bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Good News for Bush? Economic News, Personal Finances, and the 2004 Presidential Election
Authors: Holbrook Thomas M.
Published: January 2023

The forecasting model presented here is a revised version of a model developed prior to the 1996 election (Holbrook 1996) and is essentially a referendum model. The original model regressed the incumbent party percent of the two-party vote on presidential popularity, an aggregate measure of satisfaction with personal finances, and a dummy variable coded “1” for years in which the incumbent party had held the White House for at least two consecutive terms and “0” for all other years. The first two variables are intended to capture the political and economic performance of the incumbent administration, while the latter variable (borrowed from Abramowitz 1988) is based on the idea that it may be easier to convince voters that it is “time for a change” if the incumbent party has held the White House for at least two consecutive terms. This model provided a fairly accurate forecast of the 1996 election and also had close out-of-sample post-dictions of elections from 1952–1992. However, the 2000 election represented a significant bump in the road, and the model over-predicted Gore's percent of the vote by approximately 10 percentage points.
Political Science is Going Ahead (By Convoluted Ways)
Authors: Colomer Josep M.
Published: January 2023

In his reflections on “Where is Political Science Going?,” professor Sartori brightly points out some present flaws in the discipline: too much empiricism and too little applied research. At attacking “American-type” political science, however, I think he chooses a mistaken enemy. I will hold, in contrast, that the main source of the mentioned flaws is the weakness of political theory.
Living, Learning, and Teaching Anti-Poverty Policies: Reflections on an Undergraduate Travel Course
Authors: Shaw Greg M.
Published: January 2023

It has been attributed to Mark Twain that he once said no one would do anything if they knew what they were in for. Assuming that most people are risk averse, most people will not gladly expose themselves to experiences or conditions that seem unusually difficult or challenging. With this notion in mind, I have led students through an intellectually, emotionally, and sometimes physically challenging course on urban poverty and social policy. After the course, students were grateful for the challenges, though they did not fully understand what they were getting into at the outset. Such challenges often caught the students by surprise, often leading to new perspectives on policy problems and to introspection of personal values and presuppositions, thereby providing substantial rewards for students as well as their instructor.
Charles J. Fox
Authors: Cochran Clarke
Published: January 2023

Charles J. Fox, professor of political science at Texas Tech University, died of natural causes Thursday, May 6, at his residence in Lubbock, Texas.
Yang Wei
Authors: Mahood H. R.
Published: January 2023

Yang Wei, professor of political science at the Shih Hsin University, president of the Vanguard Institute for Policy Studies, Taipei, Taiwan, and president of the Sino-American Cultural and Economic Association of the Republic of China, passed away on March 3, 2004, after a valiant battle with cancer. A political scientist of international standing, Dr. Wei's career encompassed many different fields that included professorships in political science teaching and research, along with presidencies of academic and professional associations, and service in the Republic of China (ROC) cabinet and parliament.
APSA Teaching and Learning Conference: A Summary of Four
Tracks
Authors: Ishiyama John
Published: January 2023

From February 19-21, 2004 the inaugural APSA Teaching and Learning
Conference was held at American University in Washington, D.C. The
conference was organized to emulate the “European” model of a
conference, where a set of working groups (or “tracks”) were
convened to work on one of four issue areas that the conference
program committee considered important to the political science
discipline. The tracks were not designed to follow the standard
political science conference format where individual papers were
presented and a “discussant” commented on the papers, leaving five
minutes at the end for general discussion. Rather, the tracks were
working groups, where each individual presented over two days with
the papers discussed by the group collectively, not to fete out
criticisms, but to build on presented themes. The groups then made
recommendations to a plenary session at the end of the conference,
suggesting what APSA as a professional association could do to
facilitate advances in each of the four issue areas.
Satisfaction With Life Among Vaccinated Turkish People
Authors: Geçer Ekmel , Yıldırım Murat , Akgül Ömer , Sögütlü Lütfiye , Akif Sezerol Mehmet , Tașçı Yusuf
Published: January 2023

Abstract. Introduction: Past research has shown that psychological and behavioral factors, including anxiety, fear, and preventive behaviors, are related to well-being outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet little is known about the simultaneous effects of those factors in predicting satisfaction with life among vaccinated people. Methods: This cross-sectional study is among the first to examine whether COVID-19 anxiety, fear of COVID-19, and preventive behaviors predicted satisfaction with life among the vaccinated general public in Turkey. Participants were 1,017 Turkish adults (69.71% female; mean age = 36.28, SD = 10.83 years) who completed online self-reported questionnaires. Results: Results showed that increased levels of anxiety and fear of COVID-19 significantly predicted reduced satisfaction with life over and above the effects of sociodemographic and clinical factors. Discussion: The findings suggest the importance of tailoring and implementing interventions focusing on the improvement of the well-being of people during the pandemic.
AMOC Stabilization Under the Interaction With Tipping Polar Ice Sheets
Authors: Sinet S. , von der Heydt A. S. , Dijkstra H. A.
Published: January 2023

Several large‐scale components of the climate system may undergo a rapid transition as critical conditions are exceeded. These tipping elements are also dynamically coupled, allowing for a global domino effect under global warming. Here we focus on such cascading events involving the Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS), the West Antarctica Ice Sheet (WAIS) and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Using a conceptual model, we study the combined tipping behavior due to three dominant feedbacks: the marine ice sheet instability for the WAIS, the height‐surface mass balance feedback for the GIS and the salt‐advection feedback for the AMOC. We show that, in a realistic parameter range of the model, a tipping of the WAIS can inhibit cascading events by preserving the AMOC stability.
Opposite Impacts of Interannual and Decadal Pacific Variability in the Extratropics
Authors: Seabrook M. , Smith D. M. , Dunstone N. J. , Eade R. , Hermanson L. , Scaife A. A. , Hardiman S. C.
Published: January 2023

It is well established that the positive phase of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) tends to weaken the Northern Hemisphere stratospheric polar vortex (SPV), promoting a negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Pacific Decadal Variability (PDV) is characterized by a pattern of sea surface temperatures similar to ENSO, but its impacts are more uncertain: some studies suggest similar impacts of ENSO and PDV on the SPV and NAO, while others find the opposite. We use climate model experiments and reanalysis to find further evidence supporting opposite interannual and decadal impacts of Pacific variability on the extratropics. We propose that the decadal strengthening of the SPV in response to positive PDV is caused by a build‐up of stratospheric water vapor leading to enhanced cooling at the poles, an increased meridional temperature gradient and a strengthened extratropical jet. Our results are important for understanding decadal variability, seasonal to decadal forecasts and climate projections.
Toward High‐Resolution Global Atmospheric Inverse Modeling Using Graphics Accelerators
Authors: Chevallier Frédéric , Lloret Zoé , Cozic Anne , Takache Sakina , Remaud Marine
Published: January 2023

The ability of global transport models to go up in resolution becomes discriminating for greenhouse gas atmospheric inversions. This paper describes the porting on Graphics Processing Units of the global transport model currently used in the European operational Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) for CO2 and N2O inversions. It represents an important milestone to achieve sub‐degree resolution. The code includes not only the direct model but also its tangent‐linear and its adjoint versions which are needed in variational inversions. Tests were carried out for CO2 at a resolution of 2.50° in longitude, 1.27° in latitude and 79 layers in the vertical, corresponding to 1,626,768 3D cells, 4.5 times more than the current standard resolution of the model used in the CAMS reanalyzes. A month's worth of computation of the tangent‐linear and of the adjoint versions now takes 2.5 min, including 50 s for reading meteorological data.
The Radiative and Cloud Responses to Sea Salt Aerosol Engineering in GFDL Models
Authors: Mahfouz Naser G. A. , Hill Spencer A. , Guo Huan , Ming Yi
Published: January 2023

Marine cloud brightening is a proposal to counteract global warming by increasing sea salt aerosol emissions. In theory, this increases the cloud droplet number concentration of subtropical marine stratocumulus decks, increasing cloud brightness and longevity. However, this theoretical progression remains uncertain in coupled climate models, especially the response of liquid water path and cloud fraction to aerosol seeding. We use the GFDL CM4 climate model to simulate marine cloud brightening following the published G4sea‐salt protocol, in which sea salt aerosol emissions are uniformly increased over 30 S–30 N in addition to standard forcings from a SSP2‐4.5 future warming scenario. The perturbed radiative and cloud responses are temporally stable though spatially heterogeneous, and direct scattering by the added sea salt predominates over changes to cloud reflectance. In fact, feedbacks in the coupled simulation lead to a net warming, rather than cooling, response by clouds.
Romidepsin-CHOEP followed by high-dose chemotherapy and stem-cell transplantation in untreated Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: results of the PTCL13 phase Ib/II study
Authors: Chiappella Annalisa , Dodero Anna , Evangelista Andrea , Re Alessandro , Orsucci Lorella , Usai Sara Veronica , Castellino Claudia , Stefoni Vittorio , Pinto Antonio , Zanni Manuela , Ciancia Rosanna , Ghiggi Chiara , Rossi Francesca Gaia , Arcari Annalisa , Ilariucci Fiorella , Zilioli Vittorio Ruggero , Flenghi Leonardo , Celli Melania , Volpetti Stefano , Benedetti Fabio , Ballerini Filippo , Musuraca Gerardo , Bruna Riccardo , Patti Caterina , Leonardi Francesco , Arcaini Luca , Magagnoli Massimo , Cavallo Federica , Bermema Anisa , Tucci Alessandra , Boccomini Carola , Ciccone Giovannino , Carniti Cristiana , Pileri Stefano Aldo , Corradini Paolo
Published: January 2023

The standard treatment for young patients with untreated PTCLs is based on anthracycline containing-regimens followed by high-dose-chemotherapy and stem-cell-transplantation (HDT + SCT), but only 40% of them can be cured. Romidepsin, a histone-deacetylase inhibitor, showed promising activity in relapsed PTCLs; in first line, Romidepsin was added with CHOP. We designed a study combining romidepsin and CHOEP as induction before HDT + auto-SCT in untreated PTCLs (PTCL-NOS, AITL/THF, ALK-ALCL), aged 18–65 years. A phase Ib/II trial was conducted to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of Ro-CHOEP, and to assess efficacy and safety of 6 Ro-CHOEP as induction before HDT. The study hypothesis was to achieve a 18-month PFS of 70%. Twenty-one patients were enrolled into phase Ib; 7 dose-limiting toxicities were observed, that led to define the MTD at 14 mg/ms. Eighty-six patients were included in the phase II. At a median follow-up of 28 months, the 18-month PFS was 46.2% (95%CI:35.0–56.7), and the 18-month overall survival was 73.1% (95%CI:61.6–81.7). The overall response after induction was 71%, with 62% CRs. No unexpected toxicities were reported. The primary endpoint was not met; therefore, the enrollment was stopped at a planned interim analysis. The addition of romidepsin to CHOEP did not improve the PFS of untreated PTCL patients.
Thermal acclimation of methanotrophs from the genusMethylobacter
Authors: Tveit Alexander T , Söllinger Andrea , Rainer Edda Marie , Didriksen Alena , Hestnes Anne Grethe , Motleleng Liabo , Hellinger Hans-Jörg , Rattei Thomas , Svenning Mette M
Published: January 2023

Methanotrophs oxidize most of the methane (CH4) produced in natural and anthropogenic ecosystems. Often living close to soil surfaces, these microorganisms must frequently adjust to temperature change. While many environmental studies have addressed temperature effects on CH4 oxidation and methanotrophic communities, there is little knowledge about the physiological adjustments that underlie these effects. We have studied thermal acclimation in Methylobacter, a widespread, abundant, and environmentally important methanotrophic genus. Comparisons of growth and CH4 oxidation kinetics at different temperatures in three members of the genus demonstrate that temperature has a strong influence on how much CH4 is consumed to support growth at different CH4 concentrations. However, the temperature effect varies considerably between species, suggesting that how a methanotrophic community is composed influences the temperature effect on CH4 uptake. To understand thermal acclimation mechanisms widely we carried out a transcriptomics experiment with Methylobacter tundripaludum SV96T. We observed, at different temperatures, how varying abundances of transcripts for glycogen and protein biosynthesis relate to cellular glycogen and ribosome concentrations. Our data also demonstrated transcriptional adjustment of CH4 oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation, membrane fatty acid saturation, cell wall composition, and exopolysaccharides between temperatures. In addition, we observed differences in M. tundripaludum SV96T cell sizes at different temperatures. We conclude that thermal acclimation in Methylobacter results from transcriptional adjustment of central metabolism, protein biosynthesis, cell walls and storage. Acclimation leads to large shifts in CH4 consumption and growth efficiency, but with major differences between species. Thus, our study demonstrates that physiological adjustments to temperature change can substantially influence environmental CH4 uptake rates and that consideration of methanotroph physiology might be vital for accurate predictions of warming effects on CH4 emissions.
Acquired Pedophilia: international Delphi-method-based consensus guidelines
Authors: Scarpazza Cristina , Costa Cristiano , Battaglia Umberto , Berryessa Colleen , Bianchetti Maria Lucia , Caggiu Ilenia , Devinsky Orrin , Ferracuti Stefano , Focquaert Farah , Forgione Arianna , Gilbert Fredric , Pennati Ambrogio , Pietrini Pietro , Rainero Innocenzo , Sartori Giuseppe , Swerdlow Russell , Camperio Ciani Andrea S.
Published: January 2023

Idiopathic and acquired pedophilia are two different disorders with two different etiologies. However, the differential diagnosis is still very difficult, as the behavioral indicators used to discriminate the two forms of pedophilia are underexplored, and clinicians are still devoid of clear guidelines describing the clinical and neuroscientific investigations suggested to help them with this difficult task. Furthermore, the consequences of misdiagnosis are not known, and a consensus regarding the legal consequences for the two kinds of offenders is still lacking. The present study used the Delphi method to reach a global consensus on the following six topics: behavioral indicators/red flags helpful for differential diagnosis; neurological conditions potentially leading to acquired pedophilia; neuroscientific investigations important for a correct understanding of the case; consequences of misdiagnosis; legal consequences; and issues and future perspectives. An international and multidisciplinary board of scientists and clinicians took part in the consensus statements as Delphi members. The Delphi panel comprised 52 raters with interdisciplinary competencies, including neurologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, forensic psychologists, expert in ethics, etc. The final recommendations consisted of 63 statements covering the six different topics. The current study is the first expert consensus on a delicate topic such as pedophilia. Important exploitable consensual recommendations that can ultimately be of immediate use by clinicians to help with differential diagnosis and plan and guide therapeutic interventions are described, as well as future perspectives for researchers.
Osteocyte Egln1/Phd2 links oxygen sensing and biomineralization via FGF23
Authors: Noonan Megan L. , Ni Pu , Solis Emmanuel , Marambio Yamil G. , Agoro Rafiou , Chu Xiaona , Wang Yue , Gao Hongyu , Xuei Xiaoling , Clinkenbeard Erica L. , Jiang Guanglong , Liu Sheng , Stegen Steve , Carmeliet Geert , Thompson William R. , Liu Yunlong , Wan Jun , White Kenneth E.
Published: January 2023

Osteocytes act within a hypoxic environment to control key steps in bone formation. FGF23, a critical phosphate-regulating hormone, is stimulated by low oxygen/iron in acute and chronic diseases, however the molecular mechanisms directing this process remain unclear. Our goal was to identify the osteocyte factors responsible for FGF23 production driven by changes in oxygen/iron utilization. Hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHI) which stabilize HIF transcription factors, increased Fgf23 in normal mice, as well as in osteocyte-like cells; in mice with conditional osteocyte Fgf23 deletion, circulating iFGF23 was suppressed. An inducible MSC cell line (‘MPC2’) underwent FG-4592 treatment and ATACseq/RNAseq, and demonstrated that differentiated osteocytes significantly increased HIF genomic accessibility versus progenitor cells. Integrative genomics also revealed increased prolyl hydroxylase Egln1 (Phd2) chromatin accessibility and expression, which was positively associated with osteocyte differentiation. In mice with chronic kidney disease (CKD), Phd1-3 enzymes were suppressed, consistent with FGF23 upregulation in this model. Conditional loss of Phd2 from osteocytes in vivo resulted in upregulated Fgf23, in line with our findings that the MPC2 cell line lacking Phd2 (CRISPR Phd2-KO cells) constitutively activated Fgf23 that was abolished by HIF1α blockade. In vitro, Phd2-KO cells lost iron-mediated suppression of Fgf23 and this activity was not compensated for by Phd1 or −3. In sum, osteocytes become adapted to oxygen/iron sensing during differentiation and are directly sensitive to bioavailable iron. Further, Phd2 is a critical mediator of osteocyte FGF23 production, thus our collective studies may provide new therapeutic targets for skeletal diseases involving disturbed oxygen/iron sensing.
Nuclear SPHK2/S1P induces oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation via promoting p53 acetylation in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Gong Linjing , Shen Yue , Wang Sijiao , Wang Xinyuan , Ji Haiying , Wu Xu , Hu Lijuan , Zhu Lei
Published: January 2023

A bulk of evidence identified that macrophages, including resident alveolar macrophages and recruited macrophages from the blood, played an important role in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the molecular mechanisms of macrophages-induced acute lung injury (ALI) by facilitating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses remain unclear. Herein, we noticed that the levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), SPHK2 and activated NLRP3 inflammasome were higher in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ARDS patients than that in healthy volunteers. Similar observations were recapitulated in LPS-treated RAW264.7 and THP-1 cells. After exposure to LPS, the SPHK2 enzymatic activity, NLRP3 inflammasome activation and mtROS were significantly upregulated in macrophages. Moreover, knockdown SPHK2 via shRNA or inhibition SPHK2 could prominently decrease LPS-induced M1 macrophage polarization, oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Further study indicated that upregulated SPHK2 could increase nuclear sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels and then restrict the enzyme activity of HDACs to facilitate p53 acetylation. Acetylation of p53 reinforced its binding to the specific region of the NLRP3 promoter and drove expression of NLRP3. In the in vivo experiments, it was also observed that treating with Opaganib (ABC294640), a specific SPHK2 inhibitor, could observably alleviate LPS-induced ALI, evidencing by lowered infiltration of inflammatory cells, increased M2 macrophages polarization and reduced oxidative damage in lung tissues. Besides, SPHK2 inhibition can also decrease the accumulation of acetylated p53 protein and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Taken together, our results demonstrated for the first time that nuclear S1P can regulate the acetylation levels of non-histone protein through affecting HDACs enzyme activities, linking them to oxidative stress and inflammation in response to environmental signals. These data provide a theoretical basis that SPHK2 may be an effective therapeutic target of ARDS.
Diversity and distribution of mitochondrial DNA in non-Austronesian-speaking Taiwanese individuals
Authors: Lin Marie , Trejaut Jean A.
Published: January 2023

Many studies have described the diversity of Austronesian-speaking Taiwanese people to shed more light on their origin and their connection with the “Out of Taiwan” migrations. However, the genetic relationship between the non-Austronesian-speaking groups of Taiwan and the populations of continental Asia is still unclear. Here, we studied the diversity of mtDNA in 767 non-Austronesian speakers from 16 locations in Taiwan using partial sequencing obtained from the hypervariable segment I (HVS-I) and coding regions 8,001-9,000 and 9.801–10,900 and 85 complete mtDNA genome sequences. Bayesian analysis of population structure was used to examine their relationship with over 3662 individuals representing indigenous groups of Taiwan, continental East Asia, Japan, and Island Southeast Asia. The whole analysis identified 278 haplotypes. Complete genomes revealed 62 novel subhaplogroups, of which 31 were exclusive to Taiwan. Estimates of coalescence times of all subhaplogroups showed peaks of diversification greater than 5.0 kya, likely characterizing gene flow from continental East Asian groups but not excluding in situ Taiwanese ancestry. Furthermore, a significant number of clades exclusive to non-Austronesian speakers of Taiwan (NAN_Tw) showed coalescence peaks between 1.0 and 2.6 kya, suggesting possible late Neolithic to early metal age settlements of NAN_Tw and local expansion in Taiwan.
Position-dependent effects of RNA-binding proteins in the context of co-transcriptional splicing
Authors: Horn Timur , Gosliga Alison , Li Congxin , Enculescu Mihaela , Legewie Stefan
Published: January 2023

Alternative splicing is an important step in eukaryotic mRNA pre-processing which increases the complexity of gene expression programs, but is frequently altered in disease. Previous work on the regulation of alternative splicing has demonstrated that splicing is controlled by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and by epigenetic DNA/histone modifications which affect splicing by changing the speed of polymerase-mediated pre-mRNA transcription. The interplay of these different layers of splicing regulation is poorly understood. In this paper, we derived mathematical models describing how splicing decisions in a three-exon gene are made by combinatorial spliceosome binding to splice sites during ongoing transcription. We additionally take into account the effect of a regulatory RBP and find that the RBP binding position within the sequence is a key determinant of how RNA polymerase velocity affects splicing. Based on these results, we explain paradoxical observations in the experimental literature and further derive rules explaining why the same RBP can act as inhibitor or activator of cassette exon inclusion depending on its binding position. Finally, we derive a stochastic description of co-transcriptional splicing regulation at the single-cell level and show that splicing outcomes show little noise and follow a binomial distribution despite complex regulation by a multitude of factors. Taken together, our simulations demonstrate the robustness of splicing outcomes and reveal that quantitative insights into kinetic competition of co-transcriptional events are required to fully understand this important mechanism of gene expression diversity.
Identification and immune features of cuproptosis-related molecular clusters in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Su Zhe , Su Wenjing , Li Chenglong , Ding Peihui , Wang Yanlin
Published: January 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common reproductive endocrine disease, has clinically heterogeneous characteristics. Recently, cuproptosis causes several diseases by killing cells. Hence, we aimed to explore cuproptosis-related molecular clusters in PCOS and construct a prediction model. Based on the GSE5090, GSE43264, GSE98421, and GSE124226 datasets, an analysis of cuproptosis regulators and immune features in PCOS was conducted. In 25 cases of PCOS, the molecular clusters of cuproptosis-related genes and the immune cell infiltration associated with PCOS were investigated. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes within clusters. Next, we compared the performance of the random forest model, support vector machine model, generalized linear model, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting for deciding the optimum machine model. Validation of the predictive effectiveness was accomplished through nomogram, calibration curve, decision curve analysis, and using other two datasets. PCOS and non-PCOS controls differed in the dysregulation of cuproptosis-related genes and the activation of immunoreaction. Two cuproptosis-related molecular clusters associated with PCOS were identified. Significant heterogeneity was noted in immunity between the two clusters based on the analysis of immune infiltration. The immune-related pathways related to cluster-specific differentially expressed genes in Cluster1 were revealed by functional analysis. With a relatively low residual error and root mean square error and a higher area under the curve (1.000), the support vector machine model demonstrated optimal discriminative performance. An ultimate 5-gene-based support vector machine model was noted to perform satisfactorily in the other two validation datasets (area under the curve = 1.000 for both). Moreover, the nomogram, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis showed that PCOS subtypes can be accurately predicted. Our study results helped demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between cuproptosis and PCOS and establish a promising prediction model for assessing the risk of cuproptosis in patients with PCOS.
An epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition induced extracellular vesicle prognostic signature in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lobb Richard J. , Visan Kekoolani S. , Wu Li-Ying , Norris Emma L. , Hastie Marcus L. , Everitt Sarah , Yang Ian A. , Bowman Rayleen V. , Siva Shankar , Larsen Jill E. , Gorman Jeffrey J. , MacManus Michael , Leimgruber Antoine , Fong Kwun M. , Möller Andreas
Published: January 2023

Despite significant therapeutic advances, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide1. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have a very poor overall five-year survival rate of only 10–20%. Currently, TNM staging is the gold standard for predicting overall survival and selecting optimal initial treatment options for NSCLC patients, including those with curable stages of disease. However, many patients with locoregionally-confined NSCLC relapse and die despite curative-intent interventions, indicating a need for intensified, individualised therapies. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), the phenotypic depolarisation of epithelial cells to elongated, mesenchymal cells, is associated with metastatic and treatment-refractive cancer. We demonstrate here that EMT-induced protein changes in small extracellular vesicles are detectable in NSCLC patients and have prognostic significance. Overall, this work describes a novel prognostic biomarker signature that identifies potentially-curable NSCLC patients at risk of developing metastatic NSCLC, thereby enabling implementation of personalised treatment decisions.
Genetic analyses implicate complex links between adult testosterone levels and health and disease
Authors: Leinonen Jaakko T. , Mars Nina , Lehtonen Leevi E. , Ahola-Olli Ari , Ruotsalainen Sanni , Lehtimäki Terho , Kähönen Mika , Raitakari Olli ,   FinnGen Consortium, Mars Nina , Ruotsalainen Sanni , Kähönen Mika , Piltonen Terhi , Tuomi Tiinamaija , Daly Mark , Ripatti Samuli , Tukiainen Taru , Piltonen Terhi , Daly Mark , Tuomi Tiinamaija , Ripatti Samuli , Pirinen Matti , Tukiainen Taru
Published: January 2023

Background

Testosterone levels are linked with diverse characteristics of human health, yet, whether these associations reflect correlation or causation remains debated. Here, we provide a broad perspective on the role of genetically determined testosterone on complex diseases in both sexes.

Methods

Leveraging genetic and health registry data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen (total N = 625,650), we constructed polygenic scores (PGS) for total testosterone, sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and free testosterone, associating these with 36 endpoints across different disease categories in the FinnGen. These analyses were combined with Mendelian Randomization (MR) and cross-sex PGS analyses to address causality.

Results

We show testosterone and SHBG levels are intricately tied to metabolic health, but report lack of causality behind most associations, including type 2 diabetes (T2D). Across other disease domains, including 13 behavioral and neurological diseases, we similarly find little evidence for a substantial contribution from normal variation in testosterone levels. We nonetheless find genetically predicted testosterone affects many sex-specific traits, with a pronounced impact on female reproductive health, including causal contribution to PCOS-related traits like hirsutism and post-menopausal bleeding (PMB). We also illustrate how testosterone levels associate with antagonistic effects on stroke risk and reproductive endpoints between the sexes.

Conclusions

Overall, these findings provide insight into how genetically determined testosterone correlates with several health parameters in both sexes. Yet the lack of evidence for a causal contribution to most traits beyond sex-specific health underscores the complexity of the mechanisms linking testosterone levels to disease risk and sex differences.
Straightforward model construction and analysis of multicomponent biomolecular systems in equilibrium
Authors: Geertjens Nick H. J. , de Vink Pim J. , Wezeman Tim , Markvoort Albert J. , Brunsveld Luc
Published: January 2023

A framework for equilibrium models, such as molecular glues and other contemporary biomolecular multicomponent systems, is presented that automatically generates custom mass-balance models based on the reversible reactions of each system.
Dinuclear ligand-to-ligand charge transfer complexes
Authors: Shultz David A. , Stephenson Riley , Kirk Martin L.
Published: January 2023

The synthesis and characterization of dinuclear ligand-to-ligand charge transfer complexes are described.
New AB3-type porphyrins with piperidine and morpholine motifs; synthesis and photo-physicochemical and biological properties
Authors: Harmandar Kevser , Giray Gülay , Önal Emel , Sengul Ibrahim F. , Özdemir Sadin , Atilla Devrim
Published: January 2023

New AB3-type porphyrins with piperidine and morpholine motifs were synthesized and their photo-physicochemical and biological properties were investigated.
High efficiency of nitric acid controls in alleviating particulate nitrate in livestock and urban areas in South Korea
Authors: Kim Haeri , Park Junsu , Kim Seunggi , Pawar Komal Narayan , Song Mijung
Published: January 2023

Remarkably, enhanced particulate nitrate (NO3−) concentrations occur in many environments during particulate matter (PM) pollution; however, information on the formation mechanism and alleviation strategies is still limited.
Optical and X-ray attenuation properties of hafnium oxide nanoparticles surface functionalized with fucoidan: toward the early diagnosis of atherothrombotic diseases
Authors: Sebti Yasmine , Si-Mohamed Salim , Aid Rachida , Geinguenaud Frederic , Chalal Mohand , Lalatonne Yoann , Chaubet Frederic , Ou Phalla , Motte Laurence
Published: January 2023

HfO2NPs surface functionalized with fucoidan show specific targeting of aggregated platelets and appear as a new candidate for X-ray imaging for the molecular-scale diagnosis of atherothrombosis.
Capsule self-oscillating gels showing cell-like nonthermal membrane/shape fluctuations
Authors: Lee Won Seok , Enomoto Takafumi , Akimoto Aya Mizutani , Yoshida Ryo
Published: January 2023

Here, we showcase millimeter-sized self-oscillating gels featuring cell-like membrane/surface fluctuations. The cell-like fluctuation is only driven by nonthermal contributions; a propagating chemical wave of a Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction.
Monolithic InSb nanostructure photodetectors on Si using rapid melt growth
Authors: Menon Heera , Jeddi Hossein , Morgan Nicholas Paul , Fontcuberta i Morral Anna , Pettersson Håkan , Borg Mattias
Published: January 2023

In this study, we report the optical and material characteristics of an InSb nanostructure photodetector integrated directly on Si using rapid melt growth.
InP/ZnS quantum dot photoluminescence modulation via in situ H2S interface engineering
Authors: Fan Xiang-Bing , Shin Dong-Wook , Lee Sanghyo , Ye Junzhi , Yu Shan , Morgan David J. , Arbab Adrees , Yang Jiajie , Jo Jeong-Wan , Kim Yoonwoo , Jung Sung-Min , Davies Philip R. , Rao Akshay , Hou Bo , Kim Jong Min
Published: January 2023

High photoluminescent InP/ZnS QDs synthesis by in situ H2S interface engineering.
Flexible two-dimensional MXene-based antennas
Authors: Fan Xingce , Zhang Xiaohu , Li Ya , He Hongjun , Wang Qixing , Lan Leilei , Song Wenzhe , Qiu Teng , Lu Weibing
Published: January 2023

This minireview summarizes the recent cutting-edge works of 2D MXene-based flexible antennas, discusses the existing bottlenecks, and provides some guidelines for the future development of this promising field.
Interfacial engineering between SnO2/MAPbI3by maleate pheniramine halides toward carbon counter electrode-based perovskite solar cells with 16.21% efficiency
Authors: Cao Duoling , Li Zuhong , Li Wenbo , Pei Ke , Zhang Xu , Wan Li , Zhao Li , Cherevan Alexey , Eder Dominik , Wang Shimin
Published: January 2023

Multifunctional complex molecules (CHM and BHM) were used to passivate interfacial defects, reduce the interfacial energy barrier, induce the orderly growth of perovskite crystals, and improve the PCE of HTL-free C-PSCs.
Tunable synthesis of α,β-multifunctionalized azaheterocycles via the cascade reaction of saturated cyclic amines with diverse nucleophiles promoted by oxoammonium salt
Authors: He Yan , Liu Qimeng , Gong Tian , Liu Yunfei , Zhang Xinying , Fan Xuesen
Published: January 2023

Herein we have developed a convenient method for the tunable synthesis of α,β-multifunctionalized azaheterocycles via the oxoammonium salt promoted cascade reaction of saturated cyclic amines with different nucleophiles.
Chemical fuel-driven gelation with dissipative assembly-induced emission
Authors: Cheng Ming , Chen Dengli , Zhang Liangliang , Xiao Tangxin , Jiang Juli , Wang Leyong
Published: January 2023

A dissipative self-assembly system based on G1 and G2 was fabricated by using dimethyl sulfate as chemical fuel. The mixed solution rapidly transformed into a hybrid hydrogel upon adding the fuel, accompanied by a significant emission enhancement.
Cyclopropanation ofN-vinylimidesviaa redox-neutral photocatalysed radical addition/anionic cyclisation process
Authors: Huai Linge , Zhang Li , Wang Zhentao , Wu Hao , Fang Yewen
Published: January 2023

Cyclopropylamine synthesis: using halomethyl radicals as the CH2source, photoredox-catalysed cyclopropanation ofN-vinylimides could proceed well, giving modular access to 1- or 2-arylcyclopropylamines.
Engineered molecular stacking crystallinity of bar-coated TIPS-pentacene/polystyrene films for organic thin-film transistors
Authors: Jo Yongjin , Lee Jonghan , Kim Chaewon , Jang Junhyeok , Hwang Inchan , Hong John , Lee Mi Jung
Published: January 2023

In this study, polymer blended organic thin-film transistors were fabricated using the bar-coating method. The improvement is attributed to the morphology and molecular stacking of TIPS-pentacene, inducing favorable charge transfer condition.
Preparation and properties of a photocrosslinked MCln-doped PDMA-g-PSMA hydrogel
Authors: Chen Zhaocong , Wu Hongyan , Fei Jialei , Li Qinghua , Ni Ruian , Qiu Yanzhao , Yang Danning , Yu Lu
Published: January 2023

Na+ or Mg2+ doping can improve the elongation at break, equilibrium swelling ratio and self-healing efficiency of PDMA-g-PSMA hydrogels. Among them, MgCl2-doped PDMA-g-PSMA has better shape stability, lower friction coefficient and lower wear loss.
Piezoelectricity of strain-induced overall water splitting of Ni(OH)2/MoS2 heterostructure
Authors: Le Kim Tuyen , Pham Nguyet N. T. , Liao Yin-Song , Ranjan Ashok , Lin Hsun-Yen , Chen Po-Han , Nguyen Hoang , Lu Ming Yen , Lee Seung Geol , Wu Jyh Ming
Published: January 2023

The Ni(OH)2/MoS2 NF interface offers a strain-induced piezoelectric potential that promotes adsorption and intermediates of the reactions, which results in a kinetic barrier reduction in the water-splitting process and boosts the HER and OER.
Reduced graphene oxide composite aerogel prepared by europium-assisting radiation reduction as a broad-spectrum adsorbent for organic pollutants
Authors: Zhang Peng , Chen Yizhi , Weng Hanqin , Muroya Yusa , Yamashita Shinichi , Zhao Yinhua , Lin Mingzhang
Published: January 2023

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite aerogels were synthesized by the radiation reduction of graphene oxide (GO) with the assistance of Eu3+, which demonstrated excellent adsorption performance for diverse organic pollutants.
Performance enhancement strategies of fibrous solar cells for wearable hybrid energy systems
Authors: Tian Xuwang , Guo Yongshi , Zhang Jiaqi , Ivasishin Orest M. , Yan Jianhua
Published: January 2023

This review focuses on the prospective strategies and methods to improve the stability and reliability of fibrous solar cells (FSCs) and discusses the recent development of FSCs and their applications in hybrid energy systems.
Advanced oxygen evolution reaction catalysts for solar-driven photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Dong Guojun , Yan Lianglin , Bi Yingpu
Published: January 2023

Herein, we summarize the recent developments in structure optimizations of oxygen evolution reaction catalysts for promoting photoelectrochemical water splitting performances.
Cyano-capped molecules: versatile organic materials
Authors: Wang Hongyang , Zhao Chipeng , Burešová Zuzana , Bureš Filip , Liu Jialei
Published: January 2023

Small molecules functionalized with CN are enormously investigated conjugated materials with manifold applications. Fundamental structure–property relationships of CN-capped materials across six major application areas were elucidated and discussed.
Novel copper borate ceramics with lithium-based sintering aids for LTCC terahertz applications
Authors: Szwagierczak Dorota , Synkiewicz-Musialska Beata , Kulawik Jan , Czerwińska Elżbieta , Pałka Norbert
Published: January 2023

Novel CuB2O4–Cu3B2O6 substrates doped with three Li-based sintering aids, Li2WO4, LiBO2 and Li2CO3, were prepared using the LTCC (low temperature cofired ceramic) technology.
An ultrasound-induced MXene doped PAM–SA super-tough hydrogel
Authors: Li Keyi , Liu Yong , Ge Yaqing , Cao Hongyan , Zhuang Shujuan , Yang Xueting , Zhao Yanyan , Gu Xiangling
Published: January 2023

Here we reported a novel ultrasound-induced polymerization to achieve a polyacrylamide–sodium alginate (SA) dual network hydrogel via a redox reaction with MXene (Ti3C2) as a reductant and potassium persulfate (KPS) as an oxidant.
Mechanophotonics: fabrication of a 2 × 2 hybrid directional coupler from flexible organic crystals
Authors: Vinod Kumar Avulu , Chandrasekar Rajadurai
Published: January 2023

A miniature, multifunctional hybrid organic directional coupler (HDC), constructed from two different flexible organic crystals, splits the optical signal and delivers input-dependent optical outputs.
Beeinträchtigung durch Kontextfaktoren: Fremd- und
Selbstbeurteilung von Rehabilitand:innen in der psychosomatischen
Rehabilitation
Authors: Passier Ines , Kobelt-Pönicke Axel
Published: January 2023

Ziel der Studie Ergänzend zu einem bestehenden
Fremdbeurteilungsinstrument zur ICF-basierten Erhebung der
Beeinträchtigung von Rehabilitand:innen durch umwelt- und personbezogene
Kontextfaktoren wurde ein Selbstbeurteilungsinstrument erstellt und bei
Rehabilitand:innen in einer psychosomatischen Rehabilitationsklinik eingesetzt.
Ziel war es, die Beurteilung der Beeinträchtigung durch Kontextfaktoren
durch die Fremdbeurteilung sowie durch die Rehabiltand:innen zu vergleichen und
erste Hinweise zur Anwendbarkeit des neu erarbeiteten
Selbstbeurteilungsinstruments zu erhalten. Bisher bestehende Fragebögen
zu Kontextfaktoren sind als Fremdbeurteilungsfragebögen konzipiert und
nicht explizit für den Einsatz in der psychosomatischen Rehabilitation
erprobt, weshalb die Erarbeitung eines Selbstbeurteilungsinstruments relevant
erscheint.

Methode An einer Stichprobe von N=103 Rehabilitand:innen wurden
sowohl das Fremdbeurteilungs- als auch das Selbstbeurteilungsinstrument
angewendet. Es erfolgte die vergleichende Auswertung der Einschätzungen
der Fremdbeurteilerin und der Rehabilitand:innen über Maße der
Beurteilerübereinstimmung (Cohenʼs Kappa, prozentuale
Übereinstimmung). Die Ergebnisse wurden mit Daten aus dem
Routine-Assessment der Rehabilitationseinrichtung in Beziehung gesetzt
(Eta-Koeffizient).

Ergebnisse Die Fremdbeurteilerin und die Rehabilitand:innen kamen in ihren
Einschätzungen bezüglich des Ausmaßes der
Beeinträchtigung durch einzelne Kontextfaktoren zu unterschiedlichen
Ergebnissen. Bei acht der 15 Kontextfaktoren zeigte sich lediglich ein
mäßiges Maß in der Beurteilerübereinstimmung
(Cohen’s Kappa). Die prozentuale nicht-Übereinstimmung zwischen
den Angaben in der Fremd- und Selbstbeurteilung lag bei der Mehrzahl der
Kontextfaktoren zwischen ca. 20% und bis zu ca. 40% der
Fälle. Ob über alle Kontextfaktoren hinweg (Gesamtmaß)
eine Beeinträchtigung vorlag oder nicht, wurde in knapp einem Drittel
der Fälle nicht-übereinstimmend beantwortet. Es zeigten sich
zumeist moderate Zusammenhänge zwischen den im
Selbstbeurteilungsinstrument besonders relevant eingestuften Kontextfaktoren und
Skalen psychometrischer Erhebungsverfahren (u. a. BDI-II). Dieses
Ergebnis gibt einen ersten Hinweis auf die konvergente Validität des
Selbstbeurteilungsinstruments.

Schlussfolgerung Einer ergänzenden Einschätzung der
Beeinträchtigung durch Kontextfaktoren über die
Selbstbeurteilung der Rehabilitand:innen neben der Fremdbeurteilung sollte noch
mehr Beachtung zukommen. Es besteht Forschungsbedarf im Hinblick auf die
Weiterentwicklung des vorgestellten Selbstbeurteilungsinstruments.
A Cross-Sectional Study on the Status of Contralateral Ear in Cases with Otitis Media Attending a Tertiary Care Center
Authors: V.K. Raghavan , S. Prabakaran , R.B. Namasivaya Navin , S. Rajasekaran
Published: January 2023

Background

As the aeration and drainage entrances in both ears are the same, the factors that produce otitis media in one ear may also affect the other. Also, the unsolved debate is that long-standing otitis media turns into chronic otitis media (COM). Hence, this study was conducted with the objective of assessing the incidence of abnormal findings in the contralateral ear (CLE) and to find the association between the type of COM of diseased ear with the findings of CLE.

Materials and Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among cases with unilateral COM who visited the outpatient department of otorhinolaryngology at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute in Chennai between November 2021 and February 2022. The study comprised 200 COM cases in all. The medical history, otoscopic examination, pure-tone audiometry, and tympanometric findings of the patient were all documented. SPSS version 20 was used to conduct the analysis.

Results

About 80% of the individuals with COM in one ear exhibited some abnormalities in the CLE. The type of COM in the afflicted ear is not linked with the otoscopic findings, type of hearing loss, tympanometric findings, or overall abnormalities in the CLE. This study’s findings are comparable to those of several others.

Conclusion

Though there is no association between type of COM and the pathological findings in the CLE, considering the huge burden of pathological findings noted in the CLE, all cases of unilateral COM should be screened for aberrant findings in the CLE.
Impact of Different Histopathological Factors on Recurrence and Survival in Operated Carcinoma Esophagus
Authors: Singh Ashok Kumar , Singhal Basant Mohan , Yadav Santosh Kumar , Kewlani Vishal
Published: January 2023

Background

Even with radical surgery, a significant percentage of patients of esophageal cancer experience recurrent disease.

Aims

The aim of the current study is to define the impact of different histopathological factors on the recurrence and survival in carcinoma esophagus following surgery.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review of 182 patients of esophageal carcinoma, operated between January 2011 and December 2016, was done. In our study, 92 patients underwent upfront surgery and 90 took neo-adjuvant/perioperative treatment before planned surgery. To compare the proportion between two groups, chi-square test was used and to compare the median between the two groups, Mann—Whitney U test was used. Factors affecting the survival were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier survival curve to compare the median survival time across groups log rank (Mantel–Cox) test was used.

Results

Out of 182 patients, 55 patients developed recurrences, in which 19 were loco-regional and 36 were systemic. Patients with lymph node-positive disease on final histopathology had more recurrence than lymph node-negative (39.74%, 31/78) versus (23%, 24/104), p = 0.01 (significant). Patients with features such as PNI-positive, poor differentiation, lymph node-positive, ENE, and higher stage disease had statistically significant, lower DFS and OS with p-value < 0.05. Patients with adenocarcinoma histology had more systemic recurrences and statistically significant lower DFS than SCC with p-value < 0.05.

Conclusions

Systemic recurrences are more common. PNI, ENE, grade, lymph node-positive disease, and higher pathologic stage had statistically significant negative impact on both DFS and OS. On multivariate analysis, whereas ENE had an impact on DFS alone.