bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS) with Toxicity Testing on Microalgae to Evaluate the Impact of Herbicide Mixtures in Surface Waters
Authors: Carafa Roberta , Gallé Tom , Massarin Sandrine , Huck Viola , Bayerle Michael , Pittois Denis , Braun Christian
Published: August 2022

Pesticide risk assessment within the European Union Water Framework Directive is largely deficient in the assessment of the actual exposure and chemical mixture effects. Pesticide contamination, in particular herbicidal loading, has been shown to exert pressure on surface waters. Such pollution can have direct impact on autotrophic species, as well as indirect impacts on freshwater communities through primary production degradation. The present study proposes a screening method combining polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) with mode of action–specific toxicity testing on microalgae exposed to POCIS extracts as a standard approach to effectively address the problem of herbicide mixture effects detection. This methodology has been tested using Luxembourgish rivers as a case study and has proven to be a fast and reliable information source that is complementary to chemical analysis, allowing assessment of missing target analytes. Pesticide pressure in the 24 analyzed streams was mainly exerted by flufenacet, terbuthylazine, nicosulfuron, and foramsulfuron, with occasional impacts by the nonagricultural biocide diuron. Algae tests were more sensitive to endpoints affecting photosystem II and reproduction than to growth and could be best predicted with the concentration addition model. In addition, analysis revealed that herbicide mixture toxicity is correlated with macrophyte disappearance in the field, relating mainly to emissions from maize cultures. Combining passive sampler extracts with standard toxicity tests offers promising perspectives for ecological risk assessment. The full implementation of the proposed approach, however, requires adaptation of the legislation to scientific progress. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2667–2678. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Should developing countries ban dual practice by physicians? Analysis under mixed hospital competition
Authors: Dutta Indranil , Pezzino Mario , Song Yan
Published: August 2022

Dual practice, where physicians work both in public and private hospitals, is a widely observed phenomenon, particularly in developing countries. This paper studies a multi‐stage game where hospitals compete for physicians as well as patients and, the service provided by physicians endogenously depends on the competitive setting in which hospitals operate. Specifically, we examine the impact of allowing dual practice on hospital payoffs, physician's service and societal welfare. We find that dual practice is socially desirable, since it softens the competition for physician's exclusive service while also increasing the amount of their service. However, if the degree of competition between the hospitals is significant, dual practice may not yield the highest payoffs for both public and private hospitals.
The role of day‐respite centres in supporting people with dementia to age in place: An interpretive phenomenological study
Authors: Lole Lisa , Conway Jessica , Oorloff Anthea , Duffy Cameron
Published: August 2022

Issue Addressed

Day‐respite care opportunities for people with dementia help prevent informal carer burnout and enable ageing in place. Care workers in these settings are an under‐researched workforce who play a pivotal role in providing an engaging and supportive environment for clients with dementia. This study aimed to understand their experiences of providing care for people with dementia.

Methods

An interpretive phenomenological analysis explored the factors that challenge and enable day‐respite centre workers of the sole facility in one regional Australian town to provide, what they perceive to be high‐quality, person‐centred care for people with dementia. Thematic analysis revealed four themes relating to the experience of providing care to people with dementia in this day‐respite centre.

Results

Care challenges associated with the symptoms of dementia were recognised by participants; however, these issues were mitigated by the powerful enabling factors, including a strong focus on dementia‐friendly care, operating within the centre. Thematic analysis yielded four themes of a person‐centred workplace culture and strategy, embedded communication practices, provision of a safe and engaging environment and positive staff attributes. These themes were perceived to make participants' jobs more enjoyable, as well as improve their clients' and carers' quality of life.

Conclusions

Day‐respite centres offer a valuable resource for people with dementia and their carers, and their success depends on several key environmental and workforce factors. Accordingly, other facilities targeted at caring for this population should assess the feasibility of adopting similar strategies, including selecting and training specialised care staff, adapting the care environment to suit clients' physical and behavioural needs. and establishing routine multi‐channel communication methods that effectively connect staff with other care providers, their clients, and their clients' carers.

So what?

The lessons learned in this research could be implemented throughout the wider web of dementia care. Strategies might include the careful selection and training of staff; the provision of dedicated, safe dementia‐friendly wards; and routine communication key stakeholders to ensure met‐needs care. While there would be a need to scale such care to suit different individual care providers, even seemingly simple strategies would likely have positive effects in optimising care for people diagnosed with this debilitating neurocognitive disease.
MAP3K7 is an innate immune regulatory gene with increased expression in human and murine kidney intercalated cells following uropathogenic Escherichia coli exposure
Authors: Saxena Vijay , Arregui Samuel , Kamocka Malgorzata Maria , Hains David S. , Schwaderer Andrew
Published: August 2022

Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the kidney's defense against ascending uropathogen is critical to devise novel treatment strategies against increasingly antibiotic resistant uropathogen. Growing body of evidence indicate Intercalated cells of the kidney as the key innate immune epithelial cells against uropathogen. The aim of this study was to find orthologous and differentially expressed bacterial defense genes in human versus murine intercalated cells. We simultaneously analyzed 84 antibacterial genes in intercalated cells enriched from mouse and human kidney samples. Intercalated cell “reporter mice” were exposed to saline versus uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) transurethrally for 1 h in vivo, and intercalated cells were flow sorted. Human kidney intercalated cells were enriched from kidney biopsy using magnetic‐activated cell sorting and exposed to UPEC in vitro for 1 h. RT2 antibacterial PCR array was performed. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (MAP3K7) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression increased in intercalated cells of both humans and mice following UPEC exposure. Intercalated cell MAP3K7 protein expression was defined by immunofluorescence and confocal imaging analysis, was consistent with the increased MAP3K7 mRNA expression profiles defined by PCR. The presence of the orthologous innate immune gene MAP3K7/TAK1 suggests that it may be a key regulator of the intercalated cell antibacterial response and demands further investigation of its role in urinary tract infection pathogenesis.
Extraction of β‐galactosidase from Saccharomyces fragilisIZ 275 grown in cheese whey
Authors: Setti Ana Caroline Iglecias , Bosso Alessandra , Morioka Luiz Rodrigo Ito , Suguimoto Hélio Hiroshi
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

The enzyme β‐galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.2.3) obtained from yeast is produced intracellularly. Cell extraction consists of the treatment of a cell suspension with chemical agents, thus obtaining the enzyme with biological activity. After obtaining the extracted enzyme, it is concentrated by ultrafiltration and dried. Lyophilization can be used in this step. The objective of this work was to study the production and extraction of β‐galactosidase from Saccharomyces fragilis IZ 275 using lactose from cheese whey.

RESULTS

Under optimum extraction conditions, 2% (v/v) chloroform, 37 °C for 6 h of extraction, 35% of lactose hydrolysis was achieved using 1% (v/v) β‐galactosidase during 10 h of hydrolysis. Extracted enzyme activity resulted in 81% lactose hydrolysis using 12% (v/v) enzyme at pH 6.0 and 37 °C. Enzymatic kinetics were evaluated using 12% of extracted enzyme in 5 h of hydrolysis reaction, and 100% lactose hydrolysis was obtained. The enzyme activity after extraction, concentration and lyophilization was 100%, 60% and 45.3% of lactose hydrolysis, respectively, after 5 h of hydrolysis reaction at 37 °C and pH 6.0.

CONCLUSION

The yeast S. fragilis IZ 275 grown in cheese whey produces intracellular β‐galactosidase and its extraction is efficient with the use of 2% chloroform at 37 °C for 6 h, allowing its use for industrial and pharmaceutical purposes. The extracted enzyme must be used at 37 °C and pH 6.0 at a concentration of 12% (v/v) of enzyme to obtain the total hydrolysis of lactose in 5 h of reaction. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Fragmenting nanoPutians: Capturing admiration to the rationality, predictability, and beauty of ion chemistry in mass spectrometry
Authors: Sabino Adão A. , Chanteau Stephanie H. , Henrique Astolfi Ferreira João , Camacho Santos Alicia , Canevari Thiago C. , Tour James M. , Eberlin Marcos N.
Published: August 2022

The fragmentation chemistry of the protonated and ionized nanoPutian 1 has been studied in the gas phase via electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry. A direct analogy was observed between the fragmentation chemistry of this fascinating “humanoid molecule” and “cleavages” at certain parts of the human body. We argue that such direct analogy and illustrative schemes for the fragmentation of molecular ions of 1 offer a ludic and efficient tool to teach and capture attention to ion chemistry in mass spectrometry. Using the changes in mass for the two heavier nanoPutians with different head styles but the same body design, the analogy has also been used to predict mass spectra. The concepts of isotopic labelling and dissociation thresholds have also been illustrated. For many years, the approach has been successfully used by one of us in classes and lectures, mainly when presenting ion chemistry to students and audiences from fields other than Chemistry, most particularly from Biology, Medicine, and Forensic Chemistry.
The utility of near infrared autofluorescence imaging for detecting small bowel carcinoid tumors in comparison to DOTATATE PET: A pilot study
Authors: Berber Eren , Ergun Onuralp , Avci Seyma , Isiktas Gizem , Osman Mohammed , Mahajan Paresh
Published: August 2022

Background

Small bowel carcinoid (SBC) primary tumors can be multifocal in 40%–55% of patients and challenging to detect. Near infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) is used for detection of parathyroid glands. It is unknown if this technology can be used to identify SBCs and how it would compare with current imaging modalities.

Methods

This was a prospective institutional review board‐approved pilot study of three patients undergoing resection of SBCs. NIRAF was used to image SBCs and mesenteric lymph nodes intraoperatively and at back table. Findings were compared with preoperative imaging, surgical exploration and pathology. Statistics were performed using Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Eleven SBCs and 12 mesenteric lymph nodes were analyzed. All SBCs had a brighter focal autofluorescence (AF) signal compared to background. Normalized pixel intensity of SBCs was 2.2 (0.7) and normal small bowel 1.4 (0.6) (p < 0.0001). NIRAF was less accurate in detecting occult lymph node metastasis, but was superior to DOTATATE PET for detecting SBCs in two of three patients.

Conclusions

This preliminary report suggests that SBCs exhibit distinctly bright AF signals on NIRAF to create a contrast distinction from normal small bowel. This technology may have a utility as an adjunctive tool for intraoperative detection of occult SBCs.
The impact of COVID‐19 on presentation and diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Crossley Jason R. , Nelson Lacey L. , VanDolah Hunter , Davidson Bruce J. , Maxwell Jessica H.
Published: August 2022

Objective

To analyze how the COVID‐19 pandemic has influenced trends in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presentation and diagnosis—including referral patterns, stage at presentation, and time to diagnosis—over a longitudinal time course.

Setting

Multicenter tertiary care academic institution.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients with HNSCC presenting between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020 was performed. Patients were stratified into pre‐COVID and COVID cohorts based upon presentation date either before or after the COVID pandemic was declared a national emergency. Data was collected on demographics, referral site, symptoms, tumor characteristics, and time to diagnosis.

Results

Of 203 patients with HNSCC identified, 77.3% (157/203) were in the pre‐COVID cohort and 22.7% (46/203) were in the COVID cohort. Patients in the COVID cohort were more likely to present through inpatient or ER consultation (26% vs. 11%) than outpatient setting. There was a greater than 50% decrease in new tumor board case presentations per month in the COVID cohort (4.8) relative to the pre‐COVID (10.9) cohort. Cancer stage at presentation was similar between cohorts. Time from presentation to diagnosis was similar between the cohorts at approximately 30 days.

Conclusions

These results suggest that patients presenting during the COVID pandemic may have unique referral patterns. A significant decrease in tumor board presentations was noted, which may contribute to more delayed presentations that have yet to be observed. Further investigation with a larger sample size is warranted.

Lay Summary

The COVID‐19 pandemic may have changed where and how patients with head and neck cancer initially seek care. We found that patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer more often were initially seen in urgent settings than before the pandemic.

Level of Evidence

3
Polarized Photoluminescence Enhancement of Monolayer MoS2 Coupled with Plasmonic Salisbury‐Type Absorber
Authors: Li Wei , Xin Ming , Lan Wenze , Bai Qinghu , Du Shuo , Wang Gang , Liu Baoli , Gu Changzhi
Published: August 2022

The plasmon‐mediated manipulation of light–matter interaction in 2D atomically transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) critically depends on the design of plasmonic nanostructures to achieve the maximum optical field in TMDs. Here, a metal–isolator–metal Salisbury‐type perfect absorber is fabricated to serve as a generator of the localized surface plasmons. The significant photoluminescence (PL) enhancement up to 60‐fold is observed experimentally in the monolayer MoS2 on the top of this gold plasmonic hybrid nanostructures. Furthermore, the PL linear polarization can approach ≈60% around the peak of exciton emission and is independent on the polarization of the excitation laser. This Salisbury‐type plasmon–exciton hybrid system paves a new way to develop optoelectronic devices based on TMDs.
Metabolite Pattern Derived from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum—Fermented Rye Foods and In Vitro Gut Fermentation Synergistically Inhibits Bacterial Growth
Authors: Koistinen Ville M. , Hedberg Maria , Shi Lin , Johansson Anders , Savolainen Otto , Lehtonen Marko , Aura Anna‐Marja , Hanhineva Kati , Landberg Rikard
Published: August 2022

Scope

Fermentation improves many food characteristics using microbes, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Recent studies suggest fermentation may also enhance the health properties, but mechanistic evidence is lacking. The study aims to identify a metabolite pattern reproducibly produced during sourdough and in vitro colonic fermentation of various whole‐grain rye products and how it affects the growth of bacterial species of potential importance to health and disease.

Methods and results

The study uses Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSMZ 13890 strain, previously shown to favor rye as its substrate. Using LC‐MS metabolomics, the study finds seven microbial metabolites commonly produced during the fermentations, including dihydroferulic acid, dihydrocaffeic acid, and five amino acid metabolites, and stronger inhibition is achieved when exposing the bacteria to a mixture of the metabolites in vitro compared to individual compound exposures.

Conclusion

The study suggests that metabolites produced by LAB may synergistically modulate the local microbial ecology, such as in the gut. This could provide new hypotheses on how fermented foods influence human health via diet–microbiota interactions.
Moisture sensitive composite fiber based on agarose gel surface modification
Authors: Zhou Jun , Guo Jiachen , Chang Min , Chen Zhixin , Zhao Dong , Jia Bo
Published: August 2022

A new moisture‐sensitive composite fiber has been reported. A 12‐μm‐diameter single‐mode tapered fiber is modified with a thickness of 10‐mm‐length agarose layer in the evanescent field of the tapered fiber. The application of agarose gel makes the composite fibers with lower temperature crosstalk. The average temperature crosstalk of the sensor is only 0.06 dB/%°C in the range of 40–70°C. Moreover, the thinner diameter of the composite fiber is designed to improve the time response, and the light intensity changes controlled in a smaller sensing area significantly increased the sensitivity of the sensor. The relative humidity (RH) sensitivity of the sensor is up to 0.78 dB/%RH in the sensing range. To the best of our knowledge, the performance of the fiber is effectively improved from the previous report. Due to the excellent indicators, the design of the proposed composite fiber makes it useful for highly sensitive RH sensing applications in a wide temperature environment.
Benchmarking community/primary care musculoskeletal services: A narrative review and recommendation
Authors: Burgess Roanna , Lewis Martyn , Hill Jonathan C.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

High quality data on service performance is essential in healthcare to evidence efficacy, efficiency, and value. There remains a paucity of publicly reported data in community and primary care musculoskeletal (MSK) services. There is also a lack of guidance on which metrics MSK services should be collecting and reporting, and how this data could be used to directly improve patient outcomes, experiences, and value.

Method

A narrative review of the evidence around benchmarking MSK services was undertaken with a focus on how to develop routine data collection within community/primary care settings, and how to develop benchmarking capabilities for the future, looking towards a national MSK audit. This evidence was triangulated with the findings from recent MSK data studies undertaken by the authors and emerging UK policy and guidance in this area.

Recommendations

To enable MSK benchmarking services need to collect consistent, standardised outcomes and, therefore, we have developed a recommendation on a minimum MSK ‘core outcome set’ of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) (PROMs: MSK‐HQ, NPRS, WPAI; PREMs: National MSK PREM). In addition, we make recommendations on the use of a standardised evidence‐based method for case‐mix adjustment and outlier identification (using the following baseline demographics and clinical factors; age, sex, ethnicity, pain site, comorbidities, duration of symptoms, previous surgery, previous pain episodes), alongside considerations on how this data should be integrated and reported within NHS systems.

Conclusions

Capturing high quality MSK data in a standardised, consistent, and sustainable way is a significant challenge. Policy holders, commissioners, managers, and clinicians need to be realistic with expectations, and take time to explore barriers to implementation including, funding, digital infrastructure/intra‐operability, data sharing/governance, digital literacy, and local/national leadership. Next steps include developing a national MSK audit programme to provide a benchmarking model to support continuous improvements in care quality for patients living with MSK conditions.
A mixed element analysis of the Biot's model with Darcy–Forchheimer flow
Authors: Li Hongpeng , Rui Hongxing
Published: August 2022

In this article, we consider the three‐field Biot's consolidation model, in which the flow's velocity is described by Darcy–Forchheimer law. The model is nonlinear and the unknown variables are the displacement of the solid phase, fluid flux, and pore pressure. The linear finite element is proposed to approximate the solid displacement and the RT mixed finite element is proposed to approximate the fluid flux and pore pressure. The error estimates is given for semidiscrete scheme and fully discrete scheme. When analyzing the fully discrete scheme, no time step restriction is needed. Numerical tests for this method confirm the accuracy of the P1‐RT0‐P0 method when the constraint storage coefficient is positive and is null.
Ursolic acid incorporated nanofibers improves chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Gohari Zahra , Baghaei Ahmadali , Mahboudi Hossein , Hashemi Javad , Rahmati Mohammad , Islami Maryam , Mansouri Vahid
Published: August 2022

Cartilage injuries and osteoarthritis are among the most common problems of the elderly in the world, and common treatments are limited to relieving pain. Today, tissue‐engineering is one of the most important hopes of finding a cure to overcome these problems. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the potential impact of Ursolic acid (UA) blended with electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds fabricated by polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) on the chondrogenesis capacity of the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Characterization results of the scaffolds revealed that the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of the PCL‐PLLA nanofibers increased significantly and therefore MSCs attachment and proliferation improved in comparison with empty nanofibers. In addition, differentiation evaluation was also indicated that the expression level of chondrogenic‐related genes was increased significantly in MSCs differentiated on the PCL‐PLLA‐UA nanofibers compared to the differentiated cells on the PCL‐PLLA nanofibers. Alcian blue staining was also revealed that glycosaminoglycans production was amplified significantly in the cells differentiated on the PCL‐PLLA‐UA nanofibers. Fibronectin protein expression that is an important pre‐cartilage condensation marker was also increased in MSCs differentiated on the UA containing scaffold. In summary, the results indicated a significant improvement in the chondrogenic differentiation potential of the MSCs when differentiated on the PCL‐PLLA‐UA nanofibers. It can be concluded that this cell‐scaffold combination can be suggested as potential candidate for cartilage tissue‐engineering applications.
What caregivers believe affected the quality of implementation of asthma‐related family management models (AFMM) during COVID‐19: A phenomenological qualitative study
Authors: Yi Mo , Bao Jingxian , Wang Jingjing , Zhang Zeyi , Jia Yuanmin , Zhao Baosheng , Fang Jinxia , Chen Ou
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The recurrent COVID‐19 epidemic in China has disrupted many aspects of daily life for children with asthma and their caregivers, while negatively impacting their asthma family management models (AFMM). This phenomenological qualitative study identifies what affects the quality of implementation of AFMM in this population and outlines potential coping strategies for the caregivers.

Methods

We used purposive sampling to conduct semistructured interviews with primary caregivers of school‐age children with asthma from community healthcare centers (CHCs), which focused on understanding what factors influenced caregivers' implementation of AFMM during quarantine. The Colaizzi seven‐step method was used to independently code and categorize the transcript and to generate themes and identify associated key subthemes.

Results

Twenty‐four caregivers were interviewed, and they provided greater insight into barriers and motivators to implement AFMM. The three themes and nine relevant subthemes generated, (a) the “individual‐family” internal‐level factors: weak health literacy and beliefs, quietly changing family relationships, the dramatic increase in the care burden, gradual adjustment of negative psychology; (b) the “hospital‐community” external‐level factors: the endless power of peer support, strict community quarantine policy; and (c) the “health system‐public” social‐level factors: the enormous potential of internet‐based telemedicine, improved public awareness of prevention, government's prompt assistance.

Conclusions

This qualitative study reveals that the quality of AFMM implementation during pandemic is impacted by three different levels. Therefore, a targeted and comprehensive caring model that provides caregivers with the necessary coping strategies around these three levels is needed to achieve better asthma control outcomes.
Is the ‘student city’ lost? The rhythms of Lodz as a consumption‐oriented student city through the COVID‐19 pandemic lens
Authors: Zasina Jakub , Nowakowska Aleksandra
Published: August 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic calls into question the hosting of students as an urban growth formula after the spread of online education. Therefore, we look at Lodz, Poland, to understand how student cities operate during the pandemic and gain insights into their futures. We unfold the prepandemic and intrapandemic rhythms of students' presence and activities in Lodz's time‐space and their attitudes toward the postpandemic future. We show that the pandemic spurred many students to escape from Lodz and changed the activities of those staying in the city by limiting their frequencies and locations. However, we expect students to repopulate Lodz, although its postpandemic existence might evolve through further rhythm changes. Moreover, it will depend not only on the students' demand for higher educationper se but also for collective consumption opportunities. Therefore, the pandemic itself does not seem to render the idea of a ‘student city’ obsolete in the long term.
Pre‐ and post‐yield bond, tension‐stiffening, and cracking in ultra‐high performance fiber reinforced concrete
Authors: Sturm Alexander B. , Visintin Phillip
Published: August 2022

In reinforced concrete elements, tension‐stiffening strongly influences deflections and crack‐widths at the serviceability limit, and plastic hinge rotation at the ultimate limit. Modeling has shown the impact of tension‐stiffening at the ultimate limit to be particularly important when ultimate failure is governed by reinforcement rupture, which has been is common in ultra‐high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) elements. It is further known that the magnitude of tension‐stiffening and crack opening is proportional to both the reinforcement ratio of the tension chord and the diameter of the reinforcing bar. Despite this understanding, very little testing has been undertaken to quantify the bond between larger diameter reinforcement and UHPFRC and also on the resulting impact to tension‐stiffening and concrete cracking. To address these issues, in this paper a series of bond and tension‐stiffening tests are undertaken on ultra‐high performance concretes both with and without steel fibers. The result of the experiments is used to develop a local bond stress slip relationship applicable to both pre‐ and post‐yield. When implemented in a partial‐interaction model, it is shown that the new bond model can be used to predict pre‐ and post‐yield tension‐stiffening and crack‐widths.
Zeolite Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs) Derived Nanomaterials and their Hybrids for Advanced Secondary Batteries and Electrocatalysis
Authors: Li Xiaotong , Liang Huajian , Liu Xinlong , Zhang Yufei , Liu Zili , Fan Haosen
Published: August 2022

Zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), as a typical class of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), have attracted a great deal of attention in the field of energy storage and conversation due to their chemical structure stability, facile synthesis and environmental friendliness. Among of ZIFs family, the zinc‐based imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) and cobalt‐based imidazolate framework (ZIF‐67) have considered as promising ZIFs materials, which attributed to their tunable porosity, stable structure, and desirable electrical conductivity. To date, various ZIF‐8 and ZIF67 derived materials, including carbon materials, metal oxides, sulfides, selenides, carbides and phosphides, have been successfully synthesized using ZIFs as templates and evaluated as promising electrode materials for secondary batteries and electrocatalysis. This review provides an effective guide for the comprehension of the performance optimization and application prospects of ZIFs derivatives, specifically focusing on the optimization of structure and their application in secondary batteries and electrocatalysis. In detail, we present recent advances in the improvement of electrochemical performance of ZIF‐8, ZIF‐67 and ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67 derived nanomaterials and their hybrids, including carbon materials, metal oxides, carbides, oxides, sulfides, selenides, and phosphides for high‐performance secondary batteries and electrocatalysis.
Recent Developments and Research Avenues for Polymers in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Gupta Prashant , Toksha Bhagwan , Patel Bhargav , Rushiya Yash , Das Paramita , Rahaman Mostafizur
Published: August 2022

Plastics have been an indispensable material of choice in automobiles with wide range of applications such as interior, exterior, under the hood, and lighting/wiring applications. The prime motive of inclusion of these materials is increase in fuel efficiency and reduction in carbon footprint by replacing the energy intensive metallic counterparts. The current decade i. e., the 2020s has seen a recent surge in the sales of electronic vehicles. Although these numbers are promising, the growth in the rest of the parts of the world is not encouraging. It is primarily due to the skepticism involving battery life and efficiency, profitability, and environmental footprint when compared to conventional and hybrid vehicles. Also, a more concerted effort is needed in the lagging areas in order to install the required infrastructure. The emergence of plastics in the development and acceptance of e‐vehicles is going to be pivotal especially when the efficiency and profitability are considered as they give the required freedom to the engineers for the design and development of various parts and sizes by replacing the bulkier and more dense materials. Also, the research on bionanocomposites has received great interest from the research community due to their versatility in application along with their eco‐friendly nature throughout the lifecycle starting from feedstock up to end‐of‐life treatment. This review paper will be one of its kind to present a critical review of the recent developments of polymers suitable for use in e‐vehicles. Also, a comprehensive discussion comprising of newer research areas for polymers in their use for e‐vehicles will be presented.
Artemisia argyiextract amelioratesIL‐17A‐induced inflammatory response by regulation of NF‐κB and Nrf2 expression inHIG‐82 synoviocytes
Authors: Chen Jhong‐Kuei , Kuo Chia‐Hua , Kuo Wei‐Wen , Day Cecilia Hsuan , Wang Tso‐Fu , Ho Tsung‐Jung , Lin Pi‐Yu , Lin Shinn‐Zong , Shih Tzu‐Ching , Shih Cheng‐Yen , Huang Chih‐Yang , Lu Cheng‐You
Published: August 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease that results in joint destruction and disability in the adult population. RA is characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes. Many pro‐inflammatory mediators are associated with RA, such as interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐17, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB). Furthermore, IL‐17 upregulates the production of other pro‐inflammatory mediators, including IL‐1β and IL‐6, and promotes the recruitment of neutrophils in RA.Artemisia argyi, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is used for the treatment of diseases associated with inflammation and microbial infections. In this study, synoviocytes (HIG‐82) were treated with varying doses ofA. argyiextract (AAE) following IL‐17A stimulation. Proliferation of the IL‐17A‐stimulated cells was increased compared to that of the non‐stimulated control cells. However, cell proliferation decreased significantly in a dose‐dependent manner following AAE treatment. Treatment of IL‐17A‐stimulated cells with AAE resulted in decreased levels of phosphorylated (p)‐NF‐κB, p‐IκB‐α, and COX‐2. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay results showed that IL‐1β and IL‐6 levels were increased in the IL‐17A‐stimulated group but decreased in the AAE treatment group. Additionally, we found that AAE facilitated nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and promoted its nuclear translocation, thereby inducing the expression of heme oxygenase‐1. Moreover, AAE did not attenuate IL‐17A‐induced inflammatory mediator production in the presence of ML385, an Nrf2‐specific inhibitor. These results suggest that the downregulation of expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and the transcription factor NF‐κB by AAE may be a potential therapeutic strategy for reducing inflammation associated with RA.
On the protected spectrum of the minimal Argyres-Douglas theory
Authors: Bhargava Chinmaya , Buican Matthew , Jiang Hongliang
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Despite the power of supersymmetry, finding exact closed-form expressions for the protected operator spectra of interacting superconformal field theories (SCFTs) is difficult. In this paper, we take a step towards a solution for the “simplest” interacting 4D $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SCFT: the minimal Argyres-Douglas (MAD) theory. We present two results that go beyond the well-understood Coulomb branch and Schur sectors. First, we find the exact closed-form spectrum of multiplets containing operators that are chiral with respect to any $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 ⊂ $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal subalgebra. We argue that this “full” chiral sector (FCS) is as simple as allowed by unitarity for a theory with a Coulomb branch and that, up to a rescaling of U(1)r quantum numbers and the vanishing of a finite number of states, the MAD FCS is isospectral to the FCS of the free $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 Abelian gauge theory. In the language of superconformal representation theory, this leaves only the spectrum of the poorly understood $$ {\overline{\mathcal{C}}}_{R,{r}_{\left(j,\overline{j}\right)}} $$

C
¯

R
,

r

j

j
¯

multiplets to be determined. Our second result sheds light on these observables: we find an exact closed-form answer for the number of $$ {\overline{\mathcal{C}}}_{0,{r}_{\left(j,0\right)}} $$

C
¯

0
,

r

j
0

multiplets, for any r and j, in the MAD theory. We argue that this sub-sector is also as simple as allowed by unitarity for a theory with a Coulomb branch and that there is a natural map to the corresponding sector of the free $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 Abelian gauge theory. These results motivate a conjecture on the full local operator algebra of the MAD theory.
AI-assisted biparametric MRI surveillance of prostate cancer: feasibility study
Authors: Roest C. , Kwee T.C. , Saha A. , Fütterer J.J. , Yakar D. , Huisman H.
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility of automatic longitudinal analysis of consecutive biparametric MRI (bpMRI) scans to detect clinically significant (cs) prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

This retrospective study included a multi-center dataset of 1513 patients who underwent bpMRI (T2 + DWI) between 2014 and 2020, of whom 73 patients underwent at least two consecutive bpMRI scans and repeat biopsies. A deep learning PCa detection model was developed to produce a heatmap of all PIRADS ≥ 2 lesions across prior and current studies. The heatmaps for each patient’s prior and current examination were used to extract differential volumetric and likelihood features reflecting explainable changes between examinations. A machine learning classifier was trained to predict from these features csPCa (ISUP > 1) at the current examination according to biopsy. A classifier trained on the current study only was developed for comparison. An extended classifier was developed to incorporate clinical parameters (PSA, PSA density, and age). The cross-validated diagnostic accuracies were compared using ROC analysis. The diagnostic performance of the best model was compared to the radiologist scores.

Results

The model including prior and current study (AUC 0.81, CI: 0.69, 0.91) resulted in a higher (p = 0.04) diagnostic accuracy than the current only model (AUC 0.73, CI: 0.61, 0.84). Adding clinical variables further improved diagnostic performance (AUC 0.86, CI: 0.77, 0.93). The diagnostic performance of the surveillance AI model was significantly better (p = 0.02) than of radiologists (AUC 0.69, CI: 0.54, 0.81).

Conclusions

Our proposed AI-assisted surveillance of prostate MRI can pick up explainable, diagnostically relevant changes with promising diagnostic accuracy.

Key Points

• Sequential prostate MRI scans can be automatically evaluated using a hybrid deep learning and machine learning approach.

• The diagnostic accuracy of our csPCa detection AI model improved by including clinical parameters.
Exercise and colorectal cancer survival: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Choy Kay T. , Lam Kenneth , Kong Joseph C.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The benefit of exercise to colorectal cancer patients has been advocated. However, comparative data to quantify the survival benefit is lacking. The aim of this review was to assess the effect of exercise on colorectal cancer survival.

Methods

An up-to-date systematic review was performed on the available literature between 2000 and 2021 on PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases. All studies reporting on the impact of exercise and colorectal cancer outcomes in patients treated for non-metastatic colorectal cancer were analysed. The main outcome measures were the overall survival (OS), cancer specific survival (CSS) and disease free survival (DFS).

Results

A total of 13 prospective observational studies were included, accounting for 19,135 patients. Compared to negligible physical activity, overall survival (OS) was significantly increased for both moderate and highest activity group (HR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.74–0.90, p < 0.001 and HR 0.64, 0.56–0.72, p < 0.001 respectively). This was also reflected in cancer specific survival (CSS) analysis, but not disease-free survival (DFS) analysis.

Conclusion

Exercise was associated with an increased in overall survival after a colorectal cancer resection. This would support the promotion of exercise interventions amongst colorectal cancer patients.
Homology of neocortical areas in rats and primates based on cortical type analysis: an update of the Hypothesis on the Dual Origin of the Neocortex
Authors: García-Cabezas Miguel Ángel , Hacker Julia Liao , Zikopoulos Basilis
Published: August 2022

Sixty years ago, Friedrich Sanides traced the origin of the tangential expansion of the primate neocortex to two ancestral anlagen in the allocortex of reptiles and mammals, and proposed the Hypothesis on the Dual Origin of the Neocortex. According to Sanides, paraolfactory and parahippocampal gradients of laminar elaboration expanded in evolution by addition of successive concentric rings of gradually different cortical types inside the allocortical ring. Rodents had fewer rings and primates had more rings in the inner part of the cortex. In the present article, we perform cortical type analysis of the neocortex of adult rats, Rhesus macaques, and humans to propose hypotheses on homology of cortical areas applying the principles of the Hypothesis on the Dual Origin of the Neocortex. We show that areas in the outer rings of the neocortex have comparable laminar elaboration in rats and primates, while most 6-layer eulaminate areas in the innermost rings of primate neocortex lack homologous counterparts in rats. We also represent the topological distribution of cortical types in simplified flat maps of the cerebral cortex of monotremes, rats, and primates. Finally, we propose an elaboration of the Hypothesis on the Dual Origin of the Neocortex in the context of modern studies of pallial patterning that integrates the specification of pallial sectors in development of vertebrate embryos. The updated version of the hypothesis of Sanides provides explanation for the emergence of cortical hierarchies in mammals and will guide future research in the phylogenetic origin of neocortical areas.
Role of surgery to the primary tumor in metastatic anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: pooled analysis and SEER-based study
Authors: Oliinyk Dmytro , Augustin Teresa , Rauch Josefine , Koehler Viktoria Florentine , Belka Claus , Spitzweg Christine , Käsmann Lukas
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an orphan disease with a fatal outcome. Surgery to the primary tumor in metastatic ATC is controversial. Determination of specific surgical techniques may help facilitate local control and, hence, beneficial overall and disease-specific survival.

Methods

Using individualized patient data derived from our systematic review of literature and our single center study (n = 123), conducting a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results register (SEER)-based study (n = 617) we evaluated surgery, its combination with systemic and local therapies in metastatic ATC.

Results

Pooled cohort study showed surgery (p < 0.001), RT ≥ 30 Gy (p < 0.001), ChT (p < 0.001) and multimodal treatment (p = 0.014) to result in improved OS univariately. In the multivariate analysis, surgery (1.997 [1.162–3.433], p = 0.012) and RT ≥ 30 Gy (1.877 [1.232–2.843], p = 0.012) were independent predictors for OS. In SEER-based study of patients undergoing any tumor-directed treatment (n = 445) total thyroidectomy (p = 0.031), administration of ChT (p = 0.007), RT (p < 0.001), combination of surgery and RT ± ChT (p < 0.001) and multimodal treatment (p < 0.001) correlated with an improved DSS univariately. On the multivariate analysis, debulking surgery was an independent predictor for a worse outcome (HR 0.535, 95%CI 0.332–0.862, p = 0.010), whereas RT administration correlated with a longer DSS (HR 2.316, 95%CI 1.362–3.939, p = 0.002). Among operated patients from SEER register total thyroidectomy (p = 0.031), ChT (p = 0.007), RT (p < 0.001), combination of surgery and RT ± ChT (p < 0.001) and multimodal treatment (p < 0.001) correlated with an improved DSS in the univariate analysis, whereas debulking surgery was inversely correlated with the DSS (p < 0.001). On the multivariate analysis, debulking surgery was an independent predictor for a worse DSS (HR 0.535, 95%CI 0.332–0.862, p = 0.010), whilst RT administration correlated with a longer DSS (HR 2.316, 95%CI 1.362–3.939, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Surgery to the primary tumor with the aim of R0/R1 resection, but not debulking, is associated with a significant OS and DSS benefit even in systemically metastasized disease.
Oculo-vestibular signs in experimentally induced migraine attacks: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Corrado Michele , Demartini Chiara , Greco Rosaria , Zanaboni Annamaria , Bighiani Federico , Vaghi Gloria , Grillo Valentina , Sances Grazia , Allena Marta , Tassorelli Cristina , De Icco Roberto
Published: August 2022

Vestibular symptoms accompanying headache are quite common in migraine patients. Based on the association of vertigo with migraine, vestibular migraine was included in the appendix of the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders as a possible migraine subtype worthy of further investigation. In this post hoc, exploratory analysis, we investigated the occurrence of oculo-vestibular signs (OVSs) during experimentally induced migraine attacks in 24 episodic migraine patients and 19 healthy controls exposed to sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG - 0.9 mg). A comprehensive clinical examination was performed at baseline, at the onset of the migraine-like attack, and immediately before hospital discharge (180 minutes after NTG administration). Three of the 13 migraine patients who developed a spontaneous-like migraine attack during the hospital observation period (23.1%) also developed OVSs during the induction test. Noteworthy, none of the patients with a negative induction test developed OVSs and no OVSs were reported in healthy subjects at any time point. The exploratory nature of our study does not allow to draw definite conclusions on the possible implications of a vestibular dysfunction in migraine pathophysiology. Our results however suggest that NTG administration may lend itself to investigate vestibular dysfunction in migraine, at least in a subset of patients. The present findings represent a starting point for designing future ad hoc and well-powered studies.
An executable metamodel refactoring catalog
Authors: Bettini Lorenzo , Di Ruscio Davide , Iovino Ludovico , Pierantonio Alfonso
Published: August 2022

Like any software artifacts, metamodels are evolving entities that constantly change over time for different reasons. Changing metamodels by keeping them consistent with other existing artifacts is an error-prone and tedious activity without the availability of automated support. In this paper, we foster the adoption of metamodel refactorings collected in a curated catalog. The Edelta framework is proposed as an operative environment to provide modelers with constructs for specifying basic refactorings and evolution operators, to define a complete metamodel refactoring catalog. The proposed environment has been used to implement the metamodel refactorings available in the literature and make them executable. A detailed discussion on how modelers can use and contribute to the definition of the catalog is also given.
Community support for caring relatives of people with dementia: qualitative analysis using the Theoretical Domains Framework
Authors: Wittek Maren , Voß Henrike , Kiefer Anna , Wiloth Stefanie , Schmitt Eric
Published: August 2022

Aim

Although caring relatives of people with dementia are a mainstay of many care systems, the availability of support services for them within the municipal community shows deficiencies. Adopting the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) this study aims to investigate 1) which of the TDF domains adapted to gerontology show up in public dialogue, and 2) the results that public dialogues produce in terms of support services for caring relatives.

Subject and methods

The data consists of town hall meetings and focus groups from 14 municipal communities in Germany. Participants were caring relatives and stakeholders of the communities. A qualitative content analysis was conducted, focusing on the assessment of three TDF domains, namely knowledge, goals, and sociopolitical context as well as outcomes of care optimisation.

Results

With regard to domain knowledge, it was evident that in every community there were actors aware of the situation and relevance of carers and their relatives. Only some actors mentioned goals for optimising the care of the target group. The sociopolitical context is often addressed through statements about incomplete requirements.

Conclusion

Overall, a relation between the discussion about the domains in public dialogues and changes in supporting carers of people with dementia can be assumed. The results indicate that an increased discussion about the domains within town hall meetings influences the actors and their statements with regard to the improvement of support services for caring relatives of people with dementia. Since the domains were not developed exclusively for the outlined context, this approach can also be applied to other areas of care.