bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A structured brain‐wide and genome‐wide association study using ADNI PET images
Authors: Li Yanming , Nan Bin , Zhu Ji ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: February 2021

A multistage variable selection method is introduced for detecting association signals in structured brain‐wide and genome‐wide association studies (brain‐GWAS). Compared to conventional methods that link one voxel to one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), our approach is more efficient and powerful in selecting the important signals by integrating anatomic and gene grouping structures in the brain and the genome, respectively. It avoids resorting to a large number of multiple comparisons while effectively controlling the false discoveries. Validity of the proposed approach is demonstrated by both theoretical investigation and numerical simulations. We apply our proposed method to a brain‐GWAS using Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative positron emission tomography (ADNI PET) imaging and genomic data. We confirm previously reported association signals and also uncover several novel SNPs and genes that are either associated with brain glucose metabolism or have their association significantly modified by Alzheimer's disease status.
Genomic Epidemiology Analysis of Infectious Disease Outbreaks Using TransPhylo
Authors: Didelot Xavier , Kendall Michelle , Xu Yuanwei , White Peter J. , McCarthy Noel
Published: February 2021

Comparing the pathogen genomes from several cases of an infectious disease has the potential to help us understand and control outbreaks. Many methods exist to reconstruct a phylogeny from such genomes, which represents how the genomes are related to one another. However, such a phylogeny is not directly informative about transmission events between individuals. TransPhylo is a software tool implemented as an R package designed to bridge the gap between pathogen phylogenies and transmission trees. TransPhylo is based on a combined model of transmission between hosts and pathogen evolution within each host. It can simulate both phylogenies and transmission trees jointly under this combined model. TransPhylo can also reconstruct a transmission tree based on a dated phylogeny, by exploring the space of transmission trees compatible with the phylogeny. A transmission tree can be represented as a coloring of a phylogeny where each color represents a different host of the pathogen, and TransPhylo provides convenient ways to plot these colorings and explore the results. This article presents the basic protocols that can be used to make the most of TransPhylo. © 2021 The Authors.

This article was corrected on 19 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol 1: First steps with TransPhylo

Basic Protocol 2: Simulation of outbreak data

Basic Protocol 3: Inference of transmission

Basic Protocol 4: Exploring the results of inference
An integrative analysis of yield stability for a GWAS in a small soybean breeding population
Authors: Quero Gastón , Simondi Sebastián , Ceretta Sergio , Otero Álvaro , Garaycochea Silvia , Fernández Schubert , Borsani Omar , Bonnecarrère Victoria
Published: February 2021

Drought stress is one of the most important factors limiting soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] productivity and reducing yield stability. Soybean breeders need phenotypic and genotypic tools to improve drought stress tolerance, but most of available strategies are expensive and unaffordable for small‐scale public breeding programs. In this study, elite germplasm of a locally adapted breeding population was used to estimate a yield stability index as an indicator of drought response. In order to associate yield stability of analyzed genotypes to drought response, water deficit scenarios related to the crop cycle group were defined. Four groups of genotypes were identified in relation to yield stability: two groups showed stables yield (without interaction with water deficit scenarios), and two groups showed unstable yield (with crossover interaction with water deficit scenarios). This phenotypic information was used to identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with yield stability index. A new method for the definition of a quantitative trait loci (QTL) region was developed based on the probability of marker pairwise of belonging to four linkage disequilibrium (LD) categories. Seven QTL were found and their implication on drought tolerance was further supported by linkage to previously reported QTL for water use efficiency trait.
Human neutralising antibodies elicited by SARS‐CoV‐2 non‐D614G variants offer cross‐protection against the SARS‐CoV‐2 D614G variant
Authors: Lee Cheryl Yi‐Pin , Amrun Siti Naqiah , Chee Rhonda Sin‐Ling , Goh Yun Shan , Mak Tze‐Minn , Octavia Sophie , Yeo Nicholas Kim‐Wah , Chang Zi Wei , Tay Matthew Zirui , Torres‐Ruesta Anthony , Carissimo Guillaume , Poh Chek Meng , Fong Siew‐Wai , Bei Wang , Lee Sandy , Young Barnaby Edward , Tan Seow‐Yen , Leo Yee‐Sin , Lye David C , Lin Raymond TP , Maurer‐Stroh Sebastien , Lee Bernett , Wang Cheng‐I , Renia Laurent , Ng Lisa FP
Published: February 2021

Objectives

The emergence of a SARS‐CoV‐2 variant with a point mutation in the spike (S) protein, D614G, has taken precedence over the original Wuhan isolate by May 2020. With an increased infection and transmission rate, it is imperative to determine whether antibodies induced against the D614 isolate may cross‐neutralise against the G614 variant.

Methods

Antibody profiling against the SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein of the D614 variant by flow cytometry and assessment of neutralising antibody titres using pseudotyped lentiviruses expressing the SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein of either the D614 or G614 variant tagged with a luciferase reporter were performed on plasma samples from COVID‐19 patients with known D614G status (n = 44 infected with D614, n = 6 infected with G614, n = 7 containing all other clades: O, S, L, V, G, GH or GR).

Results

Profiling of the anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 humoral immunity reveals similar neutralisation profiles against both S protein variants, albeit waning neutralising antibody capacity at the later phase of infection. Of clinical importance, patients infected with either the D614 or G614 clade elicited a similar degree of neutralisation against both pseudoviruses, suggesting that the D614G mutation does not impact the neutralisation capacity of the elicited antibodies.

Conclusions

Cross‐reactivity occurs at the functional level of the humoral response on both the S protein variants, which suggests that existing serological assays will be able to detect both D614 and G614 clades of SARS‐CoV‐2. More importantly, there should be negligible impact towards the efficacy of antibody‐based therapies and vaccines that are currently being developed.
Improving mitochondria and ER stability helps eliminate upper motor neuron degeneration that occurs due to mSOD1 toxicity and TDP‐43 pathology
Authors: Genç Barış , Gautam Mukesh , Gözütok Öge , Dervishi Ina , Sanchez Santana , Goshu Gashaw M. , Koçak Nuran , Xie Edward , Silverman Richard B. , Özdinler P. Hande
Published: February 2021

Background

Upper motor neurons (UMNs) are a key component of motor neuron circuitry. Their degeneration is a hallmark for diseases, such as hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Currently there are no preclinical assays investigating cellular responses of UMNs to compound treatment, even for diseases of the UMNs. The basis of UMN vulnerability is not fully understood, and no compound has yet been identified to improve the health of diseased UMNs: two major roadblocks for building effective treatment strategies.

Methods

Novel UMN reporter models, in which UMNs that are diseased because of misfolded superoxide dismutase protein (mSOD1) toxicity and TDP‐43 pathology are labeled with eGFP expression, allow direct assessment of UMN response to compound treatment. Electron microscopy reveals very precise aspects of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial damage. Administration of NU‐9, a compound initially identified based on its ability to reduce mSOD1 toxicity, has profound impact on improving the health and stability of UMNs, as identified by detailed cellular and ultrastructural analyses.

Results

Problems with mitochondria and ER are conserved in diseased UMNs among different species. NU‐9 has drug‐like pharmacokinetic properties. It lacks toxicity and crosses the blood brain barrier. NU‐9 improves the structural integrity of mitochondria and ER, reduces levels of mSOD1, stabilizes degenerating UMN apical dendrites, improves motor behavior measured by the hanging wire test, and eliminates ongoing degeneration of UMNs that become diseased both because of mSOD1 toxicity and TDP‐43 pathology, two distinct and important overarching causes of motor neuron degeneration.

Conclusions

Mechanism‐focused and cell‐based drug discovery approaches not only addressed key cellular defects responsible for UMN loss, but also identified NU‐9, the first compound to improve the health of diseased UMNs, neurons that degenerate in ALS, HSP, PLS, and ALS/FTLD patients.
Electricity generation in microbial fuel cell from wet torrefaction wastewater and locally developed corncob electrodes
Authors: Musa Bishir , Arauzo Pablo José , Olszewski Maciej Pawel , Kruse Andrea
Published: February 2021

Corncob pyrochar activated with steam (CCA) and nonactivated corncob pyrochar (NCC) were produced and characterized. The performance of the best material was tested in a dual‐chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) as an electrode for bioelectricity generation using wet torrefaction wastewater as substrate. Pyrolysis of 80.3 g of dried corncobs was carried out at 600°C under a constant N2 flow of 3 L min−1 for 30 min and the resulting pyrochar was activated using steam also at 600°C. Voltage and current outputs from the MFC were recorded daily for 18 days. The proximate and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analyses revealed that CCA had the highest fixed carbon content of 71.9 % and higher surface area of 104.0 m2 g−1 respectively. A larger pore diameter of 1.9 × 10−3 µm was also recorded with the CCA than 1.2 × 10−3 µm for NCC. The MFC produced a maximum power output of 21.5 mW. The physicochemical analyses of the wastewater effluent revealed an increased electrical conductivity from 1724 to 3460 µS cm−1 with a significant decrease by 91.9% in the total organic carbon (TOC) from 3700 to 298 mg L−1. Steam activation increases the surface area, porosity, stability and redox reversibility of the corncob pyrochar. Therefore, steam‐activated corncob pyrochar performed well in MFCs due to the high power output observed.
Concurrent brain parcellation and connectivity estimation via co‐clustering of resting state fMRI data: A novel approach
Authors: Cheng Hewei , Liu Jie
Published: February 2021

Connectional topography mapping has been gaining widespread attention in human brain imaging studies. However, existing methods might not effectively utilize the information from neuroimaging data, thus hindering the understanding of the underlying connectional organization in the brain and uncovering the optimal clustering number from the data. In this study, we propose a novel method for the automated construction of inherent functional connectivity topography in a data‐driven manner by leveraging the power of co‐clustering‐based on resting state fMRI (rs‐fMRI) data. We propose the co‐clustering‐based method not only for concurrently parcellating two interconnected brain regions of interest (ROIs) under consideration into functionally homogenous subregions, but also for estimating the connectivity between these subregions from the two brain ROIs. In particular, we first model the connectional topography mapping as a co‐clustering‐based bipartite graph partitioning problem for constructing the inherent functional connectivity topography between the two interconnected brain ROIs. We also adopt an objective criterion, that is, silhouette width index measuring clustering quality, for determining the optimal number of clusters. The proposed method has been validated for mapping thalamocortical connectional topography based on rs‐fMRI data of 57 subjects. Validation results have demonstrated that our method identified the optimal solution with five pairs of mutually connected subregions of the thalamocortical system from the rs‐fMRI data, and could yield more meaningful, interpretable, and homogenous connectional topography than existing methods. The proposed method was further validated by the high symmetry of the mapped connectional topography between two hemispheres.
Comparative analysis of corrugation effect on thermohydraulic performance of double‐pipe heat exchangers
Authors: Sruthi B. , Sasidhar A. , Surendra Kumar A. , Sahu Mithilesh Kumar
Published: February 2021

Heat transfer augmentation in heat exchangers has been a key research topic in recent times. Over the years, many methods have been proposed for heat transfer enhancement, such as providing fins, changing the cross‐sectional area of tubes, vortex generator, twisted tape inserts, and so forth. In addition to the above‐mentioned techniques, corrugation of tubes was also proposed by a few authors who demonstrated that this method could effectively increase the heat transfer rate. To address the same in this study, the different corrugation profiles have been created with the help of CATIA software for the study. The simulations were performed using ANSYS R19.2. The results so obtained were used to calculate the various thermal and hydraulic perfoallrmance parameters of the heat exchanger with the help of macros created in MS Excel. The result shows that the use of corrugation on the inner tube of the heat exchanger increased the heat transfer coefficient, fanning friction factor, and rate of cooling by 5%–21%, 90%–355%, and 25.67%–157.40%, respectively, in case of the plain double‐pipe heat exchanger for the mass flow rate variation of 5–25 kg/min. It is also observed that the smooth tube has more thermohydraulic performance as 1.2152.
Numerical investigation on the electronic components' cooling for different coolants by finite element method
Authors: Redwan Didarul A. , Chowdhury Emdadul H. , Rahman Md. Habibur , Prince Hasib A.
Published: February 2021

In this study, we conducted a numerical simulation to examine the cooling performance of an aluminum finned heat sink attached to a silicon chip, placed in a chamber of a rectangular cross‐section. The heat sink is cooled by convective heat transfer utilizing nine commercially available gaseous coolants, namely air, hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, freon12 vapor, propane, and ammonia. To select an appropriate coolant for electronic devices in terms of thermal–hydraulic performance, the maximum temperature on the chip domain and the associated pressure drop in the cooling channel as a function of coolant velocity are analyzed for the aforementioned fluids. It has been found that the minimum temperature is recorded for propane and freon12 vapor, which is approximately 31.1°C, for a coolant velocity of 0.5 m/s, but freon12 vapor shows the highest pressure drop, approximately 900 mPa, among all coolants. In the overall velocity regime, hydrogen shows the best cooling performance in terms of both cooling capacity and hydrodynamic characteristics. But considering safety issues, helium can be a better alternative. This comprehensive study provides a better understanding of different coolant performances, which will aid engineers to develop an effective cooling technique to accommodate the inexorably rising power demand.
Cesarean section rates in a tertiary referral hospital in Beirut from 2018 to 2020: Our experience using the Robson Classification
Authors: Abdallah Wael , Abi Tayeh Georges , Cortbaoui Emilia , Nassar Malek , Yaghi Nancy , Abdelkhalek Yara , Kesrouani Assaad , Finan Ramzi , Mansour Fersan , Attieh Elie , Suidan Joe , El Kassis Nadine , Aouad Norma , Atallah David
Published: February 2021

Objective

To evaluate the cesarean section rate using the Robson Classification for the first time in Lebanon, at Hôtel‐Dieu de France University Hospital, a tertiary referral center in Beirut.

Methods

Routine medical record data that included all live births from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2020 was investigated. The overall cesarean section rate was recorded, and the size, cesarean section rate, and absolute and relative contributions were calculated within each group.

Results

The overall cesarean section rate was 56.8%. The highest relative contribution to this rate came from Robson groups 5, 2 and 10, respectively. A decrease in cesarean section rate was noted in 2020 among women admitted for induction of labor (groups 2 and 4) following the implementation of new department policies and the restrictions caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Conclusion

More than 50% of the deliveries in our department were by cesarean sections (CS). Strategies to reduce this rate should include stricter departmental policies for avoidance of unindicated primary CS and raising practitioners' and patients' awareness about trial of labor after cesarean section.
Employee psychological well‐being during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Germany: A longitudinal study of demands, resources, and exhaustion
Authors: Meyer Bertolt , Zill Alexander , Dilba Dominik , Gerlach Rebecca , Schumann Susen
Published: February 2021

Many governments react to the current coronavirus/COVID‐19 pandemic by restricting daily (work) life. On the basis of theories from occupational health, we propose that the duration of the pandemic, its demands (e.g., having to work from home, closing of childcare facilities, job insecurity, work‐privacy conflicts, privacy‐work conflicts) and personal‐ and job‐related resources (co‐worker social support, job autonomy, partner support and corona self‐efficacy) interact in their effect on employee exhaustion. We test the hypotheses with a three‐wave sample of German employees during the pandemic from April to June 2020 (Nw1 = 2900, Nw12 = 1237, Nw123 = 789). Our findings show a curvilinear effect of pandemic duration on working women's exhaustion. The data also show that the introduction and the easing of lockdown measures affect exhaustion, and that women with children who work from home while childcare is unavailable are especially exhausted. Job autonomy and partner support mitigated some of these effects. In sum, women's psychological health was more strongly affected by the pandemic than men's. We discuss implications for occupational health theories and that interventions targeted at mitigating the psychological consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic should target women specifically.
Mitochondrial–nuclear p53 trafficking controls neuronal susceptibility in stroke
Authors: Almeida Angeles , Sánchez‐Morán Irene , Rodríguez Cristina
Published: February 2021

Stroke is a major cause of death and long‐term disability in the adult. Neuronal apoptosis plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of ischemic brain damage and impaired functional recovery after stroke. The tumor suppressor protein p53 regulates key cellular processes, including cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, senescence, and apoptosis. Under cellular stress conditions, p53 undergoes post‐translational modifications, which control protein localization, stability, and proapoptotic activity. After stroke, p53 rapidly accumulates in the ischemic brain, where it activates neuronal apoptosis through both transcriptional‐dependent and ‐independent programs. Over the last years, subcellular localization of p53 has emerged as an important regulator of ischemia‐induced neuronal apoptosis. Upon an ischemic insult, p53 rapidly translocates to the mitochondria and interacts with B‐cell lymphoma‐2 family proteins, which activate the mitochondrial apoptotic program, with higher efficacy than through its activity as a transcription factor. Moreover, the identification of a human single nucleotide polymorphism at codon 72 of the Tp53 gene that controls p53 mitochondrial localization and cell susceptibility to apoptosis supports the important role of the p53 mitochondrial program in neuronal survival and functional recovery after stroke. In this article, we review the relevance of mitochondrial and nuclear localization of p53 on neuronal susceptibility to cerebral ischemia and its impact on functional outcome of stroke patients.
Simple position and orientation preconditioning scheme for minimum energy path calculations
Authors: Robertson Christopher , Habershon Scott
Published: February 2021

Minimum‐energy path (MEP) calculations, such as those typified by the nudged elastic band method, require input of reactant and product molecular configurations at initialization. In the case of reactions involving more than one molecule, generating initial reactant and product configurations requires careful consideration of the relative position and orientations of the reactive molecules in order to ensure that the resulting MEP calculation proceeds without converging on an alternative reaction‐path, and without requiring excessive numbers of optimization iterations; as such, this initial system set‐up is most commonly performed “by hand,” with an expert user arranging reactive molecules in space to ensure that the following MEP calculation runs smoothly. In this Article, we introduce a simple preconditioning scheme which replaces this labor‐intensive, human‐knowledge‐based step with an automated deterministic computational scheme. In our approach, initial reactant and product configurations are generated such that steric hindrance between reactive molecules is minimized in the reactant and product configurations, while also simultaneously requiring minimal structural differences between the reactants and products. The method is demonstrated using a benchmark test‐set of >3400 organic molecular reactions, where comparison of the reactant/product configurations generated using our approach compare very well to initial configurations which were generated on an ad hoc basis.
Efficient hierarchical models for reactivity of organic layers on semiconductor surfaces
Authors: Luy Jan‐Niclas , Molla Mahlet , Pecher Lisa , Tonner Ralf
Published: February 2021

Computational modeling of organic interface formation on semiconductors poses a challenge to a density functional theory‐based description due to structural and chemical complexity. A hierarchical approach is presented, where parts of the interface are successively removed in order to increase computational efficiency while maintaining the necessary accuracy. First, a benchmark is performed to probe the validity of this approach for three model reactions and five dispersion corrected density functionals. Reaction energies are generally well reproduced by generalized gradient approximation‐type functionals but accurate reaction barriers require the use of hybrid functionals. Best performance is found for the model system that does not explicitly consider the substrate but includes its templating effects. Finally, this efficient model is used to provide coverage dependent reaction energies and suggest synthetic principles for the prevention of unwanted growth termination reactions for organic layers on semiconductor surfaces.
Overexpression of sirtuin 2 and its association with prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Zhang Yun , Yan Qianfeng , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2021

Background

This study aimed to investigate the correlation of sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) risk, severity, inflammation, and prognosis.

Methods

A hundred and sixty‐four first episode AIS patients and 164 age and gender matched non‐AIS patients with high‐stroke‐risk factors (controls) were enrolled. Peripheral blood was collected and serum was separated for SIRT2 and pro‐inflammatory cytokines detection by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. AIS patients were continually followed up to 36 months or death, then recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated.

Results

Serum SIRT2 expression was increased in AIS patients compared to controls (p < 0.001), then receiver operative characteristic curve disclosed that the serum SIRT2 expression could differentiate AIS patients from controls with a good area under curve of 0.890 (95%CI: 0.854–0.926), a sensitivity of 78.7% and a specificity of 91.5% at the best cut‐off point. Serum SIRT2 expression was positively correlated with National Institute of Health stroke scale score (p < 0.001), serum tumor necrosis factor‐α (p < 0.001), interleukin (IL)‐6 (p = 0.012) and IL‐17 (p < 0.001) expressions in AIS patients. In addition, serum SIRT2 expression was elevated in recurrent/dead AIS patients compared to non‐recurrent/dead AIS patients (p = 0.025), and was also increased in dead AIS patients compared to survivors (p = 0.006). Moreover, RFS (p = 0.029) and OS (p = 0.049) were both worse in AIS patients with SIRT2 high expression compared to AIS patients with SIRT2 low expression.

Conclusion

SIRT2 may serve as a marker for AIS risk and prognosis in clinical practice.
The gene expression of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs): MEG3 and H19 in adipose tissues from obese women and its association with insulin resistance and obesity indices
Authors: Daneshmoghadam Javad , Omidifar Abolfazl , Akbari Dilmaghani Nader , Karimi Zahereh , Emamgholipour Solaleh , shanaki Mehrnoosh
Published: February 2021

Background

There is evidence regarding the role of two lncRNAs: MEG3 and H19 the pathomechanism of obesity and related disorders. Here, we aimed to evaluate the expression of MEG3 and H19 in visceral adipose tissues (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissues (SAT) of obese women (n = 18), as compared to normal‐weight women (n = 17). Moreover, we sought to identify the association of expression of MEG3 and H19 in SAT and VAT with obesity parameters, insulin resistance, and the mRNA expression of possible target genes involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis including peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC).

Methods

Real‐time PCR was performed to investigate the mRNA expression of the above‐mentioned genes in VAT and SAT from all participants.

Results

The results showed lower mRNA levels of H19 in SAT of obese women, compared to normal‐weight women, while MEG3 expression was significantly higher in the SAT of the obese group rather than controls. Correlation analysis indicated that the transcript level of H19 had an inverse correlation with obesity indices and HOMA‐IR values. However, MEG3 expression displayed a positive correlation with all the indicated parameters in all participants. Interestingly, a positive correlation was found between transcript level of MEG3 in SAT with FAS and PPARγ. However, there was an inverse correlation between SAT expression of H19 and FAS.

Conclusions

It appears that lncRNAs, MEG3 and H19, are involved in obesity‐related conditions. However, more clinical studies are still required to clarify the relationships between lncRNAs with obesity and related abnormalities.
Aerobic exercise ameliorates cardiac hypertrophy by regulating mitochondrial quality control and endoplasmic reticulum stress through M2AChR
Authors: Ma Mei , Chen Wei , Hua Yijie , Jia Hao , Song Yinping , Wang Youhua
Published: February 2021

Aerobic exercise increases M2AChR, which thus improves cardiac function in cardiovascular disease (CVD) rats. This study aimed to determine whether aerobic exercise could ameliorate pressure overload‐induced heart hypertrophy through M2AChR, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action. Mice were used to establish the myocardial hypertrophy model by transverse aortic constriction (TAC), and subjected to 2, 4, and 8 weeks of moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise and choline intervention (14 mg/kg/day). Our results showed that 4 and 8 weeks of exercise and choline intervention reduced excessive mitochondrial fission and autophagy of myocardial mitochondria, thereby improving the ultrastructure and function of mitochondria after TAC. Moreover, 8‐week exercise and choline intervention have enhanced parasympathetic function and promoted the expression of M2AChR. In addition, 8‐week exercise and choline intervention also inhibited the protein expression of myocardial MFN2, PERK/eIF2α/ATF4, and NLRP3/caspase‐1/IL‐1β signaling pathways, thereby effectively reducing mitochondrial fusion, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation. Taken together, these data suggest that pressure overload led to cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac dysfunction, and decreased parasympathetic function in cardiac tissues. Aerobic exercise attenuated cardiac dysfunction by modulating the expression of proteins involved in mitochondrial quality control, and induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation, thereby reducing cardiac hypertrophy and improving cardiac function in impaired heart tissues following TAC, which was likely mediated by M2AChR activation.
Posthatching developmental studies on the tongue and laryngeal entrance of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix, Linnaeus, 1758) in different five age‐stages
Authors: Abumandour Mohamed M. A. , Farrag Foad A. , El‐Mansi Ahmed , Lashen Samah Elsayed , Shukry Mustafa , Kassab Mohammed A. , Hamoda Hazem S.
Published: February 2021

The present study represents the first trial to characterize the ultrastructural of five ages of Coturnix coturnix. Lingual nail had membrane that differ in number among five studied ages. Filiform papillary system had four caudally directed papillae types; small (apex, rostral, and median part of body in 1 day, body in 10 and 20 days), long (apex and rostral part of body in 10 days, tip and two lateral area in 20, 30, 40‐days, lateral border in 1 and 10 days, two lateral area of body in 40 days), broad (median area of body in 20, 30, 40 days). Scales on the ventral surface of apex, mound. Lingual sulci on the apex and body without reaching tip in 10, 20, 30, 40‐days while, in 1 day the body had ridge caudally. Three papillae on posterior part of lateral border of body. W‐shape crest had papillae on its median part while, its lateral part had two giant papillae on each side. Dorsal giant papillae terminated caudally with six processes, while ventral papillae terminated caudally with three processes. The unique root appearance, at 1 day had four papillae while in 10‐day, it had one papilla however in 20, 30, 40 days, it had T‐shaped ridge. Mound had one longitudinal row on each side of cleft and two transverse papillary rows at its caudal border and additional row at 40‐days. Our findings exposed unique structural and functional characterizations of lingual and laryngeal entrance that reflected with feeding behavior.
Leading Networks Effectively: Literature Review and Propositions
Authors: Wind Madelon E.D. , Klaster Esther , Wilderom Celeste P.M.
Published: February 2021

A literature review is presented on the modes of effective network leadership within and between organizations. In total, 163 published studies, both empirical and conceptual, were parsed with regard to definitions, contexts, antecedents, and outcomes, leading to four propositions. A continuum of network leadership concepts, including shared and distributed leadership, is projected on two axes: one for the (individual actor and collective level) antecedents and one for the (type of desired) outcomes of network leadership. The new two‐by‐two model distinguishes four distinct network leadership roles: connecting, coaching, catalyzing, and consulting. The 4C network leadership model offers a set of practical roles and associated behavioral styles in different situations. Context‐moderated propositions conclude the review, to guide future empirical research on effective interorganizational and intraorganizational network leadership.
Psychological well‐being of early and continuously treated phenylketonuria patients
Authors: Thiele Alena Gerlinde , Spieß Nicole , Ascherl Rudolf , Arelin Maria , Rohde Carmen , Kiess Wieland , Beblo Skadi
Published: February 2021

Background

Despite enormous advances in therapy, phenylketonuria (PKU) remains an incurable, inherited metabolic disease requiring life‐long treatment with potential to negatively impact quality of life and psychological well‐being. Therefore, the aim of this study was to screen early diagnosed and continuously treated children with PKU on psychological strengths and behavioral difficulties.

Methods

Evaluation of psychological strengths and behavioral difficulties in 49 patients with PKU (23f, 2‐17 years) by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; self‐report 11‐17 years and parent‐report 2‐17 years). Comparison to age, sex and BMI‐matched healthy controls (n = 98; 46f).

Results

In patients with PKU and healthy controls median SDQ Total Difficulties Score and median scores of subscales were within the normal range in parent‐ and self‐report, irrespective of sex and age group (children 2‐10 years, adolescents 11‐17 years). No influence of long‐term metabolic control in PKU on SDQ could be revealed. The 2‐ to 10‐year‐old boys with PKU showed significantly higher scores in Prosocial Behavior compared to their healthy peers (P = .032). Likewise, adolescent boys with PKU showed fewer Conduct Problems (parent‐report, P = .006). Adolescent girls with PKU rated themselves more often as abnormal in the subscale Emotional Problems compared to their healthy peers (P = .041). This subscale was also responsible for a significantly different Total SDQ Difficulties Score between patients and their parents' report (P = .008).

Discussion

SDQ represents a suitable instrument within the care for patients with PKU. Specific aspects, however, require separate consideration and evaluation with respect to this chronic disease. Special attention should be paid on adolescent PKU girls who seem to be at risk to develop emotional problem.
Can 3D Pseudo‐Continuous Territorial Arterial Spin Labeling Effectively Diagnose Patients With Recanalization of Unilateral Middle Cerebral Artery Stenosis?
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Dou Weiqiang , Dong Dong , Wang Xinyi , Chen Xueyu , Chen Kunjian , Mao Huimin , Guo Yu , Zhang Chao
Published: February 2021

Background

Unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis, as an independent risk factor for stroke, requires an intervention operation for vessel recanalization. Accurate perfusion measurement is thus essential after the operation.

Purpose

To explore the feasibility of three‐dimensional (3D) pseudo‐continuous territorial arterial‐spin‐labeling (tASL) in evaluating MCA recanalization.

Study Type

Prospective and longitudinal.

Subjects

Forty‐seven patients with unilateral MCA stenosis or occlusion.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3.0 T, 3D time‐of‐flight fast‐field‐echo magnetic resonance (MR) angiography sequence, spin‐echo echo‐planar diffusion‐weighted imaging sequence, 3D fast‐spin‐echo pseudo‐continuous ASL (pcASL) and tASL sequences.

Assessment

All patients underwent MR examination before and after MCA recanalization and scored using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at admission and discharge. An mRS score <2 was defined as a good prognosis. 3D‐pcASL and tASL cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps were obtained, and the corresponding Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS)‐based scores were evaluated.

Statistical Tests

The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, intra‐class correlation coefficient, paired t‐test, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

After recanalization, tASL derived absolute CBFs between the affected and contralateral sides were significantly higher than before the operation (mean: 34.3 ± 8.5 mL/100 g/min vs. 40.6 ± 9.2 mL/100 g/min, 42.6 ± 9.8 mL/100 g/min vs. 43.5 ± 9.9 mL/100 g/min, both P < 0.05). In ROC analysis, tASL provided good prognosis (area under ROC curve [AUC] = 0.829; 95% CI: 0.651–1.000, P < 0.05), while pcASL had lower prognostic value (AUC = 0.760; 95% CI: 0.574–0.946, P < 0.05). The NIHSS score before recanalization, pcASL, and tASL‐based ASPECTS scores were significantly associated with good clinical outcome (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed that ASPECTS‐based scores of pcASL and tASL before and after surgery were independent predictors of good clinical outcome (all P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

tASL can determine hypoperfusion in the responsible vascular perfusion area and predict clinical outcome.

Evidence Level

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography for Evaluation of Diaphragm Stiffness in Patients with Stable COPD: A Pilot Trial
Authors: Xu Jing‐Hong , Wu Zhen‐Zhou , Tao Fang‐Yi , Zhu Shu‐Ting , Chen Shun‐Ping , Cai Chang , Liang Zeng‐Hui , Shi Bin‐Bin , Chen Bin , Xie Yu‐Peng
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Skeletal muscle dysfunction is one of the most common comorbidities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The occurrence of respiratory failure in COPD is common and leads to the patient's death. The diaphragm is the most important muscle in the respiratory system and plays a key role in the onset of respiratory failure. This study explores the feasibility of ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) to measure diaphragmatic stiffness and evaluates its changes in COPD patients.

Methods

In total, 77 participants (43 patients with stable COPD and 34 healthy controls) were enrolled. All subjects underwent complete diaphragmatic ultrasound SWE measurements and pulmonary function tests. The diaphragmatic stiffness was indicated via diaphragmatic shear wave velocity (SWV) at functional residual capacity (FRC). A trained operator performed the ultrasound SWE examinations of the first 15 healthy controls thrice to assess the reliability of diaphragmatic SWE.

Results

A good to excellent reliability was found in diaphragmatic SWV at FRC (ICC = 0.93, 95%CI 0.82–0.98). As compared to the control group, the diaphragmatic SWV at FRC was considerably high in the COPD group (median 2.5 m/s versus 2.1 m/s, P = .008). Diaphragmatic SWV at FRC was linked to forced expiratory volume in one second (r = −0.30, P = .009), forced vital capacity (r = −0.33, P = .003), modified Medical Research Council score (r = 0.30, P = .001), and COPD assessment test score (r = 0.48, P < .001).

Conclusions

Ultrasound SWE may be employed as an effective tool for quantitative evaluation of diaphragm stiffness and can help in personalized management of COPD, such as treatment guidance and follow‐up monitoring.
Wild Turkey Nest Success in Pine‐Dominated Forests of the Southeastern United States
Authors: Crawford Joanne C. , Porter William F. , Chamberlain Michael J. , Collier Bret A.
Published: February 2021

Nest success is a primary component of productivity for wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo; turkeys) and there is concern that turkey productivity is declining across the southeastern United States. We evaluated the influence of nest site and landscape characteristics on risk of nest failure for turkeys in pine (Pinus spp.)‐dominated forests across the southeastern United States. We used Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate daily hazard of nest failure associated with nest site and landscape metrics within 500‐m and 1‐km buffers centered on nests. Of 451 nests monitored (n = 320 females) between 2014 and 2018, 76% failed, with predation as the primary cause. Daily hazard of nest failure increased by 1.2% for each day that females delayed nest incubation following the mean nesting date (29 Apr; βday = 0.010 ± 0.002 [SE]; hazard ratio [HR] = 1.01, 95% CI = 1.006–1.015). Environmental covariates associated with risk of nest failure included the maximum enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and distance to the nearest ecotone. Daily hazard increased with increasing distance away from an ecotone (βecotone = 0.16 ± 0.06; HR = 1.17, CI = 1.03–1.32) and with lower EVI around the nest (βEVI = −0.30 ± 0.06; HR = 0.74, CI = 0.65–0.83). Additional nest site or landscape covariates were included in competitive models but did not influence risk of nest failure significantly. Our study highlights the importance of considering landscape context when designing and implementing land management actions intended to enhance wild turkey reproduction. Our findings suggest that landscape metrics thought to be important to turkeys in northern agro‐forested landscapes may not be relevant to turkeys in pine ecosystems of the southeastern United States. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Anisotropy Effects in the Shape‐Memory Performance of Polymer Foams
Authors: Sauter Tilman , Kratz Karl , Madbouly Samy , Klein Frank , Heuchel Matthias , Lendlein Andreas
Published: February 2021

Isotropic and anisotropic shape‐memory polymer foams are prepared by supercritical carbon dioxide foaming from a multiblock copolymer (PDLCL) consisting of poly(ω‐pentadecalactone) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) segments. Analysis by micro‐computed tomography reveals for the anisotropic PDLCL foam cells a high shape anisotropy ratio of R = 1.72 ± 0.62 with a corresponding Young's compression moduli ratio between longitudinal and transversal direction of 4.3. The experimental compression data in the linear elastic range can be well described by the anisotropic open foam model of Gibson and Ashby. A micro‐morphological analysis for single pores using scanning electron microscopy images permits the correlation between the macroscopic stress‐compression behavior and microscale structural changes.
Sex Differences in Huntington's Disease: Evaluating theEnroll‐HDDatabase
Authors: Hentosh Samantha , Zhu Liang , Patino Jorge , Furr J. Weldon , Rocha Natalia P. , Furr Stimming Erin
Published: February 2021

Background

Identifying sex‐related differences is critical for enhancing our understanding of factors that may impact prognosis and advance treatments in Huntington's disease (HD).

Objectives

To investigate if sex‐related differences exist in clinical HD.

Methods

Longitudinal study of the Enroll‐HD database. Manifest HD patients were included in the analysis (N = 8401). Linear mixed models were used to assess motor, behavioral, and cognitive functioning over a series of four annual visits, and compared male and female HD gene carriers.

Results

HD patients showed significant sex‐dependent differences in motor, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Both sexes had worsened motor symptoms over the course of four visits, but there was a significant disparity between sexes, with females consistently presenting with more symptoms than males. For behavioral symptoms, specifically depressive symptoms, females had significantly more depressive symptoms, although self‐reported symptoms in both sexes became less severe throughout time.

Conclusions

Our analyses suggest that women have worse symptoms than men during the course of HD.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Parkinsonʼs Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Moonen Anja J.H. , Mulders Anne E.P. , Defebvre Luc , Duits Annelien , Flinois Bérengère , Köhler Sebastian , Kuijf Mark L. , Leterme Anne‐Claire , Servant Dominique , de Vugt Marjolein , Dujardin Kathy , Leentjens Albert F.G.
Published: February 2021

Background

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent and disabling neuropsychiatric syndromes in patients with Parkinsonʼs disease (PD), but no randomized controlled treatment trials of anxiety have been published to date.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of anxiety in patients with PD.

Methods

Forty‐eight patients with PD with anxiety were randomized 1:1 between CBT and clinical monitoring only (CMO). The CBT program was developed to specifically address anxiety symptoms in PD and consisted of 10 weekly sessions. Assessments were conducted by blinded assessors at baseline, at the end of the intervention, after 3 months, and after 6 months (CBT group only). Main outcome measures were the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and the Parkinson Anxiety Scale (PAS).

Results

Both the CBT and CMO groups showed clinically relevant improvement. Although there was no between‐group difference in outcome on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (6.7‐point reduction in the CBT group versus 3.9‐point reduction in the CMO group; P = 0.15), there was both a statistically significant and a clinically relevant between‐group difference on the total PAS in favor of CBT (9.9‐point reduction in the CBT group versus 5.2‐point reduction in the CMO group; P = 0.012), which was due to improvement on the PAS subscales for episodic (situational) anxiety and avoidance behavior. This greater improvement was maintained at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups.

Conclusion

CBT is an effective treatment for anxiety in patients with PD and reduces situational and social anxiety, as well as avoidance behavior. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Looking into the dynamics of molecular crystals of ibuprofen and terephthalic acid using 17O and 2H nuclear magnetic resonance analyses
Authors: Chen Chia‐Hsin , Goldberga Ieva , Gaveau Philippe , Mittelette Sébastien , Špačková Jessica , Mullen Chuck , Petit Ivan , Métro Thomas‐Xavier , Alonso Bruno , Gervais Christel , Laurencin Danielle
Published: February 2021

Oxygen‐17 and deuterium are two quadrupolar nuclei that are of interest for studying the structure and dynamics of materials by solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Here, 17O and 2H NMR analyses of crystalline ibuprofen and terephthalic acid are reported. First, improved 17O‐labelling protocols of these molecules are described using mechanochemistry. Then, dynamics occurring around the carboxylic groups of ibuprofen are studied considering variable temperature 17O and 2H NMR data, as well as computational modelling (including molecular dynamics simulations). More specifically, motions related to the concerted double proton jump and the 180° flip of the H‐bonded (–COOH)2 unit in the crystal structure were looked into, and it was found that the merging of the C=O and C–OH 17O resonances at high temperatures cannot be explained by the sole presence of one of these motions. Lastly, preliminary experiments were performed with a 2H–17O diplexer connected to the probe. Such configurations can allow, among others, 2H and 17O NMR spectra to be recorded at different temperatures without needing to tune or to change probe configurations. Overall, this work offers a few leads which could be of use in future studies of other materials using 17O and 2H NMR.
Evaluation of Potential Regulations for Improving Flathead Catfish Size Structure in Iowa’s Large Reservoirs
Authors: Muhlbauer Savannah R. , Krogman Rebecca M.
Published: February 2021

Relatively little research exists for lentic populations of Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris, particularly in northern states, such as Iowa, where there are currently no harvest restrictions but where the interest in trophy opportunities is growing. We assessed size structure, age structure, growth, condition, and survival for Flathead Catfish populations in Lake Red Rock and Rathbun Lake to increase our understanding of populations in Iowa and determine parameter values to be used in simulating potential regulations. Using low-frequency electrofishing, we captured Flathead Catfish during July and August 2019; all fish were measured and weighed, and a pectoral spine was collected for age estimation. Archived data collected in 2010–2013 were also included in analyses. Reducing harvest by using two potential protected slot limits (PSLs; 305–381 and 381–432 mm) or a maximum length limit (no restrictions on fish <381 mm and a reduced bag limit for fish >381 mm) was simulated to determine effects on the percentage of quality- and preferred-size fish. Simulations indicated that both PSLs and the maximum length limit produced a greater percentage of quality- and preferred-size fish than a “no regulation” scenario, with PSLs being more effective at low exploitation (0.05) and the maximum length limit being more effective at higher exploitation rates (>0.10). An understanding of the current status of Flathead Catfish populations will allow managers to better manage these populations via informed decision making and help to protect them as their popularity with anglers increases.