bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumour organoids and assembloids: Patient‐derived cancer avatars for immunotherapy
Authors: Mei Jie , Liu Xingjian , Tian Hui‐Xiang , Chen Yixuan , Cao Yang , Zeng Jun , Liu Yung‐Chiang , Chen Yaping , Gao Yang , Yin Ji‐Ye , Wang Peng‐Yuan
Published: April 2024

Background

Organoid technology is an emerging and rapidly growing field that shows promise in studying organ development and screening therapeutic regimens. Although organoids have been proposed for a decade, concerns exist, including batch‐to‐batch variations, lack of the native microenvironment and clinical applicability.

Main body

The concept of organoids has derived patient‐derived tumour organoids (PDTOs) for personalized drug screening and new drug discovery, mitigating the risks of medication misuse. The greater the similarity between the PDTOs and the primary tumours, the more influential the model will be. Recently, ‘tumour assembloids’ inspired by cell‐coculture technology have attracted attention to complement the current PDTO technology. High‐quality PDTOs must reassemble critical components, including multiple cell types, tumour matrix, paracrine factors, angiogenesis and microorganisms. This review begins with a brief overview of the history of organoids and PDTOs, followed by the current approaches for generating PDTOs and tumour assembloids. Personalized drug screening has been practised; however, it remains unclear whether PDTOs can predict immunotherapies, including immune drugs (e.g. immune checkpoint inhibitors) and immune cells (e.g. tumour‐infiltrating lymphocyte, T cell receptor‐engineered T cell and chimeric antigen receptor‐T cell). PDTOs, as cancer avatars of the patients, can be expanded and stored to form a biobank.

Conclusion

Fundamental research and clinical trials are ongoing, and the intention is to use these models to replace animals. Pre‐clinical immunotherapy screening using PDTOs will be beneficial to cancer patients.

Key Points

The current PDTO models have not yet constructed key cellular and non‐cellular components.

PDTOs should be expandable and editable.

PDTOs are promising preclinical models for immunotherapy unless mature PDTOs can be established.

PDTO biobanks with consensual standards are urgently needed.
Adaptive coalition with Kullback‐Leibler divergence for cooperative spectrum sensing (KLDCSS) in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Munisamy Manimegalai , A Bhagyaveni M
Published: April 2024

Effective, reliable, and rapid spectrum sensing in concordance with maximum throughput efficiency is necessary at the cognitive radio network to maximize the network's utilization. An adaptive coalition using Kullback–Leibler divergence (KLD)‐based cooperative spectrum sensing scheme (KLDCSS) with a nominal sensing time to optimize the spectral efficiency is presented in this paper. In a coalition‐based spectrum sensing scheme, cooperating secondary users (SUs) are allocated to different coalitions to sense different Primary User (PU) channels. The same cognitive users allocated to sense the primary user channels are allotted to detect in different sensing phases. In the proposed sensing scheme, the cooperating SUs are adaptively allocated to different coalitions to maximize the throughput efficiency. Collaborating cognitive users with a standard signal‐to‐noise ratio and distinct energy levels that are characterized by the localized probabilities of detection and false alarm is considered. An adaptive coalition and user allocation algorithm are proposed to optimize the average opportunistic throughput and diminish the sensing overhead. The expression for throughput efficiency in terms of average throughput and sensing accuracy is derived. In this scheme, the SU computes the log‐likelihood ratio (LLR) from the acquired sample and forwards the same to the fusion center. The fusion center then accumulates the LLR values computed by the SU to estimate the likelihood of spectrum availability. Simulation results highlighting the competitive edge of the proposed scheme, with higher throughput efficiency over various numbers of SUs, coalitions, and signal‐to‐noise ratios, are presented.
Compact reconfigurable antenna with pattern diversity for K band applications
Authors: Rawal Pallav , Rawat Sanyog
Published: April 2024

A novel pattern reconfigurable antenna is proposed in this letter. The overall dimension of the antenna is 11 × 11 × 0.787 mm. The proposed antenna is fabricated on Rogers RO4003C substrate. The antenna has two meandered monopoles and two straight monopoles. Two PIN diodes are connected between meandered monopoles and feed. The proposed design has three states of switching, that is, ON‐ON, ON‐OFF, and OFF‐ON. The antenna radiates from 18.5 to 26.25 GHz band with more than 5 GHz (−10 dB) bandwidth for all states. The proposed geometry exhibits 270° radiation beamwidth with 45° and 135° directions for ON‐OFF and OFF‐ON state, respectively.
Pregestational fructose‐induced metabolic syndrome in Wistar rats causes sexually dimorphic behavioral changes in their offspring
Authors: Cuervo Sánchez Marié L. , Prado Spalm Facundo H. , Furland Natalia E. , Vallés Ana S.
Published: April 2024

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), marked by enduring metabolic inflammation, has detrimental effects on cognitive performance and brain structure, influencing behavior. This study aimed to investigate whether maternal MetS could negatively impact the neurodevelopment and metabolism of offspring. To test this hypothesis, 2 months old female Wistar rats were subjected to a 10‐week regimen of tap water alone or supplemented with 20% fructose to induce MetS. Dams were mated with healthy males to generate litters: OC (offspring from control dams) and OMetS (offspring from dams with MetS). To isolate prenatal effects, all pups were breastfed by control nurse dams, maintaining a standard diet and water ad libitum until weaning. Behavioral assessments were conducted between postnatal days (PN) 22 and 95, and metabolic parameters were analyzed post‐sacrifice on PN100. Results from the elevated plus maze, the open field, and the marble burying tests revealed a heightened anxiety‐like phenotype in OMetS females. The novel object recognition test showed that exclusively OMetS males had long‐term memory impairment. In the reciprocal social interaction test, OMetS displayed a lower number of social interactions, with a notable increase in “socially inactive” behavior observed exclusively in females. Additionally, in the three‐chamber test, social preference and social novelty indexes were found to be lower solely among OMetS females. An increase in visceral fat concomitantly with hypertriglyceridemia was the relevant postmortem metabolic finding in OMetS females. In summary, maternal MetS leads to enduring damage and adverse effects on offspring neurobehavior and metabolism, with notable sexual dimorphism.
Space‐use strategies drive diet composition of Baffin Bay polar bears
Authors: Stern Jennifer H. , Laidre Kristin L. , Born Erik W. , Wiig Øystein , McKinney Melissa A.
Published: April 2024

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) depend on sea ice to hunt their ice‐associated prey. However, climate‐induced sea ice loss is leading to changes in space‐use strategies of polar bears, with bears in some subpopulations spending more time on land or selecting alternative habitats. One such documented alternative habitat is glacier ice, which provides year‐round access to prey, although the feeding habits of polar bears using glacier ice relative to those following the retreating ice and/or seasonally moving onshore are not known. Here, we use adipose tissue from polar bears (n = 104) from the Baffin Bay subpopulation live‐captured in Northwest Greenland during the springs of 2009–2013 to investigate dietary patterns between space‐use strategies inferred from satellite telemetry data, while considering demographic and interannual variation. Using quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) to generate diet estimates, ringed seals (Pusa hispida) and bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) were estimated as the primary and secondary prey of Baffin Bay polar bears for all sex/age classes and sampling years, apart from a single anomalous year (2009) with a relatively high proportion of beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhal (Monodon monoceros). While demographic and short‐term temporal variation was minimal, fatty acid signatures and QFASA‐generated diet estimates clearly differed between polar bears using coastal and offshore space‐use strategies. “Offshore” adult females (n = 31), which make long‐distance movements across the Baffin Bay pack ice, had high proportions of C22‐chain length monosaturated fatty acids and diet estimates that included beluga, narwhal, harp (Pagophilus groenlandicus), and hooded seal (Cystophora cristata). “Coastal” adult females (n = 6), which remain resident at glacier fronts in Northwest Greenland year‐round including during the sea ice‐free season, consumed proportionally more ringed seals (+13%) and similar proportions of bearded seal, but essentially no beluga and narwhal or harp and hooded seal. Thus, space‐use strategy is a driver of intrapopulation diet variability. As space‐use strategies change with ongoing loss of sea ice habitat, our results suggest important ramifications for polar bear feeding patterns.
Fungal communities are passengers in community development of dune ecosystems, while bacteria are not
Authors: Gao Chenguang , Bezemer T. Martijn , van Bodegom Peter M. , Baldrian Petr , Kohout Petr , Mancinelli Riccardo , van der Hagen Harrie , Soudzilovskaia Nadejda A.
Published: April 2024

An increasing number of studies of above‐belowground interactions provide a fundamental basis for our understanding of the coexistence between plant and soil communities. However, we lack empirical evidence to understand the directionality of drivers of plant and soil communities under natural conditions: ‘Are soil microorganisms driving plant community functioning or do they adapt to the plant community?’ In a field experiment in an early successional dune ecosystem, we manipulated soil communities by adding living (i.e., natural microbial communities) and sterile soil inocula, originating from natural ecosystems, and examined the annual responses of soil and plant communities. The experimental manipulations had a persistent effect on the soil microbial community with divergent impacts for living and sterile soil inocula. The plant community was also affected by soil inoculation, but there was no difference between the impacts of living and sterile inocula. We also observed an increasing convergence of plant and soil microbial composition over time. Our results show that alterations in soil abiotic and biotic conditions have long‐term effects on the composition of both plant and soil microbial communities. Importantly, our study provides direct evidence that soil microorganisms are not “drivers” of plant community dynamics. We found that soil fungi and bacteria manifest different community assemblies in response to treatments. Soil fungi act as “passengers,” that is, soil microorganisms reflect plant community dynamics but do not alter it, whereas soil bacteria are neither “drivers” nor “passengers” of plant community dynamics in early successional ecosystems. These results are critical for understanding the community assembly of plant and soil microbial communities under natural conditions and are directly relevant for ecosystem management and restoration.
Development of Sterically Hindered and Basic Sodium Amides for Catalytic Hydrogen Isotope Exchange
Authors: Tschopp Melina S. , Platten Andrew W. J. , Hevia Eva , Tortajada Andreu
Published: April 2024

Sodium amides are gaining momentum in synthetic chemistry, emerging not only as more sustainable alternatives to lithium amides but also as superior reagents in synthesis and catalysis. Despite recent advances in sodium organometallics, the information available about the constitution of these reagents is very limited. Advancing the understanding on structure/reactivity correlations in sodium amide chemistry, here, we report the synthesis and characterisation of four new sodium amides, with different sterically demanding substituents (adamantyl/trimethylsilyl and dicyclohexyl groups at the nitrogen atom) and different polyamine donors as well as investigate their ability to promote catalytic hydrogen isotope exchange using deuterated benzene as deuterium source. These studies have revealed that sodium dicyclohexylamide in combination with PMDETA (N,N,N’,N’’,N’’‐pentamethyldiethylentriamine) offers only slightly lower deuterium incorporation for non‐activated arenes than sodium 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide, which is significantly more expensive and less available.
The politics of emotion and domestic violence in northern Vietnam
Authors: Kwiatkowski Lynn
Published: April 2024

Changing social, political, and cultural processes in Vietnam are reshaping people's emotional and social responses to domestic violence on multiple levels. Socioeconomic reforms instituted in the 1980s, the related state revival of Confucian gender ideologies, and the influences in recent decades of international and local nongovernmental organizations’ approaches to domestic violence are significant shifts that have influenced these emergent responses. Using the framework of feminist critical medical anthropology, I explore how different emotional experiences of violence provide insight into patterns of help‐seeking and interventions addressing marital violence. I suggest that Vietnamese state discourses and laws shape people's feelings in diverse and sometimes contradictory ways. State actors, for one, are particularly influenced to express and experience emotional responses in support of the nation. On the other hand, abused women, community members, and professionals experience more ambivalent feelings toward state discourses and practices as they engage moral emotions of care, love, and concern, prioritizing abused women's health and safety. Complicating this is some state actors grappling with their own ambivalent and tangled feelings as they assist abused women. Awareness of the diverse cross‐cultural range of emotional complexity can aid feminist anthropologists and activists in attempts to understand and prevent domestic violence.
Flexible UV photodetector based on copper tetraiodogallate (CuGaI4) film
Authors: Chen Haoyu , Liu Bingxu , Cao Jiupeng , Ji Lian , Xie Jiankai , Shu Yuting , Dong Jingjin , Wang Aifei , Wang Fangfang , Yan Feng , Qin Tianshi
Published: April 2024

The Cu‐based halide semiconductor CuGaI4 was prepared by a high‐temperature melting method. Optoelectronic characterization and density functional theory calculations of CuGaI4 reveal a direct bandgap of 2.9 eV. The corresponding UV photodetector (PD) based on CuGaI4 demonstrates excellent UV response and rapid response time. In addition, a flexible PD based on CuGaI4 is prepared, which also displays excellent photoresponse characteristics and mechanical stability. This work provides a systematic study of this novel Cu‐based halide semiconductor and demonstrates the great potential of CuGaI4 for future UV optoelectronic devices.
Causes and impact of delays during the COVID‐19 pandemic on head and neck cancer diagnosis
Authors: Gete Maru , Huang Shao Hui , Ringash Jolie , Irish Jonathan , Su Jie , Ballal Yashi , Waldron John N. , Witterick Ian , de Almeida John , Hosni Ali , Hope Andrew J. , Monteiro Eric , Cho John , O'Sullivan Brian , Kim John , Bratman Scott , Goldstein David P. , McPartlin Andrew , Tsai Jillian , Tong Li , Xu Wei , Hahn Ezra
Published: April 2024

Background

The causes for delays during the COVID19 pandemic and their impact on head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosis and staging are not well described.

Methods

Two cohorts were defined a priori for review and analysis—a Pre‐Pandemic cohort (June 1 to December 31, 2019) and a Pandemic cohort (June 1 to December 31, 2020). Delays were categorized as COVID‐19 related or not, and as clinician, patient, or policy related.

Results

A total of 638 HNC patients were identified including 327 in the Pre‐Pandemic Cohort and 311 in the Pandemic Cohort. Patients in the Pandemic cohort had more N2‐N3 category (41% vs. 33%, p = 0.03), T3‐T4 category (63% vs. 50%, p = 0.002), and stage III‐IV (71% vs. 58%, p < 0.001) disease. Several intervals in the diagnosis to treatment pathway were significantly longer in the pandemic cohort as compared to the Pre‐Pandemic cohort. Among the pandemic cohort, 146 (47%) experienced a delay, with 112 related to the COVID‐19 pandemic; 80 (71%) were clinician related, 15 (13%) were patient related, and 17 (15%) were policy related.

Conclusions

Patients in the Pandemic cohort had higher stage disease at diagnosis and longer intervals along the diagnostic pathway, with COVID‐19 related clinician factors being the most common cause of delay.
Two‐dimensional germanium for photocatalysis
Authors: Zhang Chengcheng , Zhao Guanshu , Zhang Dake , Wang Shenghua , Sun Wei
Published: April 2024

Succeeding graphene a series of two‐dimensional materials (2D M) have been developed and applied in various fields. As an analog of silicene, 2D germanium (2D Ge) has garnered vast attention owing to its novel structures and prolific properties, demonstrating substantial promise in semiconductor, catalysis, devices, and other burgeoning fields. Specifically, 2D Ge is advantageous in providing a massive specific surface area, preferable transport properties, a tunable band gap structure, and confinement effects. Endowed with unique features, functionalized 2D Ge has become a competitive candidate for photocatalysis. In this review, we catalog various synthetic methods of 2D Ge, discuss its fundamental properties, and summarize recent applications. We also present a few perspectives to provide fresh insights into designing and exploring 2D germanium in future photocatalysis.
At the Margins of the Minors: Good Girls, Bad Girls, and Baseball Beyond the Big Leagues
Authors: Brownson Connie , Dorton Harold
Published: April 2024

This paper examines the experiences of minor league baseball groupies, focusing on the exchange relationships that they form with players. As two types of exchanges emerged, we discovered two types of groupies who are marginally attached to the world of one particular minor league baseball team. Contrary to some popular writers, who suggest that all groupies have similar motives and relationships with players, we find that “good girl” groupies and “bad girl” groupies create remarkably different relationships with players. This paper details how we discovered these two types of groupies.
Appendix A Parks and Wreck: Amusement and Anxiety at Turn‐of‐the‐Century Coney Island
Authors: Kamerbeek Chris
Published: April 2024

This article was originally published in Popular Culture Review 18, no. 2 (Summer 2007). When originally published, the author's name was misspelled several times throughout that issue. The correct spelling is “Chris Kamerbeek.” We reprint the article here with our apologies to Mr. Kamerbeek.
Sports Talk Radio: Finding Community in “The Jungle” of Jim Rome
Authors: Hyun MeHee
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Sports talk radio represents a particular niche form of popular media whose influence on American culture extends far beyond its predominantly male audience. The sports radio talk format engages a dynamic between host and listener, as well as across listeners, which allows for an examination of how community can exist beyond geographic boundaries, building upon the use of social identity theories, popular culture, and other sociological constructs. This paper focuses on the Jim Rome Show, arguably the most recognizable name in sports talk radio, to better understand how the medium can create an environment of community.
Essentialism and the Construction of Gender and Race in Season 2 of Lifetime's UnREAL
Authors: Vannatta Seth
Published: April 2024

This article investigates UnREAL's gender and racial discourse and imagery in order to assess its ability to promote a feminist and anti‐racist agenda. It proceeds by defining essentialism generally and gender and racial essentialism specifically. Next, it illustrates the way these concepts are depicted on Season 2 of UnREAL. Third, it investigates the UnREAL's ability to undermine static notions of gender, depict the complexity of contemporary racism, and illustrate elements of racism inherent in white feminism. Ultimately, this article argues that in Season 2 UnREAL consciously constructs racial and gender injustices and stereotypes in a successful effort to make the audience reflect on patriarchy and racial injustice in contemporary society. The result of this analysis is that UnREAL constitutes a successful iteration of the feminist project of Lifetime's Broad Focus initiative, one which includes a critique of liberal white feminism's racist elements.
Children of the Grave: Visual Nuclear Rhetoric in Heavy Metal Music
Authors: Lusty Heather
Published: April 2024

In this review, the author explores a new text that investigates and connects multi‐dimensional aspects of print culture on the cusp of the technological age. Strengths of the text, namely meticulous research, copious primary sources and images, and compelling arguments regarding the interconnectivity of print media, leisure publishing, politics, journalism, technology, and imperial expansion, are supported with engaging visuals and rigorous scholarship in multiple disciplines. The author notes the increasing value of broad, multi‐field studies like this, particularly in the current era of multi‐media news platforms, to enhance our understanding of the myriad influences daily political and cultural life exerts on our literary consumption.
Seasonal Ethnic Celebrations at Disney California Adventure from 2012 through 2017
Authors: Salsitz Maureen
Published: April 2024

By allocating more resources to ethnic celebrations, Disney California Adventure has reflected local demographic trends such as population increases of Hispanic/Latino and Asian groups, connecting the size and duration of each celebration to corresponding demographics within California. The Disney Company has reframed Traditional Disney Ideologies supporting white, middle‐class Americans to now reflect this increasing diversity and this illustrates the tensions between Disney's business goals for increased attendance and sales with the goals of ethnic inclusivity and multiculturalism. By highlighting the roles of Diversity Resource Groups (DRGs) as mediators of representations at the ethnic celebrations, this article examines in‐park representations of ethnic identities at four different seasonal celebrations, held from 2012 through early 2017 at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA. In contrast to static everyday park features, the ethnic celebrations and festivals are more fluid and dynamic even as they flatten and essentialize identities for Celebrate Gospel, ¡Viva Navidad!, Lunar New Year, and Festival of Holidays.
IRX5 suppresses osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by inhibiting protein synthesis
Authors: Jiang Bulin , Zheng Jiqi , Yao Hantao , Wang Yake , Song Fangfang , Huang Cui
Published: April 2024

In our previous study, IRX5 has been revealed a significant role in adipogenesis of hBMSCs. Considering the expansion of adipose tissue in bone marrow in aged and ovariectomy‐related osteoporosis, the effect of IRX5 on the osteogenesis of BMSCs still needs to be elucidated. In vivo, models of aging‐induced and ovariectomy‐induced osteoporotic mice, and in vitro studies of IRX5 gene gain‐ and loss‐of‐function in hBMSCs were employed. Histology, immunofluorescence, qRT‐PCR, and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the functions of IRX5 in hBMSCs osteogenic differentiation. RNA‐seq, transmission electron microscopy, Seahorse mito‐stress assay, and Surface Sensing of Translation assay were conducted to explore the effect of mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)‐mediated ribosomal translation and mitochondrial functions in the regulation of hBMSCs differentiation by IRX5. As a result, elevated IRX5 protein expression levels were observed in the bone marrow of osteoporotic mice compared to normal mice. IRX5 overexpression attenuated osteogenic processes, whereas IRX5 knockdown resulted in enhanced osteogenesis in hBMSCs. RNA‐seq and enrichment analysis unveiled that IRX5 overexpression exerted inhibitory effects on ribosomal translation and mitochondrial functions. Furthermore, the application of the mTOR activator, MHY1485, effectively reversed the inhibitory impact of IRX5 on osteogenesis and mitochondrial functions in hBMSCs. In summary, our findings suggest that IRX5 restricts mTOR‐mediated ribosomal translation, consequently impairing mitochondrial OxPhos, which in turn results in osteogenic dysfunction of hBMSCs.
Beyond the monolith: A systematic review of the literature on Latiné/x/a/o students in engineering using a liberative approach
Authors: Revelo Renata A. , Mejia Joel Alejandro , Mejía Janice , Villanueva Alarcón Idalis
Published: April 2024

Background

This systematic review of the literature on Latiné/x/a/o students in engineering was motivated by the recent increase in interest and thus scholarship about this population and the need for a nuanced understanding of the population's diversity.

Purpose

This article's purpose is to provide a basis for critically exploring how heterogeneity within the Latiné/x/a/o engineering student population—and across the spectrum of pre‐college to graduate school—is used in engineering educational scholarship. The following research question is addressed: “How is the diversity within Latiné engineering students exemplified in the engineering education literature?”

Scope/Method

This work was guided by a liberative approach as the driving framework to review and synthesize literature published in peer‐reviewed journal articles from 2005 to 2018 that met the following inclusion criteria: (i) population of interest included Latinés; (ii) focused on engineering or included engineering within the larger STEM; and (iii) studied K–20 education.

Results

Sixty‐nine studies were reviewed and synthesized. Key findings include an insufficient focus on Latiné students, an increased use of purposeful and critical theoretical frameworks, and a lack of demographics used to present a nuanced understanding of Latiné students in engineering.

Conclusions

We conclude that contextualized demographics should be included which enable analysis that provides nuanced understandings of Latiné students in engineering. While there is increased interest within engineering education to work with Latiné students, our findings point to the need of ensuring that research is conducted with cultural sensitivity, accuracy, and a nuanced understanding of the lived experiences of Latiné individuals.
Effect of Metabolic Syndrome on Left Atrial and Left Ventricular Deformation and Atrioventricular Interactions in Patients With Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Liu Jing , Li Yuan , Peng Li‐Qing , Gao Yue , Shi Ke , Qian Wen‐Lei , Yan Wei‐Feng , Yang Zhi‐Gang
Published: April 2024

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with worse prognosis in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). However, it is unclear how MetS in MI patients is associated with left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) deformation.

Purpose

To determine the effect of MetS on LA and LV deformation and atrioventricular interactions in MI patients.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

One hundred eighty‐one MI patients (73 MetS+ and 108 MetS−), 107 age‐ and sex‐matched controls (49 MetS+ and 58 MetS−).

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0 T/balanced steady‐state free precession (SSFP)/segmented phase‐sensitive inversion recovery SSFP sequence.

Assessment

LA strain and strain rates (reservoir, conduit, and active), left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI), and LV geometry and radial, circumferential and longitudinal global peak strains (PS) were compared among groups.

Statistical Tests

Two‐way analysis of variance, Spearman and Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multivariable linear regression analysis. P value <0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results

Compared with controls, the MI patients with or without MetS showed impaired LA function (reservoir, conduit, and active) and LV deformation (radial, circumferential, and longitudinal PS) and higher LACI. The MetS+ group had lower LA reservoir and conduit function and LV deformation than MetS− group. The MetS‐MI interaction was not statistically significant. Furthermore, multivariable linear regression showed that MetS was independently associated with LA and LV deformation (β = −0.181 to −0.209) in MI patients; LA function was independently associated with LV circumferential PS (β = 0.230 to 0.394) and longitudinal PS (β = 0.189 to 0.420), and LA passive strain and strain rate were negatively associated with LV mass (β = −0.178 and −0.298).

Data Conclusion

MetS may be associated with the LA and LV dysfunction in MI patients. Impaired LV deformation and LV hypertrophy are independently associated with LA dysfunction in MI patients, and the MI patients have higher LACI than controls, suggesting atrioventricular interaction alterations.

Evidence Level

4

Technical Efficacy

3
Hip joint center lateralization minimally affects the biomechanics of patient‐specific flanged acetabular components: A computational model
Authors: Lee Haena‐Young , Boettner Friedrich , Blevins Jason L. , Rodriguez Jose A. , Lipman Joseph D. , Quevedo González Fernando J. , Bostrom Mathias P. , Wright Timothy M. , Sculco Peter K.
Published: April 2024

Patient‐specific flanged acetabular components are utilized to treat failed total hip arthroplasties with large acetabular defects. Previous clinical studies from our institution showed that these implants tend to lateralize the acetabular center of rotation. However, the clinical impact of lateralization on implant survivorship is debated. Our goal was to develop a finite element model to quantify how lateralization of the native hip center affects periprosthetic strain and implant‐bone micromotion distributions in a static level gait loading condition. To build the model, we computationally created a superomedial acetabular defect in a computed tomography 3D reconstruction of a native pelvis and designed a flanged acetabular implant to address this simulated bone defect. We modeled two implants, one with ~1 cm and a second with ~2 cm of hip center lateralization. We applied the maximum hip contact force and corresponding abductor force observed during level gait. The resulting strains were compared to bone fatigue strength (0.3% strain) and the micromotions were compared to the threshold for bone ingrowth (20 µm). Overall, the model demonstrated that the additional lateralization only slightly increased the area of bone at risk of failure and decreased the areas compatible with bone ingrowth. This computational study of patient‐specific acetabular implants establishes the utility of our modeling approach. Further refinement will yield a model that can explore a multitude of variables and could be used to develop a biomechanically‐based acetabular bone loss classification system to guide the development of patient‐specific implants in the treatment of large acetabular bone defects.
π‐π stacking interactions mediate molecular recognition between arginine and tryptophan containing peptides derived from human islet polypeptide
Authors: Vedad J. , Bilog M. , Chamorro A. , Profit A. A. , Desamero R. Z. B.
Published: April 2024

Cation‐π interactions, often found in protein assemblies, are characterized by favorable electrostatic interactions between an aromatic π‐electron surface and a positively charged species. There are evidences that reveal the importance of cation‐π interactions between arginine and aromatic residues in protein structure and function. In this paper, the effect of cation‐π interactions on the aggregation propensity of peptides derived from human islet polypeptide (hIAPP) was explored using UV resonance Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy. By employing an analog of hIAPP22–29 in which Phe‐23 is replaced with tryptophan (NWGAILSS), we were able to demonstrate an increase in the amyloidogenic propensity of this mutant in the presence of Zn2+ that is attributable to cation‐π interactions. In contrast, no cation‐π interactions were observed when the cationic F23R analog of hIAPP22–29 (NRGAILSS) was allowed to interact with NWGAILSS. From these observations, it was surmised that in these peptides, the dominant interaction between arginine and tryptophan involves the π‐cloud of the guanidino group and the indole ring, not cation‐π interactions. The spectroscopic data, supported by density functional theory‐based simulation results, suggest that arginine‐tryptophan interaction involves π‐π stacking where the guanidino group is oriented parallel to the indole ring. These hydrophobic interactions, coupled with the hydrotropic effect of the guanidine functionality of arginine, led to a delay in the aggregation kinetics of NWGAILSS. These unique interactions were further exploited to design a peptide inhibitor of full‐length amylin self‐assembly.
Wheat protein‐derived surfactants: Synthesis and properties
Authors: Li Wanchun , Shen Jie , Xu Hujun
Published: April 2024

Green surfactants produced from peptides and their derivatives have excellent surface chemistry and application properties. A mild, biocompatible, and rapidly biodegradable green surfactant, potassium N‐lauroyl wheat peptide (PLW), was synthesized by an acylation method in the aqueous phase with lauryl chloride and wheat oligopeptide as starting materials. Furthermore, the isoelectric point, equilibrium surface tension, dynamic surface tension, micellar aggregation behavior, foaming, and irritating properties of PLW were studied. Wheat oligopeptides were discovered to have the greatest glutamic acid content, accounting for 30.92% of the overall amino acid composition. The findings revealed that the protonation and ionization behavior of PLW was pH dependent. At pH 8.5, water's surface tension was lowered to 32.1 mN/m−1. At high concentrations and pH, PLW formed large aggregates in solution, causing the adsorption behavior of PLW molecules to shift from diffusion‐controlled adsorption to mixed kinetic adsorption, with PLW exhibiting great surface activity. Furthermore, PLW has good foaming properties and is non‐irritating. As a result, PLW is predicted to become widely employed in the field of household chemicals.
Comparing cefazolin/metronidazole, piperacillin‐tazobactam, or cefoxitin as surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Park Lily J. , D'Souza Daniel , Kazi Tania , Rodriguez Felipe , Griffiths Christopher , McKechnie Tyler , Mertz Dominik , Serrano Pablo E.
Published: April 2024

Background

Preoperative antibiotic options for pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) include cefoxitin (CX), piperacillin‐tazobactam (PT), or combined cefazolin and metronidazole (CM). Recent studies suggest the superiority of PT over CX, but evidence for CM is unclear.

Objective

To explore the impact of preoperative antibiotic selection (CM vs. PT and CX vs. PT) on the development of surgical site infections (SSI).

Methods

Consecutive adult patients at one institution who underwent PD from November 2017 to December 2021 and received either CM, PT, or CX preoperatively, were included. The primary outcome was SSI. Secondary outcomes included postoperative infections and clinically significant postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Logistic regression models were used.

Results

Among 127 patients included in the study, PT, CM, and CX were administered in 46 (36.2%), 44 (34.6%), and 37 (29.4%) patients, respectively. There were 32 (27.1%) SSI, 20 (36.1%) infections, and 21 (22.9%) POPF events. PT use was associated with reduced risk of SSI compared to CX (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11−0.89, p = 0.03), but there was no difference as compared to CM (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.27−2.13, p = 0.59). There were no differences in secondary outcomes.

Conclusion

PT reduced SSI rates compared to CX but was no different to CM among patients undergoing PD at our center.
Clinical features of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms: A retrospective study in a reference centre of dermatology in Madagascar
Authors: Sendrasoa Fandresena Arilala , Imbelona Bienvenu Chrismael , Razafimaharo Tsiory Iarintsoa , Ramarozatovo Lala , Rapelanoro Rabenja Fahafahantsoa
Published: April 2024

Background

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is drug‐induced hypersensitivity reaction that can have fatal complications. Three sets of diagnostic criteria have been proposed, however, consensus is lacking.

Objectives

This study aimed to describe the causative agents, severity, and the clinical course of patients with DRESS in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in patients seen for DRESS, in the department of dermatology at the University Hospital Antananarivo, Madagascar from 2014 to 2022. European Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (RegiSCAR) criteria was used for the diagnosis. Demographic data, latency periods, clinical and laboratory findings, culprit drugs, and outcomes were assessed.

Results

A total of 24 patients were included. Fifteen patients were female. The three most common culprit drugs were carbamazepine (17 patients), phenobarbital (2 patients), and ampicilline (2 patients). Median onset time (interquartile range) was 20 days (range: 7–62 days). Skin rash was present in all patients, and fever in 18 patients. A total of 12 patients showed two or more internal organs involved. Liver and kidney injuries were the most common visceral manifestation. All patients had eosinophilia. Fifteen patients received systemic corticosteroids. Two mortality cases were reported due to DRESS‐related fulminant liver failure and to nosocomial respiratory infection. Mortality was associated with higher eosinophilia (p = 0.03), higher creatininemia (p = 0.04), and shorter time of latency (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Our study show that DRESS is associated with severe morbidity. Early detection and withdrawal of the culprit dru gis crucial to save life and reduce morbidity.
Resource Utilization and Risk Factors for Esophageal Injury in Pediatric Esophageal Foreign Bodies
Authors: Hashimi Basil , Shaffer Amber D. , McCoy Jennifer L. , Chi David H. , Padia Reema
Published: April 2024

Objective

While management protocols of pediatric esophageal foreign bodies (EFBs) are well‐delineated, resource utilization can be improved. This study's objectives were to explore hospital charges/costs for pediatric patients who present with EFBs and to identify patient risk factors associated with esophageal injury.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing aerodigestive foreign body removal at a tertiary‐care children's hospital from 2018 to 2021 was conducted. Data collected included demographics, medical history, presenting symptoms, EFB type, surgical findings, and hospital visit charges/costs.

Results

203 patients were included. 178 of 203 (87.7%) patients were admitted prior to operation. Unwitnessed EFB ingestion (p < 0.001, OR = 15.1, 95% CI = 5.88–38.6), experiencing symptoms for longer than a week (p < 0.001, OR = 11.4, 95% CI = 3.66–38.6) and the following presenting symptoms increased the odds of esophageal injury: dysphagia (p = 0.04, OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.02–5.85), respiratory distress (p = 0.005, OR = 15.5, 95% CI = 2.09–181), coughing (p < 0.001, OR = 10.1, 95% CI = 3.73–28.2), decreased oral intake (p = 0.001, OR = 6.60, 95% CI = 2.49–17.7), fever (p = 0.001, OR = 5.52, 95% CI = 1.46–19.6), and congestion (p = 0.001, OR = 8.15, 95% CI = 2.42–27.3). None of the 51 asymptomatic patients had esophageal injury. The median total charges during the encounter was $20,808 (interquartile range: $18,636–$24,252), with operating room (OR) (median: $5,396; 28.2%) and inpatient admission (median: $5,520; 26.0%) contributing the greatest percentage.

Conclusions

Asymptomatic patients with EFBs did not experience esophageal injury. The OR and inpatient observation accounted for the greatest percentage of the hospital charges. These results support developing a potential algorithm to triage asymptomatic patients to be managed on a same‐day outpatient basis to improve the value of care.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 134:4774–4782, 2024
Spatial–temporal evolution and driving factors of ecosystem services trade‐offs and synergies in karst areas from a geospatial perspective
Authors: Qu Shaodong , Jiang Yuan , Gao Jiangbo , Cao Qian , Wang Lunche , Zhang Yibo , Huang Fengxian
Published: April 2024

Nowadays, studies of ecosystem services (ESs) trade‐offs and synergies in karst areas are limited to a single region. In particular, the quantification of the nature and intensity of the relationships between ESs in continuous karst distribution areas (CKDAs) and non‐karst areas (NKAs), and a full understanding of the drivers behind this change remains a challenge. In this study, the province of Guizhou in China was used as study area and a framework was developed to analyze the spatial variation of trade‐offs and synergies between ESs. The framework utilized Spearman, geographical detector, and multi‐scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) to establish connections between four key ESs: habitat quality (HQ), water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), and net primary productivity (NPP). Through the examination of these relationships, this article has revealed the influence of the driving forces on this ecological process. The study indicated that: (1) During this period, ESs in study area increased steadily, with the average value of HQ always above 0.6, and WY, SC, and NPP increased by 2.32%, 6.07%, and 15.18%, respectively. (2) WY had a trade‐off relationship with other ESs, and SC, HQ, and NPP were synergistic with each other. (3) In the CKDA, topography and precipitation dominated the relationship between SC and other ESs. In contrast, in the NKA, ecological processes involving HQ were more prominent in human/natural interactions. Therefore, proposing ecological measures at different spatial scales to promote synergistic development between ESs is of great importance for ecological governance and sustainability of karst areas.
Phase 1b trial of anti‐HER2 antibody inetetamab and pan‐HER inhibitor pyrotinib in HER2‐positive advanced lung cancer
Authors: Huang Yihua , Zhao Yuanyuan , Huang Yan , Yang Yunpeng , Zhang Yaxiong , Hong Shaodong , Zhao Hongyun , Zhao Shen , Zhou Ting , Chen Gang , Zhou Huaqiang , Ma Yuxiang , Zhou Ningning , Zhang Li , Fang Wenfeng
Published: April 2024

There remains an unmet need for targeted therapies against advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with HER2 mutations. To improve the antitumor activity of single anti‐HER2 agent, this prospective, single‐arm clinical trial (NCT05016544) examined the safety profile and efficacy of anti‐HER2 antibody inetetamab and pan‐HER TKI pyrotinib in HER2‐posivite advanced NSCLC patients. Enrolled patients received inetetamab every 3 weeks and pyrotinib once per day (pyrotinib, dose‐escalation part, 240 mg, 320 mg; dose‐expansion part, 320 mg). Primary endpoints were dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) dosage and safety. Secondary endpoints included progression‐free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). A total of 48 patients were enrolled. During the dose‐escalation period, no DLT occurred. Diarrhea was the most commonly reported treatment‐related adverse event (TRAE). Grade 3 TRAEs occurred in seven patients. The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.4–8.6 months]. The confirmed ORR and DCR reached 25% (11/44) and 84.1% (37/44), respectively. Responses were shown in patients with distinct HER2 aberrations. In summary, inetetamab in combination with pyrotinib demonstrated acceptable safety and antitumor activity among patients with advanced HER2‐mutant NSCLC.
The impact of financing efficiency in defense industry base on non‐technological innovation: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhu Huaijia , Chen Bo , Chang Shiwei , Zhu Huaiqi
Published: April 2024

The innovation of defense industry base requires not only technological progress but also scientific organization and management and reasonable business model. Based on the data of A‐share listed companies related to defense industry base in China from 2013 to 2021, this paper employs panel‐probit model with instrumental variable to empirically test the relationship and influence mechanism of financing efficiency on non‐technological innovation. It is found that the financing efficiency of the defense industry base has a significantly positive effect on organizational innovation and market innovation, which is more prominent in state‐owned enterprises and military enterprises. The influence mechanism is mainly to improve information symmetry and reduce agency costs. Internally, the defense industry base should strengthen the management of financing and innovation activities; from the external point of view, the government needs to improve the construction of capital market, and financial institutions need to play the role of professional institutional investors and external supervisors, which is conducive to improving the non‐technical innovation ability of defense industry base.
Quantification of left ventricular myocardial strain: Comparison between MRI tagging, MRI feature tracking, and ultrasound speckle tracking
Authors: Brandt Yentl , Lubrecht Jolijn M. , Adriaans Bouke P. , Aben Jean‐Paul , Gerretsen Suzanne C. , Ghossein‐Doha Chahinda , Spaanderman Marc E. A. , Prinzen Frits W. , Kooi M. Eline
Published: April 2024

Ultrasound speckle tracking is frequently used to quantify myocardial strain, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) feature tracking is rapidly gaining interest. Our aim is to validate cardiac MRI feature tracking by comparing it with the gold standard method (i.e., MRI tagging) in healthy subjects and patients. Furthermore, we aim to perform an indirect validation by comparing ultrasound speckle tracking with MRI feature tracking. Forty‐two subjects (17 formerly preeclamptic women, three healthy women, and 22 left bundle branch block patients of both sexes) received 3‐T cardiac MRI and echocardiography. Cine and tagged MRI, and B‐mode ultrasound images, were acquired. Intrapatient global and segmental left ventricular circumferential (MRI tagging vs. MRI feature tracking) and longitudinal (MRI feature tracking vs. ultrasound speckle tracking) peak strain and time to peak strain were compared between the three techniques. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (< 0.50 = poor, 0.50–0.75 = moderate, > 0.75–0.90 = good, > 0.90 = excellent) and Bland–Altman analysis were used to assess correlation and bias; p less than 0.05 indicates a significant ICC or bias. Global peak strain parameters showed moderate‐to‐good correlations between methods (ICC = 0.71–0.83, p < 0.01) with no significant biases. Global time to peak strain parameters showed moderate‐to‐good correlations (ICC = 0.56–0.82, p < 0.01) with no significant biases. Segmental peak strains showed significant biases in all parameters and moderate‐to‐good correlation (ICC = 0.62–0.77, p < 0.01), except for lateral longitudinal peak strain (ICC = 0.23, p = 0.22). Segmental time to peak strain parameters showed moderate‐to‐good correlation (ICC = 0.58–0.74, p < 0.01) with no significant biases. MRI feature tracking is a valid method to examine myocardial strain, but there is bias in absolute segmental strain values between imaging techniques. MRI feature tracking shows adequate comparability with ultrasound speckle tracking.