bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Divergence of Cultivable Bacteria Associated with Larvae and Adult Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) Laboratory-Reared Strains
Authors: Akami Mazarin , Tamgue Ousman , Ren Xueming , Wang Yaohui , Qi Xuewei , Luther Koanga Mogtomo Martin , Ngane Rosalie Annie Ngono , Niu Chang-Ying
Published: July 2021

Insects entertain intricate and mutualistic relationship with an array of microorganisms, which significantly influence their fitness, ecology and evolution. In recent decades, there has been increasing interest toward studying the effects of microbiome on many host insects (Dipterans, Lepidopterans, and Coleopterans). Studies so far realized indicate that gut microbiome contribute to host nutritional ecology, defense, immunity and lifespan.

Bactrocera dorsalis (Tephritidae: Diptera) is a polyphagous fruit fly which attacks a huge variety of fruits and vegetables worldwide and has been placed as a quarantine species by many countries. To investigate the specific functions of the gut endosymbionts, it is a prerequisite to know the composition of gut bacterial communities whose manipulation will help to decipher their ecological relevance. Here, we used the culture-dependent technique to isolate and identify gut bacteria from B. dorsalis at different developmental stages. The results revealed 11 bacterial species from the third instar larvae, 18 and 12 from female and male populations, respectively. These bacteria were assigned to six families, namely, Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Streptococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae. Bacterial species from these families were differentially represented in various samples, except Klebsiella oxytoca , Enterobacter cloacae, Pantoea dispers and Enterococcus faecalis that were detected at all developmental stages. Overall, Enterobacteriaceae was the most dominant family in females and third instar larvae accounting for 57.89% and 26.32%, respectively, while Enterococcaceae was dominant in males with 75% of the total bacterial taxa. These results suggest that B. dorsalis possesses a huge variety of cultivable bacteria that could be used to explore their specific functions on host physiology and fitness.
Enhancing Memory Skills of Autism Spectrum Disorder Children using Gamification
Authors: Goswami Tanmoy , Arora Tanay , Ranade Pranita
Published: July 2021

Sharp memory of growing children is important for education and learning of any new skills. Learning new languages is an important aspect for all children. Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) need extra attention to enhance the memory skills. ASD is a developmental issue that influences communication and social conduct. It leads to the slow development of certain skills in children. The reasons for ASD are yet to obscure; however, it is normal in children having parents of higher age groups. Individuals with ASD generally avoid social communications, lack confidence in the eye to eye contact, fiddle a great deal, and regularly experience the ill effects of other issues like ADHD, OCD, etc.They tend to get distracted very easily. They are often obsessive about particular things and ignorant or indifferent about everything else. ASD does not include mental retardation (MR). Even though individuals experiencing ASD are improper at conveying, they sometimes have a better than average IQ. In this paper, a memory-enhancing mobile game has been designed that would help ASD children to improve the memory and help increase the stock of words that would eventually help in communication skills. The proposed mobile game would help Children diagnose with ASD to increase their memory retention power and help parents’ track their progress using gamification concepts.
Prolonged Exposure to Antimicrobials Induces Changes in Susceptibility to Antibiotics, Biofilm Formation and Pathogenicity in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Arsene Mbarga M. J. , Viktorovna Podoprigora I. , Grigorievna Volina E. , Davares Anyutoulou K. L. , Sergeevna Das M. , Nikolaevna Sharova I.
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Frequent exposure to certain biocidal agents such as hypochlorous acid (HOCl), triclosan and benzalkonium chloride (BAC) has been reported to induce significant changes in Staphylococcus aureus. However, very few studies of this type have been conducted with conventional antimicrobials.

Aim: The current investigation aimed to explore the phenotypic changes (susceptibility to antibiotics, biofilm formation and relative pathogenicity) that occur in S. aureus after recurrent exposure to antimicrobials.

Methods: We compared the effects of long-term exposure to ampicillin, cefazoline, kanamycin and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on their susceptibility to antibiotics, biofilm formation, growth rate and pathogenicity in Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using the microplate mircodilution method and the bacteria were exposed to increasing concentrations of each antimicrobial (MIC/2 to MIC) prepared in the BHIB for 8 days. The sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, the biofilm formation with crystal violet bacterial attachment assay and relative pathogenicity was assessed through a Galleria mellonella waxworm model.

Results: The data in this investigation indicate that long-term exposure to antimicrobials may induce several changes in S. aureus. The exposure to ampicillin induced resistance to ceftazidime, tetracycline and ceftriaxone while the susceptibility to ceftazidime decreased in bacteria exposed to cefazolin and Kanamycin. Meanwhile, exposure to AgNPs induced some changes in susceptibility to trimethoprim and ceftazidime without causing resistance. Similarly, the strains exposed to ampicillin and kanamycin grew more rapidly and produced more biofilms than the control strains whereas the strains exposed to the AgNPs produced less biofilms. On G. melonella model, cefazolin seems to have attenuated the pathogenicity while the 3 other strains were more pathogenic than the controls.

Conclusion: Long term exposure of S. aureus to antibiotics and AgNPs induces several changes in susceptibility to other antibiotics, growth rate, biofilm formation and pathogenicity; and these changes should be taken into account when choosing antibiotics for treatment of diseases caused by S. aureus.
Progression From Subclinical Inflammation to Overt Spondyloarthritis in First‐Degree Relatives of Patients in Association With HLA–B27: The Pre‐Spondyloarthritis Cohort
Authors: de Jong Henriëtte M. Y. , de Winter Janneke J. H. , van der Horst‐Bruinsma Irene E. , van Schaardenburg Dirk‐Jan , van Gaalen Floris A. , van Tubergen Astrid M. , Weel Angelique E. A. M. , Landewé Robert B. M. , Baeten Dominique L. P. , van de Sande Marleen G. H.
Published: July 2021

Objective

As first‐degree relatives (FDRs) of HLA–B27–positive patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) have an increased risk of developing axial SpA, the objectives were 1) to evaluate the presence of highly specific imaging features as well as clinical signs of SpA at baseline and after 1 year of follow‐up, and 2) to describe the evolution toward clinical disease within 1 year of follow‐up in a cohort of seemingly healthy FDRs of HLA–B27–positive axial SpA patients.

Methods

The Pre‐SpA cohort is a 5‐year prospective inception cohort of seemingly healthy FDRs of HLA–B27–positive axial SpA patients. Clinical and imaging features were collected and recorded.

Results

At baseline, 19% of the FDRs reported inflammatory back pain, 32% current arthralgia, 3% arthritis (ever), 5% enthesitis (ever), and 1% dactylitis (ever), and 3% had an extraarticular manifestation. C‐reactive protein level was elevated in 16%, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated in 7%. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) views of sacroiliac joints, 10% had a Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada score of ≥2, 4% had a score of ≥5, and 4% had deep lesions. In total, 1% fulfilled the modified New York criteria for radiographic sacroiliitis. Clinical, MRI, and acute phase findings were equally distributed between HLA–B27–positive and –negative FDRs. After 1 year of follow‐up, clinical parameters did not change on the group level, but 6% of the FDRs were clinically diagnosed with axial SpA, of whom 86% were HLA–B27–positive.

Conclusion

Features associated with SpA or imaging abnormalities were found in up to 32% of seemingly healthy FDRs, with an equal distribution between HLA–B27–positive and –negative FDRs. Progression to clinical axial SpA within 1 year of follow‐up was mainly observed in HLA–B27–positive FDRs.
A Flexible Multifunctional Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on MXene/PVA Hydrogel
Authors: Luo Xiongxin , Zhu Laipan , Wang Yi‐Chi , Li Jiayu , Nie Jiajia , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: July 2021

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) represent an emerging technology in energy harvesting, medical treatment, and information technology. Flexible, portable, and self‐powered electronic devices based on TENGs are much desired, whereas the complex preparation processes and high cost of traditional flexible electrodes hinder their practical applications. Here, an MXene/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel TENG (MH‐TENG) is presented with simple fabrication, high output performance, and versatile applications. The doping of MXene nanosheets promotes the crosslinking of the PVA hydrogel and improves the stretchability of the composite hydrogel. The MXene nanosheets also form microchannels on surfaces, which not only enhances the conductivity of the hydrogel by improving the transport of ions but also generates an extra triboelectric output via a streaming vibration potential mechanism. The measured open‐circuit voltage of the MH‐TENG reaches up to 230 V even in a single‐electrode mode. The MH‐TENG can be stretched up to 200% of the original length and demonstrates a monotonical increasing relationship between the stretchable length and the short‐circuit voltage. By utilizing the MH‐TENG's outstanding stretchable property and ultrahigh sensitivity to mechanical stimuli, applications in wearable movement monitoring, high‐precision written stroke recognition, and low‐frequency mechanical energy harvesting are demonstrated.
Unveiling the Stabilities of Nickel‐Based Layered Oxide Cathodes at an Identical Degree of Delithiation in Lithium‐Based Batteries
Authors: Xie Qiang , Cui Zehao , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: July 2021

Bulk, surface, and interfacial instabilities that impact the cycle and thermal performances are the major challenges with high‐energy‐density LiNi1−x–yMnxCoyO2 (NMC) cathodes with high nickel contents. It is generally believed that the instabilities and performance losses become exponentially aggravated as the nickel content increases. Disparate from this prevailing belief, it is herein demonstrated that NMC cathodes with higher Ni contents may imply better overall stability than “lower‐Ni” cathodes under an identical degree of delithiation (charging) conditions. With two representative cathodes, LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 and LiNiO2, a systematic investigation into their stabilities with control of the degree of delithiation is presented. Electrochemical tests indicate that LiNiO2 displays better cyclability than LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 at the same delithiation state. Comprehensive structural and interphase investigations unveil that the inferior cyclability of LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 predominantly results from aggravated parasitic reactions, and the interphase stability may be more critical than lattice stability in dictating cyclability. Also, LiNiO2 delivers similar or better thermal behavior than LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation of the stability of NMC cathodes to the degree of delithiation state rather than the Ni content itself, highlighting the importance of reassessing the true implications of Ni content and structural and interphasial tuning on the stabilities of NMC cathodes.
Topological Charge Switch in Active Multi‐Core Fibers
Authors: Beličev Petra P. , Gligorić Goran , Maluckov Aleksandra , Hadžievski Ljupčo , Turitsyn Sergei
Published: July 2021

Topological properties can make light field remarkably robust to various external perturbations. The ability to control and change on demand topological characteristics of light paves the way to new interesting physical phenomena and applications. Here, numerical modelling design of the device based on active multi‐core fiber that can change topological charge of the state of light has been proposed. The concept is based on the nonlinear dynamics of optical vortices in active multi‐core optical fiber with linearly coupled cores, saturated gain, and constant linear losses. Results demonstrate that the proposed system can provide change of the topological charge of vortices.
Current thoughts on sensory differences: Not a disorder?
Authors: Wagner Elizabeth , Simon Kathryn
Published: July 2021

Many children are sensitive to the feeling of tags in their clothes, seek out swinging on the swing set at the playground, or refuse to try certain textures of foods. These may represent normal variations in preference, however there is also a subset of children for whom these symptoms may represent sensory sensitivities that are difficult to live with. Take for example the toddler who cries when wearing certain types of clothes or has difficulty being consoled because they can't tolerate the pressure of a hug. Symptoms like these are frequently seen in autism spectrum disorders, however children without autism diagnoses can also have sensory symptoms. As a trainee, I have met many children who have been described as having sensory sensitivities. Some have been labelled as having a “sensory processing disorder.”
New DyeVert system for contrast media volume reduction in percutaneous procedures: “Make kidney safe again”
Authors: Tarantini Giuseppe , Cardaioli Francesco
Published: July 2021

Key Points

CI‐AKI is an iatrogenic renal damage that can occur in patients undergoing percutaneous procedures with the use of contrast media.

This article tested the efficacy and safety of the new DyeVert system, demonstrating a significant reduction in CM volume injected and in the incidence of post‐procedural CI‐AKI.

Future researches will be needed to confirm these results and identify the specific type of patient in which a reduction in CM volume would impact in clinical outcomes.
Preventing NSTEMI readmissions: Starting from the beginning
Authors: Vetrovec George W.
Published: July 2021

Key Points

NSTEMI is associated with frequent 30‐ and 90‐day readmission rates.

Cardiovascular readmissions are reduced for patients undergoing coronary revascularization during the index admission.

Future analyses need to identify patients who may benefit from early revascularization defined in ways to improve implementation into consistent clinical practice.
Laparoscopic resection of aortocaval paraganglioma diagnosed by serial increase in urinary metanephrines after bilateral adrenalectomy in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A
Authors: Miyata Yushi , Hatano Koji , Okuno Yosuke , Ujike Takeshi , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Uemura Motohide , Kiuchi Hiroshi , Imamura Ryoichi , Otsuki Michio , Nonomura Norio
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Although bilateral pheochromocytoma is prevalent in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, extra‐adrenal tumors rarely occur in the aortocaval area.

Case presentation

A 35‐year‐old man with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (RET codon Cys634Arg mutation) underwent bilateral adrenalectomy for metachronous pheochromocytoma. After bilateral adrenalectomy, urinary metanephrines decreased below the measurement sensitivity. The levels of urinary metanephrines were serially elevating to a peak of 187 ng/mgCr during the 11‐year follow‐up period; however, urinary normetanephrine levels remained almost stable. 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine single‐photon emission computed tomography revealed abnormal accumulation with a mass of 25 × 18 mm in diameter in the aortocaval space cranially to the renal vessels. The extra‐adrenal paraganglioma was successfully resected using transperitoneal laparoscopic surgery.

Conclusion

The serial increase in urinary metanephrine levels was useful for the detection of the recurrent tumor in a patient who had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy.
Notum Deletion From Late-Stage Skeletal Cells Increases Cortical Bone Formation and Potentiates Skeletal Effects of Sclerostin Inhibition
Authors: Choi Roy B , Bullock Whitney A , Hoggatt April M , Horan Daniel J , Pemberton Emily Z , Hong Jung Min , Zhang Xinjun , He Xi , Robling Alexander G
Published: July 2021

Wnt signaling plays a vital role in the cell biology of skeletal patterning, differentiation, and maintenance. Notum is a secreted member of the α/β-hydrolase superfamily that hydrolyzes the palmitoleoylate modification on Wnt proteins, thereby disrupting Wnt signaling. As a secreted inhibitor of Wnt, Notum presents an attractive molecular target for improving skeletal health. To determine the cell type of action for Notum's effect on the skeleton, we generated mice with Notum deficiency globally (Notum−/−) and selectively (Notumf/f) in limb bud mesenchyme (Prx1-Cre) and late osteoblasts/osteocytes (Dmp1-Cre). Late-stage deletion induced increased cortical bone properties, similar to global mutants. Notum expression was enhanced in response to sclerostin inhibition, so dual inhibition (Notum/sclerostin) was also investigated using a combined genetic and pharmacologic approach. Co-suppression increased cortical properties beyond either factor alone. Notum suppressed Wnt signaling in cell reporter assays, but surprisingly also enhanced Shh signaling independent of effects on Wnt. Notum is an osteocyte-active suppressor of cortical bone formation that is likely involved in multiple signaling pathways important for bone homeostasis © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Destructive behavior increases as a function of reductions in alternative reinforcement during schedule thinning: A retrospective quantitative analysis
Authors: Shahan Timothy A. , Greer Brian D.
Published: July 2021

The behavioral processes determining the magnitude of the resurgence of destructive behavior during reinforcement schedule thinning have yet to be described, despite an uptick in prevalence research on the topic. As predicted by Resurgence as Choice theory, recent animal research has found that resurgence increases with the magnitude of a downshift in alternative reinforcement. Here we reanalyze the data from 2 recent prevalence studies to determine whether the size of the decrease in alternative reinforcement availability predicts the magnitude of resurgence in the clinic. Results from this retrospective analysis suggest that resurgence of destructive behavior increases significantly with decreases in the availability of alternative reinforcement. Implications for future research and translations of theoretical analyses to the clinic are discussed.
Application of the Danish pesticide load indicator to arable agriculture in the United Kingdom
Authors: Lewis Kathleen , Rainford James , Tzilivakis John , Garthwaite David
Published: July 2021

Pesticides are an important component of worldwide agriculture systems and have contributed to significant increases in crop quality and yields and therefore to food security. However, despite their societal benefits, pesticides can be hazardous to humans and the environment. Therefore, effective pesticide polices are needed that balance the societal and economic benefits with the unintentional and undesirable environmental and health impacts. As a result, there has been consistent policy interest in pragmatic and practical techniques that are suitable for assessing the environmental and human health implications of agricultural pesticide use from a national perspective for assisting in the development of policy initiatives and for communicating policy outcomes to the public. The work described herein explored the appropriateness of the Danish Pesticide Load Indictor for assessing agricultural pesticides applied in the United Kingdom from 2016 and 2018. The findings for the two datasets appear broadly comparable, suggesting that the overall environmental load from pesticides on the U.K. environment remained relatively constant during this period. Regional differences in environmental load and the major contributing substances were identified. Where large differences between the two years were seen, regulatory interventions appear to have been the cause. Overall, the indicator behaves as expected and appears to be sufficiently responsive to changes in pesticide use. However, various concerns were identified that may lead to modifications in how the indicator is calculated and what parameters are included to make it better able to deliver U.K. policy objectives.
The COVID‐19 pandemic and reproductive genetic counseling: Changes in access and service delivery at an academic medical center in the United States
Authors: Mann Caitlin , Goodhue Brighton , Guillard Arianna , Slamon Jill , Newman Randa , Zhao Zhiguo , Ding Tan , Petrelli Gianna , Dudek Martha
Published: July 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic widely disrupted the delivery of healthcare services, including genetic counseling. To ensure continuity of care, the reproductive genetic counselors at a large academic medical center in the United States rapidly transitioned their practice from 90% in‐person patient consultations to a predominantly telehealth model. The present study describes this transition in regard to patient access to genetic counseling and genetic screening. A chart review of patients seen by the reproductive genetic counselors from January 2020 to August 2020 was completed. The time frame included the three months prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic and the first five months during COVID‐19. Patient demographics and clinical and appointment data were compared between the pre‐COVID‐19 and during‐COVID‐19 timeframes. Overall, 88.6% of patients were seen via telehealth during COVID‐19 and there was no significant difference based upon patient age (p = .20), indication for appointment (p = .06), or gestational age (p = .06). However, non‐English speaking patients were more often seen in‐person than by telehealth (p < .001), and more patients residing farther from the clinic were seen via telehealth (p = .004). During‐COVID‐19 results for prenatal cell‐free DNA screening and expanded carrier screening were delayed (p < .001). Additionally, after consenting to screening, patients seen during COVID‐19 were more likely to not complete a sample collection for their intended screening when compared to those seen pre‐COVID‐19 (OR = 6.15, 95% CI = 1.43–26.70, p = .015). Overall, this study supports that access to genetic counseling services and genetic screening can be maintained during a global pandemic like COVID‐19. Genetic counselors are well‐equipped to pivot swiftly during challenging times; however, they must continue to work to address other barriers to accessing genetic services, especially for non‐English speaking populations. Future studies are needed to pose solutions to the obstacles confronted in this service delivery model during a global pandemic.
Limits of empathy: The dementia tōjisha movement in Japan
Authors: Kitanaka Junko
Published: July 2021

How can we imagine someone's experience of illness—even extreme cases, like, for example, psychosis—to the extent that we begin to empathize as if the experience were nearly our own? Based on 5 years of archival research and anthropological fieldwork, I investigate how different forms of understanding and empathy have emerged through the work of people living with dementia (dementia tōjishas), some of who have advocated for the cause in Japan. I show how those with dementia used to be regarded as incommensurable beings, who were sometimes romanticized as having a transcendental power, and how those who care for them have changed their perspectives as they began to see dementia tōjisha as possible versions of their future selves. I also describe the rise of the tōjisha movement and the ways in which it has raised questions about the limits of empathy and instead asserted rights as a basis of understanding. In doing so, dementia tōjisha may be questioning the very foundation of Japanese society, highly invested as it is in the virtue of empathy for maintaining social relations.
Vitis vinifera Turkish novel table grape ‘Karaerik’. Part II: Non‐anthocyanin phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity
Authors: Pérez‐Navarro José , Hermosín‐Gutiérrez Isidro , Gómez‐Alonso Sergio , Kurt‐Celebi Aynur , Colak Nesrin , Akpınar Erdal , Hayirlioglu‐Ayaz Sema , Ayaz Faik A
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

‘Karaerik’ is a novel table grape (Vitis vinifera L.) native to Turkey and widely cultivated in areas bordering the city of Erzincan. Because of the demonstrated beneficial effects on human health of the grape phenolic composition, the aim of this work was to conduct a detailed profiling of non‐anthocyanin phenolic fractions from different grape tissues of the ‘Karaerik’ table grape. Both qualitative and quantitative characterization of phenolic compounds were achieved using high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry. Total phenolic content and oxygen radical absorbance capacity were also determined to evaluate the antioxidant properties of this table grape.

RESULTS

A high number of non‐anthocyanin phenolic compounds was identified in ‘Karaerik’ table grape skins and seeds, including 11 flavonols, six hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, two stilbenes, several monomeric and dimeric flavan‐3‐ols and proanthocyanidins. Quercetin‐type derivatives dominated the flavonol profile of grape skins, followed by myricetin type. Tartaric acid esters of three acids (caffeic, coumaric and ferulic acids) were the main hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives in this cultivar. Qualitative and quantitative differences were observed in flavan‐3‐ol composition among the grape tissues. Proanthocyanidins were the most abundant class of phenolic compounds in ‘Karaerik’ grapes, being mainly located in seeds. Higher antioxidant capacity values were determined in grape seeds, in correlation with the total phenolic content.

CONCLUSION

These results provide useful information for a better understanding of phenolic antioxidants from the ‘Karaerik’ table grape and will contribute to promoting the varietal identity and health‐related properties of this fruit. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Metal‐Free Organocatalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization: Synthesis, Applications, and Future Perspectives
Authors: de Ávila Gonçalves Sayeny , R. Rodrigues Plínio , Pioli Vieira Roniérik
Published: July 2021

Reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) is a class of powerful techniques capable of synthesizing polymers with a well‐defined structure, properties, and functionalities. Among the available RDRPs, ATRP is the most investigated. However, the necessity of a metal catalyst represents a drawback and limits its use for some applications. O‐ATRP emerged as an alternative to traditional ATRP that uses organic compounds that catalyze polymerization under light irradiation instead of metal. The friendly nature and the robustness of O‐ATRP allow its use in the synthesis of tailorable advanced materials with unique properties. In this review, the fundamental aspects of the reductive and oxidative quenching mechanism of O‐ATRP are provided, as well as insights into each component and its role in the reaction. Besides, the breakthrough recent studies that applied O‐ATRP for the synthesis of functional materials are presented, which illustrate the significant potential and impact of this technique across diverse fields.
Technical Note: Collimator angle optimization for multiple brain metastases in dynamic conformal arc treatment planning
Authors: Battinelli Cecilia , Fredriksson Albin , Eriksson Kjell
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To reduce the exposed area by the multileaf collimator between lesions for single‐isocenter dynamic conformal arc (DCA) therapy for stereotactic radiosurgery treatment of multiple brain metastases by optimizing the collimator angle orientation. In particular, this is achieved by the avoidance of collimator angles where multiple lesions are exposed by the same leaf pairs.

Methods

An algorithm that estimates the quality of an arc by considering the target projections onto the plane perpendicular to the central axis of the arc beam. A penalty proportional to the exposure of healthy tissue between metastases is assigned to each control point and each feasible collimator angle from a discretized set of angles. The algorithm can generate two outputs: the fixed optimal collimator angle over all the control points, or the optimal collimator angle trajectory through all the control points considering the rotation speed of the collimator. The first output is based on explicit enumeration of all collimator angles, and the second one generates the optimal trajectory using dynamic programming to find the globally optimal solution with respect to the objective function cost. The algorithm was validated on eight clinical cases having a different number of cranial metastases: two metastases (n = 1), three metastases (n = 5), four metastases (n = 1), and five metastases (n = 1). Plans with optimized fixed collimator angles and plans with optimized dynamic collimator trajectories were compared between each other.

Results

When comparing optimal dynamic trajectories to fixed optimal collimator trajectories, the resulting plans demonstrated a total reduction of the exposed area between lesions over the entire beam configuration from 21.7% up to 71.3%; similarly, beam‐wise reductions ranging from 5.83% to over 90% have been registered.

Conclusion

Collimator angle optimization has the potential to reduce the magnitude of the exposed area between lesions in an efficient way for non‐isocentric treatments where multiple lesions are treated simultaneously. Dynamic trajectories are capable of limiting the island blocking problem more than optimal fixed trajectories by exploiting the extra degree of freedom of rotating the multileaf collimator. The algorithm can also lead to time saving during the treatment planning process.
Technical note: Validation of 3D ultrasound for image registration during oncological liver surgery
Authors: Smit Jasper N. , Kuhlmann Koert F. D. , Thomson Bart R. , Kok Niels F. M. , Fusaglia Matteo , Ruers Theo J. M.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Registration of pre‐ and intraoperative images is a crucial step of surgical liver navigation, where rigid registration of vessel centerlines is currently commonly used. When using 3D ultrasound (US), accuracy during navigation might be influenced by the size of the intraoperative US volume, yet the relationship between registration accuracy and US volume size is understudied. In this study, we specify an optimal 3D US volume size for registration using varying volumes of liver vasculature. While previous studies measured accuracy at registered fiducials, in this work, accuracy is determined at the target lesion which is clinically the most relevant structure.

Methods

Three‐dimensional US volumes were acquired in 14 patients after laparotomy and liver mobilization. Manual segmentation of vasculature and centerline extraction was performed. Intraoperative and preoperative vasculature centerlines were registered with coherent point drift, using different sub‐volumes (sphere with radius r = 30, 40, …, 120 mm). Accuracy was measured by fiducial registration error (FRE) between vessel centerlines and target registration error (TRE) at the center of the target lesion.

Results

The lowest FRE for vessel registration was reached with r = 50 mm (6.5 ± 2.5 mm), the highest with r = 120 mm (7.1 ± 2.1 mm). Clinical accuracy at the target lesion, resulted most accurate (TRE = 8.8 ± 5.0 mm) in sub‐volumes with a radius of 50 mm. Smaller US sub‐volumes resulted in lower average TREs when compared to larger US sub‐volumes (Pearson's correlation coefficient R = 0.91, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that there is a linear correlation between US volume size and registration accuracy at the tumor. Volumes with radii of 50 mm around the target lesion yield higher accuracy (p < 0.05) (Trial number IRBd18032, 11 September 2018).
Registration of ‘MN‐Washburn’ hard red spring wheat containing Barley yellow dwarf virus resistance gene bdv2
Authors: Anderson James A. , Wiersma Jochum J. , Reynolds Susan K. , Conley Emily J. , Caspers Roger , Linkert Gary L. , Kolmer James A. , Jin Yue , Rouse Matthew N. , Dill‐Macky Ruth , Smith Madeleine J. , Dykes Linda , Ohm Jae‐B.
Published: July 2021

‘MN‐Washburn’ (Reg. no. CV‐1184, PI 694049) hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was released by the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station in 2019 because of its high grain yield, good lodging resistance, and end‐use quality characteristics. MN‐Washburn also had good disease resistance, including resistance to Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) and field resistance to the Ug99 race group of stem rust. The BYDV resistance of MN‐Washburn results from the introgression of a chromosome 7D translocation containing Thinopyrum intermedium resistance gene bdv2 from the introgression line TC14. MN‐Washburn is a mid‐late maturity cultivar with below‐average plant height due to the semi‐dwarfing genes Rht‐B1 and Rht24. MN‐Washburn has good resistance to prevalent races of pathogens causing leaf rust, stripe rust, and stem rust and is well‐adapted to the north central United States.
Chain dynamics in partially cross‐linked polyethylene by combined rheology and NMR‐based molecular rheology
Authors: Shahsavan Farhad , Beiner Mario , Saalwächter Kay
Published: July 2021

In recent years, 1H double‐quantum NMR (DQ NMR) was established as a suitable molecular‐rheology technique to elucidate chain dynamics and to determine entanglement or crosslink densities in linear entangled polymer melts and permanent as well as transient networks. In this work, industrial grade high‐density polyethylene, partially cross‐linked via electron beam irradiation in the semicrystalline state, is probed in the melt state by low‐field DQ NMR and shear rheology. The DQ NMR data is analyzed by two approaches, one assuming the presence of a permanent network and the other considering the potentially complex relaxation spectrum of the studied inhomogeneous systems. A correlation between the DQ NMR results and extent of cross‐linking is found. By direct comparison of the rheological results and the NMR‐based segmental orientation autocorrelation functions (OACF) via time–temperature superposition (TTS), qualitative consistency between the microscopic and macroscopic observables is established. In this way, the frequency range of shear rheology can be extended by about two decades into the 10 krad/s range. The NMR method is thus a valuable extension of the toolbox of characterization techniques, where gel content measurements by solvent extraction proved to be the least sensitive.
pH/enzyme/light triple‐responsive vesicles from lysine‐based amphiphilic diblock copolymers
Authors: Qin Guoyang , Hu Cong , Jiang Yanfen , Dong Shuqi , Liu Li , Zhao Hanying
Published: July 2021

We report the synthesis of pH‐ and enzyme‐responsive amphiphilic diblock copolymers through reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of a lysine‐derived methacrylate monomer comprising p‐nitrobenzyl carbamate (pNBC) functionality using a poly(ethylene glycol)‐modified macro‐chain transfer agent. Depending on the hydrophobic block length, the diblock copolymers self‐assemble to form spherical micelles, wormlike micelles, and bilayered vesicles in the aqueous solution. The responsive behaviors of the polymeric vesicles to pH, enzyme, and light are investigated in detail. As the pH lowers to pH 5.0, the polymeric vesicles undergo a morphological transition from vesicles to spherical micelles. In the presence of nitroreductase and a cofactor NADH, the decomposition of pNBC releases the ε‐NH2 of the lysine moiety and hence induces the generation of the vesicles with crosslinked membranes at pH 7.4. Moreover, owing to the degradation of pNBC moiety under UV irradiation, the polymeric vesicles also demonstrate a photo‐responsive feature. As the irradiation time prolongs, it is observed a light‐triggered morphological transition from vesicles to wormlike micelles with network‐like structures.
Circ_0001821 knockdown suppresses growth, metastasis, and TAX resistance of non‐small‐cell lung cancer cells by regulating the miR‐526b‐5p/GRK5 axis
Authors: Liu Ying , Li Changchao , Liu Huiqun , Wang Jing
Published: July 2021

Non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a huge obstacle to human health. Certain circular RNAs endow with crucial regulatory roles in NSCLC progression. Here, we investigated the functional effects of circ_0001821 on cellular behaviors of NSCLC cells and explored the possible mechanism. The expression of circ_0001821, microRNA (miR)‐526b‐5p, and G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) was determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction or Western blot assay. Clonogenicity in NSCLC cells was detected via colony formation assay. Cell migration and invasion were monitored by Transwell assay. Cell sensitivity to paclitaxel (TAX) evaluated by Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, caspase‐3 activity, and caspase‐9 activity. The targeted relationship between miR‐526b‐5p and circ_0001821 or GRK5 was confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter or RNA pull‐down assay. Moreover, the role of circ_0001821 in vivo was examined by xenograft model assay. The results presented that the expression of circ_0001821 and GRK5 was increased, while miR‐526b‐5p expression was decreased in NSCLC tissues and cells. Circ_0001821 knockdown reduced colony formation ability and metastasis ability but enhanced TAX sensibility and apoptosis of NSCLC cells, which was attenuated by miR‐526b‐5p inhibition or GRK5 overexpression. Circ_0001821 targeted miR‐526b‐5p, and miR‐526b‐5p targeted GRK5. Circ_0001821 could upregulate GRK5 expression by sponging miR‐526b‐5p. Depletion of circ_0001821 also blocked tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, the depletion of circ_0001821 inhibited NSCLC progression, at least in part, by modulating the miR‐526b‐5p/GRK5 axis.
Double ryanodine receptor mutations confer higher diamide resistance in rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Huang Jing‐Mei , Sun Hao , He Lin‐Feng , Liu Chong , Ge Wen‐Chao , Ni Huan , Gao Cong‐Fen , Wu Shun‐Fan
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

The striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyraidae), is one of the most serious rice pests in China. Chlorantraniliprole was used extensively for C. suppressalis control over the past ten years, and some field populations have developed high resistance. In this study, we report the chlorantraniliprole resistance status of C. suppressalis in China and the resistance mechanism.

RESULTS

Significant geographical variations of chlorantraniliprole susceptibility were observed among 28 C. suppressalis field populations in 2019–2020. The LC50 values varied from 2907.874 mg L−1 (XS19) to 1.524 mg L−1 (QW19). Most tested field populations collected from Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan and Anhui provinces in 2020 showed a high level of resistance to chlorantraniliprole (RR = 311.9–2060.1), whereas Jiangsu and Sichuan province populations remained susceptible. Analysis of RyR mutations showed that mutations of I4758M, Y4667D, Y4667C and Y4891F were present in resistant populations of C. suppressalis with different levels of chlorantraniliprole resistance. The frequency of the Y4667C mutation was correlated with chlorantraniliprole resistance in YY19 (RR = 702.6) and YY20 (RR = 1426.8) populations, with the homozygous mutation frequencies of 15.6% and 29.4%, respectively. High contributions of the I4758M and Y4667C double mutation to diamide resistance was demonstrated with CRISPR/Cas9‐modified D. melanogaster. Flies bearing the Y4667C mutation (I4758M and Y4667C double mutation in C. suppressalis) exhibited high resistance to chlorantraniliprole (RR = 172.1), and moderate resistance to cyantraniliprole (RR = 79.2) and tetra chlorantraniliprole (RR = 43.6), which were higher than that of single mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

Chlorantraniliprole resistance in C. suppressalis is intensifying in China. RyR double mutations (i.e. I4758M and Y4667C) confer higher diamide resistance than single mutations.
Identification of C‐glycosyl flavones and O‐glycosyl flavones in five Dendrobium species by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization multi‐stage tandem MS
Authors: Hu Li , Liang Zhiyun , Wang Yawen , Wei Gang , Huang Yue‐Chun
Published: July 2021

Rationale

Flavones are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and are the pharmacologically active ingredients of many medicinal plants, such as Dendrobium. With the increasing demand for medicinal Dendrobium, the identification of characteristic flavones that can serve as chemical markers for quality control is critical step for quality assurance and safety in the TCM industry.

Methods

High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization multi‐stage tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MSn) was used to identify the chemical constituents in five types of Dendrobium: D. crystallinum, D. falconeri, D. strongylanthum, D. moniliforme, and D. gratiosissimum.

Results

A total of seventy‐six C‐glycosyl flavones and three O‐glycosyl flavones were identified, of which fifteen C‐glycosyl flavones were found in D. crystallinum, twenty four were found in D. falconeri, thirty were found in D. strongylanthum, seven were found in D. moniliforme (also called “Huangtongpi”, from Anhui, China), fifteen were found in D. moniliforme (also called “Zitongpi”, from Yunnan, China) and seventeen were found in D. gratiosissimum. Additionally, three flavone O‐glycosides were all found in D. strongylanthum.

Conclusions

The results of this study may be useful for the quality assessment and for the application of D. crystallinum, D. falconeri, D. strongylanthum, D. moniliforme, and D. gratiosissimum. This study provides comprehensive information for identification of flavones from other Chinese herbs.
New model for estimating geometric tortuosity of variably saturated porous media using 3D synchrotron microcomputed tomography imaging
Authors: Jarrar Zaher A. , Al‐Raoush Riyadh I. , Hannun Jamal A. , Alshibli Khalid A.
Published: July 2021

Tortuosity has a significant impact on flow and transport characteristics of porous media and plays a major role in many applications such as enhanced oil recovery, contaminant transport in aquifers, and fuel cells. Most analytical and theoretical models for determining tortuosity have been developed for ideal systems with assumptions that might not be representative of natural porous media. In this paper, geometric tortuosity was directly determined from three‐dimensional (3D) tomography images of natural unconsolidated sand packs with a wide range of porosity, saturation, grain size distribution, and morphology. One hundred and thirty natural unconsolidated sand packs were imaged using 3D monochromatic and pink‐beam synchrotron microcomputed tomography imaging. Geometric tortuosity was directly determined from the 3D images using the centroids of the connected paths in the flow direction of the media, and multivariate nonlinear regression analysis was adopted to develop a simple practical model to predict tortuosity of variably saturated natural unconsolidated porous media. Wetting phase saturation was found to provide a good estimate of relative tortuosity with an value of .93, even with a porosity variation between 0.3 and 0.5 of the porous media systems. The proposed regression model was compared to theoretical and analytical models available in the literature and was found to provide better estimates of geometric tortuosity with an value of .9 and a RMSE value of 0.117.
Prolonged hypo‐salinity to control Neobenedenia spp. monogenean infection in large display aquaria
Authors: Boylan Shane Matthew , Daniel Whitney , Matthews Christopher
Published: July 2021

The majority of public aquaria have at least one very large tank (>370,000 liters, 100,000 gallons) as part of their collection. The large water volumes can make treatment difficult when pathogens escape quarantine or cross contamination occurs. The cost and methods of dispersion of chemotherapeutics to control infectious agents (bacterial, protozoal, or metazoan) can be prohibitive in large volumes. Currently there are few treatments for stenohaline monogeneans in large aquaria that are efficacious, safe, and affordable. This case demonstrates the safety and efficacy of a decade long use of prolonged hyposalinity that replaced the repeated use of copper and organophosphate treatments to control a Neobenedenia spp. monogenean infestation. The use of prolonged 20 ppt saline water is safe for a list of species traditionally listed as stenohaline which makes altering salinity a useful tool in treating parasites with restricted saline tolerances.
Effects of GnRH agonists on testosterone and testosterone‐stimulated parameters for contraception and aggression reduction in male lion‐tailed Macaques (Macaca silenus)
Authors: Penfold Linda M. , Norton Terry , Asa Cheryl S.
Published: July 2021

Managing social groups in zoos requires controlling reproduction in individuals that do not have a current breeding recommendation, while simultaneously maintaining social harmony and animal well‐being. Contraceptives, such as gonadotropin releasing‐hormone (GnRH) agonists, that suppress testosterone production, offer a potential solution. They achieve infertility by interrupting spermatogenesis and may ameliorate androgen‐induced aggression. This study investigated the effects of two GnRH agonists, histrelin and deslorelin, on testosterone, testis size, body weight and sperm production in male lion‐tailed macaques, along with subjective observations of aggressive behavior. Five trials at three institutions with 14 males demonstrated that 100 mg histrelin or 9 to 12 mg of deslorelin could at least temporarily reduce testosterone, but a lower 6 mg dose was ineffective. However, ability of deslorelin to produce azoospermia varied among males, even at the highest dose. In general, a higher dose was needed (1) to achieve than to maintain suppression of any measured parameter and (2) to suppress sperm production than testosterone concentration. Testosterone production was also more likely than sperm production to recover, suggesting possible damage to seminiferous tubules but not to Leydig cells. Aggressive behavior was reduced in all but the group receiving the lowest dose. This allowed social groups to be maintained for many years despite recovery of testosterone in some males, suggesting that new social roles had been learned and become independent of androgen influence.
Supersymmetric solitons and a degeneracy of solutions in AdS/CFT
Authors: Anabalón Andrés , Ross Simon F.
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We study Lorentzian supersymmetric configurations in D = 4 and D = 5 gauged $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supergravity. We show that there are smooth 1/2 BPS solutions which are asymptotically AdS4 and AdS5 with a planar boundary, a compact spacelike direction and with a Wilson line on that circle. There are solitons where the S1 shrinks smoothly to zero in the interior, with a magnetic flux through the circle determined by the Wilson line, which are AdS analogues of the Melvin fluxtube. There is also a solution with a constant gauge field, which is pure AdS. Both solutions preserve half of the supersymmetries at a special value of the Wilson line. There is a phase transition between these two saddle-points as a function of the Wilson line precisely at the supersymmetric point. Thus, the supersymmetric solutions are degenerate, at least at the supergravity level. We extend this discussion to one of the Romans solutions in four dimensions when the Euclidean boundary is S1× Σg where Σg is a Riemann surface with genus g > 0. We speculate that the supersymmetric state of the CFT on the boundary is dual to a superposition of the two degenerate geometries.