bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DEM simulations of spherical particle–particle collisions
Authors: Liu Wenming , Jiang Wei , Zhang Honghong , Liu Xuedong , Liu Hongmei , Zheng Weiwen , Zhao Wei
Published: February 2022

The randomness, diversity, and complexity of the high‐speed particle crushing process bring great difficulties to the theoretical analysis of powder engineering. In this paper, the discrete element method is used to simulate the collision of spherical particles, which provides a reference for studying the process and mechanism of crushing between particles under impact load. The Hertz–Mindlin with bonded contact model is used as the particle–particle contact model. The central collisions of particles with different diameter ratios under different high‐speed motions and the eccentric collisions with different eccentricities are discussed. The results show that the bond damage increases with the increase of relative velocity in both centre impact and eccentric impact. In centre collisions, particles of smaller objects are more fragmented than particles of larger objects. For smaller target particles, the larger the diameter ratio is, the more particle elements are detached from the target particles, and the greater the bond breakage rate. For larger target particles, the larger the diameter ratio is, the less the particle element falls off and the smaller the bond breakage rate. This provides guidance for the collision and crushing of particles with different particle size ratios and different eccentricities during high‐speed motion in engineering applications in the future.
Melatonin supplementation improves N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide levels and quality of life in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Results from MeHR trial, a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Hoseini Shervin G. , Heshmat‐Ghahdarijani Kiyan , Khosrawi Saeid , Garakyaraghi Mohammad , Shafie Davood , Mansourian Marjan , Roohafza Hamidreza , Azizi Elham , Sadeghi Masoumeh
Published: February 2022

Background

Melatonin, the major secretion of the pineal gland, has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and might advantage heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) by attenuating the effects of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone and sympathetic system on the heart besides its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that oral melatonin might improve echocardiographic parameters, serum biomarkers, and a composite clinical outcome (including quality of life, hospitalization, and mortality) in patients with HFrEF.

Methods

A placebo‐controlled double‐blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted on patients with stable HFrEF. The intervention was 10 mg melatonin or placebo tablets administered every night for 24 weeks. Echocardiography and measurements of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐Pro BNP), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, lipid profile, and psychological parameters were done at baseline and after 24 weeks.

Results

Overall, 92 patients were recruited, and 85 completed the study (melatonin: 42, placebo: 43). Serum NT‐Pro BNP decreased significantly in the melatonin compared with the placebo group (estimated marginal means for difference [95% confidence interval]: 111.0 [6.2–215.7], p = .044). Moreover, the melatonin group had a significantly better clinical outcome (0.93 [0.18–1.69], p = .017), quality of life (5.8 [0.9–12.5], p = .037), and New York Heart Association class (odds ratio: 12.9 [1.6–102.4]; p = .015) at the end of the trial. Other studied outcomes were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusions

Oral melatonin decreased NT‐Pro BNP and improved the quality of life in patients with HFrEF. Thus it might be a beneficial supplement in HFrEF.
Effect of Phosphate Binders and a Dietary Iron Supplement on the Pharmacokinetics of a Single Dose of Vadadustat in Healthy Adults
Authors: Paulson Susan K. , Martinez Jimena , Sawant Rishikesh , Burke Steven K. , Chavan Ajit
Published: February 2022

Vadadustat is a hypoxia‐inducible factor prolyl‐hydroxylase inhibitor being developed for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Sequelae of chronic kidney disease include hyperphosphatemia and anemia, which are frequently treated with phosphate binders and iron supplements, respectively. Two studies evaluating the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of a single oral dose of vadadustat coadministered with a phosphate binder or iron supplement were conducted in healthy adult participants. In study 1, 54 healthy women and men were administered vadadustat (300 mg) alone and 1 hour before, concurrently with, or 2 hours after a phosphate binder (sevelamer carbonate 1600 mg, calcium acetate 1334 mg, or ferric citrate 2000 mg). In study 2, 10 healthy men were administered vadadustat (450 mg) alone and concomitantly with the oral iron supplement ferrous sulfate (325 mg [equivalent to 65 mg of elemental iron]). Vadadustat exposure was reduced by coadministration with sevelamer carbonate, calcium acetate, ferric citrate, or ferrous sulfate. Geometric least squares mean ratios for area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 to infinity were reduced 37% to 55% by phosphate binders and 46% by ferrous sulfate. However, when vadadustat was administered 1 hour before phosphate binders, 90% confidence intervals for vadadustat exposure were within the no‐effect boundaries of +50% to –33%, indicating that drug‐drug interactions can be reduced by administering vadadustat 1 hour before phosphate binders. Vadadustat was well tolerated when administered in conjunction with phosphate binders or an iron supplement.
Generation of Tumor Spheroids to Evaluate T Cell and NK Cell Cytotoxicity
Authors: Poggi Alessandro
Published: February 2022

Tumor cell spheroids are one of the three‐dimensional (3D) culture systems that can be used to study the features of tumor cells in a more physiologic condition. Indeed, this 3D culture system has been validated in preclinical studies to select anticancer drugs. Tumor cell spheroids can be obtained through employing different procedures, and here I describe in detail how to obtain spheroids from tumor cell lines of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). I analyze the procedures employed to evaluate the phenotype and growth of tumor cells in this 3D culture system. Also, interaction with immune cells is considered. Indeed, it is relevant to define whether the antitumor effects exerted by different cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets are similar when tumor cells are used either as cells adherent to a plastic substrate or floating spheroids. To obtain optimal results in this complex system, some parameters must be considered, such as those related to poorly defined experimental variables including biological and biophysical features of tumor cell lines and the quality (purity and time to use after generation) of antitumor effector lymphocyte subsets. Also, I describe in detail the methods to generate these lymphocyte subsets and to characterize their cytotoxic potential and effectiveness in killing tumor cells. Human natural killer cells and T lymphocytes expressing the γδ T cell receptor (in particular Vδ2 T cells) are considered among the cytotoxic lymphocyte populations. Eventually, it should be possible to obtain reliable and feasible results to study the molecular mechanisms involved in recognition and killing of CRC spheroids exerted by effector lymphocytes. © 2022 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Generation of tumor cell spheroids

Basic Protocol 2: Evaluation of ATP content of spheroids

Basic Protocol 3: Evaluation of antigen expression by cell spheroids

Basic Protocol 4: Generation of effector lymphocytes

Basic Protocol 5: Coculture of spheroids and lymphocytes

Basic Protocol 6: Evaluation of lymphocyte cytotoxicity using crystal violet staining
Quantitative trait loci mapping reveals the complexity of adult plant resistance to leaf rust in spring wheat ‘Copio’
Authors: Rauf Yahya , Lan Caixia , Randhawa Mandeep , Singh Ravi P. , Huerta‐Espino Julio , Anderson James A.
Published: February 2022

The spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) line ‘Copio’ has exhibited high level of adult plant resistance (APR) to the leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) pathogen in Mexico during field evaluations. To elucidate the genetic basis of leaf rust resistance in Copio, 176 F4‐derived F6‐recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross of wheat lines ‘Apav’ and Copio were phenotyped in the field for two seasons in the United States and Mexico. A total of 762 genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers were used to develop linkage maps. Composite interval mapping identified seven quantitative trait loci (QTL), all contributed by Copio. Three QTL on chromosome arms 1BL (QLr.umn‐1B), 2AS (QLr.umn‐2A), and 3BS (QLr.umn‐3B) were consistently expressed across all four environments. The QTL on 1BL represents Lr46, which is a pleiotropic APR gene, while the QTL on 2AS is colocated to the Lr37 gene in the 2NS/2AS translocation fragment. The QTL on 3BS, mapped to the Sr2/Yr30/Lr27 genomic region, is more likely to be a unique locus conferring APR to leaf rust races because all phenotyping environments had Lr27 virulent pathotypes. Moreover, the functionality of Lr27 is complimented by Lr31 on chromosome 4BS, which is lacking in both parents. Marker haplotypes identified seven RILs carrying a combination of resistance alleles at all three loci. This combination reduced leaf rust coefficient of infection up to 52 and 36% in the Mexican and U.S. environments, respectively. This study reports the complex genetic mechanism of APR to leaf rust in Copio and its importance as a potential resistance source for gene pyramiding through recombination breeding.
Protein disulfide isomerase a4 promotes lung cancer development via the Stat3 pathway in stromal cells
Authors: Chen Tzung‐Yan , Yang Chun‐Yen , Yang Meng‐Ting , Kuo Tien‐Fen , Chang Cicero Lee‐Tian , Chen Chih‐Li , Lee Tsung‐Han , Yang Greta , Yang Wen‐Chin , Chiu Ching‐Feng , Yu Alex Yang‐Hao
Published: February 2022

Background

Protein disulfide isomerases a4 (Pdia4) is known to be involved in cancer development. Our previous publication showed that Pdia4 positively promotes cancer development via its inhibition of procaspase‐dependent apoptosis in cancer cells. However, nothing is known about its role in the cancer microenvironment.

Results

Here, we first found that Pdia4 expression in lung cancer was negatively correlated with patient survival. Next, we investigated the impact of host Pdia4 in stromal cells during cancer development. We showed that Pdia4 was expressed at a low level in stromal cells, and this expression was up‐regulated akin to its expression in cancer cells. This up‐regulation was stimulated by tumour cell‐derived stimuli. Genetics studies in tumour‐bearing wild‐type and Pdia4–/– mice showed that host Pdia4 promoted lung cancer development in the mice via cancer stroma. This promotion was abolished in Rag1–/– mice which lacked T and B cells. This promotion could be restored once T and B cells were added back to Rag1–/– mice. In addition, host Pdia4 positively regulated the number and immunosuppressive function of stromal cells. Mechanistic studies showed that host Pdia4 positively controlled the Stat3/Vegf pathway in T and B lymphocytes via its stabilization of activated Stat3 in a Thioredoxin‐like domain (CGHC)‐dependent manner.

Conclusions

These findings identify Pdia4 as a possible target for intervention in cancer stroma, suggesting that targeting Pdia4 in cancer stroma is a promising anti‐cancer approach.
Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor homodimerization mediated by acetylation of extracellular lysine promotes prostate cancer progression through the PDPK1/AKT/GCN5 axis
Authors: Ding Yufeng , Chi Honggang , Shao Jialiang , Shi Tiezhu , Yu Hua , Wang Xiang , Wang Xiongjun
Published: February 2022

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa), an inert tumour, has a long progression period, but valid biomarkers and methods for effectively and sensitively monitoring PCa progression are lacking, prompting us to identify new predictors for diagnosis and prognosis. Posttranslational modifications characterizing receptor activation are considered potentially strong indicators of disease progression.

Methods

The posttranscriptional regulation of leukaemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) and its novel downstream signalling activity in PCa were studied using liquid mass spectrometry, genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models, organoid assays, lentivirus packaging, infection and stable cell line construction.

Results

In this study, the level of acetylated K620 on LIFR in its extracellular domain was shown to predict the progression and prognosis of PCa. In PCa cells, LIFR‐K620 acetylation is reversibly mediated by GCN5 and SIRT2. GEM experiments and organoid assays confirmed that the loss of LIFR‐K620 acetylation inhibits PCa progression. Mechanistically, K620 acetylation facilitates LIFR homodimerization and subsequently promotes LIFR‐S1044 phosphorylation and activation, which further recruits PDPK1 to activate AKT signalling and sequentially enhances the GCN5 protein level to sustain the protumour level of LIFR‐K620 acetylation by preventing GCN5 degradation via CRL4Cdt2 E3 ligase.

Conclusions

Acetylation of extracellular K620 on LIFR reinforces its homodimerization and integrates the activities of PDPK1, AKT, GSK3β and GCN5 to form a novel positive feedback loop in PCa; this modification is thus a promising biomarker for monitoring PCa progression.
A dual‐band circular patch antenna using hexagon‐shaped slots
Authors: Krishnan Thiyagarajan , Sennan Sankar , Ravi Vinayakumar , Harshavardhan reddy Dwarakacharla
Published: February 2022

This paper presents the design of a dual‐band circular patch antenna for the application requirements of wireless handheld devices and various wireless sensor modules operating in WiMax and 5G NR Bands. The design originated from a single‐band conventional circular patch antenna and ended up with a dual‐band circular patch. A novel hexagon‐shaped slot was preferred to achieve dual‐band performance in the circular patch antenna. The simulation level performance of the antenna is verified using the Advanced Design System 2019 tool. An FR4 material with a height of 1.6 mm is selected as a substrate for the patch antennas. The return loss and radiation pattern behaviour of the patch antennas are measured using a network analyser and an anechoic chamber. The fabricated prototype achieves dual‐band performance at 3.47 and 6.96 GHz. Simulated and measured results show that the proposed hexagonal‐shaped slot in the circular patch provides a dual‐band behaviour.
Experimentelle Untersuchungen zum Out‐of‐Plane‐Verhalten von Mauerwerkswänden
Authors: Helm Lukas , Sadegh‐Azar Hamid , Schüßler Jan , Teutsch Roman
Published: February 2022

Mauerwerk besitzt sehr gute Eigenschaften zum vertikalen Lastabtrag, dagegen können horizontale Lasten z. B. durch Erdbeben, insbesondere quer zur Ebene (Out of Plane, Plattenschub), nur begrenzt aufgenommen werden. Das Out‐of‐Plane‐Verhalten von unbewehrten Mauerwerkswänden ist von einer Vielzahl an Einflussfaktoren abhängig und aufgrund der starken Nichtlinearität sehr komplex. Trotz der baupraktischen Relevanz hat sich in Literatur und Normung kein einheitliches Modell zur Berechnung der Tragfähigkeit etabliert. In diesem Beitrag werden Rütteltischversuche mit Ziegelmauerwerk zur Untersuchung des Out‐of‐Plane‐Verhaltens von einachsig spannenden unbewehrten Mauerwerkswänden vorgestellt und die wesentlichen Ergebnisse aufgeführt. Weiterhin wird ein analytisches Ingenieurmodell zur Bestimmung der Tragfähigkeit unter Berücksichtigung der maßgebenden Parameter mithilfe der Versuche verifiziert.
Vertikale Begrünung mit UNIKA‐Pflanzsteinen – Hintergründe zur Anwendung, Bemessung und Konstruktion
Authors: Brinkmann Maximilian , Armenat Jannick
Published: February 2022

Der UNIKA‐Pflanzstein ist ein innovativer Mauerstein, welcher es ermöglicht, freistehende Mauerwerkswände sowie Vorsatzschalen von zweischaligem Mauerwerk als vertikale Begrünungsflächen zu nutzen. Durch die vielfältigen Einsatzmöglichkeiten des Pflanzsteins können nicht nur architektonische Akzente gesetzt, sondern auch Beiträge zur Luftreinigung und Temperaturregelung im städtischen Raum geleistet werden. Da der Pflanzstein aufgrund seiner außergewöhnlichen Geometrie nicht nach den Regelungen des Eurocode 6 bemessen werden kann, ist die Nachweisführung innerhalb einer allgemeinen Bauartgenehmigung mithilfe eines anwenderfreundlichen Tabellenverfahrens geregelt. Der nachfolgende Beitrag erläutert relevante Hintergründe des Bemessungskonzepts und gibt sowohl Hinweise für die Anwendung als auch für die Konstruktion von vertikalen Begrünungsflächen aus Pflanzsteinen.
Investigations into the stability of 17 psychoactive drugs in a “simulated postmortem blood” model
Authors: Castle Jared W. , Butzbach Danielle M. , Reith Frank , Walker G. Stewart , Lenehan Claire E. , Costello Samuel P. , Kirkbride K. Paul
Published: February 2022

In the postmortem environment, some drugs and metabolites may degrade due to microbial activity, even forming degradation products that are not produced in humans. Consequently, underestimation or overestimation of perimortem drug concentrations or even false negatives are possible when analyzing postmortem specimens. Therefore, understanding whether medications may be susceptible to microbial degradation is critical in order to ensure that reliable detection and quantitation of drugs and their degradation products is achieved in toxicology screening methods. In this study, a “simulated postmortem blood” model constructed of antemortem human whole blood inoculated with a broad population of human fecal microorganisms was used to investigate the stability of 17 antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs. Microbial communities present in the experiments were determined to be relevant to postmortem blood microorganisms by 16S rRNA sequencing analyses. After 7 days of exposure to the community at 37°C, drug stability was evaluated using liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (LC‐DAD) and with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐QTOF‐MS). Most of the investigated drugs were found to be stable in inoculated samples and noninoculated controls. However, the 1,2‐benzisothiazole antipsychotics, ziprasidone and lurasidone, were found to degrade at a rate comparable with the known labile control, risperidone. In longer experiments (7 to 12 months), where specimens were stored at −20°C, 4°C, and ambient temperature, N‐dealkylation degradation products were detected for many of the drugs, with greater formation in specimens stored at −20°C than at 4°C.
Does the punishment fit the crime? Consequences and diagnosis of misspecified detection functions in Bayesian spatial capture–recapture modeling
Authors: Dey Soumen , Bischof Richard , Dupont Pierre P. A. , Milleret Cyril
Published: February 2022

Spatial capture–recapture (SCR) analysis is now used routinely to inform wildlife management and conservation decisions. It is therefore imperative that we understand the implications of and can diagnose common SCR model misspecifications, as flawed inferences could propagate to policy and interventions. The detection function of an SCR model describes how an individual's detections are distributed in space. Despite the detection function's central role in SCR, little is known about the robustness of SCR‐derived abundance estimates and home range size estimates to misspecifications. Here, we set out to (a) determine whether abundance estimates are robust to a wider range of misspecifications of the detection function than previously explored, (b) quantify the sensitivity of home range size estimates to the choice of detection function, and (c) evaluate commonly used Bayesian p‐values for detecting misspecifications thereof. We simulated SCR data using different circular detection functions to emulate a wide range of space use patterns. We then fit Bayesian SCR models with three detection functions (half‐normal, exponential, and half‐normal plateau) to each simulated data set. While abundance estimates were very robust, estimates of home range size were sensitive to misspecifications of the detection function. When misspecified, SCR models with the half‐normal plateau and exponential detection functions produced the most and least reliable home range size, respectively. Misspecifications with the strongest impact on parameter estimates were easily detected by Bayesian p‐values. Practitioners using SCR exclusively for density estimation are unlikely to be impacted by misspecifications of the detection function. However, the choice of detection function can have substantial consequences for the reliability of inferences about space use. Although Bayesian p‐values can aid the diagnosis of detection function misspecification under certain conditions, we urge the development of additional custom goodness‐of‐fit diagnostics for Bayesian SCR models to identify a wider range of model misspecifications.
A preliminary comparison of a songbird’s song repertoire size and other song measures between an urban and a rural site
Authors: Brewer Dustin E. , Fudickar Adam M.
Published: February 2022

Characteristics of birdsong, especially minimum frequency, have been shown to vary for some species between urban and rural populations and along urban–rural gradients. However, few urban–rural comparisons of song complexity—and none that we know of based on the number of distinct song types in repertoires—have occurred. Given the potential ability of song repertoire size to indicate bird condition, we primarily sought to determine if number of distinct song types displayed by Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) varied between an urban and a rural site. We determined song repertoire size of 24 individuals; 12 were at an urban (‘human‐dominated’) site and 12 were at a rural (‘agricultural’) site. Then, we compared song repertoire size, note rate, and peak frequency between these sites. Song repertoire size and note rate did not vary between our human‐dominated and agricultural sites. Peak frequency was greater at the agricultural site. Our finding that peak frequency was higher at the agricultural site compared to the human‐dominated site, contrary to many previous findings pertaining to frequency shifts in songbirds, warrants further investigation. Results of our pilot study suggest that song complexity may be less affected by anthropogenic factors in Song Sparrows than are frequency characteristics. Additional study, however, will be required to identify particular causal factors related to the trends that we report and to replicate, ideally via multiple urban–rural pairings, so that broader generalization is possible.
Do microplastics impair male dominance interactions in fish? A test of the vector hypothesis
Authors: Swank Ally , Blevins Kadijah , Bourne Abby , Ward Jessica
Published: February 2022

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in aquatic environments and have become a critical environmental issue in recent years due to their adverse impacts on the physiology, reproduction, and survival of aquatic animals. Exposure to MPs also has the potential to induce sub‐lethal behavioral changes that can affect individual fitness, but these effects are understudied. Many plastic additives introduced during the manufacture of MPs are known endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that mimic the action of natural hormones, alter sexual and competitive behavior, and impair reproductive success in fish. In addition, EDCs and other aquatic contaminants may adhere to MPs in the environment, the latter of which may serve as transport vectors for these compounds (i.e., the vector hypothesis). In this study, we staged territorial contests between control males, and males exposed to virgin MP particles or to MPs previously immersed in one of two environmentally relevant concentrations of 17‐alpha ethinyl estradiol (EE2; 5 ng/L and 25 ng/L) to evaluate the independent and synergistic effects of exposure to MPs and a common environmental estrogen on male–male aggression and competitive territory acquisition in a freshwater fish, Pimephales promelas. Short‐term (30 days) dietary exposure to MPs did not impair the ability of males to successfully compete for and obtain a breeding territory. Overall levels of aggression in control and exposed males were also similar across trial series. These results help to fill a critical knowledge gap regarding the direct and indirect (vector‐borne) effects of MPs on the reproductive behavior of aquatic vertebrates in freshwater systems.
Chemistry of surface water, precipitation, throughfall, leaves, sediment, soil, and air near a gold mining region in Peru
Authors: Gerson Jacqueline R. , Szponar Natalie , Agostini Arianna , Alotaibi Rand , Bergquist Bridget , Chen Arabella , Fernandez Luis E. , Lansdale Kelsey N. , Lee Anne H. , Machicao Maria F. , Marchese Melissa J. , Topp Simon N. , Vega Claudia , Bernhardt Emily S.
Published: February 2022

Artisanal and small‐scale gold mining (ASGM) is the primary global source of anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emissions and a large source of landscape change. ASGM occurs throughout the world, including in the Peruvian Amazon. This data set contains measurements of surface water, precipitation, throughfall, leaves, sediment, soil, and air samples from across the Madre de Dios region of Peru, in locations near and remote from ASGM. These data were collected to determine the fate and transport of Hg across the landscape. Samples were collected in 2018 and 2019. Data predominantly included total Hg and methyl Hg concentrations in surface water, precipitation, throughfall, leaves, sediment, soil, and air. Additional water and soil parameters were also measured to better characterize their chemistry. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publication.
Detecting Water Constituents Unique to Septic Tanks as a Wastewater Source in the Environment by Nontarget Analysis: South Florida's Deering Estate Rehydration Project Case Study
Authors: Troxell Kassidy , Ng Brian , Zamora-Ley Ingrid , Gardinali Piero
Published: February 2022

The present study has generated a workflow based on nontarget analysis (NTA) with Compound Discoverer Ver 3.1 to characterize a set of source-discriminating compounds identified in water samples from locations in South Florida (USA), particularly those describing a freshwater environment (Everglades based), urban impacted areas (septic tank driven), and coastal (Biscayne Bay) endmembers in and around the Charles Deering Estate property in the Village of Palmetto Bay. Waters from an interconnected managed canal system were assessed to evaluate the influence of localized emissions. Septic tank effluents influence the water in many Southeast Florida environments due to their diminished onsite treatment capacity based on the limestone-dominated geology and canal systems providing a relatively unobstructed connection pathway. Through a combination of high-resolution mass spectrometry and statistical analyses, a set of tracers and indicators was determined (azelaic acid, decanophenone, galaxolidone, methyl violet, monoolein, metoprolol, and 1-stearoylglycerol). Tentatively identified compounds were generally assigned to various categories such as dyes, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals. The NTA Compound Discoverer Ver 3.1 compound data (presented as principal component analysis and Kendrick mass defect plots) showed apparent differences between wastewater-influenced sites and non–wastewater-influenced sites along with the ranked “Top10” compounds found at each location. Waters from different locations were also compared using the presence of sucralose to further inform the NTA. The most septic-influenced site contained 3594 ± 94 ng/L of sucralose with concentrations declining steadily and reaching the lowest concentrations in Biscayne Bay of 122 ± 94 ng/L. The sucralose concentrations provided further evidence of septic influence on this system. Sucralose was determined to be a conservative tracer between the freshwater and coastal sources and complementary to other probable unique tracers of septic tank effluent identified by the NTA. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1165–1178. © 2022 SETAC

Abstract

Depiction of the data post-processing procedure for the Compound Discoverer 3.1 detected features providing a chemical space chemical fingerprint for the various water sources in the present study by their Kendrick Mass Defect plots. The plots include the parsed compound data (post Compound Discoverer filter), MzCloud™ best match compounds (≥60% match to MzCloud™), and Top10 compounds at each site sourced from a wastewater influenced groundwater well (purple), freshwater from a canal system (blue), groundwater well not influenced by wastewater (orange), and a saltwater bay endmember (brown).
A Black–Scholes user's guide to the Bachelier model
Authors: Choi Jaehyuk , Kwak Minsuk , Tee Chyng Wen , Wang Yumeng
Published: February 2022

To cope with the negative oil futures price caused by the COVID–19 recession, global commodity futures exchanges temporarily switched the option model from Black–Scholes to Bachelier in 2020. This study reviews the literature on Bachelier's pioneering option pricing model and summarizes the practical results on volatility conversion, risk management, stochastic volatility, and barrier options pricing to facilitate the model transition. In particular, using the displaced Black–Scholes model as a model family with the Black–Scholes and Bachelier models as special cases, we not only connect the two models but also present a continuous spectrum of model choices.
Approximate pricing of American exchange options with jumps
Authors: Lian Guanghua , Elliott Robert J. , Kalev Petko , Yang Zhaojun
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a numerical method to price American exchange options based on jump‐diffusion processes. We first derive a closed‐form expression for the value of European exchange options, then decompose the value function of an American exchange option into a European counterpart, and an early exercise premium that is derived analytically. The early exercise boundary for an American exchange option approximately satisfies an algebraic equation that can be quickly numerically solved. Consequently, a formula is obtained for efficiently pricing American exchange options. The numerical results reveal that our pricing formula is robust and accurate.
Connecting and reconnecting to a community, with a sense of belonging – Exploring Aboriginal Elders’ perspectives of engaging in a physical activity program
Authors: Gidgup Margaret J. R. , Kickett Marion , Hill Keith D. , Francis‐Coad Jacqueline , Weselman Tammy , Coombes Julieann , Ivers Rebecca , Bowser Nicole , Palacios Vilma , Hill Anne‐Marie
Published: February 2022

Issue addressed:

Culturally appropriate physical activity (PA) programs have values and principles that respect local community culture and knowledge. However, in Western Australia (WA) there were no opportunities for older Aboriginal peoples to engage in a culturally appropriate PA program. The study objective was to explore how engaging in a culturally appropriate PA program impacted on the lived experiences of Aboriginal Elders.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using an Indigenous methodology. Participants were Aboriginal Elders in Noongar Country in WA . Two groups, engaged in the Ironbark program, which consisted of weekly exercise and a yarning circle. The program was developed in NSW specifically for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples and adapted for use in WA. Semi‐structured interviews utilising a yarning approach were facilitated by a Noongar Wadjuk researcher. Inductive thematic analysis was undertaken.

Results

Nineteen Elders were interviewed. The overarching theme was that participation led to connecting and reconnecting to community with a sense of belonging. Elders affirmed the program as being appropriate and comfortable. They described experiences that were grouped into three main themes of Positive mental and emotional changes, Physical improvements and Social benefits.

Conclusions

Aboriginal Elders valued the opportunity to engage in a culturally appropriate PA program. Benefits were appreciated as holistic in nature, with Elders seeing improvements in their mental, physical and emotional health.

So what?

Increasing access to culturally appropriate, decolonised PA programs is a fundamental health promotion approach for working with older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Evaluation of the inhalation toxicity of arecoline benzoate aerosol in rats
Authors: Chu Ming , Fu Guofeng , Deng Jingjing , Wang Ruoxi , Fan Qiming , Chen Zuxin , Lu Jin , Liu Xin‐an
Published: February 2022

Arecoline is a pharmacologically active alkaloid isolated fromAreca catechu. There are no published data available regarding the inhalation toxicity of arecoline in animals. This study aimed to evaluate the inhalation toxicity of arecoline in vitro and in vivo. For this purpose, arecoline benzoate (ABA) salt was prepared to stabilize arecoline in an aerosol. The MTT assay determined the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration values of ABA and arecoline in A549 cell proliferation to be 832 and 412 μg/ml, respectively. The toxicity of acute and subacute inhalation in Sprague–Dawley rats was evaluated using the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. For acute inhalation, the median lethal concentration value of ABA solvent was >5175 mg/m3. After the exposure and during the recovery period, no treatment‐related clinical signs were observed. In the 28‐Day inhalation toxicity test, daily nose‐only exposure to 2510 mg/m3aerosol of the ABA solvent contained 75 mg/m3ABA for male rats and 375 mg/m3ABA for female rats, which caused no observed adverse effects, except for the decreased body weight gain in male rats exposed to 375 mg/m3ABA. In this study, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for the 28‐day repeated dose inhalation of ABA aerosol was calculated to be around 13 mg/kg/day for male rats and 68.8 mg/kg/day for female rats, respectively.
Prevention of medical device infections via multi‐action nitric oxide and chlorhexidine diacetate releasing medical grade silicone biointerfaces
Authors: Chug Manjyot Kaur , Massoumi Hamed , Wu Yi , Brisbois Elizabeth J.
Published: February 2022

The presence of bacteria and biofilm on medical device surfaces has been linked to serious infections, increased health care costs, and failure of medical devices. Therefore, antimicrobial biointerfaces and medical devices that can thwart microbial attachment and biofilm formation are urgently needed. Both nitric oxide (NO) and chlorhexidine diacetate (CHXD) possess broad‐spectrum antibacterial properties. In the past, individual polymer release systems of CHXD and NO donor S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) incorporated polymer platforms have attracted considerable attention for biomedical/therapeutic applications. However, the combination of the two surfaces has not yet been explored. Herein, the synergy of NO and CHXD was evaluated to create an antimicrobial medical‐grade silicone rubber. The 10 wt% SNAP films were fabricated using solvent casting with a topcoat of CHXD (1, 3, and 5 wt%) to generate a dual‐active antibacterial interface. Chemiluminescence studies confirmed the NO release from SNAP‐CHXD films at physiologically relevant levels (0.5–4 × 10−10 mol min−1 cm−2) for at least 3 weeks and CHXD release for at least 7 days. Further characterization of the films via SEM‐EDS confirmed uniform distribution of SNAP and presence of CHXD within the polymer films without substantial morphological changes, as confirmed by contact angle hysteresis. Moreover, the dual‐active SNAP‐CHXD films were able to significantly reduce Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (>3‐log reduction) compared to controls with no explicit toxicity towards mouse fibroblast cells. The synergy between the two potent antimicrobial agents will help combat bacterial contamination on biointerfaces and enhance the longevity of medical devices.
The effect of Anzer honey onX‐rayinduced genotoxicity in human lymphocytes: An in vitro study
Authors: Bagatir Gulcin , Kaya Murat , Suer Ilknur , Cefle Kıvanc , Palanduz Ayse , Palanduz Sukru , Becerir Hatice Bilge , Koçyiğit Mine , Ozturk Sukru
Published: February 2022

Anzer honey is well known in Turkey and used for its medicinal properties, especially for pharyngitis, tonsillitis, ulcers and cancer. In this study, we investigated whether Anzer honey, which is shown to have antioxidant, anti‐tumoral, and anti‐inflammatory properties, has a protective effect against X‐ray induced genotoxic damage by cytogenetic methods. Peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from 20 healthy volunteers were divided into two groups and cultivated by conventional methods. Study group lymphocytes were treated with 10% diluted honey while those in the control group were not. Both groups were exposed to a high dose (2 Gy) X‐ray at the 48th hour of culture. Conventional cytogenetic staining and Giemsa banding methods were applied to evaluate chromosomal breakage and ring formation. Micronucleus frequencies were determined by the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. Paired samplettest was used to compare groups. Anzer honey, which was analyzed melissopalynologically, was used. Micronucleus frequency was significantly decreased in the study group (CI = 348.75 ± 31, median 326, min. 98, max. 704) compared to the control group (CI = 489.10 ± 27, median 500, min. 216, max. 645) (p = .001). Chromosomal breakage was also significantly decreased in the study group (CI = 118.70 ± 16, median 109, min. 12, max. 316) compared to the control group (CI = 233.60 ± 25, median 225, min. 65, max. 492) (p < .0001). This is the first study indicating that genotoxic damage in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy volunteers induced by X‐radiation may be prevented or alleviated by adding Anzer honey in vitro. These results encourage further research about the protective effects of honey.

Research Highlights

Anzer honey has a genoprotective effect against radiation‐induced genotoxicity, probably by preventing oxidation damage.
Is this time different? Social capability and catch‐up growth in Ethiopia, 1950–2020
Authors: Rohne Till Emelie
Published: February 2022

This paper explores whether Ethiopia's rapid economic growth is transformative enough for the country to eventually catch up with high‐income countries. It does so by exploring the change and continuity of four elements of social capability from 1950 to 2020: structural transformation, economic inclusion and the state's autonomy and accountability. It finds that Ethiopia's social capability modestly strengthened until the mid‐1970s, then weakened until the early 2000s, and has since strengthened again. However, the level of inclusion has been persistently low. In conclusion, although there are grounds for optimism, limited economic inclusion is a key concern for future catch‐up growth.
Genomic heterogeneity contributed to different prognosis between adult and pediatric acute lymphoblastic
Authors: Chen Yanxin , Zheng Yongzhi , Hong Yunda , Wen Jingjing , Li Jiazheng , Huang Yan , Chen Yi , Zheng Xiaoyun , Yang Ting , Xu Yangqi , Zheng Jing , Hu Jianda
Published: February 2022

The prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults is inferior to that in children. Hence, ALL remains challenging to cure in the adult population. Aberrant genetic alterations have been observed in ALL, although the patterns of differential gene alterations in adult and pediatric ALL have not been comprehensively determined on a genome-wide scale. We investigated the biologic differences in genomic profiles between adults (n = 64) and children (n = 54) with ALL and relationship between genomic heterogeneity and prognosis. The 2 populations showed similar common mutation types but an increased prevalence of genetic alterations in adult ALL. The median numbers of gene mutations were 17 (range: 1–53) and 4.5 (range: 1–19) per sample in adult and pediatric ALL, respectively (p < 0.001). An increased number of gene mutations and age were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.5853, p < 0.001). We identified 122 and 53 driver genes in adult and pediatric ALL samples, respectively. IKZF1, IDH1, and TTN mutations were significantly enriched in adult patients with ALL. KRAS, ARID1A, and CREBBP mutations were significantly enriched in pediatric patients with ALL (p < 0.05). The incidence of relapse was 40.0% and 9.6% in adult and pediatric patients with ALL, respectively (p = 0.003). The overall survival and relapse-free survival of adult patients with ALL were poorer than those of pediatric patients with ALL (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). This genomic landscape enhances the understanding of the biologic differences in ALL between the 2 populations and provides insight for developing therapeutic approaches.
Contrast‐Enhanced Fluid‐Attenuated Inversion Recovery in Neuroimaging: A Narrative Review on Clinical Applications and Technical Advances
Authors: Ahn Sung Jun , Taoka Toshiaki , Moon Won‐Jin , Naganawa Shinji
Published: February 2022

While contrast‐enhanced fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) has long been regarded as an adjunct sequence to evaluate leptomeningeal disease in addition to contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted imaging, it is gradually being used for more diverse pathologies beyond leptomeningeal disease. Contrast‐enhanced FLAIR is known to be highly sensitive to low concentrations of gadolinium within the fluid. Accordingly, recent research has suggested the potential utility of contrast‐enhanced FLAIR in various kinds of disease, such as Meniere's disease, seizure, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and brain metastasis, in addition to being used for visualizing glymphatic dysfunction. However, its potential applications have been reported sporadically in an unorganized manner. Furthermore, the exact mechanism for its superior sensitivity to low concentrations of gadolinium has not been fully understood. Rapidly developing magnetic resonance technology and unoptimized parameters for FLAIR may challenge its accurate application in clinical practice. This review provides the fundamental mechanism of contrast‐enhanced FLAIR, systematically describes its current and potential clinical application, and elaborates on technical considerations for its optimization.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy Stage

5
M2 macrophage‐conditioned medium inhibits intervertebral disc degeneration in a tumor necrosis factor‐α‐rich environment
Authors: Li Xiao‐Chuan , Luo Shao‐Jian , Fan Wu , Zhou Tian‐Li , Huang Chun‐Ming , Wang Mao‐Sheng
Published: February 2022

Inflammation is the primary pathological phenomenon associated with disc degeneration; the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) plays a crucial role in this pathology. The anti‐inflammatory and regenerative effects of M2 macrophages on nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) progression remain unknown. Here, M2 conditioned medium (M2CM) was harvested and purified from human acute monocytic leukaemia cell line (THP‐1) cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages, respectively; it was used for culturing human NPCs and a mouse intervertebral disc (IVD) organ culture model. NPCs and IVD organ models were divided into three groups: group 1 treated with 10% fetal bovine serum (control); group 2 treated with 10 ng/ml TNF‐α; and group 3 treated with 10 ng/ml TNF‐α and M2CM (coculture group). After 2–14 days, cell proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, apoptosis, and NPC senescence were assessed. Cell proliferation was reduced in TNF‐α‐treated NPCs and inhibited in the M2CM co‐culture treatment. Moreover, TNF‐α treatment enhanced apoptosis, senescence, and expression of inflammatory factor‐related genes, including interleukin‐6, MMP‐13, ADAMTS‐4, and ADAMTS‐5, whereas M2CM coculture significantly reversed these effects. In addition, co‐culture with M2CM promoted aggrecan and collagen II synthesis, but reduced collagen Iα1 levels in TNF‐α treatment groups. Using our established three‐dimensional murine IVD organ culture model, we show that M2CM suppressed the inhibitory effect of TNF‐α‐rich environment. Therefore, co‐culture with M2CM promotes cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis and inhibits inflammation, apoptosis, and NPC senescence. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of M2CM for IDD.
Fetal Abdominal Cystic Masses
Authors: Wang Yaqin , Wang Xiaoguang , Zeng Kaihui , Wang Bing , Zhao Dan , Yang Zeyu , Chen Lizhu
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in detecting intra‐abdominal masses derived from different systems.

Methods

Fetuses diagnosed with abdominal cystic masses during prenatal ultrasound were included in this study. The basic biological parameters of the fetus were measured in addition to the location of the cystic mass, the shape and size of the mass, the thickness of the cystic wall, dynamic changes, blood supply of the mass, and relationship with the surrounding organs. Whether the fetus also had other malformations was also recorded. Clinical data were followed up to 6 months after birth.

Results

Between January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2021, 247 fetuses were included, most of which contained renal/adrenal cystic masses (n = 93, 37.7%), followed by hepatobiliary system (n = 48, 19.4%), gastrointestinal tract (n = 45, 18.2%), reproductive system (n = 29, 11.7%), and ureter and bladder (n = 27, 10.9%) masses, respectively. The minority were masses in other systems (n = 5, 2.0%). The overall prenatal diagnostic accuracy was 90.7%. There were significant differences in each system (χ2 = 13.0, P < .05). The most accurate type of cyst was diagnosed from renal and adrenal (96.8%) cases, followed by ureter and bladder (92.6%) cases, gastrointestinal tract (91.1%), hepatobiliary system (85.4%), and reproductive system (82.8%). Other systems (60.0%) were the least accurate type.

Conclusions

A wide variety of cystic masses can be accurately detected in the fetal abdomen, and most of these lesions can be accurately diagnosed during pregnancy.
Impact of biochar and manure application on in situ carbon dioxide flux, microbial activity, and carbon budget in degraded cropland soil of southern India
Authors: Seki Mayuko , Sugihara Soh , Miyazaki Hidetoshi , Jegadeesan Muniandi , Kannan Pandian , Bertrand Isabelle , Tanaka Haruo
Published: February 2022

Biochar application is attracting attention to be an effective soil organic carbon (SOC) management to prevent land degradation, though quantitative information of its effect on carbon dioxide (CO2) flux and associated microbial responses is still scarce, especially in degraded tropical agroecosystems. We conducted a 27‐month field experiment with periodically measuring environmental factors, CO2 efflux rate, microbial biomass C (MBC), and SOC stock, and evaluated the impact of land management (control (C), biochar (B; 8.2 Mg C ha−1), farmyard manure (FYM) (M; 1.1 Mg C ha−1 yr−1), and a mixture of both (BM) on CO2 flux, microbial responses (MBC and qCO2 as microbial activity) and C budget, in tropical alkaline cropland of southern India. Based on the relationship between the CO2 efflux rate and environmental factors, cumulative CO2 flux was estimated at 2.4, 2.7, 4.0, and 3.7 Mg C ha−1 in the C, B, M, and BM treatments, respectively. Biochar application increased soil moisture though did not affect CO2 flux, causing a positive C budget (6.7 Mg C ha−1), because of the limited response of microbes to increased soil moisture due to the small amount of SOC. Biochar and FYM combined application did not increase CO2 flux compared with FYM alone, contributing to the largest SOC increment (8.9 Mg C ha−1) with a positive C budget (9.1 Mg C ha−1), due to little difference of microbial responses between the two treatments. Hence, biochar application combined with FYM could be an effective SOC management in the degraded cropland of southern India.