bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
California will ask Medi‐Cal plans to narrow health disparities
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: February 2022

California health officials have released a request for proposals (RFP) outlining what will be expected of commercial health plans in the transformation of Medi‐Cal managed care to a more person‐centered system emphasizing prevention and social determinants of health. The RFP is designed to help in executing the broad goals of the ambitious California Advancing and Innovating Medi‐Cal (CalAIM) initiative, which for substance use services authorizes new efforts in areas such as peer support and contingency management.
Open‐Shell Nanosensitizers for Glutathione Responsive Cancer Sonodynamic Therapy
Authors: Wang Han , Guo Jinxiao , Lin Wilson , Fu Zi , Ji Xiuru , Yu Bo , Lu Min , Cui Wenguo , Deng Lianfu , Engle Jonathan W. , Wu Zhiyuan , Cai Weibo , Ni Dalong
Published: February 2022

Deleterious effects to normal tissues and short biological half‐life of sonosensitizers limit the applications of sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Herein, a new sonosensitizer (Cu(II)NS) is synthesized that consists of porphyrins, chelated Cu2+, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to overcome the challenges of SDT. As Cu2+ contains 27 electrons, Cu(II)NS has an unpaired electron (open shell), resulting in a doublet ground state and little sonosensitivity. Overexpressed glutathione in the tumor can reduce Cu2+ to generate Cu(I)NS, leading to a singlet ground state and recuperative sonosensitivity. Additionally, PEG endows Cu(II)NS with increased blood biological half‐life and enhanced tumor accumulation, further increasing the effect of SDT. Through regulating the valence state of Cu, cancer SDT with enhanced therapeutic index is achieved.
ResidualBradyrhizobiuminoculation effects on soybean performance and selected soil health parameters
Authors: Akley Edwin K. , Rice Charles W. , Adotey Nutifafa , Ampim Peter A. Y. , Vara Prasad P. V. , Owusu Danquah Eric , Denwar Nicholas N.
Published: February 2022

The persistence of inoculants from year to year in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivation and the residual benefits in soybean production are pertinent to adopting such practices in sub‐Saharan Africa countries such as Ghana. A study was conducted to determine the residual effect of commercial rhizobium inoculants on soybean and selected soil health parameters after three cropping seasons. The experimental design was a split‐plot. The main plot consisted of three soybean cultivars (Jenguma, Afayak, and Songda), and the subplot comprised of three peat‐based commercial bradyrhizobium inoculants (Biofix, Legumefix, and NoduMax) and an uninoculated control. Assessments were made on nodulation, shoot dry matter (DM), grain yield, grain total N uptake, permanganate‐oxidizable carbon (POXC), soil pH, and potentially mineralizable C. Among the soybean cultivars, Afayak produced greater nodule mass on the lateral root and the whole root system compared with the other cultivars. Jenguma and Afayak yielded greater shoot DM relative to Songda. Regarding the inoculants, Biofix increased nodule mass on the lateral root and the whole root system compared with the control. Biofix and NoduMax produced superior grain yield relative to the control. Biofix also produced greater grain yield than Legumefix. A superior pod harvest index and an improved grain total N uptake were produced by Biofix compared with Legumefix and the control. Commercial inoculants enhanced POXC availability at harvest, whereas potentially mineralizable C declined with inoculation treatments. Commercial inoculants (Biofix and NoduMax) enhanced nodulation, grain yield, and selected soil health indicators 3 yr after inoculation.
Coupling hydrothermal liquefaction and aqueous phase reforming for integrated production of biocrude and renewable H2
Authors: Di Fraia Arturo , Miliotti Edoardo , Rizzo Andrea Maria , Zoppi Giulia , Pipitone Giuseppe , Pirone Raffaele , Rosi Luca , Chiaramonti David , Bensaid Samir
Published: February 2022

Lignin‐rich stream from lignocellulosic ethanol production was converted into biocrude by continuous hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) while hydrogen was produced by aqueous phase reforming (APR) of the HTL aqueous by‐product. The effects of Na2CO3 and NaOH were investigated both in terms of processability of the feedstock as well as yield and composition of the obtained products. A maximum biocrude yield of 27 wt% was reached in the NaOH‐catalyzed runs. A relevant amount of dissolved phenolics were detected in the co‐produced aqueous phase (AP), and removed by liquid–liquid extraction using butyl acetate or diethyl ether, preserving the APR catalyst stability and reaching an hydrogen yield up to 146 mmol H2 L−1 AP. Preliminary mass balances integrating HTL and APR showed that the hydrogen provided by APR may account for up to 46% of the hydrogen amount theoretically required for upgrading the HTL biocrude, thus significantly improving the process performance and sustainability.
Fostamatinib for the treatment of warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia: Phase 2, multicenter, open‐label study
Authors: Kuter David J. , Rogers Kerry A. , Boxer Michael A. , Choi Michael , Agajanian Richy , Arnold Donald M. , Broome Catherine M. , Field Joshua J. , Murakhovskaya Irina , Numerof Robert , Tong Sandra
Published: February 2022

Patients with relapsed warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) have limited treatment options. Fostamatinib is a potent, orally administered spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved in the United States and Europe for the treatment of adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This phase 2 study evaluated the response to fostamatinib, administered at 150 mg BID orally with or without food in adults with wAIHA and active hemolysis with hemoglobin (Hgb) <10 g/dL who had failed at least one prior treatment. Hemoglobin levels and safety assessments were performed at visits every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was Hgb >10 g/dL with an increase of ≥2 g/dL from baseline by week 24 without rescue therapy or red blood cell transfusion. Eleven of 24 (46%) patients achieved the primary endpoint. Increases in median Hgb were detected at week 2 and sustained over time. Median lactate dehydrogenase levels and reticulocyte counts generally declined over time with little change in median haptoglobin levels. The most common adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea (42%), fatigue (42%), hypertension (27%), dizziness (27%), and insomnia (23%). AEs were manageable and consistent with the fostamatinib safety database of over 3900 patients across multiple diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, B‐cell lymphoma, COVID‐19, and ITP). No new safety signals were detected. Fostamatinib may be a promising therapeutic option for wAIHA. A randomized, double‐blind, phase 3 study is nearing completion.
Imidazole substituted benzothiadiazole derivatives as latent curing agent for epoxy thermosetting resin
Authors: Zhang Jie , Guo Zongwei , Ma Jinpeng , Song Lingxiao , Yang Guorui , Ao Yuhui , Shang Lei , Li Ming
Published: February 2022

As an important thermosetting resin, epoxy resin (EP) is widely used in the field of composite materials. Long storage time, rapid curing and low viscosity of one‐component EP is ideal for preparing composite materials by vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). For this sake, we developed and synthesized a new imidazole thermal latent curing agent, 4,7‐diimidazol‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole (BTD‐MZ2) with a yield of about 75%. The curing behavior, thermal stability and storage time of the prepared EP system was studied by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), modular compact rheometer (MCR), respectively. DSC results showed that EP/17.5 wt% BTD‐MZ2 had a good latent period at low temperature, and can rapidly cure EP when heated to 150°C. TGA results show that BTD‐MZ2 promoted the formation of carbon residue and the residual carbon rate of EP/17.5 wt% BTD‐MZ2 is as high as 37.9%. MCR results show that the storage time of EP/17.5 wt% BTD‐MZ2 at 60°C can reach 850 min. In addition, it could play a role of catalyst used as co‐curing agents with aromatic amines for EP. DSC test showed that the addition of 5 wt% BTD‐MZ2 reduced the activation energy of EP/4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) and promoted the curing reaction.
Characterization of shape memory silane cross‐linked low‐density polyethylene prepared by solid‐phase grafting process
Authors: Li Shuo , Chen Peirou , Zhou Dewen , Hou Mengqi , Wan Shanke , Cheng Qian , Yu Dongtao
Published: February 2022

Silane cross‐linking is a conventional process to improve the properties of polyethylene, and the most common process is completed by two‐step methods including melt grafting and hydrolytic cross‐linking. In this work, silane cross‐linked low‐density polyethylene (SXLPE) was prepared via solid‐phase grafting copolymerization for the grafting of vinyl trimethoxysilane (VTMS) onto low‐density polyethylene (LDPE). The grafting efficiency and cross‐linking efficiency were determined by infrared analysis and gel content measurement, and the properties of the materials were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical performance test, and shape memory behavior characterization. As the benzoyl peroxide (BPO) content changes from 0.1 to 0.5 phr, the SXLPEs exhibit an increase of cross‐linking degree determined by gel content, a slight decrease of crystallinity, an improvement of thermal stability, and enhancement of elastic modulus, and more chain entanglement. The solid‐phase grafting copolymerization retains substantial crystal regions of LDPE, which makes it show good shape memory properties, reaching 95% shape fixity ratio and 87% shape recovery ratio.
Understanding the Performance of Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Modulation of Nitric Oxide Release from S‐Nitrosothiols
Authors: Ling Pinghua , Gao Xianping , Zang Xiaona , Sun Xinyu , Gao Feng
Published: February 2022

S‐Nitrosothiols (RSNOs) which are important intermediates in circulating reservoirs of nitric oxide (NO), transport and numerous NO signaling pathways play intricate roles in the etiology of several pathologies. However, it is still a challenge to control the release of NO from nitrosylated compounds under physiological pH. In this paper, for the first time, we report the catalytic activity and kinetic study for the modulation of NO release from RSNOs by an array of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) (M‐MOF (M′); M=Zr, Cu; and M′=Cu, Pd, no metal) under physiological conditions via time‐dependent absorbance spectra. The result showed that metal active sites as well as the morphology and pore size of MOFs exhibited different activities toward RSNOs. The order of catalytic activity of these MOFs toward RSNOs is ordered in the decreasing sequence: Cu‐MOF(Pd)>Cu‐MOF(Cu)>Cu‐MOF(no metal)>Zr‐MOF(Pd)>Zr‐MOF(Cu)>Zr‐MOF(no metal). In addition, Zr‐MOF(Pd) was as model for cell experiment, demonstrated Zr‐MOF(Pd) could react with RSNOs to generate NO in the complex environment of cell. Collectively, these findings establish a platform for MOFs‐based, highly catalyze RSNOs in biological samples, a powerful tool for expanding the knowledge of the biology and chemistry of NO‐mediated phenomena.
Surface‐Enhanced Raman Probes Based on Gold Nanomaterials for in vivo Diagnosis and Imaging
Authors: Wen Changchun , Wang Liping , Liu Li , Shen Xing‐Can , Chen Hua
Published: February 2022

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has received considerable attention from researchers due to its high molecular specificity, high sensitivity, non‐invasiveness and multiplexing. Recently, various metal substrates have been exploited for SERS analysis and imaging. Among them, gold nanomaterials are important SERS substrates with outstanding surface plasmon resonance effects, structural adjustability and good biocompatibility, making them widely used in biomedical diagnosis and clinical fields. In this minireview, we discuss the latest progress about the application of gold‐based nanomaterials as SERS probes in biomedical research, primarily for in vivo disease diagnosis and imaging. This review mainly includes the basic shapes and morphologies of gold based SERS probes, such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), gold nanorods (AuNRs), gold nanostars (AuNSs), as well as other gold nanostructures. Finally, a brief outlook for the future development of SERS technique in the context of efficient diagnostics and therapy guidance is provided. We hope that this review will facilitate the design and future development of surface‐enhanced Raman probes based on gold nanomaterials.
Interfacial Engineering of Two‐Dimensional MoN/MoO2 Heterostructure Nanosheets as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Du Qixing , Arif Khan Muhammad , Zhu Jie , Zhao Hongbin , Fang Jianhui , Ye Daixin , Zhang Jiujun
Published: February 2022

It is still a challenge to realize the dream of a hydrogen‐based economy using a robust catalyst for overall water splitting. Here, we introduce two‐dimensional MoN/MoO2 heterostructure nanosheets using nickel foam as a substrate for water splitting. The heterojunction formation was achieved through the partial nitriding of a Mo‐based precursor to MoN in the annealing process under NH3 environment. The heterogeneous interface between MoN and MoO2 as active sites is supposed to improve the surface reaction kinetics and electronic conductivity. Therefore, an excellent performance is achieved when MoN/MoO2 is employed as both cathode and anode electrocatalysts; the corresponding cell voltages are 1.57 and 1.84 V at 10 and 100 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH, respectively. The promising bifunctional catalytic performance of our catalyst opens up a new way for efficient electrochemical water splitting.
Temporal and spatial analysis and monitoring of drought (meteorology) and its impacts on environment changes in Iran
Authors: Safarianzengir Vahid , Fatahi Ahmad , Sobhani Behrouz , Doumari Sahar Amiri
Published: February 2022

The consequences of climate change, primarily due to natural and human factors, have caused many problems in the last decade that have affected different sections of society. One of the most important consequences is the occurrence of natural atmospheric—climatic disasters (drought). One of these regions is Iran in the Middle East, which has been suffering from this drought in the last decade. This investigation aims to evaluate and monitor drought and its impacts on environment changes in Iran. To conduct this research, the TERRA satellite data and the MODIS sensor were used over a 21‐year period, and the Normalised Differential Vegetation Index and Palmer Drought Severity Index Indicators were used to monitor drought and to estimate the soil moisture by the Soil Moisture Calculation satellite. Finally, to estimate the amount of precipitation and evapotranspiration, cumulative precipitation and real evapotranspiration, actual evaporation and transpiration were used. Findings showed that in the investigation region, the severity and frequency of drought have increased in recent years. Soil moisture has also decreased, indicating the inverse relationship between drought intensity and soil surface moisture, meaning that as the intensity of drought increases, the amount of soil surface moisture decreases. However, in the investigation region during the study course, the accumulation of rain showed a direct relationship with evaporation and transpiration. The highest monthly drought intensity of Palmer was 5.65% in May 2000. Also, the highest amount of wet year in November 2018 is 3.6%. The highest amount of rainfall was 61.25 mm in October 2018. Based on the results obtained in this research, drought has occurred in the investigation region in recent years, the intensity of which in the south, eastern and centre half of the country, especially the provinces of south Khorasan, Semnan, Hormozgan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan and Ilam more it has been more than other provinces. To manage and control drought in the investigation region, in the various sectors affected by drought (agriculture, environment, surface water resources, forests, pastures and watershed management and natural ecosystems) strategies and plans in the short term, medium‐term and long‐term in line with natural and human factors and climate change to be adopted.
Bewertung der Adaptivität von Geschossbauten für den städtischen Raum
Authors: Stroetmann Richard , Otto Jens , Eisele Johann , Bleicher Volkmar , Wisnewski Joachim , Dorn Charlotte , Trautmann Benjamin , Bauer Max
Published: February 2022

Demografische Veränderungen, ein sich wandelnder Arbeitsmarkt und konjunkturelle Schwankungen mit unterschiedlich dominierenden Gewerbezweigen erfordern Gebäude, die sich an verändernde Nutzeranforderungen anpassen können. Zur Erhöhung der Ressourceneffizienz sind Gebäude nicht nur hinsichtlich des Materialeinsatzes und Energieverbrauchs zu optimieren, sondern darüber hinaus für einen langen Nutzungshorizont auszulegen. Um die Anpassungsfähigkeit von Geschossbauten an verschiedene Nutzungsformen bewerten zu können, wurde im Rahmen des Innovationsprogramms „Zukunft Bau“ das Forschungsprojekt „Adaptive Gebäudestrukturen zur Erhöhung der Ressourceneffizienz von Geschossbauten im städtischen Raum“ durchgeführt. Im folgenden Beitrag werden die Motivation zum Forschungsprojekt, eine Übersicht zu wesentlichen Fragestellungen und die Ergebnisse in einer zusammenfassenden Darstellung vorgestellt.
Zur Einleitung von Vorspannkräften in dünnwandige Hohlkastenquerschnitte
Authors: Rath Michael , Fasching Stephan , Gaßner Kerstin , Kollegger Johann
Published: February 2022

Im Zuge eines Forschungsprojekts, welches zurzeit am Institut für Tragkonstruktionen der TU Wien behandelt wird, werden Hohlkastenquerschnitte, bestehend aus dünnwandigen Betonhalbfertigteilen, für deren Einsatz im Brückenbau untersucht. Die Hohlkastenquerschnitte werden segmentweise auf der Baustelle zusammengebaut und mit externer Vorspannung zu einem selbsttragenden Brückenträger zusammengespannt. Anschließend werden die Steg‐, Boden‐ und Deckplatten mit Ortbeton ergänzt und somit ein monolithisches Bauwerk ohne Fugen hergestellt. Die Vorspannung des dünnwandigen Hohlkastenquerschnitts stellt dabei eine besondere Herausforderung dar. In dieser Arbeit wird eine neue Herangehensweise zur Einleitung der Vorspannkräfte in dünnwandige Hohlkastenquerschnitte vorgestellt, wobei diese anhand von durchgeführten experimentellen Untersuchungen sowie deren Analyse mit einer nichtlinearen FE‐Berechnung präsentiert wird. Untersucht wurden zwei unterschiedliche Herstellungsarten der Lisenen, einerseits eine Herstellung in Fertigteilbauweise, andererseits in Ortbetonweise. Dabei hat sich gezeigt, dass eine Herstellung der Lisenen als Fertigteile für die Einleitung von Vorspannkräften in dünnwandige Hohlkastenquerschnitte aufgrund der bei der Ortbetonbauweise entstehenden Schubfuge zu bevorzugen ist.
Modeling apoptosis resistance in CHO cells with CRISPR‐mediated knockouts of Bak1, Bax, and Bok
Authors: MacDonald Michael A. , Barry Craig , Groves Teddy , Martínez Verónica S. , Gray Peter P. , Baker Kym , Shave Evan , Mahler Stephen , Munro Trent , Marcellin Esteban , Nielsen Lars K.
Published: February 2022

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the primary platform for the production of biopharmaceuticals. To increase yields, many CHO cell lines have been genetically engineered to resist cell death. However, the kinetics that governs cell fate in bioreactors are confounded by many variables associated with batch processes. Here, we used CRISPR‐Cas9 to create combinatorial knockouts of the three known BCL‐2 family effector proteins: Bak1, Bax, and Bok. To assess the response to apoptotic stimuli, cell lines were cultured in the presence of four cytotoxic compounds with different mechanisms of action. A population‐based model was developed to describe the behavior of the resulting viable cell dynamics as a function of genotype and treatment. Our results validated the synergistic antiapoptotic nature of Bak1 and Bax, while the deletion of Bok had no significant impact. Importantly, the uniform application of apoptotic stresses permitted direct observation and quantification of a delay in the onset of cell death through Bayesian inference of meaningful model parameters. In addition to the classical death rate, a delay function was found to be essential in the accurate modeling of the cell death response. These findings represent an important bridge between cell line engineering strategies and biological modeling in a bioprocess context.
An anatomically correct 3D‐printed mouse phantom for magnetic particle imaging studies
Authors: Sarna Nicole S. , Marrero‐Morales Leyda , DeGroff Ryan , Rivera‐Rodriguez Angelie , Liu Sitong , Chiu‐Lam Andreina , Good Hayden J. , Rinaldi‐Ramos Carlos M.
Published: February 2022

We report anatomically correct 3D‐printed mouse phantoms that can be used to plan experiments and evaluate analysis protocols for magnetic particle imaging (MPI) studies. The 3D‐printed phantoms were based on the Digimouse 3D whole body mouse atlas and incorporate cavities representative of a liver, brain tumor, and orthotopic breast cancer tumor placed in anatomically correct locations, allowing evaluation of the effect of precise doses of MPI tracer. To illustrate their use, a constant tracer iron mass was present in the liver for the breast (200 μgFe) and brain tumor (10 μgFe) model, respectively, while a series of decreasing tracer iron mass was placed in the tumor region. MPI scans were acquired in 2D and 3D high sensitivity and high sensitivity/high resolution (HSHR) modes using a MOMENTUM imager. A thresholding algorithm was used to define regions of interest (ROIs) in the scans and the tracer mass in the liver and tumors was calculated by comparison of the signal in their respective ROI against that of known mass fiducials that were included in each scan. The results demonstrate that this approach to image analysis provides accurate estimates of tracer mass. Additionally, the results show how the limit of detection in MPI is sensitive to the details of tracer distribution in the subject, as we found that a greater tracer mass in the liver cavity resulted in poorer sensitivity in tumor regions. These experiments illustrate the utility of the reported 3D‐printed anatomically correct mouse phantoms in evaluating methods to analyze MPI scans and plan in vivo experiments.
Aberrant translation regulated by METTL1/WDR4‐mediated tRNA N7‐methylguanosine modification drives head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression
Authors: Chen Jie , Li Kang , Chen Jianwen , Wang Xiaochen , Ling Rongsong , Cheng Maosheng , Chen Zhi , Chen Fangfang , He Qianting , Li Shuai , Zhang Caihua , Jiang Yizhou , Chen Qianming , Wang Anxun , Chen Demeng
Published: February 2022

Background

Cancer cells selectively promote the translation of oncogenic transcripts to stimulate cancer progression. Although growing evidence has revealed that tRNA modifications and related genes participate in this process, their roles in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we sought to investigate the function and mechanisms of the transfer RNA (tRNA) N7‐methylguanosine (m7G) modification in regulating the occurrence and development of HNSCC.

Methods

Cell lost‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function assays, xenograft models, conditional knockout and knockin mouse models were used to study the physiological functions of tRNA m7G modification in HNSCC tumorigenesis. tRNA modification and expression profiling, mRNA translation profiling and rescue assays were performed to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms. Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) was conducted to explore the tumor microenvironment changes.

Results

The tRNA m7G methyltransferase complex components Methyltransferase‐like 1 (METTL1)/WD repeat domain 4 (WDR4) were upregulated in HNSCC and associated with a poor prognosis. Functionally, METTL1/WDR4 promoted HNSCC progression and metastasis in cell‐based and transgenic mouse models. Mechanistically, ablation of METTL1 reduced the m7G levels of 16 tRNAs, inhibiting the translation of a subset of oncogenic transcripts, including genes related to the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) signaling pathway. In addition, chemical modulators of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway reversed the effects of Mettl1 in mouse HNSCC. Furthermore, scRNA‐seq results revealed that Mettl1 knockout in mouse tumor cells altered the immune landscape and cell‐cell interaction between the tumor and stromal compartment.

Conclusions

The tRNA m7G methyltransferase METTL1 was found to promote the development and malignancy of HNSCC through regulating global mRNA translation, including the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, and found to alter immune landscape. METTL1 could be a promising treatment target for HNSCC patients.
Systemic treatments and outcomes in CIC‐rearranged Sarcoma: A national multi‐centre clinicopathological series and literature review
Authors: Connolly Elizabeth A. , Bhadri Vivek A. , Wake Johnathon , Ingley Katrina M. , Lewin Jeremy , Bae Susie , Wong Daniel D. , Long Anne P. , Pryor David , Thompson Stephen R. , Strach Madeleine C. , Grimison Peter S. , Mahar Annabelle , Bonar Fiona , Maclean Fiona , Hong Angela
Published: February 2022

CIC‐rearranged sarcoma is a recently established, ultra‐rare, molecularly defined sarcoma subtype. We aimed to further characterise clinical features of CIC‐rearranged sarcomas and explore clinical management including systemic treatments and outcomes.

Methods

A multi‐centre retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed between 2014–2019.

Results

Eighteen patients were identified. The median age was 27 years (range 13–56), 10 patients were male (56%), 11 patients (61%) had localised disease and 7 patients had advanced (metastatic or unresectable) disease at diagnosis. Of 11 patients with localised disease at diagnosis, median overall survival (OS) was 40.6 months and the 1‐, 2‐ and 5‐year OS estimates were 82%, 64% and 34% respectively. Nine patients (82%) underwent surgery (all had R0 resections), 8 (73%) patients received radiotherapy to the primary site (median dose 57Gy in 28 fractions), and 8 (73%) patients received chemotherapy (predominantly Ewing‐based regimens). Metastases developed in 55% with a median time to recurrence of 10.5 months. In patients with advanced disease at diagnosis, median OS was 12.6 months (95% CI 5.1–20.1), 1‐year OS was 57%. Median progression‐free survival was 5.8 months (95% CI 4.5–7.2). Durable systemic therapy responses occurred infrequently with a median duration of systemic treatment response of 2.1 months. One durable complete response of metastatic disease to VDC/IE chemotherapy was seen. Responses to pazopanib (n = 1) and pembrolizumab (n = 1) were not seen.

Conclusion

In this series, CIC‐rearranged sarcomas affected young adults and had a high incidence of presenting with, or developing, metastatic disease. The prognosis overall was poor. In advanced disease, durable systemic therapy responses were infrequent.
Delay of initial radioactive iodine therapy beyond 3 months has no effect on clinical responses and overall survival in patients with thyroid carcinoma: A cohort study and a meta‐analysis
Authors: Cheng Fang , Xiao Juan , Huang Fengyan , Shao Chunchun , Ding Shouluan , Yun Canhua , Jia Hongying
Published: February 2022

Background

More than a third of thyroid carcinoma (TC) patients require treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI), but the timing of initial RAI therapy after thyroidectomy remains controversial.

Methods

We included 1224 differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients during 2015–2019, divided them into the early (≤3 months) and the delayed (>3 months) groups based on the interval between surgery and the initial RAI. Clinical outcomes were assessed within 6–8 months of treatment with RAI, including excellent response (ER), indeterminate response (IDR), biochemical incomplete (BIR) and structural incomplete response (SIR). Further transformed them into dichotomous outcomes, we therefore introduced the ordered/binary logistic regression to assess the relation of time interval and quaternary/dichotomous outcomes, respectively. Finally, we conducted a meta‐analysis for cohort study to investigate the effect of timing of RAI therapy on the prognosis of TC.

Results

Delay RAI therapy beyond 3 months reduced the IR (BIR + SIR) rate in the present cohort study (RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49–91). Following meta‐analysis including 38,688 DTC patients confirmed these results (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66–0.91), further revealed the duration of treatment does not influence OS (pooled RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.83–1.33).

Conclusion

Delayed initial RAI therapy beyond 3 months but no later than 6 months did not impair the prognosis of TC.
CCL2 activates AKT signaling to promote glycolysis and chemoresistance in glioma cells
Authors: Qian Yafang , Ding Peng , Xu Jie , Nie Xiaohu , Lu Bin
Published: February 2022

The incidence of gliomas is increasing. Although great progress in glioma treatment has been made, the clinical outcome remains unsatisfactory. Chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) plays a key role in different types of cancers, including glioma. However, the function of CCL2 in glioma chemoresistance is not fully understood. In the current study, CCL2 was significantly upregulated in glioma. More importantly, CCL2 and CCR2 were significantly upregulated in temozolomide (TMZ)‐resistant glioma. TMZ‐resistant malignant glioblastoma cells (U251/TMZ) had higher expressions of CCL2 and CCR2 and a higher level of glycolysis as compared to its parental cell line U251. Silencing of CCL2 in U251/TMZ cells inhibited glycolysis. Overexpression of CCL2 reduced TMZ‐induced apoptosis through activation of the AKT pathway and promotion of glycolysis. Moreover, overexpression of CCL2 significantly reduced the antitumor effect of TMZ in vivo. In conclusion, CCL2 overexpression reduced the antitumor effect of TMZ by enhancing glycolysis through activation of AKT signaling. The findings highlighted the importance of CCL2/CCR2/glycolysis and its potential value in developing new treatment for glioma.
Fungal, parasitological, and bacterial coinfection in a severely ill COVID‐19 patient in Peru
Authors: Moya‐Salazar Jeel , Sauñe Sharon S. , Valer Roxana , Salazar‐Hernandez Richard , Loza Wilfredo , Suxe Evelyn , Chicoma‐Flores Karina , Contreras‐Pulache Hans
Published: February 2022

COVID‐19 patients are prone to coinfections during their hospitalization. These coinfections are challenging as they involve longer hospital stays, high costs, and higher risk of mortality. Here, we present a case of a patient with multi‐infection by resistant parasites, fungi, and bacteria during his hospitalization in a hospital in Lima, Peru.
Slow‐growing pedunculated nodule
Authors: Kouki Chaima , Kammoun Nadine , Sellami Khadija , Bahloul Emna , Mallouli Manel , Ayadi Lobna , Boudaouara Tahya , Turki Hamida
Published: February 2022

There have been limited reported cases of pedunculated basal cell carcinoma(BCC). Our case is original, and it combines two rare aspects of CBC: Pedunculated and giant. This uncommon aspect is rarely encountered.
The roles of between‐ and within‐person self‐knowledge in career decision‐making
Authors: Xu Hui
Published: February 2022

While social comparison is likely a common practice in career decision‐making, little is known about whether the knowledge products of such comparisons are beneficial and the extent to which they are beneficial. Using a sample of U.S. individuals (n = 296), the current study examined the unique and multiplicative predictions of between‐person self‐knowledge (i.e., knowledge about the relative standings of attributes in society) and within‐person self‐knowledge (i.e., knowledge about the dominant areas within psychological profiles) for career decision‐making difficulty. The results revealed that between‐person self‐knowledge negatively predicted choice/commitment anxiety. The results also supported the positive moderation of between‐person self‐knowledge in the prediction of within‐person self‐knowledge for choice/commitment anxiety. In general, the present study suggests that between‐person self‐knowledge is an important assessment and intervention area that is auxiliary to within‐person self‐exploration in facilitating career decision‐making.
Linker‐Modulated Peroxide Electrosynthesis Using Metal‐Organic Nanosheets**
Authors: Kuruvinashetti Kiran , Kornienko Nikolay
Published: February 2022

The electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a widely used oxidant, is emerging as a green alternative to the conventional anthraquinone method. In this work, Ni‐based metal‐organic nanosheet (Ni−MON) catalysts constructed using a variety of linkers were studied as oxygen reduction catalysts. Using a host of analytical techniques, we reveal how modulating the terephthalic acid linker with hydroxy, amine, and fluorine groups impacts the resulting physical and electronic structure of the Ni catalytic sites. These changes further impact the catalysts’ Faradaic Efficiency for H2O2, with the Ni−Amine−MON reaching near 100 % FE at minimal overpotential for the 2e− H2O2 pathway in alkaline electrolyte. Finally, we translate the Ni−Amine−MON catalyst to a gas‐diffusion reaction geometry and demonstrate a H2O2 partial current density of 200 mA/cm2 while maintaining 85 % Faradaic efficiency. In all, this study puts forth a simple route to catalyst modulation for highly effective H2O2 electrosynthesis.
Applicability of TiO2‐Laden Asphalt Pavements in Reducing the Vehicular Pollution of Chandigarh, India
Authors: Singh Harjinder , Thind Parteek Singh , Singh Sandeep , John Siby
Published: February 2022

Vehicular emissions play a significant role in urban‐environmental pollution. Therefore, in the present investigation, efforts are made to estimate the applicability of Titanium dioxide (TiO2)‐laden asphalt pavements in degrading the ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in Chandigarh, India. In this regard, an artificial environment is created, and experiments are designed to degrade NO2 and Sulfur dioxide (SO2) using photocatalysis. Further, the process parameters, viz., concentration of TiO2 emulsion (25 to 125 mL m−2), Ultraviolet UV‐A irradiance (1 to 5 mW cm−2), and proportion of bitumen (4 to 6%), are optimized to achieve the maximum degradation of NO2 and SO2. Results reveal that maximum degradation of NO2 and SO2, that is, 61.91 and 55.39%, respectively, is achieved at 81.67 mL m−2 of TiO2 emulsion, 5 mW cm−2 of UV‐A irradiance, and 5.78% of bitumen. The optimized conditions of photocatalytic application are further used to treat the ambient NO2 of Chandigarh, India. Analysis of the ambient air data of Chandigarh, India, from 2005 to 2015, depicts significant contribution of vehicular emissions. It is also predicted that by 2031 the ambient concentration of NO2, may exceed the permissible limits. However, layering of asphalt payments with TiO2 could prevent such situation by 2114.
Institutional force and firm performance: Do employee green involvement and flexibility‐oriented culture matter?
Authors: Zhang Qiansong , Feng Taiwen , Cheng Long , He Qingsong
Published: February 2022

Despite the increasing awareness in perceived institutional force, whether and how it affects firm performance has not been confirmed. According to stakeholder theory, this article explores how perceived institutional force influences different types of firm performance via employee green involvement, as well as the moderating role of flexibility‐oriented culture. We collect two round data from 317 Chinese manufacturers to examine the hypotheses. The findings manifest that both perceived business and social force promote employee green involvement. Employee green involvement partially mediates the effect of perceived business force on financial performance, while fully mediates the effect of perceived business force on environmental performance. Additionally, employee green involvement partially mediates the effects of perceived social force on financial and environmental performance. Our research also indicates that flexibility‐oriented culture positively moderates the impacts of perceived business and social force on employee green involvement. This research enriches the institutional force literature by verifying how and under what conditions it impacts firm performance.
Ni‐Fe Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets Supported on Exfoliated Graphite for Efficient Urea Oxidation in Direct Urea Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhao Xiaolong , Wang Yifei , Zhang Yingguang , Luo Shijing , Zhang Huimin , Leung Dennis Y. C.
Published: February 2022

Urea‐rich wastewater can cause serious eutrophication problem to the water environment. On the other hand, urea is a potential fuel with high energy density, which can be effectively utilized by direct urea fuel cell. In this work, exfoliated graphite (EG) with high surface area and electrical conductivity was obtained by microwave irradiation, which was used to support the Ni−Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH), leading to a highly efficient and low‐cost urea oxidation catalyst. Compared with commercial RuO2, the as‐prepared Ni−Fe LDH/EG exhibited a lower onset potential of 1.25 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode as well as a lower Tafel slope of 44 mV dec−1. The catalyst durability was also proved to be excellent. The optimized Ni/Fe molar ratio was confirmed to be 3 : 1, while the most suitable catalyst/EG ratio was 3 : 50. When applied in a dual‐electrolyte direct urea fuel cell, the peak power density reached 12 mW cm−2, and the long‐term discharge was also stable with negligible voltage loss at 10 mA cm−2 for 3 h. Such a low‐cost and efficient urea oxidation catalyst can be widely utilized in future direct urea fuel cells, which achieve wastewater treatment and renewable electricity generation at the same time.
A series of case studies illustrating the role of flow cytometry in the diagnostic work‐up of myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Westers Theresia M. , Saft Leonie , van der Velden Vincent H. J. , te Marvelde Jeroen G. , Dunlop Alan , Ireland Robin , Valent Peter , Porwit Anna , Béné Marie C. , van de Loosdrecht Arjan A.
Published: February 2022

Current guidelines recommend flow cytometric analysis as part of the diagnostic assessment of patients with cytopenia suspected for myelodysplastic syndrome. Herein we describe the complete work‐up of six cases using multimodal integrated diagnostics. Flow cytometry assessments are illustrated by plots from conventional and more recent analysis tools. The cases demonstrate the added value of flow cytometry in case of hypocellular, poor quality, or ambiguous bone marrow cytomorphology. Moreover, they demonstrate how immunophenotyping results support clinical decision‐making in inconclusive and clinically ‘difficult’ cases.
The Wnt1‐Cre2 transgene is active in the male germline
Authors: Dinsmore Colin J. , Ke Chen‐Yeh , Soriano Philippe
Published: February 2022

The Wnt1‐Cre transgenic mouse line is widely used to express the CRE recombinase in neural crest lineages, but it overexpresses WNT1 itself, which can cause undesired phenotypes. To address this, we and others previously developed a Wnt1‐Cre2 line based on the same regulatory elements as Wnt1‐Cre but without ectopic Wnt1 expression. However, while Wnt1‐Cre2 exhibits normal activity when transmitted from female mice, it exhibits unexpected activity in the male germline. The Wnt1‐Cre2 transgene was previously mapped to the E2f1 locus. Several genes in this genomic region exhibit significant expression in spermatogonia or spermatocytes, suggesting that local regulatory elements may be driving ectopic transgene expression. The Wnt1‐Cre2 line can therefore be used both as a neural crest specific and a general deleter, and care should be taken when setting up genetic crosses.
Fungal spore transport by omnivorous mycophagous slug in temperate forest
Authors: Kitabayashi Keiko , Kitamura Shumpei , Tuno Nobuko
Published: February 2022

Slugs are important consumers of fungal fruiting bodies and expected to carry their spores. In this study, we examined whether slugs (Meghimatium fruhstorferi) can act as effective dispersers of spores of basidiomycetes. The microscopic observation confirmed the presence of basidiospores in feces of field‐collected slugs, and the DNA metabarcoding study revealed that Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were major fungal taxa found in the feces. In Basidiomycota, the dominant order was Agaricales followed by Trichosporonales and Hymenochaetales. The laboratory experiments using Tylopilus vinosobrunneus showed that slugs carried a large number of spores in their digestive tracts. It was also observed that Pleurotus, Armillaria, and Gymnopilus spores excreted by slugs had a higher germination capacity than control spores collected from spore prints. The field experiments showed that slugs traveled 10.3 m in 5 h at most by wandering on the ground, litter layers, wood debris, and tree trunks. These results suggest that slugs could carry spores of ectomycorrhizal, saprophytic, and wood‐decaying fungi to appropriate sites for these fungi to establish colonies.
Clinical features and predictors of atrial fibrillation in patients with light‐chain or transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Papathanasiou Maria , Jakstaite Aiste‐Monika , Oubari Sara , Siebermair Johannes , Wakili Reza , Hoffmann Julia , Carpinteiro Alexander , Hagenacker Tim , Thimm Andreas , Rischpler Christoph , Kessler Lukas , Rassaf Tienush , Luedike Peter
Published: February 2022

Aims

The study aimed to investigate the prevalence, phenotypic characteristics, and predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients presenting with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) of light‐chain (AL) or transthyretin (ATTR) type.

Methods and results

Clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data of patients presenting with CA between 2005 and 2020 were retrospectively collected. CA staging was based on established biomarker systems. Binomial logistic regression was run to analyse the effects of clinical variables on the likelihood of AF. The study included 133 patients [53% AL, 41% wild‐type (wt) ATTR‐CA, & 6% hereditary ATTR‐CA]. Mean age was 71 years, and 80% were male patients. AF was diagnosed in 64 (48%) patients (28% in AL‐CA, 80% in wtATTR, 13% in hATTR, P < 0.001). Patients with AF were older (74 vs. 69 years, P < 0.001), more likely to have wtATTR‐CA (67 vs. 16%, P < 0.001), exhibited more often New York Heart Association ≥ III symptoms (66 vs. 45%, P = 0.02) and carried a higher burden of comorbidities. AF patients had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (47 vs. 53%, P < 0.005), higher left atrial volume index (54 vs. 46 mL/m2, P = 0.007), higher pulmonary artery pressure (42 vs. 31 mmHg, P = 0.008), and worse tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion values (17 vs. 20 mm, P = 0.01). Mitral regurgitation ≥ Grade 2 was more frequent in AF (56 vs. 25%, P < 0.001). Higher ATTR‐CA stage was associated with higher AF prevalence (47% vs. 74% vs. 94%, P < 0.001, for Stages I, II, & III, respectively). Higher AL‐CA stage was associated with lower AF prevalence (0% vs. 40% vs. 31% vs. 18%, P < 0.001, for Stages I, II, IIIa, & IIIb, respectively). Three independent predictors for AF were identified in a multivariate logistic regression model with 81.5% classification accuracy: AL type [odds ratio (OR) 0.1, confidence interval (CI) 0.01–0.29, P = 0.001], estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR 0.9, CI 0.93–0.99, P = 0.03), and body mass index (OR 1.3, CI 1.07–1.66, P = 0.01). ATTR amyloidosis was associated with a 10‐fold higher risk of AF. During 1 year follow‐up, only one episode of ischaemic stroke was reported.

Conclusions

Atrial fibrillation affects nearly half of all patients with CA. Patients presenting with AF have more severe symptoms and higher burden of comorbidities. ATTR type of amyloidosis is the strongest predictor of AF. Prospective screening for occult AF may be considered in ATTR‐CA.
Organocatalytic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution: An Update
Authors: Pellissier Hélène
Published: February 2022

It is only in the two last decades that the first examples of organocatalytic dynamic kinetic resolutions (DKRs) have been disclosed. These methodologies allow resolving racemic compounds with up to quantitative yield. Today, a variety of chiral organocatalysts are capable of providing excellent enantioselectivities in many types of transformations evolving through DKR. The goal of this review is to update the field of organocatalytic DKRs since 2016. It is divided into six sections, according to the different types of organocatalysts employed in these reactions, such as Brønsted acid catalysts, hydrogen‐bonding catalysts, N‐heterocyclic carbene catalysts, Lewis base catalysts, phase‐transfer catalysts, and cinchona alkaloid‐based Brønsted base catalysts.
Eating disorder symptoms and their associations with anthropometric and psychiatric polygenic scores
Authors: Abdulkadir Mohamed , Hübel Christopher , Herle Moritz , Loos Ruth J. F. , Breen Gerome , Bulik Cynthia M. , Micali Nadia
Published: February 2022

Background

Eating disorder (ED) symptoms are prevalent in the general population, but their shared genetic underpinnings with psychiatric, metabolic, and anthropometric traits are not known. Here, we examined if polygenic scores (PGSs) of traits associated with anorexia nervosa are also associated with adolescent ED symptoms in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Methods

A total of 8654 participants with genotype data and at least one phenotypic measure were included from the ALSPAC study. We associated PGS from 25 traits (16 psychiatric, 4 metabolic, and 5 anthropometric) with eight ED symptoms, including behaviours such as fasting for weight loss and cognitions such as body dissatisfaction.

Results

Higher attention deficit hyperactivity disorder PGS and lower educational attainment PGS were associated with fasting for weight loss. Higher insomnia PGS was associated with increased body dissatisfaction. We found no evidence of an association between metabolic trait PGS and any ED symptom. Fat‐free mass, fat mass, and body fat percentage PGSs, were positively associated with binge eating, excessive exercise, fasting for weight loss, body dissatisfaction, and weight and shape concern.

Conclusions

ED symptoms are genetically associated with psychiatric and anthropometric, but not with metabolic traits. Our findings provide insights for future genetic research investigating on why some individuals with ED symptoms progress to develop threshold EDs while others do not.
Discrete choice analysis of health worker job preferences in Ethiopia: Separating attribute non‐attendance from taste heterogeneity
Authors: Arora Nikita , Quaife Matthew , Hanson Kara , Lagarde Mylene , Woldesenbet Dorka , Seifu Abiy , Crastes dit Sourd Romain
Published: February 2022

When measuring preferences, discrete choice experiments (DCEs) typically assume that respondents consider all available information before making decisions. However, many respondents often only consider a subset of the choice characteristics, a heuristic called attribute non‐attendance (ANA). Failure to account for ANA can bias DCE results, potentially leading to flawed policy recommendations. While conventional latent class logit models have most commonly been used to assess ANA in choices, these models are often not flexible enough to separate non‐attendance from respondents' low valuation of certain attributes, resulting in inflated rates of ANA. In this paper, we show that semi‐parametric mixtures of latent class models can be used to disentangle successfully inferred non‐attendance from respondent's “weaker” taste sensitivities for certain attributes. In a DCE on the job preferences of health workers in Ethiopia, we demonstrate that such models provide more reliable estimates of inferred non‐attendance than the alternative methods currently used. Moreover, since we find statistically significant variation in the rates of ANA exhibited by different health worker cadres, we highlight the need for well‐defined attributes in a DCE, to ensure that ANA does not result from a weak experimental design.