bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of carperitide on the 1 year prognosis of patients with acute decompensated heart failure
Authors: Nogi Kazutaka , Ueda Tomoya , Matsue Yuya , Nogi Maki , Ishihara Satomi , Nakada Yasuki , Kawakami Rika , Kagiyama Nobuyuki , Kitai Takeshi , Oishi Shogo , Akiyama Eiichi , Suzuki Satoshi , Yamamoto Masayoshi , Kida Keisuke , Okumura Takahiro , Saito Yoshihiko
Published: March 2022

Aims

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a clinical syndrome with a poor prognosis and a major public health concern worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate whether carperitide administration improves the 1 year prognosis of patients with AHF and to check whether there is an optimal dose of the drug.

Methods and results

We analysed the data of COOPERATE‐HF‐J (the Consortium for Pooled Data Analysis regarding Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure in Japan), combining two cohorts (NARA‐HF and REALITY‐AHF), which included 2435 patients with acute decompensated heart failure. The patients were divided into no carperitide (NO‐ANP, n = 1098); very low‐dose carperitide (VLD‐ANP, <0.02 μg/kg/min, n = 593); and low‐dose carperitide groups (LD‐ANP, ≥0.02 μg/kg/min, n = 744). The primary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality within 1 year after admission. The secondary endpoints were all‐cause mortality and rehospitalization due to worsening heart failure within 1 year after admission. The median carperitide doses in the VLD‐ANP and LD‐ANP groups were 0.013 and 0.025 μg/kg/min, respectively. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that cardiovascular mortality and all‐cause mortality were significantly lower in the LD‐ANP group than in the NO‐ANP and VLD‐ANP groups (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Multivariable Cox regression analysis for cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality revealed that LD‐ANP was significantly associated with lower cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality within 1 year after admission, even after adjusting other covariates (hazard ratio: 0.696 and 0.791, 95% confidence interval: 0.513–0.944 and 0.628–0.997, P = 0.020 and 0.047, respectively).

Conclusions

Low‐dose carperitide was significantly associated with lower cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality within 1 year after admission. Our results suggest the necessity for well‐designed randomized controlled trials to determine the doses of carperitide that could improve clinical outcomes in patients with AHF.
One‐pot synthesis of a novel chiral Zr‐based metal‐organic framework for capillary electrochromatographic enantioseparation
Authors: Gao Lidi , Hu Xingfang , Qin Shili , Chu Hongtao , Tang Yimin , Li Xue , Wang Binbin
Published: March 2022

A novel chiral stationary phase (CSP) of Zr‐based metal‐organic framework, l‐Cys‐PCN‐224, was prepared by one‐pot method and applied for the enantioseparation by capillary electrochromatography. The CSP was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectra, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, circular dichroism spectrum, zeta‐potential, and so on. The results revealed that the CSP had good crystallinity, high specific surface area (2580 m2/g), and good thermal stability. Meanwhile, the cross‐section of l‐Cys‐PCN‐224‐bonded open‐tubular (OT) column was observed by a scanning electron microscope, which proved the successful bonding of l‐Cys‐PCN‐224 particles to the inner wall. Relative standard deviations of the column efficiencies were 3.87%–9.14%, and not obviously changed after 200 runs, which indicated that l‐Cys‐PCN‐224‐bonded OT column had the better stability and reproducibility. Excellent chiral separation performance was verified with nine kinds of natural amino acids including acidic, neutral, and basic as the analytes. All amino acids studied achieved good separation with the resolution of 1.38–13.9 and selector factor of 1.11–3.71. These results demonstrated that the CSP had an excellent potential in the chiral separation field.
Synergistic effect of surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium supporting and hydrous titania impregnation onto zeolite in enhanced removal of anionic X‐3B dye from aqueous solution
Authors: Deng Hui , Cheng Yueting , Li Jianqiao , Zhang Qiang , Cao Yun , Wang Xiaoning
Published: March 2022

A new modified zeolite (HTiZFA) was achieved by dually supporting hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) and hydrous titania onto synthetic zeolite from coal fly ash via coating HDTMA and Ti(SO4)2 solution respectively, which has an increased adsorption activity for anion X‐3B dye from aqueous solution. HTiZFA with the optimum removal efficiency was obtained at the coating concentration of 13 mmol/L HDTMA, 20.8 mmol/L Ti(SO4)2, and 2 g/L dosage of zeolite. X‐ray fluorescence, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope‐energy dispersive, Fourier transform infrared, Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET), and zeta potential analysis are used to characterize the samples (HTiZFA). In XRD spectrum, no typical peak representing anatase TiO2 crystal suggested that hydrous titania which was impregnated on HTiZFA existed as an amorphous phase. The specific surface area of HTiZFA (32.73–37.71 m2/g) did not alter a lot compared with that of ZFA, but the surface charge of HTiZFA (pH = 8.55) shifted to positive greatly, which caused a considerable enhancement in X‐3B adsorption. It was found that X‐3B sorption on HTiZFA was almost independent on initial pH because the removal rate maintained above 96% in a wide pH range of 3.0–11.0. An increasing qe with an upward temperature confirmed versatile attractive interactions and endothermic sorption nature, and a good ability was observed after several adsorption/desorption circulations. HTiZFA is expected to be a multifunctional adsorbent for treating higher concentration anionic pollutants that cannot be removed by commonly modified products efficiently.
Explaining the rise and fall of the photovoltaic technological innovation system in Iran
Authors: Rahimi Rad Zohreh , Sadabadi Ali Asghar , Azimzadeh Hossein
Published: March 2022

Despite the importance of the transnational dimensions of TISs in developing countries, the number of case studies on the subject remains limited. The process of developing PV solar systems in Iran as a developing country has gone through different phases since 1991. The evolution of this process has been influenced by macro financial and political factors. This study aims to present a historical analysis of the formation and application of PV solar TIS in Iran to identify the innovation motors driving each stage of the process. Based on various changes in application models, PV technological innovation in Iran has been categorized into four phases: 1. Initiating (1991 to 2005), 2. Rising (2006–2012), 3. Fostering (2012–2017), and 4. Falling (2017 onwards). The historical analysis revealed that transnational factors have been overlooked in Iran, and the country has been deprived of its advantages to develop a suitable TIS. Furthermore, through literature review, expert interviews, and thematic analysis, several strategies were established to promote transnational, including transfer and emulation of foreign technologies, international cooperative research programs, investment in joint operations, cooperative agreements, access to foreign markets, access to international investment, and submission to international laws and regimes.
Nutrient content of sorghum hybrid lines between Gadam and hard coat tannin sorghum cultivars
Authors: Shinda Cecilia A. , Nthakanio Paul N. , Gitari Josiah N. , Runo Steven , Mukono Simon , Maina Samuel
Published: March 2022

Sorghum is an important food crop in the world that exhibits a predominant role in fulfilling the nutritional requirements, particularly in low‐income group populations of marginal areas in Kenya. It is a principal source of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and crude fibers (CFs), which are important nutrients necessary for human development and health. Reduced tannin in sorghum grains is desirable since it affects the availability of nutrients. This study aimed at assessing the nutrient content in filial generation one (F1) developed between Gadam (sorghum), which is low in tannin and hard coat tannin (sorghum) cultivars. The nutrient content analyses were carried out from samples collected in a completely randomized design experiment. Crude protein (CP) and tannin content were analyzed using the modified Kjeldahl method and vanillin‐HCl methanol method, respectively, whereas moisture, fat, CF, ash, and carbohydrate contents were determined using Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using R statistical software. Among the F1s, Kari/Mtama‐1 x Gadam recorded the highest CP value of 10.390%. This differed significantly from Gadam x Kari/Mtama‐1 which recorded CP content of 9.770%. Kari/Mtama‐1 x Gadam recorded the highest fat and moisture contents of 2.299% and 8.600%, respectively. The highest CF content of 3.433% was recorded in Gadam x Serena. Gadam x Kari/Mtama‐1 recorded the highest ash content of 1.619%, whereas the highest carbohydrate (84.503%) and tannin content (0.771 mg/g) means were recorded in Seredo x Gadam. Results demonstrated that the choice of maternal and paternal parent influence CP, CF, and carbohydrate contents. Among the F1s, tannin content ranged from 0.106 to 0.771 mg/g compared to 0.953 to 1.763 mg/g recorded in Serena and Seredo (hard coat seeded cultivars). This is an indication that tannin can be downregulated through hybridization.
The origin of microgranular enclaves in the Early Cretaceous Shuangjianzishan granites in southern Great Hinggan Range, NE China
Authors: Dai Meng , Yan Guangsheng , Li Yongsheng , Gong Fanying , Jia Wenbin
Published: March 2022

The microgranular enclaves (MEs) and their host granitoids contain vital information on the genesis and evolution of the magma, especially for those which have close relationship with mineralization, yet remains a hot debate on their origin. Here, we investigate the MEs and their host granitoids in the Shuangjianzishan (SJZ) deposits, southern Great Hinggan Range, NE China, using ziron U–Pb dating and Hf isotopes, along with a systematic analysis of whole‐rock geochemical and Sr‐Nd isotopic compositions. The SJZ MEs mainly consist of monzonites and quartz monzonites, and the SJZ granitoids comprise a suite of fine‐grained syenogranites and coarse‐grained monzogranites. The zircon U–Pb dating results suggest that the SJZ granitoids and the SJZ MEs were emplaced at approximately 143–141 Ma. Geochemical features and isotopic compositions of the SJZ granitoids indicate that they are mainly generated by partial melting of juvenile lower‐crustal basaltic rocks. The fine‐grained syenogranites and the coarse‐grained monzogranites have a gradual contact relationship, similar crystallization age, Sr‐, Nd‐, and Hf‐isotopic compositions, suggesting that they were derived from a similar silicic magma reservoir. According to the geochemical compositions and petrographic characteristics (aggregates of coarse‐grained euhedral plagioclase crystals) of the SJZ granitoids, we infer that the monzogranites (SiO2 = 69.24–74.95 wt%) are regarded as the residual cumulate and the fine‐grained syenogranites (SiO2 = 74.83–77.97 wt%) are high silica melts segregated from a crystal mush. The SJZ MEs are characterised by low SiO2 (50.03–64.20 wt%) and MgO (1.08–2.63 wt%) contents, high P2O5 contents and contain acicular apatite, which are consistent with the products of intermediate magma. Combining with the MEs have comparable crystallization age, mineral assemblage, whole‐rock Sr‐Nd and zircon Hf‐isotopic compositions with their host granitoids, implying the MEs were autoliths related to their host monzogranites. Collectively, we infer that the SJZ MEs were generated by the rapid cooling and crystallization of the hot ascending intermediate magmas contacted with the cooler wall rocks, then those sub‐solid fine‐grained crystal‐rich margins were fragmented and injected into the progressive evolved mush chamber, leading to the extraction and upward percolation of high silicic melts from the compacting crystal‐rich mush in the shallow crust.
Preliminary evidence of safety and tolerability of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and Child‐Pugh A and B cirrhosis: A real‐world study
Authors: D’Alessio Antonio , Fulgenzi Claudia Angela Maria , Nishida Naoshi , Schönlein Martin , von Felden Johann , Schulze Kornelius , Wege Henning , Gaillard Vincent E. , Saeed Anwaar , Wietharn Brooke , Hildebrand Hannah , Wu Linda , Ang Celina , Marron Thomas U. , Weinmann Arndt , Galle Peter R. , Bettinger Dominik , Bengsch Bertram , Vogel Arndt , Balcar Lorenz , Scheiner Bernhard , Lee Pei‐Chang , Huang Yi‐Hsiang , Amara Suneetha , Muzaffar Mahvish , Naqash Abdul Rafeh , Cammarota Antonella , Personeni Nicola , Pressiani Tiziana , Sharma Rohini , Pinter Matthias , Cortellini Alessio , Kudo Masatoshi , Rimassa Lorenza , Pinato David J.
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (AtezoBev) is the standard of care for first‐line treatment of unresectable HCC. No evidence exists as to its use in routine clinical practice in patients with impaired liver function.

Approach and Results

In 216 patients with HCC who were consecutively treated with AtezoBev across 11 tertiary centers, we retrospectively evaluated treatment‐related adverse events (trAEs) graded (G) according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0, including in the analysis all patients treated according to label (n = 202, 94%). We also assessed overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), overall response (ORR), and disease control rates (DCR) defined by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1. Disease was mostly secondary to viral hepatitis, namely hepatitis C (n = 72; 36%) and hepatitis B infection (n = 35, 17%). Liver function was graded as Child‐Pugh (CP)‐A in 154 patients (76%) and CP‐B in 48 (24%). Any grade trAEs were reported by 143 patients (71%), of which 53 (26%) were G3 and 3 (2%) G4. Compared with CP‐A, patients with CP‐B showed comparable rates of trAEs. Presence and grade of varices at pretreatment esophagogastroduodenoscopy did not correlate with bleeding events. After a median follow‐up of 9.0 months (95% CI, 7.8–10.1), median OS was 14.9 months (95% CI, 13.6–16.3), whereas median PFS was 6.8 months (95% CI, 5.2–8.5). ORR and DCR were respectively 25% and 73%, with no difference across CP classes.

Conclusions

This study confirms reproducible safety and efficacy of AtezoBev in routine practice. Patients with CP‐B reported similar tolerability compared with CP‐A, warranting prospective evaluation of AtezoBev in this treatment‐deprived population.
Efficacy of tiapride in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: A systematic review
Authors: Zangani Caroline , Giordano Barbara , Stein Hans‐Christian , Bonora Stefano , Ostinelli Edoardo Giuseppe , D'Agostino Armando
Published: March 2022

Background

Tiapride is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat alcohol withdrawal, aggressiveness and agitation, headache, dyskinesias, tic and Tourette's disorder. More recently, it has been proposed for the treatment of delirium and agitation in hospitalised patients with COVID‐19. Although its safety profile makes it suitable for use in vulnerable populations, the use of tiapride for psychiatric disorders is limited. This work aims to systematically review the available evidence on the efficacy and tolerability of tiapride in individuals with a psychiatric disorder.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, GreyLit, OpenGrey, and ProQuest up to March 2020 for randomised controlled trials focussing on the use of tiapride in the treatment of individuals with a psychiatric disorder (e.g., mood disorder, schizophrenia spectrum, substance use disorder). The Risk of Bias 2 was performed for the quality assessment of the included studies.

Results

We identified 579 records. Of them, six studies (published between 1982 and 2010) were included in the review. Four studies referred to alcohol withdrawal, and two to the management of agitation in elderly patients with dementia. None of the studies reported significant differences between tiapride and other active comparators in terms of efficacy and tolerability. The overall risk of bias was moderate to high.

Conclusion

Tiapride may be considered as a relatively safe treatment option for selected patients with alcohol withdrawal or agitation in dementia. However, solid evidence of its efficacy in the scientific literature is lacking. High‐quality trials remain necessary to fully sustain its use in clinical practice.
Catalpol protects AC16 cells from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury by regulating the miR‐22‐3p/DPP4 axis
Authors: Li Ziyang , Zhao Jianrong , Li Hui , Li Yan , Lin Caixia
Published: March 2022

Catalpol (CA) is widely used in the protection of cardiomyocytes. Nevertheless, the mechanism of CA in alleviating ischemia‐reperfusion‐induced injury of cardiomyocytes remains unclear. Human cardiomyocyte AC16 cells were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and western blot analysis were applied to detect tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) mRNA, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) mRNA, interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β) mRNA, microRNA‐22‐3p (miR‐22‐3p), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) mRNA, and DPP4 protein expressions. The cell viability and apoptosis were measured by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK‐MB) were examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. A dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the binding sequence between miR‐22‐3p and DPP4 mRNA 3ʹ‐untranslated region (3ʹUTR). CA promoted the viability and reduced cell apoptosis of AC16 cells and repressed the release of inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β, and inhibited the leakage of myocardial injury markers LDH and CK‐MB. Furthermore, CA enhanced the expression of miR‐22‐3p in cardiomyocytes, and DPP4 was validated to be the target gene of miR‐22‐3p. The inhibition of miR‐22‐3p and augmentation of DPP4 reversed the above effects of CA. CA protects A16 cells from H/R injury by regulating the miR‐22‐3p/DPP4 axis.
Sumac and gallic acid‐loaded nanophytosomes ameliorate hippocampal oxidative stress via regulation of Nrf2/Keap1 pathway in autistic rats
Authors: Abbasalipour Haniyeh , Hajizadeh Moghaddam Akbar , Ranjbar Mojtaba
Published: March 2022

Autism spectrum disorders cover a range of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in social interaction and cognitive deficits. Phenolic compound applications have been restricted due to their poor solubility, bioavailability, and low stability. This paper aimed to explore the neuroprotective effects of sumac and gallic acid‐loaded nanophytosomes (GNP) on oxidative stress‐induced cognitive impairment and Nrf2/Keap1 gene expression in the autism model. Valproic acid (VPA) was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 500 mg/kg to female rats during gestational 12.5 days (E12.5). The prenatal VPA‐exposed rats were divided into five groups, including VPA, VPA treated with sumac, gallic acid (GA), sumac‐loaded nanophytosome (SNP), and GNP at doses of 20 mg/kg for 4 weeks (n = 6). A novel object test was conducted and antioxidant parameters and Nrf2/Keap1gene expression were evaluated in the hippocampus. According to the obtained results, the rat model of autism exhibited recognition memory impairment. We observed an increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) enzyme activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and glutathione (GSH) levels. Furthermore, sumac and GNP improved recognition memory deficits and increased GPx, GRx, SOD, and CAT activities, GSH and TAC levels, and Nrf2/Keap1gene expression in the hippocampal area. Our results also suggested that SNP and GNP ameliorate VPA‐induced learning and memory deficits more efficiently than sumac extract and pure GA by reducing oxidative stress, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, and Keap1/Nrf2 gene expression. The present study demonstrated that the utilization of SNP and GNP significantly improved recognition memory deficits.
Terminal end‐on coordination of dinitrogen versus isoelectronic CO: A comparison using the charge displacement analysis
Authors: Schmitt Manuel , Krossing Ingo
Published: March 2022

The metal dinitrogen bonding in a wide series of terminal end‐on dinitrogen complexes is investigated with the charge displacement analysis based on natural orbitals of chemical valence (CD‐NOCV). The effect of the σ donation and π backdonation on the NN bond are discussed and compared with the observations for a series of carbonyl complexes, published in 2016 by Tarantelli et al. The σ donation is relative invariant over the series of dinitrogen complexes and has no significant effect on the NN bond strength, whereas the π backdonation causes a considerable elongation of the NN bond. Some uncommon examples of weakly bound dinitrogen with blue‐shifted stretching frequency compared to free N2 (ν = 2330 cm−1) are known. The dinitrogen bonding in these complexes is simulated with a point charge. Apparently, electrostatics account for the shortened N─N bond in these systems.
Determination of diagnostic threshold in harmonization and comparison of clinical utility for five major antiphospholipid antibody assays used in Japan
Authors: Kaneshige Risa , Motoki Yukari , Yoshida Mika , Oku Kenji , Morishita Eriko , Ieko Masahiro , Ichihara Kiyoshi , Nojima Junzo
Published: March 2022

Background

Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti‐β2‐glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) are essential in diagnosing antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) according to the international APS guideline. Five commercial assays for aCL and aβ2GPI are available in Japan, but their test results are quite discordant. For harmonization of diagnosing APS, upper reference limit (URL) and diagnostic accuracy of each assay were evaluated and compared by testing common sets of specimens across all assays.

Methods

We evaluated two manual and three automated assays for aCL and aβ2GPI of IgG‐ and IgM classes. 99%URL (the upper limit of reference interval: as per guideline) together with 97.5%URL were determined by testing sera from 198 to 400 well‐defined healthy subjects. Both URLs were compared with the cutoff values, which were determined based on ROC analysis by testing 50 each of plasma specimens from patients with/without APS. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated as area under curve (AUC) of the ROC curve.

Results

A variable degree of discrepancy between URLs and the cutoff values was observed, which was partly attributable to between‐year assay variability. 97.5%URLs were set lower and closer to the cutoff values than 99%URLs. For all assays, diagnostic accuracies of both aβ2GPI‐IgG and aCL‐IgG were generally high (AUC: 0.84−0.93); whereas those for IgM‐class assays were low (AUC: 0.57−0.67), implicating its utility is limited to rare IgG negative APS cases.

Conclusion

To ensure harmonized APS diagnosis, the diagnostic thresholds of the five assays were evaluated by common procedures. Contrary to the guideline, 97.5%URL is rather recommended for diagnosing APS, which showed a closer match to the cutoff value.
Establishment of an in‐house real‐time RT‐PCR assay for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 using the first World Health Organization international standard in a resource‐limited country
Authors: Nguyen Linh Tung , Nguyen Phuong Minh , Dinh Duc Viet , Pham Hung Ngoc , Bui Lan Anh Thi , Vo Cuong Viet , Nguyen Ben Huu , Bui Hoan Duy , Hoang Cuong Xuan , Ngo Nhat Minh Van , Dang Truong Tien , Do Anh Ngoc , Vu Dung Dinh , Nguyen Linh Thuy , Nguyen Mai Ngoc , Dinh Thu Hang Thi , Ho Son Anh , Hoang Luong Van , Hoang Su Xuan , Do Quyet
Published: March 2022

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 remains public health burdens and many unresolved issues worldwide. Molecular assays based on real‐time RT‐PCR are critical for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in clinical specimens from patients suspected of COVID‐19.

Objective

We aimed to establish and validate an in‐house real‐time RT‐PCR for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2.

Methodology

Primers and probes sets in our in‐house real‐time RT‐PCR assay were designed in conserved regions of the N and E target genes. Optimized multiplex real‐time RT‐PCR assay was validated using the first WHO International Standard (NIBSC code: 20/146) and evaluated clinical performance.

Results

The limit of detection validated using the first WHO International Standard was 159 IU/ml for both E and N target genes. The evaluation of clinical performance on 170 clinical samples showed a positive percent agreement of 100% and the negative percent agreement of 99.08% for both target genes. The Kappa value of 0.99 was an excellent agreement, the strong correlation of Ct values observed between two tests with r2 = 0.84 for the E gene and 0.87 for the N gene. Notably, we assessed on 60 paired saliva and nasopharyngeal samples. The overall agreement was 91.66%, and Kappa value of 0.74 showed a high agreement between two types of samples. When using nasopharyngeal swabs as the reference standard, positive percent agreement, and negative percent agreement were 91.83% and 90.90%, respectively.

Conclusion

In the present study, we established and validated an in‐house real‐time RT‐PCR for molecular detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in a resource‐limited country.
Yes‐associated protein activation potentiates glycogen synthase kinase‐3 inhibitor‐induced proliferation of neonatal cardiomyocytes and iPS cell‐derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Kametani Yusuke , Tanaka Shota , Wada Yuriko , Suzuki Shota , Umeda Ayaka , Nishinaka Kosuke , Okada Yoshiaki , Maeda Makiko , Miyagawa Shigeru , Sawa Yoshiki , Obana Masanori , Fujio Yasushi
Published: March 2022

Because mammalian cardiomyocytes largely cease to proliferate immediately after birth, the regenerative activity of the heart is limited. To date, much effort has been made to clarify the regulatory mechanism of cardiomyocyte proliferation because the amplification of cardiomyocytes could be a promising strategy for heart regenerative therapy. Recently, it was reported that the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3 promotes the proliferation of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) and human iPS cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs). Additionally, Yes‐associated protein (YAP) induces cardiomyocyte proliferation. The purpose of this study was to address the importance of YAP activity in cardiomyocyte proliferation induced by GSK‐3 inhibitors (GSK‐3Is) to develop a novel strategy for cardiomyocyte amplification. Immunofluorescent microscopic analysis using an anti‐Ki‐67 antibody demonstrated that the treatment of NRCMs with GSK‐3Is, such as BIO and CHIR99021, increased the ratio of proliferative cardiomyocytes. YAP was localized in the nuclei of more than 95% of cardiomyocytes, either in the presence or absence of GSK‐3Is, indicating that YAP was endogenously activated. GSK‐3Is increased the expression of β‐catenin and promoted its translocation into the nucleus without influencing YAP activity. The knockdown of YAP using siRNA or pharmacological inhibition of YAP using verteporfin or CIL56 dramatically reduced GSK‐3I‐induced cardiomyocyte proliferation without suppressing β‐catenin activation. Interestingly, the inhibition of GSK‐3 also induced the proliferation of hiPSC‐CMs under sparse culture conditions, where YAP was constitutively activated. In contrast, under dense culture conditions, in which YAP activity was suppressed, the proliferative effects of GSK‐3Is on hiPSC‐CMs were not detected. Importantly, the activation of YAP by the knockdown of α‐catenin restored the proproliferative activity of GSK‐3Is. Collectively, YAP activation potentiates the GSK‐3I‐induced proliferation of cardiomyocytes. The blockade of GSK‐3 in combination with YAP activation resulted in remarkable amplification of cardiomyocytes.
Dental hygienists’ use of motivational interviewing and perceptions of effectiveness in changing patient behaviors
Authors: Rogers Kelly M. , Arnett Michelle C. , Mays Keith A. , Wang Qi , Blue Christine M.
Published: March 2022

Background

The University of Minnesota (UMN) Dental Hygiene (DH) program devotes considerable time developing students’ competency using motivational interviewing (MI). However, the extent to which graduates use MI in clinical practice and their perceptions of MI effectiveness in changing behavior is unknown.

Methods

A cross‐section of UMN dental hygiene classes from 2010–2019 were emailed an electronic survey using Qualtricsxm software (n = 208). The survey instrument collected demographic information and queried respondents’ current MI use and perceptions of its effectiveness in changing patients’ behavior. Survey questions were aligned with the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB): attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, cross‐tabulations, and one‐way ANOVA tests.

Results

There were 73 responses for a 35% response rate and 58 surveys (28%) included in data analysis. Respondents (95%) used MI, held positive attitudes toward MI and perceived MI to be an effective behavior counseling method (98%). However, respondents expressed concerns about patients’ abilities to change behaviors. The three TPB constructs were found to be predictors of MI use in the clinical environment. A significant association was found between age and the TPB construct: behavioral control (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

The majority of respondents reported using MI in clinical practice. According to the TPB, respondents exhibited strong behavioral intentions to use MI. Respondents held favorable attitudes toward MI and believed it to be effective in motivating positive behavior change. Respondents were confident in their MI skills and felt supported to use MI in their work environments.
Uniformly connected graphs
Authors: Göring Frank , Hofmann Tobias , Streicher Manuel
Published: March 2022

In this article, we investigate the structure of uniformly ‐connected and uniformly ‐edge‐connected graphs. Whereas both types have previously been studied independent of each other, we analyze relations between these two classes. We prove that any uniformly ‐connected graph is also uniformly ‐edge‐connected for and demonstrate that this is not the case for . Furthermore, uniformly ‐connected and uniformly ‐edge‐connected graphs are well understood for and it is known how to construct uniformly 3‐edge‐connected graphs. We contribute here a constructive characterization of uniformly 3‐connected graphs that is inspired by Tutte's Wheel Theorem. Eventually, these results help us to prove a tight bound on the number of vertices of minimum degree in uniformly 3‐connected graphs.
A Biodegradable Multifunctional Film as a Tissue Adhesive for Instant Hemostasis and Wound Closure
Authors: Huang Wen‐Can , He Yongjun , Wang Wei , Mao Xiangzhao
Published: March 2022

Here, a multifunctional film (MFF) as an alternative tissue adhesive in the form of an interpenetrating network consisting of self‐crosslinked aldehyde‐functionalized chitosan (AC) and crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) further coordinated with Ag+ is reported. The MFF combines enhanced toughness and stretchability, which is attributed to the synergistic effects of the double‐network design. Covalent crosslinking maintains the overall integrity of the MFF matrix, while noncovalent crosslinking dissipates energy under deformation. Upon contact, the MFF quickly dries the tissue surface followed by instant physical crosslinking to the tissue. Subsequent covalent crosslinking between the aldehyde groups of the MFF and the primary amine groups on the surface of the tissue further stabilizes the adhesion. Meanwhile, Ag+ provides strong antibacterial properties to the MFF. Notably, in vivo studies demonstrate that the MFF allows facile and tough attachment to the wet and dynamic surface of rabbit liver and presents superior hemostasis and sealing properties. Furthermore, the MFF can be safely degraded without causing abnormal defects in vivo. The outstanding physicochemical properties of the MFF can potentially be a good alternative to existing sutures or staples and has potential for use in clinical practice.
The interplay between fractional damping and nonlinear memory for the plate equation
Authors: D'Abbicco Marcello , Longen Luis Gustavo
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we study the interplay between a fractional damping (− Δ)θut with θ ∈ [0, 1/2), and a nonlinear memory term applied to a plate equation:

in space dimension 
. In different scenarios, we prove the global existence of small data solutions in
for supercritical powers, where the critical exponent is determined by the fractional power of the damping term and by the order of the fractional integration in the memory term. In one case, we also feel the influence of the regularity‐loss type decay, which is due to the presence of the rotational inertia term −Δutt in the plate equation.
Diet Supplementation with NUTRIOSE, a Resistant Dextrin, Increases the Abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis in the Human Gut
Authors: Thirion Florence , Da Silva Kévin , Plaza Oñate Florian , Alvarez Anne‐Sophie , Thabuis Clémentine , Pons Nicolas , Berland Magali , Le Chatelier Emmanuelle , Galleron Nathalie , Levenez Florence , Vergara Coralie , Chevallier Hélène , Guérin‐Deremaux Laetitia , Doré Joël , Ehrlich Stanislav D.
Published: March 2022

Scope

An imbalance of the gut microbiota (“dysbiosis”) is associated with numerous chronic diseases, and its modulation is a promising novel therapeutic approach. Dietary supplementation with soluble fiber is one of several proposed modulation strategies. This study aims at confirming the impact of the resistant dextrin NUTRIOSE (RD), a soluble fiber with demonstrated beneficial health effects, on the gut microbiota of healthy individuals.

Methods and results

Fifty healthy women are enrolled and supplemented daily with either RD (n = 24) or a control product (n = 26) during 6 weeks. Characterization of the fecal metagenome with shotgun sequencing reveals that RD intake dramatically increases the abundance of the commensal bacterium Parabacteroides distasonis. Furthermore, presence in metagenomes of accessory genes from P. distasonis, coding for susCD (a starch‐binding membrane protein complex) is associated with a greater increase of the species. This suggests that response to RD might be strain‐dependent.

Conclusion

Supplementation with RD can be used to specifically increase P. distasonis in gut microbiota of healthy women. The magnitude of the response may be associated with fiber‐metabolizing capabilities of strains carried by subjects. Further research will seek to confirm that P. distasonis directly modulates the clinical effects observed in other studies.
Intraneural ganglion cysts originating from the hip joint: A single‐center experience
Authors: Kim Sun Woong , Yoon Young Cheol , Sung Duk Hyun
Published: March 2022

Introduction/Aims

Intraneural ganglion cysts (INGCs) are non‐neoplastic mucinous cysts within the epineurium of peripheral nerves. Characteristics of INGCs around the hip joint have not been adequately described. We aimed to describe clinical features, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes in patients with INGCs originating from the hip joint.

Methods

We retrospectively included cystic lesions around the hip joint satisfying the following inclusion criteria over 6 years: (1) multilocular elongated hyperintense cystic mass on T2‐weighted imaging; and (2) distribution along the course of the peripheral nerve and its branches on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results

Six patients with an INGC around the hip joint were identified. Parent peripheral nerves were the sciatic nerve (four patients), the superior gluteal nerve (one patient), and the nerve to quadratus femoris (one patient). Buttock, groin, or lower extremity pain/paresthesias were the initial symptoms in all patients. INGCs within the articular branches of the hip joint were identified on MRI. Four patients underwent arthroscopic debridement and capsulotomy. All patients showed generally favorable outcome regardless of treatment.

Discussion

Physicians should consider the possibility of INGCs originating from the hip joint as a cause of nontraumatic hip, buttock, or lower extremity pain. This can occur in any nerve innervating the hip joint, and usually it originates in the posterior capsule of the hip joint. Arthroscopic surgery shows promising results; however, more information about the surgical technique and long‐term follow‐up results are needed.
Consider digital badges for your students — and your faculty
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: March 2022

Andrea Carroll‐Glover, Ed.D., was planning on moving out of higher education when she received an offer she couldn't refuse: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota offered her the position of Vice Provost of Online Strategy and Programs. It was a perfect marriage of Carroll‐Glover's passions: technology, innovation, and education.
Experimental and theoretical investigation on the thermal isomerization reaction of tristriazolotriazines
Authors: Jochem Matthias , Limbach Daniel , Glang Stefan , Haspel Tobias , Detert Heiner
Published: March 2022

The isomerization of tristriazolotriazione with tangential substituents to radial isomers occurs in a cascade of three ring opening/rotation/ring closure steps of the central triazine. Donor substitution accelerates the isomerization which can be catalyzed by Brønsted acids. The velocity of the rearrangements drops with each step by a factor of 4, whereas the gain in heat of formation increases. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations led to transition states; their energies correspond to the experimental data. Threefold isomerization strongly affects the mesomorphic properties.
Super‐amplifiers! The role of Twitter extended party networks in political elections
Authors: Yoon Nara , Hemsley Jeff , Smith Alexander , Simpson Ellen , Eakins James
Published: March 2022

Modern election campaigns leverage social media and the networks within to get their messages directly out to the public. We use the theory of extended party networks to explore networks of engaged users who extensively amplify messages posted by political candidates. Using Twitter data from the Senate races in the U.S. 2018 midterm election, we build Twitter extended party networks out of dedicated amplifiers to understand how those engaged users associate with the candidate message amplification. Results show that certain super‐amplifiers have a disproportionately large impact on information flows, and that decentralized networks with higher rates of follower reciprocity are associated with higher rates of message diffusion. Our study also finds some support for the idea that super‐amplifiers engage in coordinated efforts to diffuse political messages.
Centrality and power. The struggle over the techno‐political configuration of the Internet and the global digital order
Authors: Pohle Julia , Voelsen Daniel
Published: March 2022

In recent years, various governments have been trying to subordinate the Internet to the system of the Westphalian state order. This article seeks to add a new layer to the analysis of this conflict over state sovereignty and the global digital order. It draws on network theory as an alternative analytical lens to study the reconfiguration of power relations that define the Internet as a technical, social and economic network, and its governance. We review key conflicts and developments that shaped the Internet's history, from the Internet exceptionalists' visions in the 1990s to states' recent pursuits of digital sovereignty and trace how states, as well as private companies, seek to fundamentally reconfigure the dominant logic of the Internet and its sub‐networks to expand and institutionalise their power position. We thus highlight a deeper layer of conflict: the current struggles over the techno‐political configuration of the Internet are not only influenced by the conflict between liberal and authoritarian visions of the Internet; they are also the result of continuous tensions between processes of centralisation and decentralisation of the Internet's technical foundations and its governance. As an effect of these dynamics, we currently witness a pluralisation of power while, at the same time, new points of centralised control emerge.
Scanning the rice Global MAGIC population for dynamic genetic control of seed traits under vegetative drought
Authors: Marrano Annarita , Moyers Brook T.
Published: March 2022

Grain size and shape are important yield components in rice (Oryza sativa L.), and their genetic control under adverse environmental conditions, such as drought stress, remains uncertain. This lack of knowledge is due to the laborious, time‐consuming phenotyping of seed attributes in large rice populations. We developed a new high‐throughput phenotyping method based on a desktop scanner and the open‐source package Plant Computer Vision (PlantCV). We used this method to investigate seed size and shape variability within the rice Global multi‐parent advanced generation intercross population, grown under well‐watered and vegetative drought conditions. Besides being affordable, rapid, and accurate, our method captured the phenotypic divergence between drought and well‐watered samples, expressed as 12 different traits, including new grain shape metrics. Our method facilitates the identification of outperforming genotypes under drought stress so is potentially very valuable for crop breeders seeking to make selection based on kernel attributes. We ran a marker–trait association analysis for the measured seed traits, demonstrating that our method also provides adequate phenotypes for genetic studies. We observed dynamic genetic control of seed‐related traits under vegetative drought stress, highlighting the importance of understanding the contribution of genotype × environment interactions on trait variation to develop resilient, high‐yielding rice cultivars.
Unforeseen changes in seasonality of pediatric respiratory illnesses during the first COVID‐19 pandemic year
Authors: Be'er Moria , Amirav Israel , Cahal Michal , Rochman Mika , Lior Yotam , Rimon Ayelet , Lavy Roni G. , Lavie Moran
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To investigate whether the three nationwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) lockdowns imposed in Israel during the full first pandemic year altered the traditional seasonality of pediatric respiratory healthcare utilization.

Methods

Month by month pediatric emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for respiratory diagnoses during the first full COVID‐19 year were compared to those recorded for the six consecutive years preceding the pandemic. Data were collected from the patients' electronic files by utilizing a data extraction platform (MDClone©).

Results

A significant decline of 40% in respiratory ED visits and 54%–73% in respiratory hospitalizations during the first COVID‐19 year compared with the pre‐COVID‐19 years were observed (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The rate of respiratory ED visits out of the total monthly visits, mostly for asthma, peaked during June 2020, compared with proceeding years (109 [5.9%] versus 88 [3.9%] visits; p < 0.001). This peak occurred 2 weeks after the lifting of the first lockdown, resembling the “back‐to‐school asthma” phenomenon of September.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates important changes in the seasonality of pediatric respiratory illnesses during the first COVID‐19 year, including a new “back‐from‐lockdown” asthma peak. These dramatic changes along with the recent resurgence of respiratory diseases may indicate the beginnings of altered seasonality in pediatric pulmonary pathologies as collateral damage of the pandemic.
Analyzing structural features of proteins from deep‐sea organisms
Authors: Sieg Jochen , Sandmeier Chris Claudius , Lieske Julia , Meents Alke , Lemmen Christian , Streit Wolfgang R. , Rarey Matthias
Published: March 2022

Protein adaptations to extreme environmental conditions are drivers in biotechnological process optimization and essential to unravel the molecular limits of life. Most proteins with such desirable adaptations are found in extremophilic organisms inhabiting extreme environments. The deep sea is such an environment and a promising resource that poses multiple extremes on its inhabitants. Conditions like high hydrostatic pressure and high or low temperature are prevalent and many deep‐sea organisms tolerate multiple of these extremes. While molecular adaptations to high temperature are comparatively good described, adaptations to other extremes like high pressure are not well‐understood yet. To fully unravel the molecular mechanisms of individual adaptations it is probably necessary to disentangle multifactorial adaptations. In this study, we evaluate differences of protein structures from deep‐sea organisms and their respective related proteins from nondeep‐sea organisms. We created a data collection of 1281 experimental protein structures from 25 deep‐sea organisms and paired them with orthologous proteins. We exhaustively evaluate differences between the protein pairs with machine learning and Shapley values to determine characteristic differences in sequence and structure. The results show a reasonable discrimination of deep‐sea and nondeep‐sea proteins from which we distinguish correlations previously attributed to thermal stability from other signals potentially describing adaptions to high pressure. While some distinct correlations can be observed the overall picture appears intricate.
Comparative structural analysis of the human and Schistosoma glutathione transferase dimer interface using selective binding of bromosulfophthalein
Authors: Valli Akeel , Achilonu Ikechukwu
Published: March 2022

The binding channel of Schistosoma glutathione transferase (SGST) has been identified to possess a non‐substrate site implicated in enzyme inhibition. This binding channel is formed by the interface of the GST dimer. We produced a comparative characterization of the SGST dimer interface with respect to that of human GST (hGST) analogues using the selective binding of bromosulfophthalein (BSP). First, two SGST and three hGST structures were used as search queries to assemble a data set of 48 empirical GST structures. Sequence alignment to generate a universal residue indexing scheme was then performed, followed by local superposition of the dimer interface. Principal component analysis revealed appreciable variation of the dimer interface, suggesting the potential for selective inhibition of SGST. BSP was found to dock invariably in the dimer interface core pocket, placing it in proximity to the GST catalytic domains, through which it may exert its inhibitory behavior. Binding poses across the GST forms were distinguished with ligand interaction profiling, where SGST complexes showed stabilization of ligand aromatic‐ and sulfonate moieties, which altogether anchor the ligand and produce a tight association. In comparison, missing aromatic stabilization in the hGST complexes impart large bonding distances, causing mobile poses likely to dissociate. Altogether, this study illustrates the potential for selective inhibition of SGST, rationalizes the selective behavior of the BSP inhibitor, and produces a reliable metric for construction and validation of pharmacophore models of the SGST binding channel.