bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of short‐term outcomes between robot‐assisted and laparoscopic rectal surgery for rectal cancer: A propensity score‐matched analysis using the Japanese Nationwide diagnosis procedure combination database
Authors: Mizoguchi Masako , Kizuki Masashi , Iwata Noriko , Tokunaga Masanori , Fushimi Kiyohide , Kinugasa Yusuke , Fujiwara Takeo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe use of robot‐assisted surgery for rectal cancer is increasing, but its short‐term results remain unclear. We compared the short‐term outcomes of robot‐assisted and laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer using a nationwide inpatient database.MethodsWe analyzed patients registered in the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database who underwent robot‐assisted or laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer from April 2018 to March 2020. Postoperative complication rates, anesthesia time, length of hospital stay, and cost were compared using propensity score matching for low anterior resection (LAR), high anterior resection (HAR), and abdominoperineal resection (APR).ResultsAmong 38 090 rectal cancer cases, 1992 LAR, 357 HAR, and 310 APR pairs were generated by propensity score matching and analyzed. Anesthesia time was longer for robot‐assisted surgery compared with laparoscopic surgery (LAR: 388.6 vs. 452.8 min, p < 0.001; HAR: 300.9 vs. 393.5 min, p < 0.001; APR: 4478.5 vs. 533.5 min, p < 0.001). Robot‐assisted surgery was associated with significantly shorter hospital stay for LAR (22.3 vs. 20.0 days, p < 0.001) and APR (29.2 vs. 25.9 days, p = 0.029). Total costs for LAR were significantly lower for robot‐assisted surgery (2031511.6 vs. 1955216.6 JPY, p < 0.001). The complication rates for robot‐assisted surgery tended to be fewer than laparoscopic surgery for all procedures, but the differences were not significant.ConclusionsAlthough the anesthesia time was longer for robot‐assisted surgery, the procedure resulted in shorter hospital stay for LAR and APR, and lower costs for LAR compared with laparoscopic surgery. Robot‐assisted surgery can thus help to reduce costs and can be performed safely.
Facile synthesis of azobenzene‐embedded conjugated macrocycles for optically switchable single‐crystal transistors and tunable supramolecular assemblies
Authors: Chang Dongdong , Xiao Xuetao , An Dongyue , Zhang Rong , Song Xianyu , Liu Yunqi , Zhao Yan , Lu Xuefeng 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA series of new π‐conjugated macrocycles (AzoM‐n‐E, n = 1–3) incorporating azobenzene units have been synthesized by a facile strategy in one‐pot reaction. The resultant azobenzene‐embedded macrocycles feature intrinsic photoresponsive behaviors and intriguing supramolecular assembling properties. The smallest macrocycle AzoM‐1‐E with a rigid planar conjugated backbone structure is used to prepare the single crystal transistors, showing reversible optical tunability. The moderate size macrocycle AzoM‐2‐E assembles into a dimer in the form of interpenetration through π‐π stacking between azobenzene units. The largest macrocycle AzoM‐3‐E with enhanced flexibility can adaptively assemble with various types of electron‐deficient guests accompanied by distortion of azobenzene. Typically, AzoM‐3‐E assembles with the planar F4‐TCNQ to form a tetragonal geometry by C‐F···π and π‐π interactions, while the assembly with ellipsoidal C70 via π‐π interactions induces AzoM‐3‐E to form a boat‐shaped geometry. This work will shed new light on the development of functional conjugated macrocycles in organic electronics.
Porosity engineering of biochar‐based single‐atom Ni catalysts to promote CO2 electroreduction over a broad potential window
Authors: Zhang Bing , Song Dezhong , Liu Youzhen , Deng Quanxiao , Yuan Yang , Liu Qingquan , Huo Jia 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDeveloping electrocatalysts for CO2 electroreduction with high activity and superior selectivity is extremely important and desirable from both academic and industrial perspectives. However, owing to competition with hydrogen evolution, highly efficient CO2 reduction is mostly achieved with high CO selectivity in a narrow potential range, which is incompatible with a large cell voltage required for industrial‐level CO2 reduction. Herein, we report an effective strategy to regulate CO2 reduction performances of single‐atom Ni electrocatalysts over a broad potential window by engineering their pore structures (micropores, mesopores, or hierarchical pores with both micropores and mesopores). It is revealed that hierarchically pores can significantly promote CO2 reduction efficiency of single‐atom Ni electrocatalysts. The hierarchically porous electrocatalyst achieves a maximum CO Faradaic efficiency (FECO) of 97.4% at −1.2 V (vs. RHE) and shows high FECO of >85% over a broad potential window from −0.7 to −1.7 V, much superior to electrocatalysts with other pore structures. More impressively, turnover frequency of the hierarchically porous electrocatalyst increases rapidly with increasing the applied potential and reaches 50,067 h−1 at −1.7 V. Such CO2 electroreduction promotion could be attributed to a synergistic effect of micropores for enhancing CO2 adsorption and mesopores for facilitating rapid release of product bubbles, which significantly improves CO2 reduction and suppresses hydrogen evolution.
Effect of epoxy chain extenders on molecular structure and properties of polylactic acid
Authors: Li Ling , Wang Haiyan , Jiang Taijun , Hu Can , Zhang Jingqian , Zheng Heqi , Zeng Guangsheng 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn this work, a novel functional polylactic acid (PLA) was prepared by melt blending using epoxy Joncryl ADR 4468 (ADR) as chain extender. The effects of the epoxy chain expander ADR on the molecular structure, crystallization properties, rheological properties, and mechanical properties of PLA were studied. Furthermore, the chain expansion mechanism was analyzed. It was found that the epoxy group of the epoxy chain extender reacted with the terminal hydroxyl and terminal carboxyl groups of PLA in the molten state, thus significantly increasing the molecular weight of PLA. Meanwhile, the weight average molecular weight of PLA increased by 42.51% when the maximum additional amount of epoxy chain extender was 1.2 wt%. The dynamic rheological experiments also confirmed that ADR can effectively improve the storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity of PLA systems and the Cole‐Cole diagram reveals the branched structure of PLA chain expansion systems. The formation of this branched structure will destroy the regularity of the PLA chain, reduce the crystallization capacity of PLA, and increase the cold crystallization temperature of the PLA system. Through SEM and mechanical property tests, it is found that the addition of ADR makes the molecular chain form a micro‐crosslinked structure, thereby improving the tensile strength of PLA. Therefore, the molecular structure of PLA was effectively regulated and exhibited a promising performance, which greatly expands the potential applications of PLA.
Open‐loop equilibrium seeking in two‐agent noncooperative linear‐quadratic dynamic game with asymmetric horizon length
Authors: Wasa Yasuaki , Tanaka Taichi , Hayakawa Tomohisa 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis article proposes an iterative‐based algorithm for open‐loop equilibrium seeking in a two‐agent noncooperative dynamic game. The finite‐horizon dynamic games handled in almost all existing articles assume the common prediction horizon length. From the viewpoint of divergence and differences in personal values, it is socially rational to solve the equilibrium of the games with asymmetric prediction horizon length. We thus propose an open‐loop equilibrium‐seeking algorithm without the private knowledge of the other agent's horizon information through a receding‐horizon linear‐quadratic game. Our proposed algorithm is based on iterative optimization. Each agent obtains its own best response control strategy while estimating the other agent's state feedback gain from the state information and guaranteeing the stability of the whole system. We also discuss the performance of the proposed equilibrium‐seeking algorithm through numerical examples.
Defining bone fide effectors of RAS GTPases
Authors: Smith Matthew J. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractRAS GTPases play essential roles in normal development and are direct drivers of human cancers. Three decades of study have failed to wholly characterize pathways stimulated by activated RAS, driven by engagement with ‘effector’ proteins that have RAS binding domains (RBDs). Bone fide effectors must bind directly to RAS GTPases in a nucleotide‐dependent manner, and this interaction must impart a clear change in effector activity. Despite this, for most proteins currently deemed effectors there is little mechanistic understanding of how binding to the GTPase alters protein function. There has also been limited effort to comprehensively resolve the specificity of effector binding to the full array of RAS superfamily GTPase proteins. This review will summarize what is known about RAS‐driven activation for an array of potential effector proteins, focusing on structural and mechanistic effects and highlighting how little is still known regarding this key paradigm of cellular signal transduction.
5,10,15,20‐Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin as a Functional Platform for Peptide Stapling and Multicyclisation
Authors: Dognini Paolo , Chaudhry Talhat , Scagnetti Giulia , Assante Michele , Hanson George S. M. , Ross Kehinde , Giuntini Francesca , Coxon Christopher R. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPolyfluorinated aromatic reagents readily react with thiolates via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) and provide excellent scaffolds for peptide cyclisation. Here we report a robust and versatile platform for peptide stapling and multicyclisation templated by 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin, opening the door to the next generation of functional scaffolds for 3D peptide architectures. We demonstrate that stapling and multicyclisation occurs with a range of non‐protected peptides under peptide‐compatible conditions, exhibiting chemoselectivity and wide‐applicability. Peptides containing two cysteine residues are readily stapled, and the remaining perfluoroaryl groups permit the introduction of a second peptide in a modular fashion to access bicyclic peptides. Similarly, peptides with more than two cysteine residues can afford multicyclic products containing up to three peptide ‘loops’. Finally, we demonstrate that a porphyrin‐templated stapled peptide containing the Skin Penetrating and Cell Entering (SPACE) peptide affords a skin cell penetrating conjugate with intrinsic fluorescence.
Elucidating the Effect of Ion Exchange Protocol on the Copper Exchange Efficacy, Copper Siting, and SCR Activity in Cu‐SSZ‐13
Authors: Koishybay Aibolat , Umhey Charles , Kuo Chun‐Te , Groden Kyle , McEwen Jean‐Sabin , Karim Ayman M. , Shantz Daniel F. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe front cover artwork is provided by Professor Jean‐Sabin McEwen at Washington State University. The image shows how ion exchanges prepared with different copper precursors influence how the copper ultimately sites relative to the zeolite framework, which ultimately impacts its catalytic reactivity for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx in Cu‐SSZ‐13. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/cphc.202300271.
A rare cause of esophageal stenosis: Compression due to a thoracic osteophyte
Authors: Miida Suguru , Arao Yoshihisa , Takeda Nobutaka , Goto Shu , Kojima Yuichi , Kimura Naruhiro , Hayashi Kazunao , Tsuchiya Atsunori , Terai Shuji 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSeveral cases of esophageal stenosis caused by cervical vertebral osteophytes have been reported; however, few reports of esophageal stenosis caused by thoracic osteophytes are available. We describe the case of an 86‐year‐old man with esophageal stenosis caused by a thoracic osteophyte near the tracheal bifurcation. An endoscopic ultrasonography examination was scheduled to determine the cause of acute pancreatitis; however, lacerations observed at the bifurcation following endoscope removal during prior esophagogastroduodenoscopy led us to cancel the ultrasonography to avoid potential esophageal perforation. A review of the present case and six similar previous cases of thoracic osteophyte‐associated esophageal stenosis (identified via a systematic search of the PubMed database) demonstrated the clinical importance of a thoracic osteophyte near physiological esophageal stenosis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and computed tomography should be performed to screen for vertebral osteophytes before endoscopic ultrasonography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and transesophageal echocardiography to avoid iatrogenic accidents.
Alcohol consumption, multiple Lugol‐voiding lesions, and field cancerization
Authors: Katada Chikatoshi , Yokoyama Tetsuji , Yano Tomonori , Suzuki Haruhisa , Furue Yasuaki , Yamamoto Keiko , Doyama Hisashi , Koike Tomoyuki , Tamaoki Masashi , Kawata Noboru , Hirao Motohiro , Kawahara Yoshiro , Ogata Takashi , Katagiri Atsushi , Yamanouchi Takenori , Kiyokawa Hirofumi , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Konno Maki , Yokoyama Akira , Ohashi Shinya , Kondo Yuki , Kishimoto Yo , Kano Koichi , Mure Kanae , Hayashi Ryuichi , Ishikawa Hideki , Yokoyama Akira , Muto Manabu 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe development of multiple squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in the upper aerodigestive tract, which includes the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus, is explained by field cancerization and is associated with alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. We reviewed the association between alcohol consumption, multiple Lugol‐voiding lesions, and field cancerization, mainly based on the Japan Esophageal Cohort study. The Japan Esophageal Cohort study is a prospective cohort study that enrolled patients with esophageal SCC after endoscopic resection. Enrolled patients received surveillance by gastrointestinal endoscopy every 6 months and surveillance by an otolaryngologist every 12 months. The Japan Esophageal Cohort study showed that esophageal SCC and head and neck SCC that developed after endoscopic resection for esophageal SCC were associated with genetic polymorphisms related to alcohol metabolism. They were also associated with Lugol‐voiding lesions grade in the background esophageal mucosa, the score of the health risk appraisal model for predicting the risk of esophageal SCC, macrocytosis, and score on alcohol use disorders identification test. The standardized incidence ratio of head and neck SCC in patients with esophageal SCC after endoscopic resection was extremely high compared to the general population. Drinking and smoking cessation is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of metachronous esophageal SCC after treatment of esophageal SCC. Risk factors for field cancerization provide opportunities for early diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment. Lifestyle guidance of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking for esophageal precancerous conditions, which are endoscopically visualized as multiple Lugol‐voiding lesions, may play a pivotal role in decreasing the incidence and mortality of esophageal SCC.
Trait matching in a multi‐species geographic mosaic of leafflower plants, brood pollinators, and cheaters
Authors: Hao Kai , Liu Ting‐Ting , Hembry David H. , Luo Shi‐Xiao 
Published: July 2023

AbstractTrait matching between mutualistic species is usually expected to maintain mutualism, but empirical studies of trait complementarity and coadaptation in multi‐species assemblages—which represent the reality of most interactions in nature—are few. Here, we studied trait matching between the leafflower shrub Kirganelia microcarpa and three associated seed‐predatory leafflower moths (Epicephala spp.) across 16 populations. Behavioral and morphological observations suggested that two moths (E. microcarpa and E. tertiaria) acted as pollinators while a third (E. laeviclada) acted as a cheater. These species differed in ovipositor morphology but showed trait complementarity between ovipositor length and floral traits at both species level and population level, presumably as adaptations to divergent oviposition behaviors. However, this trait matching varied among populations. Comparisons of ovipositor length and floral traits among populations with different moth assemblages suggested an increase of ovary wall thickness where the locular‐ovipositing pollinator E. microcarpa and cheater E. laeviclada were present, while stylar pit depth was less in populations with the stylar pit‐ovipositing pollinator E. tertiaria. Our study indicates that trait matching between interacting partners occurs even in extremely specialized multi‐species mutualisms, and that although these responses vary, sometimes non‐intuitively, in response to different partner species. It seems that the moths can track changes in host plant tissue depth for oviposition.
Oviposition behavior is not affected by ultraviolet light in a butterfly with sexually‐dimorphic expression of a UV‐sensitive opsin
Authors: Borrero Jose , Wright Daniel Shane , Bacquet Caroline Nicole , Merrill Richard M. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAnimal vision is important for mediating multiple complex behaviors. In Heliconius butterflies, vision guides fundamental behaviors such as oviposition, foraging, and mate choice. Color vision in Heliconius involves ultraviolet (UV), blue and long‐wavelength‐sensitive photoreceptors (opsins). Additionally, Heliconius possess a duplicated UV opsin, and its expression varies widely within the genus. In Heliconius erato, opsin expression is sexually dimorphic; only females express both UV‐sensitive opsins, enabling UV wavelength discrimination. However, the selective pressures responsible for sex‐specific differences in opsin expression and visual perception remain unresolved. Female Heliconius invest heavily in finding suitable hostplants for oviposition, a behavior heavily dependent on visual cues. Here, we tested the hypothesis that UV vision is important for oviposition in H. erato and Heliconius himera females by manipulating the availability of UV in behavioral experiments under natural conditions. Our results indicate that UV does not influence the number of oviposition attempts or eggs laid, and the hostplant, Passiflora punctata, does not reflect UV wavelengths. Models of H. erato female vision suggest only minimal stimulation of the UV opsins. Overall, these findings suggest that UV wavelengths do not directly affect the ability of Heliconius females to find suitable oviposition sites. Alternatively, UV discrimination could be used in the context of foraging or mate choice, but this remains to be tested.
Large‐scale sampling of beetle communities in Laos shows that conversion of natural forests into plantations leads to a decline in family richness and abundance
Authors: Chouangthavy Bounsanong , Fourcade Yoan 
Published: July 2023

AbstractRapid economic development can pose a threat to the biodiversity of tropical countries. In Laos, this is manifested by the conversion of natural forests into plantations, even though this area is one of the biodiversity hotspots of Southeast Asia. Beetle communities can be good indicators of the impact of anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed for the first time a large‐scale inventory of Coleoptera to assess the ecological and anthropogenic drivers of beetle communities in Laos. We examined beetle communities (described at the family level) across the country, located in distinct habitat types, in order to understand the impact of the conversion of natural forest into plantations. We found that beetle abundance had declined in plantations compared to natural forests. At the same time, we observed fewer beetle families in plantations overall, but at the scale of sampling sites there was no difference in local richness compared to natural forests, suggesting a homogenization of beetle communities in anthropogenic habitats. Although results are certainly sensitive to our coarse classification of beetle specimens into families, the negative impact of the conversion of natural tropical forests into agriculture area can still be clearly demonstrated. Our findings highlight that it is possible to make use of unstructured large‐scale inventories to explore how beetle communities responds to landscape changes induced by human activities. We suggest that sampling beetle communities can be used as an ecological indicator to monitor anthropogenic impacts on tropical ecosystems.
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy diagnosed by vasodilator myocardial contrast echocardiography perfusion imaging
Authors: Prasad Pooja , Nagappan Raj , Davidson Brian P. , Wei Kevin , Hodovan James , Lindner Jonathan R. , Steiner Johannes 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains a common long‐term complication of cardiac transplantation. While invasive coronary angiography is considered the gold standard, it is also invasive and lacks sensitivity to detect early, distal CAV. Although vasodilator stress myocardial contrast echocardiography perfusion imaging (MCE) is used in the detection of microvascular disease in non‐transplant patients, there is little data guiding its use in transplant recipients. Herein is a case series of four heart transplant recipients that had vasodilator stress MCE performed in addition to invasive coronary angiography for CAV surveillance. MCE at rest and after regadenason was performed using a continuous infusion of lipid‐shelled microbubbles. We describe a case of normal microvascular function, diffuse microvascular dysfunction, patchy sub‐endocardial perfusion defects and a focal sub‐endocardial perfusion defect. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy can be heralded by several different perfusion patterns on MCE in patients after orthotopic heart transplant. The varying prognoses and potential interventions for these different patterns require further investigation.
Purification of a recombinant oncolytic virus from clarified cell culture media by anion exchange monolith chromatography
Authors: Rogerson Troy , Xi Guoling , Ampey Amanda , Borman Jon , Jaroudi Sally , Pappas Dan , Linke Thomas 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe use of viral vectors for vaccine, gene therapy, and oncolytic virotherapy applications has received increased attention in recent years. Large‐scale purification of viral vector‐based biotherapeutics still presents a significant technical challenge. Chromatography is the primary tool for the purification of biomolecules in the biotechnology industry; however, the majority of chromatography resins currently available have been designed for the purification of proteins. In contrast, convective interaction media monoliths are chromatographic supports that have been designed and successfully utilized for the purification of large biomolecules, including viruses, viruslike particles, and plasmids. We present a case study on the development of a purification method for recombinant Newcastle disease virus directly from clarified cell culture media using strong anion exchange monolith technology (CIMmultus QA, BIA Separations). Resin screening studies showed at least 10 times higher dynamic binding capacity of CIMmultus QA compared to traditional anion exchange chromatography resins. Design of experiments was used to demonstrate a robust operating window for the purification of recombinant virus directly from clarified cell culture without any further pH or conductivity adjustment of the load material. The capture step was successfully scaled up from 1 mL CIMmultus QA columns to the 8 L column scale and achieved a greater than 30‐fold reduction in process volume. Compared to the load material, total host cell proteins were reduced by more than 76%, and residual host cell DNA by more than 57% in the elution pool, respectively. Direct loading of clarified cell culture onto a high‐capacity monolith stationary phase makes convective flow chromatography an attractive alternative to centrifugation or TFF‐based virus purification procedures.