bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upgrading Waste Polylactide via Catalyst‐Controlled Tandem Hydrolysis‐Oxidation
Authors: Wang Kaizhi , Sun Zehui , Guo Wendi , Chen Mugeng , Zhu Conglin , Fei Jiachen , Liu Yongmei , He Heyong , Cao Yong , Bao Xinhe
Published: October 2023

As plastic waste pollution continues to pose significant challenges to our environment, it is crucial to develop eco‐friendly processes that can transform plastic waste into valuable chemical products in line with the principles of green chemistry. One major challenge is breaking down plastic waste into economically valuable carbon resources. This however presents an opportunity for sustainable circular economies. In this regard, a flexible approach is presented that involves the use of supported‐metal catalysts to selectively degrade polylactide waste using molecular oxygen. This protocol has several advantages, including its operation under organic solvent‐free and mild conditions, simplicity of implementation, and high atom efficiency, resulting in minimal waste. This approach enables the chemical upcycling of polylactide waste into valuable chemicals such as pyruvic acid, acetic acid, or a mixture containing equimolar amounts of acetic acid and formaldehyde, providing a viable alternative for accessing key value‐added feedstocks from waste and spent plastics.
Olfactory function, neurofilament light chain, and cognitive trajectory: A 12‐year follow‐up of the Shanghai Aging Study
Authors: Xiao Zhenxu , Wu Wanqing , Ma Xiaoxi , Wu Jie , Liang Xiaoniu , Cao Yang , Zhao Qianhua , Ding Ding
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to determine whether blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) modifies the association of olfactory dysfunction (OD) with long‐term cognitive decline. A total of 1125 non‐demented older adults in the Shanghai Aging Study were evaluated for baseline olfaction (12‐item Sniffin’ Sticks Smell Test) and cognitive trajectory by a 12‐year follow‐up. Baseline blood NfL was quantified using Single Molecular Array assay, and dichotomized into low and high levels based on the median value of concentration. The Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status‐40 were used to assess participants’ cognitive function. Cognitive decline was ascertained when dementia was diagnosed or documented in the medical record during follow‐up, or the MMSE declining rate (slope) was 1.0 SD larger than the group mean. OD participants presented a steeper trajectory of MMSE score (p interaction = 0.004) and a high risk of cognitive decline (adjusted HR [95% CI], 1.82 [1.11, 2.98]) only in those with high NfL. Participants with combined OD and high NfL showed the highest risk of cognitive decline (adjusted HR, 2.43 [1.20, 4.92]). OD, especially in combination with high blood NfL concentration, may be able to identify individuals who later incur cognitive deterioration.
Joint species distribution modeling reveals a changing prey landscape for North Pacific right whales on the Bering shelf
Authors: Wright Dana L. , Kimmel David G. , Roberson Nancy , Strausz David
Published: October 2023

The eastern North Pacific right whale (NPRW) is the most endangered population of whale and has been observed north of its core feeding ground in recent years with low sea ice extent. Sea ice and water temperature are important drivers for zooplankton dynamics within the whale's core feeding ground in the southeastern Bering Sea, seasonally forming stable fronts along the shelf that give rise to distinct zooplankton communities. A northward shift in NPRW distribution driven by changing distribution of prey resources could put this species at increased risk of entanglement and vessel strikes. We modeled the abundance of NPRW prey, Calanus glacialis, Neocalanus, and Thysanoessa species, using a dynamic biophysical food web model of nine zooplankton guilds in the Bering shelf zooplankton community during a period of warming (2006–2016). This model is unique among prior zooplankton studies from the region in that it includes density dependence, thereby allowing us to ask whether species interactions influence zooplankton dynamics. Modeling confirmed the importance of sea ice and ocean temperature to zooplankton dynamics in the region. Density‐independent growth drove community dynamics, while dependent factors were comparatively minimal. Overall, Calanus responded to environment terms, with the strength and direction of response driven by copepodite stage. Neocalanus and Thysanoessa responses were weaker, likely due to their primary occurrence on the outer shelf. We also modeled the steady‐state (equilibrium) abundance of Calanus in conditions with and without wind gusts to test whether advection of outer shelf species might disrupt the steady‐state dynamics of Calanus abundance; the results did not support disruption. Given the annual fall sampling design, we interpret our results as follows: low‐ice‐extent winters induced stronger spring winds and weakened fronts on the shelf, thereby advecting some outer shelf species into the study region; increased development rates in these warm conditions influenced the proportion of C. glacialis copepodite stages over the season. Residual correlation suggests missing drivers, possibly predators, and phytoplankton bloom composition. Given the continued loss of sea ice in the region and projected continued warming, our findings suggest that C. glacialis will move northward, and thus, whales may move northward to continue targeting them.
Lack of spontaneous typical seizures during intracranial monitoring with stereo‐electroencephalography
Authors: Bottan Juan S. , Alshahrani Ashwaq , Gilmore Greydon , Steven David A. , Burneo Jorge G. , Lau Jonathan C. , McLachlan Richard S. , Parrent Andrew G. , MacDougall Keith W. , Diosy David C. , Mirsattari Seyed M. , Suller Marti Ana
Published: October 2023

Objective

In the presurgical evaluation of patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE), occasionally, patients do not experience spontaneous typical seizures (STS) during a stereo‐electroencephalography (SEEG) study, which limits its effectiveness. We sought to identify risk factors for patients who did not have STS during SEEG and to analyze the clinical outcomes for this particular set of patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with DRE who underwent depth electrode implantation and SEEG recordings between January 2013 and December 2018.

Results

SEEG was performed in 155 cases during this period. 11 (7.2%) did not experience any clinical seizures (non‐STS group), while 143 experienced at least one patient‐typical seizure during admission (STS group). No significant differences were found between STS and non‐STS groups in terms of patient demographics, lesional/non‐lesional epilepsy ratio, pre‐SEEG seizure frequency, number of ASMs used, electrographic seizures or postoperative seizure outcome in those who underwent resective surgery. Statistically significant differences were found in the average number of electrodes implanted (7.0 in the non‐STS group vs. 10.2 in STS), days in Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (21.8 vs. 12.8 days) and the number of cases that underwent resective surgery following SEEG (27.3% vs. 60.8%), respectively. The three non‐STS patients (30%) who underwent surgery, all had their typical seizures triggered during ECS studies. Three cases were found to have psychogenic non‐epileptic seizures. None of the patients in the non‐STS group were offered neurostimulation devices. Five of the non‐STS patients experienced transient seizure improvement following SEEG.

Significance

We were unable to identify any factors that predicted lack of seizures during SEEG recordings. Resective surgery was only offered in cases where ECS studies replicated patient‐typical seizures. Larger datasets are required to be able to identify factors that predict which patients will fail to develop seizures during SEEG.
Origin and post‐glacial evolution of surface cracks: A case study from the area of the Last Glaciation, north‐eastern Poland
Authors: Karasiewicz Tomasz , Hrynowiecka Anna , Weckwerth Piotr , Tobojko Lucyna , Pawłowski Dominik , Wysota Wojciech , Krawiec Arkadiusz , Dąbrowski Michał
Published: October 2023

The analysis of LiDAR‐based digital elevation models revealed the existence of groups of longitudinal fractures in the ground in northern Poland at the limit of the ice sheet's extent during its last maximum. Our research on the closed elongated depressions (CEDs) of the Jedwabno test field (Szuć site, north‐east Poland) focuses on explaining their origins and their post‐glacial history. This region was covered by an ice sheet and glacitectonically active during the Vistulian, and at least some surface fractures are possible witnesses to this activity. Using geomorphological mapping, sedimentological and geophysical research, we assumed it was related that the origin of these features here is associated with groundwater migration at the end of the Vistulian glaciation or later when groundwater flow intensified due to a rapid climate warming that caused permafrost to melt. The thawing of permafrost caused to transition from continuous permafrost to discontinuous, which in turn created groundwater flow that was probably responsible for the development of the surface cracks (fractures). Radiocarbon, palaeobiological (pollen, Cladocera) and geochemical studies allowed for an estimation of the formation time of these unique surface cracks in the Older Dryas. Prevailing conditions were also reconstructed for the later dynamic changes of the end of the Late Vistulian glaciation and in the Late Holocene until the Subatlantic Period (Megalayan stage). The surface cracks with steep slopes, despite their small area, are extraordinary sedimentation traps that have, in a special way, retained an almost complete record of the environmental and climate changes of the Late Glacial. There are sedimentological gaps in the Holocene, especially after the Preboreal (old part of the Greenlandian Stage), caused by changes in water levels, aeolian processes and human activity.
The protective effect and mechanism of mangiferin on D‐galactose‐induced oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in aging mice by an integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation strategy
Authors: Zhang Jing , Chen Yanmei , Wang Zhengxuan , Zhou Wenbing , Ullah Hafiz , Cao Jianxin , Liu Yaping , Cheng Guiguang
Published: October 2023

Mangiferin (MAN) was a natural bioactive xanthone with remarkable antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. The purpose of this study to determine the protective influence of MAN on D‐galactose (D‐gal)‐induced aging and cognitive impairment, together with its underlying molecular mechanism. The network pharmacology molecular docking analysis revealed that MAN has a potential binding with aging‐related oxidative stress and apoptosis proteins. In D‐gal‐induced aging mice, MAN could significantly reduce D‐gal‐induced histopathological changes of liver and brain tissues. Moreover, MAN administration obviously increased activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, T‐AOC, GSH‐Px, and CAT) and decreased levels of AChE and MDA in the serum, liver, or brain tissues. Additionally, MAN alleviated learning and memory disorders and improved the exploration ability. Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis results revealed that MAN could regulate the expressions of PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway‐related proteins and apoptotic‐related proteins (Bax, Bcl‐2, and Caspase‐9) in the liver tissues. Therefore, these findings suggested that MAN can be used as a potent dietary supplement in functional foods for the protection against aging‐related impairments.
Let's call! Using the phone to increase vaccine acceptance
Authors: Armand Alex , Fracchia Mattia , Vicente Pedro C.
Published: October 2023

In the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic, we develop and test experimentally three phone‐based interventions to increase vaccine acceptance in Mozambique. The first endorses the vaccine with a simple positive message. The second adds the activation of social memory on the country's success in eradicating wild polio with vaccination campaigns. The third further adds a structured interaction with the participant to develop a critical view toward misleading information and minimize the sharing of fake news. We find that combining the endorsement with the stimulation of social memory and the structured interaction increases vaccine acceptance and trust in institutions.
Circulating low density neutrophils are associated with resistance to anti‐PD1 immunotherapy in squamous head and neck cancer
Authors: Arrazubi Virginia , Goñi Saioa , González‐Borja Iranzu , Hernandez‐Garcia Irene , Arasanz Hugo , Pérez‐Sanz Jairo , Bocanegra Ana Isabel , Kochan Grazyna , Escors David , Ruiz de Azúa Yerani , Elizalde Jesús María , Viúdez Antonio , Vera Ruth
Published: October 2023

Background

Identification of predictive biomarkers to Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in head and neck cancer (HNSCC) is an unmet need.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study including 25 patients with HNSCC treated with immunotherapy or chemotherapy after a prior platinum‐based regimen. Low density neutrophils (LDNs) and serum markers were analyzed.

Results

In the immunotherapy cohort, patients with high LDN levels had a shorter progression free survival (PFS) (1.8 months vs. 10.9 months; *p = 0.034). Also, progressors showed higher percentage of LDNs compared to non‐progressors although significance was not reached (mean 20.68% vs. 4.095%, p = 0.0875). These findings were not replicated in patients treated with chemotherapy. High levels of interleukin‐7 (IL7) were correlated with a significantly longer overall survival (OS) (13.47 months 3.51 vs. months, *p = 0.013).

Conclusions

High baseline circulating LDNs and low IL7 could identify a subset of patients intrinsically refractory to ICIs as monotherapy in HNSCC.
Beyond scientific and technical training: Assessing the relevance of empathy and assertiveness in future physiotherapists: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hernández‐Xumet Juan‐Elicio , García‐Hernández Alfonso‐Miguel , Fernández‐González Jerónimo‐Pedro , Marrero‐González Cristo‐Manuel
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

Empathy and assertiveness are two essential social skills for a health professional such as a physiotherapist and are necessary for developing moral thinking. Previous studies show that the development of empathy and other social skills improves as students progress in their studies. However, other authors show deterioration of empathy as students progress in their studies and acquire clinical experience. Training in soft skills, such as assertiveness, among health science students will have an impact on the quality of patient care. Effective communication, conflict resolution and the ability to work as part of a team are competencies that have been put to one side as a result of the recent COVID‐19 pandemic and it is important to resume training students in soft skills. The objective of this study is to investigate to determine the empathic and assertive state of physiotherapy university students.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional study of physiotherapy university students was conducted in the 2022/2023 academic year. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) scales for empathy and the Rathus test for assertiveness (RAS) were used as study tools. Finally, 127 students participated in the study, 52.91% of the total population of physiotherapy students. The questionnaire was available for 4 weeks in November and December 2022.

Results

The empathetic and assertive development of the students was found to be acceptable. Significant differences were also observed according to the gender variable in the students, with female students presenting better results (p = 0.01). Students who are working or have clinical experience in other professions score lower on the empathy personal distress subscale (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Future research should be considered to help improve clinical and professional expertise in physiotherapy students about empathic and assertive development. The findings provide new evidence on the levels of empathy and assertiveness in physiotherapy students.
Macular retinal and choroidal thickness profile in patients with thyroid‐associated orbitopathy compared to healthy individuals: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sabermoghaddam Aliakbar , Abrishami Mojtaba , Motamed Shariati Mehrdad , Salahi Zeinab
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

To evaluate the macular thickness profile and central subfoveal choroidal thickness in patients with thyroid‐associated orbitopathy (TAO) compared to healthy subjects.

Methods

We used the convenience sampling method and divided all participants into the patients and control groups. Based on the clinical activity score (CAS) in the first examination, the patient group was divided to two subgroups: the patients with CAS < 3 and the patients with CAS ≥ 3. Complete ophthalmologic examinations and optical coherence tomography imaging were performed for all participants.

Results

The mean ± SD of central choroidal thickness was 277 ± 76.58 microns for the control and 326.07 ± 56.574 micron for the patient group which was statistically significant (p = 0.003). We also found that the parafoveal inner thickness is significantly lower in patients compared to healthy subjects (p = 0.02). A comparison of neuro‐structural data between the two subgroups of patients showed a significant difference in central choroidal thickness (p = 0.05).

Conclusion

This study showed that central choroidal thickness in patients with CAS ≥ 3 compared to those with CAS < 3 and also in the patient group compared to healthy individuals have a significantly increasing trend.
Downregulation of BIRC2 hinders the progression of rheumatoid arthritis through regulating TRADD
Authors: Rao Yanting , Xu Shengjing , Lu Ting , Wang Yuanyuan , Liu Manman , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2023

Aim

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammation mediated by an autoimmune response. Baculoviral IAP repeat‐containing 2 (BIRC2) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1‐associated death domain protein (TRADD) have been reported to be highly expressed in RA, while their specific roles during RA progression remain unclear. This study aims to explore the specific regulation of BIRC2/TRADD during the progression of RA.

Methods

C28/I2 cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish an in vitro RA cellular model. The expression level of BIRC2 and TRADD was examined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Cell Counting Kit‐8 and flow cytometry assays were performed to examine cell viability and necroptosis, respectively. The oxidative stress markers were detected using commercial kits, and the pro‐inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA assay. The interaction between BIRC2 and TRADD was verified by co‐immunoprecipitation assay.

Results

BIRC2 and TRADD were discovered to be highly expressed in LPS‐mediated C28/I2 cells. BIRC2 knockdown was demonstrated to inhibit LPS‐induced cell viability loss, necroptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in C28/I2 cells. BIRC2 could interact with TRADD and positively regulate TRADD expression. In addition, the protective role of BIRC2 knockdown against LPS‐mediated injuries in C28/I2 cells was partly weakened by TRADD overexpression.

Conclusion

In summary, BIRC2 knockdown alleviated necroptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in LPS‐mediated C28/I2 cells, which might correlate to the regulatory role of TRADD, indicating a novel target for the treatment of RA.
Localization and removal of nonpalpable contraceptive implants: Experience from a teaching hospital in Ethiopia: A case series
Authors: Abubeker Ferid A. , Tufa Tesfaye H. , Tolu Lemi Belay , Sium Abraham Fessehaye , Grentzer Jaclyn M. , Welderufael Mekdes Bahru , Prager Sarah
Published: October 2023

Objective

To assess the outcome of women presenting with nonpalpable contraceptive implants to a referral center in Ethiopia. In addition, we discuss our approach and experience with localization and removal of nonpalpable contraceptive implants.

Methods

We conducted a facility‐based retrospective review of patients evaluated for a nonpalpable contraceptive implant between September 2019 and March 2022 at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. SPHMMC is a tertiary teaching hospital with Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) residency as well as a Family Planning fellowship program. The present study was approved by the institutional review board of SPHMMC.

Results

Of the 68 patients reviewed, 48 were referred from other facilities. A total of 24 (35.3%) patients had at least one previous failed attempt at removal before referral. On ultrasound examination, 27 (40.3%) implants were found below the muscle fascia. Implant removal procedures were successfully done at the outpatient clinic in 65 (95.6%) patients including 40/40 (100%) suprafascial and 25/27 (92.6%) subfascial implants. Removal of subfascial implants was performed in the operating room in two patients. We failed to localize the device in one patient currently on follow‐up. All removals were performed by OBGYNs with subspecialty training in family planning or current fellows supervised by subspecialists. No post‐procedure complications have been documented.

Conclusion

Our findings show that with meticulous evaluation and careful patient selection, localization and removal of nonpalpable implants in outpatient settings are successful. Initial ultrasonography minimizes delays and allows for same‐day implant localization and removal.
Development and validation of an artificial intelligence assisted prenatal ultrasonography screening system for trainees
Authors: Lei Ting , Feng Jie Ling , Lin Mei Fang , Xie Bai Hong , Zhou Qian , Wang Nan , Zheng Qiao , Yang Yan Dong , Guo Hong Mei , Xie Hong Ning
Published: October 2023

Objective

Fetal anomaly screening via ultrasonography, which involves capturing and interpreting standard views, is highly challenging for inexperienced operators. We aimed to develop and validate a prenatal‐screening artificial intelligence system (PSAIS) for real‐time evaluation of the quality of anatomical images, indicating existing and missing structures.

Methods

Still ultrasonographic images obtained from fetuses of 18–32 weeks of gestation between 2017 and 2018 were used to develop PSAIS based on YOLOv3 with global (anatomic site) and local (structures) feature extraction that could evaluate the image quality and indicate existing and missing structures in the fetal anatomical images. The performance of the PSAIS in recognizing 19 standard views was evaluated using retrospective real‐world fetal scan video validation datasets from four hospitals. We stratified sampled frames (standard, similar‐to‐standard, and background views at approximately 1:1:1) for experts to blindly verify the results.

Results

The PSAIS was trained using 134 696 images and validated using 836 videos with 12 697 images. For internal and external validations, the multiclass macro‐average areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.943 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.815–1.000) and 0.958 (0.864–1.000); the micro‐average areas were 0.974 (0.970–0.979) and 0.973 (0.965–0.981), respectively. For similar‐to‐standard views, the PSAIS accurately labeled 90.9% (90.0%–91.4%) with key structures and indicated missing structures.

Conclusions

An artificial intelligence system developed to assist trainees in fetal anomaly screening demonstrated high agreement with experts in standard view identification.
Small extracellular vesicles: Yields, functionalization and applications in diabetic wound management
Authors: Liu Xi , Wei Qian , Sun Zijie , Cui Shengnan , Wan Xizi , Chu Ziqiang , Zhang Yikai , Zhong Weicheng , Lu Lu , Shi Lianxin , Fu Xiaobing , Zhang Cuiping , Wang Shutao
Published: October 2023

Diabetic wounds have imposed a significant burden on both patients and society with prolonged healing processes hindered by dysfunctional skin repair cells. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), as the important media for intercellular communications, show promising therapeutic potential in treating diabetic wounds by restoring cellular functions. However, low yields and limited bio‐function of sEVs greatly challenge their large‐scale clinical use. Here, we briefly overview the biogenesis and cellular uptake of sEVs, emphasize current advances in improving the yields of sEVs and optimizing the function of sEVs with engineering approaches, and summarize the applications of engineered sEVs in diabetic wound treatment. Furthermore, the undissolved issues during the clinical transformation of engineered sEVs are also discussed. This critical review aims to provide meaningful guidance for future applications of engineered sEVs in the management of diabetic wounds.
Ibuprofen Enantiomers and Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Mayer Joachim M.
Published: October 2023

Recent findings concerning the mechanism of the chiral inversion of “profens” have given a better understanding of the ways in which profens interact with lipid biochemistry. This study presents investigations and findings concerning the influence of coenzyme‐A (CoA) levels on the chiral inversion of ibuprofen. Measurement of intracellular coenzyme‐A levels in isolated rat hepatocytes revealed that R‐ibuprofen transiently reduced coenzyme‐A levels, whereas S‐ibuprofen had no effect. Other experiments were performed with rat hepatocyte suspensions, including tests with various concentrations of clofibric acid added to incubates. Results showed that both clofibric acid pretreatment and its presence in the perfusion medium increases the chiral inversion of R‐ibuprofen. These results confirm a metabolic interaction between ibuprofen and clofibric acid. Clinical studies are continuing to determine whether this metabolic interaction has toxicologic consequences.
Perinatal palliative care for family with prenatal diagnosis of Matthew‐Wood syndrome
Authors: Korzeniewska‐Eksterowicz Aleksandra , Moczulska Hanna
Published: October 2023

Matthew‐Wood syndrome (MWS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants of the STRA6 gene. Several studies in the available literature comprise patients with pathogenic variants of gene STRA6 with various phenotypic expressions: from lethal forms of MWS to non‐lethal anophthalmia. These reports mainly describe new pathogenic variants and phenotypic expression but do not describe medical or paramedical care for the affected families. In our case report, we describe the second case of MWS in the same family and the benefits of including the patient's family in the perinatal palliative care program. The first pregnancy was terminated with a cesarean section; the boy was intubated in the delivery room and died soon after. The mother was not allowed to say farewell or keep any remembrances of her child. In the second pregnancy, the family was involved in the perinatal palliative care program, and all paramedical aspects, crucial from the parent's perspective, were planned and implemented. Palliative perinatal care enables complex care for the pregnant woman and her family. The possibility of palliative perinatal care is significant in decision‐making in families with a high risk of lethal disease in subsequent pregnancies.
Shape analysis of the preorbital bar in caviomorph rodents
Authors: Becerra Federico , Vassallo Aldo I.
Published: October 2023

The highly specialised masticatory apparatus of rodents raises interesting questions about how their skull withstands the intensive and sustained forces produced by biting on hard items. In these mammals, major systematics were explored for a long time based on the adductor muscles’ architecture and the related bony structures. The infraorbital foramen stands out, where a hypertrophied head of the zygomaticomandibular muscle passes through—in hystricomorphous rodents—as a direct consequence of the lateral and posterior shift of the preorbital bar. Interestingly, this bar moved laterally and backwards—enlarging the foramen—but it never disappeared throughout evolution, even showing morphological convergence among rodents. Previous research proposed this bar as behaving mechanically similar to the postorbital bar in ungulates, i.e., a safety structure against torsion stress while chewing. We analysed its morphology by mathematically modelling it under bending and torsion scenarios (linearly and elliptically shaped, respectively), and as for biting load propagation (catenary curve). Although the preorbital bar primarily seems to be shaped for withstanding torsional stress (as the postorbital bar in ungulates) and as an escaping point for force propagation, these forces are not a consequence of chewing and grinding foods, but preventing the zygomatic arch from failing when the powerful laterally‐displaced jaw adductor muscles are pulling the dentary upwards at biting.
Exploring fruit lipid diversity in a neglected group of tropical palms: The tribe Phytelepheae
Authors: Romero‐Estévez David , Vaissayre Virginie , Morcillo Fabienne , Montúfar Rommel , Dussert Stéphane
Published: October 2023

Background

The palm tribe Phytelepheae (vegetable ivory palms) produces oleaginous fruits traditionally consumed by indigenous and local communities. We therefore analyzed the oil content as well as fatty acid (FA), carotenoid, and tocochromanol composition of fruits collected from 35 palm trees in their natural habitats, namely Phytelephas aequatorialis (Pa, n = 28), Aphandra natalia (An, n = 5), and Ammandra decasperma (Ad, n = 2).

Results

Average mesocarp oil content was high in Pa and An (ca. 30% dry mass [DM]) but not in Ad (10% DM). However, significant differences in fruit oil content between Pa populations were observed. Further, FA composition varied significantly among species and between Pa populations. The main FAs were oleic (17%–73%), palmitic (17%–41%), linoleic (2%–32%), and stearic (3%–13%) acids. The mesocarp oil of some Pa palms contained a high amount (>20%) of linoleic acid and a low amount of saturated FA (<25%). A high variability of total tocochromanol (89, 122, and 145 mg/kg oil for Pa, An, and Ad, respectively) and total carotenoids (96, 42, and 157 mg/kg for Pa, An, and Ad, respectively) content was also found.

Conclusion

The fruits of the neglected Phytelepheae palms may represent a valuable source of lipids, including the essential FA linoleic acid and lipid‐soluble vitamins, and help to diversify dietary lipid sources in Ecuadorian geographical areas where there is a high rate of saturated fat consumption.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy impact on outcomes in immediate breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap and silicone implant
Authors: D'Alessandro Gabriel Salum , Munhoz Alexandre Mendonça , Takeuchi Fabiana Midori , Povedano Alejandro , Góes João Carlos Sampaio
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCH) has demonstrated efficacy in downsizing tumors and facilitating less extensive surgery. However, immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) after NCH has raised concerns regarding higher complication rates. This study evaluates the impact of NCH on outcomes following IBR with a latissimus dorsi flap and implant (LDI) after mastectomy.

Methods

Cases from a prospective maintained database were reviewed, and patients classified according to whether or not they received NCH. Risk factors and major and minor complications in both groups were then analyzed.

Results

Among the 196 patients who underwent 198 IBR procedures, 38.4% received NCH and 66.1% did not. The overall complication rate was 46.7% in the non‐NCH group and 53.3% in the NCH group (p =  0.650). The presence of comorbidities increased the likelihood of any complication (odds ratio [OR]: 3.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38–8.66; p = 0.008) as well as major complications (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.03–10.95; p = 0.045). Although patients in the NCH group experienced more major complications (10.5% vs. 4.9%; p = 0.134) and early loss of breast reconstruction (3.9% vs. 0.8%; p = 0.128), these findings were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

This study found no statistically significant association between NCH and higher risk of complications or loss of IBR with LDI after mastectomy.
Littlewood–Paley–Rubio de Francia inequality for multi‐parameter Vilenkin systems
Authors: Borovitskiy Viacheslav
Published: October 2023

A version of Littlewood–Paley–Rubio de Francia inequality for bounded multi‐parameter Vilenkin systems is proved: For any family of disjoint sets such that are intervals in and a family of functions with Vilenkin–Fourier spectrum inside the following holds:
where does not depend on the choice of rectangles or functions . This result belongs to the line of studying of (multi‐parameter) generalizations of Rubio de Francia inequality to locally compact abelian groups. The arguments are mainly based on the atomic theory of multi‐parameter martingale Hardy spaces and, as a byproduct, yield an easy‐to‐use multi‐parameter version of Gundy's theorem on the boundedness of operators taking martingales to measurable functions. Additionally, some extensions and corollaries of the main result are obtained, including a weaker version of the inequality for exponents and an example of a one‐parameter inequality for an exotic notion of interval.
A genetic variant in gene NDUFAF4 confers the risk of non‐small cell lung cancer by perturbing hsa‐miR‐215 binding
Authors: Long Tingting , Li Jiaoyuan , Yin Tongxin , Liu Ke , Wang Yi , Long Jieyi , Wang Jianing , Cheng Liming
Published: October 2023

Hsa‐microRNA‐215 (hsa‐miR‐215) plays multiple roles in carcinogenesis through regulating its target genes. Genetic variants in hsa‐miR‐215 target sites thus may affect hsa‐miR‐215‐mRNA interactions, result in altered expression of target genes and even influence cancer susceptibility. This study aimed to investigate the associations of genetic variants which located in the binding sites of hsa‐miR‐215 with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) susceptibility in the Chinese population and reveal the potential regulatory mechanism of functional variants in NSCLC development. The candidate genetic variants were predicted and screened through bioinformatics analysis based on the degree of complementarity of hsa‐miR‐215 sequences. The potential effects of genetic variants on the binding ability of hsa‐miR‐215 and target genes were also predicted. A case–control study with 932 NSCLC patients and 1036 healthy controls was conducted to evaluate the association of candidate genetic variants with NSCLC susceptibility, and an independent case–control study with 552 NSCLC cases and 571 controls were used to further validate the promising associations. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to explore the regulation of the genetic variants on transcription activity of target gene. Cell phenotyping experiments in vitro and RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) were then carried out to preliminarily explore the potential regulatory mechanisms of the target genes in NSCLC. A total of five candidate genetic variants located in the binding sites of hsa‐miR‐215 were screened. The two‐stage case–control study showed that a variant rs1854268 A > T, which located in the 3' untranslated (3'UTR) region of NDUFAF4 gene, was associated with decreased risk of NSCLC (additive model, odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75−0.92, p < 0.001). Functional annotation displayed that rs1854268 A > T might downregulate the expression of NDUFAF4 by enhancing the binding affinity of hsa‐miR‐215‐5p to NDUFAF4 mRNA. Additionally, transient knockdown of the NDUFAF4 could inhibit lung cancer cell migration and promote lung cancer cell apoptosis. Further RNA‐seq analysis revealed that the knockdown of NDUFAF4 may affect NSCLC development by downregulating the nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and phosphoinositide 3 kinase‐AKT (PI3K‐AKT) signaling pathways. Moreover, the overexpression of CCND1 could partially attenuate the effects of NDUFAF4 knock down on lung cancer cell migration and apoptosis, indicating that CCND1 may be involved in the tumor‐promoting effects of NDUFAF4 as a downstream molecule of NDUFAF4 gene. In conclusion, the genetic variant rs1854268 (A > T) on NDUFAF4 confers NSCLC susceptibility by altering the binding affinity of hsa‐miR‐215‐5p, thus regulating the expression of NDUFAF4 and subsequently influencing downstream tumor molecules and pathways such as CCND1, NF kappa B, and PI3K‐AKT signaling pathways.
Focal adhesion kinase confers lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma via the regulation of lysine‐deficient kinase 1
Authors: Hou Wei , Gad Shaimaa A. , Ding Xianzhong , Dhanarajan Asha , Qiu Wei
Published: October 2023

Lenvatinib is a clinically effective multikinase inhibitor approved for first‐line therapy of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although resistance against lenvatinib often emerges and limits its antitumor activity, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in endogenous and acquired resistance remain elusive. In this study, we identified focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as a critical contributor to lenvatinib resistance in HCC. The elevated expression and phosphorylation of FAK were observed in both acquired and endogenous lenvatinib‐resistant (LR) HCC cells. Furthermore, inhibition of FAK reversed lenvatinib resistance in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, FAK promoted lenvatinib resistance through regulating lysine‐deficient kinase 1 (WNK1). Phosphorylation of WNK1 was significantly increased in LR‐HCC cells. Further, WNK1 inhibitor WNK463 resensitized either established or endogenous LR‐HCC cells to lenvatinib treatment. In addition, overexpression of WNK1 desensitized parental HCC cells to lenvatinib treatment. Conclusively, our results establish a crucial role and novel mechanism of FAK in lenvatinib resistance and suggest that targeting the FAK/WNK1 axis is a promising therapeutic strategy in HCC patients showing lenvatinib resistance.
Targeting Hippo signaling in cancer: novel perspectives and therapeutic potential
Authors: Lv Liemei , Zhou Xiangxiang
Published: October 2023

As highly conserved among diverse species, Hippo signaling pathway regulates various biological processes, including development, cell proliferation, stem cell function, tissue regeneration, homeostasis, and organ size. Studies in the last two decades have provided a good framework for how these fundamental functions of Hippo signaling are tightly regulated by a network with numerous intracellular and extracellular factors. The Hippo signaling pathway, when dysregulated, may lead to a wide variety of diseases, especially cancer. There is growing evidence demonstrating that dysregulated Hippo signaling is closely associated with tumorigenesis, cancer cell invasion, and migration, as well as drug resistance. Therefore, the Hippo pathway is considered an appealing therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. Promising novel agents targeting the Hippo signaling pathway for cancers have recently emerged. These novel agents have shown antitumor activity in multiple cancer models and demonstrated therapeutic potential for cancer treatment. However, the detailed molecular basis of the Hippo signaling‐driven tumor biology remains undefined. Our review summarizes current advances in understanding the mechanisms by which Hippo signaling drives tumorigenesis and confers drug resistance. We also propose strategies for future preclinical and clinical development to target this pathway.
Contour subregion error detection methodology using deep learning auto‐segmentation
Authors: Duan Jingwei , Bernard Mark E. , Rong Yi , Castle James R. , Feng Xue , Johnson Jeremiah D. , Chen Quan
Published: October 2023

Background

Inaccurate manual organ delineation is one of the high‐risk failure modes in radiation treatment. Numerous automated contour quality assurance (QA) systems have been developed to assess contour acceptability; however, manual inspection of flagged cases is a time‐consuming and challenging process, and can lead to users overlooking the exact error location.

Purpose

Our aim is to develop and validate a contour QA system that can effectively detect and visualize subregional contour errors, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Methods/Materials

A novel contour subregion error detection (CSED) system was developed using subregional surface distance discrepancies between manual and deep learning auto‐segmentation (DLAS) contours. A validation study was conducted using a head and neck public dataset containing 339 cases and evaluated according to knowledge‐based pass criteria derived from a clinical training dataset of 60 cases. A blind qualitative evaluation was conducted, comparing the results from the CSED system with manual labels. Subsequently, the CSED‐flagged cases were re‐examined by a radiation oncologist.

Results

The CSED system could visualize the diverse types of subregional contour errors qualitatively and quantitatively. In the validation dataset, the CSED system resulted in true positive rates (TPR) of 0.814, 0.800, and 0.771; false positive rates (FPR) of 0.310, 0.267, and 0.298; and accuracies of 0.735, 0.759, and 0.730, for brainstem and left and right parotid contours, respectively. The CSED‐assisted manual review caught 13 brainstem, 19 left parotid, and 21 right parotid contour errors missed by conventional human review. The TPR/FPR/accuracy of the CSED‐assisted manual review improved to 0.836/0.253/0.784, 0.831/0.171/0.830, and 0.808/0.193/0.807 for each structure, respectively. Further, the time savings achieved through CSED‐assisted review improved by 75%, with the time for review taking 24.81 ± 12.84, 26.75 ± 10.41, and 28.71 ± 13.72 s for each structure, respectively.

Conclusions

The CSED system enables qualitative and quantitative detection, localization, and visualization of manual segmentation subregional errors utilizing DLAS contours as references. The use of this system has been shown to help reduce the risk of high‐risk failure modes resulting from inaccurate organ segmentation.
Young people's future thinking and mental health: The development and validation of the Adolescent Future Thinking Rating Scale
Authors: Tang Peiyao , Sonuga‐Barke Edmund , Kostyrka‐Allchorne Katarzyna , Phillips‐Owen Jacqueline
Published: October 2023

Objectives

We aimed to develop and validate a new scale of future thinking and adolescent mental health—the Adolescent Future Thinking Rating Scale (AFTRS).

Methods

A provisional AFTRS was developed from interviews with 19 adolescents. It was completed by three samples: exploratory (n = 161) aged 16–21 years, who also completed established measures of future thinking, cognitive risk factors, depression and anxiety; replication (n = 209) aged 16–25 years; and test‐retest (n = 102) aged 17–23 years. The reliability, convergent, predictive, and discriminant validity were examined.

Results

Exploratory factor analyses identified the AFTRS‐18 and AFTRS‐12. Both had three sub‐scales: (i) Concerns about Maladaptive Future Thinking, (ii) Future Positivity, and (iii) Ability to Visualise the Future. Established future thinking measures were combined into two factors: Negative Future Emotions (Cognitive Triad Inventory—View of Future and Beck's Hopelessness Scale) and Immediacy Preference (Consideration of Future Consequences and Quick Delay Questionnaire). The AFTRS‐18 and AFTRS‐12 were similarly associated with both factors and with depression/anxiety. Internal consistency and test‐retest reliability were high.

Conclusions

The AFTRS‐12 and AFTRS‐18 are reliable and valid measures of the three key dimensions of adolescent future thinking and mental health. The first subscale remained significant in predicting depression and anxiety after controlling for general cognitive risks.
Fluid injection‐induced cavity expansion in dry porous medium
Authors: Kumar Jithin S , Chaudhuri Abhijit , Detournay Emmanuel , Kandasami Ramesh Kannan
Published: October 2023

Fluid injection‐induced deformation around a cylindrical cavity is of particular interest in the area of subsurface energy extraction. In this study, a model is proposed to analyze the time‐dependent expansion of a cavity caused by fluid injection in an elastoplastic dry porous medium. This problem is characterized by the existence of two moving boundaries, a permeation front and an elastoplastic interface, which leads to distinct time‐dependent zones governed by different sets of equations. The interplay between these two boundaries leads to three phases of solution. The a priori unknown partitioning of the injection rate into the rate of change of cavity volume and infiltration in the porous medium necessitates the introduction of a time‐dependent permeation coefficient as one of the primary variables. The method of solution takes advantage of the quasi‐static and quasi‐stationary nature of the problem, which makes it possible to treat time as a parameter rather than a variable. It follows that the problem can be solved in two steps. In a first step, closed‐form expressions for the pore pressure, displacement, and stress fields in each zone are derived, with parameters in these expressions depending explicitly on four time‐dependent variables, namely the positions of the two interfaces, the cavity radius, and the permeation coefficient. In a second step, the rate equations governing the evolution of these variables during different phases are derived and solved numerically. The paper concludes with a parametric analysis of the influence of the stiffness and strength of the material on the solution.
Assessing the needs of informal caregivers of patients with chronic non‐communicable diseases: A systematic review of self‐assessment tools
Authors: Yang Panpan , Ma Mengzhen , Guan Qingyi , Du Xingbin , Fan Yanyan
Published: October 2023

Aim

To synthesize self‐administrated needs assessment tools of informal caregivers for patients with chronic non‐communicable diseases (CNCDs), evaluate the quality of psychometric properties and identify main needs assessment themes.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

Eight electronic databases both in English and Chinese were searched for. The psychometric properties of tools were evaluated according to the quality criteria for good psychometric properties developed by Terwee et al. Both the content analysis and thematic extraction methods were used. Needs assessment themes were categorized based on the 7‐level Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory.

Results

A total of 17 tools were synthesized. Thirteen of them targeted informal caregivers of patients with cancer. The psychometric properties evaluated for most of these tools were content validity, internal consistency and construct validity. A total of 27 needs themes were identified and matched to six levels based on the 7‐level Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, besides the aesthetic needs level.

No Patient or Public Contribution

No primary data are being collected.