bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
More frequent consecutive extreme precipitation in the dry regions of China
Authors: Huang Lirong , Du Haibo , Dang Yongcai , He Hong S. , Na Risu , Wu Zhengfang
Published: August 2022

Precipitation extremes occurring on consecutive days may be of crucial importance for the formation of extensive and long‐lasting flooding. Changes in such consecutive extreme precipitation (CEP) events between different regions (i.e., dry and wet regions) still remain unclear in China, which may result in different impacts on human livelihoods and ecosystems. Here, the changes in CEP frequency between dry and wet regions of China were studied by utilizing an observation‐based gridded precipitation dataset. We further determined the driving factors of the changes in CEP frequency by separating the effects of precipitation intensification and temporal clustering of daily extreme precipitation. Our results showed that the CEP frequency in dry regions increased faster (9.73%·decade−1) compared with wet regions (1.14%·decade−1) during the last ~60 years. The increasing precipitation intensity primarily (over 90%) resulted in the increases of CEP events. However, changes in the temporal clustering of daily extreme precipitation can benefit the effects of the changes in precipitation intensity in dry regions but can reverse these effects in wet regions. In dry regions, the regression relationship of precipitation intensity and temperature (7.38%·°C−1) was stronger than that in wet regions (3.44%·°C−1), suggesting that the same magnitude of warming would cause greater precipitation intensity and consequently cause more frequent CEP events in dry regions. Therefore, as the intensification of precipitation and the increasing temporal clustering of daily extreme precipitation, more CEP events may increase the flooding risk in dry regions over China with a stronger warming signal.
Two‐ and three‐dimensional in vitro nucleus pulposus cultures: An in silico analysis of local nutrient microenvironments
Authors: McDonnell Emily E. , Buckley Conor T.
Published: August 2022

Background

It is well established that the unique biochemical microenvironment of the intervertebral disc plays a predominant role in cell viability and biosynthesis. However, unless the effect of microenvironmental conditions is primary to a study objective, in vitro culture parameters that are critical for reproducibility are both varied and not routinely reported.

Aims

This work aims to investigate the local microenvironments of commonly used culture configurations, highlighting physiological relevance, potential discrepancies, and elucidating possible heterogeneity across the research field.

Materials and Methods

This work uses nutrient‐transport in silico models to reflect on the effect of often underappreciated parameters, such as culture geometry and diffusional distance (vessel, media volume, construct size), seeding density, and external boundary conditions on the local microenvironment of two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) in vitro culture systems.

Results

We elucidate important discrepancies between the external boundary conditions such as the incubator level or media concentrations and the actual local cellular concentrations. Oxygen concentration and cell seeding density were found to be highly influential parameters and require utmost consideration when utilizing 3D culture systems.

Discussion

This work highlights that large variations in the local nutrient microenvironment can easily be established without consideration of several key parameters. Without careful deliberation of the microenvironment within each specific and unique system, there is the potential to confound in vitro results leading to heterogeneous results across the research field in terms of biosynthesis and matrix composition.

Conclusion

Overall, this calls for a greater appreciation of key parameters when designing in vitro experiments. Better harmony and standardization of physiologically relevant local microenvironments are needed to push toward reproducibility and successful translation of findings across the research field.
Electromembrane extraction of clenbuterol from swine urine for monitoring illegal use in livestock
Authors: Wan Libin , Gao Haidong , Liu Xiao , Gao Shucai , Zhou Li , Wang Fayun , Chen Mantang
Published: August 2022

The illegal use of clenbuterol seriously endangers food safety and human health. Accurate monitoring of the illegal use of clenbuterol in livestock can efficiently prevent the clenbuterol residue pork products from entering the consumer market. Thus, in this study, a simple, rapid, and sensitive method for the determination of clenbuterol in swine urine was developed using electromembrane extraction combined with liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. It should be noted that the electromembrane extraction method presented many advantages of simple operation, fast mass transfer rate, good sample clean‐up capability, and less organic solvent consumption. The effect of important factors on the extraction efficiency of clenbuterol was investigated. Under the optimal conditions, good linearity was achieved for clenbuterol over the range of 1–1000 ng/ml (linear correlation [R2] = 0.9996). The recoveries of clenbuterol in swine urine at three spiked levels ranged from 83.7% to 110.0% with relative standard deviation values lower than 9.7% (n = 4). The limits of detection and quantification for clenbuterol were 0.07 and 0.25 ng/ml, respectively. These results suggested that the proposed method has great potential for the extraction and determination of trace analyte in a complex sample matrix for monitoring illegal use in livestock.
LncRNA DLEU1 facilitates the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by miR‐126‐5p/GAB1 axis
Authors: Sun Kan‐Da , Ni Yi‐Jiang , Qin Hui , Xu Qing‐Feng
Published: August 2022

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most frequent malignancies found in head and neck cancers. Dysregulation of lncRNAs has been proposed to be related to the development of OSCC. Here, we investigated the function and probable mechanisms of lncRNA DLEU1 in OSCC. OSCC cell lines and human oral keratinocytes (HOKs) were cultured, while SCC‐25 and CAL‐27 cells were transfected with the corresponding plasmids. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) and western blot were carried out to measure the RNA and protein levels. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were evaluated using MTT assays, wound healing and Transwell assays. The StarBase database predicted the interactions between DLEU1 and miR‐126‐5p, as well as miR‐126‐5p and GAB1, which were further validated using a dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Our results indicated that DLEU1 and GAB1 were upregulated, while miR‐126‐5p was downregulated in OSCC cells. Silencing DLEU1 reduced OSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while DLEU1 overexpression had the opposite effects. DLEU1 mediated biological effects in OSCC through binding to miR‐126‐5p, which directly targeted GAB1. miR‐126‐5p knockdown rescued the inhibitory function of DLEU1 depletion on proliferation, migration and invasion. Meanwhile, the miR‐126‐5p mimic exerted suppressive functions in the progression of OSCC, which were neutralized after GAB1 overexpression. In summary, lncRNA DLEU1 targets the miR‐126‐5p/GAB1 axis to aggravate OSCC progression, providing a novel target for treating OSCC.
Oral Premalignant and Malignant Lesions in Fanconi Anemia Patients
Authors: Archibald Hunter , Kalland Krystina , Kuehne Alexander , Ondrey Frank , Roby Brianne , Jakubowski Luke
Published: August 2022

Objective

There is a lack of data supporting cancer surveillance in pediatric Fanconi Anemia patients. We sought to describe the rates of upper aerodigestive lesions and malignancy in this population to augment current management guidelines.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients with Fanconi Anemia from a quaternary referral center between 2007–2021 was completed for head and neck cancer risk.

Results

One hundred and five FA patients were reviewed. Average age at presentation was 11.3 years old and 90.5% of patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). A total of 8.6% of patients had leukoplakia or erythroplakia and 3.8% developed malignancy. The standardized incidence ratio of head and neck malignancy was 483.8. Patients presented with leukoplakia and malignancy at an average age of 14.6 and 25.1 years old, respectively. Malignancies were aggressive and marked by recurrence. There were no premalignant or malignant lesions found on flexible laryngoscopy. This series represents the largest longitudinal series of pediatric FA head and neck lesions.

Conclusions

Fanconi Anemia patients should begin screening for head and neck cancer at age 10 or after HSCT.

Level of Evidence

Level 4 Laryngoscope, 133:1745–1748, 2023
Assessment of the influence of benzalkonium chloride addition on radiocarbon analysis of dissolved inorganic carbon
Authors: Takahashi Hiroshi A. , Minami Masayo
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to assess whether benzalkonium chloride (BAC) addition to water samples could be used as a disinfectant in the radiocarbon (14C) analysis of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). We investigated the effectiveness of BAC addition in inhibiting 14C changes in DIC due to microbial activity during water preservation. The DIC and 14C concentration of natural waters (groundwater, seawater, river water, and lake water) without BAC increased by 1.4–3.3 mg L−1 and 1.8–4.2 percent modern carbon (pMC) for 2 weeks, and 2.2–7.9 mg L−1 and 3.0–11.9 pMC for 4 weeks, respectively, while none of the BAC‐treated water samples, excluding seawater, exhibited changes in DIC or 14C concentration. Although slight increases in DIC and 14C concentrations in seawater with BAC treatment were observed, 0.4 mg L−1 and 0.4 pMC for 2 weeks, and 1.6 mg L−1 and 1.5 pMC for 4 weeks, respectively, these changes were 20–40% lower than that in seawater without BAC treatment. Furthermore, carbon contamination into the sample water due to BAC decomposition and BAC‐induced microorganism decomposition was negligible in 14C analysis, albeit using BAC solution without atmospheric CO2 contamination could be a significant issue. Our results demonstrate that BAC is an effective inhibitor of biological DIC changes for 14C analysis of freshwater samples, although slightly less effective in seawater
Topological Chiral Edge States in Deep‐Subwavelength Valley Photonic Metamaterials
Authors: Xi Rui , Chen Qiaolu , Yan Qinghui , Zhang Li , Chen Fujia , Li Ying , Chen Hongsheng , Yang Yihao
Published: August 2022

Topological valley photonics has emerged as a new frontier in photonics with many promising applications. Previous valley boundary transport relies on kink states at internal boundaries between two topologically distinct domains. However, recent studies have revealed a novel class of topological chiral edge states (CESs) at external boundaries of valley materials, which have remained elusive in photonics. Here, topological CESs are proposed and experimentally demonstrated in valley photonic metamaterials (VPMMs) by accurately tuning on‐site edge potentials. Moreover, the VPMMs work at deep‐subwavelength scales. Thus, the supported CESs are highly confined and self‐guiding without relying on a cladding layer to prevent leakage radiation. Via direct near‐field measurements, the bulk bandgap, the edge dispersions, and the robust edge transport passing through sharp corners, which are hallmark signatures of the CESs, are observed. This work paves a way to explore novel topological edge states in valley photonics and sheds light on robust and miniaturized photonic devices.
Ultra‐High Modulus Hydrogels Mimicking Cartilage of the Human Body
Authors: Demott Connor J. , Jones McKenzie R. , Chesney Caleb D. , Yeisley Daniel J. , Culibrk Robert A. , Hahn Mariah S. , Grunlan Melissa A.
Published: August 2022

The human body is comprised of numerous types of cartilage with a range of high moduli, despite their high hydration. Owing to the limitations of cartilage tissue healing and biological grafting procedures, synthetic replacements have emerged but are limited by poorly matched moduli. While conventional hydrogels can achieve similar hydration to cartilage tissues, their moduli are substantially inferior. Herein, triple network (TN) hydrogels are prepared to synergistically leverage intra‐network electrostatic repulsive and hydrophobic interactions, as well as inter‐network electrostatic attractive interactions. They are comprised of an anionic 1st network, a neutral 2nd network (capable of hydrophobic associations), and a cationic 3rd network. Collectively, these interactions act synergistically as effective, yet dynamic crosslinks. By tuning the concentration of the cationic 3rd network, these TN hydrogels achieve high moduli of ≈1.5 to ≈3.5 MPa without diminishing cartilage‐like water contents (≈80%), strengths, or toughness values. This unprecedented combination of properties poises these TN hydrogels as cartilage substitutes in applications spanning articulating joints, intervertebral discs (IVDs), trachea, and temporomandibular joint disc (TMJ).
Yogurt Benefits Bone Mineralization in Ovariectomized Rats with Concomitant Modulation of the Gut Microbiome
Authors: He Weiwei , Xie Zhuqing , Wittig Nina Kølln , Zachariassen Line F. , Andersen Amanda , Andersen Henrik J. , Birkedal Henrik , Nielsen Dennis S. , Hansen Axel K. , Bertram Hanne Christine
Published: August 2022

Scope

Evidence supports that gut‐modulating foods potentially can suppress bone loss in postmenopausal women. This study aims to investigate the effect of milk calcium‐enriched milk, yogurt, and yogurt‐inulin combination on the gut–bone association.

Methods and results

A 6‐week intervention study is conducted in ovariectomized rats. Four pastes containing milk calcium‐fortified milk (M‐Ca), milk calcium‐fortified yogurt (Y‐Ca), inulin‐fortified Y‐Ca (Y‐I‐Ca), or an isoconcentration of calcium carbonate (Ca‐N), and a calcium‐deficient paste are provided. M‐Ca does not influence bone mineral density and content (BMD and BMC), femur mechanical strength, or femoral microstructure compared to Ca‐N, but Y‐Ca increases spine BMD. The serum metabolome reveals that Y‐Ca modulated glycine‐related pathways with reduced glycine, serine, and threonine. No additive effects of yogurt and inulin are found on bone parameters. Correlation analysis shows that increased lactobacilli and reduced Clostridiaceae members in Y‐Ca is associated with an increased spine BMD. Increases in Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, Turicibacter, Blautia, and Allobaculum and gut short‐chain fatty acids in Y‐I‐Ca are not reflected in bone parameters.

Conclusion

Yogurt as calcium vehicle contributes to increased spine BMD concomitant with changes in the gut microbiome and glycine‐related pathways, while adding inulin to yogurt does not affect bone mineralization in ovariectomized rats.
Maximizing reachability in a temporal graph obtained by assigning starting times to a collection of walks
Authors: Brunelli Filippo , Crescenzi Pierluigi , Viennot Laurent
Published: August 2022

In a temporal graph, each edge appears and can be traversed at specific points in time. In such a graph, temporal reachability of one node from another is naturally captured by the existence of a temporal path where edges appear in chronological order. Inspired by the optimization of bus/metro/tramway schedules in a public transport network, we consider the problem of turning a collection of walks (called trips) in a directed graph into a temporal graph by assigning a starting time to each trip in order to maximize the reachability among pairs of nodes. Each trip represents the trajectory of a vehicle and its edges must be scheduled one right after another. Setting a starting time to the trip thus forces the appearance time of all its edges. We call such a starting time assignment a trip temporalization. We obtain several results about the complexity of maximizing reachability via trip temporalization. Among them, we show that maximizing reachability via trip temporalization is hard to approximate within a factor in an ‐vertex digraph, even if we assume that for each pair of nodes, there exists a trip temporalization connecting them. On the positive side, we show that there must exist a trip temporalization connecting a constant fraction of all pairs if we additionally assume symmetry, that is, when the collection of trips to be scheduled is such that, for each trip, there is a symmetric trip visiting the same nodes in reverse order.
Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among spouses of women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zhou Lihua , Hong Jingfang , Henricson Maria , Qin Rumeng , Dai Yu , Enskär Karin , Stenmarker Margaretha , Browall Maria
Published: August 2022

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the factors that are associated with posttraumatic growth among spouses of women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer.

Design

A cross‐sectional descriptive study.

Methods

A convenience sample of 312 spouses of women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer was recruited from two comprehensive hospitals in China, from March 2018 to March 2020. Demographic characteristics, cancer‐related characteristics, posttraumatic growth, perceived social support and coping were assessed using self‐reported questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. The methods were guided by the STROBE checklist.

Results

The mean score of posttraumatic growth was 46.7 (standard deviation = 16.7). The associated factors of posttraumatic growth were spouses' age, perceived social support, problem‐focused coping, dysfunctional coping (e.g. denial) and cancer treatment received by partners, which accounted for 34% of total posttraumatic growth score.

Patient or public contribution

All participants contributed to the conducting of this study by completing self‐reported questionnaires.
Validation of the cognitive performance scale of the interRAI‐PAC and montreal cognitive assessment
Authors: Ou Jibing , Xu Chunyan , Fu Yuton , Chen Qian , Han Yongqian , Yao Liqing
Published: August 2022

Aims

The Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS), a minimum data set instrument of the interRAI, was initially designed to evaluate cognition in residential care and has demonstrated strong diagnostic accuracy. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and validity of the CPS in the post‐acute care setting among post‐stroke patients hospitalized in rehabilitation wards.

Design

Mixed methods.

Methods

The observational study was conducted in rehabilitation wards. Diagnostic accuracy was used to explore the level of agreement between CPS and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in 321 inpatients (62.12 years; 68.2% male).

Results

The diagnostic accuracy of the CPS was poor when MoCA was less than 24 as a gold standard, with an area under the curve of 0.69 (standard error 0.03, 95% confidence interval = 0.62–0.75). The CPS had a poor to moderate correlation with MoCA (rs = −.35).
Construction of haemodialysis nursing‐sensitive quality indicators based on Donabedian theory: A Delphi method study
Authors: Chen Lin , Zhang Yingjun , Li Chao , Li Qiao , He Li
Published: August 2022

Aims

To establish a sensitive, scientific and practical evaluation system for haemodialysis nursing and to provide a reference for the evaluation of haemodialysis nursing quality.

Design

Through a literature review and Delphi method.

Method

According to the literature review, a preliminary nursing‐sensitive quality indicators for haemodialysis were established, and an expert survey questionnaire was designed. Finally, the evaluation system for the nursing‐sensitive quality indicators was determined using the Delphi method.

Results

Thirteen nursing‐sensitive quality indicators for haemodialysis were finally constructed, including two structural indicators, three process indicators and eight outcome indicators. The effective recovery rate of the two rounds of expert survey questionnaires was 100%, the coefficient of judgement basis is 0.956, the coefficient of familiarity is 0.833, the coefficient of authority is 0.895, and the Kendall's harmony coefficients of the two rounds of expert consultation were 0.158 ~ 0.307 and 0.170 ~ 0.315, respectively, with statistical significance (p < .05).

Clinical relevance

In this study, the nursing‐sensitive quality indicators for haemodialysis were developed by the Delphi method and included structural indicators, outcome indicators and process indicators, which made up for some deficiencies noted in previous studies. The authors have provided a more reliable and comprehensive basis for evaluating the quality and safety of haemodialysis nursing in the future.
Stress‐free two‐way shape memory property and microstructure evolution of single‐phase polymer networks
Authors: Hao Chaobo , Yue Huimin , Zhou Junjie , He Suqin , Liu Hao , Huang Miaoming , Liu Wentao
Published: August 2022

In this work, single‐phase polymer networks with excellent stress‐free two‐way shape memory effect (2W‐SME) were successfully fabricated based on poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) and dicumyl peroxide. The microstructural evolution during actuation was repeatable and reversible, as demonstrated by the in situ wide‐angle X‐ray scattering. During multiple heating and cooling cycles, the (110) and (200) reflections of EVA appeared with increasing intensity, and the orientation degree was high at the low temperature point (10°C), suggesting that the oriented crystallites are present throughout the entire sample and hold extended conformation of the polymer strands in the amorphous phase. When heating to a high temperature (Thigh = 70°C), partial melting of crystallites leads to the contraction of the material, and the intensity of the (110) and (200) reflections and the orientation became smaller, indicating that the residual oriented crystallites could still provide an anisotropic skeleton for the oriented recrystallization of the amorphous molecular chain. Moreover, the reversible actuation strain showed a maximum value of 15.6% at a Thigh of 72°C and was present even at a Thigh of 80°C when the polymer had a very small crystalline fraction (2.2%). Considering the remarkable stress‐free 2W‐SME, EVA may have potential applications in smart grippers, actuators, and sensors.
Role of private prescriptions in the long‐term use of benzodiazepines and Z‐drugs: A patient‐related follow‐up study
Authors: Grimmsmann Thomas , Himmel Wolfgang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To analyse (1) how often patients insured under the statutory health insurance (SHI) scheme received repeated prescriptions for benzodiazepines or Z‐drugs as private prescriptions and (2) how often doctors switched from SHI prescriptions to private prescriptions and vice versa when issuing repeat prescriptions.

Methods

On basis of anonymized prescriptions from 874 ambulatory practices in Germany, we analysed the percentage of private prescriptions for Z‐drugs, benzodiazepines/anxiolytics, and benzodiazepines/hypnotics and sedatives over 6 years (2014 to 2020).

Results

Of 2 200 446 prescriptions for a benzodiazepine or Z‐drug, 38% were private prescriptions. In case of Z‐drugs, the rate of private prescriptions was 44.1% for single prescriptions and 48.9% for refills. The difference was smaller for anxiolytics (23.3% vs. 26.0%) and, for benzodiazepine/hypnotics and sedatives, the proportion of private prescriptions for refills was even lower than for single prescriptions. In case of Z‐drugs, the proportion of private prescriptions was, on average, 42.7% for the first prescription of a series of repeat prescriptions and 49.6% for the tenth prescription. The increase was smaller for anxiolytics and negligible for benzodiazepine/hypnotics and sedatives. Doctors stayed with their initial decision in more than three quarters of repeat prescriptions, be it a SHI or private prescription.

Conclusion

While we observed a large number of private prescriptions for benzodiazepines and Z‐drugs, the proportion was only slightly higher for refills than for single prescriptions. Doctors do not seem to issue private prescriptions as a strategy to mask especially long‐term use of these substances.
Clinical presentation and outcomes of hospitalized children with COVID‐19 in Mexico City
Authors: Diaz David R. , Urrutia Samuel , Gutierrez Gabriel , Cuevas Francisco
Published: August 2022

We describe the demographic, clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings relating them also to the severity and clinical outcome of 129 children (0–18 years) who were admitted to a tertiary care pediatric hospital in Mexico City due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. The infection was confirmed using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction Fever (82.2%), tachypnea (72.1%), and cough (71.3%) were the most reported signs at the moment of hospitalization. The most frequent radiological pattern that stood out was the interstitial pattern (66.7%). History of oncologic pathology (25.6%) was the most frequent past medical history. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (93%), antibiotics (57.4%), and steroids (40.3%) were the most common medication given. The average hospitalization stay was 14.2 days, and 21.7% of the total patients required transfer to the intensive care unit. At discharge, 20.2% required oxygen on an outpatient basis, and unfortunately, 7.0% of the patients who were admitted to the institute for COVID‐19 died. Our findings confirm that COVID‐19 in children has a mild presentation except for patients with hematologic/oncologic comorbidities who had severe presentations.
Randomized gates eliminate bias in sort‐seq assays
Authors: Trippe Brian L. , Huang Buwei , DeBenedictis Erika A. , Coventry Brian , Bhattacharya Nicholas , Yang Kevin K. , Baker David , Crawford Lorin
Published: August 2022

Sort‐seq assays are a staple of the biological engineering toolkit, allowing researchers to profile many groups of cells based on any characteristic that can be tied to fluorescence. However, current approaches, which segregate cells into bins deterministically based on their measured fluorescence, introduce systematic bias. We describe a surprising result: one can obtain unbiased estimates by incorporating randomness into sorting. We validate this approach in simulation and experimentally, and describe extensions for both estimating group level variances and for using multi‐bin sorters.
A rice plant expressing viral glycoprotein NSvc2‐NS reduces the transmission of rice stripe virus by the small brown planthopper
Authors: Lu Chengye , Jin Daoran , Zhang Lujie , Lu Gang , Ji Yinghua , Zhou Yijun , Wang Yunyue , Li Shuo
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

Plant viruses transmitted by arthropod vectors threaten crop health worldwide. Rice stripe virus (RSV) is one of the most important rice viruses in East Asia and is transmitted by the small brown planthopper (SBPH). Previously, it was demonstrated that the viral glycoprotein NSvs2‐N could mediate RSV infection of the vector midgut. Therefore, NSvc2‐N protein could potentially be used to reduce RSV transmission by competitively blocking midgut receptors.

RESULTS

Here, we report that transgenic rice plants expressing viral glycoprotein can interfere with RSV acquisition and transmission by SBPH. The soluble fraction (30–268 amino acids, designated NSvs2‐NS) of NSvs2‐N was transformed into rice calli, which produced plants harboring the exogenous gene. When SBPH was fed on transgenic plants prior to RSV‐infected rice (sequential feeding) and when insects were fed on RSV‐infected transgenic plants (concomitant feeding), virus acquisition by the insect vector was inhibited, and subsequent viral titers were reduced. Immunofluorescence labeling also indicated that viral infection of the insect midgut was inhibited after SBPH was fed on transgenic plants. The system by which RSV infected insect cells in vitro was used to corroborate the role of NSvc2‐NS in reducing viral infection. After the cells were incubated with transgenic rice sap, the virus infection rate of the cells decreased significantly, and viral accumulation in the cells was lower than that in the control group.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated the negative effect of NSvs2‐NS transgenic plants on RSV transmission by insect vectors, which provides a novel and effective way to control plant viral diseases. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Mutation of a lepidopteran‐specific PMP‐like protein, BmLSPMP‐like, induces a stick body shape in silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Tan Duan , Hu Hai , Tong Xiaoling , Han Minjin , Gai Tingting , Lou Jinghou , Yan Zhengwen , Xiong Gao , Lu Cheng , Dai Fangyin
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

Lepidoptera is one of the largest orders of insects, some of which are major pests of crops and forests. The cuticles of lepidopteran pests play important roles in defense against insecticides and pathogens, and are indispensable for constructing and maintaining extracellular structures and locomotion during their life cycle. Lepidopteran‐specific cuticular proteins could be potential targets for lepidopteran pest control. But information on this is limited. Our research aimed to screen the lepidopteran‐specific cuticular proteins using the lepidopteran model, the silkworm, to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the involvement of cuticular proteins in body shape construction.

RESULTS

Positional cloning showed that BmLSPMP‐like, a gene encoding a lepidopteran‐specific peritrophic matrix protein (PMP) like protein which includes a peritrophin A‐type chitin‐binding domain (CBM_14), is responsible for the stick (sk) mutation. BmLSPMP‐like is an evolutionarily conserved gene that exhibits synteny in Lepidoptera and underwent purifying selection during evolution. Expression profiles demonstrated that BmLSPMP‐like is expressed in chitin‐forming tissues, testis and ovary, and accumulates in the cuticle. BmLSPMP‐like knockout, generated with CRISPR/Cas9, resulted in a stick‐like larval body shape phenotype. Over‐expression of BmLSPMP‐like in the sk mutant rescued its abnormal body shape. The results showed that BmLSPMP‐like may be involved in assemblage in the larval cuticle.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that the dysfunction of BmLSPMP‐like may result in a stick body shape phenotype in silkworm, through the regulation of the arrangement of the chitinous laminae and cuticle thickness. Our study provides new evidence of the effects of LSPMP‐likes on lepidopteran body shape formation, metamorphosis and mortality, which could be an eco‐friendly target for lepidopteran pest management. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Branched short elastin‐like peptides with temperature responsiveness obtained by EDTA‐mediated multimerization
Authors: Tanaka Naoki , Suyama Keitaro , Tomohara Keisuke , Maeda Iori , Nose Takeru
Published: August 2022

Elastin‐like peptides (ELPs) exhibit a reversible phase transition, known as coacervation, triggered by temperature changes. This property makes them useful as stimuli‐responsive molecular materials for various applications. Among ELPs, short peptide chain lengths have some advantages over long peptide chain lengths because short ELPs can be easily obtained by chemical synthesis, allowing the use of various amino acids, including D‐type and unnatural amino acids, at any position in the sequence. Moreover, the incorporated amino acids readily affect the temperature‐responsive behavior of ELPs. However, to be utilized in various applications, it is necessary to develop short ELPs and to investigate their temperature‐responsive properties. To obtain further insights into the temperature‐responsive behavior of the short ELPs, we investigated branched short ELP analogs composed of (FPGVG)n chains (n = 1 or 2, abbreviated as F1 and F2, respectively). We synthesized multimers composed of four F1 chains or two to four F2 chains using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a central component of multimerization. Our results show that the multimers obtained exhibited coacervation in aqueous solutions whereas linear F1 or F2 did not. Furthermore, the structural features of the obtained multimers were the same as those of linear (FPGVG)4. In this study, we demonstrated that molecules capable of coacervation can be obtained by multimerization of F1 or F2. The temperature‐responsive molecules obtained using short ELPs make it possible to use them as easy‐to‐synthesize peptide tags to confer temperature responsiveness to various molecules, which will aid the development of temperature‐responsive biomaterials with a wide variety of functions.
Study on the pathogenesis and prevention strategies of kidney stones based on GC–MS combined with metabolic pathway analysis
Authors: Xie Haijie , Wang Rui , Xie Linguo , Wang Xianhua , Liu Chunyu
Published: August 2022

Rationale

Most kidney stone composition analyses include organic compounds, and only few organic volatile compounds have been reported.

Methods

In the present study, a novel approach for studying the pathogenesis and prevention of kidney stones was established. First, common organic volatile compounds were detected using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) in 137 kidney stone samples. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database and MetaboAnalyst 5.0 software were then used to analyze the metabolic pathways associated with the development of kidney stones.

Results

The metabolic pathway analysis of the common component cholesterol revealed that two metabolic pathways, the steroid biosynthesis pathway and the primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway, were closely associated with the formation of kidney stones. The pretreatment process for stone analysis, including the solvent type, solvent volume, and extraction time, was optimized to improve the detection efficiency. The calibration curve was y = 756 299x – 8 000 000, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9992, which was obtained over the concentration range of 10–500 μg ml−1 of cholesterol. The recovery values of cholesterol ranged from 93.34% to 94.67%, 96.98% to 99.23%, and 87.27% to 93.00% when spiked with 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 μg, respectively, with a relative standard deviation of no less than 3.18%. Finally, the content of common compounds was determined in 37 renal stone samples using the modified GC–MS method.

Conclusions

The common organic volatile compound in the kidney stone samples detected using GC–MS was cholesterol, and the steroid biosynthesis and primary bile acid biosynthesis pathways were determined to be closely associated with the formation of kidney stones. The GC–MS method for detecting cholesterol in kidney stones was optimized for efficiency and accuracy.
From Knightian uncertainty to real‐structuredness: Further opening the judgment black box
Authors: Rapp David J. , Olbrich Michael
Published: August 2022

Research Summary

Entrepreneurial judgment remains a concept that resembles a black box. This article attempts to further open that black box by developing a dimensionalization of types of judgment. To achieve this, it joins recent efforts to explicitly link entrepreneurship to Simonian themes by integrating the notion of decision problem structures into the judgment‐based approach (JBA) to entrepreneurship. This article proposes a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to judgment in the face of decision problems we label “real‐structured.” Extending the JBA comes with several important implications: It uncovers additional entrepreneurial knowledge problems, provides new insights for both economic organization and judgment communicability, and informs research on entrepreneurial success and failure. It also sheds new light on the controversy over the relationship between effectuation and judgment.

Managerial Summary

When taking decisions, entrepreneurs cannot know how the future will pan out. Those decisions are made under conditions of uncertainty and only time will tell whether they prove astute or otherwise. The uncertainty of the future leads entrepreneurs to exercise judgment based on their individual beliefs and to act accordingly. The components of that entrepreneurial judgment remain rather underexplored. The purpose of this article is to dig deeper into, and thereby improve, the understanding of entrepreneurial judgment. The main result of this article is a four‐part dimensionalization of judgment, covering entrepreneurial (sub‐)judgments on the effects incurred by action, the appraisal of action alternatives, the goals underlying action, and resolving the decision problem.
Injectable “cocktail” hydrogel with dual‐stimuli‐responsive drug release, photothermal ablation, and drug‐antibody synergistic effect
Authors: Zhao Li , Xu Jiawen , Tong Yao , Gong Pengyu , Gao Fucheng , Li Hui , Jiang Yanyan
Published: August 2022

The combination of the first‐line standard chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and the molecular‐targeted drug Herceptin (HCT) has emerged as a promising strategy for human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER‐2) overexpressing breast cancer treatment. However, insufficient drug accumulation and severe cardiotoxicity are two major challenges that limit its clinical application. Herein, an in situ forming gold nanorods (AuNRs)‐sodium alginate (ALG) hybrid hydrogel encapsulating DOX and HCT was engineered for tumor synergistic therapy involving injectable, dual‐stimuli‐responsive drug release, photothermal ablation, and drug‐antibody synergistic therapy. The photothermal agent AuNRs, anticancer drug DOX, and anticancer antibody HCT were mixed in ALG solution, and after injection, the soluble ALG was quickly transformed into a hydrogel in the presence of Ca2+ in the body. Significantly, the hybrid hydrogel exhibits an extremely high photothermal conversion efficiency of 70% under 808 nm laser irradiation. The thermal effect can also provide photothermal stimulation to trigger the drug release from the gel matrix. In addition, the drug release rate and the releasing degree are also sensitive to the pH. In vitro studies demonstrated that the PEI‐AuNR/DOX/HCT/ALG hydrogel has facilitated the therapeutic efficiency of each payload and demonstrated a strong synergistic killing effect on SK‐BR‐3 cells. In vivo imaging results showed that the local drug delivery system can effectively reduce the nonspecific distribution in normal tissues and increase drug concentration at tumor sites. The proposed hydrogel system shows significant clinical implications by easily introducing a sustainable photothermal therapy and a potential universal carrier for the local delivery of multiple drugs to overcome the challenges faced in HER‐2 overexpressing cancer therapy.
Flexible and Robust Ti3C2Tx/(ANF@FeNi) Composite Films with Outstanding Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Electrothermal Conversion Performances
Authors: Zhao Bo , Ma Zhonglei , Sun Yuyao , Han Yixuan , Gu Junwei
Published: August 2022

Flexible and robust multifunctional electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are playing an increasingly important role in areas of aerospace, electronic communication, artificial intelligence, and wearable electronic devices. Herein, the magnetic and conductive Ti3C2T
x
/(ANF@FeNi) EMI shielding composite films are fabricated via in situ growth and vacuum‐assisted filtration methods. The introduction of magnetic FeNi nanoparticles can effectively enhance the electromagnetic recombination losses, leading to improved EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the composite films. The obtained Ti3C2T
x
/(ANF@FeNi) composite films show excellent EMI shielding and electrothermal conversion performances. When the mass fraction of Ti3C2T
x
and FeNi fillers is 60 wt% and their mass ratio is 4:1, the EMI SE of the composite films (50 μm) reaches 60.7 dB in the X‐band (8.2–12.4 GHz). When a low voltage of 3 V is applied, the surface heating temperature of the composite films quickly reaches 111.2 °C. Moreover, the composite films possess satisfied long‐term heating stability under the constant applied voltage. In addition, the composite films exhibit excellent thermal conductivity and mechanical properties. The thermal conductivity (λ) and thermal diffusivity (α) reach 4.72 W m−1 K−1 and 4.36 mm2 s−1, respectively, and the tensile strength and tensile modulus reach 113.4 MPa and 3.1 GPa, respectively.
Veterinarians’ experiences of treating cases of animal abuse: An online questionnaire study
Authors: Williams Joanne M. , Wauthier Laura ,   Scottish SPCA, Knoll Monja
Published: August 2022

Background

This study aimed to examine veterinarians’ experiences of treating cases of nonaccidental injury and other forms of animal abuse and to assess their support needs and barriers to reporting cases.

Methods

An online questionnaire was completed by 215 veterinarians. The survey included items on demographics and veterinary experience, experience of nonaccidental injuries during the last 12 months, case studies, perceptions of the roles of veterinarians in identifying and reporting cases, and barriers to reporting.

Results

Fifty‐three percent reported treating cases and 9% reported suspected cases of abuse in the last 12 months. Experience of abuse in the last 12 months did not vary in terms of veterinarians’ age, sex or number of years in practice. The most commonly affected animals were dogs, cats and rabbits, and the most common forms of abuse were neglect and physical abuse. Case studies focused on physical abuse cases, but neglect cases more often resulted in death. Veterinarians showed high concern about animal abuse but varied in their confidence to intervene and perceived barriers to reporting.

Conclusion

Experience of animal abuse is common, and veterinarians feel a strong moral duty to act, but can lack confidence in intervening. Abuse cases affect stress levels and compassion fatigue; therefore, support and training are needed.
Activated aggregation strategies to construct size‐increasing nanoparticles for cancer therapy
Authors: Lu Zhenni , Liu Dongya , Wei Peng , Yi Tao
Published: August 2022

The development of novel therapeutic strategies and modalities for tumors is still one of the important areas of current scientific research. Low permeability and short residence time of drugs in solid tumor areas are important reasons for the low efficiency of existing therapeutic strategies. Typically, nanoparticles with large size displayed enhanced residence time but low permeability. Therefore, to prolong the retention time of materials in solid tumors, size‐increasing strategies have been developed to directly generate large‐scale nanoparticles using small molecular compounds or increase the size of small nanoparticles in solid tumor areas. In this review, we summarize recently reported activatable aggregation systems that could be activated by cancer‐related substances for cancer therapy and classify them by the mechanisms that lead to aggregation. In the end, we propose some potential challenges briefly from the view of our opinion.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Enhancing Older Adults’ Digital Inclusion Through Social Support: A Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Kuoppamäki Sanna , Hänninen Riitta , Taipale Sakari
Published: August 2022

A lack of social support can hinder older adults’ digital inclusion. This chapter examines the connection between social and digital inclusion by focusing on the process of acquiring social support for digital technology use among older adults in Finland. Building on the concept of warm expert, the chapter shows that acquiring support for digital technology use is a reciprocal process that both enhances and requires digital inclusion. A qualitative analysis of 22 participant-induced elicitation interviews was conducted with older adults aged between 57 and 89. The chapter shows that social support reinforces digital inclusion by (a) ensuring older adults’ access to technology, (b) catering for their positive approach towards technology and (c) improving their skills to use technology independently. The connection between social and digital inclusion also operates the other way round. Digital inclusion is required to gain social support that is more readily at hand in a technology-mediated manner.
Androgyny and the End of Manhood
Authors: Almassi Ben
Published: August 2022

This chapter considers the appeal and limitations of feminist androgyny and rejections of masculinity as viable alternatives to traditional patriarchal masculinity in the late twentieth century. We explore multiple conceptions of androgyny as more and less compatible with feminist values, revisit John Stoltenberg’s repudiation of manhood and masculinity on feminist grounds, and trace how feminist androgyny and refusals of masculinity recur throughout many scholarly and popular accounts of men and manhood. We conclude by considering some notable challenges attendant to Stoltenberg’s advice for men of conscience and his account of double vision.
Feminist Reclamations of Masculinity
Authors: Almassi Ben
Published: August 2022

Resistance to discarding manhood and masculinity comes from not only conservatives but also avowed feminists like bell hooks, who sought to reclaim masculinity as not just compatible with but grounded in feminist values and projects. We turn in this chapter to feminist reclamations of masculinity, most notably (though not limited to) hooks’ We Real Cool and The Will to Change. There is a lot to admire in these efforts to reclaim feminist masculinity; much of what they identify as constituting better, more just, more mindful masculinity are indeed good human qualities. Yet as a viable guide for feminist men, these accounts fall short in one way or another.
Allyship Masculinities in the Unjust Meantime
Authors: Almassi Ben
Published: August 2022

This chapter explores the intersectional potential of and challenges for feminist allyship masculinities in social context. What does it mean for allyship masculinities to be open to all men, not in spite but because of the diversity of social locations and experiences among us? We take up epistemological challenges for allyship masculinity including active ignorance, epistemic injustice, and situated knowledge, before turning to social, political, and ethical challenges, with particular attention to issues of accountability and male privilege put toward feminist ends within patriarchal systems.
Introduction
Authors: Marschlich Sarah
Published: August 2022

This thesis explores the role of corporate diplomacy in the legitimation of multinational corporations (MNCs). By combining a sociological neo-institutional approach with public relations and news framing theory, this research examines how corporate diplomacy in a company’s host country, in this case, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is performed, how news media in the host country frame corporate diplomacy, and how corporate diplomacy news affect organizational legitimacy. A mixed-method research design was applied to explore corporate diplomacy and its link to organizational legitimacy. The findings show that the corporations use different corporate diplomacy modes to gain legitimacy. Moreover, results imply that organizational legitimacy judgments, shaped by the news media, mainly depend on the demonstrated linkages of the corporation with the UAE government and the outlined benefits of corporate diplomacy for the local community. The results suggest that foreign corporations adapt to the host country’s cultural and political system to gain organizational legitimacy. This research has significant implications for theory and practice by offering profound insights into the role of corporate diplomacy in organizational legitimation from the organizational, media, and audience perspectives.