bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable drug release from highly porous and architecturally engineered composite scaffolds prepared by 3D printing
Authors: Tamjid Elnaz , Bohlouli Mahsa , Mohammadi Soheila , Alipour Hossein , Nikkhah Maryam
Published: March 2020

Additive manufacturing techniques have evolved novel opportunities for the fabrication of highly porous composite scaffolds with well‐controlled and interconnected pore structures which is notably important for tissue engineering. In this work, poly (ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)‐based composite scaffolds (average pore diameter of 450 μm and strut thickness of 400 μm) reinforced with 10 vol% bioactive glass particles (BG; ∼6 μm) or TiO2 nanoparticles (∼21 nm), containing different concentrations of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) as an antimicrobial agent, were prepared by 3D printing. In order to investigate the effect of fabrication process and scaffold geometry on the biocompatibility, drug release kinetics, and antibacterial activity, polymer and composite films (2D structures) were also prepared by solvent casting method. We demonstrate that even without any additional coating layer, sustainable release can be attained on highly porous scaffolds prepared by 3D printing due to chemical interactions between functional groups of TCH and the bioactive particles. Herein, the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the release rate is substantially more pronounced than BG particles. Nevertheless, agar well‐diffusion and MTT assays determine better cellular viability and higher antibacterial effect for PCL/BG composite. Although all the drug‐eluting composite scaffolds exhibit acceptable hemocompatibility, in vitro cellular and bacterial studies also determine that the maximum amount of TCH that can inhibit gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria without cytotoxicity effect (≥95% viability) is 0.57 mg/ml. These findings may pave the way for designing structurally engineered composite scaffolds with sustainable drug release profile by additive manufacturing techniques for tissue engineering applications.
Structure, mechanical, optical, and imaging contrast features of Yb3+, Dy3+, Tb3+, Gd3+, Eu3+, and Nd3+substituted Y2O3‐Ln2O3solid solution
Authors: Kalaivani Srigurunathan , Kannan Sanjeevi
Published: March 2020

Bulk ceramic that possess the combined features of structural stability at elevated temperatures, appropriate mechanical stability, luminescence features, magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging capacity in a single platform is considered an exciting prospect in biomedical applications. In this study, six different lanthanides (Ln3+:Yb3+, Dy3+, Tb3+, Gd3+, Eu3+, and Nd3+) were combined together to yield a Y2O3:Ln2O3solid solution and subsequently tested for the proposed application. Three different Y2O3:Ln2O3solid solutions were formed by varying the concentrations of Ln3+precursors. A unique cubic crystal structure withIa‐3 (206)space setting is retained until 1500 °C and moreover an expanded lattice is accomplished with the gradual inclusion of six different Ln3+. Optical analysis inferred the characteristic electronic transitions of all the Ln3+and moreover up‐conversion and down‐conversion emission behavior were also attributed by the material during excitation at 795 and 350 nm. Nanoindentation studies exercised on the material envisaged reasonably enhanced hardness and Young's modulus values. Further, the enhanced CT imaging potential alongside in vitro MRI study deliberating the longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxivity ability of the material is also established.
A‐kinase interacting protein 1 (AKIP1) associates with advanced overall disease condition, tumor properties, and unfavorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Fang Tao , Lu Qi
Published: March 2020

Objective

The presented study aimed to investigate the association of A‐kinase interacting protein 1 (AKIP1) expression with tumor properties, liver functions, cancer markers, and overall survival (OS) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods

A total of 432 HCC patients receiving surgery were retrospectively reviewed in our study. Clinical characteristics of patients were obtained. Tumor tissue specimens of all patients were collected, and AKIP1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. OS was assessed, and the median follow‐up duration was 35.0 months. AKIP1 high expression was defined as total IHC score more than 3 and was further graded as AKIP1 high+ (IHC 4‐6), AKIP1 high++ (IHC 7‐9), and AKIP1 high+++ (IHC 10‐12).

Results

About 265 (61.3%) patients presented with AKIP1 low expression and 167 (38.7%) patients had AKIP1 high expression. AKIP1 high expression correlated with higher performance status score (P = .006), largest tumor size ≥5.0 cm (P < .001), Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stage B (vs stage A; P = .024), increased alpha‐fetoprotein level (P = .036), and higher carbohydrate antigen 199 level (P < .001). AKIP1 high expression (P < .001) and increased AKIP1 expression grade (P < .001) both correlated with worse OS, and Cox's regression analyses revealed that AKIP1 high expression (P < .001) was an independent predictive factor for shorter OS. In subgroup analysis, AKIP1 high expression and more advanced AKIP1 expression grade associated with worse OS in both BCLC stage A subgroup patients (both P < .001) and BCLC stage B subgroup patients (both P < .001), respectively.

Conclusion

AKIP1 is a novel and promising biomarker for disease monitoring and prognosis in HCC patients.
Resurgence following differential reinforcement of alternative behavior implemented with and without extinction
Authors: Brown Katherine R. , Greer Brian D. , Craig Andrew R. , Sullivan William E. , Fisher Wayne W. , Roane Henry S.
Published: March 2020

In the clinic, differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) often involves programming extinction for destructive behavior while reinforcing an alternative form of communication (e.g., a functional communication response); however, implementing extinction can be unsafe or impractical under some circumstances. Quantitative theories of resurgence (i.e., Behavioral Momentum Theory and Resurgence as Choice) predict differences in the efficacy of treatments that do and do not involve extinction of target responding when reinforcement conditions maintaining alternative responding worsen. We tested these predictions by examining resurgence following two DRA conditions in which we equated rates of reinforcement. In DRA without extinction, target and alternative behavior produced reinforcement. In DRA with extinction plus noncontingent reinforcement, only alternative behavior produced reinforcement. We conducted this study in a reverse‐translation sequence, first with participants who engaged in destructive behavior (Experiment 1) and then in a laboratory setting with rats (Experiment 2). Across both experiments, we observed proportionally lower levels of target responding during and following the DRA condition that arranged extinction for the target response. However, levels of resurgence were similar following both arrangements.
Synthetic transformations and biological screening of benzoxazole derivatives: A review
Authors: Sattar Rabia , Mukhtar Rubina , Atif Muhammad , Hasnain Muhammad , Irfan Ali
Published: March 2020

The presence of benzoxazole moiety in most of the heterocyclic compounds is well reported. The present literature review mainly highlights the novel synthetic transformation and describes the biological potential of most of the heterocyclic compounds by virtue of presence of benzoxazole framework. Most of the researchers have revealed that benzoxazole derivatives exhibit significant antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antifungal, anticancer, analgesic, antiviral, anti‐tubercular, and anthelmintic activities. Benzoxazole moieties also act as tyrosinase inhibitor and cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitor. This literature review may provide an opportunity to the chemists to design new derivatives of benzoxazole that proved to be the successful agent in view of safety, effectiveness, and efficacy.
Local decadal prediction according to statistical/dynamical approaches
Authors: Redolat Dario , Monjo Robert , Paradinas Cesar , Pórtoles Javier , Gaitán Emma , Prado‐Lopez Carlos , Ribalaygua Jaime
Published: March 2020

Dynamical climate models present an initialization problem due to the poor availability of deep oceanic data, which is required for the model assimilation process. In this sense, teleconnection indices, defined from spatial and temporal patterns of climatic variables, are conceived as useful tools to complement them. In this work, the near‐term climate predictability of 35 temperature and 36 precipitation time series of three cities (Barcelona, Bristol and Lisbon) was analysed using two approaches: (a) a statistical–dynamical combination of self‐predictable teleconnection indices and long‐term climate projections on a local scale and (b) dynamical model outputs obtained from drift‐corrected decadal experiments. Fourier and wavelet analyses were used to assess the predictability of seven teleconnection indices thanks to a cross‐validation process (with differentiated training and validation periods). The standardized absolute error of teleconnection‐based prediction was compared with that obtained from a (9) multi‐model ensemble based on the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5. Results showed that decadal predictions at horizons between 20 and 30 years are adequate for temperature and precipitation if a teleconnection‐based approach is used, while temperature is better predicted from a 5‐year horizon using drift‐corrected dynamical outputs.
Reduction of arthrofibrosis utilizing a collagen membrane drug‐eluting scaffold with celecoxib and subcutaneous injections with ketotifen
Authors: Limberg Afton K. , Tibbo Meagan E. , Salib Christopher G. , McLaury Alex R. , Turner Travis W. , Berry Charlotte E. , Jay Anthony G. , Carter Jodi M. , Bolon Brad , Berry Daniel J. , Morrey Mark E. , Sanchez‐Sotelo Joaquin , van Wijnen Andre J. , Abdel Matthew P.
Published: March 2020

The dense formation of abnormal scar tissue after total knee arthroplasty results in arthrofibrosis, an unfortunate sequela of inflammation. The purpose of this study was to use a validated rabbit model to assess the effects on surgically‐induced knee joint contractures of two combined pharmacological interventions: celecoxib (CXB) loaded on an implanted collagen membrane, and subcutaneously (SQ) injected ketotifen. Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into five groups. The first group received no intervention after the index surgery. The remaining four groups underwent intra‐articular implantation of collagen membranes loaded with or without CXB at the time of the index surgery; two of which were also treated with SQ ketotifen. Biomechanical joint contracture data were collected at 8, 10, 16, and 24 weeks. At the time of necropsy (24 weeks), posterior capsule tissue was collected for messenger RNA and histopathologic analyses. At 24 weeks, there was a statistically significant increase in passive extension among rabbits in all groups treated with CXB and/or ketotifen compared to those in the contracture control group. There was a statistically significant decrease in COL3A1, COL6A1, and ACTA2 gene expression in the treatment groups compared to the contracture control group (P < .001). Histopathologic data also demonstrated a trend towards decreased fibrous tissue density in the CXB membrane group compared to the vehicle membrane group. The present data suggest that intra‐articular placement of a treated collagen membrane blunts the severity of contracture development in a rabbit model of arthrofibrosis, and that ketotifen and CXB may independently contribute to the prevention of arthrofibrosis. Statement of clinical significance: Current literature has demonstrated that arthrofibrosis may affect up to 5% of primary total knee arthroplasty patients. For that reason, novel pharmacologic prophylaxis and treatment modalities are critical to mitigating reoperations and revisions while improving the quality of life for patients with this debilitating condition.
Preparation and application of polyvinyl alcohol‐decorated cell membrane chromatography for screening anti‐osteoporosis components from Liuwei Dihuang decoction‐containing serum
Authors: Wu Can , Wang Nani , Xu Pingcui , Wang Xuping , Shou Dan , Zhu Yan
Published: March 2020

Cell membrane chromatography is a powerful tool for screening active components from complex matrices. New cell membrane carriers need to be developed to increase the coverage of cell membranes on the surface of stationary phases, thereby improving cell membrane chromatographic retention. In this work, we prepared polyvinyl alcohol‐poly dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride modified silica gel as a cell membrane carrier. Osteoblast cell was used as cell membrane source, which was widely used to evaluate the osteogenic activity of drugs. The new cell membrane chromatographic stationary phase was used to screen anti‐osteoporosis components in Liuwei Dihuang decoction‐containing serum. The chemical structures of the new modified materials were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis characterization. Compared with the common cell membrane column, the cell membrane coverage of this modified material was increased by 30%, and thus provided a stronger retention effect in positive drugs. Nineteen metabolites in rat serum samples were retained on the cell membrane chromatography and identified by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Among those, four components (morroniside, catalpol, loganin, and acteoside) were selected for in vitro pharmacodynamics validation. They significantly increased the osteoblast proliferation. The new modified material was successfully applied to screen anti‐osteoporosis components from Liuwei Dihuang Decoction‐containing serum.
Greater Sage‐Grouse Response to the Physical Footprint of Energy Development
Authors: Kirol Christopher P. , Smith Kurt T. , Graf Nicholas E. , Dinkins Jonathan B. , Lebeau Chad W. , Maechtle Thomas L. , Sutphin Andrew L. , Beck Jeffrey L.
Published: March 2020

Energy infrastructure and associated habitat loss can lead to reduced reproductive rates for a variety of species including the greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Our goal was to refine our understanding of how the physical footprint of energy development relates to sage‐grouse nest and brood survival. Our survival analyses were conditional upon the amount of surface disturbance female sage‐grouse were exposed to during reproductive stages. We quantified levels of exposure and compared them to the surface disturbance levels of the surrounding area. From 2008–2014, we collected data in 6 study areas in Wyoming, USA, containing 4 primary types of renewable and nonrenewable energy development. Our research focused on press disturbance (i.e., disturbance sustained after initial disturbance and associated with existing energy infrastructure and human activity). Our results suggest exposure to press disturbance during nesting and brood‐rearing was related to lower nest and brood survival, which manifested at different spatial scales. Our analysis of nest survival suggested that the likelihood of a successful nest was negatively associated with the amount of press disturbance within an 8‐km² area. Broods exposed to any press disturbance within a 1‐km2 area were less likely to survive compared to broods not exposed to press disturbance. Female sage‐grouse consistently used habitat with lower disturbance levels during reproductive periods. Greater than 90% of nest and brood‐rearing locations were in habitat with <3% press disturbance within a 2.7‐km2 area. Our research links surface disturbance associated with press disturbance to reproductive costs incurred by sage‐grouse exposed to diverse energy development. Our results demonstrate a pattern of female avoidance of areas where press disturbance was high during nesting and brood‐rearing and survival of nests and broods were highest in areas that had the least amount of disturbance. Our findings underscore the importance of minimizing disturbance to maintain viable sage‐grouse populations. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Retracted: MicroRNA‐129‐5p represses the growth and aggressiveness of oral squamous cell carcinoma via suppressing HMGB1
Authors: Song Chun‐Ping , Cong Jing‐Ke , Wang Ming‐Zhen
Published: March 2020

Recent investigations have suggested that microRNA‐129‐5p (miR‐129‐5p) is commonly dysregulated in multiple types of malignancies. Nevertheless, the roles of miR‐129‐5p in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are not well explored. Herein, we demonstrated that miR‐129‐5p was down‐expressed in OSCC cells and tissues. Moreover, miR‐129‐5p overexpression restrained the growth, migration ability, and invasiveness of OSCC cells. Notably, high‐mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) was identified as a downstream target of miR‐129‐5p. Additional, knockdown of HMGB1 suppressed the growth and aggressive phenotypes of human OSCC cells. Importantly, re‐expression of HMGB1 impaired the inhibitory impacts of miR‐129‐5p on the metastasis of OSCC cells. Altogether, these results implied that miR‐129‐5p restrained the aggressiveness of OSCC cells through modulating HMGB1.
Is Continued Perioperative Antithrombotic Therapy Safe When Performing Direct Microlaryngoscopy?
Authors: Saba Elias S. , Higgins Michelle K. , Heyes Richard , Lott David G.
Published: March 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate whether antithrombotic status impacts the incidence of perioperative or postoperative bleeding in direct microlaryngoscopy (DML).

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

Patients undergoing DML in a single surgeon's practice from September 2012 to September 2017 were studied. Included patients underwent DML with or without biopsy, balloon dilation, microsurgery, laser ablation, or vocal fold injection. Patients were stratified based on perioperative antithrombotic status and assessed for rates of peri‐ and postoperative bleeding and other complications.

Results

Of the 581 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 179 patients (31%) had a history of baseline antithrombotic therapy. Of these patients, 124 had perioperative continuation of their therapy. Medicated patients were older (P < .01), predominately male (P < .01), and increasingly comorbid (P < .01). Perioperative complications unrelated to bleeding occurred in 22 patients (4%), minor perioperative bleeding occurred in four patients (0.7%), and minor postoperative bleeding occurred in 12 of the 479 patients with recorded follow‐up (2.5%). There were no postoperative bleeds requiring intervention or readmission, and no recorded thrombotic events during the peri‐ and postoperative period. There was no difference in perioperative bleeding based on baseline antithrombotic status (P = .81). Patients on baseline antithrombotic therapy were more likely to have a postoperative bleed in comparison to patients without history of antithrombotic use (P < .01). However, there were no significant differences in postoperative bleeding between patients on baseline anticoagulation who continued or ceased their medication perioperatively (P = .45).

Conclusions

Perioperative continuation of antithrombotic medications appears to be safe when performing routine DML.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2020
Rotational grazing promotes grassland aboveground plant biomass and its temporal stability under changing weather conditions on the Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau
Authors: Li Yu , Dong Shikui , Gao Qingzhu , Zhang Yong , Liu Shiliang , Ganjurjav Hasbagan , Hu Guozheng , Wang Xuexia , Yan Yulong , Wu Hongbao , Gao Xiaoxia , Li Shuai , Zhang Jing
Published: March 2020

The aboveground biomass (AGB) production of grazed grasslands is mediated by climate, soil nutrients, livestock and other factors. How the biotic and abiotic factors directly or indirectly regulate AGB remains unclear. To fill this gap, from 2014 to 2017, we conducted a rotational grazing experiment to examine the response of AGB to biotic and abiotic factors in Nagqu, a typical alpine meadow community on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. Six yaks were rotationally grazed among three plots from July to September, meanwhile, three plots were set up to exclude from livestock as control; climate, plant biomass, and soil nutrients were investigated during grazing experiment, and then structural equation modeling was used to analyze the regulation of environmental factors on AGB. The results showed that precipitation affected AGB via affecting soil nitrate nitrogen (NO3‐N), compensatory growth rate, and belowground biomass indirectly; temperature can directly and negatively affected AGB. In contrast grazing exclosure, rotational grazing increased both AGB and its temporal stability in alpine meadow community significantly (p < .05). The temporal stability of the AGB was positively related to the asynchrony between high‐ and low‐palatability herbages (p < .05). In conclusion, rotational grazing should be recommendable for alpine meadow management due to its benefits for community productivity and stability while current stocking rate should be reduced to a reasonable level, especially in a warm and drought year, to sustain plant compensatory growth under grazing.
Latitudinal constraints on the abundance and activity of the cyanobacterium UCYN‐A and other marine diazotrophs in the North Pacific
Authors: Gradoville Mary R. , Farnelid Hanna , White Angelicque E. , Turk‐Kubo Kendra A. , Stewart Brittany , Ribalet François , Ferrón Sara , Pinedo‐Gonzalez Paulina , Armbrust E. Virginia , Karl David M. , John Seth , Zehr Jonathan P.
Published: March 2020

The number of marine environments known to harbor dinitrogen (N2)‐fixing (diazotrophic) microorganisms is increasing, prompting a reassessment of the biogeography of marine diazotrophs and N2fixation rates (NFRs). Here, we investigate the diversity, abundance, and activity of diazotrophic microorganisms in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG), a diazotrophic habitat, and the North Pacific Transition Zone (NPTZ), a region characterized by strong physical, chemical, and biological gradients. Samples were collected on two springtime meridional cruises during 2016 and 2017, spanning from 23.5°N to 41.4°N along 158°W. We observed an abrupt decrease in diazotrophic abundances near the southern edge of the NPTZ, which coincided with a salinity front and with a ∼10‐fold increase inSynechococcusabundance, but without a concomitant change in phosphate or nitrate concentrations. In NPSG waters south of this diazotrophic boundary,nifHgenes and NFRs were consistently detected and diazotrophic communities were dominated by UCYN‐A, an uncultivated, symbiotic cyanobacterium (2.8 × 103to 1.0 × 106nifHgene copies L−1). There was a significant positive relationship between quantitative polymerase chain reaction‐derived UCYN‐AnifHgene abundances and community NFRs in the NPSG, suggesting a large contribution of UCYN‐A to community NFRs. In the NPTZ waters to the north, NFRs were low or undetected andnifHgenes were rare, with the few detected sequences represented by UCYN‐A and noncyanobacterial diazotrophs. The patterns we observed in UCYN‐A abundance in the context of local biogeochemistry suggest that the environmental controls of this organism may differ from those of cultivated marine cyanobacterial diazotrophs.
Chemical Surface Modification of Polymeric Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Sun Wei , Liu Wenying , Wu Zhaoqiang , Chen Hong
Published: March 2020

This review focuses on the attachment of polymer brushes to polymeric biomaterial substrates by chemical surface modification methods for biomedical applications. In the first part of this paper, a general introduction to the synthesis of polymer brushes is given. Thereafter, a comprehensive overview of recent work on the chemical surface modification of polymeric biomaterials, with a focus on “grafting‐to,” “grafting‐from,” and “grafting‐through” strategies, is provided. Finally, some representative cutting‐edge biomedical applications of modified polymeric biomaterials, mainly including antifouling materials and biocompatible materials, are highlighted. On the basis of this literature study, a perspective on future trends in this field is provided.
Effects of cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase genotypes on the pharmacokinetics of amlodipine in healthy Korean subjects
Authors: Han Ji Min , Yee Jeong , Chung Jee Eun , Lee Kyung Eun , Park Kyungsoo , Gwak Hye Sun
Published: March 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of P450 oxidoreductase (POR) genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetic parameters of amlodipine.

Methods

After a single 10‐mg dose of amlodipine administration, 25 healthy male subjects completed genotyping for 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the POR genes, cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 g.25343G>A (CYP3A4*1G), and CYP3A5 g.12083G>A (CYP3A5*3). Stratified analysis and in silico analysis to predict the possible effects of given variants on splicing were performed.

Results

The maximum blood concentration (Cmax) of amlodipine in carriers of g.57332T>C and g.56551G>A SNPs of the POR gene was statistically significantly different. In addition, T‐allele carriers of g.57332T>C had a 21% higher Cmax than those with the CC genotype (p = .007). Subjects who carried the wild‐type g.56551G>A allele also had a 1.12‐fold significantly higher Cmax than subjects with mutant‐type homozygous carriers (p = .033). In stratified analyses, g.57332T>C was significantly associated with a 1.3‐fold increase in Cmax value in T‐allele carriers compared with subjects with the CC genotype in CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 expressers. POR g.57332T>C increased the score above the threshold in both ESEfinder 3.0 and HSF 3.1.

Conclusion

This study identified a novel SNP of the POR gene, which affected amlodipine metabolism and may reduce interindividual variation in responses to amlodipine.
Retracted: A short review on analytical methods for the capillary oscillator in a nanoscale deformable tube
Authors: He Ji‐Huan , Jin Xiao
Published: March 2020

Retraction: He, J–H, Jin, X. ‘A short review on analytical methods for the capillary oscillator in a nanoscale deformable tube’ Math Meth Appl Sci. 2020; 1–8. doi:10.1002/mma.6321

The above article, published online on 05 March 2020 in Wiley Online Library wileyonlinelibrary.com, has been retracted by agreement between, the journal Editor in Chief, Wolfgang Sprößig, and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed following an investigation based on concerns raised by a third party. During re‐evaluation of this manuscript by an independent expert in this field, a major overlap with a previously published article from the same group of authors was found. The authors did not agree with the decision to retract this article.
A novel add‐on collimator for preclinical radiotherapy applications using a standard cell irradiator: design, construction, and validation
Authors: Fontanarosa Davide , Benitez Jessica , Talkhani Sana , Fielding Andrew , Entezam Amir , Trapp Jamie , Moi Davide , Biasi Giordano , Petasecca Marco , Mazzieri Roberta
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Preclinical radiotherapy applications require dedicated irradiation systems which are expensive and not widely available. In this work, a clinical dual source 137Cs cell irradiator was adapted to deliver 1‐cm diameter preclinical treatment beams using a lead and stainless steel custom‐made collimator to treat one or two mice at a time.

Methods

The dosimetric characteristics of all the different components of the system (including collimator, phantoms, and radiation sources) have been simulated with EGSnrc Monte Carlo methods. The collimator was constructed based on these simulations and the calculated results were verified against dosimetric measurements with MOSKin detectors, GAFchromic films, and dosimetric gels.

Results

The comparisons showed an agreement, in terms of full width half maximum values, between the simulated and the measured dose cross profiles at the midline within 4% for both gel dosimetry and GAFchromic films. Out of beam dose, measured in air at the collimator midplane with MOSFET detectors was between 6% and 10% of the beam axis dose. The dimensions of the beam are constant along the vertical axis of the collimator and also the simulated and measured Percentage Depth Dose (PDD) curves show an agreement within 1%.

Conclusions

The collimator design developed in this work allows the creation of a beam with the necessary characteristics for ablative radiotherapy treatments on small animals using a standard clinical cell irradiator. This collimator design will make advanced preclinical studies with ablative beams possible for all those institutions which do not have collimated preclinical irradiators available.
Long‐term strength and functional status in inclusion body myositis and identification of trajectory subgroups
Authors: Oldroyd Alexander G. S. , Lilleker James B. , Williams Jacob , Chinoy Hector , Miller James A. L.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Objective information on longitudinal disease progression in inclusion body myositis (IBM) is lacking.

Methods

Longitudinal dynamometry and functional status data were collated from a cohort of IBM patients. Annual change was calculated by means of linear modeling. Trajectories of change in grip, knee extension, IBM Functional Rating Scale (IBM‐FRS) and Neuromuscular Symptom Score (NSS) were identified by means of latent growth mixture modeling.

Results

Data were collated from 75 IBM patients (348 person‐years follow‐up). Annual strength loss was greatest for pinch (−10%) and knee extension (−4%). Functional deterioration was greatest for males. Three distinct trajectory groups were identified. Rapid deterioration trajectory for grip strength was associated with younger diagnosis age. Rapid deterioration for knee extension strength was associated with older age of diagnosis.

Discussion

This study has quantified strength change in IBM and identified distinct trajectory groups, which will aid prognostication and stratification for inclusion into future clinical trials.
Validation of the PHNs precepting experiential learning causal model for preceptors of novice public health nurses in Japan
Authors: Shimazu Taeko
Published: March 2020

Aims

The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship among public health nurse (PHN) precepting experiential learning (PHN‐PEL) and the outcomes.

Background

The government supported PHNs' systematic career development and precepting learners.

Design

A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted for PHNs who precepted novice PHNs in governmental units from 2012 to 2015.

Methods

“PHN Precepting Experiential Learning Scale,” “Professional Development for Public Health Nurses” and “Awareness of Responsibility for Organization” were examined through structural equation modelling.

Results

Usable responses were 378 (43.5%). Significant relationships were as follows: “Role Performance of Fostering Novice PHN” related to “Self‐development as a PHN” (β = 0.72, p < .001); “Role Performance of Fostering Novice PHN” related to “Sharing to Foster Novice PHN” (β = 0.52, p < .001) and “Sharing to Foster Novice PHN” related to “Improving Career Development Environment” (β = 0.69, p < .001). “Role Performance of Fostering Novice PHN” and “Self‐development as a PHN” related to “Professional Development for Public Health Nurse” (β = 0.31, p < .001; β = 0.29, p < .001). Moreover, “Improving Career Development Environment” related to “Awareness of Responsibility for Organization” (β = 0.33, p < .001).
Pediatric myelofibrosis: WHO 2024 update on myeloproliferative neoplasms calling?
Authors: Mishra Priyanka , Halder Rohan , Aggarwal Mukul , Seth Tulika , Mahapatra Manoranjan , Pati Hara Prasad , Saxena Renu , Tyagi Seema
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Pediatric myelofibrosis is a rare entity with the largest reported series of 19 cases. We describe here the clinicopathological spectrum and outcomes of 15 cases of pediatric myelofibrosis.

Methods

Case files of myelofibrosis of patients less than 18 years were retrieved from January 2016 to January 2019, and patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis after exhaustive work‐up were studied. Their clinicopathological profiles were studied and then followed up for resolution and malignant transformation.

Results

Of the 15 cases of idiopathic myelofibrosis, transfusion‐dependent anemia (14/15) was most common presentation. Only one patient showed leukoerythroblastosis with dacryocytes. Myeloid hyperplasia was seen in 13 of 15 patients and megakaryocytic hyperplasia in 10 patients. Dysmegakaryopoiesis was seen in 8 of 15 patients, and only three had small loose megakaryocytic clustering. None showed hyperchromatic megakaryocytes, intrasinusoidal hematopoiesis, or osteosclerosis. One patient with trisomy 8 tested positive for JAK2V617F. Bone marrow biopsy was hypercellular in 13, and 8 had world health organization (WHO) MF‐3 fibrosis. None of the patients developed malignancy, one had spontaneous resolution, and one patient required allogenic stem cell transplant.

Conclusions

Pediatric myelofibrosis is a distinct entity from primary myelofibrosis in adults and merits mention in the WHO manual as a distinct entity.
Assessment of risk of variant creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (vCJD) from use of bovine heparin
Authors: Huang Yin , Forshee Richard A. , Keire David , Lee Sau , Gregori Luisa , Asher David M. , Bett Cyrus , Niland Brian , Brubaker Scott A. , Anderson Steven A. , Yang Hong
Published: March 2020

Purpose

In the late1990s, reacting to the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United Kingdom that caused a new variant of Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans, manufacturers withdrew bovine heparin from the market in the United States. There have been growing concerns about the adequate supply and safety of porcine heparin. Since the BSE epidemic has been declining markedly, the US Food and Drug Administration reevaluates the vCJD risk via use of bovine heparin.

Methods

We developed a computational model to estimate the vCJD risk to patients receiving bovine heparin injections. The model incorporated information including BSE prevalence, infectivity levels in the intestines, manufacturing batch size, yield of heparin, reduction in infectivity by manufacturing process, and the dose‐response relationship.

Results

The model estimates a median risk of vCJD infection from a single intravenous dose (10 000 USP units) of heparin made from US‐sourced bovine intestines to be 6.9 × 10−9 (2.5‐97.fifth percentile: 1.5 × 10−9‐4.3 × 10−8), a risk of 1 in 145 million, and 4.6 × 10−8 (2.5‐97.fifth percentile: 1.1 × 10−8‐2.6 × 10−7), a risk of 1 in 22 million for Canada‐sourced products. The model estimates a median risk of 1.4 × 10−7 (2.5‐97.fifth percentile: 2.9 × 10−8‐9.3 × 10−7) and 9.6 × 10−7 (2.5‐97.fifth percentile: 2.1 × 10−7‐5.6 × 10−6) for a typical treatment for venous thromboembolism (infusion of 2‐4 doses daily per week) using US‐sourced and Canada‐sourced bovine heparin, respectively.

Conclusions

The model estimates the vCJD risk from use of heparin when appropriately manufactured from US or Canadian cattle is likely small. The model and conclusions should not be applied to other medicinal products manufactured using bovine‐derived materials.
Thoracoabdominal mobility evaluation of asthmatic patients in physiotherapy practice: Intra‐rater reliability
Authors: Caruso Flávia R. , Trimer Renata , da Luz Goulart Cassia , Ricci Paula A. , Araújo Adriana S.G. , Carmargo Patrícia , Marinho Renan S. , Baptista Polliana , da Silva Andrea L.G. , Mendes Renata G. , Borghi‐Silva Audrey
Published: March 2020

Background

The evaluation of thoracoabdominal mobility is a tool extensively used in the physiotherapy practice in different populations. Photogrammetry may be a simple tool to analyse thoracoabdominal mobility; however, it is unclear whether this assessment can be a reliable method.

Aim

To test the reliability intra‐examinator by photogrammetry in asthmatic patients and in health controls.

Methods

Twenty‐six asthmatic patients (29 ± 9 years) and 14 healthy matched controls (27 ± 8 years) were assessed by thoracoabdominal mobility. Photographs during rest, during inspiration and expiration maximum were used to calculate latero‐lateral and antero‐posterior diameters of the thorax (at axillary and xiphoid levels) and umbilical by markers positioned in osseous structures. An evaluator obtained the same measurements in an 8‐day interval.

Results

We found a moderate reliability for axillary, xiphoid and umbilical mobility (average intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] respectively [0.68, 0.55 and 0.73]) for asthmatic group. In addition, for control group, we found a moderate reliability for axillary mobility (average ICC respectively [0.68] and a good reliability for xiphoid and umbilical mobility) (average ICC 0.81 and 0.70). Bland–Altman plots showed goods limit of agreement in photos 1 and 2 in both groups.

Conclusion

The photogrammetric analysis of thoracoabdominal mobility presented itself as a reliable method and may be used in clinical practice in asthmatic patients and in controls.
The function of histone lysine methylation related SET domain group proteins in plants
Authors: Zhou Huiyan , Liu Yanhong , Liang Yuwei , Zhou Dong , Li Shuifeng , Lin Sue , Dong Heng , Huang Li
Published: March 2020

Histone methylation, which is mediated by the histone lysine (K) methyltransferases (HKMTases), is a mechanism associated with many pathways in eukaryotes. Most HKMTases have a conserved SET (Su(var) 3‐9,E(z),Trithorax) domain, while the HKMTases with SET domains are called the SET domain group (SDG) proteins. In plants, only SDG proteins can work as HKMTases. In this review, we introduced the classification of SDG family proteins in plants and the structural characteristics of each subfamily, surmise the functions of SDG family members in plant growth and development processes, including pollen and female gametophyte development, flowering, plant morphology and the responses to stresses. This review will help researchers better understand the SDG proteins and histone methylation in plants and lay a basic foundation for further studies on SDG proteins.
Liquid‐Metal‐Induced Memristor Behavior in Polymer Insulators
Authors: Zaheer Muhammad , Cai Yichen , Waqas Abu Bakar , Abbasi Saadullah Farooq , Zhu Guodong , Cong Chunxiao , Qiu Zhi-Jun , Liu Ran , Qin Yajie , Zheng Lirong , Hu Laigui
Published: March 2020

Resistive switching devices are enabling neuromorphic functionalities, which are exceptionally appealing in electronic gates and memories as active components. Polymer materials have been proven to be promising for resistive memory devices due to low cost, easy processability, mechanical flexibility, and smooth electronic performance tuning through innovative molecular design. However, conventional rigid metals utilized for such devices are not easy to induce resistive memory behavior. In addition, only some specific materials as active layers have been used to date. Herein, it is demonstrated that liquid metals (LMs) can be destined for memristors with various insulators including poly dimethyl siloxane (PDMS), poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), and poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA). In contrast to other metals that show memristor behaviors only for specific active materials or device architectures, LMs are found to easily form switchable conductive filaments in all the organic materials. All devices show uniform and bipolar resistive memory behavior with a low switching voltage, high ON/OFF ratio, longer endurance, and retention characteristics, possessing capability for next‐generation wearable and soft brain‐like neuromorphic resistive memory devices.
Pandemic potential of highly pathogenic avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4 A(H5) viruses
Authors: Yamaji Reina , Saad Magdi D. , Davis Charles T. , Swayne David E. , Wang Dayan , Wong Frank Y.K. , McCauley John W. , Peiris J.S. Malik , Webby Richard J. , Fouchier Ron A.M. , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Zhang Wenqing
Published: March 2020

The panzootic caused by A/goose/Guangdong/1/96‐lineage highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses has occurred in multiple waves since 1996. From 2013 onwards, clade 2.3.4.4 viruses of subtypes A(H5N2), A(H5N6), and A(H5N8) emerged to cause panzootic waves of unprecedented magnitude among avian species accompanied by severe losses to the poultry industry around the world. Clade 2.3.4.4 A(H5) viruses have expanded in distinct geographical and evolutionary pathways likely via long distance migratory bird dispersal onto several continents and by poultry trade among neighboring countries. Coupled with regional circulation, the viruses have evolved further by reassorting with local viruses. As of February 2019, there have been 23 cases of humans infected with clade 2.3.4.4 H5N6 viruses, 16 (70%) of which had fatal outcomes. To date, no HPAI A(H5) virus has caused sustainable human‐to‐human transmission. However, due to the lack of population immunity in humans and ongoing evolution of the virus, there is a continuing risk that clade 2.3.4.4 A(H5) viruses could cause an influenza pandemic if the ability to transmit efficiently among humans was gained. Therefore, multisectoral collaborations among the animal, environmental, and public health sectors are essential to conduct risk assessments and develop countermeasures to prevent disease and to control spread. In this article, we describe an assessment of the likelihood of clade 2.3.4.4 A(H5) viruses gaining human‐to‐human transmissibility and impact on human health should such human‐to‐human transmission occur. This structured analysis assessed properties of the virus, attributes of the human population, and ecology and epidemiology of these viruses in animal hosts.
Multi‐instrument characterization of HiPIMS and DC magnetron sputtered tungsten and copper films
Authors: Roychowdhury Tuhin , Shah Dhruv , Jain Varun , Patel Dhananjay I. , Dodson Berg , Skinner William , Hilfiker James N. , Smith Stacey J. , Linford Matthew R.
Published: March 2020

In this work, copper and tungsten were sputtered onto silicon wafers by direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) and high‐power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS). The resulting films were characterized by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). By EDX and XPS, all the sputtered films showed only the expected metal peaks. By XPS, the surfaces sputtered by DCMS were richer in oxygen than those produced by HiPIMS. By AFM, the surfaces were quite smooth. The root mean square (RMS) roughness values are as follows: 0.83 nm (W, HiPIMS), 1.10 nm (W, DCMS), 0.85 nm (Cu, HiPIMS), and 1.78 nm (Cu, DCMS). By SEM, the HiPIMS films exhibited smaller grain sizes, which was confirmed by XRD. The crystallite sizes estimated by XRD are as follows: 4 nm (W, body‐centered cubic, HiPIMS), 13 nm (W, body‐centered cubic, DCMS), 7 nm (W, cubic, HiPIMS), 14 nm (W, cubic, DCMS), 25 nm (Cu, HiPIMS), and 35 nm (Cu, DCMS). By SE, the HiPIMS surfaces showed higher refractive indices, which suggested that they were denser and less oxidized than the DCMS surfaces.
Barium‐Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films as Highly Efficient and Reusable Photocatalysts
Authors: Jayakrishnan Ampattu Ravikumar , Alex Kevin V. , Tharakan Anoja Tony , Kamakshi Koppole , Silva José PB , Prasad Madavi Shiva , Sekhar Koppole C. , Gomes Maria J. M.
Published: March 2020

In this study, the effect of Ba doping content on the photocatalytic activity of (Zn1‐xBaxO (ZBO); x=0 to 0.2) thin films is investigated. The efficiency of ZBO photocatalyst for the decolorization of Rhodamine B (RhB) is found to be optimum at x=0.1. The Zn0.9Ba0.1O film exhibits an efficiency of
96% at an irradiation time of 60 min. The high photocatalytic activity of Ba doped ZnO films is attributed to the high efficient generation and separation of photo‐induced charge carriers as evident from photocurrent measurements. Further, the texture and the oxygen vacancies favor the photocatalytic activity as suggested by the x‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) analysis. Moreover, the reusability test reveals that the photocatalyst performance remains for at least six consecutive cycles without significant change. The higher efficiency and outstanding reusability of Zn0.9Ba0.1O make it a potential candidate for photocatalytic applications.
Highly Robust Non‐Noble Alkaline Hydrogen‐Evolving Electrocatalyst from Se‐Doped Molybdenum Disulfide Particles on Interwoven CoSe2 Nanowire Arrays
Authors: Liao Liling , Sun Jingying , Li Dongyang , Yu Fang , Zhu Yijun , Yang Yi , Wang Jinjian , Zhou Weichang , Tang Dongsheng , Chen Shuo , Zhou Haiqing
Published: March 2020

Developing efficient non‐noble and earth‐abundant hydrogen‐evolving electrocatalysts is highly desirable for improving the energy efficiency of water splitting in base. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising candidate, but its catalytic activity is kinetically retarded in alkaline media due to the unfavorable water adsorption and dissociation feature. A heterogeneous electrocatalyst is reported that is constructed by selenium‐doped MoS2 (Se‐MoS2) particles on 3D interwoven cobalt diselenide (CoSe2) nanowire arrays that drives the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with fast reaction kinetics in base. The resultant Se‐MoS2/CoSe2 hybrid exhibits an outstanding catalytic HER performance with extremely low overpotentials of 30 and 93 mV at 10 and 100 mA cm–2 in base, respectively, which outperforms most of the inexpensive alkaline HER catalysts, and is among the best alkaline catalytic activity reported so far. Moreover, this hybrid catalyst shows exceptional catalytic performance with very low overpotentials of 84 and 95 mV at 10 mA cm–2 in acidic and neutral electrolytes, respectively, implying robust pH universality of this hybrid catalyst. This work may provide new inspirations for the development of high‐performance MoS2‐based HER electrocatalysts in unfavorable basic media for promising catalytic applications.
End‐user modeling of quality for web components
Authors: Lizcano David , Martínez‐Ortíz Andrés‐Leonardo , López Genoveva , Grignard Arnaud
Published: March 2020

With years of frantic development, when release fast and release often was the mandatory rule for web technologies and services, the open source paradigm and online distribution repositories have imposed de facto standards for quality assessment in fast‐paced innovation processes. Nowadays, however, in pursuit of productivity, security, and user satisfaction, the industry is beginning, through the introduction of new standards such as ECMAScript 6 or web components, to consider software engineering mandates for web technologies. This article reports a quality model aligned with international standard ISO/IEC 25010, covering web components technology, which ultimately aims to improve adoption by the software engineering industry, traditionally wary of agile Internet practices, the open source paradigm, and public repositories. Our research also presents an experimentation platform on which end users have validated the quality properties, highlighting the implicit connection with the perceived quality. The key result of our research convinces us that user ratings are suitable as a testing mechanism for product quality and quality‐in‐use metrics in order to define an absolute scale of comparison for web component quality.