bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of COVID-19 Infection in Mexico until 28 March, 2020: A Descriptive Ecological Study
Authors: Padilla-Raygoza Nicolás , Navarro-Olivos Efraín , Gallardo-Luna María de Jesús , Magos-Vazquez Francisco J.
Published: May 2020

Aims: To describe the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mexico.

Study Design: Ecological descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Registries of confirmed cases for COVID-19 in Mexican population during February and until 28 March 2020, 13:00 PM, from National System of Epidemiological Surveillance/ General Direction of Epidemiology/ Secretary of Health, Mexico.

Methodology: Accord to database of confirmed cases of COVID-19 by Secretary of Health in Mexico, it was collected data on age, gender, source of infection (travel to USA, European or Asian countries). It was included 848 registries.

Results: The first confirmed case in Mexico was 20 February 2020 and the frequency is arising at the end of February and throughout March. The early confirmed cases were imported cases for travel to USA, Italy, Germany, Spain, France and Singapore. No one travelled to China. Now, there are confirmed cases infected for contact with a case.

Conclusion: The frequency of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is higher and the health       authorities in Mexico are waiting that the peak of the epidemiological curve is in late March and early April.
Diagnosing Herpetic Genital Ulcers in a Resource-Limited Setting- What Works?
Authors: Singh Vyoma , Muralidhar Sumathi , Dar Lalit , Kundu Naveen , Ramesh V.
Published: May 2020

Aims: Globally, viral agents, especially herpes simplex virus (HSV), have overtaken the bacterial causes of genital ulcers. Very few laboratories in India, perform culture techniques and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of genital ulcers. This study aimed to establish the utility of existing tests, which are cheaper and need less technical expertise, when compared to newer tests such as PCR.

Study Design: This cross sectional study was carried out to determine the aetiology of genital ulcers, with emphasis on diagnosis of herpetic ulcers, using newer and more accurate methods of diagnosis and evaluating their performance by comparing against viral culture as gold standard test.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was carried out over a period of one year in the Apex Regional Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Centre at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi and the Department of Microbiology, AIIMS, New Delhi.

Methodology: Fifty three patients with genital ulcers were included in the study. Specimens from ulcers were taken for various tests, including Giemsa stain, ELISA for HSV-1 & 2, PCR and Viral culture for HSV.

Results: HSV was identified in 31 of 53 cases (58.5%), including 03 cases of HSV-1, and 28 cases of HSV-2. Sensitivity and specificity of PCR was 90.0% and 84.85%, respectively. Viral culture positivity was 37.7%.

Conclusion: Genital herpes is associated with an increased risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) acquisition, and clinical manifestations are diverse; hence a presumptive diagnosis should be confirmed by reliable laboratory tests. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are the most sensitive methods for direct detection of HSV. The extensive validation of these tests allows for their application in routine laboratory settings with consistency and greater diagnostic accuracy. When standardised and used, PCR is a highly reproducible, rapid and labour efficient method for HSV detection.
Proximal Redevelopment of Brownfield and Derelict Sites Near Institutions of Higher Education
Authors: Jr. Berkley N. King , Johnson Carol J. , Herron Sherry , Jr. Leroy Hamilton
Published: May 2020

It is critical to educate higher education faculty about the importance of redeveloping brownfields into usable spaces for campus expansion. While there are many studies on the success of brownfield redevelopment, research is limited on how professors’ perceptions on brownfield redevelopment can help their institutions to impact community initiatives and promote collaborative, environmental efforts. Hence, a need to design methods to collect, record and analyze professors’ perceptions became fundamental in capturing the voices of participants and ensuring the accuracy of their responses. The first set of analysis methods included categorizations, descriptions and interpretations of qualitative data. The secondary method of analysis utilized descriptive statistics to measure the most important indicators that influence professors’ perceptions to redevelop brownfield sites near their campus communities.

Pseudonyms are used for the three universities across Jefferson County in the State of Alabama which provided access to their professors. Findings from the study showed that professors from two universities were knowledgeable and aware of the sociological and economic challenges in low income communities where brownfields are geographically located. Findings also indicated that Eta-One University was a recipient of an EPA Region 4 grant that focused on educating low income communities associated with the presence of brownfield sites in their area. Alpha-One University was eager to establish a special partnership initiative. Although Gamma-One University was located in a high crime and low-income community with potential brownfield sites, the faculty showed no interest in participating in the study. Therefore, challenges and factors that Gamma-One University faced were undetermined.
Knowledge and Awareness of Cervical Cancer and Screening Practices among Nurses at Lahore General Hospital, Pakistan
Authors: Ayub Nazia , Maqsud Mahliqa , Tahseen Huma , Sharif Mehmona , Waris Nahid , Rai Aliezeh Fatima
Published: May 2020

Objective: To find out the knowledge, awareness and screening practices of cervical cancer among nurses at Lahore general Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, interview based study was conducted on 250 nurses at Lahore general Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. The duration of this study was one year from 2017 to 2018. All the cases underwent interview based information regarding cervical cases. The questionnaire was applied to assess the knowledge, awareness and screening practices about cervical cancer among nurses. Data was collected via self-made proforma.

Results: Most of the study participants were less than 35 years. 72% nurses were married and 28% were married. Most of the study participants 96% known that cervical cancer is the abnormal growth of cervical cells and few were unaware regarding it. According to causes of cervical cancer, 70% to 75.6% participants agreed with the causes of early marriage and multiple sex partners, while others had ideas of smoking, infection and hereditary causes. 25.5% nurses answered that it can occur in any age group, 11.2% replied in reproductive age group, 42.8% were agreed with menopausal age group and 20.4% had no idea. 75.6% to 95.5% nurses were in the favor of scanning, pap smear test and cervical biopsy methods. 85 participants said it is a preventable disease via vaccination, early diagnosis and safe sex activities.

Conclusion: It was concluded that nurses had satisfactory knowledge and screening practice cervical cancer at Lahore general Hospital.
Molecular Docking Analysis of Lipoprotein Receptor Antigen I –Causing Endocarditis Interaction with Antibiotics and Immunoglobulins
Authors: Alshehri Bader
Published: May 2020

Bacterial endocarditis is a life-threatening infectious disease. In recent years, significant changes have occurred in risk factors, prophylaxis, common causative microorganisms, antibiotic resistance patterns of these organisms, diagnostic criteria, and antibiotic treatment of bacterial endocarditis. The viridans group of streptococci the most common cause of endocarditis, and its lipoprotein receptor antigen proteins (LraI) function as adhesins in several streptococci, as a virulence factor for endocarditis. The increasing trend of antibiotic resistance towards endocarditis, there is an immediate need to identify the mechanisms of molecular interactions of these virulence factors with common antibiotics and immunoglobulins.  Thus, in this study, a group of five Streptococcal enzymes of LraI family (SsaB from Streptococcus sanguinis, ScaA from S. gordonii, PsaA from S. pneumoniae, FimA from S. parasanguinis, and ScbA from S. cristatus) were selected and considered as reactive sites. Three dimensional structure of the target receptor LraI family enzymes were docked with the antibiotic molecules using Hex 8.0.0 molecular docking method. The study found no potential affinity between the enzymes (receptors) and the antibiotics (ligands) during the molecular docking. However, a strong binding affinity towards IgM was observed with all the LraI family of five enzymes; hence, IgM was the most efficient antibody that could be used against bacterial endocarditis.
Antibacterial Effects of Oregano Essential Oil (OEO) and Its Potential Applications
Authors: Cabrera-Contreras R. , Morelos-Ramírez R. , Quiróz-Ríos J. P. , Muñoz-Quiróz D.
Published: May 2020

Essential oils (EOs) are commonly used in food industry, due that they possess antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. There are few essential oils that have been used in medicine, due to its potent antibacterial activity against intrahospital pathogens. OEO has experimentally shown potent antibacterial effect on nosocomial Gram-positive bacteria, therefore it can be very useful in hospital environments, where there are many bacterial pathogens, which are the etiological agents of nosocomial infections and most of them are resistant to several antibiotics.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine antimicrobial effect of OEO on most frequent bacterial intrahospital pathogens: MRSA, MRSE comparatively to selected ATCC bacterial reference strains.

Methods: This experimental study investigates the antibacterial action of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil (OvEO) on two human pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) Here, we used OEO against one of the most prominent antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains: methicillin-resistant SA (MRSAmecA+ = Meticillin Resistant SA and mecA- = Meticillin Resistance SA ), methicillin-resistant SE (MRSEmecA+ = Meticillin Resistance Staphylococcus epidermidis mecA+) and reference strains: S. aureus ATCC 700699, S. epidermidis ATCC 359845 and E. coli ATCC 25922. Bactericidal effects of the OEO on these bacteria were mainly evaluated using undiluted and four serial dilutions in coconut oil (CCO) l: 1:10, 1:100, 1:200, 1:400.

Results: OEO, undiluted and 4 serial dilutions showed potent antibacterial activity against all strains tested. In conclusion, this OEO could be used as an alternative in medicine. The ability of OEO to inhibit and kill clinical Multi-Drug-Resistant (MDR): MRSA and MRSE strains, highlights it´s potential for use in the management of drug-resistant MDR infections in hospitals wards.
DUI program heavy on testing, sanction reduces arrest in repeat offenders
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: May 2020

A much‐studied South Dakota initiative addressing repeat offenders for driving under the influence (DUI) now has the most compelling research evidence of support to date, with publication of individual‐level data showing program participants less likely to face rearrest or revocation of probation. The 24/7 Sobriety Program neither requires nor forbids offender participation in substance use treatment, relying instead on the deterrent effect of frequent alcohol testing combined with modest sanctions for noncompliance.
New York senator convenes virtual meeting on opioids
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2020

Last week, New York State Sen. Pete Harckham, a Democrat from the Hudson Valley who chairs the Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, held a virtual conference to discuss the challenges faced by substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs during the pandemic.
Virus Disinfection from Environmental Water Sources Using Living Engineered Biofilm Materials
Authors: Pu Jiahua , Liu Yi , Zhang Jicong , An Bolin , Li Yingfeng , Wang Xinyu , Din Kang , Qin Chong , Li Ke , Cui Mengkui , Liu Suying , Huang Yuanyuan , Wang Yanyi , Lv Yanan , Huang Jiaofang , Cui Zongqiang , Zhao Suwen , Zhong Chao
Published: May 2020

Waterborne viruses frequently cause disease outbreaks and existing strategies to remove such viral pathogens often involve harsh or energy‐consuming water treatment processes. Here, a simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly approach is reported to achieve highly selective disinfection of specific viruses with living engineered biofilm materials. As a proof‐of‐concept, Escherichia coli biofilm matrix protein CsgA was initially genetically fused with the influenza‐virus‐binding peptide (C5). The resultant engineered living biofilms could correspondingly capture virus particles directly from aqueous solutions, disinfecting samples to a level below the limit‐of‐detection for a qPCR‐based detection assay. By exploiting the surface‐adherence properties of biofilms, it is further shown that polypropylene filler materials colonized by the CsgA‐C5 biofilms can be utilized to disinfect river water samples with influenza titers as high as 1 × 107 PFU L−1. Additionally, a suicide gene circuit is designed and applied in the engineered strain that strictly limits the growth of bacterial, therefore providing a viable route to reduce potential risks confronted with the use of genetically modified organisms. The study thus illustrates that engineered biofilms can be harvested for the disinfection of pathogens from environmental water samples in a controlled manner and highlights the unique biology‐only properties of living substances for material applications.
Sacral protuberance with cleft lip and palate: Prenatal presentation of 3MC syndrome
Authors: Lawson Cathleen , Blakemore Karin J. , Ryan Rebecca , Hooper Jody E. , Tsimis Michael , Jelin Angie
Published: May 2020

3MC syndromes are rare heterogeneous autosomal recessive conditions previously designated as Mingarelli, Malpuech, Michels, and Carnevale syndromes, characterized by dysmorphic facial features, facial clefts, growth restriction, and intellectual disability. 3MC is secondary to mutations in the MASP1, MASP3, COLEC11, and COLEC10 genes. The number of patients with 3MC syndrome with known mutations in the COLEC11 or MASP1 is, to date, less than 50. At the time this case presented (2015), the only gene identified in Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man to be associated with 3MC syndrome was MASP1. We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first prenatal report of 3MC syndrome, secondary to a homozygous variant in MASP1. Fetal findings included bilateral cleft lip and palate, abnormality of the sacral spine, a right echogenic pelvic kidney, and brachycephaly. 3MC syndrome should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis when fetal ultrasound detects facial clefts and spinal defects, as the risk of recurrence is significant and a molecularly confirmed diagnosis allows for alternate reproductive options.
Genes that escape from X‐chromosome inactivation: Potential contributors to Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Navarro‐Cobos Maria Jose , Balaton Bradley P. , Brown Carolyn J.
Published: May 2020

One of the two X chromosomes in females is epigenetically inactivated, thereby compensating for the dosage difference in X‐linked genes between XX females and XY males. Not all X‐linked genes are completely inactivated, however, with 12% of genes escaping X chromosome inactivation and another 15% of genes varying in their X chromosome inactivation status across individuals, tissues or cells. Expression of these genes from the second and otherwise inactive X chromosome may underlie sex differences between males and females, and feature in many of the symptoms of XXY Klinefelter males, who have both an inactive X and a Y chromosome. We review the approaches used to identify genes that escape from X‐chromosome inactivation and discuss the nature of their sex‐biased expression. These genes are enriched on the short arm of the X chromosome, and, in addition to genes in the pseudoautosomal regions, include genes with and without Y‐chromosomal counterparts. We highlight candidate escape genes for some of the features of Klinefelter syndrome and discuss our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying silencing and escape on the X chromosome as well as additional differences between the X in males and females that may contribute to Klinefelter syndrome.
Ultrahigh Branching of Main‐Chain‐Functionalized Polyethylenes by Inverted Insertion Selectivity
Authors: Zhang Yuxing , Wang Chaoqun , Mecking Stefan , Jian Zhongbao
Published: May 2020

Branched polyolefin microstructures resulting from so‐called “chain walking” are a fascinating feature of late transition metal catalysts; however, to date it has not been demonstrated how desirable branched polyolefin microstructures can be generated thereby. We demonstrate how highly branched polyethylenes with methyl branches (220 Me/1000 C) exclusively and very high molecular weights (ca. 106 g mol−1), reaching the branch density and microstructure of commercial ethylene–propylene elastomers, can be generated from ethylene alone. At the same time, polar groups on the main chain can be generated by in‐chain incorporation of methyl acrylate. Key to this strategy is a novel rigid environment in an α‐diimine PdII catalyst with a steric constraint that allows for excessive chain walking and branching, but restricts branch formation to methyl branches, hinders chain transfer to afford a living polymerization, and inverts the regioselectivity of acrylate insertion to a 1,2‐mode.
Adaptive Flexible Sialylated Nanogels as Highly Potent Influenza A Virus Inhibitors
Authors: Bhatia Sumati , Hilsch Malte , Cuellar‐Camacho Jose Luis , Ludwig Kai , Nie Chuanxiong , Parshad Badri , Wallert Matthias , Block Stephan , Lauster Daniel , Böttcher Christoph , Herrmann Andreas , Haag Rainer
Published: May 2020

Flexible multivalent 3D nanosystems that can deform and adapt onto the virus surface via specific ligand–receptor multivalent interactions can efficiently block virus adhesion onto the cell. We here report on the synthesis of a 250 nm sized flexible sialylated nanogel that adapts onto the influenza A virus (IAV) surface via multivalent binding of its sialic acid (SA) residues with hemagglutinin spike proteins on the virus surface. We could demonstrate that the high flexibility of sialylated nanogel improves IAV inhibition by 400 times as compared to a rigid sialylated nanogel in the hemagglutination inhibition assay. The flexible sialylated nanogel efficiently inhibits the influenza A/X31 (H3N2) infection with IC50 values in low picomolar concentrations and also blocks the virus entry into MDCK‐II cells.
Absolute Configuration of Small Molecules by Co‐Crystallization
Authors: Krupp Felix , Frey Wolfgang , Richert Clemens
Published: May 2020

The most reliable method to determine the absolute configuration of chiral molecules is X‐ray crystallography, but small molecules can be difficult to crystallize. We report rapid co‐crystallization of tetraaryladamantanes with small molecules as different as n‐decane to nicotine to produce crystals for X‐ray analysis and the assignment of absolute configuration when the molecules are chiral. A screen of 52 diverse compounds gave inclusion in co‐crystals for 88 % of all cases and a high‐resolution structure in 77 % of cases. Furthermore, starting from three milligrams of analyte, a combination of NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography produced a full structure in less than three days using an adamantane crystallization chaperone that encapsulates the analyte at room temperature.
Impact of Genotype on Carotenoids Profile in Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles japonica) Seed Oil
Authors: Radziejewska‐Kubzdela Elżbieta , Górnaś Paweł
Published: May 2020

The Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) is a fruit crop that is processed for industry nearly 100% and generates considerable quantities of seeds. The seeds of Japanese quince can be an alternative raw material for the recovery of oil rich in phytosterols, tocopherols, and carotenoids. Despite having been reported for high content of carotenoids, their composition has not been determined yet. Therefore, in the present study, the profiles of carotenoids in the seed oil of 12 genotypes Japanese quince were studied. Overall, seven carotenoids were identified (β‐carotene, β‐cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, violaxanthin, trans‐, and cis‐neoxanthin), and one was unidentified. In eight and three of the investigated genotypes of Japanese quince all eight and seven forms of carotenoids, respectively, were found. While in genotype SR‐1‐1A only three carotenoids were detected. The content of total carotenoids in different seed oils of Japanese quince measured via HPLC was in the range of 2.05–3.81 mg/100 g of oil. The PCA showed that most of the studied samples (83%) were located in one group providing a similar composition and concentration of carotenoids in most genotypes of Japanese quince. A critical finding for industrial/manufacturing processes that require similar and reproducible quality parameters.
Development and characterization of EST‐SSR markers for Camellia reticulata
Authors: Tong Yan , Gao Li‐Zhi
Published: May 2020

Premise

Camellia reticulata, which is native to southwestern China, is an economically important plant belonging to the family Theaceae. We developed expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeat (EST‐SSR) markers for C. reticulata, which can be used to investigate its genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary history.

Methods and Results

We detected 4780 SSRs in C. reticulata from Camellia RNA‐Seq data deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information's expressed sequence tags database (dbEST). Primer pairs for 70 SSR loci were designed and used for PCR amplification using 90 individuals from four populations of C. reticulata. Of these loci, 50 microsatellite markers were successfully identified, including 11 polymorphic markers. The allele number per locus ranged from two to seven (mean = 4.182), and the levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.044 to 0.567 and from 0.166 to 0.642, respectively. Eleven primer pairs amplified PCR products in three other species of Camellia (C. saluenensis, C. pitardii, and C. yunnanensis).

Conclusions

The set of microsatellite markers developed here can be used to study the genetic variation and population structure of C. reticulata and related species and thereby help to develop conservation strategies for this species.
Scalable, two‐stage, autoinduction of recombinant protein expression in E. coli utilizing phosphate depletion
Authors: Menacho‐Melgar Romel , Ye Zhixia , Moreb Eirik A. , Yang Tian , Efromson John P. , Decker John S. , Wang Ruixin , Lynch Michael D.
Published: May 2020

We report the scalable production of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli, reliant on tightly controlled autoinduction, triggered by phosphate depletion in the stationary phase. The method, reliant on engineered strains and plasmids, enables improved protein expression across scales. Expression levels using this approach have reached as high as 55% of the total cellular protein. The initial use of the method in instrumented fed‐batch fermentations enables cell densities of ∼30 gCDW/L and protein titers up to 8.1 ± 0.7 g/L (∼270 mg/gCDW). The process has also been adapted to an optimized autoinduction media, enabling routine batch production at culture volumes of 20 μl (384‐well plates), 100 μl (96‐well plates), 20 ml, and 100 ml. In batch cultures, cell densities routinely reach ∼5–7 gCDW/L, offering protein titers above 2 g/L. The methodology has been validated with a set of diverse heterologous proteins and is of general use for the facile optimization of routine protein expression from high throughput screens to fed‐batch fermentation.
Management of a primary malignant melanoma of uterine cervix stage IVA patient with radical surgery and adjuvant oncolytic virus Rigvir® therapy: A case report
Authors: Pumpure Elizabete , Dručka Eva , Kigitoviča Dana , Meškauskas Raimundas , Isajevs Sergejs , Nemiro Ineta , Rasa Agnija , Olmane Evija , Zablocka Tatjana , Alberts Pēteris , Doniņa Simona
Published: May 2020

Primary malignant melanoma of the uterine cervix is a rare disease with poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. We used Rigvir® as adjuvant therapy for a stage IVA patient. Tolerability, overall and progression‐free survival are good.
Sago‐like appearance of pleura in Tuberculosis
Authors: Dhungana Ashesh , Shrestha Prajowl
Published: May 2020

Medical thoracoscopy is an excellent tool for evaluation of exudative pleural effusion, and sago‐like appearance of parietal pleura is highly specific for tuberculosis.
Invasive ductal carcinoma of breast and squamous cell carcinoma of anterior chest wall—A rare collision
Authors: Mallik Dhiraj , Ravi Bina , Kumar Navin , Chattopadhyay Debarati , Syed Anjum , Joshi Prashant
Published: May 2020

Collision tumors are two distinct neoplasms seen together in same anatomic site. Management of such rare entity still lacks standardization with unknown prognosis. Here we are presenting one such rare case of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast and squamous cell carcinoma of anterior chest wall in a 31‐year‐old lady.
Investigation on the leading phase of Al2O3/YAG eutectic crystals prepared by directional solidification
Authors: Zhong Yujie , Wang Shengjie , Liu Yangru , Gao Qian , Wang Kuikui , Wang Xu
Published: May 2020

The leading phase of eutectic materials has an effect on the solidification behavior and further influences on their properties. Many studies have been carried out on the leading phase of metal/metal and nonmetal/metal eutectic alloys. Nevertheless, few studies were focused on no‐metal/no‐metal eutectic materials. In the present work, the leading phase in the Al2O3/Y3Al5O12 eutectic crystal during solidification was investigated by electron back‐scattered diffraction and discussed according to the classical solidification theory. It is observed that the Y3Al5O12 was the leading phase. The leading phase was determined by the wetting angle and the undercooling. At a given wetting angle, the Y3Al5O12 would be the leading phase when the undercooling exceeds the critical value.
Controlled Release of Reactive Gases: A Tale of Taming Carbon Monoxide
Authors: Ravn Anne K. , Johansen Martin B. , Skrydstrup Troels
Published: May 2020

This Personal Account describes the development of air‐stable and solid precursors for on‐demand release of carbon monoxide. In combination with the development of a two‐chamber reactor, COware®, CO liberation can be achieved under safe working conditions, as well as allowing transition metal‐mediated carbonylations with stoichiometric carbon monoxide. Particularly appealing is the adaptability of this chemical technology for the preparation of carbon isotope labeled bioactive compounds.
Patients' perceived lack of goal clarity in psychological treatments: Scale development and negative correlates
Authors: Geurtzen Naline , Keijsers Ger P.J. , Karremans Johan C. , Tiemens Bea G. , Hutschemaekers Giel J.M.
Published: May 2020

Goal setting in psychological treatments may have favourable effects on patients' motivation and treatment outcomes. Therefore, it seems important to detect when patients do not perceive clear treatment goals. The current study presents a questionnaire measuring patients' perceived lack of goal clarity. The cross‐sectional study consisted of 742 adult outpatients with diverse mental disorders. Patients completed the perceived lack of goal clarity questionnaire, and additional items measuring goal setting and evaluation, therapeutic alliance, symptom levels, patients' dependency on their treatment, and their expected and needed number of future treatment sessions. Exploratory factor analysis and reliability analyses resulted in a unidimensional and reliable questionnaire (nine items, α = .85). Additional findings showed that 23% of the treatments lacked initial goal setting according to the patients. Also, perceived lack of goal clarity was lower when treatment goals were established explicitly at the start of treatment, were formulated together with the therapist, and were discussed regularly during treatment, and treatment progress was monitored regularly. Moreover, patients reporting their goals as unclear also reported a poorer quality of the therapeutic alliance, higher symptom levels, increased need for future sessions, but also lower levels of care dependency. These findings underscore the importance of perceived goal clarity in psychological treatments, although the relation with actual goal setting remains uncertain.
Infant rats can acquire, but not retain contextual associations in object‐in‐context and contextual fear conditioning paradigms
Authors: Sanders Hollie R. , Heroux Nicholas A. , Stanton Mark E.
Published: May 2020

Context learning in postnatal day (PD) 16–18 rats has been taken by Revillo, Cotella, Paglini, and Arias (2015, Physiology & Behavior, 148, 6–21) to challenge the view that the ontogeny of contextual learning is related to the development of the hippocampal system (Rudy, 1993, Behavioral Neuroscience, 107(5), 887–891; Schiffino, Murawski, Rosen, & Stanton, 2011 Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 95(2), 190–198). Whether context learning is “incidental” or “reinforcement‐driven” may determine the ontogeny and neural systems involved (Rudy, 2009, Learning & Memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.), 16, 573–585). However, we have shown differential ontogeny of two different forms of incidental context learning, the context pre‐exposure facilitation effect (CPFE; Jablonski, Schiffino, & Stanton, 2012, Developmental Psychobiology, 54(7), 714–722), which emerges between PD 17 and 21; and object‐in‐context recognition (OiC, Ramsaran, Westbrook, & Stanton, 2016, Developmental Psychobiology, 58(7), 883–895; Ramsaran, Sanders, & Stanton, 2016, Behavioural Brain Research, 298, 37–47), which is present on PD17. We investigated whether this task‐dissociation reflects an encoding or a retention deficit, by varying the sample‐to‐testing intervals for both tasks. Experiment 1A found that PD17 rats were able to perform the OiC task after short (5 min) but not long (24 hr) sample‐to‐test intervals. Experiments 1B and 1C found that PD17 rats trained on the CPFE are able to acquire and express context‐shock associations after short but not long retention intervals. These findings suggest that pre‐weanling rats encode contexts but show poor consolidation or retrieval after longer retention intervals.
Modularity and heterochrony in the evolution of the ceratopsian dinosaur frill
Authors: Prieto‐Márquez Albert , Garcia‐Porta Joan , Joshi Shantanu H. , Norell Mark A. , Makovicky Peter J.
Published: May 2020

The fossil record provides compelling examples of heterochrony at macroevolutionary scales such as the peramorphic giant antlers of the Irish elk. Heterochrony has also been invoked in the evolution of the distinctive cranial frill of ceratopsian dinosaurs such as Triceratops. Although ceratopsian frills vary in size, shape, and ornamentation, quantitative analyses that would allow for testing hypotheses of heterochrony are lacking. Here, we use geometric morphometrics to examine frill shape variation across ceratopsian diversity and within four species preserving growth series. We then test whether the frill constitutes an evolvable module both across and within species, and compare growth trajectories of taxa with ontogenetic growth series to identify heterochronic processes. Evolution of the ceratopsian frill consisted primarily of progressive expansion of its caudal and caudolateral margins, with morphospace occupation following taxonomic groups. Although taphonomic distortion represents a complicating factor, our data support modularity both across and within species. Peramorphosis played an important role in frill evolution, with acceleration operating early in neoceratopsian evolution followed by progenesis in later diverging cornosaurian ceratopsians. Peramorphic evolution of the ceratopsian frill may have been facilitated by the decoupling of this structure from the jaw musculature, an inference that predicts an expansion of morphospace occupation and higher evolutionary rates among ceratopsids as indeed borne out by our data. However, denser sampling of the meager record of early‐diverging taxa is required to test this further.
Adaptation to monogamy influences parental care but not mating behavior in the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides
Authors: Schrader Matthew , Keller Madolin K. , Lucey Garrett F.
Published: May 2020

The mating system is expected to have an important influence on the evolution of mating and parenting behaviors. Although many studies have used experimental evolution to examine how mating behaviors evolve under different mating systems, this approach has seldom been used to study the evolution of parental care. We used experimental evolution to test whether adaptation to different mating systems involves changes in mating and parenting behaviors in populations of the burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides. We maintained populations under monogamy or promiscuity for six generations. This manipulation had an immediate impact on reproductive performance and adult survival. Compared to monogamy, promiscuity reduced brood size and adult (particularly male) survival during breeding. After six generations of experimental evolution, there was no divergence between monogamous and promiscuous populations in mating behaviors. Parents from the promiscuous populations (especially males) displayed less care than parents from the monogamous populations. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that male care will increase with the certainty of paternity. However, it appears that this change is not associated with a concurrent change in mating behaviors.
A V2G strategy to increase the cost–benefit of primary frequency regulation considering EV battery degradation
Authors: Tamura Shigeru
Published: May 2020

Electric vehicle (EV) will prevail in the near future and many EVs are expected to be parked all day or almost all day according to a survey in Japan. They can contribute as vehicle‐to‐grid (V2G) to primary frequency regulation in power systems. However, as lithium‐ion battery or EV battery is still expensive, it is economically important to evaluate V2G frequency regulation cost. This paper proposes the evaluation method of the frequency regulation cost. The proposed method is based on the EV battery cost and longevity, which is shortened by performing the frequency regulation. The battery degradation consists of calendar aging and cycle aging, and an empirical model is used in this paper. Simulation results are shown using the proposed method under the various conditions such as state of charge (SoC) of the EV battery. Those results indicate a V2G control strategy to increase the cost–benefit of primary frequency regulation.
Extend output voltage range of AC/AC converters using a reversible indirect matrix converter
Authors: Okuzono Kodai , Haga Hitoshi
Published: May 2020

This paper proposes a reversible indirect matrix converter that expands the output voltage range. The proposed circuit has two operation modes. A buck mode that supplies an output voltage lower than the input voltage, and a boost mode that supplies an output voltage higher than the input voltage. In the boost mode, the proposed circuit has the characteristics of the current type inverter therefore, it is possible to obtain an output voltage with less harmonics. The proposed system is validated with a 2 kW prototype. The proposed circuit shows that the input/output voltage ratio of AC/AC direct conversion obtained is 0 to 1.2 or more. Moreover, the conversion efficiency of the proposed circuit is 92.8%.
Human T cells interacting with HNSCC‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells acquire tissue‐resident memory like properties
Authors: Mazzoni Alessio , Maggi Laura , Montaini Gianni , Ramazzotti Matteo , Capone Manuela , Vanni Anna , Locatello Luca Giovanni , Barra Giusi , De Palma Raffaele , Gallo Oreste , Cosmi Lorenzo , Liotta Francesco , Annunziato Francesco
Published: May 2020

Tissue‐resident memory (Trm) cells are specialized components of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets that persist in peripheral nonlymphoid tissues following infections and provide fast response in case of a secondary invasion by the same pathogen. Trm cells express the surface markers CD69, CD103, and the immune checkpoint molecule PD‐1. Trm cells develop not only in the context of infections but also in tumors, where they can provide a line of defense as suggested by the positive correlation between the frequency of tumor‐infiltrating Trm cells and patients’ survival. Trm cells persistence in peripheral tissues depends on their adaptation to the local microenvironment and the presence of survival factors, mainly IL‐7, IL‐15, and Notch ligands. However, the cell sources of these factors are largely unknown, especially in the context of tumors. Here, we show that head–neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is enriched in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with a Trm phenotype. Moreover, we show that mesenchymal stromal cells that accumulate in HNSCC are a source of survival factors and allow proper expression of Trm‐typical markers in a VCAM1‐dependent manner.
Automated fitting of thermogravimetric analysis data
Authors: Bruns Morgan C. , Leventon Isaac T.
Published: May 2020

A novel methodology has been developed for extracting pyrolysis kinetic parameters from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data. The development of this methodology is motivated by a need to automate the determination of material properties for use in fire models. The algorithm with which the methodology is implemented is described. Aside from being fully automated, the resultant script has the advantage of being efficient—a full set of kinetic parameters is provided in less than 1 second. The script is verified against manufactured TGA data for one and two reaction mechanisms and the effects of reaction peak width and the distance between reaction peaks is examined. Validation is accomplished by applying the script to TGA data for Nylon 6,6, a flexible polyurethane foam, and polyvinyl chloride. The resultant kinetic parameters are tabulated, and plots of the actual and predicted TGA data show that the algorithm is quite effective for one, two, and three reaction mechanisms.
Is the ultrasonic scalpel recommended in head and neck surgery during the COVID‐19 pandemic? State‐of‐the‐art review
Authors: Mayo‐Yánez Miguel , Calvo‐Henríquez Christian , Lechien Jérôme R. , Fakhry Nicolas , Ayad Tareck , Chiesa‐Estomba Carlos M.
Published: May 2020

Background

Guidelines for ultrasonic devices use are imperative because infectious aerosols arising from airway procedures were a key etiologic factor in prior coronavirus outbreaks. This manuscript aims to summarize the available recommendations and the most relevant concepts about the use of ultrasonic scalpel during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic.

Methods

Literature review of manuscripts with patients, animal models, or in vitro studies where the ultrasonic scalpel was used and the plume produced was analyzed in a quantitative and/ or qualitative way.

Discussion

Activated devices with tissue produce a biphasic bioaerosol composed (size 68.3‐994 nm) of tissue particles, blood, intact and no viable cells, and carcinogenic or irritant hydrocarbons (benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, toluene, heptene, and methylpropene).

Conclusion

It is imperative to use an active smoke evacuator, to avoid ultrasonic scalpel use in COVID‐19 positive patients and in upper airway surgery, as well as to follow the protection recommendations of the guidelines for management this type of patients.
The history of long‐term potentiation as a memory mechanism: Controversies, confirmation, and some lessons to remember
Authors: Dringenberg Hans C.
Published: May 2020

The discovery of long‐term potentiation (LTP) provided the first, direct evidence for long‐lasting synaptic plasticity in the living brain. Consequently, LTP was proposed to serve as a mechanism for information storage among neurons, thus providing the basis for the behavioral and psychological phenomena of learning and long‐term memory formation. However, for several decades, the LTP‐memory hypothesis remained highly controversial, with inconsistent and contradictory evidence providing a barrier to its general acceptance. This review summarizes the history of these early debates, challenges, and experimental strategies (successful and unsuccessful) to establish a link between LTP and memory. Together, the empirical evidence, gathered over a period of about four decades, strongly suggests that LTP serves as one of the mechanisms affording learning and memory storage in neuronal circuits. Notably, this body of work also offers some important lessons that apply to the broader fields of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. As such, the history of LTP as a learning mechanism provides valuable insights to neuroscientists exploring the relations between brain and psychological states.
Development of a specialist pharmacist career ladder system and a pharmacy residency program as a result of global partnerships: The experience of Taipei Medical University
Authors: Cheng Kuei‐Ju , Kuo Li‐Na , Shen Wan‐Chen , Chen Hsiang‐Yin , Chien Shu‐Chen , Chen Bi‐Li , Chang Elizabeth H.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Global partnerships and collaboration of pharmacy schools between the United States and Asian countries have great impacts on the development of clinical pharmacy. This article describes the decadal experience of Taipei Medical University (TMU) concerning clinical pharmacy development via partnerships with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and a number of schools of pharmacy and hospital pharmacies in the U.S. and Asian countries. We specifically focus on describing the process and outcomes of the specialist pharmacist (SP) system and the residency program.

Methods

After the 6‐year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program at TMU was approved in 2013, a number of strategies were used to advance clinical pharmacy development, including experiential faculty and site preparation, didactic faculty development, and international conferences. For the purpose of this paper, documents from TMU‐affiliated hospitals (Taipei Medical University Hospital [TMUH], Wan Fang Hospital [WFH], and Shuang Ho Hospital [SHH]) and the TMU College of Pharmacy regarding the SP system and the residency program were reviewed and analyzed.

Results

In 2017, TMU passed the SP career ladder system and WFH started the pharmacy residency program. As of 2020, there are a total of 7 SPs certified in three major TMU‐affiliated hospitals. Two pharmacy residents completed training in WFH. Global engagement with universities in Vietnam and Indonesia allowed TMU to give back to the global community by offering faculty development and clinical pharmacy preceptor training.

Conclusion

Through global partnerships, innovations in clinical pharmacy development can be diffused more widely and have resulted in practice changes such as an SP system and residency program at TMU. The experiences may provide value for those seeking to expand clinical pharmacy development via international engagement.
3D morphological and biophysical changes in a single tachyzoite and its infected cells using three‐dimensional quantitative phase imaging
Authors: Firdaus Egy Rahman , Park Ji‐Hoon , Lee Seong‐Kyun , Park YongKeun , Cha Guang‐Ho , Han Eun‐Taek
Published: May 2020

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in the human body and commonly infects warm‐blooded organisms. Pathophysiology of its diseases is still an interesting issue to be studied since T gondii can infect nearly all nucleated cells. Imaging techniques are crucial for studying its pathophysiology. In T gondii‐infected cells structural and biochemical alterations occurred. To study that modification, we use digital holotomography to investigate the structure and biochemical alteration of single tachyzoite and its infected cells in a label‐free and quantitative manner. Quantification analysis was done by measuring the refractive index distribution, which provides information about the concentration and dry mass of individual cells. This study showed that holotomography could be effectively used to identify the structural and biochemical alteration in tremendously different cells in supporting pathophysiological research in particular for T gondii‐caused diseases.
Flow with variable pulse frequencies accelerates vascular recellularization and remodeling of a human bioscaffold
Authors: Van de Walle Aurore B. , McFetridge Peter S.
Published: May 2020

Despite significant advances in vascular tissue engineering, the ideal graft has not yet been developed and autologous vessels remain the gold standard substitutes for small diameter bypass procedures. Here, we explore the use of a flow field with variable pulse frequencies over the regeneration of an ex vivo‐derived human scaffold as vascular graft. Briefly, human umbilical veins were decellularized and used as scaffold for cellular repopulation with human smooth muscle cells (SMC) and endothelial cells (EC). Over graft development, the variable flow, which mimics the real‐time cardiac output of an individual performing daily activities (e.g., resting vs. exercising), was implemented and compared to the commonly used constant pulse frequency. Results show marked differences on SMC and EC function, with changes at the molecular level reflecting on tissue scales. First, variable frequencies significantly increased SMC proliferation rate and glycosaminoglycan production. These results can be tied with the SMC gene expression that indicates a synthetic phenotype, with a significant downregulation of myosin heavy chain. Additionally and quite remarkably, the variable flow frequencies motivated the re‐endothelialization of the grafts, with a quiescent‐like structure observed after 10 days of conditioning, contrasting with the low surface coverage and unaligned EC observed under constant frequency (CF). Besides, the overall biomechanics of the generated grafts (conditioned with both pulsed and CFs) evidence a significant remodeling after 55 days of culture, depicted by high burst pressure and Young's modulus. These last results demonstrate the positive recellularization and remodeling of a human‐derived scaffold toward an arterial vessel.
In vitro evaluation of novel titania‐containing borate bioactive glass scaffolds
Authors: Shafaghi Romina , Rodriguez Omar , Wren Anthony W. , Chiu Loraine , Schemitsch Emil H. , Zalzal Paul , Waldman Stephen D. , Papini Marcello , Towler Mark R.
Published: May 2020

Titanium‐containing borate bioactive glass scaffolds (0, 5, 15, and 20 mol %, identified as BRT0, BRT1, BRT3, and BRT4) with a microstructure similar to that of human trabecular bone were prepared and evaluated in vitro for potential bone loss applications in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) cell viability assays of scaffold ion release extracts revealed that BRT0 scaffolds (0 mol % titanium) inhibited cell proliferation and activity at day 14. At day 30, all scaffold extracts decreased cell proliferation and activity significantly. However, live/dead cell assay results demonstrated that degradation products from all the scaffolds had no inhibitory effect on cell viability. Significant bactericidal efficacies of BRT3 extracts against Escherishia coli (Gram‐negative) and BRT1 extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis (both Gram‐positive bacteria) were demonstrated. Finally, evaluation of the cell/bioactive glass surface interactions showed well‐spread cells on the surface of the BRT3 glass discs and BRT1 and BRT3 scaffolds, when compared to BRT0 and BRT4 scaffolds. The results indicate that by changing the Ti4+:B3+ ratio, the ion release and consequently cell proliferation could be improved. in vitro results in this study demonstrate that BRT3 scaffolds could be a promising candidate for addressing bone loss in rTKAs; however, in vivo studies would be required to evaluate the effect of a dynamic environment on the cell and tissue response to the fabricated scaffolds.