (± 0.1) × 10–9 m2 s−1 with a jump distance of 2.8 (either + 0.15 or − 0.1) Å and a residence time (τ) of ~ 10.8 (either + 0.1 or − 0.2) ps. A correlation between the present and earlier studies that report methanol dynamics in H-ZSM-5 with Si/Al of 36 is made, suggesting that with increasing Si/Al ratio, the mobile fraction of methanol increases while DR decreases.
A Preclinical Study of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treating Detrusor Underactivity by Chronic Bladder Ischemia
Authors: Yu Hwan Yeul , Shin Jung Hyun , Yun HongDuck , Ryu Chae-Min , Lee Seungun , Heo Jinbeom , Lim Jisun , Park Juhyun , Hong Ki-Sung , Chung Hyung-Min , Shin Dong-Myung , Choo Myung-Soo
Published: June 2021

Background

The therapeutic effects of human embryonic stem cell-derived multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (M-MSCs) were evaluated for detrusor underactivity (DUA) in a rat model with atherosclerosis-induced chronic bladder ischemia (CBI) and associated mechanisms.

Methods

Sixteen-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 10). The DUA groups underwent 30 bilateral repetitions of endothelial injury to the iliac arteries to induce CBI, while the sham control group underwent a sham operation. All rats used in this study received a 1.25% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. M-MSCs at a density of 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 × 105 cells (250 K, 500 K, or 1000 K; K = a thousand) were injected directly into the bladder 7 weeks post-injury, while the sham and DUA group were treated only with vehicle (phosphate buffer solution). One week after M-MSC injection, awake cystometry was performed on the rats. Then, the bladders were harvested, studied in an organ bath, and prepared for histological and gene expression analyses.

Results

CBI by iliac artery injury reproduced voiding defects characteristic of DUA with decreased micturition pressure, increased micturition interval, and a larger residual volume. The pathological DUA properties were improved by M-MSC treatment in a dose-dependent manner, with the 1000 K group producing the best efficacy. Histological analysis revealed that M-MSC therapy reduced CBI-induced injuries including bladder fibrosis, muscular loss, and apoptosis. Transplanted M-MSCs mainly engrafted as vimentin and NG2 positive pericytes rather than myocytes, leading to increased angiogenesis in the CBI bladder. Transcriptomes of the CBI-injured bladders were characterized by the complement system, inflammatory, and ion transport-related pathways, which were restored by M-MSC therapy.

Conclusions

Single injection of M-MSCs directly into the bladder of a CBI-induced DUA rat model improved voiding profiles and repaired the bladder muscle atrophy in a dose-dependent manner.

Graphical abstract
Nonproper intersection products and generalized cycles
Authors: Andersson Mats , Eriksson Dennis , Samuelsson Kalm Håkan , Wulcan Elizabeth , Yger Alain
Published: June 2021

We develop intersection theory in terms of the$${{\mathscr {B}}}$$B-group of a reduced analytic space. This group was introduced in a previous work as an analogue of the Chow group; it is generated by currents that are direct images of Chern forms and it contains all usual cycles. However, contrary to Chow classes, the$${{\mathscr {B}}}$$B-classes have well-defined multiplicities at each point. We focus on a$${{\mathscr {B}}}$$B-analogue of the intersection theory based on the Stückrad–Vogel procedure and the join construction in projective space. Our approach provides global$${{\mathscr {B}}}$$B-classes which satisfy a Bézout theorem and have the expected local intersection numbers. We also introduce$${{\mathscr {B}}}$$B-analogues of more classical constructions of intersections using the Gysin map of the diagonal. These constructions are connected via a$${{\mathscr {B}}}$$B-variant of van Gastel’s formulas. Furthermore, we prove that our intersections coincide with the classical ones on cohomology level.