bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case report of Parry–Romberg syndrome
Authors: Babaei Kiana , Rahnama Ali , Shurvarzi Nora , Movahedi Ali
Published: May 2024

Key Clinical Message

Parry–Romberg syndrome is characterized by progressive dystrophy in one half of the face, which usually begins in childhood. Correct and timely diagnosis of this disease, as well as a multidisciplinary approach and timely surgical treatment to minimize the psychological effects and improve the patient's appearance are of particular importance.

Parry–Romberg syndrome is characterized by progressive dystrophy or loss of subcutaneous tissue in one half of the face, which usually begins in childhood and continues with skin changes, and can also be associated with linear scleroderma. Although this disease has been known for more than 150 years, its exact cause and pathogenesis are not well understood. The clinical feature of Parry–Romberg syndrome that makes it possible to diagnose is unilateral idiopathic facial atrophy. The reported case is a 14‐year‐old boy who suffered from hemifacial atrophy of the frontal area since he was 7 years old was referred to a plastic and cosmetic surgery specialist and underwent surgery without systemic symptoms and in the inactive phase of the disease. Correct and timely diagnosis of this disease, as well as a multidisciplinary approach and timely and appropriate surgical treatment to minimize the psychological effects and improve the patient's appearance are of particular importance.
Mind the gap: The fissure between aspirations and actions in climate change governance at a local government level: A study of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
Authors: Gadu Siyaxola Ernest , Adom Richard Kwame , Simatele Mulala Danny
Published: May 2024

It is no longer a myth that climate change‐related disasters are on the rise globally, with severe and devastating consequences in developing countries, particularly in Sub‐Saharan Africa, where many of the world's poor people reside. Thus, the emphasis on adaptation to climate change is no longer a choice or a deferred problem into the future, but rather an urgent matter of concern which must be considered a policy priority. As a response to retrogressive climate change challenges on social‐economic development and environmental degradation, the government of South Africa has in the last two and half decades, embarked on the progressive formulation of different policy instruments and strategic frameworks to curb and minimize the impacts of climate change on all sub‐sectors of the economy. Although much remains to be achieved, some level of success has been realized, particularly in the space of policy formulation, albeit the poor record of implementation. Using research methods inspired by the tradition of qualitative research and an appraisal of existing literature, this paper discusses the complexities of climate change adaptation governance at a local government level in South Africa, focusing on the Eastern Cape Province. It is argued in the paper that one of the major challenges for climate change governance at local municipality levels in South Africa emanates from the gap between aspirations and actions across the entire national governance system. The absence of an integrated climate change governance system has posed significant systemic challenges, and these have tended to constrain decision‐making and implementation processes. These issues have been discussed within the broader discourse of the sustainable development goals, particularly goals number 13, 16 and 17.
The Oscillatory Behaviour of Cu‐ZSM‐5 Catalysts for N2O Decomposition: Investigation of Cu Species by Complementary Techniques
Authors: Rizzetto Andrea , Sartoretti Enrico , Khoma Khrystyna , Armandi Marco , Piumetti Marco , Bensaid Samir , Pirone Raffaele
Published: May 2024

Copper‐exchanged ZSM‐5 (Cu‐ZSM‐5) is a promising catalyst thanks to the Cu redox pair. A particular feature of this material consists in the presence of spontaneous isothermal oscillations which take place during N2O decomposition reaction, depending on the operating conditions. In the present work, a set of five Cu‐ZSM‐5 catalysts was synthesised by three procedures and three different copper precursor concentrations: i) wet impregnation, ii) single ion exchange, and iii) double ion exchange. Catalytic tests revealed that the ion‐exchanged samples exhibit a low catalytic activity and no oscillatory behaviour, except for the twice‐exchanged sample which achieves an average N2O conversion of 26 % at 400 °C. Conversely, the impregnated samples reach higher levels of N2O conversion (66 % for Cu5ZSM5_WI and 72 % for Cu10ZSM5_WI) and demonstrate a similar oscillating pattern. Further investigations disclosed that the most active catalysts, characterised by the presence of oscillatory behaviour, have more abundant and easily reducible copper species (ICP, EDX and H2‐TPR) which interact better with the zeolitic support (FT‐IR). Catalytic tests under a long time on stream (TOS) suggest that either self‐organised patterns or deterministic chaos can be achieved during the reaction, depending on the operating conditions, such as temperature and contact time.
Copper/Polyaniline Interfaces Confined CO2 Electroreduction for Selective Hydrocarbon Production
Authors: Xu Yeqing , Zhao Yong , Kochubei Alena , Lee Chong‐Yong , Wagner Pawel , Chen Zhiqi , Jiang Yijiao , Yan Wei , Wallace Gordon G. , Wang Caiyun
Published: May 2024

Polyaniline (PANI) provides an attractive organic platform for CO2 electrochemical reduction due to the ability to adsorb CO2 molecules and in providing means to interact with metal nanostructures. In this work, a novel PANI supported copper catalyst has been developed by coupling the interfacial polymerization of PANI and Cu. The hybrid catalyst demonstrates excellent activity towards production of hydrocarbon products including CH4 and C2H4, compared with the use of bare Cu. A Faradaic efficiency of 71.8 % and a current density of 16.9 mA/cm2 were achieved at −0.86 V vs. RHE, in contrast to only 22.2 % and 1.0 mA/cm2 from the counterpart Cu catalysts. The remarkably enhanced catalytic performance of the hybrid PANI/Cu catalyst can be attributed to the synergistic interaction between the PANI underlayer and copper. The PANI favours the adsorption and binding of CO2 molecules via its nitrogen sites to form *CO intermediates, while the Cu/PANI interfaces confine the diffusion or desorption of the *CO intermediates favouring their further hydrogenation or carbon‐carbon coupling to form hydrocarbon products. This work provides insights into the formation of hydrocarbon products on PANI‐modified Cu catalysts, which may guide the development of conducting polymer‐metal catalysts for CO2 electroreduction.
Electrostatic Self‐Assembly Synthesis of Pd/In2O3 Nanocatalysts with Improved Performance Toward CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol
Authors: Wu Jingxian , Lu Bowen , Yang Siyu , Huang Jian , Wang Wei , Dun Rongmin , Hua Zile
Published: May 2024

CO2 hydrogenation to methanol has emerged as a promising strategy for achieving carbon neutrality and mitigating global warming, in which the supported Pd/In2O3 catalysts are attracting great attention due to their high selectivity. Nonetheless, conventional impregnation methods induce strong metal‐support interaction (SMSI) between Pd and In2O3, which leads to the excessive reduction of In2O3 and the formation of undesirable PdIn alloy in hydrogen‐rich atmospheres. Herein, we innovatively synthesized Pd/In2O3 nanocatalysts by the electrostatic self‐assembly process between surface‐modified composite precursors with opposite charges. And the organic ligands concurrently serve as Pd nanoparticle protective agents. The resultant Pd/In2O3 nanocatalyst demonstrates the homogeneous distribution of Pd nanoparticles with controllable sizes on In2O3 supports and the limited formation of PdIn alloy. As a result, it exhibits superior selectivity and stability compared to the counterparts synthesized by the conventional impregnation procedure. Typically, it attains a maximum methanol space‐time yield of 0.54 gMeOH h−1gcat−1 (300 °C, 3.5 MPa, 21,000 mL gcat−1 h−1). Notably, the correlation characterization results reveal the significant effect of small‐size, highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles in mitigating MSI. These results provide an alternative strategy for synthesizing highly efficient Pd/In2O3 catalysts and offer a new insight into the strong metal‐support interaction.
Bortezomib in previously treated phosphatase and tension homology‐deficient patients with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: An open‐label, prospective and single‐centre phase II trial
Authors: Zeng Tian‐mei , Jiang Tian‐yi , Yang Guang , Cheng Zhuo , Lou Cheng , Wei Wei , Tao Chen‐jie , Hu Shouzi , Wang Hui , Cui Xiao‐wen , Tan Ye‐xiong , Dong Li‐wei , Wang Hong‐yang , Yuan Zhen‐gang
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is characterized by a dismal prognosis with limited therapeutic alternatives. To explore phosphatase and tension homolog (PTEN) as a biomarker for proteasome inhibition in ICC, we conducted a phase II trial to assess the second‐line efficacy of bortezomib in PTEN‐deficient advanced ICC patients.

Methods

A total of 130 patients with advanced ICC in our centre were screened by PTEN immunohistochemical staining between 1 July 2017, and 31 December 2021, and 16 patients were ultimately enrolled and treated with single‐agent bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 of a 21‐day cycle. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1.

Results

The median follow‐up was 6.55 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7–19.9 months). Among the 16 enrolled patients, the ORR was 18.75% (3/16) and the disease control rate was 43.75% (7/16). The median progress‐free survival was 2.95 months (95% CI: 2.1–5.1 months) and the median overall survival (mOS) was 7.2 months (95% CI: 0.7–21.6 months) in the intent‐to‐treat‐patients. Treatment‐related adverse events of any grade were reported in 16 patients, with thrombopenia being the most common toxicity. Patients with PTEN staining scores of 0 were more likely to benefit from bortezomib than those with staining scores > 0.

Conclusions

Bortezomib yielded an encouraging objective response and a favourable OS as a second‐line agent in PTEN‐deficient ICC patients. Our findings suggest bortezomib as a promising therapeutic option for patients with PTEN‐deficient ICC.

Highlights

There is a limited strategy for the second‐line option of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

This investigator‐initiated phase 2 study evaluated bortezomib in ICC patients with phosphatase and tension homology deficiency.

The overall response rate was 18.75% and the overall survival was 7.2 months in the intent‐to‐treat cohort.

These results justify further developing bortezomib in ICC patients with PTEN deficiency.
Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of an endemic species in China, Aulocera merlina (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) and phylogenetic analysis within Satyrinae
Authors: Shi Qinghui , Xie Jinling , Wu Jialing , Chen Shengchung , Sun Gang , Zhang Juncheng
Published: May 2024

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has been extensively used as molecular markers in determining the insect phylogenetic relationships. In order to resolve the relationships among tribes and subtribes of Satyrinae at the mitochondrial genomic level, we obtained the complete mitogenome of Aulocera merlina (Oberthür, 1890) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) with a size of 15,259 bp. The mitogenome consisted of 37 typical genes, including 13 protein‐coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and an A + T‐rich region. The gene organization and arrangement were similar to those of all other known Satyrinae mitogenomes. All PCGs were initiated with the canonical codon pattern ATN, except for the cox1 gene, which used an atypical CGA codon. Nine PCGs used the complete stop codon TAA, while the remaining PCGs (cox1, cox2, nad4, and nad5) were terminated with a single T nucleotide. The canonical cloverleaf secondary structures were found in all tRNAs, except for trnS1 which lacked a dihydrouridine arm. The 448 bp A + T‐rich region was located between rrnS and trnM, and it included the motif ATAGA followed by a 19‐bp poly‐T stretch and a microsatellite‐like (TA)6 element preceded by the ATTTA motif. The phylogenetic tree, inferred using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, generated similar tree topologies, revealing well‐supported monophyletic groups at the tribe level and recovering the relationship ((Satyrini + Melanitini) + ((Amathusiini + Elymniini) + Zetherini)). The close relationship between Satyrina and Melanargiina within the Satyrini was widely accepted. Additionally, Lethina, Parargina, and Mycalesina were closely related and collectively formed a sister group to Coenonymphina. Moreover, A. merlina was closely related to Oeneis buddha within the Satyrina. These findings will provide valuable information for future studies aiming to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of Satyrinae.
Strength and conditioning in dance: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ngo Jake K. , Lu Jie , Cloak Ross , Wong Del P. , Devonport Tracey , Wyon Matthew A.
Published: May 2024

To assess the evidence for the effect of strength and conditioning on physical qualities and aesthetic competence in dance populations, three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus) were searched (until September 2022) for studies that met the following criteria: (i) dancers aged >16 years; (ii) structured strength and conditioning intervention; and (iii) with physical qualities and aesthetic competence as outcome measures. Methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies were assessed through the systematic review tool “QualSyst”. Meta‐analyses of effect sizes (Hedges'g) with forest plots explored the effects of the strength and conditioning interventions. Thirty‐six studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Meta‐analysis indicated strength and conditioning significantly (p < 0.05) improved lower body power (g = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.53–1.27), upper body strength (g = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.39–1.57), lower body strength (g = 1.59, 95% CI: 0.97–2.22), and flexibility (g = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.05–1.66). Strength and conditioning interventions were found to be effective at improving physical qualities in dancers, recommending their participation in additional sessions to enhance overall fitness and ultimately dance performance. It is recommended that future strength and conditioning intervention research should include sample size calculations, with participants recruited from a specific dance genre and skill level in order to evaluate how strength and conditioning influences dance performance.
Association between dietary intake of creatine and female reproductive health: Evidence from NHANES 2017–2020
Authors: Ostojic Sergej M. , Stea Tonje Holte , Ellery Stacey J. , Smith‐Ryan Abbie E.
Published: May 2024

The hormonal changes in women influence creatine dynamics, emphasizing its potential importance during menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and postmenopause. Yet, limited research explores creatine's impact on female reproductive health at the population level. Our study investigated the relationship between dietary creatine intake and reproductive health indices in US women using data from the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We extracted a dataset containing females aged 12 years and above who provided details about their reproductive health and dietary habits. Daily creatine intake was quantified as a relative amount (mg per kg body mass) and did not include creatine from dietary supplements and pharmacological agents. A daily requirement for dietary creatine for healthy women was employed to classify respondents into two separate subpopulations: (1) suboptimal intake of creatine (<13 mg per kg body mass per day) or (2) recommended intake (dietary creatine ≥ 13 mg per kg body mass per day). A total of 4522 female participants from the NHANES study (age 44.5 ± 20.5 years) provided data on their reproductive health and dietary intake. The average daily creatine intake for the group was 10.5 ± 10.8 mg per kg body mass. The odds ratio for having irregular periods in women consuming ≥13 mg of creatine per kg body mass daily (recommended intake) compared to those with suboptimal intake was 0.75 (95% CI, from 0.66 to 0.86), indicating a significant association between higher intake of dietary creatine and lower risk of oligomenorrhea (p < .001). Moreover, women consuming less than 13 mg of creatine per kg body mass faced an increased risk of fetal macrosomia (OR 1.26; p = .04), pelvic infection (OR 1.68; p = .01), hysterectomy (OR 1.42; p < .001), oophorectomy (OR 1.54; p < .001), and receiving hormone replacement therapy (OR 1.26; p = .02). Consuming a creatine‐rich diet has been linked to lower risks of reproductive issues in US women aged 12 and above. Those consuming ≥13 mg of creatine per kg body mass daily showed notably lower risks of irregular menstrual periods, obstetric conditions, and pelvic pathology. Further studies are needed to confirm these potential benefits.
Slab failure‐related magmatism in the Pinheiro Machado Complex, southern Dom Feliciano Belt, Brazil
Authors: Bastos Vivianne Andrade , Koester Edinei , Lenz Cristine , Porcher Carla Cristine , Vieira Daniel Triboli , Ramos Rodrigo Chaves , de Oliveira Loureiro Paula
Published: May 2024

In the Dom Feliciano Belt, Brazil, the Pinheiro Machado Complex (PMC) includes diorites, tonalites, granodiorites, syenogranites and granites, whose evolution is related to several magmatic pulses and complex petrogenetic processes. Two magmatic stages were identified (early and late), resulting in different rock subgroups. The geochemical data showed that the early magmatism was chemically affected by partial melting. Geochemical modelling results suggest that fractional crystallization processes with assimilation of around 40% from the crustal basement and the decoupling of assimilated magma are crucial for the PMC rocks' genesis. Geochemical data also show that during the early magmatism, the subsequent process of early diorite anatexis developed by heating and continuous activity of the underlying magma chamber possibly occurred at a melting rate of 5%–10%. The hybrid rocks have contributions from the mixing process related to early terms, showing geochemical correlations in the major element curves, for the early diorite and syenogranitic melt members, at 60%–50% and 50%–40%, respectively. Slab failure tectonic context is related to the multi‐intrusive events dynamics recorded in the studied rocks. Recharge and melting events of the recently formed crust due to the constant heating of new pulses of deep slab melting would explain the magmatic interactions observed in the Complex. The results demonstrate that the studied rocks crystallized in an open system, including mixing processes to form hybrid rocks, physical disaggregation and assimilation of early intrusions, truncation, dragging and erosion of early mushes by younger pulses.
Early risk for child externalising symptoms: Examining genetic, prenatal, temperamental and parental influences
Authors: Lee Sohee , Robertson Olivia C. , Marceau Kristine , Knopik Valerie S. , Natsuaki Misaki N. , Shaw Daniel S. , Leve Leslie D. , Ganiban Jody M. , Neiderhiser Jenae M.
Published: May 2024

This study utilised the Early Growth and Development Study (N = 561 adoptive children; 57.2% male, 55.3% White), a study of children adopted at birth, to examine heritable (birth parent psychopathology) and prenatal risk (prenatal maternal distress and smoking during pregnancy), infant negative affectivity, adoptive parent over‐reactivity and warmth as independent predictors of childhood externalising symptoms. The current study evaluated if: (1) infant negative affectivity and over‐reactive parenting are candidate mediators for the effects of heritable and prenatal risk on externalising symptoms and (2) parental warmth weakens the influence of heritable risk, prenatal risk, negative affectivity and over‐reactive parenting on externalising symptoms. There were main effects of heritable risk, infant negative affectivity and over‐reactive parenting on child externalising symptoms. The study found no support for the hypothesised mediation and moderation effects, suggesting that targeting parental over‐reactivity rather than warmth would be more effective in reducing the risk for childhood externalising symptoms.
Nutrient recovery from manure digestate by using waste magnesite powder and bone meal as sustainable substitutes for struvite precipitation
Authors: Kutlar Feride Ece , Engin Iskin , Yilmazel Yasemin Dilsad
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) precipitation is a sustainable approach that can offer simultaneous removal/recovery of nutrients from biogas plant effluents. However, most biogas plant effluents contain a higher molar concentration of nitrogen (N) than magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P). Therefore, the external addition of Mg2+ and phosphate (PO43‐) salts is needed to maximize the recovery. In this study, Mg‐rich waste magnesite powder and P‐rich bone meal were used as sustainable additives. The Box–Behnken design was applied to determine optimum conditions of process parameters (pH, Mg:N and P:N molar ratios) to maximize ammonium‐nitrogen (NH4‐N), PO4‐P and Mg2+recoveries.

RESULTS

NH4‐N, PO4‐P and Mg2+ recoveries were in the ranges 78.5%–96.9%, 69.2%–96.3% and 75.1%–99.9%, respectively. The actual and predicted values showed significant consistency, indicating that the model is satisfactory. Under optimum conditions (pH = 9.0, Mg:N = 2.2, P:N = 1.8), 97.8 ± 0.1% NH4‐N, 96.6 ± 0.31% PO4‐P and 84.4 ± 0.9% Mg2+ recovery were attained. The X‐ray diffraction results confirmed the sole presence of struvite crystals. Scanning electron microscopy images showed irregular prismatic orthorhombic crystals and amorphous material depositions on precipitates of ~25 μm crystal size. The product was 49% struvite with 15.2% P content. The heavy metal content was lower than regulatory limits.

CONCLUSION

Even though waste material and industrial by‐products have been used as additives in this process, high NH4‐N and PO4‐P recoveries were recorded under optimum conditions. These results are promising and illustrate a powerful example of industrial symbiosis, and the precipitate containing struvite can serve as a valuable product. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Miniaturized gas exposure devices for atom probe experiments
Authors: Ott Benedict , Heller Martina , Monajem Mehrpad , Felfer Peter
Published: May 2024

To detect hydrogen in materials at the atomic scale, atom probe tomography is now regularly used. In order to avoid cumbersome cryo‐preparation to suppress diffusion, often hydrogen is charged only into the finished specimen. Here, the use of hydrogen gas over electrochemical hydrogen has the advantage that the specimen is not contaminated with an electrolyte. So far, this “charging” has been done in large, expensive systems. Here, we introduce small devices that enable the exposure of atom probe specimens to hydrogen and potentially other gases, using only very small gas volumes. This enables the operation in regular laboratory environments without additional safety measures. These devices can be used to expose the specimen to hydrogen up to 10 bar/90°C. Higher temperatures may be attained with small changes. Validation of the success of charging with these setups is demonstrated through experiments employing deuterium charging of palladium atom probe tips.

Research Highlights

Enabling the exposure of atom probe specimens to hydrogen and potentially other gases, using only very small gas volumes.

Built setups can be assembled with little money and from freely available parts, making specimen charging much easier.

Validation of the success of charging with these setups is demonstrated through experiments employing deuterium charging of palladium atom probe tips.
Belantamab mafodotin in triple‐refractory multiple myeloma patients: A retro‐prospective observational study in Italy
Authors: Fazio Francesca , Petrucci Maria Teresa , Corvatta Laura , Piciocchi Alfonso , Pepa Roberta Della , Tacchetti Paola , Musso Maurizio , Zambello Renato , Belotti Angelo , Bringhen Sara , Antonioli Elisabetta , Conticello Concetta , Renzo Nicola Di , De Stefano Valerio , Musto Pellegrino , Gamberi Barbara , Derudas Daniele , Boccadoro Mario , Offidani Massimo , Morè Sonia
Published: May 2024

Belantamab mafodotin is the first‐in‐class antibody‐drug conjugates targeting B‐cell maturation antigen to have demonstrated effectiveness in triple‐class refractory multiple myeloma (TCR‐MM) patients. We performed a retrospective study including 78 TCR patients, with at least four prior lines of therapy (LOTs), who received belantamab mafodotin within named patient program and expanded access program in Italy between 2020 and 2022. Median age was 65 years (range 42–86 years), ECOG performance status was ≥1 in 45% of patients. Overall, a clinical benefit was obtained in 36 out of 74 evaluable patients (49%), with 43%, 28%, and 13.5% achieving at least partial response, very good partial response, and complete response, respectively. After a median follow‐up of 12 months (range 6–21 months), median duration of response, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were 14, 5.5, and 12 months, respectively. Age >70 years, good performance status and response were associated with longer PFS and OS. Keratopathy occurred in 58% of patients (G3 2.5%), corneal symptoms in 32% (G3 1.2%) and a reduction in visual acuity in 14%. Grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred in 9% of patients. Only 3% of patients discontinued belantamab mafodotin because of side effects. This real‐life study demonstrated significant and durable responses of belantamab in TCR‐MM patients with four prior LOTs, otherwise ineligible for novel immunotherapies.
Evaluation of the prognostic impact of pathologic tumor regression grade on patients with colorectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Nakao Eiichi , Honda Michitaka , Uesugi Noriyuki , Osakabe Mitsumasa , Sato Ayaka , Todate Yukitoshi , Yaegashi Mizunori , Takano Yoshinao , Sasaki Akira , Kono Koji , Sugai Tamotsu
Published: May 2024

Background

The prognostic value of the pathological response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in rectal cancer (RC) remains unknown.

Objectives

We aimed to assess the predictive value of the response to CRT that was derived from an evaluation of the histological findings (whole‐section vs. representative‐section sampling) and attempted to determine an objective cut‐off value for the tumor regression grade (TRG).

Methods

We examined the association of the TRG with the outcomes (recurrence‐free survival [RFS] and overall survival [OS]) of 78 patients with RC. Patients with RC treated with preoperative CRT were divided into development (30 cases) and validation (48 cases) cohorts. The TRG was classified as grades I (Ia, Ib), II, and III. The cut‐off value was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

The TRG determined from whole‐section sampling versus representative‐section sampling was more strongly correlated with patient survival. We found that in both cohorts, patients with a cut‐off value of <73% had a poor prognosis. Finally, the cut‐off value was found to be an independent predictive factor in both univariate and multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The TRG that was used to evaluate patients with RC who underwent preoperative CRT was an independent prognostic factor for outcome.
Decreased femoral trochlea axial orientation corrected by derotational distal femur osteotomy in patients with patellar dislocation yields satisfactory outcomes
Authors: Li Kehan , Chen Xiaobo , Huo Zhenhui , Kang Huijun , Wang Boyu , Wang Fei
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The femoral trochlea axial orientation has been shown to be a better predictor of patellar dislocation than the femoral anteversion angle. However, no study has investigated the importance of the femoral trochlea axial orientation in the surgical treatment of patellar dislocation. It is aimed to explore the pathological threshold of the femoral trochlea axial orientation and its guiding implications for surgical interventions in the study.

Methods

Sixty‐four patients with patellar dislocation and 64 controls were included for measurement of the femoral trochlea axial orientation. The ability to predict the patellar dislocation and the pathologic threshold of the femoral trochlea axial orientation were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. One hundred patients with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and 25 patients with derotational distal femur osteotomy were divided into two groups based on the femoral trochlea axial orientation cut‐off value and their postoperative knee functions, and patellar tilt angles were compared.

Results

There were significant differences in the femoral trochlea axial orientation (60.8 ± 7.9 vs. 67.8 ± 4.6, p < 0.05) between patients with patellar dislocation and the normal population. The sensitivity and specificity of the femoral trochlea axial orientation were 0.641 and 0.813, respectively, at the femoral trochlea axial orientation smaller than 63.8°. Amongst patients having had isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with decreased femoral trochlea axial orientation, knee function was poorer after surgery. The prognosis of patients with the femoral trochlea axial orientation correction in derotational distal femur osteotomy was better than that for patients without correction.

Conclusions

The femoral trochlea axial orientation had good predictive efficiency for patellar dislocation. Isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction is not sufficiently effective for patients with patellar dislocation and decreased femoral trochlea axial orientation. Patients with a decreased femoral trochlea axial orientation can have better surgical outcomes after correction by derotational distal femur osteotomy.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Common radiographic indices used to measure patellar height do not consistently identify patella alta and lack interchangeability between measurements
Authors: Hunter Collin D. R. , Khalil Ameen Z. , Rosenthal Reece M. , Metz Allan K. , Featherall Joseph , Ernat Justin J. , Aoki Stephen K.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Abnormal patellar height has been identified as a source of aberrant mechanical functioning within the patellofemoral joint. The purpose of this study is to examine the statistical agreement among three commonly used classification methods: Blackburne‐Peel (BPI), Caton‐Deschamps (CDI) and Insall‐Salvati (ISR), by evaluating (1) the rates of patella alta identification and (2) the ability for one index to predict another.

Methods

One hundred lateral knee radiographs were evaluated using BPI, CDI and ISR to classify each knee as patella normal, patella alta or patella baja. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between each index. Conversion equations were then derived using the reported linear regression best‐fit line, comparing each pair of indices.

Results

Patella alta was identified in 15 knees using BPI, 15 using CDI and 25 using ISR. A total of seven knees were classified as patella alta by all BPI, CDI and ISR. Statistical analysis revealed significant correlation (p ≤ 0.001) among BPI and CDI (R2 = 0.706), BPI and ISR (R2 = 0.328) and CDI and ISR (R2 = 0.288). Wilcoxon Signed‐Rank test between the three indices revealed no significant difference between the means of converted and original indices.

Conclusion

Despite their significant correlations and adequate reproducibility, variability between common patellar height indices render predictions and conversions between BPI, CDI and ISR inequivalent. Users of these indices must be aware of their incongruent properties when considering application to patients in the clinical setting. Furthermore, it remains unclear which patellar height measurement technique is the correct index to use in a given knee. This study highlights the need for further investigation to create a reliable and standardised method for identifying patella height.

Level of Evidence

Level IV.
Enhancing robotic precision in medial UKA: Image‐based robot‐assisted system had higher accuracy in implant positioning than imageless robot‐assisted system across 292 knees
Authors: Gaggiotti Stefano , Foissey Constant , Pineda Tomas , Batailler Cécile , Gaggiotti Gabriel , Gaggiotti Santino , Servien Elvire , Lustig Sébastien
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study was to compare the degree of accuracy in implant positioning and limb alignment offered by two robot‐assisted (RA) systems: an image‐based robot‐assisted (IBRA) versus an imageless robot‐assisted (ILRA) system for the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Methods

This retrospective radiographic study included medial UKAs performed between 2011 and 2023. Radiographic measurements taken preoperatively and at 1‐year postoperative control visit focusing on hip‐knee‐ankle angle (HKA), posterior tibial slope (PTS), tibial component coronal alignment relative to Cartier's angle and restoration of proper joint line (JL) height were analyzed. Outliers for postoperative measurements were defined as follows: HKA <175° or >180°, PTS <2° or >8°, >3° or <−3° alterations in Cartier's angle and ±2 mm changes in the height of the joint line.

Results

The final sample consisted of 292 medial UKAs: 95 (32.5%) with an IBRA system and 197 (67.5%) with an ILRA system. Implant positioning and limb alignment were more accurate in the group of patients treated with IBRA, HKA (77.9% vs. 67.5%, p = 0.07), PTS (93.7% vs. 82.7%, p = 0.01), restoration of tibial varus relative to Cartier's angle (87.4% vs. 65%, p < 0.001) and restoration of JL height (81.1% vs. 69.5%, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Medial UKA surgery using an IBRA system was associated with a higher degree of accuracy in implant positioning and postoperative limb alignment as compared to an ILRA system. This is a valuable contribution to help communicate the advantages of using this surgical technique and improve its reproducibility.

Level of Evidence

Level III, Retrospective cohort study.
Ubiquitous but unique: Water depth and oceanographic attributes shape methane seep communities
Authors: Seabrook Sarah , Torres Marta E. , Baumberger Tamara , Butterfield David , Roe Kevin , Cummings Milo , Crawford Rebecca , Thurber Andrew R.
Published: May 2024

In the past decade, thousands of previously unknown methane seeps have been identified on continental margins around the world. As we have come to appreciate methane seep habitats to be abundant components of marine ecosystems, we have also realized they are highly dynamic in nature. With a focus on discrete depth ranges across the Cascadia Margin, we work to further unravel the drivers of seep‐associated microbial community structure. We found highly heterogenous environments, with depth as a deterministic factor in community structure. This was associated with multiple variables that covaried with depth, including surface production, prevailing oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), and geologic and hydrographic context. Development of megafaunal seep communities appeared limited in shallow depth zones (~ 200 m). However, this effect did not extend to the structure or function of microbial communities. Siboglinid tubeworms were restricted to water depths > 1000 m, and we posit this deep distribution is driven by the prevailing OMZ limiting dispersal. Microbial community composition and distribution covaried most significantly with depth, but variables including oxygen concentration, habitat type, and organic matter, as well as iron and methane concentration, also explained the distribution of the microbial seep taxa. While members of the core seep microbiome were seen across sites, there was a high abundance of microbial taxa not previously considered within the seep microbiome as well. Our work highlights the multifaceted aspects that drive community composition beyond localized methane flux and depth, where environmental diversity adds to margin biodiversity in seep systems.
Weak solutions to coupled quadratic forward backward stochastic differential equations and Sobolev solutions to their related partial differential equations
Authors: Elouaflin Abouo , Bahlali Khaled , Mezerdi Brahim , Mouchtabih Soufiane
Published: May 2024

We establish existence and uniqueness of a weak (in law sense) solution to coupled forward–backward stochastic differential equations (FBSDEs), with possibly discontinuous diffusion coefficient. We assume that the coefficient of the backward component is of quadratic growth. We first prove the existence of a Sobolev solution for the related partial differential equation (PDE) in the Sobolev space
, by using compactness arguments. Next, we use Itô–Krylov's formula to get the existence of weak solution to our considered FBSDE. For the uniqueness part, we first establish the weak uniqueness of the FBSDEs then deduce the uniqueness of its related PDE by using the Feynmann–Kac formula.
Traveling waves for a nonlinear Schrödinger system with quadratic interaction in ℝ4$$ {\mathrm{\mathbb{R}}}^4 $$
Authors: Esfahani Amin
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we consider a nonlinear Schrödinger system with quadratic interaction. We extend the recent results of Fukaya et al. (Math. Ann. 2024) and show that the system has a ground state in
when the mass parameter
is larger than
.
Increasing stability in the n‐dimensional inverse source problem with multifrequencies
Authors: Si Suliang
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we show for the first time the increasing stability of the inverse source problem for the n‐dimensional Helmholtz equation at multiple wave numbers, which is different from the two‐ or three‐dimensional Helmholtz equation. In addition, we develop a new, unified approach to study increasing stability in any dimension. The method is based on the Fourier transform and explicit bounds for analytic continuation.
Distortionless, free‐breathing, and respiratory resolved 3D diffusion weighted imaging of the abdomen
Authors: Lee Philip K. , Zhou Xuetong , Wang Nan , Syed Ali B. , Brunsing Ryan L. , Vasanawala Shreyas S. , Hargreaves Brian A.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Abdominal imaging is frequently performed with breath holds or respiratory triggering to reduce the effects of respiratory motion. Diffusion weighted sequences provide a useful clinical contrast but have prolonged scan times due to low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and cannot be completed in a single breath hold. Echo‐planar imaging (EPI) is the most commonly used trajectory for diffusion weighted imaging but it is susceptible to off‐resonance artifacts. A respiratory resolved, three‐dimensional (3D) diffusion prepared sequence that obtains distortionless diffusion weighted images during free‐breathing is presented. Techniques to address the myriad of challenges including: 3D shot‐to‐shot phase correction, respiratory binning, diffusion encoding during free‐breathing, and robustness to off‐resonance are described.

Methods

A twice‐refocused, M1‐nulled diffusion preparation was combined with an RF‐spoiled gradient echo readout and respiratory resolved reconstruction to obtain free‐breathing diffusion weighted images in the abdomen. Cartesian sampling permits a sampling density that enables 3D shot‐to‐shot phase navigation and reduction of transient fat artifacts. Theoretical properties of a region‐based shot rejection are described. The region‐based shot rejection method was evaluated with free‐breathing (normal and exaggerated breathing), and respiratory triggering. The proposed sequence was compared in vivo with multishot DW‐EPI.

Results

The proposed sequence exhibits no evident distortion in vivo when compared to multishot DW‐EPI, robustness to B0 and B1 field inhomogeneities, and robustness to motion from different respiratory patterns.

Conclusion

Acquisition of distortionless, diffusion weighted images is feasible during free‐breathing with a b‐value of 500 s/mm2, scan time of 6 min, and a clinically viable reconstruction time.
Tetraspanin immunoassay for the detection of extracellular vesicles and renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Khan Misba , Islam Md. Khirul , Rahman Mafiur , Dhondt Bert , Quintero Ileana , Puhka Maija , Jaakkola Panu M. , Lamminmäki Urpo , Leivo Janne
Published: May 2024

Half of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) develop metastases. New and noninvasive biomarkers are needed for the diagnosis of RCC. The study aims to develop an EV‐based assay for the detection of RCC using a highly sensitive nanoparticle‐aided time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay (NP‐TRFIA). To confirm the presence of tetraspanins on EVs, size exclusion chromatography is used to separate EV‐ and PE‐fractions from RCC4, 786‐O, and HEK293 cell lines. EV‐ and PE‐fractions are quantified using NP‐TRFIA assays established for CD9, CD63, CD81, and CD151. Tetraspanins are measured from RCC CCM and serum samples of RCC (n = 14), benign (n = 17), and healthy (n = 9) individuals. Among the tetraspanins, CD63 exhibits 3‐5‐fold higher expression on RCC4 and 786‐O CCM compared to HEK293. A sandwich CD63‐CD63 assay demonstrates significant discrimination of RCC patients from benign (p = 0.0003), and healthy (p = 0.005) individuals, respectively. Similarly, the CD81‐CD81 assay also enables significant separation of RCC patients compared to benign (p = 0.014), and healthy (p = 0.003) controls, respectively. This suggests that RCC cell lines and serum of RCC patients show higher amounts of CD63‐ and CD81‐EVs compared to controls. Detection of these EVs using NP‐TRFIA approach may play a vital role in the detection of RCC.
Poly(ethylene‐thiosuccinate)/carbon allotrope/cubic nickel‐cobalt hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles nanocomposites as supercapacitor materials
Authors: Zarei‐Gharehbaba Laya , Najjar Reza , Hosseini Mir Ghasem , YardaniSefidi Pariya
Published: May 2024

This paper reports the synthesis of poly(ethylene‐thiosuccinate) (PETS) using succinic anhydride and 1,2‐ethanedithiol monomers and investigates its electrochemical behavior as supercapacitor electrode material. The synthesized polymer's structure is designed so that to contain sulfur atoms in the main chain of polymer, as the sulfur containing polymers are among the interesting active compounds for fabricating of novel devices for energy storage with wider voltage window and increase the energy density. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) graphs show the supercapacitor behavior of the materials with the faradic charge storage mechanism. The triangular shape of the charge–discharge curves indicate the reversible performance of the PETS as an electrode material. To enhance the supercapacitive action of PETS, its nanocomposites including PETS/Norit (1:1), PETS/MWCNT (1:1) and PTES/MWCNT (1:1)/(1.5%, 3% and 5%) Ni2CoHCF (nickel‐cobalt hexacyanoferrate) is prepared. The results indicate that the PETS/MWCNT/0.15% Ni2CoHCF nanocomposite exhibits a specific capacity which is 7 times higher than that of the PETS/MWCNT (1:1) nanocomposite, when the current density is 0.05 mA.cm−2. Also, according to the Nyquist diagrams, by incorporating of 1.5% of Ni2CoHCF in the PETS/MWCNT (1:1) nanocomposite, its electrical resistance decreases significantly by about two times.

Highlights

Poly(ethylene‐thiosuccinate) (PETS) made by succinic anhydride & ethanedithiol

PETS/Norit or MWCNT/cubic Ni2CoHCF nanoparticles composites are prepared

PETS/MWCNT composites as supercapacitor materials by Faradic storage mechanism

PETS/1.5% Ni2CoHCF showed 0.0449 mF.cm−2 specific capacity at 0.01 mA.cm−2
Comparing the morphological evolution of reactive and nonreactive Polystyrene/Polypropylene polymer blends: Processing phase inversion
Authors: Ramakrishnan Shashank , Lencar Calin , Mohseni Majid , Sundararaj Uttandaraman
Published: May 2024

This paper discusses the evolution of morphology in 80/20 (vol/vol) (polypropylene‐maleic anhydride)/polypropylene (PP)/(polystyrene‐oxazoline)/polystyrene (PS) reactive blends and nonreactive 80/20 PP/PS blends. For both the blends, the PS forms the continuous phase initially, traps the PP‐maleic anhydride or PP pellets within, and gradually deforms these pellets to lamellar sheets and elongated fibers. Eventually, the irregular domains of PP coalesce and invert to form the continuous phase in a transition known as the “processing phase inversion.” The nonreactive PP/PS blend needed much higher torque to be deformed from pellets to a viscoelastic melt than their reactive counterparts. Despite the significant differences in their processing energy, the reactive and nonreactive blends have similar morphologies during the inversion process. The changes in the structure of the blends were captured on video by a custom‐built visualization system and correlated with scanning electron microscopy of the fractured surfaces, along with monitoring the changes in the torque levels during the processing. The solid‐state properties of the minor phase were crucial for deforming the major phase pellets and, consequentially, the work required to process the blends. Due to a suppression of coalescence due to the presence of in situ formed copolymers at the interface of the PP/PS, a finer dispersion was obtained in the case of the reactive blend systems.

Highlights

Visualization of polymer melt blending.

In situ reaction during processing.

Processing energy requirements during blending.
Development of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model of fostemsavir and its pivotal application to support dosing in pregnancy
Authors: Salem Farzaneh , Nguyen Dung , Bush Mark , Moore Katy P. , Mudunuru Jennypher , Stamatopoulos Konstantinos , Thakkar Nilay , Taskar Kunal S.
Published: May 2024

It is critical to understand the impact of significant physiological changes during pregnancy on the extent of maternal and fetal drug exposure. Fostemsavir (FTR) is a prodrug of temsavir (TMR) and is approved in combination with other antiretrovirals for multi‐drug‐resistant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. This physiologically based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) study was used to estimate TMR PK in pregnant populations during each trimester of pregnancy to inform FTR dosing. A PBPK model was developed and validated for TMR using PK data collected following intravenous TMR and oral FTR dosing (immediate‐release and extended‐release tablets) in healthy volunteers. Predicted TMR concentration–time profiles accurately predicted the reported clinical data and variability in healthy (dense data) and pregnant (sparse data) populations. Predicted versus observed TMR geometric mean (CV%) clearance following intravenous administration was 18.01 (29) versus 17 (21) (L/h). Predicted versus observed TMR AUC0–inf (ng.h/mL) in healthy volunteers following FTR administration of the extended‐release tablet were 9542 (66) versus 7339 (33). The validated TMR PBPK model was then applied to predict TMR PK in a population of pregnant individuals during each trimester. Simulations showed TMR AUC in pregnant individuals receiving FTR 600 mg twice daily was decreased by 25% and 38% in the second and third trimesters, respectively. However, TMR exposure remained within the range observed in nonpregnant adults with no need for dose adjustment. The current PBPK model can also be applied for the prediction of local tissue concentrations and drug–drug interactions in pregnancy.