bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ameliorating effects of agomelatine on testicular and epididymal damage induced by methotrexate in rats
Authors: Aslankoc Rahime , Ozmen Ozlem , Ellidag Hamit Yasar
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible prophylactic effects of agomelatine (AGO) against testicular and epididymal damage induced by methotrexate (MTX) in rats. Twenty‐four male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: Group I (control group), Group II (MTX group: 20 mg/kg MTX, i.p, single dose), and Group III (MTX+AGO group: 20 mg/kg MTX, i.p, single dose+40 mg/kg AGO; gavage, 7 days). The rats were killed under anesthesia 24 hours after the last AGO application. Testicular and epididymal tissues were bilaterally removed for morphometric, biochemical, pathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Body, testicular, and epididymal weights were measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels were measured in testes. Sperm count, hyperemia, edema, inflammatory reaction, degenerated and necrotic cells were evaluated by histopathological analysis. In addition, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), osteopontin (OPN), and heat shock protein‐70 (HSP70) immune reactions were analyzed in testes and epididymides. Decreased epididymal weights, increased MDA levels, decreased sperm count, hyperemia, edema, inflammatory reaction, and degenerated and necrotic cells were observed in the MTX group. In addition, iNOS, HSP70, G‐CSF, and OPN immune reactions were increased. AGO improved morphometric, biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings. The present study confirms that MTX induces testicular and epididymal damage both biochemically and immunohistochemically. However, AGO demonstrated ameliorative effects on both biochemical and pathological findings of the current study.
Lansoprazole enhances the antidiabetic effect of dapagliflozin in fortified diet‐fed streptozotocin‐treated diabetic rats
Authors: Gamil Noha M. , Abd El Fattah Mai A. , Ahmed Maha A. E. , Maklad Yousreya A. , Gamal el Din Amina A. , Eid Nihad I.
Published: January 2020

Dapagliflozin (DAPA) is used for treating type 2 diabetes, whereas lansoprazole (LPZ) is used as a traditional antiulcer drug. The present study investigated the possible antidiabetic effects of LPZ on fortified diet‐fed streptozotocin (FDF/STZ)‐induced insulin‐resistant diabetic rats. On the basis of the current results, it can be concluded that LPZ could be used as an add‐on drug along with the conventional treatment for T2D as it showed beneficial effects in the current experimental model of insulin resistance.
Three‐site and five‐site fixed‐charge water models compatible with AMOEBA force field
Authors: Pan Cong , Liu Chengwen , Peng Junhui , Ren Pengyu , Huang Xuhui
Published: January 2020

In a typical biomolecular simulation using Atomic Multipole Optimized Energetics for Biomolecular Applications (AMOEBA) force field, the vast majority molecules in the simulation box consist of water, and these water molecules consume the most CPU power due to the explicit mutual induction effect. To improve the computational efficiency, we here develop two new nonpolarizable water models (with flexible bonds and fixed charges) that are compatible with AMOEBA solute: the 3‐site AW3C and 5‐site AW5C. To derive the force‐field parameters for AW3C and AW5C, we fit to six experimental liquid thermodynamic properties: liquid density, enthalpy of vaporization, dielectric constant, isobaric heat capacity, isothermal compressibility and thermal expansion coefficient, at a broad range of temperatures from 261.15 to 353.15 K under 1.0 atm pressure. We further validate our AW3C and AW5C water models by showing that they can well reproduce the radial distribution function g(r), self‐diffusion constant D, and hydration free energy from the AMOEBA03 water model and the experimental observations. Furthermore, we show that our AW3C and AW5C water models can greatly accelerate (>5 times) the bulk water as well as biomolecular simulations when compared to AMOEBA water. Specifically, we demonstrate that the applications of AW3C and AW5C water models to simulate a DNA duplex lead to a threefold acceleration, and in the meanwhile well maintain the structural properties as the fully polarizable AMOEBA water. We expect that our AW3C and AW5C water models hold great promise to be widely applied to simulate complex bio‐molecules using the AMOEBA force field.
Portuguese version of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5): Comparison of latent models and other psychometric analyses
Authors: Carvalho Teresa , da Motta Carolina , Pinto‐Gouveia José
Published: January 2020

Objective

This psychometric study explores the Portuguese version of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL‐5). It aims to clarify the best‐fitting latent structure among competing PTSD models (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐fifth edition [DSM‐5], Dysphoria, Dysphoric Arousal, Anhedonia, Externalizing Behavior, And Hybrid models) and its implications for PTSD measurement.

Method

Psychometric analyses were conducted in a sample from the general population of firefighters (N = 446), except the temporal stability, which was tested in a subsample of 100 participants.

Results

The models presented significant differences in a global fit. The Hybrid model presented the best‐fitting structure, but the DSM‐5 model showed more favorable reliability and convergent validity in Confirmatory Factor Analyses. The DSM‐5 model also proved to be internally consistency, temporally stable, and presented convergent validity.

Conclusion

The Portuguese version of PCL‐5 is reliable and valid. The findings suggest the appropriateness of the DSM‐5 model to assess PTSD symptomatology, encouraging its use in clinical, and research settings.
Eukaryotic initiation Factor 4AIII facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition process via antagonistically binding to WD repeat domain 66 with miRNA‐2113
Authors: Zhang Li , Chen Yangzong , Bao Chunchun , Zhang Xiuxing , Li Haiying
Published: January 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the malignant cancers with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide. RNA‐binding protein eukaryotic initiation Factor 4A‐III (eIF4AIII) is a carcinogene in the biological process of tumors and microRNA (miRNA)‐2113 has rarely been studied in cancers, not to mention in HCC. The regulation mechanism between eIF4AIII and miR‐2113 involved in HCC is yet to be explored. The purpose of this research is to probe the function role and associated underlying mechanism of eIF4AIII participated in HCC. The results revealed that eIF4AIII was overexpressed in HCC. Lost‐of‐function assays found that eIF4AIII knockdown, WD (Trp‐Asp [tryptophan and asparaginic acid]) repeat domain 66 (WDR66) silence or miR‐2113 promotion repressed cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in HCC. Furthermore, eIF4AIII could interact with WDR66 and further stabilize WDR66 messenger RNA. In addition, WDR66 was a target gene of miR‐2113. Besides, WDR66 was antagonistically regulated by eIF4AIII and miR‐2113. Rescue assays verified that eIF4AIII promoted HCC cell proliferation, migration, and EMT process via antagonistically binding to WDR66 with miR‐2113. Taken together, these findings indicated an important role and a novel mechanism of eIF4AIII in HCC, providing an optional therapy for HCC patients.
Bromodomain‐containing protein 4 inhibition alleviates matrix degradation by enhancing autophagy and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activity in NP cells
Authors: Hong Junmin , Li Shuangxing , Markova Dessislava Z. , Liang Anjing , Kepler Christopher K. , Huang Yingjie , Zhou Jie , Yan Jiansen , Chen Weijian , Huang Dongsheng , Xu Kang , Ye Wei
Published: January 2020

An imbalance between matrix synthesis and degradation is the hallmark of intervertebral disc degeneration while inflammatory cytokines contribute to the imbalance. Bromodomain and extra‐terminal domain (BET) family is associated with the pathogenesis of inflammation, and inhibition of BRD4, a vital member of BET family, plays an anti‐inflammatory role in many diseases. However, it remains elusive whether BRD4 plays a similar role in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and participates in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration. The present study aims to observe whether BRD4 inhibition regulates matrix metabolism by controlling autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activity. Besides, the relationship was investigated among nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) signaling, autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome in NP cells. Here, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis and adenoviral GFP‐LC3 vector transduction in vitro were used, and it was revealed that BRD4 inhibition alleviated the matrix degradation and increased autophagy in the presence or absence of tumor necrosis factor α. Moreover, p65 knockdown or treatment with JQ1 and Bay11‐7082 demonstrated that BRD4 inhibition attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activity through NF‐κB signaling, while autophagy inhibition by bafilomycin A1 promoted matrix degradation and NLRP3 inflammasome activity in NP cells. In addition, analysis of BRD4 messenger RNA expression in human NP tissues further verified the destructive function of BRD4. Simply, BRD4 inhibition alleviates matrix degradation by enhancing autophagy and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activity through NF‐κB signaling in NP cells.
The chromosome 19 microRNA cluster, regulated by promoter hypomethylation, is associated with tumour burden and poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Rui Tao , Xu Siyi , Zhang Xueyou , Huang Haitao , Feng Shi , Zhan Shaowei , Xie Haiyang , Zhou Lin , Ling Qi , Zheng Shusen
Published: January 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still one of the major malignant tumours with poor prognosis. The chromosome 19 microRNA cluster (C19MC) is the largest miRNA cluster, and its functions and regulatory mechanisms remain unclear in HCC. We extracted data from 373 HCC samples and 50 non‐tumour samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The differential expression levels and methylation levels of C19MC as well as the correlation between them were analysed. We evaluated the correlation between the expression levels of C19MC and the clinical features. We further performed prognostic analysis for C19MC and analysed the bioinformatic function. C19MC had upregulated expression levels and promoter hypomethylation in HCC. A significant negative correlation between the high expression and low methylation level of C19MC was obtained. In addition, the positive correlation between the expression levels of C19MC and the tumour grade, tumour stage and T‐stage is shown. Three miRNAs (mir‐512‐1, mir‐516a‐1, mir‐519a‐2) were negatively associated with overall survival on the basis of the Kaplan–Meier analysis and the 3‐miRNA signature was significant for the prognostic assessment of HCC. A bioinformatic enrichment analysis suggested that the target genes of the 3 miRNAs may be associated with mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways related to cancer invasion. In summary, our novel study demonstrated that the hypomethylation of promoters upregulates the expression levels of C19MC and that C19MC may represent a potential new candidate for the diagnosis and therapy of HCC.
Combination of melatonin and irisin ameliorates lipopolysaccharide‐induced cardiac dysfunction through suppressing the Mst1–JNK pathways
Authors: Ouyang Haichun , Li Qian , Zhong Jiankai , Xia Fengfan , Zheng Sulin , Lu Jianhua , Deng Yuanyan , Hu Yunzhao
Published: January 2020

Despite significant advances in therapies in past decades, the mortality rate of septic cardiomyopathy remains high. The aim of this study is to explore the therapeutic effects of combined treatment using melatonin and irisin in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐mediated septic cardiomyopathy. Our data found that melatonin and irisin could further attenuate LPS‐induced myocardial depression. Molecular investigation illustrated that melatonin and irisin cotreatment sustained cardiomyocyte viability and improved mitochondrial function under LPS stress. Pathway analysis demonstrated that macrophage‐stimulating 1 (Mst1), which was significantly activated by LPS, was drastically inhibited by melatonin/irisin cotreatment. Mechanically, Mst1 activated c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathway and the latter induced oxidative stress, adenosine triphosphate metabolism disorder, mitochondrial membrane potential reduction, and cardiomyocyte death activation. Melatonin and irisin cotreatment effectively inhibited the Mst1–JNK pathway and, thus, promoted cardiomyocyte survival and mitochondrial homeostasis. Interestingly, Mst1 overexpression abolished the beneficial effects of melatonin and irisin in vivo and in vitro. Altogether, our results confirmed that melatonin and irisin combination treatment could protect heart against sepsis‐induced myocardial depression via modulating the Mst1–JNK pathways.
Mechanistic study of the tandem intramolecular (4 + 2)/intermolecular (3 + 2) cycloaddition reactions for the formation of polyaza‐ and polyisoxazolidine‐steroids
Authors: Opoku Ernest , Baffour Pipim George , Tia Richard , Adei Evans
Published: January 2020

The ability to construct molecules with potential applications in biomedicine via efficient and selective molecular design and syntheses hinges on a thorough understanding of underlying reaction mechanisms. The biological importance of steroids and related heterocyclic compounds are well known but theoretical studies aimed at delineating reaction mechanisms to complement efforts of experimentalists are lacking. Herein, we report an extensive theoretical study on the regio‐, stereo‐, and enantio‐selectivity of the tandem sequential intramolecular (4 + 2)/intermolecular (3 + 2) cycloaddition reaction of (E)‐3‐(2‐[furan‐2‐ylmethoxy]phenyl)acrylate derivatives (R1) and azides (R3 and R3′) as well as nitrones (R2) for the formation of steroids. In the reaction of R1 and the azide derivatives R3 and R3′, the intramolecular (4 + 2) cycloaddition of R1 is the rate‐determining step (rds). The reaction is also found to be very selective. Reaction of electron‐withdrawing groups‐substituted R1 with R3 is found to generally increase the barrier of the rds except bromine whiles electron‐donating groups are found to generally decrease the activation energies of the rds. Subsequently, we report a novel reaction of R1 with cyclic nitrone (R2), which compares favorably with the azide reaction. Results from the global reactivity descriptors are in good agreement with the activation barrier trends. All the considered reactions in this study are found to be kinetically driven.
Synthesis of imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, labeled with carbon‐14
Authors: Kang Julie , Lee Jun Young , Park Jeong‐Hoon , Chang Dong‐Jo
Published: January 2020

Imatinib (Gleevec) is a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor that decreases the activity of the fusion oncogene called BCR‐ABL (breakpoint cluster region protein‐Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog) and is clinically used for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia. Small molecule drugs, such as imatinib, can bind to several cellular proteins including the target proteins in the cells, inducing undesirable effects along with the effects against the disease. In this study, we report the synthetic optimization for 14C‐labeling and radiosynthesis of [14C]imatinib to analyze binding with cellular proteins using accelerator mass spectroscopy. 14C‐labeling of imatinib was performed by the synthesis of 14C‐labeld 2‐aminopyrimidine intermediate using [14C]guanidine·HCl, which includes an in situ reduction of an inseparable byproduct for easy purification by HPLC, followed by a cross‐coupling reaction with aryl bromide precursor. The radiosynthesis of [14C]imatinib (specific activity, 631 MBq/mmol; radiochemical purity, 99.6%) was achieved in six steps with a total chemical yield of 29.2%.
Role of MRI in Staging of Penile Cancer
Authors: Krishna Satheesh , Shanbhogue Krishna , Schieda Nicola , Morbeck Fernando , Hadas Benhabib , Kulkarni Girish , McInnes Matthew D. , Baroni Ronaldo Hueb
Published: January 2020

Penile cancer is one of the male‐specific cancers. Accurate pretreatment staging is crucial due to a plethora of treatment options currently available. The 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer‐Tumor Node and Metastasis (AJCC‐TNM) revised the staging for penile cancers, with invasion of corpora cavernosa upstaged from T2 to T3 and invasion of urethra downstaged from T3 to being not separately relevant. With this revision, MRI is more relevant in local staging because MRI is accurate in identifying invasion of corpora cavernosa, while the accuracy is lower for detection of urethral involvement. The recent European Urology Association (EAU) guidelines recommend MRI to exclude invasion of the corpora cavernosa, especially if penis preservation is planned. Identification of satellite lesions and measurement of residual‐penile‐length help in surgical planning. When nonsurgical treatment modalities of the primary tumor are being considered, accurate local staging helps in decision‐making regarding upfront inguinal lymph node dissection as against surveillance. MRI helps in detection and extent of inguinal and pelvic lymphadenopathy and is superior to clinical palpation, which continues to be the current approach recommended by National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment guidelines. MRI helps the detection of “bulky” lymph nodes that warrant neoadjuvant chemotherapy and potentially identify extranodal extension. However, tumor involvement in small lymph nodes and differentiation of reactive vs. malignant lymphadenopathy in large lymph nodes continue to be challenging and the utilization of alternative contrast agents (superparamagnetic iron oxide), positron emission tomography (PET)‐MRI along with texture analysis is promising. In locally recurrent tumors, MRI is invaluable in identification of deep invasion, which forms the basis of treatment. Multiparametric MRI, especially diffusion‐weighted‐imaging, may allow for quantitative noninvasive assessment of tumor grade and histologic subtyping to avoid biopsy undersampling. Further research is required for incorporation of MRI with deep learning and artificial intelligence algorithms for effective staging in penile cancer.

Level of Evidence: 5

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1612–1629.
Efficient yield estimation of multiband patch antennas by polynomial chaos‐based Kriging
Authors: Leifsson Leifur , Du Xiaosong , Koziel Slawomir
Published: January 2020

Yield estimation of antenna systems is important to check their robustness with respect to the uncertain sources. Since direct Monte Carlo sampling of accurate physics‐based models can be computationally intensive, this work proposes the use of the polynomial chaos–Kriging (PC‐Kriging) metamodeling method for fast yield estimation of multiband patch antennas. PC‐Kriging integrates the polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) as the trend function of Kriging metamodel since the PCE is good at capturing the function tendency and Kriging is good at matching the observations at training points. The PC‐Kriging method is demonstrated on two analytical cases and two multiband patch antenna cases and is compared with the PCE and Kriging metamodeling methods. In the analytical cases, PC‐Kriging reduces the computational cost by over 40% compared with PCE and over 94% compared with Kriging. In the antenna cases, PC‐Kriging reduces the computational cost by over 60% compared with Kriging and over 90% compared with PCE. In all cases, the savings are obtained without compromising the accuracy.
Factors associated with the presence of peri‐implant buccal soft tissue dehiscences: A case‐control study
Authors: Sanz‐Martín Ignacio , Regidor Erik , Navarro Jordi , Sanz‐Sánchez Ignacio , Sanz Mariano , Ortiz‐Vigón Alberto
Published: January 2020

Background

To identify factors associated with the presence of buccal soft tissue dehiscences (BSTD).

Methods

This cross‐sectional observational study assessed 52 cases (CAS) with a minimum of 24 months of loading, with the presence of a BSTD, defined as an exposure of the prosthetic abutment, the implant neck or the implant surface in the anterior maxillae or mandible (premolar‐premolar) and 52 carefully selected controls (CON) matched for age and years in function, being the only difference between groups the BSTD. Clinical parameters and radiographic findings from periapical radiographs and Cone Beam Computed Tomographies (CBCT) were analyzed to assess their association with the occurrence of BSTD using a multivariate regression model.

Results

The CAS had a mean keratinzed mucosa (KM) of 1.65 ± 1.31 mm, whereas in the CON KM was 3.27 ± 1.28 mm (P = 0.001). Probing depths were similar in both groups, whereas bleeding on probing and plaque scores were higher in the CAS (P = 0.001). Mean bone level scores in the CAS were 1.71 ± 1.04 mm, and 1.27 ± 1.01 mm in CON (P = 0.143). The first bone to implant contact at the buccal aspect was 4.85 ± 3.12 mm in CAS and 2.15 ± 3.44 mm in CON (P = 0.001). CAS were 1.48 ± 0.93 mm outside the alveolar envelope, whereas the CON were 0.46 ± 0.77 mm. Implants buccally positioned in the CBCT's were 34 times more likely to belong to the case group. The presence of >2 mm of KM at the time of evaluation, presence of adjacent natural teeth, cemented restorations and two‐piece implants were protective factors.

Conclusion

The bucco‐palatal implant position was the most relevant factor related to the presence of BSTD.
Improving Raman spectroscopic identification of rice varieties by feature extraction
Authors: Sha Min , Zhang Ding , Zhang Zhengyong , Wei Jinhong , Chen Yuan , Wang Mengtian , Liu Jun
Published: January 2020

Raman spectroscopy combined with pattern recognition can identify rice varieties excellently. In this study, a method was established to select the key feature for identification model. Seventy‐two Raman spectra of three varieties of rice were analyzed. Seventy‐one independent variables and characteristic bands (420–560, 820–980, 1,000–1,200, and 1,300–1,500 cm−1) were obtained by principal component analysis (PCA). Window analysis further narrowed the range of characteristic bands (451–550, 951–1,000, and 1,351–1,450 cm−1). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) obtained 30 wavenumbers with small correlation. The prediction accuracy was 91.71%, whereas the time was reduced by 10 times when these 30 wavenumbers were used to establish the identification model. The method combined PCA, window analysis, and HCA with support vector machine can be used as an effective feature extraction method to improve the efficiency for identification of rice varieties. Under the circumstances of large sample size or relatively complex data, the screening of Raman spectrum information is an important means to simplify the model and improve the prediction efficiency.
Discrimination of textile dyes in binary mixtures by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Lepot Laurent , De Wael Kris , Gason Fabrice , Gilbert Bernard , Eppe Gauthier , Malherbe Cédric
Published: January 2020

For forensic investigation of dyes used in the textile dying industry by Raman spectroscopy, the capability to discriminate several dyes is significant. When trace samples of fibres tainted with unknown dyes have to be confronted to a reference material, the minor dye is typically present in less than 10 wt% in the dyeing preparations. In the present study, we investigate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to discriminate two dyes in binary mixtures. 50 mixtures were prepared from a selection of five textile dyes in various molar proportion. They were systematically studied with two excitation laser sources at 514 nm and at 785 nm, both referenced in the forensic fibre literature. Representative data were obtained for different scenario's considering the relative capability of each dye to lead to high or weak Raman signal as well as possible fluorescence emission. In particular, we discuss the complementarity of the data obtained with both lasers and the supervised data exploratory treatments leading to the detection of the dye signal: from the simple observation by the operator, the search in spectral databases to the quantitative spectral subtraction of the dominant dye contribution.
Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) calibration target design to allow onboard combined science between the RLS and MicrOmega instruments on the ExoMars rover
Authors: Lopez‐Reyes Guillermo , Pilorget Cedric , Moral Andoni G. , Manrique Jose Antonio , Sanz Aurelio , Berrocal Alicia , Veneranda Marco , Rull Fernando , Medina Jesús , Hamm Vincent , Bibring Jean‐Pierre , Rodriguez Jose Antonio , Perez Canora Carlos , Mateo‐Marti Eva , Prieto‐Ballesteros Olga , Lalla Emmanuel , Vago Jorge L.
Published: January 2020

The ExoMars rover, scheduled to be launched in 2020, will be equipped with a novel and diverse payload. It will also include a drill to collect subsurface samples (from 0‐ to 2‐m depth) and deliver them to the rover analytical laboratory, where it will be possible to perform combined science between instruments. For the first time, the exact same sample target areas will be investigated using complementary analytical methods—infrared spectrometry, Raman spectrometry, and laser desorption mass spectrometry—to establish mineralogical and organic chemistry composition. Fundamental for implementing this cooperative science strategy is the Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) calibration target (CT). The RLS CT features a polyethylene terephthalate disk used for RLS calibration and verification of the instrument during the mission. In addition, special patterns have been recorded on the RLS CT disk that the other instruments can detect and employ to determine their relative position. In this manner, the RLS CT ensures the spatial correlation between the three analytical laboratory instruments: MicrOmega, RLS, and MOMA. The RLS CT has been subjected to a series of tests to qualify it for space utilization and to characterize its behavior during the mission. The results from the joint work performed by the RLS and MicrOmega instrument teams confirm the feasibility of the “combined science” approach envisioned for ExoMars rover operations, whose science return is optimized when complementing the RLS and MicrOmega joint analysis with the autonomous RLS operation.
Vector casting for noise reduction
Authors: Gebrekidan Medhanie Tesfay , Knipfer Christian , Braeuer Andreas Siegfried
Published: January 2020

We report a new method for the reduction of noise from spectra. This method is based on casting vectors from one data point to the following data points of the noisy spectrum. The noise‐reduced spectrum is computed from the casted vectors within a margin that is identified by an envelope‐finder algorithm. We compared here the presented method with the Savitzky–Golay and the wavelet transform approaches for noise reduction using simulated Raman spectra of various signal‐to‐noise ratios between 1 and 25 dB and experimentally acquired Raman spectra. The method presented here performs well compared with the Savitzky–Golay and the wavelets‐based denoising method, especially at small signal‐to‐noise ratios and furthermore relies on a minimum of human input requirements.
Hyphenated dispersive solid‐ and liquid‐phase microextraction technique based on a hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent: application for trace analysis of pesticides in fruit juices
Authors: Sereshti Hassan , Jamshidi Fatemeh , Nouri Nina , Nodeh Hamid Rashidi
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Pesticides are extensively used worldwide to control plant pathogens and prevent agricultural product damage. However, they can pollute the environment and endanger human health. So far, a variety of sample preparation methods have been developed for the analysis of pesticide residues.

RESULTS

A hyphenated solid–liquid microextraction method based on a new adsorbent of magnetic graphene oxide functionalized by (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane and a deep eutectic solvent (choline chloride/4‐chlorophenol (1:2)) was developed for extraction/preconcentration of trace levels of pesticides. The sorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. In‐syringe magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction in tandem with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography was applied for the analysis of the selected pesticides. The main parameters governing sample preparation efficiency, including adsorbent dosage, desorption conditions, pH, extraction time, deep eutectic solvent volume, and salt concentration, were investigated. The linear ranges were 0.024–500 μg L−1 with 0.9971–0.9999 linearity factor (R2). The limits of detection and quantification were 0.006–0.038 and 0.024–0.126 μg L−1, respectively. The relative standard deviations were 0.5–4.2% for intra‐day analysis and 2.7–4.6% for inter‐day analysis. Enrichment factors were in the range 210–540.

CONCLUSIONS

The method was successfully applied for the determination of malathion, heptachlor epoxide, endrin, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, azinphos ethyl, cypermethrin, and deltamethrin in fruit juice samples (apple, pineapple, cherry, peach, and red and green grape juices) and the recoveries were within the range 71–115%. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Synbiotic edible film from konjac glucomannan composed of Lactobacillus casei‐01® and Orafti®GR, and its application as coating on bread buns
Authors: Pruksarojanakul Patthasarun , Prakitchaiwattana Cheunjit , Settachaimongkon Sarn , Borompichaichartkul Chaleeda
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Konjac glucomannan‐based edible films formulated with Lactobacillus casei‐01® and chicory‐derived inulin Orafti®GR were studied for their properties, stability, and application as coatings on bread buns.

RESULTS

Thickness and transparency were variable and dependent on the formulations. Alterations in color properties of all supplemented films were unnoticeable by unaided human eyes, with ΔE less than 3. Lactobacillus casei‐01® and Orafti®GR were associated with higher water solubility of the films. Lactobacillus casei‐01® decreased the water vapor permeability of the films while Orafti®GR promoted it. The mechanical properties in all combinations remained unchanged, although those with Orafti®GR showed profoundly reduced tensile strength. Scanning electron micrographs and Fourier transform infrared spectra of the films confirmed good homogeneity and intermolecular attraction between the prebiotic and konjac glucomannan. Cell viability in the films stored at room temperature decreased sharply, becoming less than the minimum recommended level after day 4, while viable L. casei‐01® in coatings on bread buns gradually decreased, with a reduction of ca. 2 log colony‐forming units (CFU) portion−1 over the 7 day storage period at room temperature.

CONCLUSION

The synbiotic film and coating developed in this study are a relatively simple strategy for incorporating L. casei‐01® and Orafti®GR into bread buns, which are short shelf‐life foods. Bread buns with synbiotic coating could diversify functional food choices. Pretreatment, together with other technologies, is required to maintain a desirable number of active probiotic cells for longer. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Reptiles Under the Conservation Umbrella of the Greater Sage‐Grouse
Authors: Pilliod David S. , Jeffries Michelle I. , Arkle Robert S. , Olson Deanna H.
Published: January 2020

In conservation paradigms, management actions for umbrella species also benefit co‐occurring species because of overlapping ranges and similar habitat associations. The greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is an umbrella species because it occurs across vast sagebrush ecosystems of western North America and is the recipient of extensive habitat conservation and restoration efforts that might benefit sympatric species. Biologists' understanding of how non‐target species might benefit from sage‐grouse conservation is, however, limited. Reptiles, in particular, are of interest in this regard because of their relatively high diversity in shrublands and grasslands where sage‐grouse are found. Using spatial overlap of species distributions, land cover similarity statistics, and a literature review, we quantified which reptile species may benefit from the protection of intact sage‐grouse habitat and which may be affected by recent (since about 1990) habitat restoration actions targeting sage‐grouse. Of 190 reptile species in the United States and Canadian provinces where greater sage‐grouse occur, 70 (37%) occur within the range of the bird. Of these 70 species, about a third (11 snake and 11 lizard species) have >10% of their distribution area within the sage‐grouse range. Land cover similarity indices revealed that 14 of the 22 species (8 snake and 6 lizard species) had relatively similar land cover associations to those of sage‐grouse, suggesting greater potential to be protected under the sage‐grouse conservation umbrella and greater potential to be affected, either positively or negatively, by habitat management actions intended for sage‐grouse. Conversely, the remaining 8 species are less likely to be protected because of less overlap with sage‐grouse habitat and thus uncertain effects of sage‐grouse habitat management actions. Our analyses of treatment databases indicated that from 1990 to 2014 there were at least 6,400 treatments implemented on public land that covered approximately 4 million ha within the range of the sage‐grouse and, of that, >1.5 million ha were intended to at least partially benefit sage‐grouse. Whereas our results suggest that conservation of intact sagebrush vegetation communities could benefit ≥14 reptiles, a greater number than previously estimated, additional research on each species' response to habitat restoration actions is needed to assess broader claims of multi‐taxa benefits when it comes to manipulative sage‐grouse habitat management. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Surgical Site Infection Affects Length of Stay After Complex Head and Neck Procedures
Authors: Lebo Nicole L. , Quimby Alexandra E. , Caulley Lisa , Thavorn Kednapa , Kekre Natasha , Brode Sarah , Johnson‐Obaseki Stephanie
Published: January 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Quality improvement (QI) initiatives emphasize a need for reduction in hospital length of stay (LOS). We sought to determine the impact of surgical site infections (SSIs) on LOS after complex head and neck surgery (HNS).

Study Design

Retrospective cohort analysis.

Methods

An analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was undertaken. All adult patients undergoing complex HNS from 2005 to 2016 were included in the analysis. Our main outcomes were SSI incidence and increase in hospital LOS attributable to SSI.

Results

Of 4,014 patients identified, 16.5% developed SSI. History of smoking, diabetes, preoperative wound infection, contaminated or dirty wound classes, and prolonged operative time were found to significantly predict postoperative SSI. Adjusting for significant pre‐ and postoperative factors, SSI was associated with significantly increased LOS (hazard ratio = 0.486, 95% confidence interval: 0.419‐0.522).

Conclusions

SSI following complex HNS is associated with significantly increased hospital LOS. This result supports the need for institutional QI strategies that target SSIs after head and neck procedures in an effort to provide the highest quality care at the lowest possible cost. Our analysis identifies risk factors that can allow identification of patients at high risk of SSI and prolonged hospitalization.

Level of Evidence

2b Laryngoscope, 2020
Lubrication mechanisms of rubbing interface in internal meshing teeth with small clearance
Authors: Ren Si , Zhang Ying , Yang Jialong , Wang Zongzheng , Dai Ling , Pu Wei
Published: January 2020

Internal gears with small tooth number difference are widely used as core component in robotics, medical, and other fields. The clearance between the entire meshing teeth is much smaller compared with other gear transmissions, indicating that the entire tooth profile can significantly affect the mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) state of a certain meshing point. Thereby, available lubrication analysis is limited with the assumption of effective radius at each meshing point. In the present study, the entire tooth profile with gear flank modification is studied to improve lubricating characteristics. A mixed EHL model for predicting the film, pressure, power loss, and subsurface stress is presented with consideration of the entire tooth geometry. We find that the tooth geometry away from the meshing location shows a remarkable influence on the film and pressure distribution as well as power loss of tooth rubbing interface, which is commonly unrecognised in previous study. Optimization of modification parameters is observed under different operating conditions, highlighting the critical role of entire tooth geometry in mixed EHL behaviour for internal gears with small tooth number difference.
Severe achondroplasia due to two de novo variants in the transmembrane domain of FGFR3 on the same allele: A case report
Authors: Nagata Tadashi , Matsushita Masaki , Mishima Kenichi , Kamiya Yasunari , Kato Kohji , Toyama Miho , Ogi Tomoo , Ishiguro Naoki , Kitoh Hiroshi
Published: January 2020

Background

Achondroplasia (ACH), the most common form of short‐limbed skeletal dysplasia, is caused by gain‐of‐function mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene. More than 97% of patients result from a heterozygous p.G380R mutation in the FGFR3 gene. We present here a child who had two de novo variants in the FGFR3 on the same allele, a common p.G380R mutation and a novel p.S378N variant.

Methods

A 3‐year‐old Japanese girl born from non‐consanguineous healthy parents showed more severe clinical and radiological phenotypes than classic ACH, including severe short‐limbed short stature with marked ossification defects in the metaphysis and epiphysis, hydrocephalus and cervicomedullary compression due to foramen magnum stenosis, prolonged pulmonary hypoplasia, and significant delay in the gross motor development. Genomic DNA was extracted from the proband and whole‐exome sequencing was performed. The variants were subsequently confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

Results

Mutation analysis demonstrated that the proband had p.S378N (c.1133G>A) and p.G380R (c.1138G>A) variants in the FGFR3 gene. Both variants were not detected in her parents and therefore considered de novo. An allele‐specific PCR was developed in order to determine whether these mutations were on the same allele (cis) or on different alleles (trans). The c.1138G>A mutation was found in the PCR product generated with the primer for the mutant 1133A, but it was not detected in the product with the wild‐type 1133G, confirming that p.S378N and p.G380R variants were located on the same allele (cis).

Conclusion

This is the second case who had two FGFR3 variants in the transmembrane domain on the same allele. The p.S378N variant may provide an additive effect on the activating receptor with the p.G380R mutation and alter the protein function, which could be responsible for the severe phenotype of the present case.
A new open‐source GPU‐based microscopic Monte Carlo simulation tool for the calculations of DNA damages caused by ionizing radiation — Part II: sensitivity and uncertainty analysis
Authors: Lai Youfang , Tsai Min‐Yu , Tian Zhen , Qin Nan , Yan Congchong , Hung Shih‐Hao , Chi Yujie , Jia Xun
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Calculations of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damages involve many parameters in the computation process. As these parameters are often subject to uncertainties, it is of central importance to comprehensively quantify their impacts on DNA single‐strand break (SSB) and double‐strand break (DSB) yields. This has been a challenging task due to the required large number of simulations and the relatively low computational efficiency using CPU‐based MC packages. In this study, we present comprehensive evaluations on sensitivities and uncertainties of DNA SSB and DSB yields on 12 parameters using our GPU‐based MC tool, gMicroMC.

Methods

We sampled one electron at a time in a water sphere containing a human lymphocyte nucleus and transport the electrons and generated radicals until 2 Gy dose was accumulated in the nucleus. We computed DNA damages caused by electron energy deposition events in the physical stage and the hydroxyl radicals at the end of the chemical stage. We repeated the computations by varying 12 parameters: (a) physics cross section, (b) cutoff energy for electron transport, (c)–(e) three branching ratios of hydroxyl radicals in the de‐excitation of excited water molecules, (f) temporal length of the chemical stage, (g)–(h) reaction radii for direct and indirect damages, (i) threshold energy defining the threshold damage model to generate a physics damage, (j)–(k) minimum and maximum energy values defining the linear‐probability damage model to generate a physics damage, and (l) probability to generate a damage by a radical. We quantified sensitivity of SSB and DSB yields with respect to these parameters for cases with 1.0 and 4.5 keV electrons. We further estimated uncertainty of SSB and DSB yields caused by uncertainties of these parameters.

Results

Using a threshold of 10% uncertainty as a criterion, threshold energy in the threshold damage model, maximum energy in the linear‐probability damage model, and probability for a radical to generate a damage were found to cause large uncertainties in both SSB and DSB yields. The scaling factor of the cross section, cutoff energy, physics reaction radius, and minimum energy in the linear‐probability damage model were found to generate large uncertainties in DSB yields.

Conclusions

We identified parameters that can generate large uncertainties in the calculations of SSB and DSB yields. Our study could serve as a guidance to reduce uncertainties of parameters and hence uncertainties of the simulation results.
Feasibility of a sub‐3‐minute imaging strategy for ungated quiescent interval slice‐selective MRA of the extracranial carotid arteries using radial k‐space sampling and deep learning–based image processing
Authors: Koktzoglou Ioannis , Huang Rong , Ong Archie L. , Aouad Pascale J. , Aherne Emily A. , Edelman Robert R.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To develop and test the feasibility of a sub‐3‐minute imaging strategy for non‐contrast evaluation of the extracranial carotid arteries using ungated quiescent interval slice‐selective (QISS) MRA, combining single‐shot radial sampling with deep neural network–based image processing to optimize image quality.

Methods

The extracranial carotid arteries of 12 human subjects were imaged at 3 T using ungated QISS MRA. In 7 healthy volunteers, the effects of radial and Cartesian k‐space sampling, single‐shot and multishot image acquisition (1.1‐3.3 seconds/slice, 141‐423 seconds/volume), and deep learning–based image processing were evaluated using segmental image quality scoring, arterial temporal SNR, arterial‐to‐background contrast and apparent contrast‐to‐noise ratio, and structural similarity index. Comparison of deep learning–based image processing was made with block matching and 3D filtering denoising.

Results

Compared with Cartesian sampling, radial k‐space sampling increased arterial temporal SNR 107% (P < .001) and improved image quality during 1‐shot imaging (P < .05). The carotid arteries were depicted with similar image quality on the rapid 1‐shot and much lengthier 3‐shot radial QISS protocols (P = not significant), which was corroborated in patient studies. Deep learning–based image processing outperformed block matching and 3D filtering denoising in terms of structural similarity index (P < .001). Compared with original QISS source images, deep learning image processing provided 24% and 195% increases in arterial‐to‐background contrast (P < .001) and apparent contrast‐to‐noise ratio (P < .001), and provided source images that were preferred by radiologists (P < .001).

Conclusion

Rapid, sub‐3‐minute evaluation of the extracranial carotid arteries is feasible with ungated single‐shot radial QISS, and benefits from the use of deep learning–based image processing to enhance source image quality.
Dynamic Green's functions for an anisotropic poroelastic half‐space
Authors: Wang Fang , Ding Tao , Han Xueli , Lv Lei
Published: January 2020

The dynamic responses of an anisotropic poroelastic half‐space under an internal point load and fluid source are investigated in the frequency domain in this paper. By virtue of Fourier transform and Stroh formalism, the three‐dimensional (3D) general solutions of the anisotropic Biot's coupling dynamics equations are derived in the frequency domain. Considering the two surface conditions, permeable and impermeable, the analytical solutions for displacement fields and pore pressure in half‐space under a point source (point load or a fluid source) are obtained. When the material properties are isotropic, the numerical results of the poroelastic half‐space are in excellent agreement with the existing analytical solutions. For anisotropic half‐space cases, numerical results show the strong dependence of the dynamic Green's functions on the material properties.
Do features of randomized controlled trials of pelvic floor muscle training for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence differentiate successful from unsuccessful patient outcomes? A systematic review with a series of meta‐analyses
Authors: Hall Leanne M. , Neumann Patricia , Hodges Paul W.
Published: January 2020

Aims

Efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for postprostatectomy incontinence (PPI) differs between randomized clinical trials (RCT). This might be explained by variation in content/delivery of PFMT (eg, biofeedback, muscles targeted, and time of commencement of training). This review investigated whether outcome of meta‐analysis differs based on presence or not of specific RCT features.

Methods

PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Cochrane were searched for RCTs that investigated efficacy of PFMT on PPI. PFMT details and outcomes were extracted. Methodological quality and comprehensiveness of PFMT reporting was assessed using the PEDro scale and Consensus on Reporting Template, respectively. Effect size and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for incontinence rate at 3 months. To identify features that influenced efficacy, separate meta‐analyses were performed for studies with and without specific features.

Results

Twenty‐two trials were included, and 15 were used for meta‐analysis of 3‐month outcomes. Overall, meta‐analysis showed reduced incontinence with PFMT (risk ratio [RR] = 0.85; I2= 55%; P = .005). Meta‐analyses showed better outcomes for PFMT than control groups when the study included preoperative PFMT (RR = 0.76; I2= 30%; P = .006), biofeedback (RR = 0.73; I2= 58%; P = .006), instruction to contract around the urethra (RR = 0.9; I2= 43%; P = .009), a control group without PFMT instruction (RR = 0.85; I2= 69%; P = .05), inclusion of all men irrespective of continence status (RR = 0.84; I2= 30%; P = .003) and continence defined as no leakage (RR = 0.85; I2= 48%; P = .05).

Conclusions

Preoperative PFMT, biofeedback, urethral instructions, no PFMT instruction for controls, inclusion of all men, and continence defined as no leakage are features associated with successful patient outcomes. Future studies should consider these features in design of interventions and pooling data for meta‐analysis.