bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zn-(BDC) and Zn-(BDC)-NH 2 MOFs: Novel Photocatalysts for Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophene from Fuels
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Dawud , Hosseini Seyed Ali
Published: May 2022

The paper reports the development of nanostructures of organic-metallic frameworks (MOFs) in the form of Zn(BDC) and Zn(BDC)-NH2 as potent macroporous photocatalysts for desulfurization of aromatic hydrocarbons (dibenzothiophene) in fuels. The reason for placing amine groups in the Zn-MOF photocatalytic structure was that it increased the interaction between MOF and sulfur compounds. The experiments were designed out by the Box-Behnken method of response surface methodology (RSM) and the process was modelled and optimized. Three independent parameters i.e. concentration of dibenzothiophene, the amount of photocatalyst and light emission time were considered in the experimental design. The interactions between the parameters were also investigated by 2D contour and 3D plots. The optimum removal of DBT (50.40%) resulted under a fuel model containing 50 ppm DBT, desulfurized by 0.060 g of Zn-MOF-NH2 photocatalyst under visible lamp light for 180 min. The predicted response (DBT removal%) by the RSM model was 50.68%. The amine-modified Zn-MOF exhibited a greater activity in the elimination of DBT due to its active amine groups. The mechanism of photocatalytic desulfurization of DBT over Zn-MOF-NH2 was proposed. The physical-chemical properties of the MOF samples were further recognized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Uv-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). This study showed that Zn-MOF can be an effective photocatalyst for desulfurization under the visible light of a fuel model.
Self-reduction assisted MXene/Silver composite Tencel cellulose-based fabric with electrothermal conversion and NIR photothermal actuation
Authors: Li Han , Pan Yinuo , Du Zhaoqun
Published: May 2022

Smart e-textiles, which are capable of wireless transmission, signal conversion and energy transduction, have the capability to provide added values and be more versatile. However, there are still many challenges in fabricating a flexible and durable smart fabric with high-level multifunctional integration. Herein, a novel two-dimensional material, Ti3C2Tx MXene, and zero-dimensional material, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were coupled to fabricate a smart Tencel fabric with electrical and light versatility. By self-reduction reaction, silver nitrate can be reduced to AgNPs because the existence of reductant, MXene, enabling flexible conductive points and paths for fabric. Benefiting from excellent hydrophilicity and rich terminals of MXene, the interface bonding force was enough to get a uniform fabric. Because of the enhanced electrical conductivity of MXene/AgNPs, the MXene/silver nanoparticles (MS) Tencel fabric exhibited excellent electrothermal property (57.1℃ at 30s heating time under 6.0 V voltage) as well as thermal sensing performance, and can serve as an element of array heating devices. In addition, the MS fabric also has photothermal (maximal bending angle was 149° at 31s) capability due to the conversion of near-infrared (NIR) light by MXene, enabling photothermal actuator resulting from thermal expansion of encapsulated Ecoflex layer. With thermal and NIR sensitive capabilities, the MS Tencel fabric performed thermal sensation and has the potential in thermal sensitive robots.
Understanding the interactions between carbon nanotubes and ephedrine molecule: a computational study
Authors: Armaković Stevan , Vukojević Andrijana , Farooq Muhammad , Tomić Bogdan , Pelemiš Svetlana , Armakovic Sanja
Published: May 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Stochastic simulation of seawater intrusion in Longkou area, China
Authors: Fan Yue , Wu Qinghua , Cui Haodong , Lu Wenxi , Ren Wanli
Published: May 2022

Seawater intrusion is a common groundwater pollution problem, which has a great impact on ecological environment and economic development. In this paper, a numerical simulation model of variable density groundwater was constructed to simulate and predict the future seawater intrusion in Longkou city, Shandong Province of China. The influence of the sensitive parameter uncertainty of the model on the simulation results was evaluated by using the Monte Carlo method. In order to reduce the computational load from repeatedly calling the simulation model, the surrogate model was established by using the Support Vector Regression (SVR) method. The research results indicate that the SVR surrogate model can fit the input-output relationship of the simulation model with high accuracy. The seawater intrusion in the Longkou area will gradually aggravate at a slow rate, and the area of seawater intrusion is estimated to be 67.45 to 77.07 km2 after 30 years with 80% confidence.
Validating ORR and PFS as surrogate endpoints in phase II and III clinical trials for NSCLC patients: difference exists in the strength of surrogacy in various trial settings
Authors: Hua Tiantian , Gao Yuan , Zhang Ruyang , Wei Yongyue , Chen Feng
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveThis study aims to systematically validate the performance of surrogate endpoints in phase II and III clinical trials for NSCLC patients under various trial settings.MethodsA literature search retrieved all registered phase II and III trials of NSCLC patients in which OS, with at least one of ORR and PFS, were reported. Associations between surrogate and true endpoints were assessed on two levels. On the arm level, three pairs of correlations, i.e., ORR vs. median OS, ORR vs. median PFS, and median PFS vs. median OS, were analysed using Spearman's rho. On the trial level, similarly, three pairs of correlations, i.e., ΔORR vs. HR of OS, ΔORR vs. HR of PFS, and HR of PFS vs. HR of OS, were analysed using Spearman's rho and weighted linear regression model respectively. Finally, sensitivity analyses were performed to explore surrogacy under various trial settings.ResultsAt arm level, three pairs of correlations are all high (Spearman's rho= 0.700, 0.831, 0.755, respectively). At trial level, there is a low correlation between ΔORR and HR of OS, a high correlation between ΔORR and HR of PFS and a moderate correlation between HR of PFS and HR of OS (Spearman's rho=0.462, 0.764, 0.584, respectively). In the sensitivity analysis, we find correlations between surrogate and true endpoints vary by different trial settings. It is noteworthy that the strength of surrogacy of these intermediate endpoints in targeted therapy is greater than that in immunotherapy.ConclusionWe suggest that in phase II and III trials of targeted therapy and immunotherapy for NSCLC patients: 1) ORR lacks validity for the surrogacy of OS, excluding in first-line therapy, and 2) ORR may be an appropriate surrogate endpoint for PFS, and 3) PFS may be considered a modest surrogacy for OS, with better performance in first-line therapy trials.
Sleep-controlling neurons are sensitive and vulnerable to multiple forms of α-synuclein: implications for the early appearance of sleeping disorders in α-synucleinopathies
Authors: Santos Altair B Dos , Skaanning Line K , Thaneskwaran Siggania , Mikkelsen Eyd , Romero-Leguizamon Cesar R , Skamris Thomas , Kristensen Morten P , Langkilde Annette E , Kohlmeier Kristi A.
Published: May 2022

Parkinson’s disease, Multiple System Atrophy, and Lewy Body Dementia are incurable diseases called α-synucleinopathies as they are mechanistically linked to the protein, α-synuclein (α-syn). α-syn exists in different structural forms which have been linked to clinical disease distinctions. However, sleeping disorders (SDs) are common in the prodromal phase of all three α-synucleinopathies, which suggests that sleep-controlling neurons are affected by multiple forms of α-syn. To determine whether a structure-independent neuronal impact of α-syn exists, we compared and contrasted the cellular effect of three different α-syn forms on neurotransmitter-defined cells of two sleep-controlling nuclei located in the brainstem: the Laterodorsal Tegmental nucleus and the Pedunculopontine Tegmental nucleus. We utilized size exclusion chromatography, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy to precisely characterize ​​timepoints in the α-syn aggregation process with three different dominating forms of this protein (monomeric, oligomeric and fibril) and we conducted an in-depth investigation of the underlying neuronal mechanism behind cellular effects of the different forms of the protein using electrophysiology, multiple-cell calcium imaging, single-cell calcium imaging and live-location tracking with fluorescently-tagged α-syn. Interestingly, α-syn altered membrane currents, enhanced firing, increased intracellular calcium and facilitated cell death in a structure-independent manner in sleep-controlling nuclei, and postsynaptic actions involved a G-protein-mediated mechanism. These data are novel as the sleep-controlling nuclei are the first brain regions reported to be affected by α-syn in a structure-independent manner. These regions may represent highly important targets for future neuroprotective therapy to modify or delay disease progression in α-synucleinopathies.
Deep learning based clinical target volumes contouring and model adaptation for prostate cancer: easy and efficient application
Authors: Wen Feng , Chen Zhebin , Wang Xin , Dou Meng , Yang Jialuo , Xu Yupeng , Yao Yu , Shen Yali
Published: May 2022

Background: Radiotherapy has been crucial in the treatment of prostate cancer. However, manual segmentation is labor intensive and highly variable among radiation oncologists, especially for lymph node volumes. Hence, in this study, a deep learning based automated contouring model is constructed with style adaptation algorithm for clinical target volumes (CTVs) of intact and postoperative prostate cancer. Methods: Computed tomography (CT) data sets for 197 prostate cancer patients, treated by one senior physician with more than 15 years of radiation work experience, during the period of November 2012 to January 2020 were selected, retrospectively. Of these patients, 167 cases were used for the training set and 30 for the test set. Two auto-delineation models were built for radical radiotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy of prostate cancer, including CTV1 for pelvic lymph nodes and CTV2 for prostate tumors or prostate tumor beds. In addition, delineation quality and processing time of the artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm were compared with those of a junior oncologist with 3 years of working experience. To further explore the number of patients required for the style adaptation model, to achieve another senior oncologist’s counting style, cases of the style transfer mode were gradually increased, adding ten patients to the training model each time. Results: No significant differences were found for the volumetric dice (VD) coefficients of the two models, CTV1 and CTV2, among DeeplabV3+, Unet++, and 3D U-net (p > 0.05). In the radical radiotherapy model, the VD coefficient of CTV1 calculated by AI, was higher than that of the one delineated by the junior physician (0.85 vs. 0.82, p = 0.018), while the VD coefficients of CTV2 counted by the junior physician and AI were the same (0.84 vs. 0.84, p = 0.958); In the postoperative radiotherapy model, the quantitative parameter of CTV1 and CTV2, counted by AI, was better than that of the junior physician (VD, 0.86 vs 0.83 for CTV1, p = 0.041; 0.79 vs 0.73 for CTV2, p = 0.003, respectively). The median delineation time for AI was 0.23 min in the postoperative model and 0.26 min in the radical model, which were significantly shorter than those of the physician (50.40 min and 45.43 min, respectively, p < 0.001). The correction time of the senior physician for AI was much shorter compared with that of the junior physician in both models (p < 0.001). For style adaptation from one physician to another, approximately 20 cases were required to construct a personal style based on the basic delineation model. Conclusion: Using deep active learning and attention mechanism, a highly consistent and time-saving contouring model was built for CTVs of prostate cancer. It was possible to train the style adaptation mode from one physician’s style to that of another with limited patient samples.
Low-complexity Hybrid Interference Cancellation for Sparse Code Multiple Access
Authors: GHANI Bilal , launay frederic , POUSSET Yannis , PERRINE Clency , CANCES Jean Pierre
Published: May 2022

Sparse code multiple access (SCMA) is one of Non Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) candidate for 5G mobile communications. Multiple overlapped blocks of SCMA code are transmitted per frequency layer which compels the receiver to cancel unwanted SCMA code blocks. Thanks to the sparsity of SCMA, Message Passing Algorithm (MPA) achieves near-optimal performance. Nevertheless process is time-consuming and has a high degree of complexity even if Max-Log algorithm is used. In this paper we propose a Hybrid Interference Cancellation with Log Domain MPA algorithm (HIC-MPA) which uses either hard interference cancellation or soft interference cancellation following by a LDPC decoder. The choice of interference cancellation decoder depends on a threshold value based on power measurements. Results show a significant reduction in terms of complexity as compared to the traditional MPA process for the same values of Bit Error Rate (BER).
Transformer Based on Channel-Spatial Attention for Accurate Classification of Scenes in Remote Sensing Image
Authors: Guo Jingxia , Jia Nan , Zhang Mingxu , Zhang Ru , Li Minhui
Published: May 2022

Recently, the scenes in large datasets of high-resolution remote sensing (HRRS) have been classified using methods based on convolution neural networks (CNNs). These methods are well-suited for spatial feature extraction and can classify images with relatively high accuracy. However, CNNs do not adequately learn the long-distance dependencies between images and features in image processing, but this is necessary for processing HRRS images because the semantic content of the scenes in these images is closely related to their spatial relationship. CNNs also have limitations in solving problems with large intra-class differences and high inter-class similarity. In response to these challenges, in this study we combine the channel-spatial attention (CSA) mechanism with the Vision Transformer method to propose an effective HRRS image scene classification framework using Channel-Spatial Attention Transformers (CSAT). The model extracts the channel and spatial features of HRRS images using CSA and the Multi-Head Self-Attention (MHSA) mechanism in the transformer module. The experimental results show that the CSAT network exhibits superior scene classification performance compared to a selection of state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods.
Optic radiation atrophy in Lewy body disease with visual hallucination on phase difference enhanced magnetic resonance images
Authors: Miyata Mari , Kakeda Shingo , Yoneda Tetsuya , Ide Satoru , Okada Kazumasa , Adachi Hiroaki , Korogi Yukunori
Published: May 2022

Visual hallucinations (VH) occur commonly in Lewy body disease (LBD), including Parkinson’s disease (PD), PD with dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. We aimed to use phase difference enhanced imaging (PADRE) to assess structural abnormalities of optic radiation (OR) in patients with Lewy body disease (LBD) concomitant with VH. Firstly, two radiologists reviewed the OR appearances in healthy subjects (HS) on PADRE. Next, based on the OR abnormalities, two reviewers assessed the PADRE images from 18 HS and 38 and 110 patients with LBD, with and without VH, respectively, in a blinded manner. Finally, all patients with LBD without VH were eventually followed up for at least 5 years after magnetic resonance imaging to determine the appearance of VH. The radiologists identified three layers, namely external sagittal stratum, internal sagittal stratum, and tapetum, in OR on the PADRE in HS. Moreover, they were able to consensually define the OR as abnormal when the layers were obscured and the disappearance of the cranial side. The sensitivity/specificity of abnormal OR for each case was 68%/81% (LBD with VH vs. LBD without VH). Furthermore, VH appeared in 12 of the 21 (57%) patients with LBD and abnormal OR during the follow-up period. However, no patients without abnormal OR reported VH. Patients with LBD and VH demonstrated the abnormal OR. This in turn might be a useful marker to distinguish the patients with VH from those without VH and HS. Moreover, it might facilitate predicting the appearance of VH in the following 5 years.
Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with survival outcomes in advanced gastric cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Che Hebin , Xiong Qi , Ma Jinxia , Chen Shixue , Wu Huan , Xu Hongli , Hou Baicun
Published: May 2022

Background Accumulating evidence has revealed that the gut microbiota influences the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer patients. As a part of the human microbiome, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was reported to be associated with reduced effectiveness of anti-PD1 immunotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gastric cancer is more closely related to H. pylori, so we conducted a retrospective analysis to verify whether the association of H. pylori and effectiveness is applicable to advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients. Material and methods AGC patients who had evidence of H. pylori and received anti-PD-1 antibodies were enrolled in the study. The differences in the disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between the H. pylori-positive group and the negative group were compared. Results A total of 77 patients were included in this study; 34 patients were H. pylori positive, and the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 44.2%. Compared with the H. pylori-negative group, patients in the H. pylori-positive group had a higher risk of nonclinical response to anti-PD-1 antibody, with an OR of 2.91 (95% CI: 1.13-7.50). Patients in the H. pylori-negative group had a longer OS and PFS than those in the positive group, with an estimated median OS of 17.5 months vs. 6.2 months (HR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.70-4.78; P = 0.021) and a median PFS of 8.4 months vs. 2.7 months (HR=3.11, 95% CI: 1.96-5.07, P=0.008). Multivariate analysis indicated that H. pylori infection was independently associated with PFS (HR=1.90, 95% CI: 1.10-3.30; P=0.022). Conclusion Our study unveils for the first time that H. pylori infection is associated with the outcome of immunotherapy for AGC patients. Multicenter, large sample and prospective clinical studies are needed to verify the association.
Exceptional Properties of Hyper-resistant Armor of a Hydrothermal Vent Crab
Authors: Cho Boongho , Kim Dongsung , Kim Taewon
Published: May 2022

Animals living in extreme environments, such as hydrothermal vents, would be expected to have evolved protective shells or exoskeletons to maintain homeostasis. The outer part of the exoskeleton of vent crabs (Austinograea sp.) in the Indian Ocean hydrothermal vent was one of the hardest (approximately 7 GPa) biological materials ever reported. To explore the exoskeletal characteristics of vent crabs which enable them to adapt to severe environments, a comparative analysis was conducted with the Asian paddle crab (Charybdis japonica) living in coastal areas. Nanoindentation, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, and Raman spectroscopy were used to analyze the mechanical properties, thermal stability, structure, surface components, and the composition of compounds, respectively. Though both species have four-layered exoskeletons, the outermost layer of the vent crab, granular structure, was much thicker than that of the coastal crab. The proportions of aluminum and sulfur that constitute the epicuticle of the exoskeleton were higher in the vent crab than in the coastal crab. And there were no carotenoid-based compounds in the exoskeleton of the vent crab. These might have improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the hydrothermal species.
Catastrophic health expenditure among Chinese adults living alone with cognitive impairment: a national cohort study
Authors: Li Chenxi , Jin Shuyi , Cao Xingqi , Han Ling , Sun Ning , Allore Heather , Hoogendijk Emiel O. , Xu Xin , Feng Qiushi , Liu Xiaoting , Liu Zuyun
Published: May 2022

Background: Catastrophic health expenditure of older adults has serious consequences; however, whether cognitive status and living situation contribute to such financial burden is uncertain. Our aim was to compare the differences in catastrophic health expenditure between adults living alone with cognitive impairment and those living with others and with normal cognition.Methods: We identified 909 observations of participants living alone with cognitive impairment (cases) and 37432 observations of participants living with others and with normal cognition (comparators) from the 2011/2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). We used propensity score matching (1:2) to create matched cases and compartors used in a covariate adjusted logistic regression. Catastrophic health expenditure was defined out-of-pocket cost for healthcare ≥ 40% of a household’s capacity to pay.Results: In comparison with participants living with others and with normal cognition, those living alone with cognitive impairment reported a higher percentage of catastrophic health expenditure (19.5% vs. 11.8%, P<0.001). When controlling for age, sex, education, marital status, residence status, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and disease counts, we found that this subpopulation had significantly higher odds of having catastrophic health expenditure (odds ratio [OR] = 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40, 2.56). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results.Conclusions: For the first time, this study reveals that Chinese adults living alone with cognitive impairment experience a higher burden of catastrophic health expenditure. Healthcare policies on social health insurance and medical assistance should consider these vulnerable adults.
Conservative surgery with microwave ablation for recurrent bone tumor in the extremities: a single-center study
Authors: Zheng Kai , Yu Xiu-chun , Xu Ming , Wang Jing-ming
Published: May 2022

Background: Surgical treatment for recurrent bone tumors in the extremities still presents a challenge. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical value of microwave ablation in the treatment of recurrent bone tumors.Methods: We present 15 patients who underwent microwave ablation for recurrent bone tumors during the last 7 years. The following parameters were analyzed for outcome evaluation: general condition, surgical complications, local disease control, overall survival, and functional score measured using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) 93 scoring system. Results: Percutaneous microwave ablation in one patient with osteoid osteoma and another with bone metastasis resulted in postoperative pain relief. Thirteen patients received intraoperative microwave ablation before curettage or resection, including those with giant cell tumors of bone (6), chondroblastoma (2), osteosarcoma (2), undifferentiated sarcoma (1), and bone metastases (2). All patients achieved reasonable local tumor control in the mean follow-up of 29.9 months. The functional score was 24.1 for the 15 patients 6 months after the operation. Four patients had tumor metastasis and died, whereas 3 patients with tumors survived, and the remaining 8 patients without the disease survived. Conclusions: Microwave ablation represents an optional method for local control in treating recurrent bone tumors in the extremities.
Vulnerability of physical infrastructure network components to damage from the 2015 Illapel tsunami, Coquimbo, Chile
Authors: Williams James Hilton , Paulik Ryan , Aránguiz Rafael , Wild Alec
Published: May 2022

This study presents physical infrastructure network component vulnerability during the 2015 Illapel tsunami in Coquimbo, Chile. We analyse road and utility pole vulnerability to damage, based on interpolated and simulated tsunami hazard intensity (depth, velocity and hydrodynamic force) and network component characteristics. A Random Forest Model and Spearman’s Rank correlation test are applied to analyse variable importance and monotonic relationships, with respect to damage, between tsunami hazards and network component attributes. These models and tests reveal that flow depth correlates higher with damage, relative to flow velocity and hydrodynamic force. Scour (for roads and utility poles) and debris strikes (for utility poles) are strongly correlated with damage A cumulative link model methodology is used to develop fragility curves. the fragility curves reveal that, in response to flow depth, Coquimbo roads have higher vulnerability than those analysed in previous tsunami event studies, while utility poles demonstrate lower vulnerability than with previous studies. Although we identify flow depth as the most important hydrodynamic hazard intensity metric, for causing road and utility pole physical damage, fragility curves representing multiple hazard intensities provide a holistic suite for analysing physical infrastructure network component damage and disruption for future tsunami events.
Effects of pre-pulse current on Ne-like Ar laser at 72.6 nm excited by capillary discharge
Authors: Bai Yunsong , Zhao Yongpeng , An Bo , Zhao Dongdi , Cui Huaiyu , Li Lei , Li Jiaqi
Published: May 2022

At present, research on the capillary discharge plasma Ne-like Ar 72.6 nm laser is insufficient, and additional experimental studies are supposed to determine the experimental parameters of the laser. Thus the effects of the pre-pulse current and the delay time between pre-pulse and main-pulse on the 72.6 nm laser are investigated in this paper. We employed 3.2 mm inner diameter capillaries with 35 cm and 45 cm lengths in the experiment. The experiment was conducted with the main-pulse current amplitude of 17.5 kA, the initial Ar pressure of 14-21 Pa, the pre-pulse and main-pulse delay time of 3.5-54.5 µs, and the pre-pulse current amplitude of 9.0-66.8 A. The intensity of the 72.6 nm laser was measured with different experimental parameters. The experimental results indicate that the intensity of 72.6 nm laser is maximum with the initial Ar pressure of 16 Pa, the pre-pulse and main-pulse delay time of 20 µs, and the pre-pulse current amplitude of 18.4 A in the 45 cm long capillary.
Routine bacterial culture of proximal bone specimens during minor amputation in patients with diabetes-related foot infections has little clinical utility in predicting re-operation or ulcer healing
Authors: Voon Kimberly , Vo Uyen G , Hand Robert , Hiew Jonathan , Ritter Jens Carsten , Hamilton Emma , Manning Laurens
Published: May 2022

BackgroundTrans-phalangeal and trans-metatarsal amputation, collectively termed ‘minor amputations’ are important procedures for managing infections of diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFU). Following minor amputation, international guidelines recommend a prolonged course of antibiotics if residual infected bone on intra-operative bone samples are identified, but the quality of the evidence underpinning these guidelines is low. In this study, we examined the concordance of microbiological results from proximal bone cultures compared to results from superficial wound swabs, in relation to patient outcomes.MethodsData was retrospectively collected on 144 individuals who underwent minor amputations for infected DFU at a large Australian tertiary hospital. Concordance was identified for patients with both superficial wound swabs and intra-operative bone samples available. Patient outcomes were monitored up to six months post-amputation. The primary outcome was complete healing at six months; and secondary outcome measures included further surgery and death.Results. A moderate-high degree of concordance was observed between microbiological samples, with 38/111 (35%) of patients having discordant wound swab and bone sample microbiology. Discordant results were not associated with adverse outcomes (67.2% with concordant results achieved complete healing compared with 68.6% patients with discordant results; P = 0.89). Revascularisation during admission (0.37 [0.13–0.96], P = 0.04) and amputation of the 5th ray (0.45 [0.21–0.94], P = 0.03) were independent risk factors for non-healing.ConclusionThere was a moderate-high degree of concordance between superficial wound swab results and intra-operative bone sample microbiology in this patient cohort. Discordance was not associated with adverse outcomes. These results suggest there is little clinical utility in routinely collecting proximal bone as an adjunct to routine wound swabs for culture during minor amputation for an infected DFU.
Determinants of continuing mental health service use among older persons diagnosed with depressive disorders in general hospitals: latent class analysis and GEE
Authors: Mulalint Thida , Seeherunwong Acharaporn , Wanitkun Napaporn , Tongsai Sasima
Published: May 2022

Background
Prevalence of depression in older persons was a leading cause of disability. This group has the lowest access to service and retention in care compared to other age groups. This study aimed to explore continuing mental health service use and examined the predictive power of the mental health service delivery system and individual factors on mental health service use among older persons diagnosed with depressive disorders.
Methods
We employed an analytic cross-sectional study design of individual and organizational variables in 12 general hospitals selected using multi-stratified sampling. There were 3 clusters comprising community hospitals, advanced and standard hospitals, and university hospitals. Participants in each group were 150 persons selected by purposive sampling. We included older persons with a first or recurring diagnosis of a depressive disorder in the last 6 to 12 months of the data collection date. Data at the individual level included socio-demographic characteristics, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Attitude toward Depression and its treatment, and perceived social support. Data at the organizational level had hospital level, nurse competency, nurse-patient ratio, and appointment reminders. Descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square test, latent class analysis (LCA), and marginal logistic regression model using generalized estimating equation (GEE) were used to analyze the data.
Results
The continuing mental health service use among older persons diagnosed with depressive disorders was 54%. The latent class analysis of four variables in the mental health services delivery organization yielded distinct and interpretable findings in two groups: high and low resource organization. The marginal logistic multivariable regression model using GEE found that organizational group and attitude toward depression and its treatment were significantly associated with mental health service use (p-value = 0.046; p-value = 0.003).
Conclusions
The findings suggest that improving continuing mental health services use in older persons diagnosed with depressive disorders should emphasize specialty resources of the mental health services delivery system and attitude toward depression and its treatment.
Effect of Cytosorb Coupled With Hemodialysis on Interleukin-6 and Hemodynamic Parameters in Patients With Systemic Inflammatory Response Sindrome: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Persic Vanja , Jerman Alexander , Vrecko Marija Malgaj , Berden Jernej , Gorjup Vojka , Stecher Adela , Lukic Milica , Jereb Matjaz , Stupica Gordana Taleska , Gubensek Jakob
Published: May 2022

Background. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a complex pathophysiologic response to several hostile stimuli. The excessive release of cytokines during SIRS often leads to a cytokine storm causing refractory hypotension and ultimately multiple organ failure with high mortality. Cytokine removal with hemoadsorption has emerged as a possible adjuvant therapy, but data on IL-6 reduction and clinical outcomes are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the effect of CytoSorb hemoadsorption on laboratory parameters and clinical outcomes in shocked patients with SIRS. Methods. We designed a retrospective analysis of all patients with SIRS treated with CytoSorb in intensive care units. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), hemodynamic parameters (mean arterial pressure – MAP and vasoactive inotropic score - VIS), pH and lactate levels at the beginning, after 6h, 12h, 24h and 48h of CytoSorb treatment were analyzed in the whole cohort and in a subgroup of patients with septic shock. Predicted and observed mortality rates were compared using Chi-squared test. Statistical significance was defined as p <0.05 and <0.012 in multiple comparisons where a Bonferroni correction was applied.Results. After screening 147 patients, we included 118 patients with various etiologies of SIRS (septic shock 69%, SIRS after cardiac arrest 16%, SIRS after acute pancreatitis 6%, other 9%). In all but one patient CytoSorb was coupled with renal replacement therapy. During the observed period of 48 hours, a statistically significant decrease in IL-6 levels, increase in pH, increase in MAP and decrease in VIS was observed already from 6h onward. Reduction of lactate levels became statistically significant at 48 hours. In a subgroup of patients with septic shock, the results were similar, and PCT levels did decreased after 24 hours. Observed ICU and in-hospital mortalities in the whole group were lower than predicted by SOFA (61% vs 79%, p=0.005) and APACHE II (64% vs 78%, p=0.031). There were no serious complications attributed to CytoSorb treatment.Conclusions. Hemoadsorption with CytoSorb used in patients with SIRS of different etiologies was associated with a rapid decrease in IL-6 and hemodynamic improvement, with improved observed vs. predicted survival. These results need to be confirmed in a randomized study.
A 2A adenosine receptor activation prevents neutrophil aging and promotes polarization from N1 towards N2 phenotype
Authors: Lovászi Marianna , Németh Zoltán H , Pacher Pál , Wagener Gebhard , Haskó György
Published: May 2022

Extracellular adenosine is a biologically active signaling molecule that accumulates at sites of metabolic stress in sepsis. Extracellular adenosine has potent immunosuppressive effects by binding to and activating G protein-coupled A2A adenosine receptors (A2AARs) on the surface of neutrophils. A2AAR signaling reproduces many of the phenotypic changes in neutrophils that are characteristic of sepsis, including decreased degranulation, impaired chemotaxis, and diminished ability to ingest and kill bacteria. We hypothesized that A2AARs also suppress neutrophil aging, which precedes cell death, and N1 to N2 polarization. Using human neutrophils isolated from healthy subjects we demonstrate that A2AAR stimulation slows neutrophil aging, suppresses cell death and promoted the polarization of neutrophils from an N1 to N2 phenotype. Using genetic knockout and pharmacological blockade, we confirmed that A2AARs decrease neutrophil aging in murine sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. A2AARs expression is increased in neutrophils from septic patients compared to healthy subject but A2AAR expression fails to correlate with aging or N1/N2 polarization. Our data reveals that A2AARs regulate neutrophil aging in healthy but not septic neutrophils.
KIF4A promotes genomic stability and progression of endometrial cancer through regulation of TPX2 protein degradation
Authors: Zhang Jun , An Lanfen , Yu Zhicheng , Zhao Rong , Shi Rui , Zhou Xing , Wei Sitian , Zhang Qi , Zhang Tangansu , Feng Dilu , Chen Shuaijun , Wang Hongbo
Published: May 2022

Background
Kinesin family member 4A (KIF4A) belongs to the kinesin superfamily proteins, which are closely associated with mitophagy. However, the role of KIF4A in endometrial cancer (EC) remains poorly characterized. Here, we aimed to explore the function and regulatory mechanisms of KIF4A in EC.
Methods
The expression of KIF4A was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Cell proliferation was measured using Cell Counting Kit-8, clone formation, and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine staining assays. Flow cytometry was performed using annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) to identify apoptotic cells and PI staining to analyze the cell cycle. RNA-seq, coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and western blotting were performed to explore the underlying mechanism.
Results
In this study, we demonstrated that KIF4A was upregulated and predicted a poor prognosis in patients with EC. KIF4A knockdown in EC cells resulted in attenuated proliferative capacity and promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by increased DNA damage. Mechanistic investigations indicated that KIF4A knockdown exacerbated DNA damage repair and response by regulating the stability of the spindle assembly factor TPX2.
Conclusions
KIF4A promotes genomic stability and progression of endometrial cancer through regulation of TPX2 protein degradation. KIF4A may serve as a promising therapeutic target for endometrial cancer
Genomic Regions Associated with Resistance to Soybean Rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) under Field Conditions in Soybean Germplasm Accessions from Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam
Authors: Walker David R. , McDonald Samuel C. , Harris Donna K. , Boerma H. Roger , Buck James W. , Sikora Edward J. , Weaver David B. , Wright David L. , Marois James J. , Li Zenglu
Published: May 2022

Soybean rust caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi is one of the most important foliar diseases of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Although seven Rpp resistance gene loci have been reported, extensive pathotype variation in and among fungal populations increases the importance of identifying additional genes and loci associated with rust resistance. One hundred and ninety-one soybean plant introductions from Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam, and 65 plant introductions from other countries were screened for resistance to P. pachyrhizi under field conditions in the southeastern United States between 2008 and 2015. The results indicated that 84%, 69%, and 49% of the accessions from southern Japan, Vietnam, or central Indonesia, respectively, had negative BLUP values, indicating less disease than the panel mean. A genome-wide association analysis using SoySNP50K Infinium BeadChip data identified eight genomic regions on seven chromosomes associated with SBR resistance, including previously unreported regions of Chromosomes 1, 4, 6, 9, 13 and 15, in addition to the locations of the Rpp3 and Rpp6 loci. The six unreported genomic regions might contain novel Rpp loci. The identification of additional sources of rust resistance and associated genomic regions will further efforts to develop soybean cultivars with broad and durable resistance to soybean rust in the southern United States.
The chloroplast genome features and phylogenetic relationships of Platycarya longipes (Juglandaceae), an important woody species within karst forests of eastern Asia
Authors: Liu Yingliang , Hu Lijuan , Wang Xiaoshuang , Tan Ya , Gu Lei
Published: May 2022

Platycarya longipes of the Juglandaceae family is an important woody species in maintaining the stability of community structure of karst forests. However, its phylogenetic relationship within Juglandaceae is still unclear. In this study we assembled the complete cp genome of P. longipes. The genome comprises a 158,592 bp quadripartite circular that includes a large single copy (LSC) region of 88,066 bp and a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,524 bp separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRA and IRB) with 26,001 bp. The genome contains 113 unique genes, including 80 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNAs and 4 rRNAs. Additionally, we detected 49 long repeat sequences and 66 simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Analysis of the Ka/Ks substitution rate values in the comparison of P. longipes VS. Platycarya strobilacea, supported that P. longipes and P. strobilacea are two species. Compared with other species of Juglandaceae, the cp genome of P. longipes has a conserved gene order and structure. Phylogenetic analysis based on ML and BI methods using genomes of the Fagales order showed that P. longipes is most closely related to Platycarya strobilacea. Our research provides a critical genetic resource for P. longipes supporting future phylogenetic and population genetics studies.
SYNGR2 Serves as a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlated with Immune Infiltrates in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Li Bin , Ren Mei-Yu , Chen Yu-Zhen , Meng Yu-Qi , Song Tie-Niu , Su Zhi-Peng , Yang Bo
Published: May 2022

Background: Synaptogyrin-2 (SYNGR2) plays an important role in regulating membrane traffic in non-neuronal cells. However, the role of SYNGR2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Methods: All original data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases and integrated via R 3.5.3. SYNGR2 expression was explored with TCGA and GEO databases. The correlations between SYNGR2 and cancer immune characteristics were analyzed via the TIMER and TISIDB databases.Results: In general, SYNGR2 is predominantly overexpressed and has reference value in the diagnosis and prognostic estimation of ESCC. Upregulated SYNGR2 was associated with poorer overall survival, poorer disease-specific survival and T stage in ESCC. Mechanistically, we identified a hub gene that included a total of 38 SYNGR2-related genes, which were tightly associated with the protein polyubiquitination pathway in ESCC patients. SYNGR2 expression was negatively related to the infiltrating levels of T helper cells. SYNGR2 methylation was positively correlated with the expression of chemokines (CCL2 and CXCL12), chemokine receptors (CCR1 and CCR2), Immunoinhibitors (CXCL12 and TNFRSF4) and Immunostimulators (CSF1R and PDCD1LG2) in ESCC.Conclusion: SYNGR2 may can be used as a biomarker for determining the prognosis and immune infiltration in ESCC.
The significance of EphA2-regulated Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in promoting the metastasis of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yidan , Zhang Zhenting , Zhu Zhengyan , Wang Peng , Zhang Jinjuan , Liu Hui , LI Jianyu
Published: May 2022

Backgroud
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is closely associated with the malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism involved in the HBV-related HCC development remains poorly understood. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the regulatory mechanism of EphA2-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the metastasis of HBV-related HCC cells.
Methods and results
The expression level of EphA2 was determined in HBV-related human HCC cells. Then, the effects of EphA2 silencing on the EMT-associated proteins, the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway and the metastatic potential of HBV-related HCC cells were evaluated. Finally, the inhibitory role of Entecavir (a potent antiviral drug for HBV) on EphA2-induced EMT was explored. The present study revealed that the EphA2 expression level was increased in HBV-related HCC cells compared with non-related HCC cells. Following EphA2 knockdown, the downregulation of Vimentin, β-catenin and p-GSK-3βSer9 expressions, the upregulation of E-cadherin expression, and the suppressed migration and invasion ability of HBV-related HCC cells were found. Additionally, Entecavir was proved to have a significant inhibitory effect on EphA2-induced EMT via attenuating the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.
Conclusions
In this study, we found that EphA2-induced EMT was involved in the enhanced metastatic potential of HBV-related HCC cells through the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.
Use of silver coated nano-polystyrene balls for efficiency enhancement of thin film solar cells
Authors: Panda Arnab , Maiti Soumen , Palodhi Kanik , Chakraborty Rajib
Published: May 2022

The performance of thin film solar cells in terms of photonic conversion efficiency (PCE) is presently not satisfactory. Several techniques are being applied to enhance their efficiency by considering optical trapping and/or by improvement in electrical properties. Among many optical trapping processes, use of surface plasmon effect is a promising technique for significant improvement in optical absorption as well as photonic conversion efficiency mainly in semi-transparent active material based solar cells. This effect obtained by interaction of the metal nano structure with incident electromagnetic radiation can result in massive increment in effective absorption of photons inside active material of solar cells. On the other hand, the properties of surface plasmon can be tuned by changing the shape, size and environmental dielectric of metallic nano-structures. In this work, silver nano balls of particular size and position are suitably placed in perovskite thin film solar cells to produce surface plasmon effect and the corresponding improvement in performance is observed with the help of theoretical simulations. To make the solar cell cost effective as well as efficient, silver nano balls are replaced with nano balls of polystyrene coated with silver. By proper optimization of size and position of silver coated polystyrene nano balls, we propose a 500nm thick methylammonium lead tri-iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) based solar cell of maximum photonic conversion efficiency (η) 22.56% having short circuit current density (JSC) 25.68mA/cm2 and open circuit voltage (VOC ) 1.003V with a fill factor (FF) 87.59% while considering 1.5AM solar irradiance.
APOBEC3B Improves Response to PD-1 Blockade Through DSBs–ATR–CHK1 Pathway
Authors: Yang Hong , Chen Shiyu , Ma Yueyun , Wang Rong , Wang Yanxia , Zeng Qin , Guo Wei , Xie Bin , Zhou Xiaomei , Liu Tongxin , Luo Ziyi , Chu Shuai , Wang Wei
Published: May 2022

Background
Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC) family enzymes are considered to induce base substitutions and strand breaks, which contribute significantly to mutation and genomic instability. In the APOBEC family, APOBEC3B (A3B) is a major mutational source in multiple cancers, which fuels tumor diversity and subclonal evolution. Although the APOBEC mutational signature is enriched in immune checkpoint inhibitor responders, it remains unclear whether and how APOBEC influences the immunotherapy.
Methods
The association between A3B and anti-PD-1 treatment sensitivity was evaluated with mouse bearing subcutaneous Hepa1-6 and 4T1 tumors which was trasfected with mouse APOBEC3, immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry were utilized to estimated the tumor immune microenvironment. The effects of A3B on programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and mechanistic detection were investigated with bioinformatics analysis, the results were validated in vitro and in vivo.
Results
High A3B expression increased sensitivity to anti-PD-1 antibody, accompanied by PD-L1 upregulation, and improved tumor-infiltrating T cells and NK cells. We further clarified that A3B induced double-stranded DNA breaks, thereby activating the ATR–Chk1–STAT–IRF1 pathway and resulting in PD-L1 overexpression in tumor. Moreover, Chk1 inhibitor, MK8776, notably reversed the PD-L1 upregulation, aggravated the tumor microenvironment, and eventually abrogated the enhanced sensitivity to anti-PD-1 antibody.
Conclusions
There findings support the notion that A3B had increased sensitivity to anti-PD-1 antibody, providing direct evidence to illustrate the potential of A3B as a marker of response to immunotherapy.