bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statin use and survival following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer: A prospective observational study
Authors: Majidi Azam , Na Renhua , Jordan Susan J. , De Fazio Anna , Webb Penelope M. ,   OPAL Study Group
Published: October 2020

Most women with ovarian cancer have a poor prognosis, but studies have reported an association between statin use and improved survival. We investigated the potential survival benefit of statins in women with ovarian cancer using data from the Ovarian cancer Prognosis and Lifestyle study, a prospective study of Australian women aged 18 to 79 years, diagnosed with ovarian cancer from 2012 to 2015 and followed for 5 to 8 years. We obtained information from patient‐completed questionnaires and medical records. We defined exposure based on prediagnosis use, as most women used statins continuously (prediagnosis and postdiagnosis) and few started using statins postdiagnosis. We measured survival from date of first treatment (surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy) until date of death or last follow‐up. We used Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for potential confounders. To reduce bias due to confounding by indication, we also applied inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Of 955 eligible women, 21% reported statin use before diagnosis. Statin users had a slightly better survival (HR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.70‐1.15) that was driven by lipophilic statin use (HR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.61‐1.11), with no association for hydrophilic statins (HR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.72‐1.49). The IPTW model weighted to all women with ovarian cancer also suggested a possible reduction in mortality associated with lipophilic statins (HR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.54‐1.21). In analyses restricted to women with hyperlipidaemia, the HRs were further from the null. Our findings are consistent with previous evidence, suggesting that lipophilic statins might improve ovarian cancer survival. Further investigation, in larger cohorts, or preferably in a randomised trial, is required.
Legal origin and financial development: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: De Vita Glauco , Li Chengchun , Luo Yun
Published: October 2020

We revisit the impact of legal origin on financial development using propensity score matching and a new financial development index on a sample of 178 countries over 1980–2016. German civil law countries are found to have the strongest positive impact on financial development. English common law countries follow. French and Scandinavian civil law countries have a negative impact on financial development while Socialist legal origin records no significant effect. When decomposing the measure of financial development into financial markets and financial institutions' development, we find that German civil law promotes both while English common law promotes only financial institutions development.
Investigation of inclusion complex of metformin into selective cyclic peptides as novel drug delivery system: Structure, electronic properties, AIM, and NBO study via DFT
Authors: Fakhari Shabnam , Nouri Azita , Jamzad Mina , Arab‐Salmanabadi Samira , Falaki Foujan
Published: October 2020

In this study, the density functional theory computational method is used to investigate the encapsulation process of metformin into three types of the cyclic peptides composed of eight serine (CP1), eight glycine (CP2), and four serine‐glycine (CP3) cyclic peptides as a new model in the process of drug delivery in the gas phase. The obtained results using the B3LYP/6‐31++G (d,p) method indicate that the complexes formed are energetically favored. Furthermore, results reveal that the drug encapsulation process is typically chemisorption. The natural bonding orbital analysis shows that the intermolecular interaction of the C2 complex (metformin/CP2) is stronger than the C1 (Metformin/CP1) and C3 (Metformin/CP3) complexes due to greater total charge transfer energy, and the C1 complex is found to be the most favored complex. The theory of atoms in molecule (AIM) method is used to analyze the nature of interactions in different molecular systems. The results show the investigated cyclic peptides as effective carriers of metformin in the nanomedicine field.
Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c predicts coronary artery disease in non‐diabetic patients
Authors: Kayali Yildiz , Ozder Aclan
Published: October 2020

Background

In primary care, there is a need for simple and cost‐effective tool that will allow the determination of the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to research the value of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the prediction of coronary artery disease.

Methods

Patients admitted to the outpatient clinic of the Cardiology for angiography were retrospectively screened. Patients with diabetes or with HbA1c of 6.5 or above were excluded. Comparative HbA1c data were obtained according to the stenosis groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors affecting stenosis positivity.

Results

Of the study group, 120 patients were without any stenosis in any coronary artery, 56 patients were with >50% stenosis in one coronary artery, and 71 patients were with >50% stenosis in more than one coronary artery. There was a statistically significant difference between HbA1c measurements according to the degree of stenosis (P = .001 and P < .01, respectively). The odd ratio for HbA1c was 6.260 (95% CI: 3,160‐12,401). According to the stenosis positivity, the cutoff point for HbA1c was found to be 5.6 and above. In the regression analysis, HbA1c was an independent risk factor for CAD. One unit increase in HbA1c level increases the risk of stenosis up to 12.4‐fold (95% CI: 5,990‐25,767).

Conclusion

The study showed HbA1c can be used as an independent marker in determining the probability and severity of coronary artery disease in non‐diabetic individuals and as a useful marker in primary care predicting CAD.
Exploring the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness in youth aged 7–17 years
Authors: Jones Alexander , Silas Jonathan , Todd Jennifer , Stewart Anita , Acree Michael , Coulson Mark , Mehling Wolf E.
Published: October 2020

Objective

This study aimed to adapt the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) questionnaire for younger respondents.

Method

The language of the MAIA was revised and children aged 7–10 years (n = 212) and adolescents aged 11–17 years (n = 217) completed the questionnaire.

Results

The original eight‐factor model was tested for fit using confirmatory factor analysis. The model had an acceptable fit in the total sample and younger subsample and overall fit in the older subsample was adequate following modification. Internal consistency was good, except for the Noticing, Not‐Distracting and Not‐Worrying scales. Results also demonstrated a negative linear relationship between the trusting scale and age, suggesting that youths may lose trust in their body as they age.

Conclusion

The adapted MAIA can be used with a younger population and, depending on the research question, individual MAIA scales may be selected. The survey is available at https://osher.ucsf.edu/maia.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of some 1,3‐benzoxazol‐2(3H)‐one hybrid molecules as potential antioxidant and urease inhibitors
Authors: Yilmaz Fatih , Menteşe Emre , Sökmen Bahar Bilgin
Published: October 2020

A new series of 1,3‐benzoxazol‐2(3H)‐one hybrid compounds, including coumarin, isatin 1,3,4‐triazole and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole moieties, were synthesized and biologically evaluated for their antioxidant capacities and anti‐urease properties. The synthesized benzoxazole‐coumarin (6a–e) and benzoxazole‐isatin (10a–c) hybrids showed remarkable urease inhibitory activities with IC50 (μM), ranging from 0.0306 ± 0.0030 to 0.0402 ± 0.0030, while IC50 of standard thiourea is 0.5027 ± 0.0293. The synthesized benzoxazole‐triazole (8a–c) and benzoxazole‐thiadiazole (9a–c) hybrids showed similar urease inhibitory activities with IC50 (μM), ranging from 0.3861 ± 0.0379 to 0.5126 ± 0.0345. The antioxidant activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated for their antioxidant activities, such as reducing power and ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) diammonium salt) radical scavenging. The results of ABTS radical scavenging activities of some of the synthesized molecules showed higher activities than standard Trolox, SC50 (μM) = 213.04 ± 18.12. One benzoxazole‐coumarin (6f), two benzoxazole‐isothiocyanate (7b, 7c), and two benzoxazole‐triazole (8b, 8c) derivatives showed higher activities (SC50 (μM) values, 82.07 ± 10.34, 120.19 ± 7.30, 104.58 ± 10.55, 153.26 ± 7.14, and 144.82 ± 10.68, respectively) than standard Trolox, (SC50 (μM) = 213.04 ± 18.12).
Time‐varying age‐ and CD4‐stratified rates of mortality and WHO stage 3 and stage 4 events in children, adolescents and youth 0 to 24 years living with perinatally acquired HIV, before and after antiretroviral therapy initiation in the paediatric IeDEA Global Cohort Consortium
Authors: Desmonde Sophie , Neilan Anne M , Musick Beverly , Patten Gabriela , Chokephaibulkit Kulkanya , Edmonds Andrew , Duda Stephany N , Malateste Karen , Wools‐Kaloustian Kara , Ciaranello Andrea L , Davies Mary‐Ann , Leroy Valériane ,   IeDEA
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Evaluating outcomes of paediatric patients with HIV provides crucial data for clinicians and policymakers. We analysed mortality and clinical events rates among children, adolescents, and youth with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) aged 0 to 24 years stratified by time‐varying age and CD4, before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART), in the paediatric IeDEA multiregional collaboration (East, West, Central and Southern Africa, Asia‐Pacific, and Central/South America and the Caribbean).

Methods

ART‐naïve children with HIV enrolled before age 10 (proxy for perinatal infection) at IeDEA sites between 2004 and 2016, with ≥1 CD4 measurement during follow‐up were included. We estimated incidence rates (IR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of mortality and first occurrence of WHO‐4 and WHO‐3 events, excluding tuberculosis, during person‐years (PY) spent within different age (<2, 2 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 24) and CD4 (percent when <5 years [<15%, 15% to 24%, ≥25%]; count when ≥5 years [<200, 200 to 499, ≥500 cells/µL]) strata. We used linear mixed models to predict CD4 evolution, with trends modelled by region.

Results

In the pre‐ART period, 49 137 participants contributed 51 966 PY of follow‐up (median enrolment age: 3.9 years). The overall pre‐ART IRs were 2.8/100 PY (95% CI: 2.7 to 2.9) for mortality, 3.3/100 PY (95% CI: 3.0 to 3.5) for first occurrence of a WHO‐4 event, and 7.0/100 PY (95% CI: 6.7 to 7.4) for first occurrence of a WHO‐3 event. Lower CD4 and younger age strata were associated with increased rates of both mortality and first occurrence of a clinical event. In the post‐ART period, 52 147 PHIVY contributed 207 945 PY (ART initiation median age: 4.5 years). Overall mortality IR was 1.4/100 PY (95% CI: 1.4 to 1.5) and higher in low CD4 strata; patients at each end of the age spectrum (<2 and >19) had increased mortality post‐ART. IRs for first occurrence of WHO‐4 and WHO‐3 events were 1.3/100 PY (95% CI: 1.2 to 1.4) and 2.1/100 PY (95% CI: 2.0 to 2.2) respectively. These were also associated with lower CD4 and younger age strata.

Conclusions

Mortality and incidence of clinical events were highest in both younger (<2 years) and older (>19 years) youth with PHIV. Scaling‐up services for <2 years (early access to HIV diagnosis and care) and >19 years (adolescent‐ and youth‐focused health services) is critical to improve outcomes among PHIVY.
An open‐label, randomized crossover study to evaluate the acceptability and preference for contraceptive options in female adolescents, 15 to 19 years of age in Cape Town, as a proxy for HIV prevention methods (UChoose)
Authors: Gill Katherine , Happel Anna‐Ursula , Pidwell Tanya , Mendelsohn Andrea , Duyver Menna , Johnson Leigh , Meyer Landon , Slack Catherine , Strode Ann , Mendel Eve , Fynn Lauren , Wallace Melissa , Spiegel Hans , Jaspan Heather , Passmore Jo‐Ann , Hosek Sybil , Smit Dionne , Rinehart Alex , Bekker Linda‐Gail
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Young women in Southern Africa have extremely high HIV incidence rates necessitating the availability of female‐controlled prevention methods. Understanding adolescent preference for seeking contraception would improve our understanding of acceptability, feasibility and adherence to similar modes of delivery for HIV prevention.

Methods

UChoose was an open‐label randomized crossover study over 32 weeks which aimed to evaluate the acceptability and preference for contraceptive options in healthy, HIV‐uninfected, female adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, as a proxy for similar HIV prevention methods. Participants were assigned to a contraceptive method for a period of 16 weeks in the form of a bi‐monthly injectable contraceptive, monthly vaginal Nuvaring® or daily combined oral contraceptive (COC) and then asked to state their preference. At 16 weeks, participants crossed over to another contraceptive method, to ensure that all participants tried the Nuvaring® (least familiar modality) and additionally, either the injection or COC. Primary outcomes were contraceptive acceptability and preference. At the end of the 32 weeks they were also asked to imagine their preference for an HIV prevention modality. Secondary endpoints included changes in sexual behaviour, contraceptive adherence and preference for biomedical and behavioural HIV prevention methods.

Results

Of the 180 participants screened, 130 were enrolled and randomized to the Nuvaring® (n = 45), injection (n = 45) or COC (n = 40). Significantly more Nuvaring® users (24/116; 20.7%) requested to change to another contraceptive option compared to injection (1/73; 1.4% p = 0.0002) and COC users (4/49; 8% p = 0.074). Of those that remained on the Nuvaring®, adherence was significantly higher than to COC (p < 0.0001). Significantly more injection users (77/80; 96.3%) thought this delivery mode was convenient to use compared to Nuvaring® (74/89; 83.1%; p = 0.0409) or COC (38/50; 76.0%; p = 0.0034). Overall, the preferred contraceptive choice was injection, followed by the ring and lastly the pill.

Conclusions

Adherence to daily COC was difficult for adolescents in this cohort and the least favoured potential HIV prevention option. While some preferred vaginal ring use, these data suggest that long‐acting injectables would be the preferred prevention method for adolescent girls and young women. This study highlights the need for additional options for HIV prevention in youth.
COVID‐19, HIV and key populations: cross‐cutting issues and the need for population‐specific responses
Authors: Iversen Jenny , Sabin Keith , Chang Judy , Morgan Thomas Ruth , Prestage Garrett , Strathdee Steffanie A , Maher Lisa
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Key populations at elevated risk to contract or transmit HIV may also be at higher risk of COVID‐19 complications and adverse outcomes associated with public health prevention measures. However, the conditions faced by specific populations vary according to social, structural and environmental factors, including stigma and discrimination, criminalization, social and economic safety nets and the local epidemiology of HIV and COVID‐19, which determine risk of exposure and vulnerability to adverse health outcomes, as well as the ability to comply with measures such as physical distancing. This commentary identifies common vulnerabilities and cross‐cutting themes in terms of the impacts of COVID‐19 on key populations before addressing issues and concerns specific to particular populations.

Discussion

Cross‐cutting themes include direct impacts such as disrupted access to essential medicines, commodities and services such as anti‐retroviral treatment, HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis, opioid agonist treatment, viral load monitoring, HIV and sexually transmitted infections testing, condoms and syringes. Indirect impacts include significant collateral damage arising from prevention measures which restrict human rights, increase or impose criminal penalties, and expand police powers to target vulnerable and criminalized populations. Significant heterogeneity in the COVID‐19 pandemic, the underlying HIV epidemic and the ability of key populations to protect themselves means that people who inject drugs and sex workers face particular challenges, including indirect impacts as a result of police targeting, loss of income and sometimes both. Geographical variations mean that transgender people and men who have sex with men in regions like Africa and the middle east remain criminalized, as well as stigmatized and discriminated against, increasing their vulnerability to adverse outcomes in relation to COVID‐19.

Conclusions

Disruptions to both licit and illicit supply chains, loss of income and livelihoods and changes in behaviour as a result of lockdowns and physical distancing have the potential to exacerbate the impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on key populations. While these impacts will vary significantly, human‐rights approaches to COVID‐19 emergency laws and public health prevention measures that are population‐specific and sensitive, will be key to reducing adverse health outcomes and ensuring that no one is left behind.
The gas bladder of Pantodon buchholzi: Structure and relationships with the vertebrae
Authors: Icardo José M. , Capillo Gioele , Lauriano Eugenia R. , Kuciel Michal , Aragona Marialuisa , Guerrera Maria Cristina , Zaccone Giacomo
Published: October 2020

We report here on the histological and structural characteristics of the gas bladder, the vertebral morphology, and the bladder–vertebra relationships of the butterfly fish, Pantodon buchholzi. The bladder opens at the boundary between the pharynx and the esophagus by a middle slit. A pneumatic duct is absent. The bladder shows a dorsolateral wall that adapts to the anfractuosities of the coelomic cavity and a ventral wall in contact with the abdominal organs. The vertebral bodies are formed by an hourglass shaped autocentrum, and by an arcocentrum reduced to several longitudinal ridges. The transverse processes adopt the structure of a cage whose walls are formed by bone trabeculae of variable size and distribution pattern. The dorsolateral wall of the bladder is a membrane that covers the kidney, adapts to the irregular shape of the vertebrae, and invades the transverse processes at several points before extending laterally. However, invasion of the vertebral bodies, the presence of a labyrinth, or the formation of respiratory parenchyma were not observed. The luminal surface of this wall is a thin respiratory barrier containing a single epithelial cell type. In addition, the wall contains numerous eosinophils that may be implicated in immune defense. The bladder ventral wall is a membrane rich in collagen, vessels, smooth muscle, and nerves that lacks a respiratory barrier. Its luminal surface contains ciliated and nonciliated cells. The two cell types appear implicated in surfactant production.
Fabrication of oil‐in‐water emulsions as shelf‐stable liquid non‐dairy creamers: effects of homogenization pressure, oil type, and emulsifier concentration
Authors: Soo Yuen Num , Tan Chin Ping , Tan Phui Yee , Khalid Nauman , Tan Tai Boon
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

The popularity of coffee, the second most consumed beverage in the world, contributes to the high demand for liquid non‐dairy creamer (LNDC). In this study, palm olein emulsions (as LNDCs) were investigated as alternatives to the more common soybean oil‐based LNDCs. LNDCs were prepared via different homogenization pressures (100–300 bar) using different types of oil (palm olein and soybean oil) and concentrations of DATEM emulsifier (5–20 g kg−1).

RESULTS

Increases in homogenization pressure and emulsifier concentration were observed to have significant (P < 0.05) effects on the physicochemical properties (particle size, pH, and viscosity) of the LNDCs. Palm olein and soybean oil LNDCs prepared using 15 g kg−1 and 10 g kg−1 DATEM emulsifier, respectively, were determined to be the most stable (as observed throughout a 15‐day storage period at ambient temperature of 28 ± 2 °C), with properties closest to those of a commercial LNDC. When added to black coffee, both LNDCs displayed a good whitening effect by increasing the L* value from 26.73 ± 0.16 (black coffee) to ≥40.82 ± 0.56 (black coffee + LNDCs). Sensory evaluation showed that there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences between the prepared and commercial LNDCs in terms of their color, appearance, and overall acceptability.

CONCLUSION

Shelf‐stable LNDCs with qualities comparable to commercial LNDC were successfully fabricated. Valuable insights into the effects of homogenization pressure, oil type, and emulsifier concentration, as well as functionality and consumer acceptance of the LNDCs when added into black coffee, were obtained. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Engineering better catalytic activity and acidic adaptation into Kluyveromyces marxianus exoinulinase using site‐directed mutagenesis
Authors: Wang Cheng‐Hua , Xiong Wu‐Ping , Huang Cheng , Li Xiao‐Ming , Wang Qing‐Yan , Huang Ri‐Bo
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Exoinulinase catalyzes the successive removal of individual fructose moiety from the non‐reducing end of the inulin molecule, which is useful for biotechnological applications like producing fructan‐based non‐grain biomass energy and high‐fructose syrup. In this study, an exoinulinase (KmINU) from Kluyveromyces marxianus DSM 5418 was tailored for increased catalytic activity and acidic adaptation for inulin hydrolysis processes by rational site‐directed mutagenesis.

RESULTS

Three mutations, S124Y, N158S and Q215V distal to the catalytic residues of KmINU were designed and heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115. Compared to the wild‐type, S124Y shifted the pH‐activity profile towards acidic pH values and increased the catalytic activity and catalytic efficiency by 59% and 99% to 688.4 ± 17.03 s−1 and 568.93 L mmol−1 s−1, respectively. N158S improved the catalytic activity under acidic pH conditions, giving a maximum value of 464.06 ± 14.06 s−1 on inulin at pH 4.5. Q215V markedly improved the substrate preference for inulin over sucrose by 5.56‐fold, and showed catalytic efficiencies of 208.82 and 6.88 L mmol−1 s−1 towards inulin and sucrose, respectively. Molecular modeling and computational docking indicated that structural reorientation may underlie the increased catalytic activity, acidic adaptation and substrate preference.

CONCLUSIONS

The KmINU mutants may serve as industrially promising candidates for inulin hydrolysis. Protein engineering of exoinulinase here provides a successful example of the extent to which mutating non‐conserved substrate recognition and binding residues distal to the active site can be used for industrial enzyme improvements. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Advanced materials on sample preparation for safety analysis of aquatic products
Authors: Lai Huasheng , Li Gongke , Zhang Zhuomin
Published: October 2020

Safety analysis of aquatic products has been a challenge in recent years due to the serious matrix interference, complex characteristics, and ultra‐low content of analytes. Introducing advanced materials to sample preparation technique can greatly improve the extraction, enrichment, and separation for further qualification and quantification of target analytes by coupling with consequent analytical technologies. Based on this scope, this review is mainly introducing advanced materials on the sample preparation for safety analysis of aquatic products in the past decade. After introducing the importance of the corresponding advanced materials, advanced materials are used for the sample preparation and in the improvement of safety analysis result of aquatic products. Advanced materials for sample preparation of aquatic products were reviewed including carbon materials, metal organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, molecularly/ions imprinted polymers, etc. Then, applications of the advanced materials for the analysis of specific fishery analytes (antibiotics, anesthetic, preservatives, etc.) were briefly introduced. Conclusions and perspectives on advanced materials for sample preparation and safety analysis of aquatic products were also presented.
Assessing land use changes and livelihood outcomes of rural people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahammad Ronju , Stacey Natasha , Sunderland Terry
Published: October 2020

Land use change is a pressing concern for the livelihoods of people in tropical developing countries. Changes in land use from swidden (shifting cultivation) agriculture to smallholder tree‐dominated areas producing timber, fruits and cash crops can result in changing livelihood outcomes for rural communities. This paper examines land use patterns of rural households and the association with food production and income across three different zones of various forest proximity across a landscape gradient (remote, intermediate and on‐road) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. We conducted in‐depth semi‐structured surveys of households (175–300) and farm owners (30) to collect information on people's perceptions of land use change, present land use patterns and contributions to food production and income. Our research found that more than half of the surveyed households experienced a decline in the land available for food production over the past 30 years. The land use patterns revealed decreasing crop lands (mainly swidden shifting cultivation/land rotation farms) and an increase in areas of planted trees within this landscape. However, household use of the reduced crop land has not affected food production in the on‐road zone, whereas the diversity of food sources has declined. People living in more remote areas engaged in swidden farming and used larger areas of crop and fallow lands, fruit orchard and accessed natural forest lands that provide a diverse reservoir of food sources. The current land uses contribute to variations in annual household income across zones, with remote dwelling people earning less to those living closer to urban areas in the intermediate and on‐road zones. In summary, this transition of land uses over three decades and changes in income and food availability cannot be generalised across the region because of zone specific differences. We recommend a broader and context‐reliant landscape management approach in consideration of the diversity of forest and tree benefits for the livelihoods of people in the region.
Dynamic change of the gastrointestinal bacterial ecology in cows from birth to adulthood
Authors: Guo Chun Y. , Ji Shou K. , Yan Hui , Wang Ya J. , Liu Jing J. , Cao Zhi J. , Yang Hong J. , Zhang Wen J. , Li Sheng L.
Published: October 2020

The gut microbiota plays multiple critical roles in maintaining the health of the host, especially in ruminants. However, our understanding of the establishment of gut microbiota from birth to adulthood is still limited. To address this, the bacterial ecology of the rumen, abomasum, duodenum, and rectum in Holstein cows ranging in age from 1 week to 5 years old was investigated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing in this study. A major change in the composition, diversity, and abundance of bacteria was observed with increased age (p < 0.05). Microbiota gradually matured in each gut segment and followed the Gompertz model when the Chao1, Shannon, and maturity indexes (p < 0.05, r > 0.94) were applied. Importantly, the Gompertz model parameter differed between the gut segments, with the highest microbiota growth rate found in the rectum, followed by the rumen, abomasum, and duodenum. Compared to older animals, greater microbiota similarities were found in the adjacent gut segments of younger animals (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that gut microbiotas are established quickly when cows are young and then slow with age and that early in life, hindgut microbiota may be more easily affected by the foregut microbiota.
Effects of contrast agents on relaxation properties of 31P metabolites
Authors: Valkovič Ladislav , Lau Justin Y. C. , Abdesselam Ines , Rider Oliver J. , Frollo Ivan , Tyler Damian J. , Rodgers Christopher T. , Miller Jack J. J.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Phosphorous MR spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) forms a powerful, non‐invasive research tool to quantify the energetics of the heart in diverse patient populations. 31P‐MRS is frequently applied alongside other radiological examinations, many of which use various contrast agents that shorten relaxation times of water in conventional proton MR, for a better characterisation of cardiac function, or following prior computed tomography (CT). It is, however, unknown whether these agents confound 31P‐MRS signals, for example, 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate (2,3‐DPG).

Methods

In this work, we quantitatively assess the impact of non‐ionic, low osmolar iodinated CT contrast agent (iopamidol/Niopam), gadolinium chelates (linear gadopentetic acid dimeglumine/Magnevist and macrocyclic gadoterate meglumine/Dotarem) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (ferumoxytol/Feraheme) on the nuclear T1 and T2 of 31P metabolites (ie, 2,3‐DPG), and 1H in water in live human blood and saline phantoms at 11.7 T.

Results

Addition of all contrast agents led to significant shortening of all relaxation times in both 1H and 31P saline phantoms. On the contrary, the T1 relaxation time of 2,3‐DPG in blood was significantly shortened only by Magnevist (P = .03). Similarly, the only contrast agent that influenced the T2 relaxation times of 2,3‐DPG in blood samples was ferumoxytol (P = .02).

Conclusion

Our results show that, unlike conventional proton MR, phosphorus MRS is unconfounded in patients who have had prior CT with contrast, not all gadolinium‐based contrast agents influence 31P‐MRS data in vivo, and that ferumoxytol is a promising contrast agent for the reduction in 31P‐MRS blood‐pool signal.
Long memory dynamics and relative efficiency of crude oil benchmarks: An adaptive market hypothesis perspective
Authors: Varghese George , Madhavan Vinodh
Published: October 2020

In the present study, we investigate the long memory dynamics in crude oil markets from an adaptive market hypothesis (AMH) perspective. In doing so, we subject the three regional crude oil benchmarks, namely, West Texas Intermediate, Brent and Dubai crude prices to a rolling Hurst exponent analysis. Subsequently, we test for homogeneity in the degree of efficiency of crude oil benchmarks using a battery of nonparametric tests. In light of the heterogeneity in the degree of efficiency that was uncovered, we offer a relative ranking of the three benchmarks considered for the study. Our findings reveal WTI market to be relatively the most efficient followed by Brent and Dubai markets. Further, by using an extensive dataset of over 36 years, we find crude oil markets to be efficient for the most part of the study period, only to be interspersed with transient and short‐lived periods of market inefficiency. Lastly, the important implications that the study's findings have on various stakeholders are also discussed.
Primary caregiver decision‐making in hematopoietic cell transplantation and gene therapy for sickle cell disease
Authors: Sinha Cynthia B. , Bakshi Nitya , Ross Diana , Loewenstein George , Krishnamurti Lakshmanan
Published: October 2020

Background

Improved outcomes and the availability of clinical trials of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from alternate donors and genetically modified autologous hematopoietic progenitor cells have expanded the applicability of HCT for sickle cell disease (SCD). To understand the perspective of primary caregivers exploring HCT in the current milieu, we asked the research question “What motivates primary caregivers to decide to consider HCT and to seek, and to attend, an HCT consultation?”

Procedures

We conducted qualitative interviews with primary caregivers within one week after a consultation for HCT for SCD. Data were analyzed using open and axial coding stages of grounded theory methodology.

Results

We interviewed 29 primary caregivers (26 females, age 29 to 64 [median 42] years). Primary caregivers report of SCD complications in their child included at least one in the last year by 23 (82%), few or none by 8 (28%), and pain on ≥3 days a week by 13 (46%) primary caregivers. Qualitative analysis revealed that primary caregivers, (i) learn about curative options through social networks, social media, and the news media; (ii) seek consultation because of their child's diminished quality of life, recent complications, an imminent major medical decision, or anxiety about future severe complications; and (iii) see gene therapy as a new, less invasive, and more acceptable treatment.

Conclusion

Primary caregivers of children with SCD learn about HCT through social networks, social and news media, and explore HCT as a means to prevent SCD complications and help their child live a normal life.
Epidemiology and survival of childhood cancer in Turkey
Authors: Kebudi Rejin , Alkaya Dilek Uludag
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The aim of this study is to evaluate demographics, clinical data, and survival rates of children with cancer over 22 years, and to compare the outcomes, before and after a national health reform was performed.

Material and Methods

Files of patients, aged 0‐19 years, diagnosed with cancer at the Istanbul University Oncology Institute during 1990‐2012 were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

The mean age at diagnosis of 2413 patients was 7.5 ± 5.1 years (range 3 days to 19 years). Male/female ratio was 1.26. After 2002, the number of patients diagnosed at a localized/low‐risk stage compared to advanced stage significantly increased (60.7% vs 65.1%, P = .03). Comparing the period before 2002 to after 2002, a lower percentage of patients were diagnosed with advanced stage non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (62.1% vs 45.1%, P = .03), retinoblastoma (9.5% vs 1.4%, P = .005), soft tissue sarcomas (52.1% vs 38.3%, P = .01), neuroblastoma (82.4% vs 56.2%, P = .005), and carcinomas (72.9% vs 65.4%, P = .04) after 2002. The 5‐year survival rate of all patients during the entire period was 74.4%. The survival rate significantly increased for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (63.7% vs 91.8%, P < .0001), neuroblastoma (46.8% vs 70.5%, P = .025), and renal tumors (70% vs 92.3%, P = .013) after 2002.

Conclusions

The increase in patients diagnosed at a localized/low‐risk stage and the increase in survival of some types of cancer over years is promising. The national health care reform, enabling patients to easily access free health services, increased awareness, improvement in oncological treatment, and supportive care may have contributed to the progress achieved, and may be a model for other developing countries.
Profiling of phenolic compounds in desiccation‐tolerant and non‐desiccation‐tolerant Linderniaceae
Authors: Passon Maike , Weber Fabian , Jung Niklas Udo , Bartels Dorothea
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Craterostigma plantagineum and Lindernia brevidens are resurrection plants, so these plants can tolerate desiccation of their vegetative tissues. Different components and mechanisms contribute to desiccation tolerance and secondary plant metabolites, like phenolic compounds, may play a role during these processes.

Objectives

Secondary plant metabolites of the two resurrection plants, C. plantagineum and L. brevidens as well as the closely related desiccation sensitive species, L. subracemosa, were investigated regarding the polyphenol profile.

Material and methods

Secondary plant compounds were extracted with acidified methanol and analysed with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐ESI‐MS). Phenolic compounds were identified by comparing of ultraviolet (UV) and MSn‐spectra with published data. All compounds were quantified as verbascoside equivalents by external calibration at the compound specific wavelength.

Results

In total, eight compounds that belong to the subclass of phenylethanoid glycosides and one flavone, luteolin hexoside pentoside, were identified. Two of these compounds exhibited a fragmentation pattern, which is closely related to phenylethanoid glycosides. The predominantly synthesised phenylethanoid in all of the three plant species and in every stage of hydration was verbascoside. The total content of phenolic compounds during the three stages of hydration, untreated, desiccated, and rehydrated revealed differences especially between C. plantagineum and L. brevidens as the latter one lost almost all phenolic compounds during rehydration.

Conclusion

The amount of verbascoside correlates with the degree of desiccation tolerance and verbascoside might play a role in the protective system in acting as an antioxidant.
Disparities in Health Care for Black Patients in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the United States: A Narrative Review
Authors: Odonkor Charles A. , Esparza Rachel , Flores Laura E. , Verduzco‐Gutierrez Monica , Escalon Miguel X. , Solinsky Ryan , Silver Julie K.
Published: October 2020

Racial health disparities continue to disproportionately affect Black persons in the United States. Black individuals also have increased risk of worse outcomes associated with social determinants of health including socioeconomic factors such as income, education, and employment. This narrative review included studies originally spanning a period of approximately one decade (December 2009‐December 2019) from online databases and with subsequent updates though June 2020. The findings to date suggest pervasive inequities across common conditions and injuries in physical medicine and rehabilitation for this group compared to other racial/ethnic groups. We found health disparities across several domains for Black persons with stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, hip/knee osteoarthritis, and fractures, as well as cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. Although more research is needed, some contributing factors include low access to rehabilitation care, fewer referrals, lower utilization rates, perceived bias, and more self‐reliance, even after adjusting for hospital characteristics, age, disease severity, and relevant socioeconomic variables. Some studies found that Black individuals were less likely to receive care that was concordant with clinical guidelines per the reported literature. Our review highlights many gaps in the literature on racial disparities that are particularly notable in cardiac, pulmonary, and critical care rehabilitation. Clinicians, researchers, and policy makers should therefore consider race and ethnicity as important factors as we strive to optimize rehabilitation care for an increasingly diverse U.S. population.
Unitarity Entropy Bound: Solitons and Instantons
Authors: Dvali Gia
Published: October 2020

We show that non‐perturbative entities such as solitons and instantons saturate bounds on entropy when the theory saturates unitarity. Simultaneously, the entropy becomes equal to the area of the soliton/instanton. This is strikingly similar to black hole entropy despite absence of gravity. We explain why this similarity is not an accident. We present a formulation that allows to apply the entropy bound to instantons. The new formulation also eliminates apparent violations of the Bekenstein entropy bound by some otherwise‐consistent unitary systems. We observe that in QCD, an isolated instanton of fixed size and position violates the entropy bound for strong 't Hooft coupling. At critical 't Hooft coupling the instanton entropy is equal to its area.
A systematic benchmarking of 31P and 19F NMR chemical shift predictions using different DFT/GIAO methods and applying linear regression to improve the prediction accuracy
Authors: Gao Peng , Zhang Jie , Chen Hongming
Published: October 2020

A systematic benchmark study of phosphorus and fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift predictions using six different density functional theory (DFT)/the gauge‐including atomic orbital (GIAO) methods was conducted. Two databases were compiled: one consists of 35 phosphorus‐containing molecules, which cover the most common intramolecular bonding environments of trivalent and pentavalent phosphorus atoms; the other is composed of 46 fluorine‐containing molecules. The characteristics of each DFT/GIAO method with different solvent models were demonstrated in detail. The application of linear regression between the calculated isotropic shielding constants and experimental chemical shifts was applicable to improving the prediction accuracy. The best methods with the solvation model based on density (SMD) and conductor‐like polarizable continuum model (CPCM) implicit solvent models for 31P chemical shifts predictions are able to yield a root‐mean‐square deviation of 5.58 and 5.42 ppm, respectively; for 19F, the corresponding lowest prediction errors with these two applied solvent models are 4.43 and 4.12 ppm, respectively. The developed scaling factors fitted from linear regression are applicable to enhancing the chance of successful structural elucidations of phosphorus or fluorine‐containing compounds as an efficient complement to 13C, 1H, 11B, and 15N chemical shift predictions.
Visualizing NMR‐shielding effect in fullerene‐ZnPc aggregates: Characteristic patterns of ZnP‐based hosts and encapsulation nature from DFT calculations
Authors: MacLeod Carey Desmond , Rodríguez‐Kessler Peter L. , Muñoz‐Castro Alvaro
Published: October 2020

The formation of supramolecular aggregates incorporating C60 fullerenes can be followed and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. Here, we unravel the particular patterns provided by zinc‐porphyrin (ZnP)‐bridged dimers, where the aromatic character of each ZnP unit leads to an enhanced shielding region for the closest fullerene atoms, denoting a slight shielding effect for the equatorial atoms. The nature of the stabilization is discussed and compared to a single ZnPC60 aggregate and a ZnP‐dimer (ZnP2C60) model, with a significant contribution from noncovalent ππ interactions, allowing us to address the role of bridging chains. The experimental 13C‐NMR spectrum of C60 in a bridged ZnP dimer shows a single peak owing to the constant tumbling inside the host, which averages the different groups of carbon atoms. The calculations in a static scenario reveal information concerning the local chemical environment underlying the observed shift in relation to isolated C60. We expect that the current approach can be useful to rationalize and predict the origin of the NMR shift upon the formation of host‐guest aggregates involving small and large host species.
Robust exponential quasi‐passivity and global stabilization for uncertain switched nonlinear systems
Authors: Pang Hongbo , Liu Shuo
Published: October 2020

In this article, a concept of robust exponential quasi‐passivity for uncertain switched nonlinear systems is first proposed to describe the overall exponential quasi‐passivity property in the absence of the exponential quasi‐passivity property of the subsystems. Compared to passive systems, quasi‐passive system that may contain sources of energy can produce energy itself. On this basis, several issues including robust exponential quasi‐passivity conditions, feedback robust exponential quasi‐passification, and globally practical stabilization for switched nonlinear systems with structural uncertainties are investigated. First, a more general switching law is designed to render uncertain switched nonlinear systems robust exponentially quasi‐passive. This result is generalization of robust KYP Lemma. Second, the feedback robust exponential quasi‐passification problem for uncertain switched nonlinear systems is solved by the co‐design of a state‐dependent switching law and state feedback controllers. Third, an robust exponentially quasi‐passive switched nonlinear system under a given switching signal is shown to be practically stabilized by a set of output feedback controllers. Furthermore, the obtained results are applicated to solve globally practical stabilization problem for uncertain switched nonlinear systems whose subsystems have any same relative degree by combining the proposed robust exponential quasi‐passification method with backstepping technique. Moreover, a set of feedback controllers and a state‐dependent switching law are designed constructively. Finally, the proposed methods are applied to the investigation of a switched continuous stirred tank reactor system.
Stability analysis for switched stochastic delayed systems under asynchronous switching: A relaxed switching signal
Authors: Zhang Meng , Zhu Quanxin
Published: October 2020

This article deals with the stochastic input‐to‐state stability (SISS) for a class of switched stochastic systems under asynchronous switching. Asynchronous switching refers to that the switching of the candidate controllers does not coincide with the switching of system modes. In addition, the time delays appear in the state. Unlike the existing works, we not only allow the coefficients of the estimated upper bound for the diffusion operator of a Lyapunov function to be increasing during the matched time interval, but also in the unmatched time interval. Meanwhile, by using the switching signals which prevail over the traditional average dwell time scheme and the Razumikhin theorem, the SISS property is obtained. Especially our results improve some existing ones regarding asynchronous switching in the literature. Two examples are used to demonstrate the applicability of the results.
Thermally Responsive Anti‐Protein Adsorption Coated Capillary for Electrophoretic Analysis of Proteins
Authors: Cong Hailin , Wang Fang , Chen Yao , Hu Hao , Chen Xin , Shen Youqing , Yu Bing
Published: October 2020

A thermal responsive and reusable capillary column coated with poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate dithiothreitols (PEGDA‐DTT‐dithiols) was prepared using photosensitive diazo resin (DR) as a coupling agent. DR and PEGDA‐DTT‐dithiols film were self‐assembled on the inner surface of silica capillary with hydrogen bonding. Due to the photo‐sensitive effect of DR, the coating will be covalently cross‐linked under ultraviolet light irradiation, the application of photosensitive DR can provide a simple and environmentally friendly strategy for preparing covalently coated capillaries. PEGDA‐DTT‐dithiols coated column, which not only separates the baseline of the four mixed model proteins, but also has good separation effect on real samples, showing excellent anti‐protein adsorption performance. The thermal responsive capillary coating can be cleaned up and regenerated facilely with a heating treatment after the column was contaminated by proteins and reused without reducing efficiency. The thermal responsive PEGDA‐DTT‐dithiols coated capillary has the advantages of environmental friendliness and recycling.