bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Template‐Oriented Polyaniline‐Supported Palladium Nanoclusters for Reductive Homocoupling of Furfural Derivatives
Authors: Guo Dongwen , Jiang Kai , Gan Hui , Ren Yanwei , Long Jinxing , Li Yingwei , Yin Biaolin
Published: July 2023

Developing well‐defined structures and desired properties for porous organic polymer (POP) supported catalysts by controlling their composition, size, and morphology is of great significance. Herein, we report a preparation of polyaniline (PANI) supported Pd nanoparticles (NPs) with controllable structure and morphology. The protocol involves the introduction of MnO2 with different crystal structures (α, β, γ, δ, ϵ) serving as both the reaction template and the oxidant. The different forms of MnO2 each convert aniline to a PANI that contains a unique regular distribution of benzene and quinone. This leads to the Pd/PANI catalysts with different charge transfer properties between Pd and PANI, as well as different dispersions of the metal NPs. In this case, the Pd/ϵ‐PANI catalyst greatly improves the turnover frequency (TOF; to 88.3 h−1), in the reductive coupling of furfural derivatives to potential bio‐based plasticizers. Systematic characterizations reveal the unique oxidation state of the support in the Pd/ϵ‐PANI catalyst and coordination mode of Pd that drives the formation of highly dispersed Pd nanoclusters. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show the more electron rich Pd/PANI catalyst has the lower energy barrier in the oxidative addition step, which favors the C−C coupling reaction.
Synergistic Palladium/Lewis Acid‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Stereo‐divergent Bissilylation of Alkynoates: Scope, Mechanism, and Origin of Selectivity
Authors: Zhao Shuang , Ding Linlin , Sun Yingman , Wang Minyan , Zhao Dongbing
Published: July 2023

Transition metal‐catalyzed bissilylation reactions of alkynes with disilane reagents have become one of the most straightforward and efficient protocols to rapidly produce structurally diverse alkenyl silicon derivatives. In these reactions, the utilization of unsymmetrical disilane reagents provided the possibilities for reactivity enhancement as well as the synthetic merits in contrast to symmetrical disilane reagents. However, a major yet challenging objective is achieving precise control over the selectivity including the regioselectivity and the cis/trans‐selectivity. Herein we realized the first divergent bissilylation of alkynoates with our developed air‐stable disilane reagent 8‐(2‐substituted‐1,1,2,2‐tetramethyldisilanyl)quinoline (TMDQ) by means of synergistic Pd/Lewis acid catalytic system. The catalytic system precisely dictates the selectivity, resulting in the divergent synthesis of 1,2‐bissilyl alkenes. The power of these 1,2‐bissilyl alkenes serving as the key synthetic intermediates has been clearly demonstrated by rapid construction of diverse motifs and densely functionalized biologically active compounds. In addition, the origins of the switchable selectivities were well elucidated by experimental and computational studies on the reaction mechanism and were mainly attributed to different ligand steric effects, the use of the specific disilane reagent TMDQ and the different coordination modes of different Lewis acid with alkynoates.
First‐principles Calculations Reveal Frictional Advantage for C2N/C6N6 van der Waals Heterostructures
Authors: Mukherjee Moumita , Mandal Sucharita , Datta Ayan
Published: July 2023

Friction at the atomic scale is determined for three different carbon nitride structures namely C2N/C2N, C6N6/C6N6 and C6N6/C2N employing ab‐initio density functional theory (DFT). The sliding path along the lowest energy corrugations determines the static frictional forces. Both the homo‐layer structures (C2N/C2N and C6N6/C6N6) have higher corrugation energy and correspondingly higher static lateral forces with respect to the hetero‐layer structure (C2N/C6N6). The corrugation energy for the C2N/C6N6 heterostructure (
=0.29 meV/atom) is one‐order lower than C2N/C2N (
=2.08 meV/atom) and C6N6/C6N6 (
=4.37 meV/atom). Such a significantly lower corrugation energy for the heterostructure arises due to the reduced fluctuation in the interfacial charge density along the sliding pathway. Moreover, the change in the interlayer distance along the sliding pathway is only 0.2 Å for the heterostructure while its 0.3 Å and 0.4 Å for C2N and C6N6 homo‐layers respectively. The friction coefficients (FL/FN, FL=static lateral force; FN=normal force) decrease with increasing load for all the systems with the lowest value (0.04) for C2N/C6N6 at 2 GPa. The van der Waals heterostructures are, therefore, predicted to be highly efficient lubricant materials for reducing friction at the atomic scale.
Inhibitory activity of Limosilactobacillus reuteri isolated from camel milk against Helicobacter pylori effects in human gastric epithelial cells
Authors: Nia Fatemeh Forooghi , Ghasemi Ahmad , Saeidi Jafar , Mohtashami Mahnaz
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to evaluate anti‐Helicobacter pylori effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri 2892 (L. reuteri 2892) isolated from camel milk in GC cell lines (AGS and MKN). From 15 camel milk samples, 132 microbial strains were isolated. Based on microbial and biochemical analysis, 11 potential probiotic candidates were selected. The potential probiotic candidates were assayed for anti‐H. pylori activity, and the strain with the highest anti‐H. pylori activity was identified genotypically. Based on 16S rDNA sequencing, the selected strain with the best activity against H. pylori (inhibition zone = 15.5 ± 0.8) belonged to the Lactobacillus reuteri strain 2892. Cell treatment with H. pylori HC‐113 inhibits gene expression of Claudin‐4, ZO‐1, MUC5AC, and MUC2 in gastric cells, which are attenuated by L. reuteri 2892. The simulative effects of H. pylori HC‐113 on the cell migration and invasion of gastric cells were lost when cells were cotreated with L. reuteri 2892. Cell treatment with H. pylori HC‐113 promoted cell death, whereas cotreatment with L. reuteri 2892 markedly decreased necrotic and late apoptotic cells. The present study demonstrates that L. reuteri 2892 has potent anti‐H. pylori effects and thus can be considered as an alternative protective agent against inflammatory effects of H. pylori in gastric cells.
Synchrotron radiation‐based microcomputed tomography for three‐dimensional growth analysis of Aspergillus niger pellets
Authors: Müller Henri , Deffur Charlotte , Schmideder Stefan , Barthel Lars , Friedrich Tiaan , Mirlach Lukas , Hammel Jörg U. , Meyer Vera , Briesen Heiko
Published: July 2023

Filamentous fungi produce a wide range of relevant biotechnological compounds. The close relationship between fungal morphology and productivity has led to a variety of analytical methods to quantify their macromorphology. Nevertheless, only a µ‐computed tomography (µ‐CT) based method allows a detailed analysis of the 3D micromorphology of fungal pellets. However, the low sample throughput of a laboratory µ‐CT limits the tracking of the micromorphological evolution of a statistically representative number of submerged cultivated fungal pellets over time. To meet this challenge, we applied synchrotron radiation‐based X‐ray microtomography at the Deutsches Elektronen‐Synchrotron [German Electron Synchrotron Research Center], resulting in 19,940 3D analyzed individual fungal pellets that were obtained from 26 sampling points during a 48 h Aspergillus niger submerged batch cultivation. For each of the pellets, we were able to determine micromorphological properties such as number and density of spores, tips, branching points, and hyphae. The computed data allowed us to monitor the growth of submerged cultivated fungal pellets in highly resolved 3D for the first time. The generated morphological database from synchrotron measurements can be used to understand, describe, and model the growth of filamentous fungal cultivations.
Health care delivery system contributions to management of newly diagnosed prostate cancer
Authors: Krampe Noah , Kaufman Samuel R. , Oerline Mary K. , Hill Dawson , Caram Megan E. V. , Shahinian Vahakn B. , Hollenbeck Brent K. , Maganty Avinash
Published: July 2023

Background

Despite clinical guidelines advocating for use of conservative management in specific clinical scenarios for men with prostate cancer, there continues to be tremendous variation in its uptake. This variation may be amplified among men with competing health risks, for whom treatment decisions are not straightforward. The degree to which characteristics of the health care delivery system explain this variation remains unclear.

Methods

Using national Medicare data, men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer between 2014 and 2019 were identified. Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to assess the association between use of treatment and health care delivery system determinants operating at the practice level, which included measures of financial incentives (i.e., radiation vault ownership), practice organization (i.e., single specialty vs. multispecialty groups), and the health care market (i.e., competition). Variance was partitioned to estimate the relative influence of patient and practice characteristics on the variation in use of treatment within strata of noncancer mortality risk groups.

Results

Among 62,507 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer, the largest variation in the use of treatment between practices was observed for men with high and very high‐risk of noncancer mortality (range of practice‐level rates of treatment for high: 57%–71% and very high: 41%–61%). Addition of health care delivery system determinants measured at the practice level explained 13% and 15% of the variation in use of treatment among men with low and intermediate risk of noncancer mortality in 10 years, respectively. Conversely, these characteristics explained a larger share of the variation in use of treatment among men with high and very high‐risk of noncancer mortality (26% and 40%, respectively).

Conclusions

Variation among urology practices in use of treatment was highest for men with high and very high‐risk noncancer mortality. Practice characteristics explained a large share of this variation.
Power to the people: A social identity perspective on organizational decentralization and employee well‐being
Authors: Filippi Silvia , Peters Kim , Suitner Caterina
Published: July 2023

Organizational identification underpins a range of important outcomes in the workplace, including workers' well‐being. Drawing on the social identity approach to health (SIAH), here we explore whether certain organizational forms—specifically, organizational decentralization—can boost organizational identification and, in this way, employee well‐being. We test this possibility in four high‐powered samples of workers in the UK, US and Italy (N total = 1960). Results confirm that workers are more likely to identify with an organization when they perceive power to be decentralized. Importantly, we find the expected indirect effects between increased decentralization perceptions and ratings of improved well‐being (including job satisfaction, work engagement and reduced burnout) through organizational identification. These results were consistent across samples, proving the generality of the findings across different cultural contexts. Empirical and practical implications of shared decision‐making power to increase workers' well‐being are discussed. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.
Plants from Northwestern Anatolia Display Selective Cytotoxicity and Induce Mitotic Catastrophe: A Study on Anticancer and Genotoxic Activities
Authors: Sarimahmut Mehmet , Celikler Serap
Published: July 2023

Anatolia is rich in floristic diversity with a high rate of endemism. Eight plant species from northwestern Anatolia were evaluated for their anti‐growth properties in two malignant (MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231) and a non‐malignant (MCF‐10A) breast cell lines. The two most active extracts, Achillea multifida (AME) and Astragalus sibthorpianus (ASE), induced apoptotic cell death in all cell lines. The major phenolic compounds in AME were identified as chlorogenic acid, and catechins in ASE. ASE displayed selective cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells, with DNA damage repair in non‐malignant cells contributing to its selectivity. Conversely, AME induced DNA damage in a time‐dependent manner and displayed a dual dose‐dependent biological activity, resulting in mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis at different doses. Most plant species exhibited moderate to strong cytotoxicity, highlighting their medicinal and economic potential and the need for their protection.
Structure of PD1 and its mechanism in the treatment of autoimmune diseases
Authors: Rezayi Mahdi , Hosseini Arezoo
Published: July 2023

PD‐1 and CTLA‐4 can play an important role in addressing the issue of autoimmune diseases. PD‐1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on T, B, and Dentric cells. This molecule functions as a checkpoint in T cell proliferation. Ligation of PD‐1 with its ligands inhibits the production of IL‐2, IL‐7, IL‐10, and IL‐12 as well as other cytokines by macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells, which can suppress cell proliferation and inflammation. Today, scientists attempt to protect against autoimmune diseases by PD‐1 inhibitory signals. In this review, we discuss the structure, expression, and signaling pathway of PD‐1. In addition, we discuss the importance of PD‐1 in regulating several autoimmune diseases, reflecting how manipulating this molecule can be an effective method in the immunotherapy of some autoimmune diseases.
Highly Selective Alkaline Oxide Promoted Ni/silica for the Production of Cyclohexanol/‐one from Lignin‐Derived Guaiacol
Authors: Kretzschmar Nils , Busse Oliver , Roslova Maria , Hantusch Martin , Seifert Markus
Published: July 2023

Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is a promising route to upgrade bio‐oils from plants or pyrolysis to basic chemicals. KA‐oil (cyclohexanol/‐one) is an example of a highly valuable feedstock for the industrial synthesis of caprolactam and perlon, which can potentially be produced via a completely sustainable route. This work investigates the alkaline promoter effects on Ni‐based catalysts for the selective HDO of lignin surrogate guaiacol using mesoporous Ni/MgO and co‐impregnated Ni‐MgO/SiO2 catalysts. Due to preferred demethoxylation by alkaline oxides and their accumulation on nickel corners, responsible for dehydration, conversion, and selectivity for KA‐oil rise. Furthermore, influences of operating parameters are investigated and optimized by design of experiments (DoE), while long‐term stability (24 h) and water resistance remain high. In a final proof of concept, the application of Ni‐CaO/SiO2 was the most promising material (U=93 %, S=86 %), demonstrating a sustainable route from lignin‐based bio‐oil to produce a bulk commodity for caprolactam synthesis.
Gold‐Zinc Cooperative Catalysis for Seven‐exo‐dig Hydrocarboxylation of Internal Alkynes
Authors: Sato Miyu , Rawat Vishal Kumar , Higashida Kosuke , Sawamura Masaya
Published: July 2023

Seven‐exo‐dig hydrocarboxylation of nonactivated internal alkynes with conformationally flexible linker chains was achieved with cooperative gold‐zinc catalysts composed of an imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridinylidene ligand including a bipyridine coordination site at the C5 position. A proximity effect of the gold and zinc sites was essential for their high catalytic activity, in which the internal alkyne activated by the cationic gold species was attacked by the carboxylic acid deprotonated by the basic zinc site. Using a gold(I)‐complex with a bulky aromatic N‐substituent, 2,6‐dibenzhydryl‐4‐methylphenyl group, for the NHC ligand facilitated seven‐membered ring formation while minimizing intermolecular hydrocarboxylation as an undesired side reaction. The reaction mechanism was investigated by quantum chemical calculations.
Murine Norovirus: Additional Protocols for Basic and Antiviral Studies
Authors: Wobus Christiane E. , Peiper Amy M. , McSweeney Alice M. , Young Vivienne L. , Chaika Maryna , Lane Miranda Sophie , Lingemann Marit , Deerain Joshua M. , Strine Madison S. , Alfajaro Mia Madel , Helm Emily W. , Karst Stephanie M. , Mackenzie Jason M. , Taube Stefan , Ward Vernon K. , Wilen Craig B.
Published: July 2023

Murine norovirus (MNV) is a positive‐sense, plus‐stranded RNA virus in the Caliciviridae family. Viruses in this family replicate in the intestine and are transmitted by the fecal‐oral route. MNV is related to the human noroviruses, which cause the majority of nonbacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Given the technical challenges in studying human norovirus, MNV is often used to study mechanisms in norovirus biology since it combines the availability of a cell culture and reverse genetics system with the ability to study infection in the native host. Adding to our previous protocol collection, here we describe additional techniques that have since been developed to study MNV biology. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Indirect method for measuring cell cytotoxicity and antiviral activity

Basic Protocol 2: Measuring murine norovirus genome titers by RT‐qPCR

Support Protocol 1: Preparation of standard

Basic Protocol 3: Generation of recombinant murine norovirus with minimal passaging

Basic Protocol 4: Generation of recombinant murine norovirus via circular polymerase extension reaction (CPER)

Basic Protocol 5: Expression of norovirus NS1‐2 in insect cell suspension cultures using a recombinant baculovirus

Support Protocol 2: Isotope labelling of norovirus NS1‐2 in insect cells

Support Protocol 3: Purification of the norovirus NS1‐2 protein

Support Protocol 4: Expression of norovirus NS1‐2 in mammalian cells by transduction with a recombinant baculovirus

Basic Protocol 6: Infection of enteroids in transwell inserts with murine norovirus

Support Protocol 5: Preparation of conditioned medium for enteroids culture

Support Protocol 6: Isolation of crypts for enteroids generation

Support Protocol 7: Enteroid culture passaging and maintenance

Basic Protocol 7: Quantification of murine norovirus‐induced diarrhea using neonatal mouse infections

Alternate Protocol 1: Intragastric inoculation of neonatal mice

Alternate Protocol 2: Scoring colon contents
Guidelines for extraction and quantitative analysis of phytosterols and oxidation products
Authors: Yang Bowen , Zhao Tian , Liu Yan , Lu Baiyi
Published: July 2023

Phytosterols (PS) are widely distributed in the plant source foods, and research on their health benefits has become increasingly active. This article briefly outlines the main extraction processes of PS and instrumental analysis methods of PS in detail. The PS isolation technique depends on the nature of the matrix and the form of the PS (free, esterified, and glycosylated). Conventional extraction technologies for PS commonly used in practice were Soxhlet extraction and maceration method. Due to their inherent molecular structure, PS exhibits poor stability to heat, light, oxygen, pH, and metal ions. It is of great significance to find a reliable analytical technique to extract PS and oxidation products from food substances and an accurate detection method of PS in different foods due to the instability of plant sterol and the interference of complex plant‐based matrices. Generally, it is common to use GC–MS to determine the composition of total PS and their oxidation products, which requires standard monomer PS. It is desirable to use LC–MS to determine free PS in liquid samples. These methodologies could be meaningful in the quality assessment, health function evaluation, and applications and limitations of plant‐sourced foods.
Exposure of Lemna minor (Common Duckweed) to Mixtures of Uranium and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
Authors: Gonzales Annelise K. , Donaher Sarah E. , Wattier Bryanna D. , Martinez Nicole E.
Published: July 2023

A variety of processes, both natural and anthropogenic, can have a negative impact on surface waters, which in turn can be detrimental to human and environmental health. Few studies have considered the ecotoxicological impacts of concurrently occurring contaminants, and that is particularly true for mixtures that include contaminants of emerging concern (CEC). Motivated by this knowledge gap, the present study considers the potential ecotoxicity of environmentally relevant contaminants in the representative aquatic plant Lemna minor (common duckweed), a model organism. More specifically, biological effects associated with exposure of L. minor to a ubiquitous radionuclide (uranium [U]) and a fluorinated organic compound (perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA], considered a CEC), alone and in combination, were monitored under controlled laboratory conditions. Lemna minor was grown for 5 days in small, aerated containers. Each treatment consisted of four replicates with seven plants each. Treatments were 0, 0.3, and 3 ppb PFOA; 0, 0.5, and 5 ppb U; and combinations of these. Plants were observed daily for frond number and signs of chlorosis and necrosis. Other biological endpoints examined at the conclusion of the experiment were chlorophyll content and antioxidant capacity. In single-exposure experiments, a slight stimulatory effect was observed on frond number at 0.3 ppb PFOA, whereas both concentrations of U had a detrimental effect on frond number. In the dual-exposure experiment, the combinations with 5 ppb U also had a detrimental effect on frond number. Results for chlorophyll content and antioxidant capacity were less meaningful, suggesting that environmentally relevant concentrations of PFOA and U have only subtle effects on L. minor growth and health status. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2412–2421. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Sublethal Effects of Four Insecticides Targeting Cholinergic Neurons on Partner and Host Finding in the Parasitic Wasp Nasonia vitripennis
Authors: Schöfer Nils , Ackermann Julian , Hoheneder Julian , Hofferberth John , Ruther Joachim
Published: July 2023

Lethal and sublethal effects of pesticides on nontarget organisms are one of the causes of the current decline of many insect species. However, research in the past decades has focused primarily on pollinators, although other beneficial nontarget organisms such as parasitic wasps may also be affected. We studied the sublethal effects of the four insecticides acetamiprid, dimethoate, flupyradifurone, and sulfoxaflor on pheromone-mediated sexual communication and olfactory host finding of the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis. All agents target cholinergic neurons, which are involved in the processing of chemical information by insects. We applied insecticide doses topically and tested the response of treated wasps to sex pheromones and host-associated chemical cues. In addition, we investigated the mating rate of insecticide-treated wasps. The pheromone response of females surviving insecticide treatment was disrupted by acetamiprid (≥0.63 ng), dimethoate (≥0.105 ng), and flupyradifurone (≥21 ng), whereas sulfoxaflor had no significant effects at the tested doses. Olfactory host finding was affected by all insecticides (acetamiprid ≥1.05 ng, dimethoate ≥0.105 ng, flupyradifurone ≥5.25 ng, sulfoxaflor ≥0.52 ng). Remarkably, females treated with ≥0.21 ng dimethoate even avoided host odor. The mating rate of treated N. vitripennis couples was decreased by acetamiprid (6.3 ng), flupyradifurone (≥2.63 ng), and sulfoxaflor (2.63 ng), whereas dimethoate showed only minor effects. Finally, we determined the amount of artificial nectar consumed by N. vitripennis females within 48 h. Considering this amount (∼2 µL) and the maximum concentrations of the insecticides reported in nectar, tested doses can be considered field-realistic. Our results suggest that exposure of parasitic wasps to field-realistic doses of insecticides targeting the cholinergic system reduces their effectiveness as natural enemies by impairing the olfactory sense. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2400–2411. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HPV vaccination among pharmacy students and other health science students
Authors: Tran Van De , Nguyen Thi Cam Tu , Pham My Ngoc , Dorofeeva Valeria Valeryevna , Pak Tatiana Vilorievna , Huynh Phuong Nhat Quynh , Le Minh Huu
Published: July 2023

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is an effective way to prevent cervical cancer. In Vietnam, there has been a lack of research specifically targeting the student population in the field of health sciences.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess HPV vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and practices among health science students in Vietnam, focusing on differences between pharmacy students and other health science students.

Methods

The study used a cross‐sectional descriptive design, conducted at a medical university in southern Vietnam. This survey was managed by Google Form which was distributed online to students via posts on Facebook and student chat groups on health science courses on Message, Zalo.

Results

Out of the 1010 students surveyed, 213 (21.1%) were pharmacy students. There was no difference between pharmacy and non‐pharmacy students in terms of knowledge scores about HPV, cervical cancer (median = 7 vs. median = 7, p = 0.301), and vaccine knowledge (median = 8 vs. median = 7, p = 0.273). Pharmacy students had a less positive attitude toward HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccines than non‐pharmacy students (median = 36 vs. median = 37, p = 0.014). Parents' education level, history of cervical cancer screening, HPV vaccine knowledge, and attitudes toward HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine were identified as significant factors influencing HPV vaccination in the women population.

Conclusion

Pharmacy and non‐pharmacy students differ significantly in their attitudes toward HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccines. These findings can help develop educational programs and counseling to improve students' understanding, awareness, and vaccination decisions.
Lesion Expansion in Gnathic Fibrous Dysplasia: Natural History, Indicators of Progression, and Response to Bisphosphonates
Authors: Pan Kristen S , Taylor Jocelyn , Szymczuk Vivian , Boyce Alison M
Published: July 2023

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is characterized by expansile fibro-osseous lesions that may occur in association with endocrinopathies as part of McCune–Albright syndrome (MAS). Craniofacial FD is a significant source of morbidity and most commonly involves the gnathic bones. There is a critical need to understand the natural history and risk factors for gnathic FD progression to develop preventative trials and identify candidates for intervention. The purpose of this study was to characterize gnathic FD lesion expansion and to identify risk factors associated with lesion growth. Patients with gnathic FD and serial CT imaging were evaluated. Volumetric analyses of CT scans were performed using MIM Encore software. Generalized mixed model analysis was used to account for intra-subject correlation, with FD lesion volume as the dependent variable. In addition to age, effects of MAS-associated endocrinopathies, sex, disease severity, and bisphosphonate treatment were evaluated. A total of 104 total lesions in 52 patients were characterized longitudinally. Median age at initial scan was 8.8 years (range 3.4–18.8), and median age at final scan was 16.8 years (range 6.9–33.4 years). The median number of scans per subject was 4 (range 2–14). FD lesion volume increased with age (2.50 cm3/yr, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.95–3.04, p < 0.001). However, lesion expansion rate decreased over time (−0.05 cm3/yr, 95% CI −0.07 to 0.04, p < 0.001). Mandibular lesions tended to expand at a greater rate than maxillary lesions (p < 0.001). Growth hormone excess was associated with accelerated expansion rate (p = 0.002). Other MAS-associated endocrinopathies, pubertal status, sex, weight, lesion density, disease severity, and bisphosphonate treatment were not associated with lesion volume or expansion. Gnathic FD lesion expansion is most rapid in younger children and declines as patients approach adulthood. The availability of quantitative natural history data will guide clinicians in identifying patients who are candidates for medical and surgical interventions and clinical trials for preventative therapies. Published 2023. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Understanding the role of zingerone on biochemical and behavioral changes in rat brain inflicted with C6 glioma cells
Authors: Chopra Devika , Chadha Vijayta D. , Dhawan Devinder K.
Published: July 2023

Malignant glioma is the deadliest form of brain cancer. Zingerone (ZO), a polyphenolic compound found in ginger, offers pharmacological properties that make it a promising agent for containing the growth of glioma cells. The present study was conducted to understand the efficacy of ZO in containing the growth of C6 glioma cells. The study also assessed the prophylactic role of ZO on rat brain glioma induced by C6 cell lines by addressing its antioxidative action on biochemical, behavioral, and histoarchitectural indices. For dose optimization, the animals were pretreated with different doses of ZO for a period of 2 weeks before the inoculation of glioma cells (1 × 105/10 µL phosphate‐buffered saline) in the caudate region of rat brain and the treatment with ZO continued for 4 more weeks post implantation. In vitro studies were done to assess the radical scavenging activity of ZO and also to determine its effects on viability of C6 glioma cells at different concentrations. Glioma‐bearing rats showed significant alterations in memory; exploratory and muscular activities which were appreciably improved upon simultaneous supplementation of ZO administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight and were also visible even at a higher dose. Glioma‐bearing rats revealed a significant increase in reactive oxygen species, protein carbonyl contents, and lipid peroxidation, but showed a significant decrease in reduced glutathione and antioxidative enzymes in the brain tissue. Interestingly, all the biochemical indices and altered brain histoarchitecture displaying cellular atypia and hyperplasia showed appreciable improvement when supplemented with ZO at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight.
m6A regulator‐mediated RNA methylation modification remodels immune microenvironment in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Luo Zhi , Cheng Jun , Wang Yanggan
Published: July 2023

The latest evidence suggested that the onset of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is closely associated with immune microenvironment disturbance. Since N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation impacts on immunocyte function and antitumor immunity, it is predictable that m6A RNA methylation may result in immune microenvironment disorder. Here, we attempted to verify this hypothesis. We used single‐sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to investigate the infiltration abundance of immunocytes, single‐cell RNA‐Seq to identify key m6A regulator, and a doxorubicin (Dox)‐induced DCM mouse model to confirm our findings. ssGSEA revealed a higher infiltration abundance of CD8+ T lymphocytes, NK cells, monocytes, and B+ lymphocytes in DCM myocardium tissue. Single‐cell RNA‐Seq indicated a critical role of IGFBP2 in DCM. Cross‐checking analysis hinted an interaction between IGFBP2 and NSUN5, ALYREF, RRP8, and ALKBH3. Mechanically, IGFBP2‐mediated RNA methylation deteriorated the immune microenvironment and thus increased the risk of DCM by enhancing CD8+ T lymphocyte, NK cell, monocyte, B+ lymphocyte infiltration and activating check‐point, MHC‐I, and T cell co‐stimulation signaling pathways. In the DCM mouse model, echocardiography indicated a significant reduction in ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) and an increase in left ventricular internal dimensions at systole (LVIDs) and diastole (LVIDd). MASSON staining indicated an increased fibrosis in myocardium tissue. qPCR and immunofluorescence staining indicated a significant increase in mRNA and protein levels of IGFBP2. The present study indicated that IGFBP2‐mediated RNA methylation remodeled the immune microenvironment and increased the risk of DCM. IGFBP2 may serve as potential therapeutic target for DCM.
Factors associated with 60‐day readmission among inpatients with COVID‐19 at 21 United States health systems
Authors: Kirsch Julie A. , Slutske Wendy S. , McCarthy Danielle E. , Smith Stevens S. , Williams Brian S. , Piasecki Thomas M. , Conner Karen L. , Fiore Michael C.
Published: July 2023

Identifying patients at risk for readmission after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection could facilitate care planning and prevention. This retrospective cohort study of 60‐day readmission included 105 543 COVID‐19 patients at 21 US healthcare systems who were discharged alive between February 2020 and November 2021. Generalized linear mixed regression analyses tested predictors of 60‐day readmission and severity. The all‐cause readmission rate was 15% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 10%–21%), with 22% (95% CI = 18%–26%) of readmitted patients needing intensive care, and 6% (95% CI = 05%–07%) dying. Factors associated with readmission included male sex, government insurance, positive smoking history, co‐morbidity burden, longer index admissions, and diagnoses at index admission (e.g., cancer, chronic kidney disease, and liver disease). Death and intensive care rates at readmission declined postvaccine availability. Receiving at least two COVID‐19 vaccine doses, which were more common among older patients and those with comorbid conditions, was not independently associated with readmission but predicted a reduced risk of death at readmission. This retrospective cohort study identified factors associated with all‐cause readmission for patients re‐admitted to the same health system after hospitalization with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Patients who are male, who smoke, who have a higher comorbidity burden, and have government insurance may benefit from additional postacute care planning.
Comparison of machine learning statistical downscaling and regional climate models for temperature, precipitation, wind speed, humidity and radiation over Europe under present conditions
Authors: Hernanz Alfonso , Correa Carlos , Domínguez Marta , Rodríguez‐Guisado Esteban , Rodríguez‐Camino Ernesto
Published: July 2023

There are two main approaches to downscale global climate projections: dynamical and statistical downscaling. Both families have been widely evaluated, but intercomparison studies between the two families are scarce, and usually limited to temperature and precipitation. In this work, we present a comparison between a statistical downscaling model (SDM) based on machine learning and six regional climate models (RCMs) from EURO‐CORDEX, for five variables of interest: temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity and solar radiation under present climatic conditions. The study is conducted at a continental scale over Europe, with a spatial resolution of 0.11° and daily data. Both the SDM and the RCMs are driven by the ERA‐Interim reanalysis, and observations are taken from the gridded dataset E‐OBS. Several aspects have been evaluated: daily series, mean values and extremes, spatial patterns and also temporal aspects. Additionally, a multivariable index (fire weather index) derived from the fundamental variables has been included. The SDM has better scores than the RCMs for all the evaluated metrics with only a few exceptions, mainly related to an underestimation of the variance. After bias correction, both the SDM and the six RCMs present similar results, with no significant differences among them. Results presented here, combined with the low computational expense of SDMs and the limited availability of RCMs over some CORDEX domains, should motivate the consideration of statistical downscaling at the same level as RCMs by official providers of regional information, and its inclusion in reference sites. Nonetheless, further analysis on crucial aspects such as the impact on long‐term trends or the sensitivity of different methods to being driven by global climate models, is needed.
Salvage surgery for local recurrences after stereotactic ablative radiotherapy of colorectal pulmonary metastases
Authors: van Dorp Martijn , Ünal Semih , Gooijer Simone , Dickhoff Chris , van den Broek Frank Jozef Christiaan , Kazemier Geert , Schreurs Wilhelmina Hendrika , Schneiders Famke Lorelei , Dahele Max , Heineman David Jonathan
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Local control following stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for patients with colorectal pulmonary metastases is reportedly lower than for metastases from other tumors. Such recurrences may still be amenable to salvage therapy. We describe our experience with salvage surgery in 17 patients.

Methods

Patients who underwent salvage metastasectomy for a local recurrence following SABR for colorectal pulmonary metastases were identified from the surgical institutional databases of three Dutch major referral hospitals. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to determine survival.

Results

Seventeen patients underwent 20 salvage resections for local recurrence of colorectal pulmonary metastases. All patients had a progressive lesion on consecutive CT scans, with local uptake on 18fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography computed tomography (FDG‐PET CT), and were discussed in a thoracic oncology tumor board. Median time to local recurrence following SABR was 20 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 13−29). Fourteen procedures were performed minimally invasively. Extensive adhesions were observed during three procedures. A Clavien–Dindo grade III–IV complication occurred after four resections (20%). The 90‐day mortality was 0%. The estimated median overall survival and progression‐free survival following salvage resection were 71 months (confidence intervals [CI]: 50–92) and 39 months (CI: 19–58), respectively. Salvage resections were significantly more extensive, compared to the potential resection assessed on pre‐SABR imaging.

Conclusions

Our experience with 20 salvage pulmonary metastasectomy procedures for local recurrences following SABR in colorectal cancer patients demonstrates that salvage resection is a feasible option with acceptable morbidity and good oncological outcome in a highly selected cohort.
When reality backfires: Product evaluation context and the effectiveness of augmented reality in e‐commerce
Authors: Pfaff Alexander , Spann Martin
Published: July 2023

Augmented reality (AR) enables consumers to project product holograms into their surrounding real‐world context in real time using their mobile devices. Although AR may improve online consumers' product evaluation, AR‐deploying retailers give up control over the context in which their products are evaluated. As a result, AR retailers' products might end up being evaluated in unfavorable contexts, such as disorganized rooms. Negative spillover effects from such unfavorable AR contexts onto the perceptions of evaluated products may lead consumers to refrain from purchasing the products. In two online experiments and a controlled field study with a total of 1000 participants, we find that unfavorable AR contexts negatively affect consumers' product‐related purchase intention. This relationship is serially mediated by processing disfluency and deteriorating product quality perceptions of consumers. The negative contextual effects are mitigated if the product under evaluation is of unique design and thus more conceptually fluent or if the AR context becomes less perceptually salient and thus the product more perceptually fluent. We discuss diminished reality and facilitated product comparisons via AR as potential countermeasures for AR retailers and provide suggestions for future research.
Compact groove‐loaded rectangular horn with equal dual‐polarization elliptical beams for reflector antenna application
Authors: Wang Hao , Shi Jinwen , Zhang Qiaoshan , Tao Xiao , Liu Jia , Lv Qingli , Liang Ruixiang
Published: July 2023

A novel dual‐polarization (DP) rectangular horn with equal elliptical beams for synthetic aperture radar application is proposed. The DP elliptical beams with same beam width are achieved by loading groove with coupling gap in the rectangular horn narrow side. The key parameters of the proposed horn are analyzed and a prototype operated at S band is fabricated and measured. Good agreements between simulated and measured results are obtained. What's more, an elliptical reflector antenna based on the proposed horn feed array is devised. Compared with the common rectangular horn, the reflector with the proposed horn owns better DP radiation performance.
Information fusion for fully automated segmentation of head and neck tumors from PET and CT images
Authors: Shiri Isaac , Amini Mehdi , Yousefirizi Fereshteh , Vafaei Sadr Alireza , Hajianfar Ghasem , Salimi Yazdan , Mansouri Zahra , Jenabi Elnaz , Maghsudi Mehdi , Mainta Ismini , Becker Minerva , Rahmim Arman , Zaidi Habib
Published: July 2023

Background

PET/CT images combining anatomic and metabolic data provide complementary information that can improve clinical task performance. PET image segmentation algorithms exploiting the multi‐modal information available are still lacking.

Purpose

Our study aimed to assess the performance of PET and CT image fusion for gross tumor volume (GTV) segmentations of head and neck cancers (HNCs) utilizing conventional, deep learning (DL), and output‐level voting‐based fusions.

Methods

The current study is based on a total of 328 histologically confirmed HNCs from six different centers. The images were automatically cropped to a 200 × 200 head and neck region box, and CT and PET images were normalized for further processing. Eighteen conventional image‐level fusions were implemented. In addition, a modified U2‐Net architecture as DL fusion model baseline was used. Three different input, layer, and decision‐level information fusions were used. Simultaneous truth and performance level estimation (STAPLE) and majority voting to merge different segmentation outputs (from PET and image‐level and network‐level fusions), that is, output‐level information fusion (voting‐based fusions) were employed. Different networks were trained in a 2D manner with a batch size of 64. Twenty percent of the dataset with stratification concerning the centers (20% in each center) were used for final result reporting. Different standard segmentation metrics and conventional PET metrics, such as SUV, were calculated.

Results

In single modalities, PET had a reasonable performance with a Dice score of 0.77 ± 0.09, while CT did not perform acceptably and reached a Dice score of only 0.38 ± 0.22. Conventional fusion algorithms obtained a Dice score range of [0.76–0.81] with guided‐filter‐based context enhancement (GFCE) at the low‐end, and anisotropic diffusion and Karhunen–Loeve transform fusion (ADF), multi‐resolution singular value decomposition (MSVD), and multi‐level image decomposition based on latent low‐rank representation (MDLatLRR) at the high‐end. All DL fusion models achieved Dice scores of 0.80. Output‐level voting‐based models outperformed all other models, achieving superior results with a Dice score of 0.84 for Majority_ImgFus, Majority_All, and Majority_Fast. A mean error of almost zero was achieved for all fusions using SUVpeak, SUVmean and SUVmedian.

Conclusion

PET/CT information fusion adds significant value to segmentation tasks, considerably outperforming PET‐only and CT‐only methods. In addition, both conventional image‐level and DL fusions achieve competitive results. Meanwhile, output‐level voting‐based fusion using majority voting of several algorithms results in statistically significant improvements in the segmentation of HNC.
A structured FMEA approach to optimizing combinations of plan‐specific quality assurance techniques for IMRT and VMAT QA
Authors: O'Daniel Jennifer C. , Giles William , Cui Yunfeng , Adamson Justus
Published: July 2023

Background

Many commercial tools are available for plan‐specific quality assurance (QA) of radiotherapy plans, with their functionality assessed in isolation. However, multiple QA tools are required to review the full range of potential errors. It is important to assess their effectiveness in combination with each other to look for ways to both streamline the QA process and to make certain that errors of high impact and/or high occurrence are caught before reaching patient treatment.

Purpose

To develop a structured method to assess the effective risk reduction of combinations of QA methods for IMRT/VMAT treatments.

Methods

First, a structured prospective risk assessment was performed to establish the major failure modes (FMs) of IMRT/VMAT QA, and assign occurrence (O), severity (S), and baseline detectability (BD) rankings to them. The baseline assumed that chart checks and linear accelerator QA was performed, but no plan‐specific secondary dose calculation or measurement was done. Second, the detectability of each FM for two secondary dose calculation methods and four plan measurement methods (point‐based dose calculation, Monte‐Carlo‐based dose calculation, 2D fluence‐based measurement, 2.5D phantom‐based measurement, log file analysis with dose recalculation, and log file analysis combined with MLC QA) was determined. Third, we used a minimum detectability approach in addition to each FM's occurrence and severity to determine the optimal combination of QA methods. We analyzed the cumulative risk priority number of eight combinations of QA methods. The analysis was done on (1) all FMs, (2) FMs with high severity, (3) FMs with high‐risk priority numbers (RPN) of O*S*BD, and (4) on FMs with both high severity and high RPN.

Results

Our analysis resulted in 54 FMs, including commissioning, planning, data transfer, and linear accelerator failures. 1D secondary dose calculation plus measurement provided a 19%–22% risk reduction from baseline. 1D/3D secondary dose calculation plus log files created a 25%–32% reduction. 3D secondary dose calculation plus measurement resulted in a 27%–34% reduction. 3D secondary dose calculation plus log files with additional machine QA provided the greatest reduction of 31%–42%.

Conclusion

This novel structured approach to comparing combinations of QA methods will allow us to optimize our procedures, with the goal of detecting all clinically significant FMs. Our results show that log‐file QA with 3D dose recalculation and supplemental machine QA provides better risk reduction than measurement‐based QA. This work builds evidence to justify reducing or eliminating measurement‐based PSQA with an independent 3D dose verification, log‐file measurement, and appropriate supplementation of machine QA. The process also highlights FMs that cannot be caught by pre‐treatment QA, prompting us to consider future directions for on‐treatment QA.