bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of childhood trauma on nonsuicidal self‐injury in adolescent patients with bipolar II depression
Authors: Zhang Yanyan , Hu Zhizhong , Hu Maorong , Lu Zihang , Yu Huijuan , Yuan Xin
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study was performed to explore the effect of childhood trauma on nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) in adolescents with bipolar II (BD II) depression.

Methods

Based on the diagnostic criteria of the DSM‐5 and structured interviews to assess the presence or absence of NSSI, 184 adolescent patients with BD II depression were divided into the NSSI (n = 112) and non‐NSSI (n = 72) groups. The Adolescent Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury Assessment Questionnaire (ANSAQ), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire‑Short Form (CTQ‐SF), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS‐20), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to assess the subjects.

Result

The CTQ‐SF, HAMD, HAMA, and TAS‐20 scores were significantly higher in the NSSI group than in the non‐NSSI group (p < .01). Logistic regression analysis showed emotional abuse (p = .028, OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01–1.28) and age of onset (p = .009) as risk factors for NSSI. Adolescents with onset age 12–13 years (OR = 6.30, 95% CI = 1.72–23.10) and 14–15 years (OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.04–4.84) had a higher risk of self‐injury relative to adolescents aged 16–18 years.

Conclusion

Childhood trauma and alexithymia were important influencing factors in adolescent patients with BD II depression. Emotional abuse and age of onset as risk factors for NSSI, and difficulties in emotion recognition were positively associated with the patients’ NSSI.
Acetate accumulation and regulation by process parameters control in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture
Authors: Zhou Yikang , Han Hang , Zhang Lijuan , Huang He , Sun Ruiqiang , Zhou Hang , Zhou Weichang
Published: September 2022

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells represent a group of predominantly used mammalian hosts for producing recombinant therapeutic proteins. Known for their rapid proliferation rates, CHO cells undergo aerobic glycolysis that is characterized by fast glucose consumption, that ultimately gives rise to a group of small‐molecule organic acids. However, only the function of lactate has been extensively studied in CHO cell culture. In this study, we observed the accumulation of acetate from the late exponential phase to harvest day, potentially contributing to the pH decline in late culture stage regardless of lactate consumption. In addition, we evaluated the acidification of the fresh media and the cell culture suspension, and the data revealed that acetate presented a lower acidification capacity compared to lactate and exhibited limited inhibitory effect on cells with less than 20 mM supplemented in the media. This study also explored the ways to control acetate accumulation in CHO cell culture by manipulating the process parameters such as temperature, glucose, and pH control. The positive correlation between the specific glucose consumption rate and acetate generation rate provides evidence of the endogenous acetate generation from overflow metabolism. Reducing these parameters (temperature, glucose consumption) and HCl‐controlled low pH ultimately suppress acetate build‐up. In addition, the specific acetate generation rate and relevant glucose consumption rate are found to be a metabolic trait associated with specific cell lines. Taken together, the results presented in these experiments provide a means to advance industrial CHO cell culture process control and development.
Association between body mass index at diagnosis and outcomes in Chinese children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Hu Wenting , Cheung Yin Ting , Tang Yanjing , Hong Li , Zhu Yuan , Chen Jing , Wang Zhuo , Zhou Min , Gao Yijin , Chen Jing , Li Benshang , Xue Huiliang , Gu Longjun , Shen Shuhong , Tang Jingyan , Pui Ching‐Hon , Inaba Hiroto , Cai Jiaoyang
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Studies of the association between body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis and treatment outcome in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have yielded inconsistent results. Hence, we conducted a retrospective study in a large cohort of Chinese children with ALL treated with contemporary protocols.

Patients and Methods

A total of 1437 children (62.1% male; median age at diagnosis 5.7 years, range: 2.3–16.3 years) were enrolled in two consecutive clinical trials at the Shanghai Children's Medical Center. The rates of overall survival, event‐free survival, relapse, treatment‐related mortality, and adverse events were compared among patients who were underweight (BMI < 5th percentile), at a healthy weight (5th to 85th percentile), overweight (>85th to <95th percentile), and obese (≥95th percentile).

Results

At diagnosis, 91 (6.3%) patients were underweight, 1070 (74.5%) were at a healthy weight, 91 (6.3%) were overweight, and 185 (12.9%) were obese. No significant association was found between weight status and 5‐year overall survival, event‐free survival, or relapse in the overall cohort. When analyzed as a continuous variable, a higher BMI Z‐score was associated with treatment‐related mortality (hazard ratio 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.68%), p = 0.02). The treatment‐related mortality rate was higher in the overweight (5.5%, 95% CI 0.8–10.2%) and obese (3.2%, 95% CI 0.6–5.8%) groups compared with the underweight (0.0%) and healthy‐weight groups (1.9%, 95% CI 1.1–2.7%; p = 0.04). Multivariable analysis showed that children who were overweight had a higher risk of treatment‐related mortality (hazard ratio 3.8, 95% CI 1.3–11.4).

Conclusion

While body weight status was not associated with event‐free survival or overall survival, overweight patients were at higher risk of treatment‐related mortality.
Enzymatic Electrochemical Biosensor from Eu‐Doped SnO2 Embedded in MXene for High Performance Sensing Lactate
Authors: Liu Guangyan , Xia Tianzi , Liang Xilin , Hou Shili , Hou Shifeng
Published: September 2022

In this work, Eu3+‐doped SnO2 nanoparticles are prepared and embedded into MXene (Ti3C2) laminates, and Ti3C2@Eu‐SnO2 composites are obtained. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization show that the composites have excellent electrochemical properties and unique morphology. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) results of lactate oxidase (Lox) immobilized on Ti3C2@Eu‐SnO2 indicate that Eu‐SnO2, Ti3C2, and Lox have a good hybrid coordination and biocompatibility. The enzymatic electrochemical biosensor constructed with Ti3C2@Eu‐SnO2/Lox on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) reveals an excellent linear relationship in the lactate concentration ranging from 1.0×10−9 to 1.0×10−4 mol L−1. It has a low detection limit of 3.38×10−10 mol L−1 and high sensitivity of 4.815 mA nmol−1 L cm−2. Furthermore, the fabricated biosensor has a reasonable recovery rate for determining lactate in human serum.
Producing asphaltene fibres from bitumen‐derived asphaltenes for carbon fibre development: Part one–Electrospinning
Authors: De Crisci Antonio G. , Gieleciak Rafal , Mobarok Md Hosnay , Ali Mohamed , Ngo Tri Dung , Goswami Keyur , Khan Ataullah , Chen Jinwen
Published: September 2022

Bitumen‐derived asphaltenes are rich in carbon but of low value and contain other elements such as nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen, vanadium, and nickel. Their use as a feedstock for producing carbon fibre (CF) is largely under‐investigated. In this study, electrospinning was used to create asphaltene fibres (AFs), which is a pre‐carbon fibre material, from asphaltenes. Various operational parameters were investigated in order to improve the spinning abilities, such as the concentration of asphaltenes in toluene, pumping rate, voltage, and distance between the tip of the needle to the collector. Results indicated that asphaltenes concentrations had the greatest effect on the quality of the produced AFs, with the range of asphaltenes concentrations from 45 to 50 wt.% being suitable for producing the AFs, while voltage, pumping rate, and tip distance had less of an effect on electrospun AF production.
Modular TiO2‐Squaraine Dyes/Electrolyte Interface for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells with Cobalt Electrolyte
Authors: Singh Ambarish Kumar , Sudhakar Vediappan , Javaregowda Bharathkumar H. , Bisht Rajesh , Krishnamoorthy Kothandam , Nithyanandhan Jayaraj
Published: September 2022

Strategies to diminish both charge recombination and aggregation of dyes on the photoanode by functionalizing the sensitizer with alkyl groups is the best approach to achieve high dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) efficiency. Development of such a photoanode with NIR‐active dyes which is compatible with a cobalt electrolyte is important to enhance the photovoltaic performance. In this report, alkyl‐group‐wrapped donor‐acceptor‐donor (D‐A‐D) based unsymmetrical squaraine dyes have been used for DSSC device characterization with a cobalt electrolyte. Surface passivation of photoanode was varied systematically by the extent of functionalization with alkyl groups to avoid charge recombination. DSSC device performance of 5.92 % was achieved for an alkyl‐group‐wrapped squaraine dye with a cobalt electrolyte. Hence, appending the alkyl groups on the donor unit of squaraine dyes helps passivating the photoanode, whereas introducing hydrophilic groups provides a leaky surface where oxidized electrolyte species reach the titanium‐metal‐oxide surface which promotes the charge recombination process.
A new step‐up DC‐DC converter with high gain for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Yavari Majid , Salemnia Ahmad , Javadi Hamid
Published: September 2022

Using interfacing converters with a high boost factor and high efficiency is essential for utilizing the solar cells energy since these energy sources produce low voltage levels. Although employing a high‐frequency transformer or coupled inductors in such converters results in high gain, these elements increase the weight, volume, and cost and affect the efficiency. This article presents a new topology for DC‐DC converter with a high voltage gain to overcome the mentioned problems. The converter provides a higher voltage gain than conventional structures while it includes only one power switch. The switch is connected to the ground; thus, a simple control circuit is required. Besides, the proposed structure has a low output voltage ripple. In this paper, the operating modes of the proposed topology, the influence of parasitic elements on the boost factor, and the efficiency have been described in detail. These item has been examined by experimental verifications. A 500‐W laboratory prototype confirms the proposed topology. Results demonstrate that the topology produces high efficiency and voltage gain.
Positive epigenetic regulation loop between AR and NSUN2 promotes prostate cancer progression
Authors: Zhu Wenkai , Wan Fangning , Xu Wenhao , Liu Zheng , Wang Junjie , Zhang Hena , Huang Shenglin , Ye Dingwei
Published: September 2022

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major type of cancer in man worldwide. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and the next‐generation androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitors have acquired great success in treating PCa. However, patients treated with ADT or AR targeted therapy are inevitably developing into castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) or becoming drug resistance. The role of mRNA 5‐methylcytosine (m5C) modification in cancers is largely unknown. This study aimed to explore the role of the m5C methyltransferase NSUN2 in Prostate
cancer (PCa).

Methods

The expression of NSUN2 and its clinicopathological impact were evaluated in PCa cohorts. The effect of NSUN2 on the biological characteristics of PCa cells was investigated on the basis of gain‐offunction and loss‐of‐function analyses. Subcutaneous models further uncovered the role of NSUN2 in tumor growth. Epi‐transcriptome assays with RNA bisulfite sequencing (RNA‐BisSeq) analysis and in vitro enzyme reaction assays were performed to validate the targeted effect of NSUN2 on AR. AR‐binding sites in the NSUN2 promoter were investigated by ChIP and luciferase assays to uncover the interplay between NSUN2 and AR signaling. RIP‐qPCR and EMSA methods were performed to confirm that YBX1 binds to AR m5C sites.

Results

NSUN2 is highly expressed in PCa and predicts poor outcome. NSUN2 plays roles as a PCa oncogene both in vitro and in vivo. Depletion of NSUN2 results in decreased expression and activities of AR, including AR‐V7. Mechanistically, NSUN2 posttranscriptionally stabilized AR by cluster m5C modification in a m5CYBX1‐dependent manner. Strikingly, treatment with enzalutamide, an effective AR inhibitor, reduces NSUN2 expression and decreases the m5C modification level in prostate cancer cells. Finally, we found that AR transcriptionally regulates NSUN2.

Conclusion

NSUN2 stabilizes AR mRNA through cluster 5‐methylcytosine modification and activates a positive feedback loop to promote prostate cancer.
Rh(III)‐Catalyzed Chemodivergent Coupling of Sulfoxonium Ylides and Acryloyl Silanes
Authors: Zhou Hui , Yang Zengbao , Luo Cankun , Li Jianglian , Hai Li , Wu Yong
Published: September 2022

A protocol of Rh(III)‐catalyzed C−H activation utilizing sulfoxonium ylides as traceless directing group and acryloyl silanes has been reported. This strategy provides an efficient and convenient method to construct the tricyclic skeleton of furan‐fused indanone by simultaneously constructing two C−C bonds and one C−O bond in one pot, featuring broad substrate scope. Moreover, the C−H alkenylation have been attained under controlled conditions.
Energy Optimization Based on Steam System Analysis and Waste Energy Recovery for Iron and Steel Industry
Authors: Yan Tianyi , Sun Jingchao , Qiu Ziyang , Na Hongming , Yuan Yuxing , Che Zichang , Du Tao , Song Yanli
Published: September 2022

To solve the unreasonable energy distribution and excessive energy waste in the steam system of iron and steel (I&S) industry, a mixed integer linear programming model based on the theory of exergy and energy level is developed in this study to optimize the steam system. After optimization, the utilization potential of waste energy is found. Then, several waste energy recovery technologies are compared according to their application results. The results show that the exergy efficiency of steam system is 74.065%. After optimization, the exergy efficiency of steam system is increased by 10.568%, the energy input of the I&S enterprise is reduced by 84.30 MJ t−1‐CS−1, and waste energy potential is found at hot rolling, sintering, and converter. Herein, flue gas waste heat from hot rolling and sintering is recovered using series two‐stage Organic Rankine Cycle with cyclopentane as the working fluid, and steam waste energy from converter is recovered using saturated steam power generation. These waste energy technologies increase the electricity generation of I&S enterprise by 15.25 kWh t−1‐CS−1. Overall, combining the optimization model with the use of waste energy recovery technologies is necessary and effective for I&S enterprise to increase their energy efficiency.
Influence of Ice Templating on Oxygen Reduction Catalytic Activity of Metal‐Free Heteroatom‐Doped Mesoporous Carbon Derived from Polypyrrole for Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Kurian Maria , Ghosh Meena , Vijayakumar Vidyanand , Pandinhare Puthiyaveetil Priyanka , Torris Arun , Kurungot Sreekumar
Published: September 2022

The development of highly active, cost‐effective, and durable, noble metal‐free oxygen reduction electrocatalysts is inevitable for the full‐fledged implementation of fuel cells and zinc–air batteries. This work reports the synthesis of heteroatom (N, P, S)‐doped metal‐free mesoporous carbon‐based electrocatalyst derived from polypyrrole by combining the ice templating, freeze‐drying, and carbonization processes. The correlation between the structure and electrochemical activity of the polypyrrole‐derived carbon‐based electrocatalyst in the presence and absence of ice templating is investigated. The optimized electrocatalyst, aided by the ice‐templating and freeze‐drying step, shows an onset and half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.94 and 0.78 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode, respectively, in an alkaline electrolyte (0.1 m KOH). Later, the application of the optimized electrocatalyst is demonstrated in a primary zinc–air battery (ZAB) cell. The results prove that the ZAB device performance based on the homemade catalyst is on par with that of the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C cathode. The catalyst performance is correlated with the heteroatom doping and the enhanced porosity of the sample benefitted from ice templating. Ultimately, this work depicts a facile and rational synthesis of a truly metal‐free electrocatalyst for the primary ZABs that can be a potential replacement for state‐of‐the‐art systems.
Combined effect of land use change, long‐term soil management and orchard age on variability of soil quality of fruit orchards under monsoon climate
Authors: Hazarika Samarendra , Thakuria Dwipendra , Sakthivel Thandavarayan
Published: September 2022

The combined effect of land use change, long‐term soil management, and orchard age (18–40 years) on soil quality of guava (Psidium guajavaL. cv. Allahabad Safeda) and sapota (Manilkara achrasMill. cv. Cricket Ball) orchards was investigated. Besides, the soil quality of the orchards was compared against an adjacent forest soil (AFS, considered a baseline ecosystem). Values of pH, SOC, porosity, PHA, DHA, GSA, ExCa, ExMg, and DTPA‐Cu were significantly lower in drip circle soils relative to inter‐row space soils. The extent of reduction was prominent in older orchards. There was a significant building up of BD, AvP, AvK, DTPA‐Fe, and DTPA‐Zn in drip circle soils relative to inter‐row space soils. The soil variability between drip circles and inter‐row spaces across the soil depths was significant (p < 0.01). Principal component analysis (PCA) plots were generated to determine the variability of soil quality among orchards and AFS. Long‐term soil management (18–40 years) induced soil spatial variability within the orchards. Analysis of similarity showed a significant difference in variability of soil quality within an orchard, among the orchard types, and between the orchards and the AFS. Except for soil AvK, all soil quality attributes maintained a significant correlation with the PC‐axis‐1 (p < 0.05 and 0.01) that explained maximum variability (40.2%–49.4%). The DHA and SOC contributed the maximum variability (r = 0.95 and 0.92, respectively with PC axis‐1). In conclusion, the stronger factor of the variability of soil quality was in the order of land use change > soil management > orchard age.
Carbon dioxide utilization: A critical review from multiscale perspective
Authors: Yousaf Muhammad , Zaman Muhammad , Mahmood Asif , Imran Muhammad , Elkamel Ali , Rizwan Muhammad , Wilberforce Tabbi , Riaz Fahid
Published: September 2022

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions contribute considerably towards increasing greenhouse effect. Carbon capture and storage can reduce CO2 emissions to a great extent but lacks economic feasibility. The economic feasibility of CO2 capture could be boosted by utilizing the captured gas to produce valuable end products. CO2 is a highly stable molecule; therefore, special catalysts and elevated conditions of temperature and pressure are required for its conversion. This review presents the current status of CO2 utilization processes from various aspects, including thermodynamic, economic, and environmental impacts. The use of process systems engineering (PSE) tools and techniques in a broad spectrum, to improve the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of these processes, is the major focus of this review. In this regard, a framework has also been presented showing the integration of various PSE techniques. All the related information in the form of tabulated data as well as qualitative and quantitative plots have been presented and critically analyzed.
Application of machine learning techniques to predict entrepreneurial firm valuation
Authors: Zhang Ruling , Tian Zengrui , McCarthy Killian J. , Wang Xiao , Zhang Kun
Published: September 2022

Venture capital (VC) is the main contributor to entrepreneurial firms' funding and thus plays a crucial role in their sustainable development and rapid growth. However, early‐stage VC investors often face valuation obstacles to predict firm valuation since entrepreneurial firms lack operational performance records and information asymmetry exists between them. In this paper, an integrated differential evolution algorithm and adaptive moment estimation method scheme (Adam‐ENN) is proposed for early‐stage VC investors to predict entrepreneurial firm valuation. Experimental results show that the proposed machine learning method outperforms the baseline methods. The feature contribution analysis and partial dependence plots were performed to open up the black box of the relationships between entrepreneurial firm valuation and its features. Results indicate that the number of VC investors in the funding syndicate is the most important feature, and VC investors' social capital also plays a significant role in the prediction model. Interestingly, the number of patents cannot convey an effective signal in entrepreneurial firm quality especially in the early‐stage entrepreneurial firm valuation. Finally, this paper helps to guide entrepreneurial firms' valuation using machine learning techniques and offers deep insight into the entrepreneurship financing mechanism from the perspective of VC.
Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is a prognostic marker for laryngeal cancer patients with curative resection
Authors: Lin Qin , Lin Shuchun , Chen Wei , Chen Xiaoqiang , Yi Xuehan , Lu Shoujun , Li Huihui , Li Chen , Wang Desheng
Published: September 2022

Background

To investigate the prognostic value of pre‐treatment Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in laryngeal cancer.

Methods

Preoperative CONUT score was retrospectively calculated in 154 laryngeal cancer patients who underwent curative resection in our hospital from 2013 to 2016. The associations of CONUT with clinicopathological factors and survival were evaluated. The efficacy of CONUT score to predict prognosis was evaluated.

Results

The CONUT score was associated with body mass index (p = 0.033), neutrophil (p = 0.011), tumor size (p = 0.017), pTNM stage (p = 0.001), adjuvant radiotherapy (p < 0.001), negative pathologic factors (p < 0.001), and larynx preservation (p < 0.001). Patients with a higher CONUT score had worse overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–3.72, p = 0.039) and disease‐free survival (hazard ratio: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.19–3.90, p = 0.011). The area under the curve of CONUT score (0.728) was higher than Preoperative Nutritional Index (0.72), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (0.675), and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (0.687).

Conclusion

The CONUT score can be useful for predicting survival in laryngeal cancer patients after curative resection.
Informing a healthy eating and physical activity program to decrease postnatal weight retention: What are women experiencing and what type of program do they want?
Authors: Wilkinson Shelley A. , Guyatt Sheridan , Willcox Jane C.
Published: September 2022

Issue addressed

Retention of weight gained during pregnancy contributes to overweight and obesity and consequent chronic disease risk. Early programs have been successful in improving diet quality, physical activity levels and reducing postnatal weight retention. However, barriers to program engagement remain. This study aimed to investigate women's healthy eating, physical activity and weight experiences and explore their views regarding digital health interventions to assist meeting their lifestyle goals.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive study utilised semi‐structured interviews with women who had recently become mothers who had gestational diabetes or a body mass index above 25 kg/m2. Themes were then identified through thematic analysis of interview transcripts.

Results

Nine women were interviewed (average age 33.4 ± 4.2 years). The two distinct areas of questioning resulted in two overarching topics: (i) Enablers and barriers to maintaining regular physical activity and a healthy dietary pattern; and (ii) characteristics of a postpartum program to enable meeting of diet, physical activity and weight loss goals. These topics each had their own descriptive themes and sub‐themes.

Conclusions

Understanding women's needs and viewpoints for a postnatal diet, physical activity and weight program allows researchers to design a program to maximise engagement and outcomes.

So what?

Any further postnatal program must leverage off existing infrastructure, integrate learnings from published formative work and harnesses the impact of digital delivery. This will improve program accessibility and provide ongoing contact for sustained behaviour change through text messaging and providing digital resources in a dynamic format women can engage with in their own time.
RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed PACSIN3 as a potential novel biomarker for platinum resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Han Gwan Hee , Shim Jung Eun , Yun Hee , Kim Julie , Kim Jae‐Hoon , Cho Hanbyoul
Published: September 2022

Background

Failure to respond to treatment in epithelial ovarian cancer can often be attributed to platinum‐based chemotherapy resistance. However, the possible mechanisms or candidate biomarkers associated with platinum resistance are yet to be elucidated, even though many researchers have performed related studies.

Methods

We performed RNA sequencing of clinical specimens obtained from patients with platinum‐sensitive or resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Furthermore, various bioinformatics approaches, including spatial analysis of functional enrichment, were used to identify key regulators and associated underlying mechanisms of platinum resistance in EOC.

Results

Through RNA‐sequencing, we identified 263 differentially expressed genes (98 upregulated and 165 downregulated) and subjected them to Gene Oncology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses, which were characterized to the traditional platinum‐resistant characteristics. Subsequently, the gene interaction network and module analysis by spatial analysis of functional enrichment software demonstrated protein kinase C and casein kinase substrate in neurons 3 (PACSIN3) as the only upregulated hub gene, and neurotensin (NTS) and KIAA0319 as downregulated hub genes in platinum‐resistant EOC. We selected PACSIN3 for further analysis because it has not been studied in relation to response to platinum‐based chemotherapy. PACSIN3 was significantly upregulated in ovarian cancer cells compared to immortalized human ovarian surface epithelial cells. In addition, cisplatin‐induced apoptosis was measured in PACSIN3 knockout OVCA433 and BRCA‐mutated EOC cell line, SNU251, by a fluorescence‐activated cell sorting‐based Annexin‐V/propium iodide double staining assay, which revealed a significant increase in apoptosis.

Conclusions

Taken together, the present study presents PACSIN3 as a promising predictive biomarker associated with platinum resistance, especially in BRCA‐mutated epithelial ovarian cancers.
Estimation of Cerebral Blood Flow and Arterial Transit Time From Multi‐Delay Arterial Spin Labeling MRI Using a Simulation‐Based Supervised Deep Neural Network
Authors: Ishida Shota , Isozaki Makoto , Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Takei Naoyuki , Kanamoto Masayuki , Kimura Hirohiko , Tsujikawa Tetsuya
Published: September 2022

Background

An inherently poor signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) causes inaccuracy and less precision in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT) when using arterial spin labeling (ASL). Deep neural network (DNN)‐based parameter estimation can solve these problems.

Purpose

To reduce the effects of Rician noise on ASL parameter estimation and compute unbiased CBF and ATT using simulation‐based supervised DNNs.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

One million simulation test data points, 17 healthy volunteers (five women and 12 men, 33.2 ± 14.6 years of age), and one patient with moyamoya disease.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0 T/Hadamard‐encoded pseudo‐continuous ASL with a three‐dimensional fast spin‐echo stack of spirals.

Assessment

Performances of DNN and conventional methods were compared. For test data, the normalized mean absolute error (NMAE) and normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE) between the ground truth and predicted values were evaluated. For in vivo data, baseline CBF and ATT and their relative changes with respect to SNR using artificial noise‐added images were assessed.

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of variance with post‐hoc Tukey's multiple comparison test, paired t‐test, and the Bland–Altman graphical analysis. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.

Results

For both CBF and ATT, NMAE and NRMSE were lower with DNN than with the conventional method. The baseline values were significantly smaller with DNN than with the conventional method (CBF in gray matter, 66 ± 10 vs. 71 ± 12 mL/100 g/min; white matter, 45 ± 6 vs. 46 ± 7 mL/100 g/min; ATT in gray matter, 1424 ± 201 vs. 1471 ± 154 msec). CBF and ATT increased with decreasing SNR; however, their change rates were smaller with DNN than were those with the conventional method. Higher CBF in the prolonged ATT region and clearer contrast in ATT were identified by DNN in a clinical case.

Data Conclusion

DNN outperformed the conventional method in terms of accuracy, precision, and noise immunity.

Evidence Level: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1
Hepatitis C subtyping assay failure in UK patients born in sub‐Saharan Africa: Implications for global treatment and elimination
Authors: Adeboyejo Kazeem , King Barnabas J. , Tsoleridis Theocharis , Tarr Alexander W. , McLauchlan John , Irving William L. , Ball Jonathan K. , McClure C. Patrick
Published: September 2022

Background and Aims

The newly developed direct‐acting antivirals have revolutionized the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), with cure rates as high as 98% in some cohorts. Although genome sequencing has demonstrated that some subtypes of HCV naturally harbor drug resistance associated substitutions (RAS), these are often overlooked as “rarities.” Furthermore, commercial subtyping assays and associated epidemiological findings are skewed towards Western cohorts and whole‐genome sequencing can be problematic to deploy without significant infrastructure and training support. We thus aimed to develop a simple, robust and accurate HCV subtyping pipeline, to optimize and streamline molecular detection and sequence‐based typing of diverse RAS‐containing subtypes.

Methods

HCV serum derived from 146 individuals, whose likely source of infection was from sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) was investigated with a novel panel of single round polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting NS5B and NS5A genomic regions. Virus subtype assignments were determined by pairwise‐distance analysis and compared to both diagnostic laboratory assignments and free‐to‐use online typing tools.

Results

Partial NS5A and NS5B sequences were respectively obtained from 131 to 135 HCV‐positive patients born in 19 different countries from SSA but attending clinics in the UK. We determined that routine clinical diagnostic methods incorrectly subtyped 59.0% of samples, with a further 6.8% incorrectly genotyped. Of five commonly used online tools, Geno2Pheno performed most effectively in determining a subtype in agreement with pairwise distance analysis.

Conclusion

This study provides a simple low‐cost pathway to accurately subtype in SSA, guide regional therapeutic choice and assist global surveillance and elimination initiatives.
Influencing diversity beliefs through a personal testimonial, promotion‐focused approach
Authors: Vongswasdi Pisitta , Leroy Hannes , Shemla Meir , Hoever Inga , Khattab Jasmien
Published: September 2022

Although researchers have highlighted the importance of diversity beliefs (i.e., team members' perceived value of diversity) for the elaboration of information in teams, little attention has been paid to whether and how diversity beliefs can be shaped. Drawing on theory and research on team diversity beliefs, we propose that diversity beliefs are more effectively influenced by interventions using a promotion (compared with a prevention) focus toward diversity and personal testimonial (compared with factual) knowledge. Results from an experiment conducted with 175 teams revealed that both a promotion focus and personal testimonial knowledge independently contributed to more positive diversity beliefs and consequently increased team elaboration of task‐relevant information as well as integration of different perspectives. Our results reveal key factors that can influence diversity beliefs and underscore the pivotal role of diversity beliefs in improving the extent to which team members elaborate information and integrate diverse perspectives.
Distributed service with proximal capacity and pricing on a two‐sided sharing economy platform
Authors: Lee Kyungmin (Brad) , Bellamy Marcus A. , Joglekar Nitin R.
Published: September 2022

In this article, we characterize the relationship between spatial pricing and capacity based on distributed service design (DSD) decisions in a two‐sided sharing economy platform. We leverage theoretical tenets on two‐sided markets and on spatial pricing and capacity management in the sharing economy to inform a set of empirical and simulation models. Empirically, we use data on 156,520 observations of dynamic pricing and capacity distribution within Uber's San Francisco region. Estimation of a spatial econometric model reveals that the number of active drivers in neighboring zones negatively impacts the price in focal zones. Simultaneously, we find that spatial proximity is a significant factor in determining the distribution of prices when service demand levels are sufficiently high. We leverage this simultaneity finding to advance the literature on the sharing economy by incorporating operational considerations such as distributed capacity into service design. We link these econometric results with profit and welfare using a simulation that tests a variety of DSD pricing strategies under varying elasticity and revenue‐sharing conditions. Our findings offer guidance to firms managing two‐sided sharing economy platforms on tracking demand‐ and supply side price elasticity levels as well as revenue sharing spread when seeking to maximize profit, welfare, or both.
Human serum N‐glycome profiling via the newly developed asparagine immobilized cellulose/polymer nanohybrid
Authors: Sajid Muhammad Salman , Saleem Muhammad Nakash , Jabeen Fahmida , Saleem Shafaq , Iqbal Sabeen , Habib Shahid , Ashiq Muhammad Naeem , Ressom Habtom W. , Najam‐ul‐Haq Muhammad
Published: September 2022

Human serum N‐linked glycans expression levels change during the disease progression. The low abundance, structural diversity, and coexisting matrices hinder their detection in mass spectrometry analysis. Considering the hydrophilic nature of N‐glycans, cellulose/polymer (1,2‐Epoxy‐5‐hexene) nanohybrid is fabricated with oxirane groups functionalized of asparagine to develop solid phase extraction based hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography sorbent (cellulose/1,2‐Epoxy‐5‐hexene/asparagine). The morphology, elemental analysis, and surface properties are studied through scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The large surface area of cellulose/polymer nanohybrid (2.09 × 102 m2/g) facilitates the high density of asparagine immobilization resulting in better hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography enrichment under optimized conditions. The enrichment capability of nanohybrid/asparagine is assessed by the N‐Linked glycans released from ovalbumin and immunoglobulin G where 23 and 13 N‐glycans are detected respectively. The nanohybrid/asparagine shows selectivity of 1:1200 with spiked bovine serum albumin and sensitivity down to 100 attomole. Human serum profiling for N‐glycans identifies 52 glycan structures. This new enrichment strategy enriches serum N‐linked glycans in the presence of salts, proteins, endogenous serum peptides, and so forth.
Development and optimization of a method based on dispersive solid phase extraction followed by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole/orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of 30 mycotoxins in Citrus products
Authors: Yang Huan , Wang Wei , Zeng Li , Liang Run , Xiao Quanwei , Zhou Yan , Wu Wenlin , Deng Fang
Published: September 2022

Citrus, a raw material widely used in food and medicine, is susceptible to fungal infection and its metabolites during growth, transportation, and storage. Thus, monitoring the residual levels of various mycotoxins in Citrus traditional Chinese medicines and related products is crucial. This study described a simple, reliable, and sensitive method for simultaneous identification and quantification of 30 mycotoxins in Citrus products. The method is based on modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction and purification followed by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole/orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The limit of detection ranged from 0.10 to 1.50 μg/kg, and the quantification ranged from 0.25 to 5.00 μg/kg. The recoveries at three spiked levels were 64.90–99.72% and the relative standard deviation was less than 12%. The method was applied to 55 Citrus samples. The detection rates of tentoxin and mycophenolic acid were the highest, reaching 22.7% and with concentration ranges of 0.33–1.03 and 0.57–2.09 μg/kg, respectively. All contamination levels were below the maximum residue limits recommended by the European Commission and China. These results could be used to establish guidelines for screening mycotoxins in Citrus products and the limits of acceptable levels.
Kurarinone alleviates hemin‐induced neuroinflammation and microglia‐mediated neurotoxicity by shifting microglial M1/M2 polarization via regulating the IGF1/PI3K/Akt signaling
Authors: Jia Zeng‐Qiang , Zuo Cheng , Yue Wen‐Feng
Published: September 2022

Cerebral hemorrhage is a fatal disease that causes severe damage to local nerve function. The purpose of this research is to analyze the effect of kurarinone on hemin‐induced neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. In our study, according to the results of bioinformatics analysis, we hypothesized that kurarinone might modulate cerebral hemorrhage advancement via the insulin‐like growth factor 1/phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/protein kinase B (IGF1/PI3K/Akt) signaling. Kurarinone promoted M2 microglia polarization, and curbed M1 polarization and inflammation in human microglial cells (HMC3) cells with hemin treatment. Besides, kurarinone upregulated IGF1 expression and activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in hemin‐treated HMC3 cells. In addition, downregulation of IGF1 or inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling weakened the effects of kurarinone on microglia polarization and inflammation in HMC3 cells with hemin treatment. Kurarinone alleviated apoptosis and oxidative damage of SH‐SY5Y cells co‐cultured with hemin‐treated HMC3 cells. In conclusion, kurarinone lessened hemin‐induced neuroinflammation and microglia‐mediated neurotoxicity by regulating microglial polarization through modulating the IGF1/PI3K/Akt signaling. These results delivered a new prospective therapeutic drug for the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage.
A Smartphone Application and Education Program for Hearing Health Promotion in High School Teenagers
Authors: Chang Jolie L. , Huwyler Camille , Yoshida Norimasa , Henderson Sabes Jennifer , Cheung Steven W.
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To assess knowledge retention after video‐based hearing health education and measure headphone listening behavior change using a novel smartphone application.

Methods

In this prospective longitudinal study, students participated in video‐based hearing health education and hearing screening sessions. Hearing health knowledge was assessed in students and parents after 6 weeks. A novel smartphone application was created to measure daily noise exposure based on volume settings with headphone use and to display the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) noise doses with alerts for cumulative daily doses nearing the maximum.

Results

Seventy‐six teenage students and parents participated. Eighty three percent of participants identified as a racial or ethnic minority and 66% were of low‐income socioeconomic status. Hearing health knowledge was retained in students 6 weeks after education and parents’ knowledge improved from baseline. The smartphone app was installed on 12 student phones, and 25% of days monitored exhibited noise doses that exceeded the NIOSH maximum. App use for at least 10 days by nine students showed a significant reduction in average daily noise dose and time spent at the highest volume settings during the second‐half of app use.

Conclusions

Video‐based hearing health education with knowledge question reinforcement was associated with knowledge retention in students and improved parental attitudes and knowledge about hearing conservation. A smartphone app with a real‐time display of headphone cumulative noise exposure dose identified at‐risk students. The integration of hearing health education, hearing screening, and digital health tools has promised to promote positive behavior changes for long‐term hearing conservation.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:2007–2013, 2023
Mastoid Obliteration Decreases the Recurrent and Residual Disease: Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Illés Kata , Meznerics Fanni Adél , Dembrovszky Fanni , Fehérvári Péter , Bánvölgyi András , Csupor Dezső , Hegyi Péter , Horváth Tamás
Published: September 2022

Objective

Our study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mastoid obliteration compared to the canal wall up (CWU) technique in cholesteatoma surgery based on the systematic review of the literature and the meta‐analysis of the data.

Methods

The systematic search was performed in four major databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and CENTRAL) on October 14, 2021. Studies comparing the CWU technique and mastoid obliteration were included. The exclusion criteria were less than 12 months follow‐up, congenital cholesteatoma, indefinite description of the surgical method, and animal studies. The protocol was registered on Prospero (registration number: CRD42021282485). The risk of bias was evaluated with the ROBINS‐I tool. Residual and recurrent disease proportions as primary outcomes, quality of life, ear discharge, infection rates, hearing results, and operation time as secondary outcomes were analyzed. In the quantitative synthesis, the random effect model was used, and heterogeneity was identified.

Results

A total of 11 articles with 2077 operations' data were found eligible. All the identified studies were retrospective cohorts. The odds of pooled residual and recurrent disease proportion were significantly lower in the obliteration group compared to CWU (OR = 0.45, CI:0.28;0.80, p = 0.014). However, when separated, the proportion of ears with recurrent (OR = 0.41, CI:0.11;1.57, p = 0.140) or residual (OR = 0.59, CI:0.23, 1.50, p = 0.207) disease did not show a significant difference, even though the odds were quite similar. The qualitative synthesis identified no significant difference in the secondary outcomes, but obliteration elongated the operation time.

Conclusion

Mastoid obliteration significantly decreased the proportion of residual and recurrent cholesteatoma in pooled analyses compared to the CWU technique with low‐quality of data.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 133:1297–1305, 2023
Virtual audiometric testing using smartphone mobile applications to detect hearing loss
Authors: Yesantharao Lekha V. , Donahue Mary , Smith Amanda , Yan Haijuan , Agrawal Yuri
Published: September 2022

Objective

The COVID‐19 pandemic drove the need for remote audiometric testing in the form of mobile applications for hearing assessment. This study sought to determine the accuracy of two smartphone‐based hearing assessment applications, Mimi and uHear, against the gold standard of in‐clinic audiometric testing.

Methods

One hundred patients that presented to clinic for hearing assessment were randomly assigned to take either the Mimi or uHear hearing test alongside standard audiometric testing. Hearing thresholds measured using mobile applications were compared to those from audiometric testing to assess validity. Patient satisfaction was measured using a questionnaire that queried if the app met the user's need, if they would recommend the app to others, and how likely they were to use the app again.

Results

Using Mimi, there were no differences in average hearing levels measured at any frequency when compared to standard audiometric testing. uHear overestimated hearing loss at 500 and 1000 Hz (p < .001 for both) by 5–10 Hz, and underestimated hearing loss at 6000 Hz (p < .001) by 5–10 Hz compared to standard audiometric testing. When stratified by level of hearing impairment, uHear overestimated impairment in those with normal hearing (p < .001). Mimi had higher sensitivity (0.971) and specificity (0.912) for hearing loss (defined as a pure tone average for 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz greater than 25 dB) than uHear (0.914 and 0.780, respectively). However, uHear outranked Mimi on all three questions in the satisfaction questionnaire (p = .01, p = .03, and p = .02, respectively).

Conclusion

Mimi appears to be a reasonable substitute for standard audiometric testing when individuals cannot present to clinic for gold standard testing; however, the Mimi user experience can be improved.

Level of evidence

Level II.
Planktonic microbial communities from microbialite‐bearing lakes sampled along a salinity‐alkalinity gradient
Authors: Iniesto Miguel , Moreira David , Benzerara Karim , Reboul Guillaume , Bertolino Paola , Tavera Rosaluz , López‐García Purificación
Published: September 2022

Continental freshwater systems are particularly vulnerable to environmental variation. Climate change‐induced desertification and the anthropogenic exploitation of hydric resources result in the progressive evaporation and salinization of inland water bodies in many areas of the globe. However, how this process impacts microbial communities and their activities in biogeochemical cycles is poorly known. Here, we take a space‐for‐time substitution approach and characterize the prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial communities of two planktonic cell‐size fractions (0.2–5 μm and 5–30 μm) from lakes of diverse trophic levels sampled along a salinity‐alkalinity gradient located in the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). We applied a 16S/18S rRNA gene metabarcoding strategy to determine the microbial community composition of 54 samples from 12 different lakes, from the low‐salinity lake Zirahuén to the hypersaline residual ponds of Rincón de Parangueo. Except for systems at both extremes of the salinity gradient, most lakes along the evaporation trend bear actively forming microbialites, which harbor microbial communities clearly distinct from those of plankton. Several lakes were sampled in winter and late spring and the crater lakes Alchichica and Atexcac were sampled across the water column. Physicochemical parameters related to salinity‐alkalinity were the most influential drivers of microbial community structure whereas trophic status, depth, or season were less important. Our results suggest that climate change and anthropogenic‐induced hydric deficit could significantly affect microbial communities, potentially altering ecosystem functioning.