bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Genetics of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Smith Judith A
Published: October 2021

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic immune‐mediated arthritic condition affecting the spine that can result in disabling fusion of the vertebrae and sacroiliac joints. Genetics plays a more dominant role in conferring risk for AS than in most autoimmune diseases, as evidenced by a heritability greater than 90%. The
HLA‐B*27
gene allele represents the greatest single risk factor identified to date, and multiple theories have been proposed to explain its contribution to pathogenesis. Genomewide association studies in AS have revealed other key genetic players, such as the polymorphic
ERAP1
, and implicated specific immune pathways, notably the IL‐23/IL17 cytokine pathway. However, much of the genetic basis for AS remains to be explained, providing future challenges to researchers and hope for clinicians.

Key Concepts

Ankylosing spondylitis belongs to a group of related inflammatory conditions typified by spinal arthritis, extraarticular inflammation and high prevalence of the MHC class I allele HLA‐B*27.

Ankylosing spondylitis has unusually high heritability, suggesting a strong genetic basis.

HLA‐B*27 remains the greatest genetic risk factor identified to date.

Multiple theories have been proposed to explain the link between HLA‐B*27 and disease ranging from immune recognition at the cell surface to unusual characteristics of its biosynthesis.

Genomewide association studies (GWAS) have identified other MHC genes, non‐MHC key molecules and immune pathways that contribute to ankylosing spondylitis.

The relevance of one of the GWAS pathways, the IL‐23/IL‐17 pathway, has borne out in treatment efficacy of related monoclonal antibody therapy in patients.

The genetic overlap between ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis may explain the frequently observed gut and skin inflammation comorbidities in ankylosing spondylitis.

Most of the ankylosing spondylitis heritability (about 70%) remains unexplained.
Model Plants for Understanding Evolution
Authors: Coates Juliet C
Published: October 2021

Plants are a hugely diverse group of organisms, including both land plants and aquatic algae, which inhabit a wide range of ecological niches across the planet. All plants arose from a single common ancestor and underwent a diversification that has shaped the earth's atmosphere and climate. One of the most important evolutionary transitions in the earth's history was the transition of plants to land. To understand how plants have evolved to possess such diversity of form, function and habitat requires in‐depth knowledge and comparison of plant development and physiology from a wide range of representative species. There are several key ‘traditional’ model organisms that have helped us understand plant evolution to date. However, there are significant gaps in our knowledge due to under‐representation in some parts of the green phylogenetic tree. The time is right to start filling these gaps using new and ‘up‐and‐coming’ green model organisms.

Key Concepts

Plants are a very diverse group of organisms that include both aquatic algae and land plants.

Land plants arose nearly half a billion years ago, while flowering plants arose more recently.

Model organisms are assumed to be representative of the biology of a larger group of organisms e.g. eukaryotes, plants and flowering plants.

Most plant model organisms are currently land plants, in particular flowering plants.

To understand plant evolution, we need better representation by model organisms within algae and non‐flowering plants.

With advances in genome sequencing, the challenge is now to find the most experimentally tractable plants to become new model organisms.
Gene Therapy in the Cornea
Authors: Rodríguez‐Gascón Alicia , del Pozo‐Rodríguez Ana , Isla Arantxaxu , Solinís María A
Published: October 2021

Several advantages are apparent in making the cornea particularly attractive for gene transfer: it has a well‐defined anatomy and is easily accessible during ambulatory visits, as well as surgical procedures. The most important, and most difficult, challenge in gene therapy is the issue of delivery. Although naked or plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has occasionally been applied into the corneal stroma, usually, DNA is complexed in a vector to enhance delivery into the cornea. To date, the most efficient method for delivering nucleic acid‐based treatments mainly involves viral vectors, including retrovirus, lentivirus, adeno‐associated virus and adenovirus. However, nonviral vectors (lipid‐ or polymeric‐based systems), although less efficient, are safer and its production is simpler and cheaper than viral vectors. Corneal diseases potentially treatable by gene therapy include mucopolysaccharidosis VII, herpetic stromal keratitis, corneal neovascularisation, corneal burns and corneal transplantation and graft rejection, among others.

Key Concepts

The cornea is an ideal target for gene therapy as it is accessible, relatively immune privileged and easily monitored owing to its transparency.

The most important, and most difficult, challenge in corneal gene therapy is the issue of delivery.

Corneal diseases potentially treatable by gene therapy include mucopolysaccharidosis VII, herpetic stromal keratitis, corneal neovascularisation, corneal burns and corneal transplantation and graft rejection, among others.

Gene therapy in the cornea has been mainly studied in animal models, the clinical trials in humans being scarce.
Linear Elamite
Authors: Mäder Michael
Published: October 2021

Linear Elamite (2150–1900
bce
) is a syllabic writing system representing the Elamite language or an idiom closely related to it. The fifty‐one texts and fragments that have been found so far can be divided into three sub‐corpora: The Western Elamite (Lowlands) sub‐corpus is the first and oldest, comprising royal inscriptions mostly incised on stone stelae. These mention Inshushinak and the city governor of Susa Puzur‐Inshushinak. This sub‐corpus contains 32 percent of all readable signs. The Central Elamite (Highlands) sub‐corpus is consistently embossed on silver vessels and is used for royal dedications as well, mentioning the god Napirisha and, presumably, the early Sukkalmahs Ebarat and Shilhaha. On the basis of these proposed readings, it is thought to be slightly more recent (1950–1900
bce
) than the lowland texts, containing 65.5 percent of all readable signs. Finally, the Eastern Elamite (Elamo‐Bactrian) sub‐corpus – written on gold or steatite seals, as well as pottery and clay tablets – contains signatures and titles, rather than actual texts. This sub‐corpus contains 2.5 percent of all readable signs. Linear Elamite is only partially deciphered, due to its limited text corpus encompassing a total of 1731 readable signs: of its ninety‐nine sign types, fifteen have a sound value commonly accepted by scholars, nineteen have disputed, albeit reasonable, sound value proposals, while for the remaining sixty‐five sign types no plausible suggestion has ever been made. Linear Elamite probably derives from Proto‐Elamite, since sixty‐six of its ninety‐nine sign types have an identical or at least a similar predecessor in Proto‐Elamite administrative tablets.
Kaniṣka Era
Authors: Skinner Michael C.
Published: October 2021

The Kaniṣka era began in 127
ce
, corresponding to the first year of Kaniṣka I's reign and aligning with year 301 of the Greek era. Kaniṣka I was the fourth king of the Kushana Empire and ruled from ca. 127 to 150
ce
, and the Kushana kings after Kaniṣka I continued to use his era in counting years of their reigns. The Kaniṣka era is one of the ancient Indian eras inaugurated in the centuries around the turn of the Common Era, and was used until the emergence of the Gupta Empire ca. 320
ce
when these rulers initiated their own era.
Early Medieval Currency Pattern (North India)
Authors: Deyell John S.
Published: October 2021

Prior to ca. 500
ce
, gold, silver, and copper coins of a dynastic model (bearing clear reference to issuing authority and regal or religious art) circulated widely throughout North India.

During the following “early medieval” period up to about 1000
ce
, gold coins all but disappeared. Silver coins became debased in content and anonymous or abbreviated in message. Copper coins were replaced by cowrie shells. The nature, form, and quality of coinage changed, but it did not diminish in quantity.
Naturalistic studies of long‐term autobiographical memory
Authors: White Richard
Published: October 2021

The article comments on several naturalistic studies of long‐term autobiographical memory, suggests improvements to their procedures, summarises their findings and advocates attention to recent theories that relate memories of individual episodes to extended events, life stories and life schemata.
Dynamic Mechanical Behavior and Microstructure of the Al0.1CoCrFeNiTix High‐Entropy Alloys
Authors: Tian Zheng , Wang Jianjun , Ma Shengguo , Qiao Li , Wang Zhihua
Published: October 2021

The effects of the microstructure and the strain rate on the compression behavior of the Al0.1CoCrFeNiTi
x
(x = 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 in molar ratio) high‐entropy alloys (HEAs) are investigated. Compared with the Al0.1CoCrFeNiTi0.1 with the single‐phase face‐centered cubic (FCC) structure and the Al0.1CoCrFeNiTi0.3 HEAs, both the yield strength (YS) and the work hardening ability of the Al0.1CoCrFeNiTi0.5 HEA are enhanced significantly under the quasistatic condition. This is due to a combination of the solid‐solution strengthening and sigma‐phase precipitation hardening mechanisms. The strong work hardening of the Al0.1CoCrFeNiTi0.1 HEAs under quasistatic loading is attributed to the existence of the dislocation substructures (high‐density dislocation walls and dislocation cells) and the deformation twinning accompanying homogeneous deformation. A significant strain rate sensitivity on the YS is obtained as a result of the phonon drag effect under dynamic loading. Different from the quasistatic condition, the dynamic grain refinement and the nanoscale twins inside the grains are the main microstructure characteristics in the dynamic deformation process.
Development and Characterization of Gelatin‐Norbornene Bioink to Understand the Interplay between Physical Architecture and Micro‐Capillary Formation in Biofabricated Vascularized Constructs
Authors: Soliman Bram G. , Major Gretel S. , Atienza‐Roca Pau , Murphy Caroline A. , Longoni Alessia , Alcala‐Orozco Cesar R. , Rnjak‐Kovacina Jelena , Gawlitta Debby , Woodfield Tim B. F. , Lim Khoon S.
Published: October 2021

The principle challenge for engineering viable, cell‐laden hydrogel constructs of clinically‐relevant size, is rapid vascularization, in order to moderate the finite capacity of passive nutrient diffusion. A multiscale vascular approach, with large open channels and bulk microcapillaries may be an admissible approach to accelerate this process, promoting overall pre‐vascularization for long‐term viability of constructs. However, the limited availability of bioinks that possess suitable characteristics that support both fabrication of complex architectures and formation of microcapillaries, remains a barrier to advancement in this space. In this study, gelatin‐norbornene (Gel‐NOR) is investigated as a vascular bioink with tailorable physico‐mechanical properties, which promoted the self‐assembly of human stromal and endothelial cells into microcapillaries, as well as being compatible with extrusion and lithography‐based biofabrication modalities. Gel‐NOR constructs containing self‐assembled microcapillaries are successfully biofabricated with varying physical architecture (fiber diameter, spacing, and orientation). Both channel sizes and cell types affect the overall structural changes of the printed constructs, where cross‐signaling between both human stromal and endothelial cells may be responsible for the reduction in open channel lumen observed over time. Overall, this work highlights an exciting three‐way interplay between bioink formulation, construct design, and cell‐mediated response that can be exploited towards engineering vascular tissues.
Recent Advances in Hydrogenation Reactions Using Bimetallic Nanocatalysts: A Review
Authors: Anand Samika , Pinheiro Dephan , Sunaja Devi K. R.
Published: October 2021

Hydrogenation reactions have been studied for many decades now and have developed from reactions that appear simple to now being recognized for their many complexities. These reactions are generally catalyzed using monometallic and more recently, with bimetallic nanocatalysts. Hydrogenation plays a vital role in food, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceuticals, and dye industries to name a few. The hydrogenated products derived from several biomass‐based compounds are potential fossil fuels. Such products when employed in daily life, can help conserve natural resources. While hydrogenation of alkynes and alkenes are among the simplest of hydrogenation reactions, the most extensive and elegant manifestation of this reaction is seen in polymerization. Polymers like polythene, polypropylene (plastic) have replaced materials like glass, stainless steel, etc., in making daily use items for the obvious advantages of the former. Purification of alkenes is achieved by partially hydrogenating the respective alkynes present in trace amounts. This serves as an important step in the polymerization process. The presence of nitro group on aromatic rings makes them carcinogenic in nature which harms living organisms. For a safe environment, the elimination or modification of this nitro group becomes imperative. The products of hydrogenation of nitroaromatics and amino aromatics form the basis of pharmaceuticals and dyestuffs. A plethora of bimetallic catalysts have been used to catalyze these hydrogenation reactions. These catalysts are evaluated based on their selectivity and efficiency. This review highlights the recent advancements in the field of hydrogenation of nitro compounds, carbonyl compounds, and unsaturated hydrocarbons catalyzed by bimetallic nanoparticles.
Two‐Dimensional Fluorinated Covalent Organic Frameworks with Tunable Hydrophobicity for Ultrafast Oil–Water Separation
Authors: Liu Yuhao , Li Wei , Yuan Chen , Jia Lei , Liu Yan , Huang Aisheng , Cui Yong
Published: October 2021

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) hold great potentials for addressing the challenge of highly efficient oil–water separation, but they are restricted by the poor wettability and processability as crystalline membranes. Here we report the design and synthesis of two‐dimensional (2D) robust COFs with controllable hydrophobicity and processability, allowing the COF layers to be directly grown on the support surfaces. Three 2D COFs with AA or ABC stacking are prepared by condensation of triamines with fluorine and/or isopropyl groups and perfluorodialdehyde. They all show excellent tolerance to water, acid, and base, with water contact angles (CA) of 111.5–145.8°. The two COFs with isopropyl and fluorine mixtures can grow as a coating on a stainless‐steel net (SSN) substrate, whereas the one with only fluorine substituents cannot. The superhydrophobic COF@SSN coating with water CA of up to 150.1° displays high water‐resistance and self‐cleaning properties, enabling high oil–water separation performances with an efficiency of over 99.5 % and a permeation flux of 2.84×105 L m−2 h−1, which are among the highest values reported for state‐of‐the‐art membranes.
Fabrication and properties of polyhydroxybutyrate/kaolin nanocomposites and evaluation of their biocompatibility for biomedical applications
Authors: Ankush K. , Pugazhenthi G. , Vasanth D.
Published: October 2021

The polyhydroxybutyrate biopolymer nanocomposites (C1–C10) were fabricated by solvent casting method with different loading of kaolin and polyethylene glycol. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the microstructure of the composites varied with different kaolin loading. X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirm the presence of kaolin in the polymer matrix due to the intercalation and formation of hydrogen bond. The contact angle of the nanocomposites decreased with increasing kaolin loading indicating an improvement in wettability of the nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the Tmax and Tm of the nanocomposites increased with increasing kaolin loading. The mechanical property of the nanocomposite fabricated with 10 wt% kaolin (C10) was found to have identical mechanical property with natural bone that was selected as an optimum nanocomposite. The nanocomposite showed prolonged blood clotting time exhibiting anticoagulant nature of the nanocomposite. Moreover, low protein adsorption (168 ± 8 μg/cm2), suppressed platelet adhesion (75 ± 2 × 109 platelets/cm2) and less complement activation (118 ± 5 mg/dl for C3 and 658 ± 5 mg/dl for C4) showed the improvement in surface properties of the nanocomposite. In vitro bioactivity studies revealed the formation of hydroxyapatite layer on the surface of the nanocomposites. Eventually, the nanocomposites (C10) showed no cytotoxic effect on MG‐63 cells as tested through MTT assay and it is biologically safe.
Unusual oral expulsion of adult Taenia worm through vomiting
Authors: Raja Saud Mohammed
Published: October 2021

A 49‐year‐old woman with a history of abdominal discomfort and raw beef intake vomited a long adult Taenia after an episode of acute febrile illness. This case report describes that Taeniasis can rarely present with oral expulsion of the tapeworm. Acute physiologic stress due to illness or surgery could be implicated.
Enoxaparin‐induced bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis at a distant location from the injection site
Authors: Al‐Mashdali Abdulrahman F. , Yassin Mohamed A.
Published: October 2021

Heparin‐induced bullous hemorrhagic dermatosis is a benign and self‐limited condition. However, it might cause significant patient frustration. Clinicians should be aware of this rare adverse reaction.
The introduction of the particle concept in inclusive chemistry lessons based on the concept of “Chemistry for Life”
Authors: Kempke Tom , Flint Alfred
Published: October 2021

Der Unterricht in inklusiven Klassen stellt für Chemielehrkräfte, die dafür nicht ausgebildet worden sind, eine große Herausforderung dar. Nach einer Analyse der realen Ausgangssituation wird in dem folgenden Beitrag anhand eines entwickelten Lernstrukturgitters gezeigt, wie man es im Rahmen einer Unterrichtseinheit zur Einführung der Teilchenvorstellung mithilfe von abgestuften Unterstützungsmaterialien Schülerinnen und Schülern ermöglichen kann, chemische Erkenntnisse auf einem individuell höchstmöglichen Komplexitätsgrad zu erwerben. Dabei gilt der Grundsatz des Arbeitens am gemeinsamen Gegenstand.
Environmental and occupational determinants of myelodysplastic syndrome: A case–control study from Pakistan
Authors: Anwar Nida , Arshad Aisha , Fatima Naveena , Shaheen Sumaira , Bukhari Sumera , Shamsi Tahir
Published: October 2021

Background

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous group of haematopoietic stem cell disorders and have variable reduction in the production of red cells, platelets and mature granulocytes.

Aim

We conducted a case–control study evaluating the environmental and occupational determinants as risk factors of MDS.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted including 150 de novo MDS cases and 450 age and gender‐matched controls. Disease characteristics, sociodemographics and exposure to environmental and occupational determinants were collected through a questionnaire. Chi‐square test was applied to observe association, and binary logistic regression was applied to predict the odds of having MDS.

Results

A total of 600 participants were analysed. Those who were exposed to arsenic (OR 31.81, CI: 19.0–53.0, P‐value: .000), benzene (OR 1.564, CI: 1.07–2.27, P‐value: .01) using natural source of water (OR 3.563, CI: 2.29–5.53, P‐value: .000) and smokers (OR 3.1, P‐value: .000) were more likely to have MDS. Unmarried were less likely to acquire MDS than married (OR 0.239, CI: 0.15–0.36, P‐value: .000), Sindhi speaking were 1.419 times more likely to have MDS than participants speaking other languages. Uneducated participants were more likely to have MDS than educated and powder milk users were more likely to have MDS than dairy milk users.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that arsenic, use of natural source of water and benzene exposure might lead to higher risk of acquiring MDS. This study would be helpful to understand the aetiology of disease in Pakistani population.
Diagnostic value of liquid‐based cytology test in intrathoracic lymph nodes and lung lesions sampled by endobronchial ultrasonography‐transbronchial needle aspiration
Authors: Erdogan‐Durmus Senay
Published: October 2021

Backgrounds

Liquid‐based cytology (LBC) has begun to be used in non‐gynecological samples such as endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA). This study aims to investigate the diagnostic value of LBC in intrathoracic lymph nodes and lung lesions sampled with EBUS‐TBNA.

Methods

In total, 174 cases that underwent EBUS‐TBNA between July 2020 and February 2021 were included (75 and 99 cases were prepared using conventional and LBC methods, respectively). The two groups were compared in terms of diagnostic categories, number of slides, cell blocks, slides per location, locations sampled, immunohistochemical studies, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy.

Results

The percentages of malignant, suspicious for malignancy, benign, and non‐diagnostic (ND) cases were 51.8%, 1.1%, 39.6%, and 7.5%, respectively. The LBC and conventional group (CG) had similar rates in the diagnostic categories, except for ND (3.0% and 13.3%, respectively). The sensitivity of LBC and CG were 90.4% and 85.7%, respectively. There were no differences in the specificity and diagnostic accuracy between groups. There was a statistically significant difference between groups in terms of the number of slides, number of slides per location, number of cell blocks, and locations sampled (p < .001, p < .001, p < .05, p < .05).

Conclusion

The LBC technique can be used for samples taken with EBUS‐TBNA. Rapid fixation and the absence of artificial problems greatly reduce the rate of ND samples in LBC slides. Other important advantages are a lower number of slides to examine and a greater number of cell blocks.
Synthesis and Properties of the Octaboron Cluster Series hypercloso‐B8Cl8, the Radical Anion hypercloso‐[B8Cl8].− and the Dianion closo‐[B8Cl8]2−
Authors: Einholz Wolfgang , Hofmann Matthias , Schäfer Ronald , Wieloch Christoph , Keller Willi , Ströbele Markus , Meyer Hans‐Jürgen
Published: October 2021

The synthesis, spectroscopic data, redox properties of B8Cl8, [B8Cl8].−, and [B8Cl8]2−, and the single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis of [Ph4P]+2 [B8Cl8]2− ⋅ CH3CN are described. Temperature‐dependent 11B NMR measurements and theoretical studies (DFT) concerning the fluxional behavior of [B8Cl8]2− will be discussed. – B8Cl8 reacts with reductants like iodide to the intense purple colored radical anion [B8Cl8].− which is formed as well from B8Cl8 by traces of water. The colorless dianion closo‐[B8Cl8]2− is obtained by the reaction of B8Cl8 or [B8Cl8].− with iodide. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis of [Ph4P]+2[B8Cl8]2− confirms the dodecahedral D2d structure of [B8Cl8]2−. The 11B NMR spectra of [B8Cl8]2− solutions show only one broad signal even at low temperatures due to the fast fluctuation of the [B8Cl8]2− polyhedron. The energy of the C2v structure isomer of [B8Cl8]2− was calculated by DFT methods to be only 0.6 kcal/mol higher in energy than the D2d form, and the activation barrier for the D2d to C2v transformation is predicted to be about 0.9 kcal/mol.
Can a rational expectation storage model explain the USDA ending grain stocks forecast errors?
Authors: Zhang Tianyang , Li Ziran
Published: October 2021

We examine whether, and to what extent, a rational expectation storage model can be used to explain the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) ending stocks forecast errors for corn, soybean, and wheat. We show there is a predictable component of forecast errors from 1980/81 to 2018/19 that can partially be explained by the temporal basis and monthly stocks, two important factors from a rational expectation storage model that codetermines carry. The USDA ending stocks forecasts can be improved by 7.1%, 7.2%, and 4.5% for corn, soybean, and wheat, respectively. The improvement is most significant when the last year's carry is small.
The influence of organizational coaching context on pre‐coaching motivation and the role of regulatory focus: An experimental study
Authors: Bozer Gil , Delegach Marianna , Kotte Silja
Published: October 2021

This study responds to the call for a closer analysis of the role that contextual and individual factors play in workplace coaching as a context‐sensitive intervention. We build on theories of regulatory focus and training motivation, to propose and examine a model that explains employees' pre‐coaching motivation when assigned to workplace coaching. Specifically, we propose that the employees' perception of the organizational coaching context, as either developmental or remedial, contributes to their pre‐coaching motivation through employees' situational regulatory focus. Results of a scenario‐based experimental study (N = 175) demonstrated that organizational coaching context affects employees' situational regulatory foci beyond their chronic dispositions. Further, the indirect relationship between developmental organizational coaching context and pre‐coaching motivation was mediated by employee situational promotion focus. However, we did not find the hypothesized indirect relationship between remedial organizational coaching context and employee pre‐coaching motivation via employee situational prevention focus. The study highlights the important role that organizations' management and human resource development personnel play in the “kick‐off” of a workplace coaching intervention by shaping the context of coaching assignments prior to coaching. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of including the organization's informal feedback to the employee prior to coaching as a key contractual element that contributes to coachees' pre‐coaching motivation. We conclude with implications for future workplace coaching research and practice.
Testicular seminoma arising from infertile testes 6 years after microdissection testicular sperm extraction
Authors: Shimizu Nobuhiko , Naiki Taku , Kobayashi Daichi , Naiki‐Ito Aya , Kawai Tatsuya , Xiaochen Kuang , Etani Toshiki , Nozaki Satoshi , Tomiyama Nami , Aoki Maria , Matsuyama Nayuka , Iwatsuki Shoichiro , Umemoto Yukihiro , Yasui Takahiro
Published: October 2021

Introduction

In Western countries, the risk of a testicular germ cell tumor in men with male factor infertility is greater than in the general population. However, Japanese data on this risk are lacking. Additionally, the clinical course for the pathogenesis involved has not been clearly characterized.

Case presentation

A 35‐year‐old Japanese male underwent a right orchiectomy because of a mass in his right scrotum. He had a previous history of microdissection testicular sperm extraction undertaken 6 years ago. The final diagnosis of the right scrotal mass was a stage I seminoma. However, a relapse occurred in the left inguinal lymph node 2 years after surgery and the patient was consequently treated with systemic chemotherapy. Pathological analysis of a microdissection testicular sperm extraction sample yielded a germ cell neoplasia in situ in the right testis.

Conclusion

In Japan, men who seek an evaluation for infertility might be more likely to develop testicular germ cell tumor.
Association between serum lactate dehydrogenase and 60‐day mortality in Chinese Hakka patients with acute myeloid leukemia: A cohort study
Authors: Xiao Zuomiao , Gong Rongpeng , Chen Xianchun , Xiao Dejun , Luo Shi , Ji Yanhong
Published: October 2021

Background

There is evidence that a high level of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is associated with poorer overall survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but its link to 60‐day mortality of AML remains unclear.

Methods

All patients newly diagnosed with AML were included in this cohort study. LDH was measured for the first time after admission. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the association between serum LDH and 60‐day mortality. Interaction and stratified analyses were conducted including age, sex, albumin, glucose, myoglobin, and standard chemotherapy.

Results

Three hundred and seventy‐one patients ≥15 years of age, who were newly diagnosed with AML, were consecutively selected. The total prevalence of 60‐day mortality was 27.2% (101/371), while it was 32.1% (42/131) and higher than in the LDH ≥570U/L compared with the LDH<570U/L, with the prevalence of 24.6% (59/240); however, the difference was not statistically significant. In multivariate regression models, odd ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for Log2 and twice limit of normal (ULN) of LDH were 1.46 (1.0, 2.14) and 2.76 (1.24, 6.16), respectively. Interaction analysis revealed no interactive role in the association between LDH concentration and 60‐day mortality.

Conclusions

Serum LDH level was associated with 60‐day mortality, especially for the patients with LDH ≥570U/L.
mRNA microarray profiling identifies a novel circulating HTRA2 for detection of gastric cancer
Authors: Wu Liangliang , Li Xiao , Chen Xin , Wu Fan , Sun Guangshun , Cheng Ye , Tang Weiwei , Zhang Wenling , Lv Chengyu
Published: October 2021

Background

mRNAs have been shown to be critical biomarkers or therapeutic targets for human diseases. However, only a few of them have been studied as blood‐based biomarkers for gastric carcinoma (GC) detection.

Methods

mRNA expression profiles for GC were screened using plasma samples from 10 GC patients with different TNM stages and 5 healthy individuals as controls. One candidate tumor‐related mRNA named HTRA2 was then evaluated in GC samples with quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). TCGAportal, UALCAN, and TISCH database were used to explore the function of HTRA2 in GC. Finally, the effect generated by HTRA2 expression on cell proliferating, invading, and migrating processes was assessed in vitro with knockdown and over‐expression strategies.

Results

HTRA2 displayed noticeable increase inside GC plasma compared with control cases. Higher expression of HTRA2 displayed a correlation to higher clinicopathological stage and worse prognosis. HTRA2 knocking down down‐regulated GC cells' proliferating, invading, and migrating states, while HTRA2 over‐expression exerted the inconsistent influence. HTRA2 protein, which may interact with PINK1, PARL, and CYCS, was mainly located in the mitochondria of cells and primarily involved cellular response and metabolic signaling pathway. Immune factors may interact with HTRA2 in GC, and HTRA2 was found noticeably linked with immunosuppressor such as CD274, IDO1, and TIGIT.

Conclusion

One plasma HTRA2 can be an emerging diagnosis‐related biomarker to achieve GC detecting process, but the particular regulatory effect still needs to be further explored.
Comparative safety of mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines to influenza vaccines: A pharmacovigilance analysis using WHO international database
Authors: Kim Min Seo , Jung Se Yong , Ahn Jong Gyun , Park Se Jin , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Kronbichler Andreas , Koyanagi Ai , Dragioti Elena , Tizaoui Kalthoum , Hong Sung Hwi , Jacob Louis , Salem Joe‐Elie , Yon Dong Keon , Lee Seung Won , Ogino Shuji , Kim Hanna , Kim Jerome H. , Excler Jean‐Louis , Marks Florian , Clemens John D. , Eisenhut Michael , Barnett Yvonne , Butler Laurie , Ilie Cristian Petre , Shin Eui‐Cheol , Il Shin Jae , Smith Lee
Published: October 2021

Two messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines developed by Pfizer‐BioNTech and Moderna are being rolled out. Despite the high volume of emerging evidence regarding adverse events (AEs) associated with the COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines, previous studies have thus far been largely based on the comparison between vaccinated and unvaccinated control, possibly highlighting the AE risks with COVID‐19 mRNA vaccination. Comparing the safety profile of mRNA vaccinated individuals with otherwise vaccinated individuals would enable a more relevant assessment for the safety of mRNA vaccination. We designed a comparative safety study between 18 755 and 27 895 individuals who reported to VigiBase for adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with mRNA COVID‐19 and influenza vaccines, respectively, from January 1, 2020, to January 17, 2021. We employed disproportionality analysis to rapidly detect relevant safety signals and compared comparative risks of a diverse span of AEFIs for the vaccines. The safety profile of novel mRNA vaccines was divergent from that of influenza vaccines. The overall pattern suggested that systematic reactions like chill, myalgia, fatigue were more noticeable with the mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine, while injection site reactogenicity events were more prevalent with the influenza vaccine. Compared to the influenza vaccine, mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines demonstrated a significantly higher risk for a few manageable cardiovascular complications, such as hypertensive crisis (adjusted reporting odds ratio [ROR], 12.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.47–65.54), and supraventricular tachycardia (adjusted ROR, 7.94; 95% CI, 2.62–24.00), but lower risk of neurological complications such as syncope, neuralgia, loss of consciousness, Guillain‐Barre syndrome, gait disturbance, visual impairment, and dyskinesia. This study has not identified significant safety concerns regarding mRNA vaccination in real‐world settings. The overall safety profile patterned a lower risk of serious AEFI following mRNA vaccines compared to influenza vaccines.
Availability of phosphorus recovered from waste streams to plants cultivated in soilless growing media
Authors: Hauck Daniel , Lohr Dieter , Meinken Elke , Schmidhalter Urs
Published: October 2021

Background

Using secondary phosphorus (P) sources recovered from waste streams for base fertilization of soilless growing media may help conserve the global phosphate resources. However, little is known regarding the plant availability of P from secondary sources for soilless plant production.

Aim

The objective of this study was to investigate the plant availability of P from secondary sources using a peat‐based growing medium and standard extraction methods.

Methods

Seventeen secondary P sources differing in terms of feedstock and processing were tested, and their fertilization efficacy was compared with that of water‐soluble monocalcium phosphate (MCP‐P) in a pot experiment using marigolds. The correlation of plant P uptake with calcium chloride + diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (CAT) and/or calcium–acetate–lactate (CAL) extractable P amount in the growing medium (PCAT and PCAL, respectively) was examined.

Results

Only three of the 17 tested secondary P sources (all struvite forms) exhibited comparable fertilization efficacy to MCP‐P. The remaining sources showed P uptake varying between 4% and 91% of MCP‐P. For precipitates from liquid waste streams and untreated organic waste, except for sewage sludge and compost, the P uptake ranged from 71% to 100%. The highest variability (4%–86%) was observed for thermally and thermochemically treated secondary P sources. Plant P uptake was closely correlated with PCAT (R2 = 0.76) and PCAL (R2 = 0.78), and this correlation became even stronger when PCAT and PCAL were combined (R2 = 0.89).

Conclusions

Most struvite forms meet the requirements of base P fertilization for soilless plant production and can substitute water‐soluble fertilizers obtained from primary P sources. The combination of PCAT and PCAL may be a promising approach to characterize the plant availability of P from secondary sources in soilless growing media and warrants further consideration.
Prophylactic Central Neck Dissection for Clinically Node‐Negative Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Alsubaie Khaled M. , Alsubaie Hemail M. , Alzahrani Faisal R. , Alessa Mohammad A. , Abdulmonem Sherif K. , Merdad Mazin A. , Al‐Khatib Talal , Marzouki Hani Z. , Algarni Mohammed A. , Alherabi Ameen Z.
Published: October 2021

Objective

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that scrutinized the oncological benefits and postsurgical complications of total thyroidectomy (TT) plus prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) versus TT alone among clinically node‐negative (cN0) papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients.

Methods

We screened five databases from inception to September 4, 2021 and evaluated the risk of bias of the eligible studies. We pooled dichotomous outcomes using the risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Overall, we included 5 RCTs with low risk of bias comprising 795 patients (TT plus pCND = 410 and TT alone = 385). With regard to efficacy endpoint, the rate of structural loco‐regional recurrence did not significantly differ between both groups (n = 4 RCTs, RR = 0.49, 95% CI [0.19, 1.27], P = .14). With regard to safety endpoints, the rates of hypoparathyroidism (n = 5 RCTs, RR = 1.48, 95% CI [0.73, 2.97], P = .27), recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (n = 5 RCTs, RR = 1.34, 95% CI [0.59, 3.03], P = .48), and bleeding (n = 3 RCTs, RR = 1.75, 95% CI [0.42, 7.26], P = .44) did not significantly differ between both groups.

Conclusion

For cN0 PTC patients, there was no significant difference between TT plus pCND and TT alone with regard to the rate of structural loco‐regional recurrence or frequency of postsurgical complications. Adaptation of pCND in cN0 PTC patients should be contemplated by taking into consideration the clinical oncological benefits and rate of postsurgical adverse events.

Level of Evidence

1 Laryngoscope, 132:1320–1328, 2022
Short‐term effect of oil‐mulch on vegetation dynamics; Integration of ecological and remote sensing‐based approaches
Authors: Rostami Noredin , Karimi Haji , Tavakoli Mohsen , Omidipour Reza
Published: October 2021

Wind erosion is one of the results of desertification and is among the natural processes that mostly occur under dry conditions and high wind velocity. Using oil‐mulches is one of the common methods to stabilize sand dunes. The current study aimed to investigate the short‐term effects of oil‐mulch on vegetation attributes (i.e., cover and diversity) and rangeland condition score (RCS) using integrated ecological and remote sensing‐based approaches in arid regions in southwestern Iran. A vegetation survey was carried out in 2019 in the oil‐mulched and control area, and a remotely sensed vegetation index (MSAVI) was calculated for 2017 and 2019. The results indicate that 1 year after treatment, compared to the control area, vegetation cover (30 ± 17.11 vs. 17 ± 5.44%) and litter (4.6 ± 2.18 vs. 0.94 ± 1.55%) increased significantly in the oil‐mulched area, while bare soil (65.20 ± 17.34 vs. 82.31 ± 5.84%) decreased. Further, diversity indices (species evenness, Shannon, and Simpson indices) declined by applying oil‐mulch (88%, 63%, and 71%, respectively). The RCS was significantly higher in the oil‐mulched area than in the control area (22 ± 1.86 vs. 12 ± 0.88; p < 0.001). Comparing MSAVI between 2017 and 2019 showed that vegetation cover increased 44.8%. Based on the results, it can be suggested that planting native palatable species in an oil‐mulched area with the exclusion of livestock grazing is likely to increase the benefits of oil‐mulch treatment and will lead to better rangeland condition score.
Van der Waals Layered Mineral Getchellite with Anisotropic Linear and Nonlinear Optical Responses
Authors: Tripathi Ravi P. N. , Yang Xiaodong , Gao Jie
Published: October 2021

Ultrathin ternary 2D materials have recently gained significant attention in the context of tailoring physical properties of materials via stoichiometric variation, which are crucial to many applications in optoelectronics, thermoelectrics, and nanophotonics. Herein, sulfide mineral getchellite is identified as a new type of ternary layered material and large‐area getchellite thin flakes are prepared through mechanical exfoliation. The highly anisotropic linear and nonlinear optical responses of getchellite thin flakes facilitated by the reduced in‐plane crystal symmetry are reported, including anisotropic Raman scattering, wavelength‐dependent linear dichroism transition, and anisotropic third‐harmonic generation (THG). Furthermore, the third‐order nonlinear susceptibility for getchellite crystal is retrieved from the thickness‐dependent THG emission. The demonstrated strong anisotropic linear and nonlinear optical properties of van der Waals layered getchellite will have implications for future technological innovations in photodetectors, optical sensors, nonlinear optical signal processors, and other on‐chip photonic device prototypes.
Unraveling the Excitonic Transition and Associated Dynamics in Confined Long Linear Carbon Chains with Time‐Resolved Resonance Raman Scattering
Authors: Zhu Jingyi , Bernhardt Robin , Cui Weili , German Raphael , Wagner Julian , Senkovskiy Boris V. , Grüneis Alexander , Pichler Thomas , Li Yuxuan , Li Xueyang , Wu Kaifeng , Liu Rulin , Zhu Xi , Van Loosdrecht Paul H. M. , Shi Lei
Published: October 2021

Long linear carbon chains are attracting intense interest arising from their remarkable properties, such as the tunable direct energy gap, the high mechanical hardness, and the high Raman response cross section, which would play a great role in their potential applications in future nanotechnology. Here the excitonic transitions and the associated relaxation dynamics of nanotube confined long linear carbon chains are comprehensively interrogated by using steady state and time‐resolved Raman spectroscopies. The exciton relaxation dynamics of the confined carbon chains occurs on a hundred of picoseconds timescale, in strong contrast to the host dynamics that occurs on a few picoseconds’ timescale. A prominent time‐resolved Raman response is observed over a broad energy range extending from 1.2 to 2.8 eV, which includes the strong Raman resonance region around 2.2 eV. Strong coupling between the chain and the nanotube host is found from the dynamics at high excitation energies which provides clear evidence for an efficient energy transfer from the host carbon nanotube to the chain. The experimental study presents the first unique characterization of the long linear carbon chain exciton dynamics, providing indispensable knowledge for the understanding of the interactions between different carbon allotropes.
Altering phosphoinositides in high‐fat diet‐associated prostate tumor xenograft growth
Authors: Huang Mingguo , Koizumi Atsushi , Narita Shintaro , Nakanishi Hiroki , Sato Hiromi , Kashima Soki , Nara Taketoshi , Kanda Sohei , Numakura Kazuyuki , Saito Mitsuru , Satoh Shigeru , Nanjo Hiroshi , Sasaki Takehiko , Habuchi Tomonori
Published: October 2021

The metabolic reprogramming of phospholipids may affect intracellular signal transduction pathways. A high‐fat diet (HFD) is attributed to prostate cancer (PCa) progression, but the expression pattern and role of phospholipids in HFD‐mediated PCa progression remains unclear. In this study, HFD enhanced LNCaP xenograft tumor growth by upregulating the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway. A lipidomic analysis using xenograft tumors showed that phosphoinositides, especially PI (3,4,5)‐trisphosphate (PIP3), including several species containing C38:4, C38:3, and C40:4 fatty acids, increased in the HFD group compared to control. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) was significantly upregulated in xenograft tumors under HFD in both gene and protein levels. PCa cell growth was significantly inhibited through the decreased AKT signaling pathway by treatment with cerulenin, a chemical FASN inhibitor, which also downregulated PIP, PIP2, and PIP3 but not PI. Thus, dietary fat influences PCa progression and alters phosphoinositides, especially PIP3, a critical player in the PI3K/AKT pathway. These results may offer appropriate targets, such as FASN, for dietary intervention and/or chemoprevention to reduce PCa incidence and progression.
A new carbazolyl‐basedacylphosphine oxide photoinitiator with high performance and low migration
Authors: Wu YinPing , Li Rui , Wang JiuWu , Situ Yue , Huang Hong
Published: October 2021

In order to obtain a new photoinitiator with high efficiency, low migration, and high solubility in acrylate monomers, a new compound named 9‐allyl‐9H‐carbazol‐3‐yldipenylphosphine oxide (ALPO) was designed and synthesized. Compared to 9‐ethyl‐9H‐carbazol‐3‐yldipenylphosphine oxide, the double bond conversion (DC) and solubility of ALPO in acrylic monomers were greatly improved, and the migration rate was greatly reduced after replacing the ethyl group in the molecule with an allyl group. Compared with (2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoyl) diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), which was widely used commercially, ALPO had a higher DC and lower migration rate. This means that ALPO may be able to replace TPO in the light curing field.
Case study: Cinnamon aspiration in a toddler causing severe ARDS requiring surfactant and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Peir Gene Hwan , Boggs Kaitlyn Maureen , Soto Pelayia H. , Weinstock Jered , Sharron Matthew P. , Sami Iman , Dean Terry
Published: October 2021

As many as 6% of reported cinnamon poisonings cause significant clinical effects, however, descriptions of pulmonary toxicity have not yet been reported. Here, we present a pediatric patient's hospital course following powdered cinnamon aspiration. The early presentation with hypercapnia and lower airways obstruction evolved to hypoxemic respiratory failure and severe pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring a 7‐day course of veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, 16 ventilator‐days, and three diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopies with two applications of surfactant therapy. The sum of these modalities contributed to this patient's survival and subsequent return to respiratory baseline 6 months post‐hospitalization.
Novel treatment of endobronchial inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in a child
Authors: Reyes‐Angel Jessica , Rapkin Louis B. , Simons Jeffrey P. , Muzumdar Hiren
Published: October 2021

Isolated endobronchial inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) are rare, accounting for about 1% of primary endobronchial tumors in children. The mainstay of treatment for this tumor has been surgical resection. Recently, the identification of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene mutations in half of IMTs and promising results of treatment with ALK inhibitors in other ALK‐positive tumors have opened the possibility of alternative approaches. We present a 4‐year‐old child with an ALK‐positive endobronchial IMT, treated with endoscopic resection and neoadjuvant therapy with crizotinib, without evidence of tumor recurrence 2 years after the initial resection.
Factors Affecting Substrate Heating with Printed Thermites
Authors: Ervin Matthew H.
Published: October 2021

Various nano‐aluminum thermites were printed and burned on substrates. The reactions were recorded using high‐speed and infra‐red videography in order to investigate the factors affecting the resulting substrate heating. A large number of factors are found to affect the achieved substrate temperature. The thermite's exothermic energy release, gas generation, and burn rate are significant factors, as are the substrate's mass and thermal conductivity. Full‐thickness heating to 360 °C is demonstrated for a standard glass microscope slide. This work will hopefully inspire new applications in actuators or on‐chip thermal processing utilizing the high energy density of printed thermites.