bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding immunotherapy terminology: An analysis of provider‐patient conversations
Authors: Blee Shannon , Rosenberg Bari , Switchenko Jeffrey M. , Hianik Rachel , Thomson Mary Catherine , Dixon Margie , Bilen Mehmet Asim , Pentz Rebecca D. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundImmunotherapy terminology is complex and can be difficult for patients to understand, threatening informed consent. The aims of this exploratory study are to determine whether patients understand immunotherapy terminology and if the provider defining the term improves patient understanding. Good patient/provider communication is important for good informed consent, patient adherence to treatment and patient outcomes.MethodsConversations between oncology providers and patients discussing immunotherapy were observed (n = 39), and technical terms used were noted. With consent, patients were interviewed post‐conversation to assess their understanding of these terms (n = 39). Comparisons of the terms were conducted using chi‐square tests, Fisher's exact tests, or ANOVA where appropriate.Results“Immunotherapy” was the most difficult for participants to understand with 48.7% (19/39) correctly defining immunotherapy. “Immunotherapy agents” was understood 53.8% (14/26) of the time. “Immune system” was well understood 88.5% (23/26). Providers defined immunotherapy in 97.4% of conversations. There was no correlation between having immunotherapy defined in the conversation, and the likelihood of a correct definition (p = 0.487). “Immune system” was defined in 92.3% of conversations (n = 26), and defining it in the conversation was correlated with increased patient understanding (p = 0.009).ConclusionOur results indicate that patients have difficulty understanding some immunotherapy terminology. Since patient understanding of key terminology is crucial for informed consent and patient care, it is essential to implement interventions to improve understanding.
Recent progress in terahertz modulation using photonic structures based on two‐dimensional materials
Authors: Wang Ziming , Qiao Jie , Zhao Shuqi , Wang Shilei , He Chuan , Tao Xutang , Wang Shanpeng 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTerahertz (THz) technology has attracted great attention in the past few decades for its unique applications in various fields, including spectroscopy, noninvasive detection, wireless communications, and imaging. In parallel to this, the practical, fast, and broadband modulation of THz waves is becoming indispensable. Two‐dimensional (2D) materials exhibit unusual optical and electrical properties, which has prompted tremendous interest and significant advances in THz modulation. This review provides the recent progress in 2D materials‐based THz modulators, outlining the operating principles, including all‐optical, electro‐optic, magneto‐optic, and other exotic mechanisms. We focus on the recent advances in THz modulation by the designed photonic structures, such as heterostructure, metamaterial, capacitor, optical cavity, and waveguide integration. Lastly, we discussed the challenges and opportunities for 2D materials‐based THz modulators and presented our prospects for the future development.image
Photoluminescence of P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction thin films and effect of external electric field
Authors: Narra Sudhakar , Tsai Shuo‐En , Awasthi Kamlesh , Rana Shailesh , Diau Eric Wei‐Guang , Ohta Nobuhiro 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSteady‐state and time‐resolved photoluminescence (PL) and electrophotoluminescence (E‐PL) have been recorded for bulk heterojunction samples of thin films of regio‐regular poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and methyl [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butanoate (PCBM). The PL spectra of the bulk heterojunction samples showed a monotonic decrease of PL quantum yield with increased PCBM content in the film. The PL decay was measured with both a femtosecond up‐conversion technique and a time‐correlated single‐photon‐counting technique. The mechanism of PL quenching deviated from a simple Stern‐Volmer equation, explained in terms of an apparent static quenching with a sphere‐of‐action model and dynamic quenching. With increased content of PCBM, the static quenching played a dominant role. Upon application of an electric field, the E‐PL spectra of both P3HT and bulk heterojunction samples showed an enhanced quantum yield and incremented lifetime of PL of P3HT. The long‐range electron transfer from P3HT to PCBM was retarded upon application of an electric field; the field‐induced change increased with increasing PCBM content.
Human gut microbiome impacts skeletal muscle mass via gut microbial synthesis of the short‐chain fatty acid butyrate among healthy menopausal women
Authors: Lv Wan‐Qiang , Lin Xu , Shen Hui , Liu Hui‐Min , Qiu Xiang , Li Bo‐Yang , Shen Wen‐Di , Ge Chang‐Li , Lv Feng‐Ye , Shen Jie , Xiao Hong‐Mei , Deng Hong‐Wen 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests that human gut microbiome plays an important role in variation of skeletal muscle mass (SMM). However, specific causal mechanistic relationship of human gut microbiome with SMM remains largely unresolved. Understanding the causal mechanistic relationship may provide a basis for novel interventions for loss of SMM. This study investigated whether human gut microbiome has a causal effect on SMM among Chinese community‐dwelling healthy menopausal women.MethodsEstimated SMM was derived from whole‐body dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. We performed integrated analyses on whole‐genome sequencing, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and serum short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as well as available host SMM measurements among community‐dwelling healthy menopausal women (N = 482). We combined the results with summary statistics from genome‐wide association analyses for human gut microbiome (N = 952) and SMM traits (N = 28 330). As a prerequisite for causality, we used a computational protocol that was proposed to measure correlations among gut metagenome, metabolome, and the host trait to investigate the relationship between human gut microbiome and SMM. Causal inference methods were applied to assess the potential causal effects of gut microbial features on SMM, through one‐sample and two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses, respectively.ResultsIn metagenomic association analyses, the increased capacity for gut microbial synthesis of the SCFA butyrate was significantly associated with serum butyrate levels [Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC) = 0.13, P = 0.02] and skeletal muscle index (SCC = 0.084, P = 0.002). Of interest was the finding that two main butyrate‐producing bacterial species were both positively associated with the increased capacity for gut microbial synthesis of butyrate [Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (SCC = 0.25, P = 6.6 × 10−7) and Butyricimonas virosa (SCC = 0.15, P = 0.001)] and for skeletal muscle index [F. prausnitzii (SCC = 0.16, P = 6.2 × 10−4) and B. virosa (SCC = 0.17, P = 2.4 × 10−4)]. One‐sample MR results showed a causal effect between gut microbial synthesis of the SCFA butyrate and appendicular lean mass (β = 0.04, 95% confidence interval 0.029 to 0.051, P = 0.003). Two‐sample MR results further confirmed the causal effect between gut microbial synthesis of the SCFA butyrate and appendicular lean mass (β = 0.06, 95% confidence interval 0 to 0.13, P = 0.06).ConclusionsOur results may help the future development of novel intervention approaches for preventing or alleviating loss of SMM.
Superensembles of raw and bias‐adjusted regional climate models for Mediterranean region, Turkey
Authors: Mesta Buket , Kentel Elcin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFor regional‐scale studies on climate change and relevant impact assessment, the projections of regional climate models (RCMs) are used due to their advantage of high resolution and better representation of the local climate relative to the global climate models. However, direct use of RCM outputs is prone to uncertainties and biases that may significantly diminish the accuracy of results. EURO‐COordinated Regional Downscaling EXperiment (CORDEX) initiative that is a part of the global Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment Project provides high‐resolution RCM projections for the European domain and bias‐adjusted regional projections under the “CORDEX‐Adjust” Project for climate change impact assessment studies. This study aims to perform a multi‐model analysis of precipitation data using bias‐adjusted and raw/non‐bias adjusted CORDEX RCMs to obtain an evaluation of their representativeness for local climate conditions and adequacy to be used for climate change impact assessment. For this purpose, the analysis focuses on four CORDEX RCMs and their 12 bias‐adjusted versions generated with cumulative distribution function transformation, quantile mapping, and distribution‐based scaling methodologies. For the analysis in total, 16 hindcast results of raw and bias‐adjusted RCMs, and three superensembles (SEs) generated through multiple linear regression are compared for their performance regarding their goodness of fit to the ground‐based precipitation monitoring data from eight meteorological stations in the Mediterranean region in Turkey. The analysis verified that the skill of individual simulations including the bias‐adjusted outputs is significantly variable in spatial and temporal means. On the other hand, SE formed by using all 16 hindcast outputs has the highest skill for the representation of variability in precipitation in time as well as for the reproduction of annual climatology at all stations, although potential drawbacks concerning seasonality and the range of anomaly may still exist which might be significant depending on the specific aim of impact assessment.
Dynamical‐statistical long‐term prediction for tropical cyclone landfalls in East Asia
Authors: Kim So‐Hee , Ahn Joong‐Bae , Sun Jianqi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study develops a statistical‐dynamical seasonal typhoon forecast model (SDTFM) that utilizes the statistical correlation between East Asia (EA) tropical cyclone (TC) landfall and atmospheric circulation predicted by a coupled general circulation model for seasonal prediction and its predictability is verified. A total of 40 ensemble members produced through different data assimilation and time‐lag methods introduced as a way to reduce the initial condition error and model uncertainty enabled the development of the new SDTFM. According to the results, the SDTFM developed in this study showed significant predictability in TC landfall prediction when using the month of May for the initial conditions for the entire East Asia (EEA) and its three sub‐domains: Northern East Asia (NEA), Middle East Asia (MEA), and Southern East Asia (SEA). The predicted TC season is July–September (JAS), and only for SEA, including South China, the Philippines, and Vietnam, it is July–November (JASON) considering the relatively long landfall period. The models developed for each domain significantly predict the interannual variability of TC landfall at the 99% confidence level. The cross‐validated results are still significant at the 99% confidence level in NEA and SEA and the 95% confidence level in MEA and EEA.
Association of enhanced circulating trimethylamine N‐oxide with vascular endothelial dysfunction in periodontitis patients
Authors: Zhou Jiamin , Chen Shan , Ren Jing , Zou Huiqiong , Liu Yafang , Chen Yanbin , Qiu Yumin , Zhuang Weijie , Tao Jun , Yang Junying 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundAccumulating evidences indicate that periodontitis is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction. Trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO), a harmful microbiota generated metabolite, has been implicated as a nontraditional risk factor for impaired endothelial function. However, whether increased circulating levels of TMAO in periodontitis patients induces endothelial dysfunction remains unknown.MethodsPatients with periodontitis and periodontally healthy controls were enrolled. Periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated to assess the inflammatory burden posed by periodontitis. The circulating TMAO was measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). Vascular endothelial function including peripheral endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), brachial arterial flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD), and brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were assessed. We also isolated and cultured EPCs from participants’ peripheral blood to investigate the effect of TMAO on EPC functions in vitro.ResultsOne hundred and twenty two patients with Stage III‐IV periodontitis and 81 healthy controls were included. Patients with periodontitis presented elevated TMAO (P = 0.002), lower EPCs (P = 0.025), and declined FMD levels (P = 0.005). The TMAO concentrations were correlated with reduced circulating EPCs and FMD levels. Moreover, TMAO can injury EPCs function in vitro, and may induce cell pyroptosis via Bax/caspase‐3/GSDME pathway.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrates for the first time that circulating TMAO levels are increased in patients with Stage III‐IV periodontitis, and correlated with vascular endothelial dysfunction. These findings may provide a novel insight into the mechanism of vascular endothelial dysfunction in patient with periodontitis via TMAO‐downregulated EPC functions.
Homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction as an alternative sample preparation technique for biomedical analysis
Authors: Hammad Sherin F. , Abdallah Inas A. , Bedair Alaa , Mansour Fotouh R. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractLiquid‐liquid extraction is a widely used technique of sample preparation in biomedical analysis. In spite of the high pre‐concentration capacities of liquid–liquid extraction, it suffers from a number of limitations including time and effort consumption, large organic solvent utilization, and poor performance in highly polar analytes. Homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction is an alternative sample preparation technique that overcomes some drawbacks of conventional liquid–liquid extraction, and allows employing greener organic solvents in sample treatment. In homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction, a homogeneous phase is formed between the aqueous sample and the water‐miscible extractant, followed by chemically or physically induced phase separation. To form the homogeneous phase, aqueous samples are mixed with water‐miscible organic solvents, water‐immiscible solvents/cosolvents, surfactants, or smart polymers. Then, phase separation is induced chemically (adding salt, sugar, or buffer) or physically (changing temperature or pH). This mode is rapid, sustainable, and cost‐effective in comparison with other sample preparation techniques. Moreover, homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction is more suitable for the extraction of delicate macromolecules such as enzymes, hormones, and proteins and it is more compatible with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, which is a vital technique in metabolomics and proteomics. In this review, the principle, types, applications, automation, and technical aspects of homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction are discussed.
A validated HPLC‐MS/MS method for determination of simmitecan and its metabolite chimmitecan in human plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in Chinese patients with advanced solid tumor
Authors: Zhou Jun , Zhan Yan , Zhong Dafang , Chen Xiaoyan , Zhang Yifan , Zhang Qi , Bo Yunhai , Shen Lin , Gong Jifang , Li Jian , Yang Fen 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSimmitecan is a new ester anticancer prodrug which can exert the antiproliferation activity through its active metabolite, chimmitecan. In the current study, a simple and reliable liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of simmitecan and chimmitecan in human plasma. Both irinotecan and 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin were used as the internal standards. Plasma samples were protein precipitated by acetonitrile (0.2% formic acid, v/v) and processed samples were chromatographed on a Hypersil GOLDTM C18 column (100 × 4.6 mm, i.d. 3.0 μm) with acetonitrile and 10 mM ammonium acetate (0.1% formic acid, v/v) as the mobile phase. The calibration curves showed good linearity (R ≥ 0.99) over the concentration range of 1–500 ng/mL and 0.25–125 ng/mL for simmitecan and chimmitecan, respectively. Intra‐ and inter‐run precisions (CV%) were ≤10.2% for simmitecan and ≤12.1% for chimmitecan. The accuracies were 99.4–103.5% for simmitecan and 95.4–103.5% for chimmitecan. This method was further successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of simmitecan in Chinese advanced solid cancer patients after administration of simmitecan hydrochloride injection.
Kinetic model for Ostwald's rule of stages with applications to Boc‐diphenylalanine self‐assembly
Authors: Barlow Douglas A. , Pantha Buddhi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA kinetic model which describes Ostwald's rule of stages, during the process of crystal growth from solution, is reported here. Reaction equations for stages are given where the stages convert from one to another. The final stage reacts to release a portion of solute back into solution, while the remainder converts to the final equilibrium form. Additionally, a remnant of the solute that was not consumed by any of the transitional stages, ultimately is converted into the final product. This particular model was motivated by a recent report for Boc‐diphenylalanine self‐assembly where the dissolved peptide was observed to go through two polymorphic stages before reaching the equilibrium supramolecular assembly [A. Levin et al., Nat. Commun. 5, 5219, (2014)]. Kinetic data for the concentration of solute present during the process are listed in the above‐mentioned report. We show here how the model, for , describes the time‐dependent behavior of the solute decay during the growth process. After comparing the model to the experimental data, we are able to report values for all of the rate constants and propose a rule whereby the relative magnitudes of these constants can be used to predict whether a supersaturated substance will noticeably pass through transitional stages or simply convert from solute to the equilibrium solid form.
Existence and nonexistence of solutions to cone elliptic equations via Galerkin method
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thu Huong , Nguyen Nhu Thang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBased on singular analysis on manifolds with conical singularities, we establish the existence and nonexistence of solutions for a class of semilinear degenerate elliptic problems on conic manifolds with boundary by utilizing Galerkin method.
Design of millimeter‐wave bandpass filters based on improved asymmetric parallel‐coupled microstrip line structure for direct detection system of CubeSat radiometer
Authors: Chen Yao , Zhang Sheng‐Wei 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this paper, two improved asymmetric parallel‐coupled microstrip bandpass filters with center frequencies of 89 GHz and 150 GHz were designed and implemented. The improvement of the circuit structure is based on the rotation of several asymmetric parallel‐coupled microstrip line segments, which achieves a great area reduction compared to the conventional structure. The improved bandpass filters were designed and optimized based on the conventional structure. The measured results show that the return loss of the W‐band bandpass filter is better than 16 dB and that of the D‐band bandpass filter is better than 15 dB within the passband. The insertion loss is less than 2.3 dB and 2.5 dB within the passband for W‐band and D‐band bandpass filters, respectively. These results verify the feasibility of the improved asymmetric parallel‐coupled microstrip line bandpass filter as a broadband pre‐filter for the direct detection system of a CubeSat radiometer.
Krüppel‐like factor 10 regulates the contractile properties of skeletal muscle fibers in mice
Authors: Kammoun Malek , Pouletaut Philippe , Morandat Sandrine , Subramaniam Malayannan , Hawse John R. , Bensamoun Sabine F. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsKlf10 is a member of the Krüppel‐like family of transcription factors, which is implicated in mediating muscle structure (fiber size, organization of the sarcomere), muscle metabolic activity (respiratory chain), and passive force. The aim of this study was to further characterize the roles of Klf10 in the contractile properties of skeletal muscle fibers.MethodsFifty‐two single fibers were extracted from female wild‐type (WT) and Klf10 knockout (KO) oxidative (soleus) and glycolytic (extensor digitorum longus [EDL]) skinned muscles. Each fiber was immersed successively in relaxing (R), washing (W), and activating (A) solutions. Calcium was included in the activating solution to induce a maximum contraction of the fiber. The maximum force (Fmax) was measured and normalized to the cross‐sectional area to obtain the maximum stress (Stressmax). After a steady state in contraction was reached, a quick stretch‐release was performed; the force at the maximum stretch (Fstretch) was measured and the stiffness was assessed.ResultsDeletion of the Klf10 gene induced changes in the contractile parameters (Fmax, Stressmax, Stiffness), which were lower and higher for soleus and EDL fibers compared with littermates, respectively. These measurements also revealed changes in the proportion and resistance of attached cross‐bridges.DiscussionKlf10 plays a major role in the homeostasis of the contractile behavior of skeletal muscle fibers in a muscle fiber type–specific manner. These findings further implicate important roles for Klf10 in skeletal muscle function and shed new light on understanding the molecular processes regulating the contractility of skeletal muscle fibers.
A new 3D stress MRI measurement strategy to quantify surgical correction of prolapse in three support systems
Authors: Chen Luyun , Swenson Carolyn W. , Xie Bing , Ashton‐Miller James A. , DeLancey John O. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to develop and test the feasibility of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based measurement strategy to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical procedures in restoring normal anatomy in all three systems of pelvic floor support and quantify the structural changes induced by prolapse surgery.MethodsPatients underwent clinical examination and stress MRI preoperatively and again 3 months postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative measures of three MRI‐based structural support systems were made: (1) vaginal wall, (2) apical and paravaginal support, and (3) hiatal closure system. Preoperative to postoperative structural changes were calculated and compared to normal values, and bivariate associations were determined.ResultsThe three structural support systems were successfully quantified for both preoperative and postoperative MRIs regardless of operative approaches in all 15 women in the pilot group. Apical support was restored to normal in 11 of 12 patients who underwent an apical suspension procedure and 9 of 14 patients with a posterior repair had normalization of genital hiatus size. Mid‐vaginal paravaginal location was elevated an average of 2.5 ± 2.0 cm despite no paravaginal repairs being performed. Paravaginal location improvements were also significantly correlated with apical elevation (r values 0.99–0.87, p < 0.001).ConclusionsA strategy that quantifies structural‐specific preoperative impairments and improvements after prolapse surgery was successfully developed. Early findings reveal that prolapse surgery is more successful in restoring normal anatomy at Level I than Level III. Improvement in paravaginal location is significantly correlated with apical elevation.