bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction of anterior open bite of varying severity using clear aligner therapy—A case series
Authors: Sabouni Waddah , Venugopal Adith , Adel Samar M. , Vaid Nikhilesh
Published: August 2022

In open bite cases, a comprehensive diagnostic differentiation is crucial in determining the best corrective therapy. In non‐surgical open bite treatment, fixed appliances, either labial or lingual, are usually employed. With the addition of extra‐radicular screws, more sophisticated orthodontic movements may now be performed without the necessity for orthognathic surgery. Clear aligner therapy, on the contrary, has grown in popularity as a treatment option for more complex cases, such as open bite malocclusions. This article discusses three cases with an anterior open bite that were treated using various mechanics as dictated by the malocclusion. Case 1 was addressed wholly using clear aligner therapy, with careful consideration of attachment geometry and mechanics. Case 2 with clear aligner therapy, attachment geometry selection, and vertical elastics; and Case 3 with clear aligner therapy, attachments, and temporary anchorage devices.
Ultrathin Niobate Nanosheet Assembly with Au NPs and CdS QDs as a Highly Efficient Photocatalyst
Authors: Zhang Niuniu , Wu Xia , Lv Kangjia , Chu Yujie , Qin Haimei , Zhang Dongdi , Wang Guan , Niu Jingyang
Published: August 2022

Niobate nanosheets have aroused widespread interest in recent years for their prospects in catalysis. The exploration of 2D niobate catalysis with stable and efficient properties is still the focus in chemistry and materials science. Herein, the successful fabrication of 2D CdS/Au/HNb3O8 catalyst is demonstrated which revealed efficient photocatalytic properties in H2 evolution, oxidative self‐coupling of amines to imines, and degradation of dyes. Especially the assembled architecture can give a rate of 5.85 mmol ⋅ g−1 ⋅ h−1 of photocatalytic H2 evolution, an ∼254‐fold enhancement, compared with bare HNb3O8 nanosheets under identical conditions. In accordance with density functional theory (DFT) and X‐ray adsorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses, the vast improvements are benefited from efficient migration and separation of charge carriers. Besides, the surface plasma resonance (SPR) effect of Au NPs enhances the light harvesting capacity and boosts the generation of hot electrons, efficiently improving the visible‐light absorption.
Improved Dye Survival in Expansion Microscopy through Stabilizer‐Conjugated Linkers
Authors: Wen Gang , Leen Volker , Jia Yuqing , Rohand Taoufik , Hofkens Johan
Published: August 2022

Expansion microscopy (ExM) has been widely used to detect biomolecules in cultured cells and tissue samples due to its enablement of super resolution imaging with conventional microscopes, via physical expansion of samples. However, reaction conditions inherent to the process bring about strong fluorescent signal loss during polymerization and digestion and thus limit the brightness of the signal obtained post expansion. Here, we explore the impact of stabilizer‐containing organic fluorophores in ExM, as a mitigation strategy for this radical‐induced dye degradation. Through direct conjugation of 4‐nitrophenylalanine (NPA) to our previously developed trifunctional reagents, we validate and demonstrate that these multifunctional linkers enable visualization of different organelles with improved fluorescent intensity, owning to protection of the dyes to radical induced degradation as well as to photoprotection upon imaging. At this point, we cannot disentangle the relative contribution of both mechanisms. Furthermore, we report anchoring linkers that allow straightforward application of NPA or Trolox to commercially available fluorophore‐conjugated antibodies. We show that these anchoring linkers enable complete retention of biological targets while increasing fluorophore photostability. Our results provide guidance in exploring these stabilizer‐modified agents in ExM and methods for increased signal survival through the polymerization steps of the ExM protocols.
Aqueous enzymatic extraction and quality evaluation of Acer truncatum Bunge seed oil
Authors: Hu Xiongjie , Wang Jie , Zhang Wenjing , Zhang Fan , Tian Shichao , Zhou Zhiyong , Ren Zhongqi
Published: August 2022

Aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) of oil from Acer truncatum Bunge seed kernel was investigated. The effects of enzyme type on the extraction yield of oil were studied, and the results showed that the oil yield obtained with pentosanase was higher than that obtained with the other enzymes. The combination of pentosanase and cellulase showed better extraction performance than a single enzyme, and the operation parameters of the AEE method were optimized. A maximum oil yield of 37.94% was obtained. The analysis results of chemical compositions of the extracted oils showed that the content of unsaturated fatty acids in the oil extracted by the AEE method was 90.28%, and the content of nervonic acid was about 5.59%. In addition, the main physical and chemical properties of A. truncatum Bunge seed oil were measured. The oil obtained by the AEE method met the China National Standard of A. truncatum Bunge oil.
Nonparametric tests for treatment effect heterogeneity in observational studies
Authors: Dai Maozhu , Shen Weining , Stern Hal S.
Published: August 2022

We consider the problem of testing for treatment effect heterogeneity in observational studies and propose a nonparametric test based on multisample ‐statistics. To account for potential confounders, we use reweighted data where the weights are determined by estimated propensity scores. The proposed method does not require any parametric assumptions on the outcomes and bypasses the need for modelling the treatment effect for each study subgroup. We establish the asymptotic normality for the test statistic and demonstrate its superior numerical performance over several competing approaches via simulation studies. Two real data applications are discussed: an employment programme evaluation study and a mental health study of China's one‐child policy.
Toward a Home Test for COVID‐19 Diagnosis: DNA Machine for Amplification‐Free SARS‐CoV‐2 Detection in Clinical Samples
Authors: El‐Deeb Ahmed A. , Zablotskaya Sofia S. , Rubel Maria S. , Nour Moustapha A. Y. , Kozlovskaya Liubov I. , Shtro Anna A. , Komissarov Andrey B. , Kolpashchikov Dmitry M.
Published: August 2022

Nucleic acid‐based detection of RNA viruses requires an annealing procedure to obtain RNA/probe or RNA/primer complexes for unwinding stable structures of folded viral RNA. In this study, we designed a protein‐enzyme‐free nano‐construction, named four‐armed DNA machine (4DNM), that requires neither an amplification stage nor a high‐temperature annealing step for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection. It uses a binary deoxyribozyme (BiDz) sensor incorporated in a DNA nanostructure equipped with a total of four RNA‐binding arms. Additional arms were found to improve the limit of detection at least 10‐fold. The sensor distinguished SARS‐CoV‐2 from other respiratory viruses and correctly identified five positive and six negative clinical samples verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). The strategy reported here can be used for the detection of long natural RNA and can become a basis for a point‐of‐care or home diagnostic test.
Green governance and its peer effect in the Yangtze River Delta region of China
Authors: Liu Hongda
Published: August 2022

The extensive development of social economy and other fields poses challenges to environmental management in the new era. The pressure of climate adaptation and the failure of environmental regulation policies make the Chinese government seek a new environmental management model. Green governance is the foothold of connecting China's economic, social, ecological, cultural, and political construction. It is leading the updation of China's environmental governance model. Based on the connotation of green governance, a green governance analysis framework is constructed. And we take China's most developed Yangtze River Delta region as the research object. Scientific evaluation of green governance using super‐efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) and nonradial DEA‐Malmquist models is done. On this basis, the peer effect in green governance is integrated and analyzed, to clarify the extent to which this implicit driving force and internal political efficacy influence the final level of green governance. Research shows that cities in the Yangtze River Delta show positive green governance results. With the intensification of the degree of geographic integration, the convergence of green governance is strengthened, and the spatial agglomeration effect of green governance is characterized by the strengthening of the same group effect. The existence of spatial relationships makes local governments rely on a strong financial support system and industrial transformation foundation to counter the pressure of regional competition in green governance. With the increase of geographical distance, the peer effect of green governance tends to decline, but across the regional boundary under the provincial interaction framework, the peer effect does not disappear.
Controlled etching to immobilize highly dispersed Fe in MXene for electrochemical ammonia production
Authors: Wang Yu , Sun Ying , Li Hui , Zhang Wei , Wu Shuyao , Liu Chang , Gao Yue , Jia Baohua , Qiu Jieshan , Ma Tianyi
Published: August 2022

Electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction (NRR), as an efficient and low‐carbon NH3 production method, is highly desired to replace the traditional Haber–Bosch process under ambient conditions. Nevertheless, its industrial application remains hampered by the low Faradaic efficiency (FE) and an inferior ammonia yield mainly owing to the sluggish kinetics and the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, highly dispersed Fe immobilized in Ti3C2Tx MXene (HD‐Fe‐MXene) is for the first time developed by a controlled etching strategy to act as an efficient electrochemical ammonia production catalyst. In this process, the Al phase of MAX is firstly replaced by Fe through Lewis‐acidic‐melt selective etching, then the HD‐Fe‐MXene is obtained by etching with an HCl solution. The as‐prepared HD‐Fe‐MXene delivers outstanding NRR activity with an FE of 21.8% at −0.1 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a favorable NH3 yield of 18.25 µg h−1 mg−1 (−0.25 V vs. RHE) in 0.1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. Notably, HD‐Fe‐MXene exhibits superior stability during the six times recycling tests and the 24 h chronoamperometric test. This excellent NRR electrocatalytic activity is mainly ascribed to the highly dispersed Fe immobilized in the fluorine‐free Ti3C2Tx MXene, which inhibits Fe centers from aggregation for providing abundant active sites for NRR. Moreover, the two‐dimensional structure and the fluorine‐free property of Ti3C2Tx MXene benefit to provide abundant sites for N2 adsorption and promote the electron transfer thus boosting the NRR process. This study delivers a feasible strategy for adding transition metal into the MXene phase to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of MXene‐based catalysts for nitrogen electroreduction to ammonia.
Large‐scale knowledge distillation with elastic heterogeneous computing resources
Authors: Liu Ji , Dong Daxiang , Wang Xi , Qin An , Li Xingjian , Valduriez Patrick , Dou Dejing , Yu Dianhai
Published: August 2022

Although more layers and more parameters generally improve the accuracy of the models, such big models generally have high computational complexity and require big memory, which exceed the capacity of small devices for inference and incurs long training time. In addition, it is difficult to afford long training time and inference time of big models even in high performance servers, as well. As an efficient approach to compress a large deep model (a teacher model) to a compact model (a student model), knowledge distillation emerges as a promising approach to deal with the big models. Existing knowledge distillation methods cannot exploit the elastic available computing resources and correspond to low efficiency. In this paper, we propose an Elastic Deep Learning framework for knowledge Distillation, that is, EDL‐Dist. The advantages of EDL‐Dist are threefold. First, the inference and the training process is separated. Second, elastic available computing resources can be utilized to improve the efficiency. Third, fault‐tolerance of the training and inference processes is supported. We take extensive experimentation to show that the throughput of EDL‐Dist is up to 3.125 times faster than the baseline method (online knowledge distillation) while the accuracy is similar or higher.
A Comparative Investigation on the Structural Stability of the Single and Poly‐Crystalline Sodium Nitrate at Dynamic Shock Wave Loaded Conditions
Authors: Sivakumar A. , Eniya P. , Dhas S. Sahaya Jude , Jose M. , Kumar Raju Suresh , Sundar J. Kalyana , Dhas S. A. Martin Britto
Published: August 2022

Exploration of the structural stability of the single and poly‐crystalline materials of solid‐state at high temperature and pressure is one of the basic research topics in the materials science branch. While the initial state of material undergoes change because of external factors, the functional properties of the material are usually significantly varied and hence, detailed investigations are highly required to better understand either change in properties or stability of materials with respect to their initial states. En route to this process, the crystallographic phase stability of sodium nitrate poly‐crystalline samples are studied at dynamic shocked conditions and the observed results are compared to the previously reported sodium nitrate single crystal. The structural stability profile of the test sample is assessed by X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopic and optical spectroscopic techniques. Surface morphology features are obtained from the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) technique. The overall observation of the diffraction, spectroscopic and morphological analyses shows that the poly‐crystalline sodium nitrate sample has higher stability than that of the single crystal of sodium nitrate. The detailed interpretations are presented in the following sections.
Photobiocatalytic Decarboxylation for the Synthesis of Fatty Epoxides from Renewable Fatty Acids
Authors: Ge Ran , Zhang Pengpeng , Dong Xuetian , Li Yuanying , Sun Zhoutong , Zeng Yongyi , Chen Bishuang , Zhang Wuyuan
Published: August 2022

Fatty epoxides are unique building blocks in organic transformations and materials production; however, their synthetic methodologies are currently not accessible from renewable fatty acids. Herein, a photoenzymatic decarboxylation of epoxy fatty acids into fatty epoxides was demonstrated using fatty acid photodecarboxylase (FAP) fromChlorella variabilisNC64A (CvFAP). Various fatty epoxides were synthesized in excellent selectivity by wild‐typeCvFAP. The decarboxylation reaction was also achieved with four new FAP homologues, potentially suggesting a broad availability of the biocatalysts for this challenging decarboxylation reaction. By combiningCvFAP with lipase and peroxygenase, a multienzymatic cascade to transform oleic acid and its triglyceride into the corresponding fatty epoxides was established. The obtained fatty epoxides were further converted into rather unusual fatty compounds including diol, alcohol, ether, and chain‐shortened carboxylic acids. The present photobiocatalytic synthesis of fatty epoxides from natural starting materials excels by its intrinsic selectivity, mild conditions, and independence of nicotinamide cofactors.
A N‐Ethylcarbazole‐Terminated Spiro‐Type Hole‐Transporting Material for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Han Mingyuan , Liang Yongpeng , Chen Jianlin , Zhang Xianfu , Ghadari Rahim , Liu Xuepeng , Wu Nan , Wang Ying , Zhou Ying , Ding Yong , Cai Molang , Chen Haibin , Dai Songyuan
Published: August 2022

The development of stable and efficient hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) is critical for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a novel spiro‐type HTM was designed and synthesized where N‐ethylcarbazole‐terminated groups fully substituted the methoxy group of spiro‐OMeTAD, named spiro‐carbazole. The developed molecule exhibited a lower highest occupied molecular orbital level, higher hole mobility, and extremely high glass transition temperature (Tg=196 °C) compared with spiro‐OMeTAD. PSCs with the developed molecule exhibited a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.01 %, which surpassed traditional spiro‐OMeTAD (21.12 %). Importantly, the spiro‐carbazole‐based device had dramatically better thermal, humid, and long‐term stability than spiro‐OMeTAD.
Mother and sibling interactions during the preweaning period influence myelination and impulse propagation of the sensory sural nerve in the adult rat
Authors: Martínez‐Álvarez Vladimir , Segura‐Alegría Bertha , Rodríguez‐Torres Erika Elizabeth , Porras Mercedes Graciela , Aguirre‐Benítez Elsa , González del Pliego Margarita , Hudson Robyn , Quiroz‐González Salvador , Melo Angel I. , Jiménez‐Estrada Ismael
Published: August 2022

To investigate whether mother and sibling interactions during the preweaning period influence the histological and electrophysiological characteristics of the sensory sural nerve (SUn) in the adult rat, litters composed of 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 male pups (P) were formed and the pups routinely weighed until postnatal day 60 (PND60). At PND9, 3P and 6P litters showed greater body weight than pups without siblings or from 9P or 12P litters, and such differences in weight were maintained until adulthood. Analysis of maternal licking at PND8 and 9 showed that pups from large litters received fewer licks than pups from small size litters. At PND60, SUn of rats from 6P and 9P litters had greater compound action potential (CAP) amplitude and a higher proportion of axons with large myelin thickness than nerves from rats of 1P, 3P, or 12P litters. SUn of heaviest rats from 9P and 12P litters had greater CAP area and myelination than the lightest rats from the same litters. We propose that a complex interplay of sensory, social, and nutritional factors arising from mother and littermate interactions during the preweaning period influence myelination and the propagation of action potentials in the SUn of adult rats.
Sacubitril/valsartan versus ramipril for patients with acute myocardial infarction: win‐ratio analysis of the PARADISE‐MI trial
Authors: Berwanger Otavio , Pfeffer Marc , Claggett Brian , Jering Karola S. , Maggioni Aldo P. , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Mehran Roxana , Lewis Eldrin F. , Zhou Yinong , van der Meer Peter , De Pasquale Carmine , Merkely Béla , Filippatos Gerasimos , McMurray John J.V. , Granger Christopher B. , Solomon Scott D. , Braunwald Eugene
Published: August 2022

Aim

The win ratio can incorporate different types of outcomes and enhance statistical power, making it a useful method for analysing composite outcomes in cardiovascular trials. The application of this approach to the PARADISE‐MI trial provides an additional perspective into understanding the effects of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods and results

We conducted a post‐hoc analysis of the PARADISE‐MI trial, which randomly assigned patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, pulmonary congestion, or both to receive either sacubitril/valsartan (97 mg of sacubitril and 103 mg of valsartan twice daily) or ramipril (5 mg twice daily) in addition to guideline‐recommended therapy. The principal composite outcome was analysed in the hierarchical order of death due to cardiovascular causes, first hospitalization for heart failure, and first outpatient episode of symptomatic heart failure. We included events confirmed by the clinical events classification (CEC) committee as well as events identified by investigators that did not meet study definitions. Results were analysed by the unmatched win‐ratio method. A win ratio that exceeds 1.00 reflects a better outcome. A total of 5661 patients underwent randomization; 2830 were assigned to receive sacubitril/valsartan and 2831 to receive ramipril. The hierarchical analysis of the principal composite outcome demonstrated a larger number of wins (1 265 767 [15.7%]) than losses (1 079 502 [13.4%]) in the sacubitril/valsartan group (win ratio of 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.33; p = 0.015). Sensitivity analyses using alternative definitions of the composite outcome showed results similar to those of the principal analysis, except for analysis restricted to events that met CEC definitions (win ratio of 1.11, 95% CI 0.96–1.30; p = 0.16).

Conclusion

In this post‐hoc analysis of the PARADISE‐MI trial using the win ratio and including investigator‐identified events not having CEC confirmation, sacubitril/valsartan was superior to ramipril among high‐risk survivors of acute myocardial infarction.
Knock combustion characteristics of an opposed‐piston two‐stroke gasoline engine
Authors: Ma Fukang , Zhang Jianwei , Wang Fang
Published: August 2022

The spark plug of an opposed‐piston two‐stroke (OP2S) gasoline engine is arranged on the side wall of the cylinder liner, far from the center of the combustion chamber; the ignition core of the mixture is offset, the flame propagation distance is increased, the combustion duration is prolonged, and the knock tendency is severe. In this paper, a quasi‐dimensional two‐zone combustion model is used in GT‐Power software to establish a thermodynamic process simulation model and a knock prediction model is included to analyze the effect and matching of the compression ratio, ignition timing, and other thermodynamic process parameters on the knock intensity and engine performance. The extended coherent flame model combustion model is coupled with the Huh–Gosman spray model in AVL‐Fire software, and the An B knock model is used to establish an in‐cylinder combustion model and analyze the flame propagation and the knock response rate of the flat and pit piston during the combustion process. With an increase of the compression ratio, the temperature and pressure of the mixture in the combustion chamber increase at the time of ignition, which leads to the knocking combustion in the cylinder. With an increase of the ignition advance angle, the in‐cylinder pressure and temperature increase rapidly, which increases the likelihood of knocking combustion. In comparison with the pit piston combustion chamber, the flame propagation speed of the flat piston combustion chamber is relatively slow, which increases the knock tendency. The results show that lowering the compression ratio and delaying the ignition can reduce the in‐cylinder knock tendency by setting a compression ratio of 10.5 and an ignition advance angle of 20°CA. When the pit piston is used to organize the squish and inverse squish before and after the inner dead center, the flame propagation process can be promoted. The knock response rate of pit piston is 24.7% lower than that of flat top piston.
Effect of heating on disposal point of main edible oils available in Iran market
Authors: Mohammadian Fazli Mehran , Zanganeh Hamid , Hassanzadazar Hassan
Published: August 2022

Deep frying is the most common method used for food preparation worldwide, which can lead to several chemical changes in used fat or oil in frying process including oxidation and polymerization. This study aimed to determine the effect of heating and different storage conditions on the disposal point of four types of the most common edible oils available in the Iranian market without and with the presence of food in terms of acid value (AV) and total polar compounds (TPC). AV and TPC of three types of marketed sunflower oil (especially for frying, cooking, solid vegetable) and ghee heated at 110, 150, 180, and 200°C with a portable oil meter DOM‐24 (ATAGO, Japan) were determined. They were measured without the presence of food at four different temperatures and four different times in five storage conditions and with the presence of frying food (chicken and potatoes) at 110°C for 20 min in three replicates. The results showed that the AV and TPC contents in the case of ghee were above national and international standards without the presence of food. Also, in the process of frying chicken and potato, the reusability of all the studied oils was not possible for the second time and reached the disposal point. The increase in the rate of AV and TPC of oils was: ghee (Kermanshahi oil) > liquid cooking oil > frying oil ≥ solid vegetable oil.
The Phenazine Scaffold Used as Cytotoxic Pharmacophore Applied in Bactericidal, Antiparasitic and Antitumor Agents
Authors: Miksa Beata
Published: August 2022

Phenazine derivatives are important bactericidal antibiotics and antiparasitic compounds which can be used in synergistic combinations with anticancer drugs in chemotherapy treatments. The development of synthetic phenazines with anticancer activity improves the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Chemical variations introduced at the phenazine core which is known as a chromophore with fluorescent properties provide advanced theranostic agents useful in optical bioimaging techniques and photodynamic anticancer therapy. This review summarizes the field of structural modifications of phenazine derivatives which have been tested against different parasitic and bacterial infections. The report highlights advances in design and biological evaluations of phenazines as anticancer drugs for the development of new chemotherapeutic as well as bio‐imaging reagents.
Past, present, and possible future policies on plastic use in the United States, particularly microplastics and nanoplastics: A review
Authors: Sorensen Rachel M. , Kanwar Rameshwar S. , Jovanovi Boris
Published: August 2022

As the levels of plastic use in global society have increased, it has become crucial to regulate plastics of all sizes including both microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs). Here, the published literature on the current laws passed by the US Congress and regulations developed by various federal agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that could be used to regulate MPs and NPs have been reviewed and analyzed. Statutes such as the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Clean Air Act can all be used to address plastic pollution. These statutes have not been invoked for MP and NP waste in water or air. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act provides guidance on how the FDA should evaluate plastics use in food, food packaging, cosmetics, drug packaging, and medical devices. The FDA has recommended that acceptable levels of ingestible contaminant from recycled plastic are less than 1.5 µg/person/day, which is 476 000 times less than the possible ingested daily dose. Plastic regulation is present at the state level. States have banned plastic bags, and several cities have banned plastic straws. California is the only state beginning to focus on monitoring MPs in drinking water. The future of MP regulation in the USA should use TSCA to test the safety of plastics. The other statutes need to include MPs in their definitions. For the FDA, MPs should be redefined as contaminants—allowing tolerances to be set for MPs in food and beverages. Through minor changes in how MPs are classified, it is possible to begin to use the current statutes to understand and begin to minimize the possible effects of MPs on human health and the environment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:474–488. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Diabetes is associated with high risk of severe adverse events during chemotherapy for cancer patients: A single‐center study
Authors: Mailliez Aurélie , Ternynck Camille , Duhamel Alain , Mailliez Audrey , Ploquin Anne , Desauw Christophe , Lemaitre Madleen , Bertrand Nicolas , Vambergue Anne , Turpin Anthony
Published: August 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common comorbidity among cancer patients, but its impact on chemotherapy tolerance has not been widely studied. We aimed to compare the occurrence of severe grade 3/4 adverse events (G3/4 AEs) within 90 days of starting chemotherapy between patients with and without diabetes. We conducted a retrospective single‐center study in Lille University Hospital Oncology Department, France. Patients who received the first cycle of chemotherapy for gastrointestinal, gynecological or cancer of unknown primary source between 1 May 2013 and 1 May 2016, were included. Overall, 609 patients were enrolled: 490 patients without diabetes (80.5%) and 119 patients with diabetes (19.5%). Within 90 days of starting chemotherapy, patients with diabetes had a significantly higher occurrence of AEs G3/4 compared to those with no diabetes (multivariate odds ratio [OR]: 1.57 [1.02‐2.42], P = .04). More frequent G3/4 AEs in patients with diabetes were infection (26%), hematological disorders (13%), endocrine disorders (13%) and deterioration of the general condition (13%). In the year following the beginning of chemotherapy, patients with diabetes were twice as likely to be hospitalized as those without diabetes (univariate OR: 2.1 [1.40‐3.15], P = .0003). After multivariate adjustment, diabetes was no longer significantly associated with the risk of hospitalization (P = .051). There were no differences between patients with and without diabetes regarding dose reduction and chemotherapy treatment delays (P = .61 and P = .30, respectively). Our study suggests the need for better consideration of DM in the personalized care plan to improve chemotherapy tolerance and quality of life of patients with DM.
Chiral Ligands for Au(I), Au(III), and Au(I)/Au(III) Redox Catalysis
Authors: Mishra Sampoorna , Urvashi  , Patil Nitin T.
Published: August 2022

Gold catalysis has emerged as an efficient tool for the selective functionalisation of C−C multiple bonds. Despite significant progress in this field, the potential of asymmetric gold catalysis has not been fully explored to date. A historical retrospect on the progress in this area reveals that enantioselective gold catalysis is based on three pillars: Au(I) catalysis, Au(III) catalysis, and Au(I)/Au(III) redox catalysis. Irrespective of the mode of catalysis being operative, the design of new ligands is crucial for the development of gold‐catalysed organic transformations. This minireview summarizes the progress made in the development of ligand design for enantioselective Au(I) catalysis, Au(III) catalysis, and Au(I)/Au(III) redox catalysis focusing on the ligands which were specially designed for gold catalysis.
Effect of vaginal scarring on the recovery of surgical repair of obstetric fistula in Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Ambese Tesfay Yohannes , Gebre Hagazi , Berhe Awtachew , Fisseha Girmatsion , Gufue Zenawi Hagos , Hailu Nigus Alemu , Ebrahim Mohamedawel Mohamednigus , Abraha Hiluf Ebuy
Published: August 2022

Objective

To determine the effect of vaginal scarring on the recovery from surgical repair of obstetric fistula in Northern Ethiopia from 2015 to 2020.

Methods

A hospital‐based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 224 women who had obstetric fistula repair surgery in Northern Ethiopia from March 1 to March 31, 2020. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine the adjusted predictors of recovery for each main baseline predictor variable, using 95% confidence interval (CI) and P < 0.05 to declare statistical significance.

Results

The overall recovery rate was 57 of 1000 women (43 of 1000 and 73 of 1000 for women with and without vaginal scar, respectively), with an overall median time to recovery from obstetric fistula repair surgery of 15 days. Vaginal scarring (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.58 [95% CI, 1.13–2.21]), age of the patient (aHR, 4.05 [95% CI, 1.56–10.5]), mode of delivery (aHR, 2.14 [95% CI, 1.31–3.49]), place of delivery (aHR, 1.91 [95% CI, 1.17–3.12]), prior repair (aHR, 1.90 [95% CI, 1.08–3.35]), and duration of catheterization (aHR, 12.91 [95% CI, 7.21–23.13]) were independent predictors of recovery.

Conclusions

In the present study, we found that women who had no vaginal scar, age older than 30 years, facility and spontaneous vaginal delivery, first attempt repair, and shorter duration of catheterization had a shorter recover time.
On the timing of relevant weather conditions in agriculture
Authors: Li Zhiyun , Ortiz‐Bobea Ariel
Published: August 2022

A growing literature is analyzing the effects of weather on agricultural outcomes. In these studies, constructing weather variables requires researchers to define a “season,” a period over which weather conditions are considered relevant to the outcome. We explore the consequences of assuming an incorrect season in such analyses. We show in simulations that imposing an incorrect season introduces nonclassical measurement error in weather regressors, bias in unknown directions. We propose an approach to recover the “true” underlying season and apply it to a US state‐level panel of agricultural Total Factor Productivity. We find that accounting for seasonality can lead to substantially different estimates.
Adolescent homelessness: Evaluating victimization risk based on LGBT identity and sleeping location
Authors: Flatley Claire A. , Hatchimonji Danielle R. , Treglia Dan , Cutuli J. J.
Published: August 2022

Background

Teen homelessness confers risk for victimization experiences, and teens that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) are at an even greater risk of experiencing victimization and homelessness.

Methods

Using the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, we evaluated the association of experiencing homelessness with physical and sexual victimization and we examined whether LGBT identification moderated this relationship. We also evaluated if the odds of experiencing sexual and physical victimization differed depending on the reported sleeping location.

Results

Students who reported homelessness had increased odds of having experienced physical and sexual victimization. LGBT identity was related to increased risk for physical and sexual victimization; however, LGBT identity did not moderate the relationship between homelessness and victimization. Considering nighttime sleeping arrangement, students who reported having no usual place to stay had the highest odds of experiencing sexual or physical victimization, followed by car, park, campground, hotels/motels, emergency housing, and doubled‐up with family or friends. Notably, all homeless sleeping locations were associated with increased odds of experiencing victimization relative to sleeping at a parent or guardian's home.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm links between teen homelessness and sexual and physical victimization, as well as increased risk for victimization experienced by LGBT youth. Special considerations should be made when developing and implementing interventions for teens experiencing homelessness and teens who identify as LGBT.
Management of Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Bilezikian John P. , Silverberg Shonni J. , Bandeira Francisco , Cetani Filomena , Chandran Manju , Cusano Natalie E. , Ebeling Peter R. , Formenti Anna Maria , Frost Morten , Gosnell Jessica , Lewiecki E. Michael , Singer Frederick R. , Gittoes Neil , Khan Aliya A. , Marcocci Claudio , Rejnmark Lars , Ye Zhikang , Guyatt Gordon , Potts John T.
Published: August 2022

Since the last international guidelines were published in 2014 on the evaluation and management of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), new information has become available with regard to evaluation, diagnosis, epidemiology, genetics, classical and nonclassical manifestations, surgical and nonsurgical approaches, and natural history. To provide the most current summary of these developments, an international group, consisting of over 50 experts in these various aspects of PHPT, was convened. This paper provides the results of the task force that was assigned to review the information on the management of PHPT. For this task force on the management of PHPT, two questions were the subject of systematic reviews using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) methodology. The full report addressing surgical and nonsurgical management of PHPT, utilizing the GRADE methodology, is published separately in this series. In this report, we summarize the results of that methodological review and expand them to encompass a much larger body of new knowledge that did not specifically fit the criteria of the GRADE methodology. Together, both the systematic and narrative reviews of the literature, summarized in this paper, give the most complete information available to date. A panel of experts then considered the last set of international guidelines in light of the newer data and assessed the need for their revision. This report provides the evidentiary background to the guidelines report. In that report, evidence from all task forces is synthesized into a summary statement and revised guidelines for the evaluation and management of PHPT. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Evaluation and Management of Hypoparathyroidism Summary Statement and Guidelines from the Second International Workshop
Authors: Khan Aliya A. , Bilezikian John P. , Brandi Maria Luisa , Clarke Bart L. , Gittoes Neil J. , Pasieka Janice L. , Rejnmark Lars , Shoback Dolores M. , Potts John T. , Guyatt Gordon H. , Mannstadt Michael
Published: August 2022

This clinical practice guideline addresses the prevention, diagnosis, and management of hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) and provides evidence-based recommendations. The HypoPT task forces included four teams with a total of 50 international experts including representatives from the sponsoring societies. A methodologist (GG) and his team supported the taskforces and conducted the systematic reviews. A formal process following the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology and the systematic reviews provided the structure for seven of the guideline recommendations. The task force used a less structured approach based on narrative reviews for 20 non-GRADEd recommendations. Clinicians may consider postsurgical HypoPT permanent if it persists for >12 months after surgery. To predict which patients will not develop permanent postsurgical HypoPT, we recommend evaluating serum PTH within 12 to 24 hours post total thyroidectomy (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence). PTH > 10 pg/mL (1.05 pmol/L) virtually excludes long-term HypoPT. In individuals with nonsurgical HypoPT, genetic testing may be helpful in the presence of a positive family history of nonsurgical HypoPT, in the presence of syndromic features, or in individuals younger than 40 years. HypoPT can be associated with complications, including nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, renal insufficiency, cataracts, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, ischemic heart disease, depression, and an increased risk of infection. Minimizing complications of HypoPT requires careful evaluation and close monitoring of laboratory indices. In patients with chronic HypoPT, the panel suggests conventional therapy with calcium and active vitamin D metabolites as first-line therapy (weak recommendation, low-quality evidence). When conventional therapy is deemed unsatisfactory, the panel considers the use of PTH. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
MALT1 reflects inflammatory cytokines, disease activity, and its chronological change could estimate treatment response to infliximab in Crohn's disease patients
Authors: Dong Xiaoxia , Chen Xiaoxiao , Ren Yuxiu
Published: August 2022

Background

Mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) mediates the immunity and inflammatory response in multiple ways to be intimately involved in the progression of autoimmune diseases. This study intended to explore the linkage of MALT1 with inflammation, disease activity, and its change with infliximab treatment response in Crohn's disease (CD) patients.

Methods

MALT1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from 72 active CD patients (at baseline, 2 weeks [W2], W6, and W12 after infliximab treatment), 20 remissive CD patients (after enrollment), and 20 healthy controls (after enrollment) were detected by RT‐qPCR.

Results

MALT1 was highest in active CD patients, followed by remissive CD patients, and lowest in healthy controls (p < 0.001). MALT1 was positively linked with C‐reactive protein (p = 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.014), clinical disease activity index (p = 0.003), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α (p = 0.006), interleukin (IL)‐1β (p = 0.049), and IL‐17A (p = 0.004), but not other clinical characteristics (all p > 0.05) in active CD patients. After infliximab treatment, MALT1 was decreased from baseline to W12 in active CD patients (p < 0.001), especially in responders (p < 0.001), but not in nonresponders (p = 0.053). The reduction of MALT1 at W6 (p = 0.049) and W12 (p = 0.004) was associated with a good treatment response to infliximab in active CD patients. Moreover, the response rate or MALT1 at any time point was not different between active CD patients with and without TNFi history (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion

MALT1 reflects aggravated inflammation and disease activity. Meanwhile, the decrement of MALT1 from baseline to W12 could reflect infliximab treatment response in CD patients.
Strategies to shorten turnaround time in outpatient laboratory
Authors: Lee Seunghoo , Yoon Sangpil , Lee Woochang , Chun Sail , Min Won‐Ki
Published: August 2022

Background

Turnaround time (TAT) is one of the most important indicators of laboratory quality. For the outpatient routine chemistry tests whose results are checked by clinicians on the same day, we set a quality goal that >90% of these samples should be reported within 60 min. As more than 20% of the samples failed to achieve this goal in 2020, we introduced an additional autoanalyzer and a real‐time monitoring system to improve this rate.

Methods

As the TAT of the pre‐analytical phase is the greatest contributor to TAT, we divided it into sampling, sample transport, and sample preparation times. An additional autoanalyzer was introduced, and its effect on TAT improvement was evaluated with the TAT data of June and July 2020. A real‐time monitoring system was introduced to sort delayed samples, and its effect was assessed with the TAT data of June and July 2021. TAT data from December 2019 to January 2020 were set as baseline controls.

Results

The preparation time comprised the largest proportion of TAT. Although there was a slight decrease in overall TAT after the introduction of the above two strategies, the target TAT achievement rate increased significantly from 78.5% to 88.7% (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

We checked the cause of TAT prolongation and introduced new strategies to improve it. The addition of an autoanalyzer per se was not so effective but was better when combined with the real‐time monitoring system. Such strategies would increase the quality of the laboratory services.
Decreased serum interleukin‐41/Metrnl levels in patients with Graves' disease
Authors: Gong Luping , Huang Guoqing , Weng Linjie , Xu Jialu , Li Yan , Cui Wugeng , Li Mingcai
Published: August 2022

Background

Interleukin (IL)‐41, also known as Metrnl, is a novel immunomodulatory cytokine, which is involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory and metabolic diseases, but its role in thyroid autoimmune diseases is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum IL‐41 levels in patients with Graves' disease (GD) and its relationship with GD.

Methods

This study included a total of 49 GD patients and 47 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy individuals. All baseline data were obtained by physical examination. Free triiodothyronine 3 (FT3), free triiodothyronine 4 (FT4), thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), anti‐thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) levels in plasma of GD patients were measured by chemiluminescence. The high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) were detected using automated biochemical analyzer. Serum IL‐41 levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Serum IL‐41 levels in patients with GD were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (201.0 vs. 260.8 pg/mL, p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between IL‐41 level and CRP (r = 0.2947, p = 0.0385) and WBC (r = 0.4104, p = 0.0034) in GD patients. CRP was positively correlated with TRAb (r = 0.2874, p = 0.0452) and TSH (r = 0.3651, p = 0.0099) levels in GD patients.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that GD patients have decreased serum IL‐41 levels, and IL‐41 plays a potential role in abnormal immune response of GD patients.
Protein arginine methyltransferase 4 modulates nitric oxide synthase uncoupling and cerebral blood flow in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Clemons Garrett A. , Silva Alexandre Couto e , Acosta Christina H. , Udo Mariana Sayuri Berto , Tesic Vesna , Rodgers Krista M. , Wu Celeste Yin‐Chieh , Citadin Cristiane T. , Lee Reggie Hui‐Chao , Neumann Jake T. , Allani Shailaja , Prentice Howard , Zhang Quanguang , Lin Hung Wen
Published: August 2022

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of mortality, disability, and long‐term care burden in the United States, with women comprising the majority of AD diagnoses. While AD‐related dementia is associated with tau and amyloid beta accumulation, concurrent derangements in cerebral blood flow have been observed alongside these proteinopathies in humans and rodent models. The homeostatic production of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) becomes uncoupled in AD which leads to decreased NO‐mediated vasodilation and oxidative stress via the production of peroxynitrite (ONOO−∙) superoxide species. Here, we investigate the role of the novel protein arginine methyltransferase 4 (PRMT4) enzyme function and its downstream product asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) as it relates to NOS dysregulation and cerebral blood flow in AD. ADMA (type‐1 PRMT product) has been shown to bind NOS as a noncanonic ligand causing enzymatic dysfunction. Our results from RT‐qPCR and protein analyses suggest that aged (9−12 months) female mice bearing tau‐ and amyloid beta‐producing transgenic mutations (3xTg‐AD) express higher levels of PRMT4 in the hippocampus when compared to age‐ and sex‐matched C57BL6/J mice. In addition, we performed studies to quantify the expression and activity of different NOS isoforms. Furthermore, laser speckle contrast imaging analysis was indicative that 3xTg‐AD mice have dysfunctional NOS activity, resulting in reduced production of NO metabolites, enhanced production of free‐radical ONOO−, and decreased cerebral blood flow. Notably, the aforementioned phenomena can be reversed via pharmacologic PRMT4 inhibition. Together, these findings implicate the potential importance of PRMT4 signaling in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's‐related cerebrovascular derangement.