bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Light signals counteract alterations caused by simulated microgravity in proliferating plant cells
Authors: Manzano Aránzazu , Pereda‐Loth Veronica , de Bures Anne , Sáez‐Vásquez Julio , Herranz Raúl , Medina F. Javier
Published: September 2021

Premise

Light and gravity are fundamental cues for plant development. Our understanding of the effects of light stimuli on plants in space, without gravity, is key to providing conditions for plants to acclimate to the environment. Here we tested the hypothesis that the alterations caused by the absence of gravity in root meristematic cells can be counteracted by light.

Methods

Seedlings of wild‐type Arabidopsis thaliana and two mutants of the essential nucleolar protein nucleolin (nuc1, nuc2) were grown in simulated microgravity, either under a white light photoperiod or under continuous darkness. Key variables of cell proliferation (cell cycle regulation), cell growth (ribosome biogenesis), and auxin transport were measured in the root meristem using in situ cellular markers and transcriptomic methods and compared with those of a 1 g control.

Results

The incorporation of a photoperiod regime was sufficient to attenuate or suppress the effects caused by gravitational stress at the cellular level in the root meristem. In all cases, values for variables recorded from samples receiving light stimuli in simulated microgravity were closer to values from the controls than values from samples grown in darkness. Differential sensitivities were obtained for the two nucleolin mutants.

Conclusions

Light signals may totally or partially replace gravity signals, significantly improving plant growth and development in microgravity. Despite that, molecular alterations are still compatible with the expected acclimation mechanisms, which need to be better understood. The differential sensitivity of nuc1 and nuc2 mutants to gravitational stress points to new strategies to produce more resilient plants to travel with humans in new extraterrestrial endeavors.
Animal models of stroke
Authors: Li Yanyu , Zhang Jingjing
Published: September 2021

Stroke is a devastating disease with high morbidity and mortality. Animal models are indispensable tools that can mimic stroke processes and can be used for investigating mechanisms and developing novel therapeutic regimens. As a heterogeneous disease with complex pathophysiology, mimicking all aspects of human stroke in one animal model is impossible. Each model has unique strengths and weaknesses. Models such as transient or permanent intraluminal thread occlusion middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) models and thromboembolic models are the most commonly used in simulating human ischemic stroke. The endovascular filament occlusion model is characterized by easy manipulation and accurately controllable reperfusion and is suitable for studying the pathogenesis of focal ischemic stroke and reperfusion injury. Although the reproducibility of the embolic model is poor, it is more convenient for investigating thrombolysis. Rats are the most frequently used animal model for stroke. This review mainly outlines the stroke models of rats and discusses their strengths and shortcomings in detail.
The Ethics of Board Perseverance
Authors: Gilbert Christopher
Published: September 2021

Christopher Gilbert, Ph.D., is co‐founder of NobleEdge Consulting, a leadership development company that specializes in organization and management leadership ethics. In this article, he examines board communication using the same ethical lenses we use to examine our other actions.
Is non‐completion of treatment related to security need?
Authors: Jeandarme Inge , Habets Petra , O’Reilly Ken , Kennedy Harry G.
Published: September 2021

Background

Treatment completion difficulties are common in forensic mental health settings and may have a profound impact on recidivism rates.

Aims

To test for associations between measures of risk and of security needs on the one hand and treatment non‐completion on the other among male offender‐patients in one medium security hospital.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective file study in a Flemish medium security hospital. A random sample of 25 treatment non‐completers was compared to a random same‐size sample of completers, each rated, blind to outcome, on the DUNDRUM‐1 security needs scale from data recorded at the time of admission to the unit. ‘Non‐completion’ was defined as any failure to complete treatment, whether staff‐terminated or self‐terminated; in Flanders, failure to comply with the judicial conditions of placement can result in re‐imprisonment. We used binary logistic regression to test relationships between treatment completion/non‐completion and security need, measured with the DUNDRUM‐1, together with a range of possible confounding variables.

Results

Most patients had psychosis and/or personality disorder and often substance use disorders also. Treatment non‐completion was invariably staff ordered because of security breaches. DUNDRUM‐1 and PCL‐R Facet 4 scores at the time of admission and HCR‐20 scores during admission were significantly higher among non‐completers than completers, but after binary logistic regression, only the DUNDRUM‐1 rating was independently associated with non‐completion.

Conclusions

Our study showed that an admission DUNDRUM‐1 rating, indicating levels of security need, co‐varies only to a small extent with the historical items of the HCR‐20, so may be regarded as measuring complementary domains. While conditions in Flanders at the time of the study complicated it in that medium security hospital units offered the highest level of hospital security available, the finding that non‐completion of treatment was particularly likely when the DUNDRUM‐1 indicated a higher security need than facilities could provide may have implications for all secure hospital services.
Engineering of Battery Type Electrodes for High Performance Lithium Ion Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Shaikh Navajsharif S. , Kanjanaboos Pongsakorn , Lokhande V. C. , Praserthdam Supareak , Lokhande Chandrakant D. , Shaikh Jasmin S.
Published: September 2021

The researchers across the globe are working on improvement in energy density of supercapacitor without compromising its inherent supercapacitive properties.[1–4] The upgraded hybrid supercapacitor is derived from a battery type anode, a capacitive type cathode and organic electrolyte. However, the performance of hybrid supercapacitor is limited by the imbalance kinetics between the anode and cathode due to sluggish Faradic reaction of anode materials and less charge storage capacity of cathode materials. The design and development of lithium ion hybrid supercapacitor (LIC) can be possible by engineering anode, cathode and electrolyte materials. In this review, we focus on the evolution of anode materials for LICs fabrication. Different strategies to balance the kinetics between the cathode and the anode have already been reported, such as the engineering of novel materials and fabrication of different nanoarchitectures. LICs have been fabricated by tailoring different nanoarchitectures such as particles (0D), nanorods/nanowires/nanotubes (1D), thin sheets (2D) and hierarchical architectures (3D). The fabrication of nanostructured active materials with desired morphology (0D, 1D, 2D and 3D) and sizes with high aspect ratios facilitate fast lithium‐ion insertion and extraction. The anode materials are divided into three types (i) lithium insertion reaction mechanism (ii) conversion reaction mechanism (iii) and the alloying reaction mechanism. The lithium insertion reaction‐based materials have high stability whereas less capacity and energy density. In contrast to this, the conversion type electrodes have high energy density but low stability. Alloying type materials have ultra‐high energy density while very low stability and reversibility. Hence, for getting high performance LIC all above mentioned aspects are required to be considered.
Isolated diastolic hypertension and target organ damage: Findings from the STANISLAS cohort
Authors: Monzo Luca , Ferreira João Pedro , Lamiral Zohra , Bozec Erwan , Boivin Jean‐Marc , Huttin Olivier , Lopez‐Sublet Marilucy , Girerd Nicolas , Zannad Faiez , Rossignol Patrick
Published: September 2021

Background

Isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) is defined as diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥80 mmHg and systolic blood pressure (SBP) <130 mmHg according to 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines. The effective cardiovascular risk linked to IDH is debated.

Hypothesis

IDH might contribute marginally to hypertension‐related target organ damage (TOD) development.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional analysis 1605 subjects from the STANISLAS cohort, a large familiar longitudinal study from Eastern France, were included. Participants were categorized according to average values at 24‐h ABP recording as having normal BP (SBP < 130/DBP < 80 mmHg); combined hypertension (SBP ≥130/DBP ≥80 mmHg or on antihypertensive treatment); IDH (SBP <130/DBP >80 mmHg); isolated systolic hypertension (ISH: SBP ≥130/DBP <80 mmHg). The association between hypertension status and TOD was assessed by multivariable‐adjusted logistic models.

Results

Using normotension as reference, IDH was not significantly associated with NTproBNP levels (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.04 [95%CI 0.82;1.32], p = .750), microalbuminuria (OR 0.99 [0.69; 1.42], p = .960), diastolic dysfunction (OR 1.53 [0.88; 2.68], p = .130), left ventricular (LV) mass index (OR per 10 g/m2 increase 1.07 [0.95; 1.21], p = .250), LV longitudinal strain (global: OR 1.07 [0.99; 1.14], p = .054; subendocardial: OR 1.06 [0.99; 1.13], p = .087), carotid intima media thickness (OR 1.27 [0.79; 2.06], p = .320), reduced ankle‐brachial index (<0.9; OR 1.59 [0.19; 13.55], p = .670) and pulse wave velocity (PWV; OR 1.07 [0.93; 1.23], p = .360). In contrast, combined hypertension and ISH were independently associated with LV mass index and PWV increase (all p ≤ .01).

Conclusions

IDH was not significantly associated with TOD. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical role of IDH. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01391442.
Locus‐of‐care disparities in end‐of‐life care intensity among adolescents and young adults with cancer: A population‐based study using the IMPACT cohort
Authors: Coltin Hallie , Rapoport Adam , Baxter Nancy N. , Nagamuthu Chenthila , Nathan Paul C. , Pole Jason D. , Momoli Franco , Gupta Sumit
Published: September 2021

Background

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer may experience elevated rates of high‐intensity end‐of‐life (HI‐EOL) care. Locus‐of‐care (LOC) disparities (pediatric vs adult) in AYA end‐of‐life (EOL) care are unstudied.

Methods

A decedent population‐based cohort of Ontario AYAs diagnosed between 1992 and 2012 at the ages of 15 to 21 years was linked to administrative data. The authors determined the prevalence and associations of a composite outcome of HI‐EOL care that included any of the following: intravenous chemotherapy within 14 days of death, more than 1 emergency department visit, more than 1 hospitalization, or an intensive care unit (ICU) admission within 30 days of death. Secondary outcomes included measures of the most invasive EOL care (ventilation within 14 days of death and ICU death) and in‐hospital death.

Results

There were 483 decedents: 60.5% experienced HI‐EOL care, 20.3% were ventilated, and 22.8% died in the ICU. Compared with patients with solid tumors, patients with hematological malignancies had the greatest odds of HI‐EOL care (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5‐3.4), ventilation (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 2.7‐8.3), and ICU death (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 2.6‐4.4). Subjects treated in pediatric centers versus adult centers near death (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2‐4.8) and those living in rural areas (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1‐3.9) were more likely to experience ICU death.

Conclusions

AYAs with cancer experience high rates of HI‐EOL care, with patients in pediatric centers and those living in rural areas having the highest odds of ICU death. This study is the first to identify LOC‐based disparities in EOL care for AYAs, and it highlights the need to explore the mechanisms underlying these disparities.
Pre‐determination of power density and application time in laser applications using PSONN hybrid algorithm
Authors: Yücelbaş Cüneyt
Published: September 2021

This article aimed to automatically determine the power density and application time values of the coagulation state obtained as a result of this application according to the relevant texture properties. For this purpose, these target values of the laser system were estimated by using some properties obtained from the examined tissue. Particle swarm optimization based artificial neural networks hybrid algorithm was used for this pre‐determination process. As a result of the applications, test accuracy rates of mean squared error percentages were obtained as 99.88% and 98.47% for the power density and application time targets, respectively. Furthermore, the correlation coefficients between actual and predicted data for both targets were calculated as 0.99. According to the literature search, as a result of giving some laser measurements for coagulation state as input to the proposed system or the other artificial intelligence algorithms, any study has not been encountered in which the power density and application time of the laser system are detected automatically in advance. When the research is evaluated from this novel perspective, it is thought that it will contribute to the literature and present ideas with different innovations to other researchers.
A methyltransferase‐like 14/miR‐99a‐5p/tribble 2 positive feedback circuit promotes cancer stem cell persistence and radioresistance via histone deacetylase 2‐mediated epigenetic modulation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Zhenchuan , Wu Kaiqing , Gu Shaorui , Wang Wenli , Xie Shiliang , Lu Tiancheng , Li Lei , Dong Chenglai , Wang Xishi , Zhou Yongxin
Published: September 2021

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly aggressive and treatment‐resistant tumor. The biological implications and molecular mechanism of cancer stem‐like cells (CSCs) in ESCC, which contribute to therapeutic resistance such as radioresistance, remain elusive.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization assays were used to detect methyltransferase‐like 14 miR‐99a‐5p tribble 2 (METTL14/miR‐99a‐5p/TRIB2) expression in ESCC. The biological functions of METTL14/miR‐99a‐5p/TRIB2 were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Mass spectrum analysis was used to identify the downstream proteins regulated by TRIB2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (IP), IP, N6‐methyladenosine (m6A)‐RNA IP, luciferase reporter, and ubiquitination assays were employed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying this feedback circuit and its downstream pathways.

Results

We found that miR‐99a‐5p was significantly decreased in ESCC. miR‐99a‐5p inhibited CSCs persistence and the radioresistance of ESCC cells, and miR‐99a‐5p downregulation predicted an unfavorable prognosis of ESCC patients. Mechanically, we unveiled a METTL14‐miR‐99a‐5p‐TRIB2 positive feedback loop that enhances CSC properties and radioresistance of ESCC cells. METTL14, an m6A RNA methyltransferase downregulated in ESCC, suppresses TRIB2 expression via miR‐99a‐5p‐mediated degradation of TRIB2 mRNA by targeting its 3′ untranslated region, whereas TRIB2 induces ubiquitin‐mediated proteasomal degradation of METTL14 in a COP1‐dependent manner. METTL14 upregulates miR‐99a‐5p by modulating m6A‐mediated, DiGeorge critical region 8‐dependent pri‐mir‐99a processing. Hyperactivation of TRIB2 resulting from this positive circuit was closely correlated with radioresistance and CSC characteristics. Furthermore, TRIB2 activates HDAC2 and subsequently induces p21 epigenetic repression through Akt/mTOR/S6K1 signaling pathway activation. Pharmacologic inhibition of HDAC2 effectively attenuates the TRIB2‐mediated effect both in vitro and in patient‐derived xenograft models.

Conclusion

Our data highlight the presence of the METTL14/miR‐99a‐5p/TRIB2 axis and show that it is positively associated with CSC characteristics and radioresistance of ESCC, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for ESCC treatment.
Investigation on arc characteristics in cup‐shaped contacts with different structure for transverse magnetic field vacuum circuit breaker
Authors: Wei Leming , Xiu Shixin , Jiang Yuzi , Yuan Bo , Qu Chenchen , Yang Jinwang
Published: September 2021

The cup‐shaped transverse magnetic field (TMF) contacts contain radial components and tangential components in the TMF generated when the current is interrupted. The tangential force generated by the radial magnetic field component drives the vacuum arc to rotate, and the tangential magnetic field component generates a radial force that causes the vacuum arc to move radially outward. In this paper, in order to study the influence of the arc force direction on the arc characteristics, the influence of the contact structure parameters such as the inclination of the inner wall on the arc force direction is simulated, and the breaking tests of different levels of current are carried out on the contact with different structure parameters. It is found that the direction of the Lorentz force has a significant effect on the breaking characteristics of the current, and the tangential and radial force components have varying degrees of influence on the motion characteristics of the arc during the start process and the metal droplet splashing.
ACKR1 favors transcellular over paracellular T‐cell diapedesis across the blood‐brain barrier in neuroinflammation in vitro
Authors: Marchetti Luca , Francisco David , Soldati Sasha , Haghayegh Jahromi Neda , Barcos Sara , Gruber Isabelle , Pareja Javier R. , Thiriot Aude , von Andrian Ulrich , Deutsch Urban , Lyck Ruth , Bruggmann Rémy , Engelhardt Britta
Published: September 2021

The migration of CD4+ effector/memory T cells across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a critical step in MS or its animal model, EAE. T‐cell diapedesis across the BBB can occur paracellular, via the complex BBB tight junctions or transcellular via a pore through the brain endothelial cell body. Making use of primary mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (pMBMECs) as in vitro model of the BBB, we here directly compared the transcriptome profile of pMBMECs favoring transcellular or paracellular T‐cell diapedesis by RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq). We identified the atypical chemokine receptor 1 (Ackr1) as one of the main candidate genes upregulated in pMBMECs favoring transcellular T‐cell diapedesis. We confirmed upregulation of ACKR1 protein in pMBMECs promoting transcellular T‐cell diapedesis and in venular endothelial cells in the CNS during EAE. Lack of endothelial ACKR1 reduced transcellular T‐cell diapedesis across pMBMECs under physiological flow in vitro. Combining our previous observation that endothelial ACKR1 contributes to EAE pathogenesis by shuttling chemokines across the BBB, the present data support that ACKR1 mediated chemokine shuttling enhances transcellular T‐cell diapedesis across the BBB during autoimmune neuroinflammation.
Morphology of estuarine bedforms, Weser Estuary, Germany
Authors: Lefebvre Alice , Herrling Gerald , Becker Marius , Zorndt Anna , Krämer Knut , Winter Christian
Published: September 2021

Large bedforms (dunes) are present in many shallow‐water environments. Knowledge of their dimensions and dynamics is required for river and coastal management. In tidal rivers and estuaries, the interaction among hydrodynamics (which results from the action of river and tidal flows), sediment transport and bedform shape and size is complex. In the present study, the distribution and morphology of bedforms in the Weser Estuary, Germany, were investigated. Bedforms were identified in bathymetric data of monthly multibeam echosounder surveys along the navigation channel during the years 2009 to 2013. Their size and shape were characterized. Bedforms were present along most of the channel, except at the position of the estuarine turbidity maximum and where dredging is carried out. Average bedform length varied between 20 and 60 m and bedform height between 0.3 and 1.6 m. Bedform asymmetry varied spatially and temporally along the estuary. In times of high river discharge, bedforms were generally more ebb‐asymmetric than in times of low discharge. The bedforms were predominantly two‐dimensional low‐angle dunes with their steepest slope situated near the bedform crest. A significant proportion of bedforms possessed a steep face (portion of the lee side steeper than 15°). This implies that they are likely to create flow separation and a turbulent wake, with a strong potential to induce high bedform roughness. However, important variations in steep face area density were noted, both spatially along the estuary and temporally as a function of the tidal phase (ebb or flood) and the seasonal variation in river discharge. The results have wide implications in terms of understanding and modelling hydrodynamics and sediment transport in estuaries.
New Validity Evidence on the TOEFL Junior® Standard Test as a Measure of Progress
Authors: Madyarov Irshat , Movsisyan Vahe , Madoyan Habet , Galikyan Irena , Gasparyan Rubina
Published: September 2021

The TOEFL Junior® Standard test is a tool for measuring the English language skills of students ages 11+ who learn English as an additional language. It is a paper‐based multiple‐choice test and measures proficiency in three sections: listening, form and meaning, and reading. To date, empirical evidence provides some support for the construct validity of the TOEFL Junior Standard test as a measure of progress. Although this evidence is based on test scores from multiple countries with diverse instructional environments, it does not account for students' instructional experiences. The present paper aims to provide additional evidence by examining the TOEFL Junior Standard test as a progress measure within the same instructional setting. The study took place in an after‐school English program in Armenia, a non‐English‐speaking country. A total of 154 adolescents took the TOEFL Junior Standard test three times with different test forms at the intervals of 10 and then 20 instructional weeks (a total of 30 weeks). The difference in differences (DID) analysis shows that TOEFL Junior is sensitive to learning gains within 20 instructional hours per 10 weeks among A1–A2 level learners, according to the Common European Frame of Reference (CEFR) scale. However, the data did not provide support for this sensitivity among B1–B2 level learners even though their instructional time was twice as long. Although this methodology offers an improved control over the students' instructional experiences, it also delimits the results to a specific after‐school program and comes with a set of other limitations.
Who initiates punishment, who joins punishment? Disentangling types of third‐party punishers by neural traits
Authors: Baumgartner Thomas , Hausfeld Jan , dos Santos Miguel , Knoch Daria
Published: September 2021

The act of punishing unfair behavior by unaffected observers (i.e., third‐party punishment) is a crucial factor in the functioning of human societies. In everyday life, we see different types of individuals who punish. While some individuals initiate costly punishment against an unfair person independently of what other observers do (independent punishers), others condition their punishment engagement on the presence of another person who punishes (conditional punishers). Still others do not want to partake in any sort of punishment (nonpunishers). Although these distinct behavioral types have a divergent impact on human society, the sources of heterogeneity are poorly understood. We present novel laboratory evidence on the existence of these three types. We use anatomical brain characteristics in combination with stated motives to characterize these types. Findings revealed that independent punishers have larger gray matter volume in the right temporo‐parietal junction compared to conditional punishers and nonpunishers, an area involved in social cognition. Conditional punishers are characterized by larger gray matter volume in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain area known to be involved in behavioral control and strategic reasoning, compared to independent punishers and nonpunishers. Finally, both independent punishers and nonpunishers are characterized by larger gray matter volume in an area involved in the processing of social and monetary rewards, that is, the bilateral caudate. By using a neural trait approach, we were able to differentiate these three types clearly based on their neural signatures, allowing us to shed light on the underlying psychological mechanisms.
Therapeutic approaches and outcomes in patients with larynx or hypopharynx high‐grade neuroendocrine carcinoma: A single‐center retrospective analysis
Authors: Sousa Luana Guimaraes , Lazar Neto Felippe , Torman Danice Karagiannis , Diaz Eduardo M. , Rosenthal David I. , Glisson Bonnie S. , Bell Diana , Ferrarotto Renata
Published: September 2021

Background

High‐grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx (HG‐NECL) is rare and aggressive with limited data regarding response to systemic therapy. We evaluated clinicopathological features, therapeutic approaches, and outcomes in patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal HG‐NECL.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected through 1997–2020. Median disease‐free (mDFS), progression‐free (mPFS), and overall survival (mOS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Fifteen patients were identified; most had locoregional (N = 7) or metastatic disease (N = 5). The main curative‐intent treatment was chemoradiation concurrent with platinum‐based chemotherapy; the rate of complete response was 78%. Most patients (80%) developed recurrence; the mDFS was 13.1 months. For the first‐line palliative therapy, the ORR and mPFS were 50% and 3.1 months, respectively. For all patients, the mOS was 17.8 months, and 8.6 months for metastatic disease.

Conclusion

Laryngeal HG‐NEC is associated with high relapse rates and dismal prognosis for those with recurrent/metastatic disease. Novel therapeutic strategies are needed.
Plasma circular RNA hsa_circ_0001821 acts as a novel diagnostic biomarker for malignant tumors
Authors: Song Yulan , Cao Peng , Li Jipeng
Published: September 2021

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) can function as key regulators of oncogenic processes. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of hsa_circ_0001821 in plasma of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and other malignant tumors and analyze its correlations with clinical features and diagnostic values.

Methods

In total, 467 plasma samples, including samples from 80 healthy controls, were collected between 2015 and 2019 from patients at the Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University. Plasma levels of hsa_circ_0001821 were analyzed by qRT‐PCR. The diagnostic value was performed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

Plasma hsa_circ_0001821 was increased in CRC patients, and high hsa_circ_0001821 expression predicted advanced stage and unfavorable in overall survival. In addition, this study showed the upregulation of hsa_circ_0001821 in plasma of lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ROC curve showed that the region under the loop for the diagnosis of CRC, HCC, and lung cancer was 0.815, 0.692, and 0.792.

Conclusion

Plasma hsa_circ_0001821 possibly is a novel biological marker for malignant tumors.
Does chest wall conformation influence myocardial strain parameters in infants with pectus excavatum?
Authors: Sonaglioni Andrea , Nicolosi Gian Luigi , Braga Marta , Villa Maria Cristina , Migliori Claudio , Lombardo Michele
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To investigate the possible influence of chest wall conformation on myocardial strain parameters in a consecutive population of infants with pectus excavatum (PE), noninvasively assessed by modified Haller index (MHI).

Methods

Sixteen consecutive PE infants (MHI >2.5) and 44 infants with normal chest shape (MHI ≤2.5) entered in this prospective case–control study. All infants underwent evaluation by neonatologist, transthoracic echocardiography implemented with two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE) analysis of both ventricles and MHI assessment (ratio of chest transverse diameter over the distance between sternum and spine), at two time points: within 3 days and at about 40 days of life.

Results

At 2.1 ± 1 days of life, compared to controls (MHI = 2.01 ± 0.2), PE infants (MHI = 2.76 ± 0.2) were diagnosed with significantly smaller cardiac chambers dimensions. Biventricular contractile function and hemodynamics were similar in both groups of infants. Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) (−16.0 ± 2.8 vs. −21.7 ± 2.2%), LV‐global circumferential strain (GCS) (−16.3 ± 2.7 vs. −24.0 ± 5.2%), LV‐global radial strain (GRS) (24.2 ± 3.0 vs. 31.5 ± 6.3%), and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) (−16.0 ± 3.2 vs. −22.3 ± 4.4%) were significantly reduced in PE infants versus controls (allp < 0.001). A strong inverse correlation between MHI and the following parameters: LV‐GLS (r = −0.92), LV‐GCS (r = −0.88), LV‐GRS (r = −0.87), and RVFWLS (r = −0.88), was demonstrated in PE infants, but not in controls, in perinatal period (allp < 0.001). Analogous results were obtained at 36.8 ± 5.2 days after birth.

Conclusions

Abnormal chest anatomy progressively impairs myocardial strain parameters in PE infants. This impairment might reflect intraventricular dyssynchrony due to compressive phenomena rather than intrinsic myocardial dysfunction.
Distal phalangeal erythema in an infant with biallelic PDSS1 mutations: Expanding the phenotype of primary Coenzyme Q10 deficiency
Authors: Bellusci Marcello , García‐Silva Maria Teresa , Martínez de Aragón Ana , Martín Miguel Angel
Published: September 2021

We report a detailed clinical examination in a patient with primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency caused by biallelic mutations in the PDSS1 gene who presented clinical features of mitochondrial encephalopathy associated with pulmonary hypertension, livedo reticularis and particularly, chronic distal phalangeal erythema. Laboratory testing showed elevated plasma lactate and 3‐methyl‐glutaconic and tricarboxylic aciduria. Supplementation with high dose of coenzyme Q10 was not effective to control disease progression and the patient died at the age of 3 years old because of a progressive multisystem disorder. Cutaneous involvement in mitochondrial disease is heterogenous, including proliferative, inflammatory, and dystrophic changes among others. The coexistence in our case of phalangeal erythema, livedo reticularis, and pulmonary hypertension suggests microvascular dysfunction as a possible underlying mechanism. This is the first reported patient with PDSS1 mutations presenting with 3‐methyl‐glutaconic aciduria and distal phalangeal erythema, expanding the phenotype of primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency.
Use of magnetic resonance image‐guided radiotherapy for breast cancer: a scoping review
Authors: Berlangieri Alexandra , Elliott Sarah , Wasiak Jason , Chao Michael , Foroudi Farshad
Published: September 2021

In recent years, we have seen the integration of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulators into radiotherapy centres and the emergence MR linear accelerators (MR‐linac). Currently, there are limited studies to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of MRI guided radiotherapy (MRIgRT) treatment for breast cancer patients. The objective of this scoping review was to identify and map the existing evidence surrounding the clinical implementation of MRIgRT for breast cancer patients. We also identified the challenges and knowledge gaps in the literature. The scoping review was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines. Titles and abstracts were screened by two independent reviewers. Quantitative and qualitative data were extracted and summarised using thematically organised tables. Results identify that accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is the most common form of treatment for MRIgRT. The presence of the magnet does not affect target coverage or violate organ at risk (OAR) constraints compared to standard radiotherapy methods. Consideration is advised for skin and chest wall (CW) due to the electron return effect (ERE) and areas such as armpit and chin due to the electron stream effect (ESE). Clinically, bolus has been used to protect and prevent unwanted dose in these areas. Overall treatment for APBI on the MR‐linac is feasible.
Lead dislodgement after a very long‐term period of cardiac implantable electronic device implantation
Authors: Iwakawa Hidehiro , Terata Ken , Yamanaka Takayuki , Tashiro Haruwo , Watanabe Hiroyuki
Published: September 2021

A 74‐year‐old man was admitted for a second replacement of a transvenous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) generator at 15 years after implantation. Postoperatively, electrocardiographic monitoring showed atrial lead malfunction. Chest X‐ray revealed that the tip of the active fixation atrial lead was dislocated. We present a case of atrial lead dislodgement after a very long‐term period of an ICD implantation.
Optical Activity in Third‐Harmonic Rayleigh Scattering: A New Route for Measuring Chirality
Authors: Ohnoutek Lukas , Jeong Hyeon‐Ho , Jones Robin Raffe , Sachs Johannes , Olohan Ben J. , Răsădean Dora‐Maria , Pantoş Gheorghe Dan , Andrews David L. , Fischer Peer , Valev Ventsislav K.
Published: September 2021

In 3D isotropic liquids, optical third‐harmonic generation is forbidden, with circularly polarized light (CPL). Yet the associated nonlinear susceptibility directly influences the optical properties at the fundamental frequency by intensity dependence (Kerr effect). Here, the hidden third‐harmonic optical properties upon CPL illumination are revealed by demonstrating a new effect, in hyper‐Rayleigh scattering. This effect is succinctly enunciated: the intensity of light scattered at the third‐harmonic frequency of the CPL incident light depends on the chirality of the scatterers. It is referred to as third‐harmonic (hyper) Rayleigh scattering optical activity (THRS OA) and was observed from Ag nanohelices randomly dispersed in water. The first analytical theory model for the new effect in nanohelices is also provided, highlighting the role of localized transition dipoles along the helical length. THRS OA is remarkably user‐friendly. It offers access to intricate optical properties (hyperpolarizabilities) that have so far been more easily accessible by computation and that are essential for the understanding of light−matter interactions. The new effect could find applications in hyper‐sensitive characterization of the chirality in molecules and in nanostructures; this chirality plays a fundamental role in the function of bio/nano‐machinery, with promising applications in next generation technologies.
Delayed impulsive SDEs driven by multiplicative fBm noise and additive fBm noise
Authors: Zhou Xia , Zhou Dongpeng , Liu Xiu , Cao Jinde , Xue Changfeng
Published: September 2021

The problems of stability and boundedness for delayed impulsive SDEs driven by fBm are studied in this paper. Two kinds of noises, i.e., additive fBm noise and multiplicative fBm noise, are both taken into consideration. By using stochastic Lyapunov technique and impulsive control theory, sufficient criteria for pth moment exponential stability and mean square ultimate boundedness are derived, for two kinds of fBm‐driven delayed impulsive SDEs, respectively. As applications, the obtained results are used to do practical synchronization w.r.t. a class of chaotic systems, in which the response systems are perturbed by additive fBm noises. Finally, a Chua chaotic oscillator is given to verify the validity and applicability of the derived results.
Reliable controller for nonlinear multiagent system with additive time varying delay and nonlinear actuator faults
Authors: Syed Ali M. , Agalya R. , Priya Bandana , Kumar Thakur Ganesh , Asma Kauser Syeda
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the problem of nonlinear multiagent system with reliable control is taken into account. The prescribed system consists of additive time‐varying delay, actuator faults with both linear and nonlinear functions. The main focus of this paper is to design a reliable control which guarantees the stability and consensus condition of the proposed system. Actuator faults with linear and nonlinear functions are considered in the control input. From the implementation of integral inequality, the linear matrix inequality format is derived by constructing the suitable Lyapunov Krasovskii functional for the specified system. Terminally numerical examples are furnished for the efficiency of the specified method.
A 28 GHz GaN HEMT quasi‐circulator with high isolation and high power‐handling capability
Authors: Wang Xiyao , Cai Qi , Zhu Haoshen , Feng Wenjie , Xue Quan , Che Wenquan
Published: September 2021

An active quasi‐circulator using gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistors technology is presented. By using two common‐gate and one common‐source transistors, two self‐interference signal paths from transmitting (Tx)‐port to receiving (Rx)‐port are constructed. Due to the features of out‐of‐phase and equal magnitude for the two‐path signals, sufficient Tx‐Rx isolation can be realized through cancellation of the two‐path signals at the Rx‐port. One prototype working at 27–29 GHz was designed and fabricated for demonstration. The measured results indicate maximum isolation of 44 dB at 28.2 GHz and the 30 dB isolation bandwidth of 300 MHz. The measured insertion losses of Tx‐path and Rx‐path are less than 4.5 and 3.6 dB within the operating frequency. Due to the high power density of the GaN devices, the measured IP1dB of the quasi‐circulator is better than 18 dBm.
Impressive Array of Display Metrology Content Featured at DW 2021
Authors: Fiske Tom
Published: September 2021

Display metrology is the scientific foundation that supports and describes the human experience of displays. Highlights from Display Week 2021 include descriptions of how to measure upcoming microLED and near‐eye display technologies.
Alaide P. Mammana and Carlos I.Z. Mammana
Authors: Peruvemba Sri
Published: September 2021

Professors Alaide P. Mammana and Carlos I.Z. Mammana have served as unrelenting forces behind the display and semiconductor initiatives in Latin America for more than six decades, training thousands, mentoring more than 400 students, stimulating a dozen startups, and spearheading SID's Latin Chapter for almost two decades.
Live Calibration Yields Lively Colors
Authors: Steinel Tobias , Wolf Martin
Published: September 2021

Novel display technologies, such as near‐eye and microLED displays, enable exciting new user experiences. However, they also impose big challenges for quality control, especially with substantial production tolerances and spectral variances of light sources.
Patient-Reported Outcomes with Selpercatinib Among Patients with RET Fusion–Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Phase I/II LIBRETTO-001 Trial
Authors: Minchom Anna , Tan Aaron C , Massarelli Erminia , Subbiah Vivek , Boni Valentina , Robinson Bruce , Wirth Lori J , Hess Lisa M , Jen Min-Hua , Kherani Jennifer , Olek Elizabeth , McCoach Caroline E
Published: September 2021

Background

LIBRETTO-001 is an ongoing, global, open-label, phase I/II study of selpercatinib in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. We report interim patient-reported outcomes in patients with RET fusion–positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and Methods

Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) version 3.0 at baseline (cycle 1, day 1), approximately every other 28-day cycle until cycle 13, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Data were evaluated through cycle 13 as few patients had reached later time points. A change of ≥10 points from baseline in domain scores was considered clinically meaningful.

Results

Among 253 selpercatinib-treated patients, 239 were categorized into subgroups by prior therapy: treatment-naïve (n = 39), one prior line of therapy (n = 64), or two or more prior lines of therapy (n = 136). The QLQ-C30 was completed by >85% of patients at each time point. Most patients overall and in each subgroup maintained or improved in all health-related quality of life (HRQoL) domains during treatment. The percentage of patients who experienced clinically meaningful improvements ranged from 61.1% to 66.7% for global health status, 33.3% to 61.1% for dyspnea, and 46.2% to 63.0% for pain. The 61.1% of patients with improved dyspnea had two or more prior lines of therapy; median time to first improvement was 3.4 months. At the first postbaseline evaluation (cycle 3), 45.9% of all patients reported a ≥10-point reduction in pain.

Conclusion

In this interim analysis, the majority of patients with RET fusion–positive NSCLC remained stable or improved on all QLQ-C30 subscales at each study visit, demonstrating favorable HRQoL as measured by the QLQ-C30 during treatment with selpercatinib.
“Islands of excellence”: On the emergence of corporate socials in India
Authors: Rigillo Nicole
Published: September 2021

In 2014, the government of India mandated that India's largest companies devote 2% of their net profits to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Drawing on fieldwork on the CSR activities of Bangalore‐based Titan, a Tata Group company and India's largest watch producer, and Wipro, one of India's largest IT companies, this article contends that government‐mandated biopolitical engagements by Indian corporations forge new iterations of “the social” and are generative of spatially delimited and heterogeneous “corporate socials.” Corporate socials can be situated within broader global shifts away from universal forms of social welfare. While these developments may represent the “death of the social,” I contend that they are an emergent modality of government‐mandated service provision by private actors in India, one that is giving rise to a patchwork of plural socials, which proponents argue can also serve as engines of corporate‐led resource redistribution.
Cu/Pd‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐(1,2,3‐Triazolyl)methyl‐3‐alkynylImidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines Involving Sequential SN Reaction/[3+2] Cycloaddition/Sonogashira Coupling Reactions
Authors: Qami Abdelkarim El , Jismy Badr , El Hakmaoui Ahmed , Akssira Mohamed , Abarbri Mohamed
Published: September 2021

An efficient one‐pot regioselective synthesis of 2‐(1,2,3‐triazolyl)methyl‐3‐alkynyl imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines is reported under simple and mild reaction conditions. The new imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines embedded with 4‐substituted‐[1,2,3]‐triazole were obtained in good to excellent yields from 2‐(chloromethyl)‐3‐iodo imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines via a one‐pot sequence involving an SN reaction with azide, followed by copper‐catalyzed [3+2]cycloaddition and a Sonogashira coupling reaction.
Tadpole‐like Copolymer for Fabrication of Silica‐encapsulated Polysulfide Microspheres
Authors: Gao Shuxi , Pang Hao , Zhao Yifang , Dai Yongqiang , Hong PeiPing , Liao Bing
Published: September 2021

A novel giant surfactant, possessing a well‐defined hydrophilic tail and a hydrophobic head with rigid multiple conjugate chains, tadpole‐like copolymer with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane core (P9‐1), had been designed and synthesized via aminolysis/addition, interfacial oxidation polymerization. It was used to form complex micelles with polysulfides (PSL) for constructing the silica microspheres with micrometer dimensions in a simplified one‐pot synthesis. The characterization results for the morphologies of the complex micelles and the resulting microspheres indicated that the introduction of conjugated segments and steric hindrance of hybrid cage contributes to promote the stability and provide larger core space of the self‐assembled micelle to accommodate more PSL. With increasing the PSL/P9‐1 feed ratio, the size of microspheres and the content of PSL in the resulting microsphere were increased due to the PSL droplets providing a soft‐template for silica particles to build larger‐sized silica microspheres with PSL cores. And the growth mechanism of microstructures was also proposed in evaporation synthetic procedures, especially for special hollow morphology.
Molecular Imaging Contrast Properties of Fe3O4‐Au Hybrid Nanoparticles for Dual‐Mode MR/CT Imaging Applications
Authors: Nguyen Hoa Du , Le The Tam , Nguyen Thi Ngoc Linh , Phan Thi Hong Tuyet , Ho Dinh Quang , Pham Hong Nam , Nguyen Thien Vuong , Le Trong Lu , Tran Lam Dai
Published: September 2021

The development of noninvasive testing techniques in medicine by combining dual‐mode Magnetic Resonance (MR)/ Computed Tomography (CT) imaging techniques will help overcome the limitations of the separated methods, leading to more accurate diagnoses. This has implications in clinical research, but currently remains a major challenge in terms of the need for a corresponding multimodal signal contrast agent. In this study, we use small size, monodispersed Fe3O4magnetic nanoparticles as the seeds to synthesize magneto‐plasmonic Fe3O4@Au hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) with multiple functions with core‐shell structures. The influence of the ratios of HAuCl4and oleyamine (OLA) precursors on the shape and size of the nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated. The HAuCl4/OLA ratio of 0.2/1 is the optimal condition. The obtained NPs has an average size of 21.2 nm with a uniform spherical shape, high monodispersity. After the surface functionalization with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), the resulting Fe3O4@Au@PAA HNPs showed excellent dispersion in water, good biocompatibility, non‐toxicity against Hep‐G2 cancer cell line and Vero healthy cell line at high test concentration. TheIn‐vitrotest data showed that the materials with Au shell enhance X‐ray decrease even at low concentrations compared to iodine‐based commercial substances while retaining the same effect as T2contrast agent with high transverse relaxation rate r2(125.2 mM−1s−1). TheIn‐vivoMRI images of rat liver tissue demonstrated that the hybrid nanoparticles showed the contrast increases 3 times under 1.5 T magnetic field after 30 minutes of drug administration. The computed tomography measurements showed the highest Hounsfield unit (HU) of 133.5 after the hybrid nanoparticle injected for 30 minutes. Thein‐vivoefficacy of Fe3O4@Au@PAA magneto‐plasmonic hybrid nanoparticles was further evaluated in the cardiac and renal organs in a mouse test model to study drug kinetics. Generally, these Fe3O4@Au@PAA hybrid nanomaterials showed great promise as a candidate for multi‐modality molecular bio‐imaging.
Photosynthetic Cyanobacteria‐Hybridized Black Phosphorus Nanosheets for Enhanced Tumor Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Qi Fenggang , Ji Penghao , Chen Zhixin , Wang Liping , Yao Heliang , Huo Minfeng , Shi Jianlin
Published: September 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted tremendous attention due to its advantages such as high safety and effectiveness compared to traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the intratumoral hypoxic microenvironment will inevitably compromise the PDT effect of the highly oxygen‐dependent type II photosensitizers, implicating the urgent demand for continuous intratumoral oxygenation. Herein, biocompatible photosynthetic cyanobacteria have been modified with inorganic two‐dimensional black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs) to be a novel bioreactor termed as Cyan@BPNSs. Upon 660 nm laser irradiation, the photosynthetic cyanobacteria generate oxygen continuously in situ through photosynthesis, followed by the photosensitization of BPNSs for activating oxygen into singlet oxygen (1O2), resulting in a large amount of 1O2 accumulation at the tumor site and the consequent strong tumor cell killing effect both in vitro and in vivo. This work provides an attractive strategy for efficient and biocompatible PDT, meanwhile extends the scope of microbiotic nanomedicine by hybridizing microorganisms with inorganic nanophotosensitizer.