bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential role of NGF, BDNF, and their receptors in oligodendrocytes differentiation from neural stem cell: An in vitro study
Authors: Langhnoja Jaldeep , Buch Lipi , Pillai Prakash
Published: November 2020

Neural stem cells (NSCs) or neuronal progenitor cells are cells capable of differentiating into oligodendrocytes, myelin‐forming cells that have the potential of remyelination. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are two neurotrophic factors that have been studied to stimulate NSC differentiation thus playing a role in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis and several other demyelinating disorders. While several studies have demonstrated the proliferative and protective capabilities of these neurotrophic factors, their cellular and molecular functions are still not well understood. Thus, in the present study, we focus on understanding the role of these neurotrophins (BDNF and NGF) in oligodendrogenesis from NSCs. Both neurotrophic factors have been shown to promote NSC proliferation and NSC differentiation particularly into oligodendroglial lineage in a dose‐dependent fashion. Further, to establish the role of these neurotrophins in NSC differentiation, we have employed pharmacological inhibitors for TrkA and TrkB receptors in NSCs. The use of these inhibitors suppressed NSC differentiation into oligodendrocytes along with the downregulation of phosphorylated ERK suggesting active involvement of ERK in the functioning of these neurotrophins. The morphometric analysis also revealed the important role of both neurotrophins in oligodendrocytes development. These findings highlight the importance of neurotrophic factors in stimulating NSC differentiation and may pave a role for future studies to develop neurotrophic factor replacement therapies to achieve remyelination.
Ring‐opening of azetidiniums by nucleophiles. Synthesis of polysubstituted linear amines
Authors: Masson Guillaume , Gomez Pardo Domingo , Cossy Janine
Published: November 2020

This microreview focuses on the nucleophilic ring‐opening of azetidiniums presenting various substitution patterns at C2, C3, and C4. In most cases, the nucleophilic ring‐opening occurred in a stereoselective and regioselective fashion producing functionalized linear amines. Experimental selectivities associated with Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have allowed a better understanding of the parameters governing the regioselectivities.
Young people's narratives of hearing voices: Systemic influences and conceptual challenges
Authors: Parry Sarah , Loren Eve , Varese Filippo
Published: November 2020

Despite the prevalence of voice hearing in childhood and adolescence, little qualitative research has been undertaken with young people directly to advance phenomenological and aetiological insights into their experiences and interpretations. Consequently, the researchers sought demographic, contextual, and qualitative data from 74 young people from eleven countries, aged 13–18 years (28% = male; 61% = female; 21% = Transgender and Gender Non‐Binary [TGNB]), who self‐identified as hearing voices. A Foucauldian‐informed narrative analysis yielded four analytic chapters, offering novel perspectives into individual, relational, systemic, and cultural interpretative narratives surrounding multisensory and multi‐self voice hearing. Overall, young people reported heterogenous experiences of voice hearing and associated sensory experiences, and most participants reported voice hearing beginning between ages 8 and 11. Further, the emotions felt by the child, as well as reactions displayed by people around the child in relation to the voices, influenced voice‐related distress and the nature of the voices in a triadic relationship. A continuum of multisensory features of voice content, nature, and relational significance is tentatively proposed to capture the breadth and depth of voice hearing for adolescents to offer a possible framework for future study and intervention design. Specifically, participants described that voice‐related distress could be exacerbated by observed anxiety or internalized stigma about voice hearing, social isolation, and attribution to illness. These findings suggest that we may need to reconsider how the experience of hearing voices in childhood influences their relationships and how relationships influence the voice hearing experience. Further, young people seem to have a broad understanding of what the term “hearing voices” means, which could inform how researchers and practitioners work with this group of young people. Finally, participants described benefitting from multisensory coping strategies, such as imagery and meditation, which could offer important considerations for tailoring therapeutic interventions for adolescent voice hearers.
Spatio‐temporal trends in caries: A study on children in Berlin‐Mitte
Authors: Lee Ae Kyung , Aigner Annette , Schmid Timo , Kurth Tobias
Published: November 2020

Background

Significant inequalities in caries distribution among children in Germany have been reported, but small‐scale areas remain understudied.

Aim

To examine spatio‐temporal trends in children's dental caries at the small‐area level in Berlin‐Mitte.

Design

Routinely collected data from Berlin's annual Health Examination Surveys were used, which also include information on age, sex, country of origin, and residential area. The study population consists of 14,866 children aged 5 to 7 between 2006 and 2014 in the district of Berlin‐Mitte. Outcome variables are the dmft (decayed, missing, and filled teeth), the presence of any caries experience, untreated caries, and caries risk. The outcomes are summarized descriptively and graphically presented for 10 quarters and 41 communities within Berlin‐Mitte.

Results

Relevant gaps in children's dental caries were discovered between the quarters of Mitte. Three quarters in the northeast part of Mitte have consistently indicated the lowest oral health status in all four outcomes, and children having high caries risk have been increasingly concentrating in this area over time. Despite the continuous improvements in the southern part, the averages in total of Mitte for all outcomes have risen.

Conclusion

Our findings confirm the spatiotemporally mounting disparities in children's oral health between the quarters in Berlin‐Mitte and that particular quarters need urgent attention. The small‐area approach made it easier and more effective to reveal the spatial distribution of children's dental caries at the local level. The small‐area analysis should be strongly encouraged in future caries research to narrow the inequalities in children's oral health.
Carbon Dioxide Conversion Upgraded by Host‐guest Cooperation between Nitrogen‐Rich Covalent Organic Framework and Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Polymer
Authors: Zhong Hong , Gao Jinwei , Sa Rongjian , Yang Shuailong , Wu Zhicheng , Wang Ruihu
Published: November 2020

Invited for this month's cover are the groups of Rongjian Sa and Ruihu Wang at Minjiang University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The image shows how host–guest composite catalysts with task‐specific components for the cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides have been developed through integrating nitrogen‐rich covalent organic framework and imidazolium‐based ionic polymer. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202006158.
Editorial for the Special Issue of ChemSusChem on Green Carbon Science: CO2 Capture and Conversion
Authors: Su Bao‐Lian , Han Buxing , Liu Haichao , Sun Licheng , Xie Zai‐Ku
Published: November 2020

In their Editorial to the Special Issue on Green Carbon Science: CO2 Capture and Conversion, Guest Editors Bao‐Lian Su, Buxing Han, Haichao Liu, Licheng Sun, and Zai‐Ku Xie introduce the concept of green carbon science and discuss some of the Special Issue's contents.
Phenotyping stress exposures related to perinatal health disparities
Authors: Ilyumzhinova Rimma , Mbayiwa Kimberley , Fowle Jill , Jones Cherrelle , Hipwell Alison E. , Keenan Kate
Published: November 2020

Black American women living in low‐resource environments are exposed to multiple stressors and are at high risk for perinatal complications. Stress exposure likely impacts pregnancy and birth complications via alterations in health systems that are engaged in regulating the stress response. Stressors may vary in terms of magnitude and pattern of effect on such health systems. In the present study, we test associations between three types of stress exposure: perceived stress, negative life events, and discrimination stress on neuroendocrine and cardiac response to a controlled laboratory stressor during the first trimester of pregnancy. In all, 100 pregnant Black women with Medicaid insurance completed a laboratory assessment during which salivary cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV) were used to measure stress response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Results revealed that only discrimination stress was significantly associated with cortisol and HRV in response to the TSST. High levels of discrimination stress were associated with lower levels of cortisol reactivity and higher levels of HRV across the visit. These results highlight the differential impact of domains of stress exposure on stress regulation during pregnancy and provide further evidence of the impact of discrimination stress on Black American women's health.
Working memory profiles of children with reading difficulties who are learning to read in Greek
Authors: Masoura Elvira , Gogou Anastasia , Gathercole Susan E.
Published: November 2020

This study investigated working memory skills in a small group of 13 nine‐year‐old Greek children facing reading difficulties and a group of 14 age matched typical Greek readers. The children were assessed on working memory tasks measuring separately the four components of the working memory model of Baddeley and Hitch (1974) as revised by Baddeley (2000): the phonological loop, visuo‐spatial sketchpad, episodic buffer and central executive. Both groups completed tests of accuracy of reading, speed of reading and text understanding. The children with reading difficulties performed significantly more poorly than typical readers on all aspects of working memory apart from visual‐spatial short‐term memory. These results indicate a similar verbal working memory impairment in Greek children with reading difficulties as in their English peers, despite the fact that they are learning to read a language with a transparent rather than an opaque orthography.
Use of restored floodplains by fishes of the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico, USA
Authors: Valdez Richard A. , Zipper Stephen A. , Kline Stephen Jason , Haggerty Grace M.
Published: November 2020

Nearly 1600 ha of habitat have been restored at 300 floodplain sites of the Middle Rio Grande (MRG), New Mexico, USA, as part of a cooperative effort of the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program to conserve the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (RGSM). These riverside sites are designed to inundate during spring run‐off and create ephemeral habitats for other aquatic and riparian species. This study of four restored floodplain sites in May–June 2017 found that of 14 fish species captured with fyke nets, common carp (41%), red shiner (32%), RGSM (16%) and white sucker (9%) dominated total numbers. Adult RGSM included 42% gravid females, 36% ripe males and 22% spent females, suggesting that this endangered species was spawning in and near these floodplains. Larval sampling also showed that restored sites and adjacent mainstem banklines were being used as nursery habitats, where RGSM larvae dominated six and nine species with 80% and 74% of total numbers, respectively. System‐wide proportions of RGSM larvae by phase suggest that larvae leave the floodplains and move to mainstem banklines beginning as late mesolarvae and metalarvae (14–22 days post‐hatch), and most depart by the juvenile stage. Altogether, 15 fish species were encountered in restored floodplain sites in 2017, compared to 16 species reported in concurrent annual mainstem monitoring. This study and others show that most fish species of the MRG move onto restored and natural floodplains equally in spring, and many use these habitats for spawning and as larval nurseries.
Complementarity increases production in genetic mixture of loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) throughout planted range
Authors: Carter David R. , Albaugh Timothy J. , Campoe OtÁvio C. , Grossman Jake J. , Rubilar Rafael A. , Sumnall Matthew , Maier Christopher A. , Cook Rachel L. , Fox Thomas R.
Published: November 2020

Increased genotypic diversity has been associated with increased biomass production in short‐rotation tree species. Increasing the genotypic diversity of loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) in an attempt to increase productivity has not been extensively studied nor tested operationally or over long durations (i.e., >7 yr). We used genetically mixed and pure rows of loblolly pine growing throughout its planted range—Virginia, North Carolina, and Brazil—to test the effects of genetic mixing on volume production. There were no significant effects of mixing rows compared to pure rows on uniformity or mortality. Under intensive silviculture, individual trees planted in mixed rows had approximately 7% greater volume than those in the pure rows (estimate = 0.015 m3/tree ± 0.006) in the final year of measurement—year 8 for Brazil and year 10 for North Carolina and Virginia. Scaling the increase in individual stem volume under mixed rows and intensive silviculture to 1235 stems ha−1would equate to an additional 1.85 m3·ha−1·yr−1in mean annual increment. Measuring the net biodiversity effect, our data suggest the positive growth response is driven by complementarity and not selection, meaning both genetic entries tend to grow larger when grown together. Additional trials are necessary to test the effects of mixing rows across large plots and to assess whether this increase is sustained throughout the rotation. If this increasing trend were to hold for intensively managed plantations, strategically mixing rows to increase productivity could be a valuable addition to an intensively managed plantation requiring relatively little added operational consideration to implement.
Plains zebras bring evidence that dilution and detection effects may not always matter behaviorally and demographically
Authors: Vitet Camille , Duncan Patrick , Gimenez Olivier , Mabika Cheryl , Chamaillé‐Jammes Simon
Published: November 2020

Group living is assumed to benefit prey by reducing predation risk due to dilution and detection effects. This increased safety could be exchanged against a reduced individual vigilance leading to increased foraging and fitness until costs of intra‐group competition offset this benefit. However, very few studies have been able to directly test the relationship between individual fitness and group size in non‐cooperative breeding species. Therefore, evidence that dilution and detection effects do indeed translate into increased fitness under predation risk remains mostly theoretical. Here, we aimed at empirically testing whether group size influences beneficial and costly behaviors, and ultimately the survival of individuals, in a prey species facing heavy predation pressure. We focused on plains zebraEquus quaggaof Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, a high lion density area. We collected behavioral data (i.e., individual vigilance and foraging, collective vigilance, and agonistic interactions) that we used as proxies to investigate the costs and benefits of grouping in this species. We then fitted multistate capture‐mark‐recapture and Cox proportional‐hazards models to estimate apparent survival of adults and young zebras, respectively, and assess whether a demographic signal of group size could be found. Our results show that collective vigilance increases with group size, a prerequisite of the detection effect, but individual vigilance does not consistently decrease with group size, which suggests that there is no group size effect on individual vigilance. Agonistic interactions were rare. These results suggest that there are no foraging costs of grouping here, and even some benefits such as a better collective vigilance. However, any benefits of being in larger groups did not translate into increased survival, as we found no effect of group size on the apparent survival of individuals. Since dilution and detection effects do not matter behaviorally and demographically in these plains zebras living under high predation risk, these results challenge our understanding of how predation shapes animal sociality: fitness benefits of dilution or detection should not be assumed.
Seedling survival declines with increasing conspecific density in a common temperate tree
Authors: Jevon Fiona V. , Record Sydne , Grady John , Lang Ashley K. , Orwig David A. , Ayres Matthew P. , Matthes Jaclyn Hatala
Published: November 2020

Feedbacks between plants and their soil microbial communities often drive negative density dependence in rare, tropical tree species, but their importance to common, temperate trees remains unclear. Additionally, whether negative density dependence is driven by natural enemies (e.g., soil pathogens) or by high densities of seedlings has rarely been assessed. Density dependence may also depend on seedling size, as smaller and/or younger seedlings may be more susceptible to mortality agents. We monitored seedlings of Quercus rubra, a common, canopy‐dominant temperate tree, to investigate how the density of neighboring adults and seedlings influenced their survival over two years. We assessed how the soil microbial community influenced seedling survival by growing seedlings in a glasshouse inoculated with soil collected from beneath conspecific and heterospecific mature trees. In the field, seedling survival was lower in areas with high densities of mature conspecifics but was unrelated to either conspecific or heterospecific seedling density. Smaller seedlings were also more sensitive than larger seedlings to neighboring adult conspecifics. In the glasshouse, seedlings grown with soil from beneath a conspecific adult had a higher mortality rate than seedlings grown with soil from beneath heterospecific adults or sterilized soil, suggesting that soil microbial communities drive the patterns of mortality in the field. These results illustrate the importance of negative density‐dependent feedbacks resulting from the soil microbial community in a common and ecologically important temperate tree species.
Greenhouse gas accounting for the energy transition in a brewery
Authors: de Paula Diniz Daniel , Carvalho Monica , Abrahão Raphael
Published: November 2020

The production of beer is an energy‐intensive process, and due to the progressive global increase in its consumption, this has raised environmental concerns especially regarding energy‐related impacts. The study presented herein applied the life cycle assessment methodology to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional supply of electricity (electric grid) and heat (liquefied petroleum gas) to a craft microbrewery. It was then considered that electricity could be provided by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, and heat by solar collectors, and these values were compared with traditional energy supply. Solar PV electricity resulted in 66% less emissions per kWhe consumed, and solar collectors yielded 95% less emissions per kWhth. It was verified that there is potential for climate change mitigation associated with energy transition in breweries, considering electricity and thermal energy.
Extension of displacement‐based simplified procedures to the seismic loss assessment of multi‐span RC bridges
Authors: Perdomo Camilo , Monteiro Ricardo
Published: November 2020

Simplified seismic assessment procedures relying on displacement‐based formulations have recently been implemented for the evaluation of the seismic performance in buildings and bridges. For bridges, displacement‐based assessment procedures have been formulated to predict the displacement response at several performance levels defined based on the expected damage on the structural elements. These displacement profiles have been subsequently used to estimate the performance level achieved under a given seismic hazard intensity and to develop damage fragility curves. For buildings, these concepts have been extended to compute economic losses in agreement with current performance‐based earthquake engineering procedures. In this study, existing displacement‐based formulations for the approximate seismic assessment of single‐column multi‐span continuous RC bridges, with non‐sacrificial shear keys for the pier‐to‐deck connections, are extended for the computation of expected annual losses under transverse direction excitation. Additionally, an iterative response spectrum analysis procedure, which directly considers higher mode effects, is proposed for computing the displacement response, and these results are also used to estimate direct expected annual losses. Results show that both procedures tend to compute higher losses when compared with those obtained with a fully probabilistic loss assessment framework, using demand estimations computed with nonlinear response history analysis. Results also show that the simplified loss assessment procedure is highly sensitive to the definition of the collapse fragility curve.
A review on passive methods for thermal performance enhancement in parabolic trough solar collectors
Authors: Sharma Mridul , Jilte Ravindra
Published: November 2020

Among the diverse renewable energy sources available, solar energy harnessing has become very common in most countries. Various collectors were developed, built and checked to work in various temperature ranges. The parabolic trough solar collector is found to be the most common among the other collectors in applications such as the distribution of process heat and the production of steam. The heat collector part known as receiver tube is one of the key practical devices of parabolic trough solar collector. Numerous research studies have centered on receiver tube to raise its thermal potential. The usage of passive techniques such as provision of inserts in the receiver tube and geometrical changes of receiver tube are efficient strategies for increasing thermal performance. Detailed review of the numerical and experimental studies conducted on heat transfer enhancement strategies that rely on the use of inserts with the use of different working fluids in a parabolic trough solar collector's receiver tube is described in this article. Additionally heat transfer enhancement due to geometrical modification of receiver tube is also presented. Further, on the basis of literature survey, a comparison among various strategies is outlined. These studies show that future work in this area, that is, usage of passive techniques in parabolic trough solar collector will offer further growth.
Biological Factors Moderate Trace Element Accumulation in Fish along an Environmental Concentration Gradient
Authors: Donadt Caitlyn , Cooke Colin A. , Graydon Jennifer A. , Poesch Mark S.
Published: November 2020

Trace elements can accumulate in aquatic food webs, becoming potentially hazardous to wildlife and human health. Whereas many studies have examined mercury dynamics in freshwater environments, evidence for the bioaccumulative potential of other trace elements (e.g., arsenic) is conflicting. Trace element concentrations found in surface water of the Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada, have raised concern for potential accumulation in aquatic biota. We investigated fish from this river to better understand the influence of biological and environmental factors in trace element bioaccumulation. We analyzed 20 trace elements, and stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotopes, in the muscle tissue of 8 species. Zinc, selenium, arsenic, chromium, and nickel were detected in the majority of fish at low concentrations. However, mercury was detected in all fish and often exceeded criteria for the protection of consumers. Body size was often positively correlated with trace element concentrations. In addition, δ15N and δ13C were correlated to mercury and arsenic concentrations, indicating that mercury biomagnifies whereas arsenic biodiminishes. Spatial patterns of fish trace element concentrations did not reflect differences in surface water concentrations. These findings indicate that fish trace element concentrations are primarily moderated by biological factors, such as trophic position and body size, and are not locally restricted to areas of relatively high environmental concentrations in the Red Deer River. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:422–434. © 2020 SETAC

Abstract

Biological characteristics, such as body size and trophic level, have a stronger influence on fish trace element concentrations (e.g., mercury) than an upstream to downstream environmental concentration gradient.
Suggestions for Improving the Characterization of Risk from Exposures to Per and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances
Authors: Mikkonen Antti T. , Martin Jennifer , Dourson Michael L. , Hinwood Andrea , Johnson Mark S.
Published: November 2020

Many state and federal environmental and health agencies have developed risk-based criteria for assessing the risk of adverse health effects of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) exposure to humans and the environment. However, the criteria that have been developed vary; drinking water criteria developed for perfluorooctanoic acid, for example, can vary by up to 750 fold. This is due to differences and variability in the data and information used, study/endpoint selection, assumptions and magnitude of uncertainty factors used in the absence and extrapolation of critical effect data, differences in underlying approaches to addressing exposure within criteria development, and/or policy decisions on levels of acceptable risk. We have critically evaluated the methods used to develop these criteria while focusing on derivation and application of drinking water criteria and discuss a range of improvements to risk-characterization practice recently presented at a Focused Topic Meeting on PFAS conducted by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in Durham, North Carolina, USA, 12 to 15 August 2019. We propose methods that consider maximizing the use of disparate data streams, seeking patterns, and proposing biologically based approaches to evidence integration toward informed criteria development. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:883–898. © 2020 SETAC
Toxicity of Herbicide Mixtures to Tropical Freshwater Microalgae Using a Multispecies Test
Authors: Stone S. , Adams M.S. , Stauber J.L. , Jolley D.F. , Warne M.St.J.
Published: November 2020

Agriculture within the Great Barrier Reef catchment area has contributed to pesticide contamination of adjacent freshwater ecosystems that flow into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. A novel multispecies toxicity test was used to assess the toxicity of diuron and hexazinone, 2 herbicides commonly detected within the Great Barrier Reef catchment area, to a community of 3 tropical freshwater microalgae: Monoraphidium arcuatum, Nannochloropsis-like sp., and Pediastrum duplex. Diuron was the most toxic herbicide, with 10% inhibition concentration (IC10) values of 4.3, 7.1, and 29 µg/L for P. duplex, M. arcuatum, and Nannochloropsis-like sp., respectively, followed by hexazinone, with IC10 values of 15, 18, and 450 µg/L, respectively Toxicity testing on 2 commercial formulations (Barrage, 13.2% hexazinone and 48.6% diuron; Diurex, 90% diuron) showed that additives in the commercial formulations did not significantly increase the toxicity of diuron. Direct toxicity assessments were carried out on water samples from the herbicide-contaminated Sandy Creek, which discharges to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, and a clean reference site, Tully Gorge in the Tully River. Toxicity was observed in several Sandy Creek samples. Artificial herbicide mixtures were assessed in synthetic soft water and natural freshwaters, with toxic responses being observed at environmentally relevant concentrations. The present study successfully applied a novel multispecies tropical microalgal toxicity test, indicating that it is an effective tool for the assessment of herbicide toxicity in both natural and synthetic freshwaters. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:473–486. © 2020 SETAC

Abstract

A multispecies microalgal bioassay was utilized to assess the toxicity of herbicides as single contaminants, or in a mixture in both synthetic soft water and natural freshwater. Direct toxicity assessments of 6 natural water samples were also undertaken using the multispecies test.
Trout and Human Plasma Protein Binding of Selected Pharmaceuticals Informs the Fish Plasma Model
Authors: Henneberger Luise , Klüver Nils , Mühlenbrink Marie , Escher Beate
Published: November 2020

Concerns are increasing that pharmaceuticals released into the environment pose a risk to nontarget organism such as fish. The fish plasma model is a read-across approach that uses human therapeutic blood plasma concentrations for estimating likely effects in fish. However, the fish plasma model neglects differences in plasma protein binding between fish and humans. Because binding data for fish plasma are scarce, the binding of 12 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs; acidic, basic, and neutral) to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and human plasma was measured using solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The plasma/water distribution ratios (D  plasma/w) of neutral and basic APIs were similar for trout and human plasma, differing by no more than a factor of 2.7 for a given API. For the acidic APIs, the D  plasma/w values of trout plasma were much lower than for human plasma, by up to a factor of 71 for naproxen. The lower affinity of the acidic APIs to trout plasma compared with human plasma suggests that the bioavailability of these APIs is higher in trout. Read-across approaches like the fish plasma model should account for differences in plasma protein binding to avoid over- or underestimation of effects in fish. For the acidic APIs, the effect ratio of the fish plasma model would increase by a factor of 5 to 60 if the unbound plasma concentrations were used to calculate the effect ratio. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:559–568. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Neutral and basic pharmaceuticals showed similar binding to trout and human blood plasma. Acidic pharmaceuticals (e.g., naproxen) bind to trout plasma with a lower affinity, suggesting a higher bioavailability of these pharmaceuticals in trout than in human plasma.
PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding
Authors: De Silva Amila O. , Armitage James M. , Bruton Thomas A. , Dassuncao Clifton , Heiger-Bernays Wendy , Hu Xindi C. , Kärrman Anna , Kelly Barry , Ng Carla , Robuck Anna , Sun Mei , Webster Thomas F. , Sunderland Elsie M.
Published: November 2020

We synthesize current understanding of the magnitudes and methods for assessing human and wildlife exposures to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Most human exposure assessments have focused on 2 to 5 legacy PFAS, and wildlife assessments are typically limited to targeted PFAS (up to ~30 substances). However, shifts in chemical production are occurring rapidly, and targeted methods for detecting PFAS have not kept pace with these changes. Total fluorine measurements complemented by suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry are thus emerging as essential tools for PFAS exposure assessment. Such methods enable researchers to better understand contributions from precursor compounds that degrade into terminal perfluoroalkyl acids. Available data suggest that diet is the major human exposure pathway for some PFAS, but there is large variability across populations and PFAS compounds. Additional data on total fluorine in exposure media and the fraction of unidentified organofluorine are needed. Drinking water has been established as the major exposure source in contaminated communities. As water supplies are remediated, for the general population, exposures from dust, personal care products, indoor environments, and other sources may be more important. A major challenge for exposure assessments is the lack of statistically representative population surveys. For wildlife, bioaccumulation processes differ substantially between PFAS and neutral lipophilic organic compounds, prompting a reevaluation of traditional bioaccumulation metrics. There is evidence that both phospholipids and proteins are important for the tissue partitioning and accumulation of PFAS. New mechanistic models for PFAS bioaccumulation are being developed that will assist in wildlife risk evaluations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:631–657. © 2020 SETAC

Abstract

Methods for assessing human and wildlife exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are reviewed along with current understanding of exposure sources and pathways.
Modulation of neural oscillations during working memory update, maintenance, and readout: An hdEEG study
Authors: Semprini Marianna , Bonassi Gaia , Barban Federico , Pelosin Elisa , Iandolo Riccardo , Chiappalone Michela , Mantini Dante , Avanzino Laura
Published: November 2020

Working memory (WM) performance is very often measured using the n‐back task, in which the participant is presented with a sequence of stimuli, and required to indicate whether the current stimulus matches the one presented n steps earlier. In this study, we used high‐density electroencephalography (hdEEG) coupled to source localization to obtain information on spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of neural oscillations associated with WM update, maintenance and readout. Specifically, we a priori selected regions from a large fronto‐parietal network, including also the insula and the cerebellum, and we analyzed modulation of neural oscillations by event‐related desynchronization and synchronization (ERD/ERS). During update and readout, we found larger θ ERS and smaller β ERS respect to maintenance in all the selected areas. γLOW and γHIGH bands oscillations decreased in the frontal and insular cortices of the left hemisphere. In the maintenance phase we observed decreased θ oscillations and increased β oscillations (ERS) in most of the selected posterior areas and focally increased oscillations in γLOW and γHIGH bands in the frontal and insular cortices of the left hemisphere. Finally, during WM readout, we also found a focal modulation of the γLOW band in the left fusiform cortex and cerebellum, depending on the response trial type (true positive vs. true negative). Overall, our study demonstrated specific spectral signatures associated with updating of memory information, WM maintenance, and readout, with relatively high spatial resolution.
A combined multicomponent‐acid catalyzed cyclization reaction as an efficient route to novel tricyclic pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline derivatives
Authors: Ghandi Mehdi , Khodadadi Meysam , Abbasi Alireza
Published: November 2020

A simple, new two‐step procedure for the synthesis of novel tricyclic pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline derivatives is described. The initially prepared polysubstituted pyrroles obtained via the four‐component condensation of arylglyoxals, cyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyls, aminoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, and β‐keto esters subsequently underwent intramolecular acid‐catalyzed cyclization to the desired products in moderate to good yields.
Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pyridoxine‐dependent epilepsy due to α‐aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Coughlin Curtis R. , Tseng Laura A. , Abdenur Jose E. , Ashmore Catherine , Boemer François , Bok Levinus A. , Boyer Monica , Buhas Daniela , Clayton Peter T. , Das Anibh , Dekker Hanka , Evangeliou Athanasios , Feillet François , Footitt Emma J. , Gospe Sidney M. , Hartmann Hans , Kara Majdi , Kristensen Erle , Lee Joy , Lilje Rina , Longo Nicola , Lunsing Roelineke J. , Mills Philippa , Papadopoulou Maria T. , Pearl Phillip L. , Piazzon Flavia , Plecko Barbara , Saini Arushi G. , Santra Saikat , Sjarif Damayanti R. , Stockler‐Ipsiroglu Sylvia , Striano Pasquale , Van Hove Johan L.K. , Verhoeven‐Duif Nanda M. , Wijburg Frits A. , Zuberi Sameer M. , van Karnebeek Clara D.M.
Published: November 2020

Pyridoxine‐dependent epilepsy (PDE‐ALDH7A1) is an autosomal recessive condition due to a deficiency of α‐aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, which is a key enzyme in lysine oxidation. PDE‐ALDH7A1 is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy that was historically and empirically treated with pharmacologic doses of pyridoxine. Despite adequate seizure control, most patients with PDE‐ALDH7A1 were reported to have developmental delay and intellectual disability. To improve outcome, a lysine‐restricted diet and competitive inhibition of lysine transport through the use of pharmacologic doses of arginine have been recommended as an adjunct therapy. These lysine‐reduction therapies have resulted in improved biochemical parameters and cognitive development in many but not all patients. The goal of these consensus guidelines is to re‐evaluate and update the two previously published recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and follow‐up of patients with PDE‐ALDH7A1. Members of the International PDE Consortium initiated evidence and consensus‐based process to review previous recommendations, new research findings, and relevant clinical aspects of PDE‐ALDH7A1. The guideline development group included pediatric neurologists, biochemical geneticists, clinical geneticists, laboratory scientists, and metabolic dieticians representing 29 institutions from 16 countries. Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with PDE‐ALDH7A1 are provided.
Whole‐Volume Tumor MRI Radiomics for Prognostic Modeling in Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Fasmer Kristine E. , Hodneland Erlend , Dybvik Julie A. , Wagner‐Larsen Kari , Trovik Jone , Salvesen Øyvind , Krakstad Camilla , Haldorsen Ingfrid H.S.
Published: November 2020

Background

In endometrial cancer (EC), preoperative pelvic MRI is recommended for local staging, while final tumor stage and grade are established by surgery and pathology. MRI‐based radiomic tumor profiling may aid in preoperative risk‐stratification and support clinical treatment decisions in EC.

Purpose

To develop MRI‐based whole‐volume tumor radiomic signatures for prediction of aggressive EC disease.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

A total of 138 women with histologically confirmed EC, divided into training (nT = 108) and validation cohorts (nV = 30).

Field Strength/Sequence

Axial oblique T1‐weighted gradient echo volumetric interpolated breath‐hold examination (VIBE) at 1.5T (71/138 patients) and DIXON VIBE at 3T (67/138 patients) at 2 minutes postcontrast injection.

Assessment

Primary tumors were manually segmented by two radiologists with 4 and 8 years' of experience. Radiomic tumor features were computed and used for prediction of surgicopathologically‐verified deep (≥50%) myometrial invasion (DMI), lymph node metastases (LNM), advanced stage (FIGO III + IV), nonendometrioid (NE) histology, and high‐grade endometrioid tumors (E3). Corresponding analyses were also conducted using radiomics extracted from the axial oblique image slice depicting the largest tumor area.

Statistical Tests

Logistic least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was applied for radiomic modeling in the training cohort. The diagnostic performances of the radiomic signatures were evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in the training (AUCT) and validation (AUCV) cohorts. Progression‐free survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

The whole‐tumor radiomic signatures yielded AUCT/AUCV of 0.84/0.76 for predicting DMI, 0.73/0.72 for LNM, 0.71/0.68 for FIGO III + IV, 0.68/0.74 for NE histology, and 0.79/0.63 for high‐grade (E3) tumor. Single‐slice radiomics yielded comparable AUCT but significantly lower AUCV for LNM and FIGO III + IV (both P < 0.05). Tumor volume yielded comparable AUCT to the whole‐tumor radiomic signatures for prediction of DMI, LNM, FIGO III + IV, and NE, but significantly lower AUCT for E3 tumors (P < 0.05). All of the whole‐tumor radiomic signatures significantly predicted poor progression‐free survival with hazard ratios of 4.6–9.8 (P < 0.05 for all).

Data Conclusion

MRI‐based whole‐tumor radiomic signatures yield medium‐to‐high diagnostic performance for predicting aggressive EC disease. The signatures may aid in preoperative risk assessment and hence guide personalized treatment strategies in EC.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Clinical performance of three fully automated anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoassays targeting the nucleocapsid or spike proteins
Authors: Favresse Julien , Cadrobbi Julie , Eucher Christine , Elsen Marc , Laffineur Kim , Dogné Jean‐Michel , Douxfils Jonathan
Published: November 2020

This study assesses the clinical performance of three anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 assays, namely EUROIMMUN anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid (IgG) ELISA, Elecsys anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid (total antibodies) assay, and LIAISON anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 spike proteins S1 and S2 (IgG) assay. One hundred and thirty‐seven coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) samples from 96 reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction confirmed patients were chosen to perform the sensitivity analysis. Non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 sera (n = 141) with a potential cross‐reaction to SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoassays were included in the specificity analysis. None of these tests demonstrated a sufficiently high clinical sensitivity to diagnose acute infection. Fourteen days since symptom onset, we did not find any significant difference between the three techniques in terms of sensitivities. However, Elecsys performed better in terms of specificity. All three anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 assays had equivalent sensitivities 14 days from symptom onset to diagnose past‐COVID‐19 infection. We also confirmed that anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 determination before Day 14 is of less clinical interest.
Corneal nonmyelinating Schwann cells illuminated by single‐cell transcriptomics and visualized by protein biomarkers
Authors: Bargagna‐Mohan Paola , Schultz Gwendolyn , Rheaume Bruce , Trakhtenberg Ephraim F. , Robson Paul , Pal‐Ghosh Sonali , Stepp Mary Ann , Given Katherine S. , Macklin Wendy B. , Mohan Royce
Published: November 2020

The cornea is the most innervated tissue in the human body. Myelinated axons upon inserting into the peripheral corneal stroma lose their myelin sheaths and continue into the central cornea wrapped by only nonmyelinating corneal Schwann cells (nm‐cSCs). This anatomical organization is believed to be important for central vision. Here we employed single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq), microscopy, and transgenics to characterize these nm‐cSCs of the central cornea. Using principal component analysis, uniform manifold approximation and projection, and unsupervised hierarchal cell clustering of scRNA‐seq data derived from central corneal cells of male rabbits, we successfully identified several clusters representing different corneal cell types, including a unique cell cluster representing nm‐cSCs. To confirm protein expression of cSC genes, we performed cross‐species validation, employing corneal whole‐mount immunostaining with confocal microscopy in mouse corneas. The expression of several representative proteins of nm‐cSCs were validated. As the proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) gene was also expressed in nm‐cSCs, we explored the Plp1‐eGFP transgenic reporter mouse line to visualize cSCs. Specific and efficient eGFP expression was observed in cSCs in adult mice of different ages. Of several putative cornea‐specific SC genes identified, Dickkopf‐related protein 1 was shown to be present in nm‐cSCs. Taken together, our findings, for the first time, identify important insights and tools toward the study nm‐cSCs in isolated tissue and adult animals. We expect that our results will advance the future study of nm‐cSCs in applications of nerve repair, and provide a resource for the study of corneal sensory function.
A Novel Assessment Method With Ultrasound for Obstructive Tonsillar Hypertrophy in Children
Authors: Sağtaş Ergin , Mengi Erdem , Kara Cüneyt Orhan , Şenol Hande
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To develop a new method for the objective evaluation of airway obstruction due to tonsillar hypertrophy using ultrasound (US) in children.

Methods

The oropharynx was examined in patients, and tonsil grades were evaluated according to the staging system of Brodsky et al (Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1987; 13:149–156). The narrowest intertonsillar distance (ITD) and widest transverse length of the tongue base (TLTB) were then measured by US, and their ratio was calculated. The clinical value of US was investigated for the classification of tonsillar hypertrophies as nonobstructive or obstructive by matching the patients’ clinical grades with the US data.

Results

A total of 102 patients (age range, 2–12 years) were included in the study. According to the Brodsky staging system, 44.1% and 55.9% of the patients were in nonobstructive (stages I and II) and obstructive (stages III and IV) tonsillar hypertrophy groups, respectively. The area under the curve was 0.991 (95% confidence interval, 0.977–0.999) according to a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis between the Brodsky staging and the ITD/TLTB ratio. The optimal cutoff value for the ITD/TLTB ratio for the diagnosis of obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy was found to be 0.3 or less, which had 96.5% sensitivity and 95.6% specificity.

Conclusions

The degree of airway obstruction due to tonsillar hypertrophy can be objectively determined by US in children. An ITD/TLTB ratio of 0.3 or less was found to be compatible with obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy. This new and easily applicable evaluation method may provide considerable value and guidance for tonsillectomy decisions.
Sialographic Analysis of Radioiodine‐Associated Chronic Sialadenitis
Authors: Thorpe Ryan K. , Foggia Megan J. , Marcus Kathryn S. , Policeni Bruno , Maley Joan E. , Hoffman Henry T.
Published: November 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To apply a novel sialography classification system to identify parotid and submandibular ductal findings following I‐131 therapy and to assess correlates to dose and duration of symptoms.

Study Design

Retrospective single‐center case series.

Methods

Patients who underwent sialography between February 2008 and February 2019 after previously receiving I‐131 treatment were identified via a retrospective chart review. Their sialograms were systematically evaluated and scored by applying the Iowa parotid sialogram scale to also include submandibular gland analysis.

Results

From 337 sialograms, 30 (five submandibular, 25 parotid) underwent analysis. Ductal stenosis was identified in all sialograms and was graded as moderate (>50%–75%) in 7/30 cases and severe (>75%) in 15/30 cases. The distal (main) duct was narrowed in 23/30 cases. No association was identified between degree of ductal stenosis and I‐131 dose (P = .39), age (P = .81), or time from I‐131 therapy to sialogram (P = .97).

Conclusions

The Iowa parotid sialogram scale was successfully applied to report abnormalities of the parotid and submandibular ductal system. The most common manifestation of I‐131‐associated sialadenitis was a severe stenosis within the distal salivary duct. No statistically significant association was found between degree of ductal stenosis and dose of I‐131, age, or duration of symptoms.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1450–E1456, 2021