bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The global, regional, national burden of nasopharyngeal cancer and its attributable risk factors (1990–2019) and predictions to 2035
Authors: Song Yexun , Cheng Wenwei , Li Heqing , Liu Xiajing
Published: April 2022

We aim to report the latest incidence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALYs) between 1990 and 2019, by age, sex, sociodemographic index (SDI), and provide predictions to 2035. We use estimates from Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 to analyze the incidence, mortality, and DALYs. All the estimates were shown as counts and age‐standardized rates (ASR). In 2019, there were more than 176,501 (156,046 to 199,917) incidence cases, with ASRs of 2.1 (1.9 to 2.4). Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) accounted for 71,610 (65,442 to 77,625) deaths, with ASRs of 0.9 (0.8 to 0.9). NPC was also responsible for 2.34 million (2,139,753 to 2,536,657) DALYs, with ASRs of 28.0 (25.7 to 30.4). The count of all the new cases increased from 1990 to 2019. At the regional level, the highest age‐standardized incidence rates were found in East Asia, the highest age‐standardized death and DALY rates were shown in Southeast Asia. At the national level, the age‐standardized incidence rates were highest in Singapore, and the age‐standardized death and DALY rates were highest in Malaysia. The total numbers and rates of all the estimates were significantly higher among males than females across most of the age groups. The considerable burden of NPC was attributable to alcohol use, smoking, and occupational exposure to formaldehyde. A total of six GBD regions and 88 countries are projected to experience an increase in NPC ASRs between 2019 and 2035, respectively. Despite the current decline in age‐standardized mortality and DALY rates globally, the age‐standardized incidence rate has increased from 1990 to 2019, and continues to increase between 2020 and 2035, indicating that nasopharyngeal cancer remains a major health challenge worldwide. Prevention strategies should focus on modifiable risk factors, especially among males in East Asia.
Endocarditis following transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement: What's the difference?
Authors: Goldsweig Andrew M. , Hermiller James B.
Published: April 2022

Key Points

In patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), surgical intervention is rarely performed.

For the treatment of TAVR PVE, surgical AVR (SAVR) and medical therapy resulted in similar rates of in‐hospital mortality and 30‐day readmissions, though SAVR patients had greater lengths of stay and costs of care.

Randomized data comparing surgical and medical therapy for PVE are lacking and especially needed, both for patients with TAVR and SAVR valves.
Influence of harvest moisture content and milling duration on microwave‐dried rice physicochemical properties
Authors: Bruce Rebecca M. , Atungulu Griffiths G. , Sadaka Sammy , Mauromoustakos Andy
Published: April 2022

Background and Objectives

Harvest moisture content (HMC) and milling duration are important factors that influence milled rice quality. The goal of this study is to determine the effect of HMC and milling duration on the physicochemical properties of long grain and medium grain microwave‐dried rice. A long‐grain hybrid rice cultivar (XL753) and a medium‐grain rice cultivar (Titan) with initial HMCs of 16%, 18%, and 20% (wet basis) were sourced from rice farms in Arkansas, USA. The rice samples were dried with the 915 MHz industrial microwave at a specific energy of 525 kJ/[kg‐grain]. The control samples were dried with natural air in an equilibrium moisture content chamber set at 25°C and 56% relative humidity. Following drying, the samples were milled at milling durations of 30, 45, and 60 s, and physicochemical properties were determined.

Findings

HMC had significant (p < .05) impacts on head rice yield, crude protein content, and final viscosity of microwave‐dried rice for both cultivars. There were strong positive correlations (Titan: 0.86, XL753: 0.88) between HMC and head rice yield and negative correlations (Titan: −0.85, XL753: −0.62) between HMC and final viscosity of microwave‐dried rice. Milling duration significantly influenced the surface lipid content and whiteness index of microwave‐dried rice for both cultivars. Furthermore, milling duration had significant impacts on the starch damage content and trough viscosity of microwave‐dried rice cultivar XL753 but no significant impact on cultivar Titan. Statistical models predicted HMC of 20% and milling duration of 45 and 42 s for processing microwave‐dried rice cultivars Titan and XL753 respectively, to obtain rice with superior characteristics.

Conclusions

HMC and milling duration significantly influenced some physicochemical properties of microwave‐dried rice. We recommend that further studies should be conducted on the cooking, sensory, and storage properties of microwave‐dried rice, to provide information on end‐use and consumer acceptability.

Significance and Novelty

This study provides science‐based information that is vital for optimizing the harvesting and processing conditions of rice dried using the 915 MHz industrial microwave.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the scalp
Authors: Al‐Khattab Maha , Kennedy Sharon , Jones Deirdre
Published: April 2022

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare entity. Due to its high propensity for local recurrence, knowledge of the appropriate management, both surgical and medical, is important for optimal patient outcomes.
Photoredox‐ and Nickel‐Catalyzed Hydroalkylation of Alkynes with 4‐Alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines: Ligand‐Controlled Regioselectivity
Authors: Zhang Yulin , Tanabe Yoshiaki , Kuriyama Shogo , Nishibayashi Yoshiaki
Published: April 2022

Dual photoredox‐ and nickel‐catalyzed hydroalkylation of terminal alkynes with 4‐alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines under visible light irradiation to afford Markovnikov‐ or anti‐Markovnikov‐type alkylated alkenes in good‐to‐high yields has been achieved, in which the regioselectivity of the products was effectively controlled by coordination ligands for nickel species. Using [NiCl2(dtbbpy)] as a catalyst led to the formation of Markovnikov‐type products, whereas using NiCl2 ⋅ 6 H2O led to the formation of anti‐Markovnikov‐type products.
Solubility of sodium oxalate in kraft black liquors below 100°C
Authors: Khafhafera Ahmed Naser , Kung Jo‐Wen Jasmine , DeMartini Nikolai
Published: April 2022

Precipitation of sodium salts from kraft black liquor leads to scale formation in the evaporation plants of kraft pulp mills. Sodium oxalate scaling is most prevalent in mills pulping tropical hardwoods such as eucalyptus and acacia, but it has also been found in the scales in high solids lines after the concentrators in mills pulping softwoods. There is very limited solubility data for sodium oxalate in black liquor, especially below 100°C. This study measures the solubility limit in four different black liquors from 14% to 47% dry solids between 50 and 90°C. The newly generated solubility data in black liquors enhance our understanding of sodium oxalate scale formation in low solids effects of the evaporation plant. An example of an application to a kraft pulp mill with sodium oxalate scaling in the seventh effect is given.
Efficient Screening of Target‐Specific Selected Compounds in Mixtures by 19F NMR Binding Assay with Predicted 19F NMR Chemical Shifts
Authors: Vulpetti Anna , Lingel Andreas , Dalvit Claudio , Schiering Nikolaus , Oberer Lukas , Henry Christelle , Lu Yipin
Published: April 2022

Ligand‐based 19F NMR screening is a highly effective and well‐established hit‐finding approach. The high sensitivity to protein binding makes it particularly suitable for fragment screening. Different criteria can be considered for generating fluorinated fragment libraries. One common strategy is to assemble a large, diverse, well‐designed and characterized fragment library which is screened in mixtures, generated based on experimental 19F NMR chemical shifts. Here, we introduce a complementary knowledge‐based 19F NMR screening approach, named 19Focused screening, enabling the efficient screening of putative active molecules selected by computational hit finding methodologies, in mixtures assembled and on‐the‐fly deconvoluted based on predicted 19F NMR chemical shifts. In this study, we developed a novel approach, named LEFshift, for 19F NMR chemical shift prediction using rooted topological fluorine torsion fingerprints in combination with a random forest machine learning method. A demonstration of this approach to a real test case is reported.
MONA—A magnetic oriented nodal analysis for electric circuits
Authors: Shashkov Vsevolod , Cortes Garcia Idoia , Egger Herbert
Published: April 2022

The modified nodal analysis (MNA) is probably the most widely used formulation for the modeling and simulation of electric circuits. Its conventional form uses electric node potentials and currents across inductors and voltage sources as unknowns, thus taking an electric viewpoint. In this paper, we propose an alternative magnetic oriented nodal analysis (MONA) for electric circuits, which is based on magnetic node potentials and charges across capacitors and voltage sources as the primary degrees of freedom, thus giving direct access to these quantities. The resulting system has the structure of a generalized gradient system which immediately ensures passivity in the absence of sources. A complete index analysis is presented showing regularity of the magnetic oriented formulation under standard topological conditions on the network interconnection. In comparison to conventional MNA, the differential‐algebraic index of MONA is smaller by one in most cases which facilitates the numerical solution. Some preliminary numerical experiments are presented for illustration of the feasibility and stability of the new approach.
Forward single‐cell sequencing into clinical application: Understanding of cancer microenvironment at single‐cell solution
Authors: Liu Xuanqi , Powell Charles A , Wang Xiangdong
Published: April 2022

Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) is considered an important approach to understand the molecular mechanisms of cancer microenvironmental functions and has the potential for clinical and translational discovery and development. The recent concerns on the impact of scRNA‐seq for clinical practice are whether scRNA can be applied as a routine measurement of clinical biochemistry to assist in clinical decision‐making for diagnosis and therapy. Pushing single‐cell sequencing into clinical application is one of the important missions for clinical and translational medicine (CTM), although there still are a large number of challenges to be overcome. The present Editorial as one of serials aims at overviewing the history of scRNA‐seq publications in CTM, sharing the understanding and consideration of the cancer microenvironment at the single‐cell solution and emphasising the objective of translating scRNA‐seq into clinical application. The dynamic characteristics and patterns of single‐cell identity, regulatory networks, and intercellular communication play decisive roles in the properties of the microenvironment, malignancy and migrative capacity of cancer cells, and defensive capacity of immune cells. The microenvironmental single‐cell transcriptomic profiles and cell clusters defined by scRNA‐seq have great value for exploring the molecular mechanisms of diseases and predicting cell sensitivities to therapy and patient prognosis.
A Novel Electrochemiluminesence Sensor Based on Silver Prussian Blue Analogue/Carboxylated Sulfur‐doped Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanocomposite for Determination of Lamotrigine
Authors: Alipour Zahra , Haghighi Behzad , Kamyabi Mohammad Ali
Published: April 2022

In this study, for the first time an electrochemiluminescence sensor for ultra‐trace monitoring of lamotrigine is reported. The sensing probe was fabricated using silver prussian blue analogue as a new effective co‐reaction accelerator and carboxylated sulfur‐doped graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposite as a new green luminophore. Also potassium peroxydisulfate was utilized as a strong co‐reactant. The proposed ECL sensor exhibited excellent wide linear range (3.45×10−15 to 2.98×10−8 M), low detection limit (4.89×10−16 M), the relative standard deviation of 1.07 %, outstanding reproducibility and superior long‐term stability. The prominent advantages of the sensor showed that it can be used to determine LMT in clinical samples.
Ultra‐fast, low‐cost, and green regeneration of graphite anode using flash joule heating method
Authors: Dong Shu , Song Yali , Ye Ke , Yan Jun , Wang Guiling , Zhu Kai , Cao Dianxue
Published: April 2022

Graphite is the state‐of‐the‐art anode material for most commercial lithium‐ion batteries. Currently, graphite in the spent batteries is generally directly burned, which caused not only CO2 emission but also a waste of precious carbon resources. In this study, we regenerate graphite in lithium‐ion batteries at the end of life with excellent electrochemical properties using the fast, efficient, and green Flash Joule Heating method (FJH). Through our own developed equipment, under constant pressure and air atmosphere, graphite is rapidly regenerated in 0.1 s without pollutants emission. We perform a detailed analysis of graphite material before and after recovery by multiple means of characterization and find that the regenerated graphite displays electrochemical properties nearly the same as new graphite. FJH provides a large current for defect repair and crystal structure reconstruction in graphite, as well as allowing the SEI coating to be removed during ultra‐fast annealing. The electric field guide the conductive agent and binder pyrolysis products to form conductive sheet graphene and curly graphene covering the graphite surface, making the recycled graphite even better than new commercial graphite in terms of electrical conductivity. Regenerated graphite has excellent multiplier performance and cycle performance (350 mAh g−1 at 1 C with a capacity retention of 99% after 500 cycles). At cost, we get recycled graphite that displays the same performance as new graphite, costing just 77 CNY per ton. This FJH method is not only universal for the regeneration of spent graphite generated by various devices but also enables multiple use‐failure‐regeneration steps of graphite, showing great potential for commercial applications.

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Frequency of disordered eating habits among fashion models
Authors: Bogár Nikolett , Dukay‐Szabó Szilvia , Simon Dávid , Túry Ferenc , Pászthy Bea
Published: April 2022

Objective

Sociocultural influences, including an increasing pressure for fashion models to maintain a thin body frame may be crucial in the development of eating disorders. The present study aimed to establish whether fashion models are more likely than non‐models to develop eating disorders.

Methods

Female fashion models were selected by snowball sampling (n = 179, mean age: 25.9 SD = 4.70 years). They were compared with an age adjusted control group (n = 261, mean age: 25.0 SD = 4.97 years). Participants completed an online questionnaire containing the Eating Disorder Inventory.

Results

The average BMI of the fashion models was in the underweight range (mean BMI = 18.1 SD = 1.68). The BMI of the control group was significantly higher (mean = 22.1 SD = 4.23, p < 0.001). The frequency of simulated anorexia nervosa was 3.9% among the fashion models and 1.1% in the control group (p = 0.057). 14.6% of the models showed subclinical anorexia nervosa symptoms versus 2.7% in the control group (p < 0.001). The ratio of bulimia nervosa and subclinical bulimia nervosa showed no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion

Female fashion models showed no significant difference from the control group in the frequency of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa but had a significantly higher frequency of the subclinical form of anorexia nervosa.
Petroleum market volatility tracker in China
Authors: Bian Huabin , Hua Renhai , Liu Qingfu , Zhang Ping
Published: April 2022

This paper constructs a China petroleum market volatility (CPMV) tracker based on Chinese newspapers from March 2018 to July 2021 for the first time. Then, we use the Generalized AutoRegressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity mixed‐data sampling (GARCH‐MIDAS) model to explore the explanatory ability of the CPMV tracker, and the results show that compared with other volatility trackers, the CPMV tracker has a superior ability to explain the volatility of Shanghai crude oil futures (SC). Further, we conduct a more detailed analysis of the CPMV tracker, and find that the CPMV tracker can reflect the information and market sentiment of SC, and needs to be taken into consideration when explaining SC volatility.
Price discovery in the CSI 300 Index derivatives markets
Authors: Jin Liwei , Yuan Xianghui , Long Jun , Li Xiang , Lian Feng
Published: April 2022

The price discovery in finance markets has been the focus of many researches. On the basis of 1‐min high‐frequency returns, this paper sets out to examine the dynamics of price discovery between the China Securities Index 300 index and its derivative products: the futures, the index exchange‐traded fund (ETF), and the ETF options. Nonparametric nonlinear method thermal optimal path method is adopted in this study. The empirical evidence shows a clear difference in price discovery ability concerning the three products under investigation, and their rank (sorted by strength) can be presented as options, futures, and ETF. In addition, the leading phenomenon has been verified by the regression method. Furthermore, we find that out‐of‐the‐money options have the strongest price discovery ability among different moneyness option contracts. On this basis, we find that leverage is an important factor affecting the ability of price discovery.
Anti‐CD47 immunotherapy in combination with BCL‐2 inhibitor to enhance anti‐tumor activity in B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Li Miaomiao , Yu Hui , Qi Fei , Ye Yingying , Hu Dingyao , Cao Jiaowu , Wang Dedao , Mi Lan , Wang Zhengyi , Ding Ning , Ping Lingyan , Shu Shaokun , Zhu Jun
Published: April 2022

CD47 expressed on cancer cells enables macrophage immune evasion. Blocking CD47 using anti‐CD47 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is a promising strategy. The anti‐CD47 mAb TJC4 has anti‐tumor activity but lacks hematological toxicity. Venetoclax, a B‐cell lymphoma 2 (BCL‐2) inhibitor for B‐cell malignancy, induces phosphatidylserine (PS) extracellular exposure, representing an “eat‐me” signal for macrophages. The present study aimed to explore whether TJC4‐Venetoclax combined therapy exerts synergistic anti‐cancer properties in B‐cell lymphoma. In vitro, flow cytometry and microscopy assessed whether TJC4 monotherapy or combination treatment could promote macrophage‐mediated phagocytosis of tumor cells. Induced PS exposure on the cell membrane was measured using flow cytometry with Annexin V‐FITC staining. In vivo, Venetoclax and TJC4's synergistic anti‐tumor effects were evaluated. B cell lymphoma cell lines express high levels of CD47 and patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma expressing CD47 have a worse clinical prognosis. TJC4 eliminates tumor cells via macrophage‐mediated phagocytosis. In vitro and in vivo, the TJC4‐Venetoclax combination increased phagocytosis significantly compared with either agent alone, showing synergistic phagocytosis, and displayed synergistic anti‐cancer properties in B‐cell lymphoma. Our results support the TJC4‐Venetoclax combination as a promising therapy, and suppressing BCL‐2 and CD47 simultaneously could represent a novel therapeutic paradigm for B‐cell lymphoma.
Nonlinear thermal radiation on MHD tangential hyperbolic hybrid nanofluid over a stretching wedge with convective boundary condition
Authors: Ogunniyi Peter O. , Gbadeyan Abiodun J. , Agarana Michael C. , Yusuf Tunde A.
Published: April 2022

In this study, two distinct nanoparticles: aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and copper (Cu) are chosen as nanomaterials to examine the effects of nonlinear electrically conducting magnetohydrodynamic radiation on the flow of tangential hyperbolic hybrid nanofluid across a nonlinearly stretched sheet with convective boundary conditions. The equations that regulate fluid flow are represented as partial differential equations. These equations are reduced to their equivalent ordinary differential equations, which are solved using the homotopy analysis approach with the help of similarity variables. The effect of essential physical factors on fluid velocity, temperature, skin friction coefficient, and local Nusselt number is investigated and discussed. Results ascertain that the heat transfer rate of Cu/H2O nanofluid becomes high when equated to Cu–Al2O3/H2O nanofluid. Furthermore, the temperature distribution enhances with the rise in solid volume fraction while it diminishes with improved magnetic field for both nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid.
Transient MHD convective flow of a micropolar fluid past a moving vertical plate in the presence of thermal diffusion
Authors: Taid Bijoy Krishna , Ahmed Nazibuddin , Das Nabanita
Published: April 2022

In this article, we investigate a transient magnetohydrodynamic convective micropolar fluid flow over a semi‐infinite vertical plate embedded in a porous medium in the presence of chemical reaction and thermal diffusion. The dimensionless governing equations are solved by adopting the regular perturbation technique. The impact of various parameters on the velocity, microrotation, temperature, concentration profiles, skin friction, Sherwood number, and Nusselt number over the boundary layer is analyzed using graphs. The fluid velocity and microrotation reduce under the effect of thermal diffusion and chemical reaction. Furthermore, concentration rises due to thermal diffusion (Soret) effect, but concentration falls under the effect of chemical reaction. It is found that the velocity and skin friction fall with enhancing value of magnetic parameter. But Sherwood number increases as the magnetic parameter increase.
Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for the horseshoe kidney with indocyanine green fluorescence guidance under the modified supine position
Authors: Imai Yu , Urabe Fumihiko , Fukuokaya Wataru , Matsukawa Akihiro , Iwatani Kosuke , Aikawa Koichi , Obayashi Koki , Yanagisawa Takafumi , Tsuzuki Shunsuke , Nakajo Hiroshi , Kimura Takahiro , Egawa Shin , Miki Jun
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Owing to the complexity of their blood supply, renal tumors in horseshoe kidneys are sometimes technically challenging to resect through laparoscopic procedures.

Case presentation

A 75‐year‐old man presented with a 3‐cm lower‐pole mass in the right moiety of the horseshoe kidney. Indocyanine green administration allowed for the identification of the tumor's feeding artery, which was selectively clamped to perform laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. During the procedure, the patient was positioned in the modified supine position (30° semi‐lateral position), which enabled us to approach the branch of the left renal artery. Postoperative pathologic examination of the resected mass confirmed the diagnosis of pT1a clear cell renal cell carcinoma with negative surgical margins.

Conclusion

Our novel laparoscopic approach with indocyanine green fluorescence in the modified supine position facilitates the identification of and access to the tumor's feeding artery. This technique is advantageous for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in patients with horseshoe kidney.
Simultaneous extraction of DHA‐ and EPA‐rich oil and separation of proteins from Antarctic krill using three‐phase partitioning system of cosolvents and organic salt
Authors: Zeb Liaqat , Teng Xin‐Nan , Shafiq Muhammad , Dong Yue‐Sheng , Xiu Zhi‐Long
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

The nutritional and functional potential of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)‐ and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)‐rich oil from Antarctic krill has continued to attract attention worldwide. Therefore, a highly effective approach is essential for extracting Antarctic krill's DHA/EPA‐rich oil and proteins from wet biomass in the same system.

RESULTS

A cosolvent three‐phase partitioning system (TPPS) was developed to simultaneously extract DHA/EPA‐rich oil and separate proteins (PT) from wet Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) biomass. The COSMO‐RS was used to screen cosolvents for the extraction of EPA and DHA. The TPPS parameters were optimized by response surface methodology using a central‐composite design, which consisted of 52% (w/w) of cosolvents (t‐butanol:n‐hexane (4:6)), 20% (w/w) of ammonium citrate, 500 rpm of stirring speed, 37 °C of temperature, and 60 min of extraction time. Under the optimized conditions, the extraction efficiency of EPA and DHA was 95.36 ± 0.94% and 93.85 ± 1.31% in the top cosolvents phase, respectively, as well as 86.57 ± 0.98% of proteins in the middle interface. Compared to supercritical CO2 (SCO2) and three‐liquid‐phase salting‐out extraction system (TLPSOES), the recovery rate of krill oil (KO) extracted by TPPS (96.48 ± 1.14%) was much higher than that of the SCO2 (67.8%) and of the TLPSOES method (91%).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that cosolvent TPPSs can extract krill oil from wet krill biomass with higher extraction efficiency, and that the obtained krill oil showed potential antioxidant effects compared to commercial fish oil. Therefore, the cosolvent TPPS could be an alternative in the nutraceutical industry. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Nonpharmaceutical interventions against the COVID‐19 pandemic significantly decreased the spread of enterovirus in children
Authors: Zhang Junfeng , Cao JiaJia , Ye Qing
Published: April 2022

Precise prevention and control measures have been adopted to impede the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in China. This study was performed to investigate the effect of protective measures on gastrointestinal infection in children during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The data on the rotavirus and adenovirus antigen tests were collected in outpatient children due to gastroenteritis from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020, at the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. According to age and month distribution, the positive number and rate of rotavirus and adenovirus in 2020 were compared with 2019. A 3.8‐fold and 4‐fold reduction in the number of rotavirus‐ and adenovirus‐positive patients in 2020 were found, respectively. The overall positive rate of rotavirus and adenovirus infection was drastically decreased in 2020 (rotavirus 2020: 18.18% vs. 2019: 9.75%, p < 0.001; adenovirus 2020: 3.13% vs. 2019: 1.58%, p < 0.001). The proportions of rotavirus and adenovirus in all age groups in 2020 decreased compared with those in 2019. The highest frequency of rotavirus infection occurred among children aged 1–3 years both in 2019 and 2020 (2019: 27.95% vs. 2020: 17.19%, p < 0.001), while adenovirus infection was detected in children aged 3–5 years, which had the highest percent positivity (2019: 8.19% vs. 2020: 4.46%; p < 0.001). An obvious peak prevalence of rotavirus incidence was found during December–April, and the percent positivity of rotavirus significantly decreased in 2020 (December 2019: 24.26% vs. 2020: 8.44%, p < 0.001; January 2019: 40.67% vs. 2020: 38.18%, p < 0.05; February 2019: 40.73% vs. 2020: 15.04%, p < 0.001; March 2019: 31.47% vs. 2020: 7.88%, p < 0.001; April 2019: 15.52% vs. 2020: 4.78%, p < 0.001). The positive rate of adenovirus distributed throughout 2019 was 1.91%–4.86%, while the percent positivity during 2020 in the same period was much lower (0.00%–3.58%). Our results confirmed that the preventive and control measures adopted during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the collateral benefit of these interventions have significantly decreased the transmission of rotavirus or adenovirus.
Enhanced extracellular β‐mannanase production by overexpressing PrsA lipoprotein in Bacillus subtilis and optimizing culture conditions
Authors: Xu Liyu , Zhang Yongyong , Dong Yuehan , Qin Gang , Zhao Xiao , Shen Yanyan
Published: April 2022

In this study, first, β‐mannanase gene man derived from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CGMCC1.857 was cloned and expressed in Bacillus subtilis 168 to generate B. subtilis M1. However, the extracellular β‐mannanase activity of B. subtilis M1 was not very high. To further increase extracellular β‐mannanase extracytoplasmic molecular chaperone, PrsA lipoprotein was tandem expressed with man gene in B. subtilis 168 to yield B. subtilis M2. The secretion of β‐mannanase of B. subtilis M2 was enhanced by 15.4%, compared with the control B. subtilis M1. Subsequently, process optimization strategies were also developed to enhance β‐mannanase production by B. subtilis 168 M2. It was noted that the optimal temperature for β‐mannanase production (25°C) was different from the optimal growth temperature (37°C) for B. subtilis. Based on these findings, a two‐stage temperature control strategy was proposed where the bacterial culture was maintained at 37°C for the first 12 h to obtain a high rate of cell growth, followed by lowering the temperature to 25°C to enhance β‐mannanase production. Using this strategy, the extracellular β‐mannanase activity reached 5016 ± 167 U/ml at about 36 h, which was 19.1% greater than the best result obtained using a constant temperature (25°C). The result of this study showed that PrsA lipoprotein overexpression and two‐stage temperature control strategy were more efficient for β‐mannanase fermentation in B. subtilis.
Reducing chilling injury in 'Palmer' mangoes submitted to quarantine cold treatment
Authors: Sanches Alex Guimarães , da Silva Maryelle Barros , Fernandes Thiago Feliph Silva , Pedrosa Vanessa Maria Dantas , Wong Maria Carolina Casares , Gratão Priscila Lupino , Teixeira Gustavo Henrique de Almeida
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Treatment with low temperatures can be used to quarantine mangoes against fruit‐fly infestation. However, mangoes can develop chilling injury (CI) when stored at temperatures below 13 °C. We demonstrated that the immersion in polyol solutions can alleviate CI symptoms in ‘Palmer’ mangoes stored at 8 °C. These suggest that polyols can be used to reduce CI in mangoes during quarantine at low temperatures. Thus, we investigated the efficacy of applying 0.1% (v/v) glycerol, propylene glycol, or sorbitol to ‘Palmer’ mangoes subjected to cold treatment (1.0 °C) for 28 days. Mangoes were then ripened at 23 °C for 7 days.

RESULTS

Among these polyols, sorbitol was the most effective in alleviating CI for up to 14 days of cold treatment. Mangoes treated with sorbitol showed lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and reduced polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. These fruit also had elevated levels of ascorbate (AsA), especially in the epicarp, and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity.

CONCLUSION

Sorbitol can reduce the CI, but to an unsatisfying level, and it should be combined with other treatments storage at low temperature. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Total neoadjuvant therapy is associated with improved overall survival and pathologic response in pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Villano Anthony M. , O'Halloran Eileen , Goel Neha , Ruth Karen , Barrak Dany , Lefton Max , Reddy Sanjay S.
Published: April 2022

Background

Few studies have evaluated outcomes of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) compared with single modality neoadjuvant therapy (SMNT) or surgery first (SF) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

A single‐institution retrospective review of PDAC patients who underwent pancreatectomy was conducted (1993–2019). Overall survival (OS) estimates from diagnosis and from surgery were determined using Kaplan–Meier methods; Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for covariates.

Results

Surgery was performed upfront (SF) in 168 (46.9%), while 111 (31.0%) had chemotherapy or chemoradiation before resection (SMNT), and 79 (22.1%) underwent TNT (chemotherapy and chemoradiation). Resection margins were more frequently R0 in the TNT group (86.1%) compared with SMNT (64.0%) and SF (72%) (p < 0.001). Complete pathologic response was more common in the TNT group (10.1%) compared with SMNT (3.6%) or SF (0.6%) (p = 0.001), resulting in prolonged survival (median OS = 100.2 months). TNT patients demonstrated longer median OS from surgery (33.6 months) compared with SF (19.1 months) and SMNT (17.4 months) (p = 0.010), which persisted after controlling for covariates.

Conclusions

TNT is associated with more frequent complete pathologic response, a higher rate of margin negative resection, and prolonged OS as compared with SF or SMNT. Additional studies to identify subgroups that derive the greatest benefit are warranted.
Facile synthesis of a novel magnetic covalent organic frameworks for extraction and determination of five fungicides in Chinese herbal medicines
Authors: Li Yurui , Ma Zhenning , Guo Hongbo , Xu Xiuli , Zhang Feng
Published: April 2022

A novel magnetic covalent organic framework was synthesized via a one‐step coating approach with solvothermal reaction employing 2,4,6‐tris(4‐aminophen‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine and 2,4,6‐triformylphloroglucinol as two building blocks by covalent bonding. The prepared magnetic covalent organic frameworks were properly characterized by different techniques and employed as adsorbents of magnetic solid‐phase extraction. An analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of five fungicides in two Chinese herbal medicine samples via magnetic solid‐phase extraction coupled to ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Under optimized magnetic solid‐phase extraction conditions, the method exhibited satisfactory recoveries (74.0−109.6%) with relative standard deviations of 0.4−4.6%, low limits of detection (0.003−0.015 μg/kg), and good linearity (R2 > 0.9960). Compared with the traditional extraction method, the proposed method required a lower amount of adsorbent (3 mg) and extraction time (5 min). The adsorbent also had favorable reusability (not less than eight times). Therefore, the magnetic covalent organic frameworks could be a promising adsorbent for the extraction and quantitation of fungicides in Chinese herbal medicines.
THE REPUTATION FACTOR: IT MATTERS WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF YOU
Authors: Bobbe Richard A. , Schaffer Robert H.
Published: April 2022

The authors detail why the reputations of executives are so important, and how executives can learn more about what people really think of them. Case studies of individual executives are presented from a variety of settings, such as the Executive Vice President of a major pharmaceutical company; head of the New York Legal Assistance Group, the founder of the nonprofit Rapid Results Institute, president of a large telecommunications company, and Chief Executive Officer/CEO of AXA XL’s North American Group’s Property/Casualty business. The authors explain that “managers’ reputations are a very important aspect of a working culture about which its management disciplines provide little information and over which they exercise little control.” The authors further suggest such techniques as engaging in self‐examination, plus, in their words: Collaborative work assessment with colleagues, and Experiments in Collaborative Achievement. This work is crucial, because in organizations of all types, as the authors relate, “social agencies, businesses, volunteer organizations, government or the military – the lives of its members are significantly affected by how well its leaders perform their jobs in getting its goals realized and, in the process, make life rewarding (or miserable) for the people who are dedicating a major portion of their lives to achieve those goals.”
LEADERSHIP AND THE ATTRACTION OF BUSYNESS
Authors: Hougaard Rasmus , Carter Jacqueline
Published: April 2022

The authors explain why leaders are attracted to busyness, why it can be detrimental, and what can be done about it. The article is adapted from their new book Compassionate Leadership: How to Do Hard Things in a Human Way. They describe the research as “data collected from qualitative interviews with 350 executives (mainly Chief Executive Officers/CEOs and Chief Human Resource Officers/CHROs), and quantitative data from more than 5,000 companies in nearly 100 countries.” They note that busyness is seductive because it feels productive, yet is addictive. They believe that “busyness kills our compassion by cluttering our mind and closing ourselves to the wisdom and insight that comes when we have more mental space.” In overcoming this state, they provide insights, which in their words are: Busyness is a choice, manage time and priorities, put people first, and value busylessness. “If we focus on what we can and should do in this moment,” they write, “we can focus on the task at hand or the person we are with.”
CD55 is upregulated by cAMP/PKA/AKT and modulates human decidualization via Src and ERK pathway and decidualization‐related genes
Authors: Tang Zhijing , Wang Lu , Huang Zengshu , Guan Haiyun , Leung Wingting , Chen Xiuying , Xia Hexia , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2022

Decidualization is an essential process for embryo implantation and maintenance of pregnancy, and abnormal decidualization contributed to several pregnancy disorders like a miscarriage. The objective of this study was to explore the regulation and function of CD55 in human decidualization. By immunohistochemical staining, it was found that CD55 expression was higher in first‐trimester decidua than in the endometrium. In both primary endometrial stromal cells and immortalized cell line T‐hESCs, CD55 was upregulated by induction of in vitro decidualization with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and 8‐Br‐cAMP. During decidualization in vitro, CD55 was stimulated by 8‐Br‐cAMP in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner, which was reversed by a PKA inhibitor H89 and partially by an AKT activator SC79. Knocking down CD55 expression diminished the expression of decidualization markers prolactin (PRL) and insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein 1 (IGFBP1), accompanied by inhibition of Src, aberrant activation of ERK and decreased expression of several decidualization‐related genes, including FOXO1, EGFR, and STAT3. Furthermore, the decidua of unexplained miscarriage women and the endometrium of unexplained infertile women both exhibited decreased CD55 expression. Collectively, these findings revealed that 8‐Br‐cAMP promotes CD55 expression via PKA activation and AKT dephosphorylation, and decreased CD55 impairs decidualization by inactivation of Src, aberrant activation of ERK pathway, and compromised expression of decidualization‐related genes, indicating that CD55 deficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of spontaneous miscarriage and infertility.
UK wildlife recorders cautiously welcome range‐shifting species but incline against intervention to promote or control their establishment
Authors: Cranston James , Crowley Sarah L. , Early Regan
Published: April 2022

The global redistribution of species due to climate change and other anthropogenic causes is driving novel human–wildlife interactions with complex consequences. On the one hand, range‐shifting species could disrupt recipient ecosystems. On the other hand, these species may be contracting in their historic range, contributing to loss of biodiversity there. Given that arriving range‐shifting species could also perhaps have positive effects on recipient ecosystems, there is [in principle] a net benefit equation to be calculated. Thus, public opinion on these species may be divided and they may present a unique challenge to wildlife management.

We surveyed the opinion of wildlife recorders about the establishment and management of eight birds and eight insects whose ranges have recently shifted into the United Kingdom. We asked whether respondents' attitudes were explained by the species' or respondents' characteristics, and whether or not climate change was emphasised as a cause of range‐shift. We also conducted qualitative analysis of the recorders' text responses to contextualise these results.

Attitudes to range‐shifting species were mostly positive but were more ambivalent for less familiar taxa and for insects compared with birds. Respondents were strongly opposed to eradicating or controlling new range‐shifters, and to management aimed to increase their numbers. Whether climate change was presented as the cause of range‐shifts did not affect attitudes, likely because respondents assumed climate change was the driver regardless.

These findings suggest that it will be difficult to generate support for active management to support or hinder species' redistribution, particularly for invertebrate or overlooked species among wildlife recorders. However, the positive attitudes suggest that on the whole range‐shifting species are viewed sympathetically. Engaging with wildlife recorders may represent an opportunity to garner support for conservation actions which will benefit both currently native and arriving species, such as improvements to habitat quality and connectivity.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Suitability examination of novel cellulosic plant fiber from Furcraea selloa K. Koch peduncle for a potential polymeric composite reinforcement
Authors: Divya D. , Suyambulingam Indran , Sanjay M. R. , Siengchin Suchart
Published: April 2022

Novel natural plant fibers with significant features are to be explored at the moment due to their renewability, degradability, wide range acceptability, economic feasibility, and ecological standards over existing synthetic ones. Since the identification of potential plant fibers are getting much attention of scientists/researchers for the development of promising fiber reinforced composites. In the light of this, the present study identified a novel plant fiber from the peduncle of Furcraea selloa K. Koch and studied its anatomical, morphological, physico‐chemical, thermal, mechanical and surface properties in order to explore its utility as a composite reinforcement. Anatomical study was satisfactory for identifying the presence and position of the fiber in the plant material. Good crystallinity (49.27%), high cellulose content (71.13%) and relatively low density (1127 kg/m3) were found as the feasible features after physico‐chemical analysis. Indeed, desirable thermal stability (370°C) and tensile property (649.21 ± 16.52 MPa) of Furcraea selloa K. Koch peduncle fiber (FSPF) revealed its ability for high temperature required processing and applications. The morphological studies ensure good surface roughness and reduced microfibrillar angle (7.83° ± 0.23°), which are recommended features for good fiber‐ matrix addition. These promising properties are sufficient to deliberate FSPF as a new potential composite reinforcement, with good specific properties and high environmental impact.
Clinical analysis of CHD2 gene mutations in pediatric patients with epilepsy
Authors: Feng Weixing , Fang Fang , Wang Xiaohui , Chen Chunhong , Lu Junlan , Deng Jie
Published: April 2022

Importance

CHD2 is a member of the chromodomain helicase DNA‐binding (CHD) family of proteins, which have important roles in the regulation of gene expression. Dysregulation of this protein may lead to various disorders.

Objective

To delineate the genotypes and phenotypes of CHD2‐related epilepsy.

Methods

We analyzed the medical history, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and video‐electroencephalogram recordings of 17 patients with CHD2 mutations in the Neurology Department of Beijing Children's Hospital from June 2016 to June 2021.

Results

Age at seizure onset ranged from 6 months to 10 years; the median age at onset was 4 years. Generalized tonic‐clonic, myoclonic, eyelid myoclonic, atonic, atypical absence, myoclonic‐atonic, and spasm seizures were observed. Ten of the 17 patients had multiple types of seizures. One patient exhibited photosensitivity epilepsy and one patient exhibited grid image‐induced visual reflex epilepsy. Developmental disability was present in 14 patients, while autism features were present in five patients. Sixteen patients had de novo mutations of CHD2; one patient had an inherited variant. Eleven mutations were novel. One patient had two mutations; that patient exhibited development delay and refractory epilepsy. Seizures were controlled in eight patients, improved in seven patients, and resistant to treatment in two patients.

Interpretation

Phenotype severity in patients with CHD2 variants ranged from drug‐responsive seizures to severe epileptic encephalopathy. Most patients exhibited developmental disorders.
Molecular mobility in high‐performance polynorbornenes: A combined broadband dielectric, advanced calorimetry, and neutron scattering investigation*
Authors: Kolmangadi Mohamed A. , Szymoniak Paulina , Zorn Reiner , Böhning Martin , Wolf Marcell , Zamponi Michaela , Schönhals Andreas
Published: April 2022

The molecular dynamics of two addition type polynorbornenes, exo‐PNBSi and PTCNSi1, bearing microporosity has been investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy, fast scanning calorimetry, and neutron scattering. Both polymers have the same side groups but different backbones. Due to their favorable transport properties, these polymers have potential applications in separation membranes for gases. It is established in literature that molecular fluctuations are important for the diffusion of small molecules through polymers. For exo‐PNBSi, two dielectric processes are observed, which are assigned to Maxwell/Wagner/Sillars (MWS) process due to blocking of charge carriers at internal voids or pore walls. For PTCNSi1, one MWS‐polarization process is found. This points to a bimodal pore‐size distribution for exo‐PNBSi. A glass transition for exo‐PNBSi and for PTCNSi1 could be evidenced for the first time using fast scanning calorimetry. For Tg and the corresponding apparent activation energy, higher values were found for PTCNSi1 compared to exo‐PNBSi. For both polymers, the neutron scattering data reveal one relaxation process. This process is mainly assigned to methyl group rotation probably overlayed by carbon–carbon torsional fluctuations.