bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Palladium‐Catalyzed Site‐Selective C7 Oxidative Arylation of 4‐EWG‐1H‐Indazoles
Authors: Ouazzani Chahdi Chaimae , Boujdi Khalid , El Brahmi Nabil , Mathé‐Allainmat Monique , Mouhi Eddine Hachim , Akssira Mohamed , Guillaumet Gérald , Lebreton Jacques , Koubachi Jamal , El Kazzouli Saïd
Published: July 2023

An efficient palladium‐catalyzed oxidative arylation of substituted 1H‐indazole with various arenes and heteroarenes as coupling partners is reported. A site selective C7 oxidative arylation was perfectly achieved with a directing electron‐withdrawing groups (EWG) located at the C4 position of the 1H‐indazole. The desired products are obtained in moderate to good yields from 4‐NO2 or 4‐CO2Me 1H‐indazoles and various (hetero)aryls as coupling partners in the presence of Pd(OAc)2 as catalyst, phenanthroline as ligand, Ag2CO3 as oxidant and NaOH as the base. Density functional theory was also conducted for reaction mechanism comprehension. This approach provides a highly effective, direct, and atom economical way to build C7‐ (het)arylated 1H‐indazole compounds.
Synthesis of a Porous [14]Annulene Graphene Nanoribbon and a Porous [30]Annulene Graphene Nanosheet on Metal Surfaces
Authors: Qin Tianchen , Guo Dezhou , Xiong Juanjuan , Li Xingyu , Hu Lei , Yang Weishan , Chen Zijie , Wu Yulun , Ding Honghe , Hu Jun , Xu Qian , Wang Tao , Zhu Junfa
Published: July 2023

The electrical and mechanical properties of graphene‐based materials can be tuned by the introduction of nanopores, which are sensitively related to the size, morphology, density, and location of nanopores. The synthesis of low‐dimensional graphene nanostructures containing well‐defined nonplanar nanopores has been challenging due to the intrinsic steric hindrance. Herein, we report the selective synthesis of one‐dimensional (1D) graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) containing periodic nonplanar [14]annulene pores on Ag(111) and two‐dimensional (2D) porous graphene nanosheet containing periodic nonplanar [30]annulene pores on Au(111), starting from a same precursor. The formation of distinct products on the two substrates originates from the different thermodynamics and kinetics of coupling reactions. The reaction mechanisms were confirmed by a series of control experiments, and the appropriate thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for optimizing the reaction pathways were proposed. In addition, the combined scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed the electronic structures of porous graphene structures, demonstrating the impact of nonplanar pores on the π‐conjugation of molecules.
Pan‐cancer analyses reveal multi‐omic signatures and clinical implementations of the forkhead‐box gene family
Authors: Bi Xiaoman , Zheng Dehua , Cai Jiale , Xu Dahua , Chen Liyang , Xu Zhizhou , Cao Meng , Li Peihu , Shen Yutong , Wang Hong , Zheng Wuping , Wu Deng , Zheng Shaojiang , Li Kongning
Published: July 2023

Background

Forkhead box (FOX) proteins belong to one of the largest transcription factor families and play crucial roles in the initiation and progression of cancer. Prior research has linked several FOX genes, such as FOXA1 and FOXM1, to the crucial process of carcinogenesis. However, the overall picture of FOX gene family across human cancers is far from clear.

Methods

To investigate the broad molecular signatures of the FOX gene family, we conducted study on multi‐omics data (including genomics, epigenomics and transcriptomics) from over 11,000 patients with 33 different types of human cancers.

Results

Pan‐cancer analysis reveals that FOX gene mutations were found in 17.4% of tumor patients with a substantial cancer type‐dependent pattern. Additionally, high expression heterogeneity of FOX genes across cancer types was discovered, which can be partially attributed to the genomic or epigenomic alteration. Co‐expression network analysis reveals that FOX genes may exert functions by regulating the expression of both their own and target genes. For a clinical standpoint, we provided 103 FOX gene‐drug target‐drug predictions and found FOX gene expression have potential survival predictive value. All of the results have been included in the FOX2Cancer database, which is freely accessible at http://hainmu‐biobigdata.com/FOX2Cancer.

Conclusion

Our findings may provide a better understanding of roles FOX genes played in the development of tumors, and help to offer new avenues for uncovering tumorigenesis and unprecedented therapeutic targets.
Integrating Ligands into Nucleic Acid Systems
Authors: Wang Yang , Liu Yan , Wang Liang‐Liang , Zhang Qiu‐Long , Xu Liang
Published: July 2023

Signal transduction from non‐nucleic acid ligands (small molecules and proteins) to structural changes of nucleic acids plays a crucial role in both biomedical analysis and cellular regulations. However, how to bridge between these two types of molecules without compromising the expandable complexity and programmability of the nucleic acid nanomachines is a critical challenge. Compared with the previously most widely applied transduction strategies, we review the latest advances of a kinetically controlled approach for ligand‐oligonucleotide transduction in this Concept article. This new design works through an intrinsic conformational alteration of the nucleic acid aptamer upon the ligand binding as a governing factor for nucleic acid strand displacement reactions. The functionalities and applications of this transduction system as a ligand converter on biosensing and DNA computation are described and discussed. Furthermore, we propose some potential scenarios for utilization of this ligand transduction design to regulate gene expression through synthetic RNA switches in the cellular contexts. Finally, future perspectives regarding this ligand‐oligonucleotide transduction platform are also discussed.
Sex‐related differences in outcome after left atrial appendage occlusion: Insights from Europe and the EWOLUTION registry
Authors: Paitazoglou Christina , Eitel Ingo , Stiermaier Thomas , Ince Hueseyin , Kische Stephan , Pokushalov Evgeny , Schmitz Thomas , Schmidt Boris , Gori Tommaso , Meincke Felix , Vireca Elisa , Wohlmuth Peter , Lucas Boersma , Bergmann Martin W. ,   EWOLUTION Investigators
Published: July 2023

Background

Women with atrial fibrillation (AF) generally experience worse symptoms, poorer quality of life, and have a higher risk of stroke and death. There is limited availability of sex‐related differences regarding left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO).

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sex‐related differences in patients undergoing LAAO in EWOLUTION.

Methods

A total of 1025 patients scheduled for elective LAAO therapy employing the WATCHMAN Gen 2.5 prospectively consented for participation; 1005 patients received a successful implant and were followed for 2 years. As we detected sex‐related differences in baseline data we performed a propensity score matching. The primary endpoint is a combined endpoint of survival free from mortality, major bleeding, ischemic stroke, transitory ischemic attack (TIA) and systemic embolization (SE) up to 2‐year clinical follow‐up. Secondary Endpoints were periprocedural data and overall 2‐year survival.

Results

Women were older but had less often vascular disease and hemorrhagic stroke. There was no sex‐related significant difference after LAAO at 2 years in the combined endpoint of survival free from mortality, major bleeding, ischemic stroke, TIA, and SE (female vs. male: 79% vs.76%, p = 0.24) or in overall survival (female vs. male: 85% vs. 82%, p = 0.16). Procedural data showed a higher sealing rate after the implantation in women (complete sealing female 94% vs. male 90%, p = 0.033), significantly more pericardial effusions (female 1.2% vs. male 0.2%, p = 0.031) and a similar periprocedural risk profile.

Conclusions

Females undergoing LAAO differ in various baseline variables, but after adjustment, we observed similar safety and efficacy of LAAO with no significant difference in long‐term outcomes between women and men.
Continuous Generation of Gas‐Water Slugs with Improved Size Uniformity at a Tunable Scale
Authors: Mou Mingyao , dela Rosa Loren , Mugumya Jethrine H. , Jiang Mo
Published: July 2023

Slug flow has received increased interest due to the slugs serving as individual microreactors for enhanced process efficiency and product quality. In this study, slugs were continuously generated in various scales and sizes, with slug size uniformity studied by in‐line imaging. Different strategies of gas flow control and slug scale‐up were evaluated regarding the slug size distribution. With modified gas flow control, the slug uniformity was improved significantly. Slug flow can also be scaled up without sacrificing slug size uniformity, either by increasing the reservoir feeding volume or the flow rate. The type of gas used (air and nitrogen) to generate slugs does not affect the slug size uniformity. A narrow slug size distribution can improve the particle size distribution and, hence, lead to better product quality.
Hydrogen Bonded Dimer of an Alcohol with the Derived Carboxylic Acid Triggering their Sorption by Nanoporous‐crystalline PPO Films
Authors: Nagendra Baku , Cozzolino Antonietta , Acocella Maria Rosaria , Daniel Christophe , Rizzo Paola , Guerra Gaetano
Published: July 2023

Films exhibiting nanoporous‐crystalline (NC) phases of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene) oxide (PPO), which are highly effective to absorb apolar organic guest molecules, are also able to absorb polar molecules (like alcohols and carboxylic acids) but only from concentrated organic solutions. NC PPO films, which do not absorb alcohols and carboxylic acids from diluted aqueous solutions, exhibits a huge uptake (even above 30 wt %) of benzyl alcohol (BAL) and benzoic acid (BA), if BA is obtained by spontaneous room temperature oxidation of BAL in aqueous solution. This phenomenon is rationalized by an easy uptake, mainly by the PPO intrahelical crystalline empty channels, of a BAL/BA 1/1 hydrogen‐bonded dimer. This huge uptake of BAL/BA dimer by NC PPO films, which is also fast for films exhibiting the orientation of the crystalline helices perpendicular to the film plane (c⊥ orientation), can be exploited for purification of water from BAL, when present in traces. High and fast sorption of a hydrogen bonded dimer and negligible sorption of the two separate compounds is possibly unprecedented for absorbent materials.
Strong Be−N Interaction Induced Complementary Chemical Tuning to Design a Dual‐gated Single Molecule Junction
Authors: Sutradhar Dipankar , Sarmah Amrit , Hobza Pavel , Chandra Asit K.
Published: July 2023

The interaction between pyridines and the π‐hole of BeH2 leads to the formation of strong beryllium‐bonded complexes. Theoretical investigations demonstrate that the Be−N bonding interaction can effectively regulate the electronic current through a molecular junction. The electronic conductance exhibits distinct switching behavior depending on the substituent groups at the para position of pyridine, highlighting the role of Be−N interaction as a potent chemical gate in the proposed device. The complexes exhibit short intermolecular distances ranging from 1.724 to 1.752 Å, emphasizing their strong binding. Detailed analysis of electronic rearrangements and geometric perturbations upon complex formation provides insights into the underlying reasons for the formation of such strong Be−N bonds, with bond strengths varying from −116.25 to −92.96 kJ/mol. Moreover, the influence of chemical substituents on the local electronic transmission of the beryllium‐bonded complex offers valuable insights for the implementation of a secondary chemical gate in single‐molecule devices. This study paves the way for the development of chemically gateable, functional single‐molecule transistors, advancing the design and fabrication of multifunctional single‐molecule devices in the nanoscale regime.
Best Practices and Considerations for Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometric Aspects for Optimal Development of CAR‐T and TCR‐T Cell Therapies: An Industry Perspective
Authors: Mody Hardik , Ogasawara Ken , Zhu Xu , Miles Dale , Shastri Prathap Nagaraja , Gokemeijer Jochem , Liao Michael Z. , Kasichayanula Sreeneeranj , Yang Tong‐Yuan , Chemuturi Nagendra , Gupta Swati , Jawa Vibha , Upreti Vijay V.
Published: July 2023

With the promise of a potentially “single dose curative” paradigm, CAR‐T cell therapies have brought a paradigm shift in the treatment and management of hematological malignancies. Both CAR‐T and TCR‐T cell therapies have also made great progress toward the successful treatment of solid tumor indications. The field is rapidly evolving with recent advancements including the clinical development of “off‐the‐shelf” allogeneic CAR‐T therapies that can overcome the long and difficult “vein‐to‐vein” wait time seen with autologous CAR‐T therapies. There are unique clinical pharmacology, pharmacometric, bioanalytical, and immunogenicity considerations and challenges in the development of these CAR‐T and TCR‐T cell therapies. Hence, to help accelerate the development of these life‐saving therapies for the patients with cancer, experts in this field came together under the umbrella of International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development (IQ) to form a joint working group between the Clinical Pharmacology Leadership Group (CPLG) and the Translational and ADME Sciences Leadership Group (TALG). In this white paper, we present the IQ consortium perspective on the best practices and considerations for clinical pharmacology and pharmacometric aspects toward the optimal development of CAR‐T and TCR‐T cell therapies.
Dissecting the effect of ileal faecal diversion on the intestine using single‐cell sequencing
Authors: Ma Haitao , Li Xiaolong , Pan Yiyang , Wang Liucan , Han Ben , Xie Huichao , Zheng Hong , Jiang Enlai , Chen Jianghong , Li Yunbo , Ji Guangyan , Qiu Yuan , Xiao Weidong
Published: July 2023

Background

Although ileal faecal diversion is commonly used in clinical settings, complications accompany it. Elucidating the intestinal changes caused by ileal faecal diversion will help resolve postoperative complications and elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of associated intestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease (CD). Therefore, our study aimed to provide new insights into the effects of ileal faecal diversion on the intestine and the potential mechanisms.

Methods

Single‐cell RNA sequencing was performed on proximal functional and paired distal defunctioned intestinal mucosae from three patients with ileal faecal diversion. We also performed in vitro cellular and animal experiments, tissue staining and analysed public datasets to validate our findings.

Results

We found that the epithelium in the defunctioned intestine tended to be immature, with defective mechanical and mucous barriers. However, the innate immune barrier in the defunctioned intestine was enhanced. Focusing on the changes in goblet cells, we demonstrated that mechanical stimulation promotes the differentiation and maturation of goblet cells through the TRPA1‐ERK pathway, indicating that the absence of mechanical stimulation may be the main cause of defects in the goblet cells of the defunctioned intestine. Furthermore, we found obvious fibrosis with a pro‐fibrotic microenvironment in the defunctioned intestine and identified that monocytes may be important targets for faecal diversion to alleviate CD.

Conclusions

This study revealed the different transcription landscapes of various cell subsets and the potential underlying mechanisms within the defunctioned intestine, when compared to the functional intestine, based on the background of ileal faecal diversion. These findings provide novel insights for understanding the physiological and pathological roles of the faecal stream in the intestine.
Intelligent deep learning‐aided future beam and proactive handoff prediction model in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle‐assisted anti‐jamming Terahertz communication system
Authors: Unnisa Nazeer , Tatineni Madhavi , Fatima Kaleem , Pasha Mohammad Mahaboob
Published: July 2023

Wireless communications often suffer from legitimate transmissions regarding malicious jamming attacks launched through the smart jammer. The drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication networks derived with reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) increase the issues of beam selection and proactive handoff in terahertz (THz). Thus, a new heuristic strategy is designed for efficient and incorporated optimization of the beamforming vector and anti‐jamming transmit power allocation in undefined environments. Here, the transmit power allocation and beamforming matrix of UAV are optimized with the developed hybrid heuristic algorithm of the Hybrid Crow Black Widow Search Optimization (HCBWSO) algorithm for maximizing the system achievable rate. Here, the HCBWSO algorithm is implemented to integrate with the Crow search algorithm (CSO) and Black Widow Optimization (BWO). The second contribution is to adopt RIS into THz–UAV communications, a new Enhanced Deep Temporal Convolutional Network (EDTCN) for predicting the future beam and proactive handoff of UAVs based on their prior analysis of the UAV locations, where the HCBWSO algorithm is utilized for recommending EDTCN. Here, the training of the EDTCN needs to be done with the collection of UAV information from the DEEPMIMO dataset for predicting the future beams and, also, tracking the location of the UAV. EDTCN helps in increasing the possibility of expanding the UAV coverage and also increases the consistency of the THz communication system. Thus, the prediction of the future beam increases the coverage area of the UAV and also maximizes the system rate in the THz communication system.
Integrative systematics and evolutionary history of Berylmys bowersi (Mammalia, Rodentia, Muridae)
Authors: Xu Yifan , Hu Jiangxiao , Shi Zifan , Chen Wenwen , Zhou Jiajun , Zhang Baowei , Yong Fan , Khanal Laxman , Jiang Xuelong , Chen Zhongzheng
Published: July 2023

The Bower's Berylmys (Berylmys bowersi) is one of the largest rodent species with a wide distribution range in southern China and the Indochinese Peninsula. The taxonomy and evolutionary history of the B. bowersi is still controversial and confusing. In this study, we used two mitochondrial (Cyt b and COI) and three nuclear (GHR, IRBP, and RAG1) genes to estimate the phylogeny, divergence times, and biogeographic history of B. bowersi. We also explored morphological variations among the specimens collected across China. Our phylogenetic analyses indicated that the traditional B. bowersi contains at least two species: B. bowersi and B. latouchei. Berylmys latouchei was considered a junior synonym of B. bowersi distributed in eastern China, which is confirmed to be distinguishable at specific level because of its larger size, relatively larger and whiter hind feet, and several cranial traits. The estimated split of B. bowersi and B. latouchei was at the early Pleistocene (ca. 2.00 Mya), which might be the outcome of the combined effects of climate change in the early Pleistocene and isolation by the Minjiang River. Our results highlight the Wuyi Mountains in northern Fujian, China, as a glacial refugia during the Pleistocene and call for more intensive surveys and systematic revisions of small mammals in eastern China.
Beyond Kuhnian paradigms: Normal science and theory dependence in ecology
Authors: Layman Craig A. , Rypel Andrew L.
Published: July 2023

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn has influenced scientists for decades. It focuses on a progression of science involving periodic, fundamental shifts—revolutions—from one existing paradigm to another. Embedded in this theory is the concept of normal science, that is, scientists work within the confines of established theory, a process often compared to a type of puzzle‐solving. This Kuhnian aspect of scientific research has received little attention relative to the much‐scrutinized concepts of revolutions and paradigms. We use Kuhn's normal science framework to reflect on the way ecologists practice science. This involves a discussion of how theory dependence influences each step of the scientific method, specifically, how past experiences and existing research frameworks guide the way ecologists acquire knowledge. We illustrate these concepts with ecological examples, including food web structure and the biodiversity crisis, emphasizing that the way one views the world influences how that person engages in scientific research. We conclude with a discussion of how Kuhnian ideas inform ecological research at practical levels, such as influences on grant funding allocation, and we make a renewed call for the inclusion of philosophical foundations of ecological principles in pedagogy. By studying the processes and traditions of how science is carried out, ecologists can better direct scientific insight to address the world's most pressing environmental problems.
Cross‐domain state‐of‐health estimation of Li‐ion batteries based on transfer neural network with soft‐dynamic time warping
Authors: Zhang Wenliang , Hu Jingwei , Lin Bing , Liu Dui , Wang Mingfen , Mu Delong , Lu Yu
Published: July 2023

The success of deep learning in the field of state‐of‐health (SOH) estimation relies on a large amount of battery data and the fact that all data possess the same probability distribution. While in real situations, a model based on one working condition data set may not be valid for another working condition data set due to distribution differences. Therefore, this article proposes a transfer learning method using soft‐dynamic time warping (soft‐DTW) as the statistical feature in the feature transfer method, called soft‐DTW domain adaptation network (SDDAN). By combining the prediction error with the time‐series gap in the model training process, the feature transformation can make the obtained prediction results more similar to the source domain results, which can help us to obtain better prediction results in the target domain. Experimental results show that SDDAN can effectively predict the SOH of Li‐ion batteries and significantly improve the performance of feature learning and knowledge transfer.
Survival inequalities in head and neck cancers: A hospital‐based cohort study
Authors: Menezes Fabrício dos Santos , Verzinhasse Peres Stela , de Castro Junior Gilberto , Antunes José Leopoldo Ferreira , Latorre Maria do Rosário Dias de Oliveira , Toporcov Tatiana Natasha
Published: July 2023

Background

We investigated whether the socioeconomic status (SES) influenced survival rates in oropharynx cancers (OPC), oral cavity cancers (OCC), and larynx cancers (LC) in Brazilian patients.

Methods

This hospital‐based cohort study assessed the age‐standardized 5‐year relative survival (RS) using the Pohar Perme estimator.

Results

Overall, we identified 37 191 cases, and 5‐year RS were 24.4%, 34.1%, and 44.9% in OPC, OCC, and LC, respectively. In multiple Cox regression, the highest risk of death occurred in the most vulnerable social strata for all subsites—that is, illiterates or patients relying on publicly funded healthcare services. Disparities increased over time by 34.9% in OPC due to the rising of survival rates in the highest SES, whereas they reduced by 10.2% and 29.6% in OCC and LC.

Conclusions

The potential inequities were more significant for OPC than for OCC and LC. It is urgent to tackle social disparities to improve prognoses in highly unequal countries.
Analysis of Goldman Applanation Tonometry with and without fluorescein among glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous patients attending Mzuzu Central Hospital in Malawi: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Munyapa Tryness , Mzumara Thokozani , Ogbonna Grace , Mvula Augustine
Published: July 2023

Background and Aim

Goldman Applanation Tonometry (GAT), the gold standard of tonometry, is used without fluorescein in low‐resource settings. Nevertheless, corneal biomechanics differ among population groups.

Purpose

The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between GAT findings with and without fluorescein among glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous adults in Malawi.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional quantitative study involving 22 glaucoma patients and 22 nonglaucoma patients at Mzuzu Central Hospital. We used a purposive sampling technique to select participants into the two groups. Next, we measured intraocular pressure using GAT with and without fluorescein. Then we entered the data into SPSS version 25. We employed the Wilcoxon test to make comparisons based on age and gender. We considered the value of p < 0.05 statistically significant.

Results

There is a statistically significant and strong positive correlation between nfGAT and fGAT among both glaucoma (r = 0.989, p < 0.001) and nonglaucoma (r = 0.955, p < 0.001). According to age, there is no significant difference in IOP value measured with nfGAT and fGAT for both glaucomas (p = 0.109) and nonglaucoma subjects (p = 0.076). However, significant differences were observed between nfGAT and fGAT mean IOP according to sex among both glaucomatous and nonglaucomatous subjects (p = 0.017 and p = 0.32, respectively).

Conclusion

The study suggests that the merits of intraocular pressure measured using GAT without fluorescein are not speculative, therefore the two techniques can be routinely used interchangeably in diagnosing and managing glaucoma.
Spin‐Spin Coupling between the Biradical Moieties in Aromatic Tetraradicals Increases their Reactivity
Authors: Kotha Raghavendhar R. , Yerabolu Ravikiran , Ding Duanchen , Szalwinski Lucas , Nash John J. , Kenttämaa Hilkka I.
Published: July 2023

The reactivity of a carbon‐centered σ,σ,σ,σ‐type singlet tetraradical containing two meta‐benzyne moieties, the 2,4,5,7‐tetradehydroquinolinium cation, was examined in the gas phase toward dimethyl disulfide, cyclohexane and allyl iodide. The major reactions were thiomethyl radical abstraction, H atom abstraction and allyl radical abstraction, respectively. The reactivity of this tetraradical was found to be greater than that of the relevant meta‐benzyne biradicals. The reactivity of individual meta‐benzynes has been found previously to be controlled by their (calculated) distortion energies (ΔE2.30) and singlet‐triplet spittings (ΔES‐T) as well as their electron affinities (EA2.30) at the TS geometry for hydrogen atom abstraction reactions. The addition of another meta‐benzyne moiety to a meta‐benzyne to generate the above tetraradical does not change EA2.30 and only slightly lowers ΔES‐T of both meta‐benzyne moieties. However, ΔE2.30 is significantly decreased for both meta‐benzyne moieties, which explains the higher reactivity of the tetraradical. A similar finding was made previously for an isomeric tetraradical, the 2,4,6,8‐tetradehydroquinolinium cation, that also contains two meta‐benzyne moieties. The decrease in ΔE2.30 is rationalized by a stabilizing coupling between one radical site in each meta‐benzyne moiety for both tetraradicals. Interestingly, the more reactive meta‐benzyne moiety in the two tetraradicals was found to be different: that in the pyridine ring (2,4−) is more reactive for the 2,4,5,7‐tetraradical while that in the benzene ring (6,8−) is more reactive for the 2,4,6,8‐tetraradical. This difference is rationalized by the uniquely small ΔE2.30 value for the 6,8‐moiety in the 2,4,6,8‐tetraradical, which makes this moiety (and this tetraradical) unusually reactive. On the other hand, the ΔE2.30 values for the meta‐benzyne moieties in the 2,4,5,7‐tetraradical are greater and differ only slightly from each other. The slightly greater EA2.30 for the 2,4‐moiety in this tetraradical partially rationalizes the greater reactivity of this moiety when compared to the 5,7‐moiety in the tetraradical.
Identification of novel lncRNA prognostic biomarkers and their associated ceRNAs in bladder urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Lu Sihai , Zhang Xiaobin , Cai Zhiye , Xi Ziyi , Wang Fei , Wang Xuan , Li Wenqi , Dai Penggao
Published: July 2023

Bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUCA) is a common malignant tumor with a high rate of metastasis and recurrence. The lack of specific and sensitive biomarkers for the prognostic assessment makes it important to seek alternatives. Recent studies have demonstrated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) function as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and play an important role in BUCA prognosis. Therefore, this study aimed to establish a prognosis‐related lncRNAs–microRNAs (miRNAs)–messenger RNA (mRNA) (pceRNA) network and identify novel prognostic biomarkers. Integrated weighted coexpression analysis, functional clustering, and ceRNA network were used for the prognostic assessment of BUCA. The transcriptome sequencing datasets of lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were used for the identification of key lncRNAs and construction of the lncRNAs expression signature for prognostic prediction of BUCA patients. Then, 14 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE‐lncRNAs) were identified as candidate prognostic RNAs based on the ceRNAs network and functional clustering. In the Cox regression analysis, two (AC008676.1 and ADAMTS9‐AS1) of all DE‐lncRNAs were significantly associated with overall survival (OS) of BUCA patients. This two DE‐lncRNA signature was significantly correlated with OS and was an independent prognostic factor, which was confirmed in an independent dataset of GSE216037. Moreover, we constructed the pceRNA network that includes 2 DE‐lncRNAs, 9 DE‐miRNAs, and 10 DE‐mRNAs. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that AC008676.1 and ADAMTS9‐AS1 are involved in several cancer‐related pathways such as proteoglycans in cancer and TGF‐beta signaling pathway. The novel‐identified DE‐lncRNA prognostic signature and the pceRNA network in this study will be valuable risk predictors and diagnostic markers for BUCA.
The application of an intraoral banana peel suturing model in surgical training of dental students
Authors: Liu Ying , Cui Nian‐Hui , Ge Wen‐Shu , Xie Shang , An Na , He Xiao‐Yong , Jiang Yong , Wang Dian‐Can
Published: July 2023

Objectives

This study investigated the application of an intraoral banana peel suturing model in helping students to acquire intraoral surgical techniques.

Methods

This is a self‐control study conducted from January 2021 to March 2021. An intraoral banana peel suturing model was implemented to provide oral suture experience for undergraduates majoring in stomatology. The sutures students placed in the model were photographed and evaluated blindly by a professional team using an established scoring system. Training scores were recorded before (training 1) and after 2 months of training (training 2). Linear regression was used to examine factors related to the scores. Suturing training was conducted in the School and Hospital of Stomatology at Peking University. A total of eighty‐two students in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology were in their fourth pre‐clinical year and followed a workshop on surgical sutures according to the curriculum. All students who should take this course were included, and the response rate was 100%.

Results

The mean training 2 score (23.04 ± 3.83) was higher than the mean training 1 score (13.94 ± 3.15). The training 1 score was not significantly correlated with any of the students' general characteristics. The training 2 score was correlated with the training 1 score and the cumulative duration of practice outside of class.

Conclusion

The intraoral banana peel suturing model can be used for suture training, and dental students’ suture ability was improved after using the banana peel for suture practice.
Dental students’ perceptions and educational impact of preclinical interactive videos compared and in combination with live demonstrations
Authors: Tricio Jorge A. , Vicuña Daniela P. , Vicuña Félix P. , Aravena Jaime E. , Naranjo Claudia A. , Orsini César A.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To study the utility of simulation videos with embedded quiz items compared and in combination with live hands‐on demonstrations of dental procedures.

Methods

Thirty‐three videos with embedded items were developed to help students understand the procedures they had to practice in the simulation laboratory. Videos were uploaded to the university LMS platform for students to watch and complete the embedded items as many times as they liked. All 76 students from 2021 and 73 from 2022 Integrated Dentistry III courses were invited to participate in the study. Practical (OSCE) and theoretical (MCQ) exam grades of the 2021 academic year, when interactive videos replaced live demonstrations, were collected and compared to those of the previous years (2017–2020) when only live demonstrations were performed, as were those from the 2022 academic year, when videos were complemented with hands‐on live demonstrations. At the end of each year, a perception questionnaire was voluntarily completed by the students.

Results

Assessment grades were significantly higher in the 2021 academic year when interactive videos were incorporated versus the 2017–2020 period when only live demonstrations were performed. However, the combination of interactive videos with live demonstrations performed during 2022 showed the highest exam grades. Seventy‐nine percent of students answered the questionnaire, highly valued the utility of the interactive videos and liked the embedded items. Overall, they stated that they learned from the videos.

Conclusions

Interactive videos of preclinical procedures with embedded items combined with live demonstrations can significantly enhance students’ learning and are valued by students.
Characterization of neutrophil extracellular traps related gene pair for predicting prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Xu Qian , Ying Huiya , Xie Chunming , Lin Rong , Huang Yangjin , Zhu Ruhuang , Liao Yuejuan , Zeng Yuan , Yu Fujun
Published: July 2023

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant disease with a high incidence rate, high mortality and poor prognosis. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), as an extracellular reticular structure, promote the development and progression of cancer in the tumor microenvironment, and have a promising prospect as a prognostic indicator. In the present study, we elucidated the prognostic value of NET‐related genes.

Methods

The NETs gene pair of The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort was constructed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis. Samples from the International Cancer Genome Consortium were performed to verify its feasibility. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to compare the overall survival (OS) rate of the two subgroups. The independent predictors of OS were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. Furthermore, Gene Ontology term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway were analyzed by gene set enrichment analysis. The single sample gene set enrichment analysis method was performed to deplore the relationship of risk score with tumor immune microenvironment. The GSE149614 dataset was applied as single cell RNA level validation. PCR was performed to the detect mRNA expression profiles of NETs‐related genes.

Results

Our analysis of the NETs‐related model provides a promising prospect as a prognostic indicator. The OS of high‐risk group patients was significantly reduced. The risk score was an important independent predictor of HCC prognosis. The Nomogram model suggested a favorable classification performance. The drug resistance and sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutics was significantly correlated with the prognostic gene expression. The immune status of the two risk groups showed a marked difference.

Conclusions

The novel prognostic gene pair and immune landscape could predict the prognosis of HCC patients and provide a new understanding of immunotherapy in HCC.
Outside the pattern: Evolution of the genital asymmetry in Saicinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae)
Authors: Castro‐Huertas Valentina , Melo María Cecilia
Published: July 2023

Despite genital structures in insects being consistently important as systematic and taxonomy evidence, within assassin bugs (Heteroptera, Reduviidae) at least, the male and female genitalic structures of several subfamilies are poorly or totally unknown. The genital structure is mostly symmetric within Saicinae genera, but male genital asymmetry has been recorded in Gallobelgicus, Polytoxus, and recently Pseudosaica. The subfamily has been considered as closely related to Emesinae and Visayanocorinae but this hypothesis has never been tested using a comprehensive taxa sampling, being a constraint to test morphological traits changes or exploring characters' evolution hypotheses. Here, we compiled a morphological data set of 170 characters that includes external morphological characters and genitalia of both sexes of Saicinae which was analyzed cladistically including 55 terminals, comprising 16 genera (64% of the generic diversity), 43 species of Saicinae and 12 outgroups. Saicinae was recovered as polyphyletic, Saicireta correntina is recovered as sister‐species of Empicoris armatus + Collartida (Emesinae), Oncerotrachelus, Carayonia (Visayanocorinae), and the Clade Saicinae sensu stricto. Carayonia orientalis is recovered as sister‐species of Saicinae sensu stricto. Ancestral state reconstruction of symmetry of the male genitalia shows an ancestor with symmetric male genitalia, two independent emergences of asymmetrical male genitalia within Saicinae sensu stricto, and the asymmetrical endosomal sclerites appearing before the other asymmetric traits.
Synergistic improvement of quinoa protein heat‐induced gel properties treated by high‐intensity ultrasound combined with transglutaminase
Authors: Cao Hongwei , Wang Xiaoxue , Wang Chong , Huang Kai , Zhang Yu , Song Hongdong , Zhang Ying , Guan Xiao
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Quinoa protein is enriched with a wide range of amino acids, including all nine essential amino acids necessary for the human body, and in appropriate proportions. However, as the main ingredient of gluten‐free food, it is difficult for quinoa to form a certain network structure for lack of gluten protein. The aim of this work was to enhance the gel properties of quinoa protein. Therefore, the texture characteristics of quinoa protein treated with different ultrasound intensities coupled with transglutaminase (TGase) were investigated.

RESULTS

The gel strength of quinoa protein gel increased markedly by 94.12% with 600 W ultrasonic treatment, and the water holding capacity increased from 56.6% to 68.33%. The gel solubility was reduced and free amino content increased the apparent viscosity and the consistency index. Changes in the free sulfhydryl group and hydrophobicity indicated that ultrasound stretched protein molecules and exposed active sites. The enhanced intrinsic fluorescence intensity at 600 W demonstrated that ultrasonic treatment affected the conformation of quinoa protein. New bands emerged in sodium dodecylsulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicating that high‐molecular‐weight polymers were generated through TGase‐mediated isopeptide bonds. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy showed that the gel network structure of TGase‐catalyzed quinoa protein was more uniform and denser, thereby improving the gel quality of quinoa protein.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that high‐intensity ultrasound combined with TGase would be an effective way to develop higher‐quality quinoa protein gel. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Feasibility and Utility of Routine Point‐of‐Care Gastric Ultrasonography in Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Procedures: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kalagara Hari , Sondekoppam Rakesh V. , Ahmed Ali M. , Venkata Krishna , Pierce Albert , Roth Kaehler J. , Mitchell Rachel , Redden David , Kyanam Kabir Baig Kondal R. , Peter Shajan
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Previous studies have indicated that point‐of‐care ultrasonography (POCUS) of the gastric antrum can predict the adequacy of fasting before surgery and anesthesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of gastric POCUS in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy procedures.

Methods

We performed a single‐center cohort study in patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy. Consenting patient's gastric antrum was scanned before anesthetic care for endoscopy to determine the cross‐sectional area (CSA) and qualitatively determine safe and unsafe contents. Further, an estimate of residual gastric volume was determined using the formula and the nomogram methods. Subsequently, gastric secretions aspirated during endoscopy were quantified and further correlated with nomogram and formula‐based assessments. No patient required a change in the primary anesthetic plan except for using rapid sequence induction in those with unsafe contents on POCUS scans.

Results

Qualitative ultrasound measurements consistently determined safe and unsafe gastric residual contents in 83 patients enrolled in the study. Unsafe contents were determined by qualitative scans in 4 out of 83 cases (5%) despite adequate fasting status. Quantitatively, only a moderate correlation was demonstrated between measured gastric volumes and nomogram (r = .40, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.57; P = .0002) or formula‐based (r = .38, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.55; P = .0004) determinations of residual gastric volumes.

Conclusion

In daily clinical practice, qualitative POCUS determination of residual gastric content is a feasible and useful technique to identify patients at risk of aspiration before upper GI endoscopy procedures.
Introducing Dynamicity: Engineering Stress Relaxation Into Hydrogels Via Thiol‐Ene Modified Alginate for Mechanobiological in vitro Modeling of the Cornea
Authors: Feliciano Antonio. J. , Grant Rhiannon , Fernández‐Pérez Julia , Giselbrecht Stefan , Baker Matthew. B.
Published: July 2023

Developing biomaterials for corneal repair and regeneration is crucial for maintaining clear vision. The cornea, a specialized tissue, relies on corneal keratocytes, that respond to their mechanical environment. Altering stiffness affects keratocyte behavior, but static stiffness alone cannot capture the dynamic properties of in vivo tissue. This study proposes that the cornea exhibits time‐dependent mechanical properties, similar to other tissues, and aims to replicate these properties in potential therapeutic matrices. First, the cornea's stress relaxation properties are investigated using nanoindentation, revealing 15% relaxation within 10 seconds. Hydrogel dynamicity is then modulated using a specially formulated alginate‐PEG and alginate‐norbornene mixture. The tuning of the hydrogel's dynamicity is achieved through a photoinitiated norbornene‐norbornene dimerization reaction, resulting in relaxation times ranging from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Human primary corneal keratocytes are cultured on these hydrogels, demonstrating reduced αSMA (alpha smooth muscle actin) expression and increased filopodia formation on slower relaxing hydrogels, resembling their native phenotype. This in vitro model can enable the optimization of stress relaxation for various cell types, including corneal keratocytes, to control tissue formation. Combining stress relaxation optimization with stiffness assessment provides a more accurate tool for studying cell behavior and reduces mechanical mismatch with native tissues in implanted constructs.
Spatial attention modulates auditory dominance in audiovisual order judgment
Authors: Cai Mengtong , Bao Yan
Published: July 2023

Auditory dominance in audiovisual temporal order judgment is shown here to be modulated by exogenous orienting of attention to a spatial cue independent of the cue modality. The visual stimulus has to lead the auditory one further in advance for cued relative to uncued locations in order for the two to be perceived simultaneously, possibly suggesting an inhibitory function of spatial attention on temporal processing.
Impact of model‐informed precision dosing on achievement of vancomycin exposure targets in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Frymoyer Adam , Schwenk Hayden T. , Brockmeyer Jake M. , Bio Laura
Published: July 2023

Background

Vancomycin is commonly used to treat acute pulmonary exacerbations in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and a history of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Optimizing vancomycin exposure during therapy is essential and area under‐the‐curve (AUC)‐guided dosing is now recommended. Model‐informed precision dosing (MIPD) utilizing Bayesian forecasting is a powerful approach that can support AUC‐guided dose individualization. The objective of the current study was to examine the impact of implementing an AUC‐guided dose individualization approach supported via a MIPD clinical decision support (CDS) tool on vancomycin exposure, target attainment rate, and safety in pediatric patients with CF treated with vancomycin during clinical care.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed in patients with CF at a single children's hospital comparing pre‐ and post‐implementation of a MIPD approach for vancomycin supported by a cloud‐based, CDS tool integrated into the electronic health record (EHR). In the pre‐MIPD period, vancomycin starting doses of 60 mg/kg/day (<13 years) or 45 mg/kg/day (≥13 years) were used. Dose adjustment was guided by therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) with a target trough 10–20 mg/L. In the post‐MIPD period, starting dose and dose adjustment were based on the MIPD CDS tool predictions with a target 24 h AUC (AUC24) 400–600 mg*h/L. Exposure and target achievement rates were retrospectively calculated and compared. Rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) were also compared.

Results

Overall, 23 patient courses were included in the pre‐MIPD period and 21 patient courses in the post‐MIPD period. In the post‐MIPD period, an individualized MIPD starting dose resulted in 71% of patients achieving target AUC24 compared to 39% in the pre‐MIPD period (p < 0.05). After the first TDM and dose adjustment, target AUC24 achievement was also higher post‐MIPD versus pre‐MIPD (86% vs. 57%; p < 0.05). AKI rates were low and similar between periods (pre‐MIPD 8.7% vs. post‐MIPD 9.5%; p = 0.9).

Conclusion

An MIPD approach implemented within a cloud‐based, EHR‐integrated CDS tool safely supported vancomycin AUC‐guided dosing and resulted in high rates of target achievement.
Psychometric properties of classroom creativity climate scale (CCCS): Evidence from confirmatory factor analysis in the Pakistani context
Authors: Kamran Muhammad , Ameer Iqra , Saleh Warda , Aslam Sarfraz , Benyo Ahmed
Published: July 2023

Creativity has long been emphasized as an essential skill identified and developed in classrooms by eminent psychologists. A high level of creativity is required to adapt to the changing world of innovation. University‐level students are privileged as they get multiple opportunities to learn creative skills. They are facilitated with autonomy and a creative environment. This study aimed to investigate the Psychometric Properties of the classroom creativity climate scale (CCCS) through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in the Pakistani context. The study involved 711 (males = 359, females = 352) Pakistani university students pursuing BS, MS/MPhil, and PhD degrees. Based on CFA, the proposed structure of the scale was confirmed, consisting of 22 items with a Likert‐type response set loaded on four variables: Teacher Support for the Expression of Student Ideas, Student Self‐perception about Creativity, Student Interest in Learning, and Student Autonomy. Alpha reliability coefficients range from .61 to .82 for the full scale. A comparison of demographics among different age groups and degree levels has been conducted. This scale is useful when investigating Pakistanis University students' perception of creativity, diagnosing the creative climate in the classroom, or asking the teachers for a creative environment inside the classrooms.
Plasticized pyrotechnic formulations
Authors: Kominia Athina , Oxley Jimmie , Smith James L.
Published: July 2023

Flexible plasticized pyrotechnic formulations were developed to be used for the safe and controlled destruction of light cased chemical and biological threats. The formulations generate high heat as well as halogen if required and can be used in closed spaces without required personnel evacuation.