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Background: Chromosomal 1q gains and amplifications (+1q21) are frequently observed in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). However, the interpretation of the high‐risk (HR) prognostic implications stemming from 1q21 abnormalities remain challenging to implement effectively. Methods: In a comprehensive analysis of 367 consecutive patients with symptomatic MM, we assessed the prognostic significance of +1q21 using FISH with a threshold of 7.4%. The patient cohort was randomly divided into a training set (66.5%, n = 244) and a validation set (33.5%, n = 133). A multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify significant prognostic factors associated with PFS. Weight scores were assigned to each risk factor based on the β‐value of the corresponding regression coefficient. A predictive risk‐scoring model involving +1q21 was then developed, utilizing the total score derived from these weight scores. The model's discriminative ability was evaluated using the AUC in both the training and validation sets. Finally, we compared the performance of the +1q21‐involved risk with the established R‐ISS and R2‐ISS models. Results: Upon initial diagnosis, 159 patients (43.32%) exhibited +1q21, with 94 (59.11%) having three copies, referred to as Gain(1q21), and 65 (40.89%) possessing four or more copies, referred to as Amp (1q21). Both were significantly linked to a reduced PFS in myeloma (p < 0.05), which could be effectively mitigated by ASCT. The +1q21‐involved risk model, with an AUC of 0.697 in the training set and 0.725 in the validation set, was constructed including Gain(1q21), Amp(1q21), no‐ASCT, and TP53 deletion. This model, termed the ultra‐high‐risk (UHR) model, demonstrated superior performance in predicting shorter PFS compared to the R‐ISS stage 3 and R2‐ISS stage 4. Conclusion: The UHR model, which integrates the presence of +1q21 with no‐ASCT and TP53 deletion, is designed to identify the early relapse subgroup among patients with +1q21 in NDMM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction and infiltration behavior between typical calcium–ferrum–alumina–silicate (CFAS) and Yb4Hf3O12 ceramics at 1300, 1400, and 1500°C for different duration times were investigated. At 1300°C, the CFAS melt first crystallized and then generated massive anorthite with high‐melting point, reducing the wettability of CFAS melt and physically blocking CFAS penetration paths. As the temperature increased to 1400°C and 1500°C, the wettability of the molten CFAS correspondingly increases. A continuous reaction layer, composed of apatite, fluorite, and garnet, was formed over Yb4Hf3O12 ceramic due to the penetration of CFAS melt. Furthermore, the infiltration rate of CFAS decreases with increasing corrosion time because of the barrier effect primarily derived from the as‐mentioned continuous reaction layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The optimal repair method for bursal‐side partial‐thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs) involving >50% of the thickness remains a controversial topic. The study was aimed to compare the functional and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes after in situ repair or tear completion before repair of bursal‐side PTRCTs. Methods: A retrospective clinical study was conducted involving 58 patients who underwent in situ repair or tear completion before repair of bursal‐side PTRCTs between January 2019 and December 2020. These patients were divided into two groups: the in situ repair group and the tear completion before repair group. Functional assessment consisted of active range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and Constant–Murley score. The percentages of patients in each group achieving the minimal clinical important difference (MCID) of the functional scores were determined. The healing status of the rotator cuff was assessed by postoperative MRI. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic data. The mean follow‐up period was 14.53 ± 2.64 months in the in situ repair group and 15.40 ± 2.66 months in the tear completion before repair group. At the final follow‐up, the forward elevation, external rotation, and internal rotation improved significantly in both groups. The VAS, ASES score, and Constant–Murley score improved significantly in the in situ repair group (5.17 ± 2.00 points to 0.11 ± 0.41 points, p = 0.001; 44.04 ± 17.40 points to 95.47 ± 4.32 points, p = 0.001; 49.50 ± 14.38 points to 93.50 ± 3.49 points, p = 0.001) and in the tear completion before repair group (5.43 ± 3.32 points to 0.03 ± 0.18 points, p = 0.001; 41.50 ± 19.59 points to 95.94 ± 2.68 points, p = 0.001; 47.54 ± 17.13 points to 93.97 ± 2.61 points, p = 0.001). Postoperative MRI revealed that the re‐tear rate was 7.1% (2/28) in the in situ repair group and 3.3% (1/30) in the tear completion before repair group. No significant differences were observed in terms of the functional scores, the percentages of patients achieving the MCID of the functional scores, and the re‐tear rate between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Both in situ repair and tear completion before repair yielded satisfactory clinical outcomes for patients with bursal‐side PTRCTs. No significant differences were observed in the functional and MRI outcomes between the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mullite and ytterbium disilicate (β‐Yb2Si2O7) powders as starting materials for the Yb2Si2O7/mullite/SiC tri‐layer coating are synthesized by a sol–gel method. The effect of SiC whiskers on the anti‐oxidation properties of Yb2Si2O7/mullite/SiC tri‐layer coating for C/SiC composites in the air environment is deeply studied. Results show that the formation temperature and complete transition temperature of mullite were 800–1000 and 1300°C, respectively. Yb2SiO5, α‐Yb2Si2O7, and β‐Yb2Si2O7 were gradually formed between 800 and 1000°C, and Yb2SiO5 and α‐Yb2Si2O7 were completely transformed into β‐Yb2Si2O7 at a temperature above 1200°C. The weight loss of Yb2Si2O7/(SiCw–mullite)/SiC tri‐layer coating coated specimens was 0.15 × 10−3 g cm−2 after 200 h oxidation at 1400°C, which is lower than that of Yb2Si2O7/mullite/SiC tri‐layer coating (2.84 × 10−3 g cm−2). The SiC whiskers in mullite middle coating can not only alleviate the coefficient of thermal expansion difference between mullite middle coating and β‐Yb2Si2O7 outer coating, but also improve the self‐healing performance of the mullite middle coating owing to the self‐healing aluminosilicate glass phase formed by the reaction between SiO2 (oxidation of SiC whiskers) and mullite particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite the availability of new agents, elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM) usually present with poor outcomes due to the heterogeneity of disease conditions, especially immune deficiency. Regulatory B cells (Bregs) can be involved in immune defects by exerting immune regulatory functions in MM. In order to provide more evidence‐based practice for the elderly MM, the study established and assessed a stratified therapeutic model with studies on Bregs for Chinese Elderly Multiple Myeloma in 2021 (CEMM2021). Methods: In this open‐label, non‐interventional, prospective study in the real world, 159 newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients over 65 years old were sequentially recruited and bone marrow aspirates prior to treatment were obtained to detect the ratios of Bregs by flow cytometry. Results: Based on the CEMM2021 model, 147 patients had received at least one cycle of induction therapy, including bortezomib/dexamethasone (Bd) (n = 80), lenalidomide/dexamethasone (Rd) (n = 27), Bd with a third agent X (Bd + X) (n = 27), and other regimens (n = 13). The proportions of patients achieving very good partial response or better were comparable among Bd, Bd + X, and Rd groups (41.9% vs. 54.5% vs. 44.0%, p = 0.472). Besides, the progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were not significantly different among Rd, Bd, and Bd + X groups. Multivariable analysis showed that induction efficacy less than partial response (PR) were poor prognostic factors for PFS, while Revised‐International Staging System (R‐ISS) III and efficacy less than PR were poor prognostic factors for OS. This study also found that the ratios of bone marrow Bregs <10% (p = 0.036) and SUVmax of PET‐CT scan >4.2 (p = 0.000) were closely correlated with OS in the elderly MM. Conclusions: For the elderly NDMM, the CEMM2021 algorithm in our center might provide a valuable reference for the guidance of therapeutic strategies, with the combination of Bregs resulting in an effective and clinically meaningful prediction in contemporary treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous data showed that young female multiple myeloma (MM) patients had a low frequency of osteolytic lesions. Based on this clinical observation, we found that estrogen cell signaling played a regulatory role in MM bone disease (MMBD), and the estrogen‐responsive gene microtubule‐associated serine/threonine kinase family member 4 (MAST4) was a critical factor. The presence of estrogen in cell cultures promoted MAST4 expression in MM cells, while knocking down estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) inhibited MAST4 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay suggested a binding site of ESR1 on the MAST4 promoter. Bisphosphonates, such as zoledronic acid (ZOL), which was widely used in MMBD control, could stimulate MAST4 expression in MM cells by promoting ESR1 expression. MAST4 interacted with phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), therefore regulating the PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway and the expression of downstream cytokines, such as CCL2/3/4. MAST4 knockdown (MAST4‐KD) or ESR1 knockdown (ESR1‐KD) MM cells had repressed PTEN activity, elevated PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR activity, and increased CCL2/3/4 expressions. Coculture of MAST4‐KD or ESR1‐KD MM cells with pre‐osteoclasts (pre‐OCs) stimulated OC formation in vitro, whereas neutralizing antibodies of CCL2/3/4 attenuated such stimulation. In mouse models, mice inoculated with MAST4‐KD or ESR1‐KD MM cells had severer MMBD than control knockdown (CTR‐KD). The correlations between MAST4 and ESR1 expressions in MMBD, as well as related cell signaling pathways, were confirmed in analyses using gene expression profiles (GEPs) of patients' MM cells. The negative correlation of MAST4 expression and occurrence of MMBD was further validated by patients' immunohistochemical tissue array. Overall, our data suggested that estrogen cell signaling negatively regulated MMBD through MAST4. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the radiographic and functional outcomes after autologous iliotibial band with Gerdy's tubercle (ITB‐GT) interposition in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs). Methods: From December 2015 to March 2017, a total of 16 patients who underwent autologous ITB‐GT interposition for IRCTs were identified, including 4 males and 12 females. The mean age was 56.1 ± 10.3 years (range, 44–67 years). Functional assessment consisted of active range of motion (ROM), Visual Analogue scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant–Murley score, and patient satisfaction rate. The tendon integrity and acromiohumeral interval (AHI) were assessed by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: The mean duration of follow‐up was 25.3 ± 3.5 months. At final follow‐up, the patients exhibited significantly improved forward elevation, external rotation, and internal rotation (75.00° ± 13.16° to 159.37° ± 8.51°, t = 26.71, P = 0.001; 17.81° ± 11.54° to 35.31° ± 8.26°, t = 6.57, P = 0.001; 2 to 11, t = 13.10, P = 0.001). Other functional outcomes as measured by VAS score, ASES score, and Constant–Murley score also improved significantly (6.50 ± 1.41 to 1.06 ± 0.93, t = 11.68, P = 0.001; 38.50 ± 8.68 to 81.75 ± 6.80, t = 15.42, P = 0.001; 32.50 ± 8.53 to 77.12 ± 6.72, t = 17.28, P = 0.001). The overall satisfaction rate was 87.5%. The postoperative MRI showed that the tendon integrity was fully intact in 14 patients and partially intact in two patients. The AHI improved significantly from 3.63 ± 1.25 mm preoperatively to 8.37 ± 1.02 mm postoperatively (t = 11.78, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Autologous ITB‐GT interposition was a useful treatment option for patients with IRCTs, which resulted in significant improvements in active ROM, subjective functional outcomes, and AHI with excellent tendon integrity at a minimum 2‐year follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mullite coating, SiC whiskers toughened mullite coating (SiCw‐mullite), and cristobalite aluminum phosphate (c‐AlPO4) particle modified SiCw‐mullite coating (c‐AlPO4‐SiCw‐mullite) were prepared on SiC coated C/SiC composites using a novel sol‐gel method combined with air spraying. Results show that molten SiO2 formed by the oxidation of SiC whiskers and molten c‐AlPO4 improved the bonding strength between mullite outer coating and SiC–C/SiC composites due to their high‐temperature bonding properties. The bonding strength between mullite, SiCw‐mullite, c‐AlPO4‐SiCw‐mullite outer coatings and SiC–C/SiC composites were 2.41, 4.31, and 7.38 MPa, respectively. After 48 thermal cycles between 1773 K and room temperature, the weight loss of mullite/SiC coating coated C/SiC composites was up to 11.61%, while the weight losses of SiCw‐mullite/SiC and c‐AlPO4‐SiCw‐mullite/SiC coatings coated C/SiC composites were reduced to 7.40% and 5.12%, respectively. The addition of appropriate SiC whiskers can considerably improve the thermal shock resistance of mullite coating owing to their excellent mechanical properties at high temperature. In addition, c‐AlPO4 particles can further improve the thermal shock resistance of SiCw‐mullite coating due to their high‐temperature bonding and sealing properties. No obvious micro‐pores and cracks were observed on the surface of c‐AlPO4‐SiCw‐mullite coating after 48 thermal cycles due to timely healing effect by formation of secondary mullite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]