bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2‐Carboxyethylgermanium Sesquioxide as A Promising Anode Material for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Saverina Evgeniya A. , Kapaev Roman R. , Stishenko Pavel V. , Galushko Alexey S. , Balycheva Victoriya A. , Ananikov Valentine P. , Egorov Mikhail P. , Jouikov Viatcheslav V. , Troshin Pavel A. , Syroeshkin Mikhail A.
Published: April 2020

Various forms of germanium and germanium‐containing compounds and materials are actively investigated as energy‐intensive alternatives to graphite as the anode of lithium‐ion batteries. The most accessible form—germanium dioxide—has the structure of a 3D polymer, which accounts for its rapid destruction during cycling, and requires the development of further approaches to the production of nanomaterials and various composites based on it. For the first time, we propose here the strategy of using 2‐carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide ([O1.5GeCH2CH2CO2H]n, 2‐CEGS), in lieu of GeO2, as a promising, energy‐intensive, and stable new source system for building lithium‐ion anodes. Due to the presence of the organic substituent, the formed polymer has a 1D or a 2D space organization, which facilitates the reversible penetration of lithium into its structure. 2‐CEGS is common and commercially available, completely safe and non‐toxic, insoluble in organic solvents (which is important for battery use) but soluble in water (which is convenient for manufacturing diverse materials from it). This paper reports the preparation of micro‐ (flower‐shaped agglomerates of ≈1 μm thick plates) and nanoformed (needle‐shaped nanoparticles of ≈500×(50–80) nm) 2‐CEGS using methods commonly available in laboratories and industry such as vacuum and freeze‐drying of aqueous solutions of 2‐CEGS. Lithium half‐cell anodes based on 2‐CEGS show a capacity of ≈400 mAh g−1 for microforms and up to ≈700 mAh g−1 for nanoforms, which is almost two times higher than the maximal theoretical capacity of graphite. These anodes are stable during the cycling at various rates. The results of DFT simulations suggest that Li atoms form the stable Li2O with the oxygen atoms of 2‐CEGS, and actual charge–discharge cycles involve deoxygenated GeC3H5 molecules. Thus, C3 chains loosen the anode structure compared to pure Ge, improving its ability to accommodate Li ions.
A reversible ALU using HNG and Ferdkin gates in QCA nanotechnology
Authors: Norouzi Maliheh , Heikalabad Saeed Rasouli , Salimzadeh Fereshteh
Published: April 2020

Quantum dot cellular automata (QCA) with the characteristics such as low energy dissipation and high density is a suitable alternative technology to CMOS technology. Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is one of the most important critical components of a microprocessor, and it is the core component of central processing unit (CPU). In this work, a novel reversible ALU in QCA nanotechnology is proposed. The reversible ALU contains three Ferdkin gates and one HNG gate. The proposed structure needs one constant input and generates only one garbage output. The proposed circuit does not need any rotated cells and only uses one layer that improves the manufacturability of the design interestingly. This circuit can perform 20 operations such as AND, OR, XOR, XNOR, COPY, addition, and increment. Our design contains only 480 cells and 12 majority voters and requires 15 clock phases. The proposed structures are simulated using QCADesigner version 2.0.3. The reversible ALU, despite a 25% increase in operations, has a 28% improvement in cell numbers and a 6% improvement in delay.
Lead Sequestration from Perovskite Solar Cells Using a Metal–Organic Framework Polymer Composite
Authors: Huckaba Aron J. , Sun Daniel T. , Sutanto Albertus A. , Mensi Mounir , Zhang Yi , Queen Wendy L. , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: April 2020

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have increased in power conversion efficiency in the last 10 years, from ≈3% to now over 25%. While the best perovskite photovoltaics have remarkable efficiencies, the Pb‐based absorber is likely problematic for commercialization due to environmental concerns. To address this inevitable issue, a porous metal–organic framework (MOF) polymer composite is applied, known as FeBTC/PDA that is used in “safe‐by‐design” perovskite solar panels. The material is based on a porous MOF scaffold containing a polymeric metal binding agent. Herein, the activity of this material to sequester lead from several solutions is demonstrated, including simulated perovskite solutions, solutions containing decomposed perovskite thin films, and real‐world solutions obtained from damaged solar cell devices in a range of temperatures and conditions, and contaminated water derived from damaged PSCs is brought below the drinkable standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Video‐monitoring of wood discharge: first inter‐basin comparison and recommendations to install video cameras
Authors: Ghaffarian Hossein , Piégay Hervé , Lopez Diego , Rivière Nicolas , MacVicar Bruce , Antonio Aurelie , Mignot Emmanuel
Published: April 2020

Wood in rivers plays a major role both ecologically and morphologically. In recent decades, due to human activities in the river channels and along the riparian zone, wood obstruction and jamming has exacerbated flooding hazards and infrastructure damage. Therefore, it is necessary to quantify the wood flux and discharge in rivers to improve wood hazard management. Among the various methods for monitoring the wood flux in a river, the streamside videography technique is effective given its high temporal and spatial resolution. Previous work monitored the wood discharge (m3/s) using this technique in the Ain River (France) during three floods (MacVicar and Piégay, 2012), and the same method is implemented on the Isère River (France) to obtain the statistics of wood discharge for two floods. Comparison between the two sites supports the generalization of both the monitoring technique and the link between wood discharge and flood characteristics. We first show that the maximum wood discharge is observed at bankfull discharge, and we confirm the three stage model proposed by MacVicar and Piégay (2012). Additionally, transverse distributions of the number of wood pieces and corresponding wood length appear to be similar for different flood magnitudes on each site. As a technical contribution, the use of the same technique on two sites allows for recommendations on key decisions related to the location and implementation of the equipment. Both statistical and technical contributions can be used by decision makers to implement this monitoring technique, acquire the wood transport parameters, and evaluate the potential wood hazards at local scale or along a river. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of relative permeability curves for the numerical simulation of CO2 core flooding
Authors: Zheng Zhanpeng , Ma Qingsong , Hu Pei , Song Yongchen , Wang Dayong
Published: April 2020

Various error sources exist in the specified relative permeability (kr) curves for numerical modeling of CO2/water core flooding process, including model selection, parameter estimation, and heterogeneity setting. In this study, we quantitatively investigate their effects on model predictions by a numerical sensitivity analysis. Numerical simulation results indicate: (1) The errors in residual gas saturation (Sgr) and residual liquid saturation (Slr) could significantly influence the estimation of the total volume (TPV) of injected CO2 when CO2/water displacement reaches a steady state. A change of Sgr or Slr by 0.1 can induce deviation in TPV up to 0.5 pore volume. (2) The change in Sgr could cause a bigger predictive deviation in local CO2 saturation () than that in Slr. In the case of the same degree of change, the deviation of the former is almost twice as much as that of the latter. (3) The model predictions remain fairly consistent when utilizing either Corey's curve or Brooks–Corey curve, but become significantly different if changing to van Genuchten curve. In this case, the difference in TPV is greater than that caused by the errors in Sgr or Slr. The maximum deviation in the predicted local exceeds 0.3, influencing the analysis of CO2 local trapping behavior. Comparatively, the local buildup is only slight if van Genuchten curve is used, but obvious using Corey's curve. (4) kr heterogeneity only presents a small effect on the local and could be reasonably ignored compared to the effects of the heterogeneity in capillary pressure and permeability. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Membrane Bioreactor–Treated Domestic Wastewater for Sustainable Reuse in the Lake Victoria Region
Authors: Gukelberger Ephraim , Atiye Talha , Mamo Julian A , Hoevenaars Kyra , Galiano Francesco , Figoli Alberto , Gabriele Bartolo , Mancuso Raffaella , Nakyewa Pauline , Akello Francis , Otim Robert , Mbilingi Bwambale , Adhiambo Susan C , Lanta Daniel , Musambyah Mutambala , Hoinkis Jan
Published: April 2020

Lake Victoria is a shared water resource between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, which is the second largest freshwater lake in the world. It has long since suffered from the consequences of overexploitation of its resources, mainly fish stocks, and increasingly high pollution. The closure of 58% of the fish processing plants (FPPs) is attributed to the declining fish stocks due to overfishing and pollution in particular. The installation and operation of a pilot membrane bioreactor (MBR) in Kisumu, Kenya, adopts an integrated approach by providing an integral, sustainable, cost-effective, and robust solution for water sanitation, which also meets the demand for clean water in the fish processing industry, aquaculture, and irrigation. The innovative system comprises a pilot MBR coupled with a recirculation aquaculture system (RAS). The RAS is able to recirculate 90% to 95% of its water volume; only the water loss through evaporation and drum filter back flushing has to be replaced. To compensate for this water deficit, the MBR treats domestic wastewater for further reuse. Additionally, excess purified water is used for irrigating a variety of local vegetables and could also be used in FPPs. The pilot-scale MBR plant with around 6 m2 submerged commercial polyethersulfone (PES) membranes provides treated water in basic agreement with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) standards for irrigation and aquaculture, showing no adverse effects on tilapia fingerlings production. A novel membrane module with a low-fouling coating is operating stably but has not yet shown improved performance compared to the commercial one. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:942–954. © 2020 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
The impact of acute stress disorder on gallbladder interstitial cells of Cajal
Authors: Huang Zhen‐peng , Qiu Hu , Wang Ke , Chao Wei‐bo , Zhu Hao‐bin , Chen Hang , Liu Yue , Yu Bao‐ping
Published: April 2020

Physical and psychological stress exerts a substantial effect on gastrointestinal motility disorders, where trauma enhances symptoms of digestive dysfunction. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) act as pacemakers for gastrointestinal motility regulation and are likely important in stress‐associated gastrointestinal motility disorders. This study explored the mechanisms underlying gallbladder ICCs function under acute stress conditions using a rabbit chest puncture and cholecystectomy model. The stem cell factor (SCF)/c‐kit pathway is essential for the development of ICCs, and gene expression was investigated to identify stress‐induced transcriptional alterations. Immunohistochemistry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays were used to determine ICCs apoptosis, whereas western blot analysis and reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to detect changes in the SCF/c‐kit signaling pathway. These methods revealed a reduction in ICCs via apoptosis following stress, and ICCs increased over time after stressor removal. Therefore, this study demonstrates the impact of stress on ICCs development and survival and further confirms the link between stress and gastrointestinal motility.
Long intergenic noncoding RNA 00844 promotes apoptosis and represses proliferation of prostate cancer cells through upregulating GSTP1 by recruiting EBF1
Authors: Qiu Kaiyan , Zheng Zhixiong , Huang Yingfu
Published: April 2020

Accumulating evidence have suggested the function of long noncoding RNAs as crucial players in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PC), a urologic tumor in male with poor prognosis. This study was designed to explore the functions of long intergenic noncoding RNA 00844 (LINC00844) in PC progression. The expression of LINC00844 and glutathione S‐transferase P1‐1 (GSTP1) was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, followed by the identification of the relationship among LINC00844, GSTP1, and early B cell factor 1 (EBF1) by dual luciferase reporter gene assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Using loss‐ and gain‐of‐function assays, the effects of LINC00844, GSTP1, and EBF1 on the biological characteristics of PC cells were assessed by cell counting kit‐8 assay, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine assay, and flow cytometry. Lastly, the results from in vitro experiments were verified in vivo by establishing a xenograft tumor model in nude mice. LINC00844 and GSTP1 both displayed low expression in PC tissues and cells. LINC00844 positively regulated the expression of GSTP1 via recruiting EBF1. Overexpression of LINC00844 reduced proliferation and elevated apoptosis of PC cells through recruiting EBF1, which subsequently upregulated GSTP1. In vivo experiments confirmed that LINC00844 or GSTP1 upregulation attenuated tumor growth. LINC00844 elevated GSTP1 expression by recruiting EBF1 to the promoter region of GSTP1, thereby suppressing PC progression. Hence, LINC00844 is a novel therapeutic target for the development of new treatment protocols for PC.
Nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 and 2 are required for vertebral homeostasis
Authors: Canalis Ernesto , Schilling Lauren , Eller Tabitha , Yu Jungeun
Published: April 2020

The present study defines the function of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c1 and NFATc2 in osteoblast function in vivo and in vitro. Nfatc1loxP/loxP, Nfatc2loxP/loxP, and Nfatc1loxP/loxP;Nfatc2loxP/loxP conditional mice were mated with BGLAP‐Cre transgenics to inactivate Nfatc1 and Nfatc2 singly and in combination in osteoblasts. Microcomputed tomography demonstrated that male and female conditionally inactivated Nfatc1, Nfatc2 and dual Nfatc1;Nfatc2 mice had osteopenia at Lumbar 3 (L3) sites when compared to littermate controls. However, the Nfatc1 and Nfatc2 inactivation singly and in combination in Bglap‐expressing osteoblasts did not result in an appreciable phenotype at femoral sites. Bone histomorphometry of L3 confirmed the osteopenic phenotype and demonstrated that Nfatc1;Nfatc2 inactivated male mice had a significant decrease in osteoblast number and in osteoblast surface and osteoid surface. The dual downregulation of Nfatc1 and Nfatc2 in bone marrow stromal cells caused a decrease in Alpl and Bglap expression, confirming a role of these transcription factors in osteoblast function. In conclusion, our studies reveal that NFATc1 and NFATc2 are necessary for optimal vertebral, but not femoral, bone homeostasis in vivo and osteoblast differentiation in vitro.
Ano6 disruption impairs acinar cell regulatory volume decrease and protein secretion in murine submandibular salivary glands
Authors: Munemasa Takashi , Gao Xin , Melvin James E. , Mukaibo Taro
Published: April 2020

The widely expressed Anoctamin 6 (Ano6) supports different Ca2+‐dependent functions, but little is known about its role in salivary glands. Mouse submandibular gland (SMG) acinar cells exhibited a robust regulatory volume decrease (RVD) following cell swelling that was reduced approximately 70% in Ano6–/– mice. Ca2+‐free conditions nearly eliminated the RVD response suggesting that Ano6 is an obligatory component of the cell volume‐activated, Ca2+‐dependent RVD pathway in salivary gland acinar cells. Ex vivo agonist‐stimulated secretion of water and ions was unaffected by Ano6 disruption under both isotonic and hypotonic conditions suggesting that Ano6 does not play a major role in fluid and electrolyte secretion. In contrast, the total amount of β‐adrenergic‐dependent protein secretion by the SMG was significantly reduced in Ano6–/– mice. Closer inspection of these latter results revealed that protein secretion was affected only in the female SMG by Ano6 disruption. These results indicate that Ano6 modulates the RVD response and protein secretion by salivary gland acinar cells.
Association of C‐reactive protein (CRP) rs1205 and rs2808630 variants and risk of cancer
Authors: Pan Hai‐Yan , Mi Yuan‐Yuan , Xu Kai , Zhang Ze , Wu Hao , Zhang Wei , Yuan Wei , Shi Li , Zhang Li‐Feng , Zhu Li‐Jie , Zuo Li
Published: April 2020

The correlation between rs1205, rs2808630 variants of C‐reactive protein (CRP) gene and susceptibility of cancer has been assessed previously, but with conflicting results. We adopted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), in silico tools and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis to evaluate this association. Totally, 10,614 cancer subjects and 33,294 controls were involved in the pooled analysis. When all the studies were pooled, no significant correlation was indicated between the two variants and cancer risk. However, in stratification analysis by ethnicity, we found that CRP rs1205 C>T polymorphism was associated with an elevated risk of cancer in Asians (T‐allele vs. C‐allele, OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.06–1.36, pheterogeneity = .226; TT vs. CC, OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.14–1.93, pheterogeneity = .089). Similar findings were observed for rs2808630 variant. In silico tools showed that lung adenocarcinoma participants with high CRP expression may have shorter overall survival time than low expression group. ELISA analysis indicated that CRP expression in prostate adenocarcinoma subjects with TT + TC genotypes was statistically higher than in those with CC genotypes. CRP rs1205 C>T and rs2808630 T>C polymorphism may be associated with cancer risk, especially for Asians.
Immune‐related long noncoding RNA signature for predicting survival and immune checkpoint blockade in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Yaqiong , Zhang Liming , Xu Youwen , Wu Xiaoyu , Zhou Yong , Mo Jinggang
Published: April 2020

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) show multiple functions, including immune response. Recently, the immune‐related lncRNAs have been reported in some cancers. We first investigated the immune‐related lncRNA signature as a potential target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival. The training set (n = 368) and the independent external validation cohort (n = 115) were used. Immune genes and lncRNAs coexpression were constructed to identify immune‐related lncRNAs. Cox regression analyses were perfumed to establish the immune‐related lncRNA signature. Regulatory roles of this signature on cancer pathways and the immunologic features were investigated. The correlation between immune checkpoint inhibitors and this signature was examined. In this study, the immune‐related lncRNA signature was identified in HCC, which could stratify patients into high‐ and low‐risk groups. This immune‐related lncRNA signature was correlated with disease progression and worse survival and was an independent prognostic biomarker. Our immune‐related lncRNA signature was still a powerful tool in predicting survival in each stratum of age, gender, and tumor stage. This signature mediated cell cycle, glycolysis, DNA repair, mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, and immunologic characteristics (i.e., natural killer cells vs. Th1 cells down, etc). This signature was associated with immune cell infiltration (i.e., macrophages M0, Tregs, CD4 memory T cells, and macrophages M1, etc.,) and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy‐related molecules (i.e., PD‐L1, PD‐L2, and IDO1). Our findings suggested that the immune‐related lncRNA signature had an important value for survival prediction and may have the potential to measure the response to ICB immunotherapy. This signature may guide the selection of the immunotherapy for HCC.
Prenatal diagnosis of frontal encephalocele
Authors: Marinho Márcia , Lourenço Cátia , Nogueira Rosete , Valente Francisco
Published: April 2020

Encephalocele is a rare congenital form of neural tube defect characterized by a protrusion of the meninges and cerebral tissue through a skull defect. These defects are classified according to their location: frontal, parietal and occipital, the last one being the most common form of presentation. The prognosis is related to the anatomical site, the volume of the neural contents and the presence of coexisting abnormalities. Most pregnancies are terminated, since the prognosis is poor. We report a case of an isolated fetal frontal encephalocele diagnosed at 21 weeks of gestation.
An Exploration of Authentic, Servant, Transactional, and Transformational Leadership Styles in Fortune 500 CEO Letters
Authors: Legutko Betty‐Jo
Published: April 2020

Authors write annual CEO letters to convey specific messages but may not reflect on the leadership styles applied in their communications. The purpose of the current paper is to explore the usage of authentic, servant, transactional, and transformational leadership styles in leadership letters of Fortune 500 companies as a function of nine industrial sectors. The primary methodology for data analysis comprised content analysis and stepwise multiple regression. Results revealed CEO letter writers used transformational leadership most frequently, followed by transactional leadership. Stepwise multiple regression results revealed direct relationships existed between consumer goods and authentic leadership; services, and servant leadership; and utilities and transactional leadership. Additionally, a proposed template for future leadership letters was incorporated to enrich communication in CEO letters by applying specific leadership styles using new leadership paradigms to bolster the existent transformational leadership style.
Prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus in women living with HIV/AIDS in an area of Northeast Brazil
Authors: da Silva Brenda Evelin Barreto , Santos Victor Santana , Santos Ingrid Emmily Reis , Araújo Edilaine Dória , Alves Melina Vieira , Silva Letícia Alves dos Santos , de Aragão Batista Marcus Vinicius , de Lemos Lígia Mara Dolce
Published: April 2020

Women infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are more likely to manifest oncogenic viral infections including human papillomavirus (HPV). It was investigated the HPV prevalence, genotype distribution and HPV relationship with cervical lesions among women living with HIV in Sergipe state, Northeast Brazil. A prevalence survey was conducted including 270 HIV‐infected women who attended the reference center for HIV in Sergipe from August 2014 to November 2017. Cervical samples were processed by the polymerase chain reaction for HPV‐DNA detection. Among the 270 HIV‐infected women, 190 (70.4%) were between 26 and 49 years old and 159 (55.6%) were coinfected with HPV. Among the coinfected women, 24 viral types were identified; 113 (72%) subjects had high‐risk HPV types, and the most prevalent was HPV 16 (53/35.3%). Positive HPV status was statistically associated with having 0 to 8 years of schooling compared with ≥9 years of schooling; and have been diagnosed with HIV infection less than 5 years ago compared with more than 10 years. Cytological abnormalities were found in 13.4% (31/231) of women, most with high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (16/51.6%). However, of women who had no cytological lesions or malignancy (200/86.6%), almost half were HPV DNA‐positive (99/49.5%). In conclusion, the prevalence of HPV among women living with HIV in Sergipe was high. There was a high frequency of high‐risk HPV infection, and a wide diversity of genotypes were detected, with HPV 16 being the most frequent.
SARS‐CoV‐2 can be detected in urine, blood, anal swabs, and oropharyngeal swabs specimens
Authors: Peng Liang , Liu Jing , Xu Wenxiong , Luo Qiumin , Chen Dabiao , Lei Ziying , Huang Zhanlian , Li Xuejun , Deng Keji , Lin Bingliang , Gao Zhiliang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) ribonucleic acid (RNA) in urine and blood specimens, and anal and oropharyngeal swabs from patients with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, and correlated positive results with clinical findings.

Methods

Patients with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infections were included in this study. Patients' demographic and clinical data were recorded. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in urine and blood specimens, and anal and oropharyngeal swabs. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT04279782, 19 February, 2020).

Results

SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA was present in all four specimen types, though not all specimen types were positive simultaneously. The presence of viral RNA was not necessarily predictive of clinical symptoms, for example, the presence of viral RNA in the urine did not necessarily predict urinary tract symptoms.

Conclusions

SARS‐CoV‐2 can infect multiple systems, including the urinary tract. Testing different specimen types may be useful for monitoring disease changes and progression, and for establishing a prognosis.
Estimating the effects of asymptomatic and imported patients on COVID‐19 epidemic using mathematical modeling
Authors: Sun Tingzhe , Weng Dan
Published: April 2020

The epidemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 has been a serious threat to public health worldwide. Data from 23 January to 31 March at Jiangsu and Anhui provinces in China were collected. We developed an adjusted model with two novel features: the asymptomatic population and threshold behavior in recovery. Unbiased parameter estimation identified faithful model fitting. Our model predicted that the epidemic for asymptomatic patients (ASP) was similar in both provinces. The latent periods and outbreak sizes are extremely sensitive to strongly controlled interventions such as isolation and quarantine for both asymptomatic and imported cases. We predicted that ASP serve as a more severe factor with faster outbreaks and larger outbreak sizes compared with imported patients. Therefore, we argued that the currently strict interventions should be continuously implemented, and unraveling the asymptomatic pool is critically important before preventive strategy such as vaccines.
Influence of partial pork meat replacement by pulse flour on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of low‐fat burgers
Authors: Argel Natalia Soledad , Ranalli Natalia , Califano Alicia Noemí , Andrés Silvina Cecilia
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Numerous non‐meat ingredients, such as hydrocolloids, starches, and fibers, have been studied to improve texture characteristics and increase the ability to bind water in low‐fat meat products. In this sense, pulses flours (lentil, chickpea, pea, and bean) were studied at two levels and various water:flour ratios to replace 10–44% pork meat in low‐fat burgers and determine the effect on their sensory and technological properties (cooking yield, expressible liquid, diameter reduction, and color and texture profile).

RESULTS

All pork‐meat burgers that included pulse flour showed higher cooking yields, lower diameter reductions, and expressible liquids than all‐meat burgers, which displayed better oil and water retention. Higher water additions resulted in burgers with less hardness. Burgers with 80 g kg−1 lentil flour in all water/flour ratios presented the lowest total color difference (ΔE) compared with the commercial control. Burgers with the higher level of all pulse flour tested and medium water levels showed acceptable sensory scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Partial pork meat replacement by different legume flour (lentil, chickpea, pea, and bean), at levels of 80 and 150 g kg−1 and water/flour ratios of 1250, 1600, and 2000 g kg−1 resulted in low‐fat burgers with adequate physicochemical characteristics. Moreover, the sensorial evaluation of the formulations with the maximum flour addition and intermediate water/flour ratio showed that they had good sensorial acceptability with no effect of flour type. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Microbiological safety of ready‐to‐eat minimally processed vegetables in Brazil: an overview
Authors: Sant'Anna Pedro B , de Melo Franco Bernadette DG , Maffei Daniele F
Published: April 2020

The market of ready‐to‐eat minimally processed vegetables (RTE‐MPV) is increasing in Brazil and many other countries. During processing, these vegetables go through several steps that modify their natural structure while maintaining the same nutritional and sensory attributes as the fresh produce. One of the most important steps is washing‐disinfection, which aims to reduce the microbial load, prevent cross‐contamination and inactivate pathogenic microorganisms that may be present. Nonetheless, the presence of pathogens and occurrence of foodborne illnesses associated with consumption of RTE‐MPV concern consumers, governments and the food industry. This review brings an overview on the microbiological safety of RTE‐MPV, focusing on Brazilian findings. Most of the published data are on detection of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, indicating that their prevalence may range from 0.4% to 12.5% and from 0.6% to 3.1%, respectively. The presence of these pathogens in fresh produce is unacceptable and risky, mainly in RTE‐MPV, because consumers expect them to be clean and sanitized and consequently safe for consumption without any additional care. Therefore, proper control during the production of RTE‐MPV is mandatory to guarantee products with quality and safety to consumers. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Could Ultrasound‐Based Radiomics Noninvasively Predict Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer?
Authors: Qiu Xiaoying , Jiang Yongluo , Zhao Qiyu , Yan Chunhong , Huang Min , Jiang Tian'an
Published: April 2020

Objectives

This work aimed to investigate whether quantitative radiomics imaging features extracted from ultrasound (US) can noninvasively predict breast cancer (BC) metastasis to axillary lymph nodes (ALNs).

Methods

Presurgical B‐mode US data of 196 patients with BC were retrospectively studied. The cases were divided into the training and validation cohorts (n = 141 versus 55). The elastic net regression technique was used for selecting features and building a signature in the training cohort. A linear combination of the selected features weighted by their respective coefficients produced a radiomics signature for each individual. A radiomics nomogram was established based on the radiomics signature and US‐reported ALN status. In a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, areas under the curves (AUCs) were determined for assessing the accuracy of the prediction model in predicting ALN metastasis in both cohorts. The clinical value was assessed by a decision curve analysis.

Results

In all, 843 radiomics features per case were obtained from expert‐delineated lesions on US imaging in this study. Through radiomics feature selection, 21 features were selected to constitute the radiomics signature for predicting ALN metastasis. Area under the curve values of 0.778 and 0.725 were obtained in the training and validation cohorts, respectively, indicating moderate predictive ability. The radiomics nomogram comprising the radiomics signature and US‐reported ALN status showed the best performance for ALN detection in the training cohort (AUC, 0.816) but moderate performance in the validation cohort (AUC, 0.759). The decision curve showed that both the radiomics signature and nomogram displayed good clinical utility.

Conclusions

This pilot radiomics study provided a noninvasive method for predicting presurgical ALN metastasis status in BC.
Bioabsorbable Microplates as an External Stent for Suprastomal Collapse: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Jayawardena Asitha D. L. , Burks Ciersten A. , Hartnick Christopher J.
Published: April 2020

Objective/Hypothesis

To assess the long‐term decannulation outcomes of bioresorbable microplates as an external stent for pediatric tracheostomy patients with suprastomal collapse.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Hospital records of all patients who underwent a bioresorbable microplate for suprastomal collapse from 2016 to 2019 were reviewed at a single institution. The primary outcome measure was tracheostomy decannulation.

Results

A total of nine patients underwent placement of bioabsorbable microplates to treat suprastomal collapse. After initial tracheostomy, four patients received a laryngotracheal reconstruction prior to their external stent placement, and one patient received a mandibular distraction. The average age at the time of external stent placement was 32 (±21) months, excluding one patient who received a stent at the age of 29 years. Eight patients (88.9%) were successfully decannulated following the procedure. Decannulated patients were followed for an average of 21 (±12.5) months postoperatively, and all these patients have remained decannulated since their initial procedure. This is a total of 173 months (14.4 years) of observation postprocedure in which these patients have remained decannulated. One patient experienced postoperative crepitus requiring washout but still maintained decannulation.

Conclusion

Bioabsorbable microplates have a reasonable chance of long‐term successful decannulation when an appropriate patient is selected. Decannulation is maintained beyond the 6‐month time frame in which the 85:15 poly(L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) polymer that comprises the external stent takes to bioabsorb. This procedure should be considered for the often difficult problem of pediatric tracheostomy with isolated suprastomal collapse.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E631–E634, 2021
Photobiomodulation Therapy is Able to Modulate PGE2 Levels in Patients With Chronic Non‐Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Tomazoni Shaiane S. , Costa Leonardo O. P. , Joensen Jon , Stausholm Martin B. , Naterstad Ingvill F. , Ernberg Malin , Leal‐Junior Ernesto Cesar P. , Bjordal Jan M.
Published: April 2020

Background and Objectives

Non‐specific low back pain (LBP) is responsible for triggering increased biomarkers levels. In this way, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) may be an interesting alternative to treat these patients. One of the possible biological mechanisms of PBMT involved to decrease pain intensity in patients with musculoskeletal disorders is modulation of the inflammatory mediators’ levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PBMT compared with placebo on inflammatory mediators’ levels and pain intensity in patients with chronic non‐specific LBP.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A prospectively registered, randomized triple‐blinded (volunteers, therapists, and assessors), placebo‐controlled trial was performed. Eighteen patients with chronic non‐specific LBP were recruited and treated with a single session of active PBMT or placebo PBMT. The primary outcome of the study was serum prostaglandin E2 levels and the secondary outcomes were tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6 levels, and pain intensity. All outcomes were measured before and after 15 minutes of treatment session.

Results

PBMT was able to decrease prostaglandin E2 levels at post‐treatment compared with placebo, with a mean difference of −1470 pg/ml, 95% confidence interval −2906 to −33.67 in patients with LBP. There was no difference between groups in the other measured outcomes. Patients did not report any adverse events.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that PBMT was able to modulate prostaglandin E2 levels, indicating that this may be one of the mechanisms involved in the analgesic effects of PBMT in patients with LBP. Trial registration number (ClinicalTrials.gov): NCT03859505. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Adjustable pH‐Responsive Drug Delivery System Based on Self‐Assembly Polypeptide‐Modified Mesoporous Silica
Authors: Yang Chunbo , Shi Zhengzheng , Feng Cong , Li Rui , Luo Sihao , Li Xiangfeng , Ruan Liping
Published: April 2020

In this study, an adjustable pH‐responsive drug delivery system using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as the host materials and the modified polypeptides as the nanovalves is reported. Since the polypeptide can self‐assemble via electrostatic interaction at pH 7.4 and be disassembled by pH changes, the modified poly(l‐lysine) and poly(l‐glutamate) are utilized for pore blocking and opening in the study. Poly(l‐lysine)‐MSN (PLL‐MSN) and poly(l‐glutamate)‐MSN (PLG‐MSN) are synthesized via the ring opening polymerization of N‐carboxyanhydrides onto the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The successful modification of the polypeptide on MSN is proved by Zeta potential change, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), solid state NMR, and MALDI‐TOF MS. In vitro simulated dye release studies show that PLL‐MSN and PLG‐MSN can successfully load the dye molecules. The release study shows that the controlled release can be constructed at different pH by adjusting the ratio of PLL‐MSN to PLG‐MSN. Cellular uptake study indicates that the drug is detected in both cytoplasm and nucleus, especially in the nucleus. In vitro cytotoxicity assay indicates that DOX loaded mixture nanoparticles (ratio of PLL‐MSN to PLG‐MSN is 1:1) can be triggered for drug release in HeLa cells, resulting in 88% of cell killing.
The potential underlying mechanism of the leukemia caused by MLL‐fusion and potential treatments
Authors: Liu Haolin , Lee Schuyler , Zhang Qianqian , Chen Zhongzhou , Zhang Gongyi
Published: April 2020

A majority of infant and pediatric leukemias are caused by the mixed‐lineage leukemia gene (MLL) fused with a variety of candidates. Several underlying mechanisms have been proposed. One currently popular view is that truncated MLL1 fusion and its associated complex constitutively hijacks super elongation complex, including positive transcription elongation factor b, CDK9, and cyclin T1 complex and DOT1L, to enhance the expression of transcription factors that maintain or restore stemness of leukocytes, as well as prevent the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. An alternative emerging view proposes that MLL1‐fusion promotes the recruitment of TATA binding protein and RNA polymerase II (Pol II) initiation complex, so as to increase the expression levels of target genes. The fundamental mechanism of both theories are gain of function for truncated MLL1 fusions, either through Pol II elongation or initiation. Our recent progress in transcription regulation of paused Pol II through JMJD5, JMJD6, and JMJD7, combined with the repressive role of H3K4me3 revealed by others, prompted us to introduce a contrarian hypothesis: the failure to shut down transcribing units by MLL‐fusions triggers the transformation: loss of function of truncated MLL1 fusions coupled with the loss of conversion of H3K4me1 to H3K4me3, leading to the constitutive expression of transcription factors that are in charge of maintenance of hematopoietic progenitor cells, may trigger the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. Following this track, a potential treatment to eliminate these fusion proteins, which may ultimately cure the disease, is proposed.
Customizing competitive strategy to entry timing: Implications for firm performance in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Castillo‐Apraiz Julen , Matey Jesus
Published: April 2020

Our study examines the effect of business‐level strategy on performance. Past literature examining the aforementioned effect in the pharmaceutical industry is scarce. Furthermore, there is a lack of studies that analyze how competitive strategy is contingent on firm entry timing. Hence, to explore our understanding in this area, the present study was conducted in the German pharmaceutical industry. Two hundred valid responses were collected from CEOs. The data were analyzed using SPSS and partial least square (PLS) techniques. The findings indicate a surprising result that, while the differentiation strategy is significantly related to pharmaceutical companies' performance, cost leadership strategy is not.
Cell phone app to optimize irrigation cycles for US crops
Authors: Simonet Daniel , Alnaizy Raafat
Published: April 2020

Evaporation losses can be reduced by adapting a scheduled irrigation time and having a precise irrigation cycle, but owing to high costs, water optimization tools have thus far been available only to large firms. The study presents all the required steps to develop a smart phone app that can predict the optimal irrigation times for a future 15 days on a sample of 80 crops at any location in the United States. The app uses a soil water balance approach together with data provided by weather sites via application programming interfaces (API). This low‐cost, portable, water irrigation planner only requires the entry of both crop and sprinkler type in order to enhance greatly small farms' and private households' ability to lower their consumption of water and the associated costs.
Clinical performance of DNA‐based prenatal screening using single‐nucleotide polymorphisms approach in Thai women with singleton pregnancy
Authors: Panchalee Tachjaree , Poungvarin Naravat , Amornrit Warisa , Pooliam Julaporn , Taluengjit Pattarawalai , Wataganara Tuangsit
Published: April 2020

Background

To review the performance of noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) using targeted single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) approach in mixed‐risk Thai women.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of data for detection of trisomy 21 (T21), 18 (T18), 13 (T13), monosomy X (XO), other sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA), and triploidy/vanishing twins (VT) from a single commercial laboratory.

Results

Mean (±SD) gestational age and maternal weight were 13.2 (±2.1) weeks and 125.7 (±22.4) pounds, respectively (n = 8,572). From 462/8,572 (5.4%) no‐calls; 1/462 (0.2%) was uninformative SNPs, and 1/462 chose amniocentesis. Redraw settled 323/460 (70%) samples with low fetal fraction (FF); and 8,434/8,572 (98.4%) were finally reportable, with 131 high risks (1.6%). The median (min‐max) FF of reportable (n = 8,434) and unreportable samples (n = 137) samples were 10.5% (2.6–37.9) and 3.8% (1–14.1), respectively (p < .05). Fetal karyotypes were available in 106/131 (80.9%) and 52/138 (37.7%) high risk and repeated no‐calls, respectively. The positive predictive values (PPVs) for T21 (n = 47), T18 (n = 15), T13 (n = 7), XO (n = 8), other SCA (n = 7), and triploidy/VT were 94%, 100%, 58.3%, 66.7%, 70%, and 57.1%, respectively. None of repeated no‐calls had aneuploidies.

Conclusion

SNP‐based NIPS has high PPVs for T21 and T18. Although the proprietary SNPs library is not population‐specific, uninformative SNPs are uncommon.
A novel homozygous nonsense ZP1 variant causes human female infertility associated with empty follicle syndrome (EFS)
Authors: Xu Qianhua , Zhu Xiaoli , Maqsood Madiha , Li Wenqing , Tong Xianhong , Kong Shuai , Wang Fengsong , Liu Xiaoman , Wei Zhaolian , Zhang Zhiguo , Zhu Fuxi , Cao Yunxia , Bao Jianqiang
Published: April 2020

Background

Empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is a rare but severe condition in which no oocyte is recovered in female patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) after sufficient ovarian response to hormonal trigger. Accumulating evidence highlights the genetic basis of EFS occurrence.

Methods

In this study, we report a patient with primary infertility showing the characteristics of EFS from a consanguineous family. Under the treatment of assisted reproductive technique (ART), no oocyte was retrieved following the aspiration of mature follicles. Through whole‐exome sequencing (WES), we discovered a novel recessively transmitted mutation in ZP1 (c.769 C>T, p. Q257*).

Results

In vitro Co‐immunoprecipitation assays showed that mutant ZP1 protein failed to interact with either ZP2 or ZP3, which explains the degenerated oocytes in the patient with EFS.

Conclusion

Together, our data further expand the spectrum of ZP1 mutations that are associated with human EFS and thus provide novel insight into the diagnosis of EFS patients.
β‐Adrenoceptors regulate matrix metalloproteinase expression in human urothelial cells under hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Lan Jianhua , Jin Tao , Ai Jianzhong , Wei Xin , Huang Zhihui , Chen Hua , Jin Xi , Luo Zhumei , Wang Kunjie
Published: April 2020

The bladder wall is constantly subjected to intravesical pressure during the filling and voiding cycles. An imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) under elevated intravesical pressure contributes to pathological changes in the bladder. To investigate the changes in human urothelial cells (HUCs) under elevated intravesical pressure, this study analyzed the effect of β‐adrenoceptor signaling on the expression of MMPs and TIMPs in HUCs exposed to pathological hydrostatic pressure (HP) (70 cm H2O) for 6 hours. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and cell fluorescence staining were used to explore the effect of β‐adrenoceptor signaling on the expression of MMPs and TIMPs in HUCs after agonist and/or antagonist treatment. The expression levels of β2‐ and β3‐adrenoceptor, MMP1, and MMP2 were greatly downregulated, while the expression of TIMP1 was greatly upregulated. Formoterol and BRL 37344, which are agonists of β2‐ and β3‐adrenoceptor, respectively, significantly increased MMP1 and MMP2 expression under 70 cm H2O. As a classic downstream pathway of β2‐ and β3‐adrenoceptor, protein kinase A (PKA) signaling inhibited MMP1 and MMP2 expression by regulating cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) activity. MMP1 and MMP2 expression in HUCs under 70 cm H2O was modified by β2‐ and β3‐adrenoceptor via the PKA/CREB pathway. This outcome suggests that MMPs likely participate in the pathological effects of elevated intravesical pressure. The underlying mechanism of β2‐ and β3‐adrenoceptor in elevated intravesical pressure was also revealed; this mechanism constitutes a new potential therapeutic target for partial bladder outlet obstruction.
When Good Feelings Turn Mixed: Affective Dynamics and Big Five Trait Predictors of Mixed Emotions in Daily Life
Authors: Barford Kate A. , Koval Peter , Kuppens Peter , Smillie Luke D.
Published: April 2020

In this study, we examine how daily life fluctuations in positive affect (PA) and negative afect (NA) relate to mixed emotions—that is, simultaneous positive and negative feelings. We utilised three experience sampling studies (total N = 275), in which participants reported their affect 10 times each day for up to 14 days. Because people generally experience fairly stable moderate levels of PA in daily life, we proposed that mixed emotions would typically occur when NA increases and overlaps with, but does not entirely eliminate, PA. Accordingly, within individuals, we found that mixed emotions in daily life were more strongly predicted by changes in NA and the occurrence of negative events than by changes in PA and positive events. At the between–person level, individuals with more variable NA, more stable PA, and higher trait Neuroticism scores experienced higher average levels of mixed emotions. Further, we found evidence that the average magnitude of NA increases may partially mediate the association between Neuroticism and mixed emotions. We also found that positive predictors of mixed emotions are negative predictors of individuals’ within–person PA/NA correlations—that is, affective synchrony. Our findings elucidate trait predictors and affective dynamics of daily life mixed emotions, which appear closely intertwined with NA variability. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology