bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain Microenvironment Responsive and Pro‐Angiogenic Extracellular Vesicle‐Hydrogel for Promoting Neurobehavioral Recovery in Type 2 Diabetic Mice After Stroke
Authors: Jiang Yixu , Wang Ruiqi , Wang Cheng , Guo Yiyan , Xu Tongtong , Zhang Zhijun , Yang Guo‐Yuan , Xu He , Tang Yaohui
Published: September 2022

Stroke patients with diabetes have worse neurological outcomes than non‐diabetic stroke patients, and treatments beneficial for non‐diabetic stroke patients are not necessarily effective for diabetic stroke patients. While stem cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) show potential for treating stroke, the results remain unsatisfactory due to the lack of approaches for retaining and controlling EVs released into the brain. Herein, a glucose/reactive oxygen species dual‐responsive hydrogel showing excellent injectability, biocompatibility, and self‐healing capability is introduced as an EVs‐loading vehicle and an intelligent EVs sustained releasing system in the brain. These EVs‐hydrogels are developed via crosslinking of phenylboronic acid‐modified hyaluronic acid and Poly vinyl alcohol, and fusion with neural stem cell‐derived EVs. The results show EVs are stably incorporated into the hydrogels and can be controllably released in response to the brain microenvironment after stroke in type 2 diabetic mice. The EVs‐hydrogels exert an excellent angiogenic effect, increasing the migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, injection of EVs‐hydrogels into the ischemic mouse brain enhances EVs retention and facilitates sustained release, promotes angiogenesis, and improves neurobehavioral recovery. These results suggest such a microenvironment responsive and sustained release EVs‐hydrogel system offers a safe, and efficient therapy for diabetic stroke.
Molecular Regulation of Perylenediimide and Fluorene‐Based Cathode Interfacial Materials for Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wu Tao , Wang Daizhe , Jiang Xingjian , Ge Xianxian , Guo Fengyun , Ye Tengling , Gao Shiyong , Zhang Yong
Published: September 2022

In inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs), n‐doping fullerene electron transport layers (ETLs) have been found to prepare high efficiency devices due to their excellent performance in electrochemistry, film formability, and surface passivation. Herein, two cathode interface layers (CILs) 2PDI‐FN and 2PDIT‐FN are prepared with dimethylamino functional groups and PDI units. The addition of thiophene makes the 2PDIT‐FN conjugated framework coplanar and enhances the effect of dimethylamino functional groups, which give 2PDIT‐FN with higher electrical conductivity, electron mobility, self‐doping property, and film formability. Moreover, dopant N‐DMBI can further enhance these advantages of 2PDIT‐FN. Consequently, a peak power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.44% is achieved with 2PDIT‐FN(+) as CIL, much higher than 18.77% of 2PDI‐FN(+) one, which is only 17.71% and 19.06% for 2PDI‐FN and 2PDIT‐FN‐based one, respectively. The significant improvement in device efficiency is due to reduced defect density, lower dark current, larger recombination resistance, and better surface morphology, which improves charge transport and collection at the PC61BM/Ag interface. In a word, this molecular design approach with molecular configuration regulation and functional groups provides a direction for the preparation of cathode interface materials to achieve high performance of PSCs.
Super‐Mossian Dielectrics for Nanophotonics
Authors: Doiron Chloe F. , Khurgin Jacob B. , Naik Gururaj V.
Published: September 2022

High refractive index dielectrics enable nanoscale integration of optical components with practically no absorption loss. Hence, high index dielectrics are promising for many emerging applications in nanophotonics. However, the lack of a complete library of high index dielectric materials poses a significant challenge to understanding the full potential for dielectric nanophotonics. Currently, it is assumed that the absorption edge and the sub‐bandgap refractive index of a semiconductor exhibit a rigid trade‐off, popularly known as the Moss rule. Thus, the Moss rule appears to set an upper limit on the refractive index of a dielectric for a given operating wavelength. However, there are many dielectric materials that surpass the Moss rule, referred to here as super‐Mossian dielectrics. Here, the general features of super‐Mossian dielectrics and their physical origin are discussed to facilitate the search for high index dielectrics. As an example, iron pyrite, an outstanding super‐Mossian material with index nearly 40% higher than the Moss rule prediction, is developed. The local dielectric resonances in iron pyrite nanoresonators are experimentally observed, and the impact of super‐Mossian materials on nanophotonics is demonstrated.
Common Metals as Electrodes for Leak‐Free Organic Light‐Emitting Devices Using Extraordinary Thick Phosphotungstic Acid Buffer Layers
Authors: Ohisa Satoru , Oono Taku , Miyakawa Masashi , Shimizu Takahisa , Tsuzuki Toshimitsu
Published: September 2022

Electrical leakage is one of the fatal faults associated with thin‐film devices (TFDs) including organic light‐emitting devices (OLEDs). To prevent electrical leakage, highly smooth electrodes are required to avoid the concentration of the electric field at local points. However, this requires the use of expensive electrode substrates. Here, OLEDs using inexpensive, aluminum‐foil‐based electrode substrates with an extremely high surface roughness are fabricated. A low leakage current is realized by incorporating extraordinary thick buffer layers of phosphotungstic acid (PWA) exhibiting the negative differential resistance (NDR) property. In its pristine state, PWA exhibits a high electrical resistance. However, upon applying electric current, the resistance is significantly decreased, resulting in increased conductivity and expression of NDR property, owing to the formation of conductive filaments and charge‐storage effects. The OLEDs produced with PWA achieve a low‐driving voltage and high external quantum efficiency simultaneously. Aluminum‐foil‐based OLEDs with a light‐emission area of 64 cm2 are fabricated. They emit steady luminescence even in crumpled and torn states. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a large‐area OLED exhibiting steady luminescence in such deformed states.
Nanoheating and Nanoconduction with Near‐Field Plasmonics: Prospects for Harnessing the Moiré and Seebeck Effects in Ultrathin Films
Authors: Bello Frank Daniel , Clarke Daniel D. A. , Tarasenko Illya , Donegan John F. , Hess Ortwin
Published: September 2022

Near‐field plasmonics is a burgeoning field that has unlocked several opportunities related to quantum information processing, single‐molecule spectroscopy, and cavity quantum electrodynamics. All of which require the adept control of light, heat, and charges on the nanoscale. In particular, nanoresonators and near‐field transducers (NFTs) have the ability to subdiffract light well below the classical diffraction limit by coupling a photon mode to a plasmonic mode. Herein, advantage is taken of a nanoscale plasmonic light source produced by an NFT and the subsequent “hot spot” created by its relatively high intensity. It is theoretically demonstrated how the light, heat, and current produced can be manipulated when incident on layers of black phosphorous (BP), a highly abundant material with electric and thermal conductivity values comparable to graphene. Moiré physics of two films rotated relative to one another, along with the Seebeck effect for which temperature gradients show the possibility to induce electrical voltages (milli‐Volts) without a metallic contact, is specifically investigated. It is found that these methods can effectively regulate the temperature distribution and its values by roughly 101–102 K, crucial to the functionality of many nanodevices, and furthermore manipulate the directional flow of current; advantageous for electrical switching and output steering of energy.
Low‐Loss Anisotropic Image Polaritons in van der Waals Crystal α‐MoO3
Authors: Menabde Sergey G. , Jahng Junghoon , Boroviks Sergejs , Ahn Jongtae , Heiden Jacob T. , Hwang Do Kyung , Lee Eun Sung , Mortensen N. Asger , Jang Min Seok
Published: September 2022

Orthorhombic molybdenum trioxide (α‐MoO3), a newly discovered polaritonic van der Waals crystal, is attracting significant attention due to its strongly anisotropic mid‐infrared phonon‐polaritons. At the same time, coupling of polariton with its mirror image in an adjacent metal gives rise to a significantly more confined image mode. Here, monocrystalline gold flakes—an atomically flat low‐loss substrate for mid‐infrared image polaritons—are employed to measure the full complex‐valued propagation constant of the hyperbolic image phonon‐polaritons in α‐MoO3 by near‐field probing. The anisotropic dispersion is mapped and the damping of the polaritons propagating at different angles to the crystallographic directions of α‐MoO3 is analyzed. These experiments demonstrate the strongly confined image phonon‐polaritons in α‐MoO3 exhibiting intrinsic limiting lifetime of 4.2 ps and a propagation length of 4.5 times the polariton wavelength, owing to the negligible substrate‐mediated loss. Furthermore, it is shown that the image modes with positive group velocity have simultaneously larger momentum and lifetime compared to their counterparts on a dielectric substrate, while the image modes with negative group velocity possess a smaller momentum. These results spotlight the hyperbolic image phonon‐polaritons as a superior platform for unconventional light manipulation at the nanoscale.
Ultra‐Narrow Phosphorene Nanoribbons Produced by Facile Electrochemical Process
Authors: Abu Usman O. , Akter Sharmin , Nepal Bimal , Pitton Kathryn A. , Guiton Beth S. , Strachan Douglas R. , Sumanasekera Gamini , Wang Hui , Jasinski Jacek B.
Published: September 2022

Phosphorene nanoribbons (PNRs) have inspired strong research interests to explore their exciting properties that are associated with the unique two‐dimensional (2D) structure of phosphorene as well as the additional quantum confinement of the nanoribbon morphology, providing new materials strategy for electronic and optoelectronic applications. Despite several important properties of PNRs, the production of these structures with narrow widths is still a great challenge. Here, a facile and straightforward approach to synthesize PNRs via an electrochemical process that utilize the anisotropic Na+ diffusion barrier in black phosphorus (BP) along the [001] zigzag direction against the [100] armchair direction, is reported. The produced PNRs display widths of good uniformity (10.3 ± 3.8 nm) observed by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and the suppressed B2g vibrational mode from Raman spectroscopy results. More interestingly, when used in field‐effect transistors, synthesized bundles exhibit the n‐type behavior, which is dramatically different from bulk BP flakes which are p‐type. This work provides insights into a new synthesis approach of PNRs with confined widths, paving the way toward the development of phosphorene and other highly anisotropic nanoribbon materials for high‐quality electronic applications.
Single‐Contact, Four‐Terminal Microelectromechanical Relay for Efficient Digital Logic
Authors: Reynolds James D. , Rana Sunil , Worsey Elliott , Tang Qi , Kulsreshath Mukesh K. , Chong Harold M. H. , Pamunuwa Dinesh
Published: September 2022

Nano and microelectromechanical relays can be used in lieu of transistors to build digital integrated circuits that can operate with zero leakage current at high operating temperatures and radiation levels. Four‐terminal (4‐T) relays facilitate efficient logic circuits with greatly reduced device counts compared to three‐terminal (3‐T) relay implementations. Existing 4‐T relays, however, require two moving contacts to simultaneously land on two stationary electrodes, which can adversely impact reliability, or have complex out‐of‐plane fabrication methods that can reduce yield and increase cost while having poor scalability. In this work an in‐plane four‐terminal relay with a single moving contact is demonstrated for the first time, through successful fabrication and characterization of prototypes with a critical dimension of 1.5 µm. Body biasing is shown to reduce the pull‐in voltage of this 4‐T relay compared to a 3‐T relay with the same architecture and footprint. The potential of the 4‐T relay to build efficient logic circuits is demonstrated by fabricating and characterizing a 1‐to‐2 demultiplexer (DEMUX) circuit using only two devices, a saving of eight devices over a 3‐T relay implementation.
Ion Transport Kinetics in Low‐Temperature Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Hu Anjun , Li Fei , Chen Wei , Lei Tianyu , Li Yaoyao , Fan Yuxin , He Miao , Wang Fan , Zhou Mingjie , Hu Yin , Yan Yichao , Chen Bo , Zhu Jun , Long Jianping , Wang Xianfu , Xiong Jie
Published: September 2022

The deployment of rechargeable batteries is crucial for the operation of advanced portable electronics and electric vehicles under harsh environment. However, commercial lithium‐ion batteries using ethylene carbonate electrolytes suffer from severe loss in cell energy density at extremely low temperature. Lithium metal batteries (LMBs), which use Li metal as anode rather than graphite, are expected to push the baseline energy density of low‐temperature devices at the cell level. Albeit promising, the kinetic limitations of standard cell chemistries under subzero operation condition inevitably hamper the cyclability of LMBs, resulting in a severe decline in plating/stripping reversibility and short‐circuit hazards due to the dendritic growth. Such performance degradation becomes more pronounced with decreasing temperature, ascribing to sluggish ion transport kinetics during charging/discharging processes which includes Li+ solvation/desolvation, ion transport through bulk electrolyte, as well as ion diffusion within solid electrolyte interphase and bulk electrode materials at low temperature. In this review, the critical limiting factors and challenges for low‐temperature ion transport behaviors are systematically reviewed and discussed. The strategies to enhance Li+ transport kinetics in electrolytes, electrodes, and electrolyte/electrode interface are comprehensively summarized. Finally, perspective on future research direction of low‐temperature LMBs toward practical applications is proposed.
The Portuguese economic crisis is associated with socioeconomic and sex disparities on children's health‐related behaviors and obesity: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Rodrigues Daniela , Machado‐Rodrigues Aristides , Gama Augusta , Nogueira Helena , Silva Maria‐Raquel G. , Padez Cristina
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Our objective was to examine the relationship between the 2008 and 2015 economic crisis and children's physical activity (PA) outcomes, eating behaviors and obesity prevalence, while considering sex inequalities and familial socioeconomic status.

Method

This is a cross‐sectional study, including data collected in 2016/2017 among 5134 children aged 6–11 years (mean age: 8.11 ± 1.24; 50.0% boys). Children's height, weight, and waist circumference were objectively measured. Children's sleep‐ and screen‐time, participation in organized sports, and specific dietary habits were reported parental‐reported using a standardized questionnaire. An economic crisis impact score, with data from 10 indicators of economic needs in the family, was used to characterize the crisis' impact.

Results

First, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in children whose families had a higher impact of the crisis. Second, children's intake of fruit and high‐fat food, screen‐time, sleep‐time, and participation in organized sports differed according to the level of impact of the economic crisis. Third, the association between health‐related behaviors and the impact of the economic crisis was stronger for girls compared to boys.

Conclusion

Our findings give us an indication of how economic crises may drive changes in health outcomes.
Influence of the parallel oil‐secondary air and F‐layer secondary air distribution on the flow, combustion, and NOx generation characteristics of FW down‐fired boilers retrofitted with a stable combustion technology
Authors: Du He , Li Zhengqi , Liu Zheng , Zhang Mingdi , Chen Zhichao , Song Jian , Fang Fan , Xiao Ronghua
Published: September 2022

To further reduce the NOx emissions of the down‐fired boiler while improving its low‐load stable combustion capacity, a new low NOx combustion organization mode that utilizes the high velocity parallel oil‐secondary air to improve the pulverized coal combustion process was proposed based on a novel stable combustion technology. We carried out cold airflow experiments under different oil‐secondary air and F‐layer secondary air distributions (mass flow rate ratios of 1:9, 1:3, 2:3) based on a 300 MWe Foster Wheeler down‐fired boiler to study its influence on the flow and mixing characteristics of the coal/airflow. Results show that the mixing between the oil‐secondary air and the fuel‐rich coal/airflow is gradually delayed with the increase of the secondary air distribution. When the secondary air distribution reaches more than 2:3, the oil‐secondary air starts to become the dominant airflow that influences the whole flow field in the furnace. Based on the result of the cold airflow experiment, we carried out industrial measurements under different parallel oil‐secondary air and F‐layer secondary air distributions (4:6, 5:5, 6:4) on a 600 MWe FW down‐fired boiler under the condition of using the high velocity oil‐secondary air. The ignition distance of the fuel‐rich coal/airflow, the flue gas temperature, the O2, CO, and NOx concentrations in the furnace were measured. At the secondary air distribution of 4:6, the ignition distance of the fuel‐rich coal/airflow was about 1.31 m. When the secondary air distribution was increased to 5:5 and 6:4, the ignition was put off, but the pulverized coal/airflow could still catch on fire in time. With the increase of the parallel oil‐secondary air proportion, the flame center in the furnace did not move downward substantially. In three cases, the lowest O2 concentrations in the inspection port area under the burner were all below 1% (peak CO concentration values were all above 28,000 ppm). The pulverized coal all burned in a strong reducing atmosphere. At secondary air distributions of 4:6, 5:5, and 6:4, NOx emissions of the boiler were, respectively, 825.83, 819.48, and 853.86 mg/Nm3 (O2 = 6%). The thermal efficiency was, respectively, 90.09%, 89.16%, and 90.98%. In actual operation, the recommended secondary air distribution is 6:4.
Synthesis and characterization g‐C3N4‐doped PMMA polymeric nanocomposites films for electronic and optoelectronic applications
Authors: Muhammed Mervat I. , Yahia Ibrahim S. , Farid Abir S.
Published: September 2022

Solution casting was used to synthesis polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanocomposites with graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) nanoparticles in various percentages (0.033, 0.166, 0.33, 1.665, and 3.3 wt%). XRD patterns confirmed the amorphous nature of PMMA/C3N4 nanocomposites. Optical constants are obtained at room temperature in the 200–2500 nm wavelength range. The optical band gaps of PMMA/C3N4 doped films, both direct and indirect, are measured and have values change from 4.8 to 2.32 eV for and changes from 5 to 3.7 eV for . The refractive index values of the materials were also calculated using Moss, Reddy, Anani, and Kumar‐Singh relationships with average values vary from (2.109 to 2.529) and vary from 2.155 to 2.32 for indirect and direct transition, respectively. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and AC electrical conductivity at RT and the g‐C3N4 doping level was examined as frequency variables from 100 to 1 MHz. In consideration of Jonscher's universal power law, the variation of σAC with frequency was examined. The addition of C3N4 appears to raise the σAC of the studied films, making them attractive for semiconductor applications. According to the optical limiting results, the samples doped with g‐C3N4 are severely attenuated for the laser beam of 638.2 nm. PMMA doped with g‐C3N4 is a viable contender for electronic and optoelectronic applications, particularly laser power reduction.
Morphology evolution of self‐same nanocomposites hybridized with jumbo‐sized particles
Authors: Asghari Arpatappeh Farzin , Manga Emel , Bilge Kaan , Aydemir Berk Emre , Gülgün Mehmet Ali , Papila Melih
Published: September 2022

This article reports the production, morphological analyzes, and application of electrospun self‐same nanocomposites with milled carbon fibers (MCFs). The new hybridized structure was also incorporated into conventional fiber reinforced epoxy composites with improved properties. The MCF‐hybridized polymeric nonwoven mats were formed with the simultaneous dual electrospinning of a soften‐able (m‐phase) and a crosslink‐able (x‐phase) variants of poly(styrene‐co‐glycidyl methacrylate). The morphology of the hybrid material was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that electrospinning can successfully deposit reinforcing particles of giant size (MCFs are 7 μm in diameter, 50 μm to 3 mm in length) compared to the diameter of the carrier nanofibers (nanometers). The new hybrid structure preserved the fibrous morphology of the polymer phases up to 250°C. The overall morphology of the hybrid composite was tunable by changing the fractions of the two polymeric phases. The particle‐polymer hybrid structures created morphologies that might find applications in various areas such as the interlayer toughening of laminated composites. It was shown that m‐phase/MCF@x‐phase nonwoven integrated into epoxy matrix composite laminates as interlayer, increased the strain at failure and ultimate strength under tensile loading by 11% and 9%, respectively.
Ökobilanzierung adaptiver Hüllen und Strukturen
Authors: Borschewski David , Albrecht Stefan , Bischoff Manfred , Blandini Lucio , Bosch Matthias , Dazer Martin , Efinger Dshamil , Eisenbarth Christina , Haase Walter , Kreimeyer Matthias , Leistner Philip , Nitzlader Markus , Roth Daniel , Sawodny Oliver , van den Adel Friederike , Voigt Michael , Weber Simon
Published: September 2022

Die Bilanzierung von Umweltwirkungen spielt eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Entwicklung nachhaltiger und umweltfreundlicher Technologien und Konzepte. Dies gilt auch in der Entwicklung von Gebäuden mit adaptiven Hüllen und Strukturen und stellt darüber hinaus weitreichende Anforderungen an alle beteiligten Disziplinen. Die vollständige Integration der Ökobilanzierung in den Planungs‐ und Auslegungsprozess ermöglicht, Umweltwirkungen als Optimierungsgrößen in den komplexen, dynamischen Berechnungswerkzeugen einzusetzen. Die bisherigen Ergebnisse des SFB 1244 bescheinigen adaptiven Tragwerken und Fassaden großes Potenzial zur Einsparung von Ressourcen und Umweltwirkungen. Die ganzheitliche Betrachtungsweise, sowohl in Bezug auf den Lebenszyklus als auch auf die interdisziplinären Wechselwirkungen, stellt sicher, dass die relevanten Effekte und Einflüsse in der Bilanzierung berücksichtigt werden. Das stellt die Methode der Ökobilanzierung selbst jedoch vor neue Herausforderungen im Umgang mit einer Vielzahl an Varianten und den umfangreichen Wechselwirkungen zwischen Auslegung und Einflüssen auf Parameter in der Nutzungsphase, wie z. B. den Energieverbrauch oder die Lebensdauer.
DISC1 inhibits GSK3β activity to prevent tau hyperphosphorylation under diabetic encephalopathy
Authors: Chen Jiehui , Liu Yong , Zhou Keru , Zhang Wei , Wen Bin , Xu Kai , Liu Yazhou , Chen Ling , Huang Yue , He Benhong , Hang Weijian , Chen Juan
Published: September 2022

Diabetic encephalopathy (DE) is a common complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially in those patients with long T2D history. Persistent high glucose (HG) stimulation leads to neuron damage and manifests like Alzheimer's disease's pathological features such as neurofilament tangle. However, the precise mechanism of high‐glucose‐induced tau hyperphosphorylation is not fully revealed. We here gave evidence that Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 protein (DISC1) could interact with glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and inhibit its activity to prevent tau hyperphosphorylation. By using DB/DB mice as animal model and HG‐treated N2a cell as cell model, we found that DISC1 was downregulated both in vivo and in vitro, complicated with Tau hyperphosphorylation and GSK3β activation. Further, we identified DISC1 interacted with GSK3β by its 198th–237th amino acid residues. Overexpression of full length DISC1 but not mutated DISC1 lacking this domain could prevent HG induced tau hyperphosphorylation. Taken together, our work revealed DISC1 could be an important negative modulators of tau phosphorylation, and suggested that preservation of DISC1 could prevent HG induced neuron damage.
Role of SNAP‐25 MnlI variant in impaired working memory and brain functions in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Fang Diangang , Yang Binrang , Wang Peng , Mo Tong , Gan Yungen , Liang Guohua , Huang Rong , Zeng Hongwu
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a hereditary neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by working memory (WM) deficits. The MnlI variant (rs3746544) of the synaptosomal‐associated protein 25 (SNAP‐25) gene is associated with ADHD. In this study, we investigated the role and underlying mechanism of SNAP‐25 MnlI variant in cognitive impairment and brain functions in boys with ADHD.

Method

We performed WM capacity tests using the fourth version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC‐IV) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis for the resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 56 boys with ADHD divided into two genotypic groups (TT homozygotes and G‐allele carriers). Next, Spearman's rank correlation analysis between the obtained ReHo values and the WM index (WMI) calculated for each participant.

Results

Compared with G‐allele carrier group, there were higher ReHo values for the left medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and higher WM capacity in TT homozygote group. Contrary to TT homozygote group, the WM capacity was negatively correlated with the peak ReHo value for the left mPFC in G‐allele carrier group.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that SNAP‐25 MnlI variant may underlie cognitive and brain function impairments in boys with ADHD, thus suggesting its potential as a new target for ADHD treatment.
Clinical outcomes of curative surgical resection of peritoneal metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer: A long‐term follow‐up study
Authors: Bang Kyunghye , Kim Jeong Eun , Kim Tae Won , Kim Sun Young , Lim Seok‐Byung , Park In Ja , Kim Chan Wook , Yoon Yong Sik , Hong Yong Sang
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastasis (PM) has been considered a non‐curative disease. PM is associated with reduced overall survival (OS) and worse prognosis compared with metastasis at other sites. We aimed to investigate the treatment outcome and recurrence after curative resection of colorectal PM during a long‐term follow‐up.

Methods

Patients who were diagnosed with colorectal PM and underwent surgery between December 2001 and December 2019 were included (n = 309). Curative resection was defined as PM resection without residual disease after surgery (complete macroscopic resection).

Results

Of 309 patients, 208 (67.8%) had PM as an initially metastatic disease. Curative (R0/1) resection was achieved in 155 (50.2%) patients, while non‐curative operation (R2 resection or palliative operation including colostomy) was performed in 154 (49.8%) patients. Compared with patients who underwent non‐curative operation, those with curative resection more often had a single PM on preoperative imaging (34.2% vs. 20.8%, p = 0.011) and postoperative results (59.4% vs. 22.7%, p < 0.001) and less often had concurrent metastasis (distant lymph node, liver, or lung) at the time of surgery (p < 0.001). During a median follow‐up of 90.4 months, 80.6% (125/155) patients had recurrence in the curative resection group; the peritoneum was the most common site (56.0%). The median OS was 47.7 months (95% CI, 39.2–56.2) in the curative resection group and 24.8 months (95% CI, 20.8–28.9) in the non‐curative resection group, respectively (p < 0.001). In particular, twenty‐six patients without recurrence showed long‐term survival after curative resection (median OS, 87.1 months; range, 40.1–127.5).

Conclusion

Surgical resection can be considered for selected patients with colorectal PM because a significant number of them could seize the cure changes during their treatment continuum.
Impairment of kidney function and kidney cancer: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Lin Yifei , Yang Yong , Fu Tingting , Lin Ling , Zhang Xingming , Guo Qiong , Chen Zhenglong , Liao Banghua , Huang Jin
Published: September 2022

Background

Many observational epidemiology studies discovered that kidney cancer and impaired kidney function have a bidirectional relationship. However, it remains unclear whether these two kinds of traits are causally linked. In this study, we aimed to investigate the bidirectional causal relation between kidney cancer and kidney function biomarkers (creatinine‐based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcrea), cystatin C‐based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum urate, and urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR)).

Methods

For both directions, single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as genetic instruments, for the five kidney function traits were selected from up to 1,004,040 individuals, and SNPs for kidney cancer were from 408,786 participants(1338 cases). In the main analysis, we applied two state‐of‐the‐art MR methods, namely, contamination mixture and Robust Adjusted Profile Score to downweight the effect of weak instrument bias, pleiotropy, and extreme outliers. We additionally conducted traditional MR analyses as sensitivity analyses. Summary‐level data of European ancestry were extracted from UK Biobank, Chronic Kidney Disease Genetics Consortium, and Kaiser Permanente.

Results

Based on 99 SNPs, we found that the eGFRcrea had a significant negative causal effect on the risk of kidney cancer (OR = 0.007, 95% CI:2.6 × 10−4–0.569, p = 0.041). After adjusting for body composition or diabetes, urate had a significant negative causal effect on kidney cancer (OR <1, p < 0.05). For UACR, it showed a strong causal effect on kidney cancer, after adjusting for body composition (OR = 14.503, 95% CI: 2.546–96.001, p = 0.032). Due to lacking significant signals and effect power for the reverse MR, further investigations are warranted.

Conclusions

Our study suggested a potential causal effect of damaged kidney function on kidney cancer. EGFRcrea and UACR might be causally associated with kidney cancer, especially when patients were comorbid with obesity or diabetes. We called for larger sample‐size studies to further unravel the underlying causal relationship and the exact mechanism.
Pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma incidence and survival in the United States: An assessment of 5656 cases, 2001–2017
Authors: McEvoy Matthew T. , Siegel David A. , Dai Shifan , Okcu Mehmet Fatih , Zobeck Mark , Venkatramani Rajkumar , Lupo Philip J.
Published: September 2022

Background

While rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children and adolescents, past epidemiology studies of this malignancy used data that covered <30% of the US population. Therefore, we evaluated RMS incidence using data from U.S. Cancer Statistics (USCS) and survival trends using the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR), which covers 100% and 94% of the U.S. population, respectively.

Methods

Incidence and survival were assessed for pediatric patients diagnosed with RMS during 2003–2017 and 2001–2016, respectively. Both demographic and clinical variables were evaluated. Age‐adjusted incidence rates, average annual percent change (AAPC), and 5‐year relative survival (RS) were calculated, all with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Cox regression models were used to evaluate the impact of demographic and clinical variables on survival.

Results

We identified 5656 primary RMS cases in USCS during 2003–2017. The age‐adjusted incidence rate was 4.58 per 1 million (95% CI: 4.46–4.70) with an AAPC of 0.3% (95% CI: −0.7 to 1.2%). In NPCR, 5‐year RS for all cases was 68.0% (95% CI: 66.6–69.3%). In multivariable analyses, non‐Hispanic (NH) Black cases had worse survival compared with NH White cases (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01–1.33).

Conclusion

The incidence and survival rates were stable in the largest and most comprehensive population‐based analysis for pediatric RMS cases in the U.S. Additionally, we observed a survival disparity among NH Black cases. Findings from this study could inform interventions to address disparities, risk stratification strategies, and clinical trial design.
The Volatile Profiles and DNA Barcodes of Lauraceae Species from the Ocotea Complex with Occurrence in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Xavier Júlia Karla A. M. , da Trindade Rafaela C. S. , Cibelle Moreira Edith , Figueiredo Pablo Luis B. , Maia José Guilherme S. , Setzer William N. , da Silva Joyce Kelly R.
Published: September 2022

The Ocotea complex accommodates most of the taxonomic diversity of Neotropical Lauraceae with economic importance and biological potential attributed to their essential oils (EOs) and extracts. However, the botanical taxonomy has had limitations due to the difficulty of identifying and delimiting species and genera. The chemical and molecular markers of Ocotea complex species in Pará state, Brazil, were assessed according to their EO compositions and DNA sequences of matK, trnL‐trnF, and ITS regions. The multivariate analysis of EOs constituents has classified them into two main clusters characterized by oils rich in (I) terpenoids and phenylpropanoids and (II) sesquiterpenes. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of species based on DNA barcode sequences on the Bayesian Inference (PP: 0.70–1,0) and Maximum Likelihood (BS: 72–100 %). The comparison between the volatile profiles and phylogenetic data indicates two main groups for these species collected from the Ocotea complex.
Recent Advances of Curcumin Derivatives in Breast Cancer
Authors: Yin Ying , Tan Yan , Wei Xueni , Li Xiaoshun , Chen Hongfei , Yang Zehua , Tang Guotao , Yao Xu , Mi Pengbing , Zheng Xing
Published: September 2022

Curcumin is a potential plant‐derived drug for the treatment of breast cancer. Poor solubility and bioavailability are the main factors that limit its clinical application. Various structural modification strategies have been developed to improve the anti‐breast cancer activity of curcumin. This review focuses on the difference of modification sites and heterocyclic/non‐heterocyclic modifications to systematically summarize curcumin derivatives with better anti‐breast cancer activity.
Furostane Saponins from the Seeds of Allium ramosum and Their Lipid Accumulation Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Yen Duong Thi Hai , Tai Bui Huu , Yen Pham Hai , Nhiem Nguyen Xuan , Cuong Nguyen The , Dung Nguyen Viet , Huong Phan Thi Thanh , Cuong Pham Van , Kiem Phan Van
Published: September 2022

Three new furostane saponins, ramofurosides A–C (1–3), and two known saponins, fistulosaponin B (4) and (25R)‐26‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐1β,3β,26‐trihydroxyfurosta‐5,20(22)‐diene‐1‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L‐arabinopyranoside (5) were isolated from the methanol extract of Allium ramosum seeds. Their structures were identified based on spectroscopic evidence and comparison with those reported in the literature. All compounds were evaluated for reduction of lipid accumulation in HepG2 cell lines. As a result, compounds 1 and 3 showed a significant reduction in total lipid content by 27.93±3.05 and 27.54±1.68 %, respectively, at a concentration of 100 μM.
Effect of hyperglycemia on tbx5a and nppa gene expression and its correlation to structural and functional changes in developing zebrafish heart
Authors: Sankar Suruthi , Jayabalan Monisha , Venkatesh Sundararajan , Ibrahim Muhammed
Published: September 2022

The objective of the current study is to analyze the effects of gestational diabetes on structural and functional changes in correlation with these two essential regulators of developing hearts in vivo using zebrafish embryos. We employed fertilized zebrafish embryos exposed to a hyperglycemic condition of 25 mM glucose for 96 h postfertilization. The embryos were subjected to various structural and functional analyses in a time‐course manner. The data showed that exposure to high glucose significantly affected the embryo's size, heart length, heart rate, and looping of the heart compared to the control. Further, we observed an increased incidence of ventricular standstill and valvular regurgitation with a marked reduction of peripheral blood flow in the high glucose‐exposed group compared to the control. In addition, the histological data showed that the high‐glucose exposure markedly reduced the thickness of the wall and the number of cardiomyocytes in both atrium and ventricles. We also observed striking alterations in the pericardium like edema, increase in diameter with thinning of the wall compared to the control group. Interestingly, the expression of tbx5a and nppa was increased in the early development and found to be repressed in the later stage of development in the hyperglycemic group compared to the control. In conclusion, the developing heart is more susceptible to hyperglycemia in the womb, thereby showing various developmental defects possibly by altering the expression of crucial gene regulators such as tbx5a and nppa.
Thyroid tissue in cervical lymph nodes, not always malignant
Authors: Gijsen Anton Frans , De Bruijn Kirstin Marie Jeanne , Mastboom Walter
Published: September 2022

Thyroid tissue in cervical lymph nodes is an interesting and rare phenomenon that cannot be directly explained by embryology. Distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid tissue in cervical lymph nodes can be challenging but is essential for treatment and might have legal implications. Patients with incidentally found thyroid tissue in cervical lymph nodes during thyroid surgery were retrospectively identified. Clinical data and findings on pathology were retrospectively collected. Two patients with thyroid tissue in cervical lymph nodes were identified. Conventional pathology complemented with immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics showed the thyroid tissue in cervical lymph nodes to be benign. We show that benign thyroid tissue in cervical lymph nodes can be found in the absence or presence of a primary thyroid malignancy. A conservative approach is recommended if pathology shows benign thyroid tissue in cervical lymph nodes.
Predicting Interfacial Tension via the Entrainment Master Curve of a Bubble Rising through the Immiscible Liquids Interface
Authors: Edrisi Abdolaziz , Dadvar Mitra , Dabir Bahram
Published: September 2022

Liquid‐liquid interfacial tension is an important parameter in gas‐liquid‐liquid multiphase flows. Here, bubble passage through an immiscible liquids interface was used for determining the interfacial tension. The method is based on measuring the volume of the heavy liquid entrained into the light one. Two different semi‐empirical models were developed for determining the entrainment ratio. The results are in good agreement with experiments covering a wide range of physical properties of the liquids. Each model is extended to build a master curve that can be used for predicting the interfacial tension. The models and master curves are obtained based on experimental data for gas‐phase motion through the interface between immiscible liquids, which makes the modeling results more reliable for gas‐liquid‐liquid systems.
Organic pollutants removal by Quartz crystals
Authors: Verma Sahil , Vaish Rahul
Published: September 2022

Quartz crystals are found in nature. It is believed that these crystals are eco‐friendly and known for healing, decoration, and gem therapy. However, there is no scientific evidence of such effects, except it is a piezoelectric material. The piezocatalytic effect is viewed as having significant potential for tackling environmental challenges such as water cleaning. The piezocatalytic performance of Quartz crystals was examined and reported for a few dyes degradation. The purity of these crystals was confirmed via X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis before experimentation. Degradation of organic dyes methylene blue, methylene violet, and Rhodamine b (RB) dyes from aqueous solutions was observed using these crystals. Naturally occurred Quartz was exposed to ultrasonic vibrations for dyes and its piezocatalytic property was studied. Furthermore, using the germination index of Cicer arientium the treated water was utilized as a growth parameter. The signature of dye degradation indicates their eco‐friendly behavior. It can be assumed that these crystals can actively participate to clean organic pollutants under the application of mechanical vibrations.
Copper‐Initiated Radical Dearomative 2,5‐Alkylarylation of Furans via Trihalomethylation/Spirocyclization Cascade
Authors: Luo Wenkun , Jiang Kai , Yin Biaolin
Published: September 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Here is an operable and rare strategy for copper‐initiated radical dearomative 2,5‐alkylarylation of furan. By means of this strategy, we realized the dearomatization of furans to construct spirooxindoles with good yield in one‐step via trihalomethylation/spirocyclization cascade progress.
Detection of clonal mast cell disease in wasp venom allergic patients with normal tryptase
Authors: Onnes Merel C. , Alheraky Abdulrazzaq , Nawijn Martijn C. , Sluijter Tim E. , Mulder André B. , Arends Suzanne , Oude Elberink Hanneke N. G.
Published: September 2022

Background

Clonal mast cell disease (CMD) is an underlying aggravating condition in wasp venom allergy (WVA) which requires a different treatment strategy. CMD is increasingly recognized in patients with normal basal serum tryptase (bsT). However, methods to identify at risk patients have not yet been assessed in large cohorts of WVA patients with normal bsT.

Methods

This retrospective study evaluated the reliability of the REMA score in detecting CMD in a cohort of grade IV WVA patients with normal bsT and assessed the added value of other clinical parameters, KIT D816V mutation analysis in peripheral blood (PB) and the diagnosis of hereditary alpha tryptasemia (HAT). All patients had a conclusive bone marrow evaluation that demonstrated or excluded underlying CMD.

Results

In total 35 CMD and 96 non‐CMD patients were included. REMA score had a sensitivity of 72% (95% CI 56%–88%) and specificity of 79% (95% CI 70%–87%) in this cohort. Loss of consciousness during systemic reaction and bsT between 6.3 and 11.4 ng/ml were additional parameters independently associated with CMD. Sensitivity of KIT in PB was relatively low, 56% (95% CI 36%–75%), but had added value as screening method in patients with a low REMA score due to 100% specificity.

Conclusion

The REMA score is a relatively reliable method to detect patients at risk of CMD among WVA patients with normal bsT. KIT mutation analysis in PB could serve as additional screening method in patients with low REMA scores.
Epidemiologic outlook of therapy‐related myeloid neoplasms and selection of high‐risk patients: A Korean nationwide study
Authors: Ha Hyerim , Kim Hyo Jeong , Park Ju Hyun , Shin Aesun , Lee Kyu Na , Han Kyungdo , Lee Na Rae , Hong Junshik
Published: September 2022

Background

Although a considerable proportion of patients with cancer receive chemotherapy (CT) or radiotherapy (RT), only a very few patients eventually develop therapy‐related myeloid neoplasms (t‐MNs).

Methods

To identify subsets of cancer patients who have substantially elevated risk of developing t‐MNs. Incidences and risks of t‐MNs after contemporary CT or RT in patients newly diagnosed major cancers during 2009–2013 were analyzed. By merging two Korean nationwide health care big data sets, patients were selected and observed on follow‐up to until t‐MN development or December 2019.

Results

Among 250,155 patients, 555 (0.22%) were diagnosed with t‐MNs with a standard incidence ratio (SIR) of 3.40 (95% CI, 3.13–3.70). Patients had bone/joint cancers (SIR, 94.25; 95% CI, 50.71–137.80) and a remarkably high SIR for t‐MN development. Patients receiving both CT and RT had the highest SIR (4.64; 95% CI, 4.08–5.20), followed by those receiving CT only (SIR, 3.30; 95% CI, 2.89–3.70). Contrarily, RT alone did not increase t‐MN risk (SIR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.76–1.56). More exposure to leukemogenic agents resulted in the higher t‐MNs development.

Conclusions

The increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome after CT and/or RT was confirmed and subsets with substantially elevated risk for developing t‐MNs were found. Such patients would be suitable for a prospective cohort for investigating t‐MN pathogenesis by time series analyses.
Interpersonal guilt and the working alliance in psychotherapy: The moderating role of childhood experience
Authors: Aafjes‐van Doorn Katie , Luo Xiaochen , Kealy David , McCollum James , Silberschatz George
Published: September 2022

Interpersonal guilt often encompasses pathogenic beliefs that imply omnipotent responsibility for others and concerns about abandoning, humiliating or threatening others. This study sought to examine how interpersonal guilt may influence patients' and therapists' ratings of early working alliance and the potential moderating effect of perceived adverse parenting in childhood. Ninety‐five patients and their 19 therapists in an outpatient psychotherapy clinic rated their early working alliance after the first and the fifth session in treatment. We conducted separate moderation analyses for patient and therapist‐reported working alliance and controlled for psychological distress at baseline. Results suggest that perceived adverse parenting in childhood significantly moderated the effect of interpersonal guilt on the working alliance in such a way that for patients reporting very low levels of perceived adverse experiences, the interpersonal guilt beliefs had a positive effect on working alliance, whereas for those with very high levels of perceived adverse experiences, interpersonal guilt had a negative effect on working alliance. This same pattern of moderation was found for patient‐ and therapist‐reported working alliance at session 1 and therapist‐reported working alliance at session 5. Thus, although the effect of interpersonal guilt on the working alliance depends somewhat on the perspective of the working alliance rating (patient or therapist), it mainly depends on developmental experiences of the patient.