bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological Evaluation of Essential Oils from Selected Medicinal Plants and Their Main Components against Phytomonas davidi (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatidae)
Authors: Guzmán María , González‐Coloma Azucena , Fe Andrés María , Navarro‐Rocha Juliana , Martínez‐Díaz Rafael A.
Published: September 2020

Eight essential oils (EOs) from selected medicinal plants have been tested for their activity against Phytomonas davidi, a plant trypanosomal parasite. In the present research, the EOs have been tested on promastigote forms of P. davidi ATCC® 30287™ strain, along with their major components, both separately and in binary combinations, using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. The EOs with the highest antipromastigote activity were from Origanum virens and Salvia lavandulifolia. Thymol and β‐pinene were the most active pure compounds. The study of the activity of the pure compounds in combination indicated the existence of antagonistic and synergistic effects depending on the concentration tested. In general, the combinations at low concentrations favored the activity.
Neonatal small bowel perforation in ileal atresia in a low resource setting: A case report
Authors: Ronald Okidi , Erick Odwar , Diana Aber Lucy , Violah Nahurira , David Komakech
Published: September 2020

Jejunoileal atresia is a common cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction with high mortality and morbidity in a low resource setting where surgical care is lacking. Herein, a 4‐day‐old presented with features of acute abdomen and septicemia, managed with ileostomy diversion, and recovered uneventfully.
Adrenal crisis precipitated by influenza A led to the diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome 18 years after postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Taniguchi Jumpei , Sugawara Hitoshi , Yamada Hodaka , Yoshida Katsuyuki , Kurihara Ibuki , Yoshida Masashi , Ishii Akira , Fukuchi Takahiko , Fujimoto Wilfred Y.
Published: September 2020

Physicians must recognize and treat adrenal crisis that may occur with acute viral illnesses such as influenza in women with Sheehan’s syndrome that has been undiagnosed and hence untreated, sometimes for many years, after postpartum hemorrhage.
Dual Improvement of β‐MnO2 Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts via Combined Substrate Control and Surface Engineering
Authors: Bigiani Lorenzo , Gasparotto Alberto , Maccato Chiara , Sada Cinzia , Verbeeck Johan , Andreu Teresa , Morante Juan Ramón , Barreca Davide
Published: September 2020

The development of catalysts with high intrinsic activity towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a critical role in sustainable energy conversion and storage. Herein, we report on the development of efficient (photo)electrocatalysts based on functionalized MnO2 systems. Specifically, β‐MnO2 nanostructures grown by plasma enhanced‐chemical vapor deposition on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) or Ni foams were decorated with Co3O4 or Fe2O3 nanoparticles by radio frequency sputtering. Upon functionalization, FTO‐supported materials yielded a performance increase with respect to bare MnO2, with current densities at 1.65 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) up to 3.0 and 3.5 mA/cm2 in the dark and under simulated sunlight, respectively. On the other hand, the use of highly porous and conductive Ni foam substrates enabled to maximize cooperative interfacial effects between catalyst components. The best performing Fe2O3/MnO2 system provided a current density of 17.9 mA/cm2 at 1.65 V vs. RHE, an overpotential as low as 390 mV, and a Tafel slope of 69 mV/decade under dark conditions, comparing favorably with IrO2 and RuO2 benchmarks. Overall, the control of β‐MnO2/substrate interactions and the simultaneous surface property engineering pave the way to an efficient energy generation from abundant natural resources.
One‐pot Chemoenzymatic Deracemisation of Secondary Alcohols Employing Variants of Galactose Oxidase and Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Yuan Bo , Debecker Damien P. , Wu Xiaofeng , Xiao Jianliang , Fei Qiang , Turner Nicholas J.
Published: September 2020

Enantiomerically enriched chiral secondary alcohols serve as valuable building blocks for drug intermediates and fine chemicals. In this study the deracemisation of secondary alcohols to generate enantiomeric pure chiral alcohols has been achieved by combining enantio‐selective enzymatic oxidation of a secondary alcohol, by a variant of GOase (GOase M3‐5), with either non‐selective ketone reduction via transfer hydrogenation (TH) or enantio‐selective asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH). Both the enzymatic oxidation system and the transition‐metal mediated reduction system were optimised to ensure compatibility with each other resulting in a homogeneous reaction system. 1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)ethanol was generated with 99 % conversion and 98 % ee by the deracemisation method, and it has been extended to a series of other secondary alcohols with comparable results.
A global resource for exploring and exploiting genetic variation in sorghum crop wild relatives
Authors: Mace Emma S. , Cruickshank Alan W. , Tao Yongfu , Hunt Colleen H. , Jordan David R.
Published: September 2020

One response to mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural systems is to develop new varieties that are tolerant to the new range of biotic and abiotic challenges this change causes. This requires access to novel variants of genes for complex adaptive traits. Crop wild relatives (CWRs) are a potentially valuable source of these genes; however, these materials are often difficult to work with and identifying valuable alleles is difficult without substantial investment in prebreeding. In this study, we describe the development of a nested association mapping population for sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] using two cultivated grain sorghum reference parents and nine wild and exotic sorghum accessions as donors. The donor parents come from the S. bicolor (L.) Moench subsp. verticilliflorum (Steud.) de Wet ex Wiersema & J. Dahlb., S. bicolor (L.) Moench subsp. drummondii (Steud.) de Wet ex Davidse, and S. bicolor (L.) Moench subsp. bicolor margaritiferum taxa and were sampled from a range of environments across Africa. In total, the resource consists of 13 populations and a total of 1,224 lines. The population has been genotyped with diversity array technology (DArT) markers that produced 42,372 unique single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers covering the genome. We determine the utility of the resource for high resolution mapping of complex traits by demonstrating that the exotics contain unique alleles for some example adaptive trait loci and by using the population for genome‐wide association study (GWAS). The resource should provide useful material for plant breeders attempting to deal with the challenges generated by climate change.
Organic Liquid Crystals as Single‐Ion Li+ Conductors
Authors: Bresser Dominic , Leclere Mélody , Bernard Laurent , Rannou Patrice , Mendil‐Jakani Hakima , Kim Guk‐Tae , Zinkevich Tatiana , Indris Sylvio , Gebel Gérard , Lyonnard Sandrine , Picard Lionel
Published: September 2020

The development of new materials for tomorrow's electrochemical energy storage technologies, based on thoroughly designed molecular architectures is at the forefront of materials research. In this line, we report herein the development of a new class of organic lithium‐ion battery electrolytes, thermotropic liquid crystalline single‐ion conductors, for which the single‐ion charge transport is decoupled from the molecular dynamics (i. e., obeys Arrhenius‐type conductivity) just like in inorganic (single‐)ion conductors. Focusing on an in‐depth understanding of the structure‐to‐transport interplay and the demonstration of the proof‐of‐concept, we provide also strategies for their further development, as illustrated by the introduction of additional ionic groups to increase the charge carrier density, which results in a substantially enhanced ionic conductivity especially at lower temperatures.
Are the Criterion B binge‐eating symptoms interchangeable in understanding binge‐eating severity? An item response theory analysis
Authors: Richson Brianne N. , Forbush Kelsie T. , Schaumberg Katherine , Crosby Ross D. , Peterson Carol B. , Crow Scott J. , Mitchell James E.
Published: September 2020

Objective

The Criterion B binge‐eating symptoms represent five symptoms associated with binge eating. Any three out of five symptoms can be used to meet Criterion B. However, Criterion B symptoms may not be interchangeable in terms of how binge‐eating severity is associated with each symptom. Item response theory (IRT) can test how endorsing each symptom relates to the overall level (i.e., severity) of binge‐eating measured by Criterion B. We used IRT to identify (a) how each Criterion B symptom corresponded with binge‐eating severity in a transdiagnostic binge‐eating sample and (b) how well each symptom differentiated individuals with differing levels of severity.

Method

Participants (N = 219) were adults (80.8% female) with a current ED that included objective binge‐eating episodes assessed via semi‐structured interview. A two‐parameter logistic IRT model evaluated how endorsement of each Criterion B symptom corresponded with the level of latent binge‐eating severity.

Results

“Eating large amounts when not hungry” and “eating alone” reflected the highest binge‐eating severity. “Eating alone” was the best discriminator across different binge‐eating severity levels, whereas “uncomfortably full” was the poorest discriminator across binge‐eating severity levels.

Discussion

Criterion B symptoms were not interchangeable in terms of what level of binge‐eating severity corresponded with symptom endorsement. “Eating large amounts when not hungry” or “eating alone” may signify elevated binge‐eating severity, whereas “uncomfortably full” and “feeling disgusted/depressed/guilty” were not necessarily indicative of elevated severity. Results suggested that Criterion B may need to be revised to eliminate symptoms that are redundant with other binge‐eating diagnostic criteria.
Settlement‐era forest structure and composition in the Klamath Mountains: reconstructing a historical baseline
Authors: Knight Clarke A. , Cogbill Charles V. , Potts Matthew D. , Wanket James A. , Battles John J.
Published: September 2020

Historical baselines of forest conditions provide reference states to assess how forests have changed through time. In California, the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) provides tree inventory data between 1872 and 1884 at 93.2‐km2(36 mi2) resolution. Although these data provide a spatially extensive record of settlement‐era forest conditions, reconstructions using PLSS data have been limited and controversial in western landscapes. Recent improvements in the application of plotless density estimators (PDE) have made reconstructions more accurate and robust. The purpose of this study was to use PDE to reconstruct the settlement‐era forest conditions in Six Rivers National Forest—a floristically diverse temperate forest in the Klamath Mountains of northwestern California—to quantify differences with modern conditions. Records of fires and harvests were used in conjunction with the PLSS data to understand the influence of forest management during the previous century. The contemporary forest in Six Rivers contains three times more trees than in the settlement era with a comparable increase in tree basal area. Forest composition during the settlement era was predominantly Douglas‐fir (34.4%), pine (24.2%), and oak (21.9%) by basal area. Contemporary forests support more Douglas‐fir (45.2%) and a similar amount of pine (26.1%), while oaks have decreased by more than half (9.3%). These increases in tree abundance occurred despite extensive, mid‐century timber harvesting in Six Rivers. Although large fires have burned in Six Rivers between 2000 and 2019, far fewer fires occurred during the twentieth century. Our results suggest that effective fire suppression contributed to the densification of the contemporary forests in Six Rivers.
Why is the clinical response to cardiac resynchronization better in LBBB patients?
Authors: Kvasnička Jiří , Havlíček Aleš , Bělohlávek Jan , Večeřa Jan , Čermáková Eva
Published: September 2020

Aims

The improved clinical response in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) over LBBB‐free patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT‐D) is commonly attributed to an LBBB abnormality. We aimed to find an alternative explanation.

Methods and results

We analysed an immediate effect of selecting the LBBB group of patients in a cohort of 63 non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy (non‐ICM) and 83 ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients treated with CRT‐D; 75% of non‐ICM and 51% of ICM patients had an LBBB abnormality on the electrocardiogram, with a significant difference (P = 0.0032 by χ2). As a result of this difference, the proportion of non‐ICM patients increased from 43% in the primary cohort to 53% in LBBB selection and decreased to 28% in non‐LBBB group. By nonparametric survival analysis, the hazard ratio in non‐ICM patients in the LBBB selection decreased from 0.48 (P = 0.0488) to 0.36 (P = 0.0251) and increased in the non‐LBBB group to 0.75 (P = 0.6496). Any comparison of LBBB and non‐LBBB groups must compare sets with a significantly altered proportion of patients of different aetiologies. Most publications on LBBB patients are erroneous because they compare LBBB with non‐LBBB groups, not taking into account that the groups have been substantially changed by the selection process.

Conclusions

The declared outcome of the LBBB groups reflects inevitably the survival outcome of their non‐ICM patients and not the intended outcome of patients with LBBB. CRT‐D in patients with different aetiologies of cardiomyopathy calls for separate evaluation.
Mast cells crosstalk with B cells in the gut and sustain IgA response in the inflamed intestine
Authors: Valeri Viviana , Tonon Silvia , Vibhushan Shamila , Gulino Alessandro , Belmonte Beatrice , Adori Monika , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B. , Gautier Gregory , Tripodo Claudio , Blank Ulrich , Mion Francesca , Pucillo Carlo E.M.
Published: September 2020

B lymphocytes are among the cell types whose effector functions are modulated by mast cells (MCs). The B/MC crosstalk emerged in several pathological settings, notably the colon of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is a privileged site in which MCs and IgA+ cells physically interact. Herein, by inducing conditional depletion of MCs in red MC and basophil (RMB) mice, we show that MCs control B cell distribution in the gut and IgA serum levels. Moreover, in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐treated RMB mice, the presence of MCs is fundamental for the enlargement of the IgA+ population in the bowel and the increase of systemic IgA production. Since both conventional B‐2 and peritoneal‐derived B cells populate the intestine and communicate with MCs in physiological conditions and during inflammation, we further explored this interplay through the use of co‐cultures. We show that MCs finely regulate different aspects of splenic B cell biology while peritoneal B cells are unresponsive to the supporting effects provided by MCs. Interestingly, peritoneal B cells induce a pro‐inflammatory skewing in MCs, characterized by increased ST2 and TNF‐α expression. Altogether, this study uncovers the versatility of the B/MC liaison and highlights key aspects for the resolution of intestinal inflammation.
Enhancement in methane yield from anaerobic co‐digestion of walnut shells and cattle manure
Authors: ŞENOL Halil
Published: September 2020

In this study, anaerobic co‐digestion was investigated for mixtures of walnut shells (WS) and cattle manure (CM), which are lignocellulosic wastes, in various different carbon: nitrogen (C/N) ratios. The best mixing ratio for WS and CM in anaerobic digestion (AD) was determined to be 1:3, offering a methane yield of 173.2 ml/g volatile solid (VS)added. Effects of various alkaline pretreatments including calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) were studied in the concentration range 1–5% wt/wt for the best mixing ratio of WS and CM. The optimal KOH and NaOH concentrations were each found to be 4%, giving methane yields of 312.6 ± 5.1 and 342.5 ± 9.6 ml/g VSadded, respectively, where these yields were found to increase by 80.5 and 97.2%, respectively, compared to the control reactor. By contrast, a 3% Ca(OH)2 concentration was found to increase the methane yield by 67% compared to the untreated reactor. NaOH pretreatments resulted in relatively higher lignocellulosic solubilization and soluble chemical oxygen demand compared to KOH and Ca(OH)2 pretreatments. This study contributes to our understanding of the alkaline pretreatment in taking advantage of CM and WS for methane productions in future applications.
Holocene climate forcings and lacustrine regime shifts in the Indian summer monsoon realm
Authors: Prasad Sushma , Marwan Norbert , Eroglu Deniz , Goswami Bedartha , Mishra Praveen K. , Gaye Birgit , Anoop A. , Basavaiah N. , Stebich Martina , Jehangir Arshid
Published: September 2020

Extreme climate events have been identified both in meteorological and long‐term proxy records from the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) realm. However, the potential of palaeoclimate data for understanding mechanisms triggering climate extremes over long time scales has not been fully exploited. A distinction between proxies indicating climate change, environment, and ecosystem shift is crucial for enabling a comparison with forcing mechanisms (e.g. El‐Niño Southern Oscillation). In this study we decouple these factors using data analysis techniques [multiplex recurrence network (MRN) and principal component analyses (PCA)] on multiproxy data from two lakes located in different climate regions – Lonar Lake (ISM dominated) and the high‐altitude Tso Moriri Lake (ISM and westerlies influenced). Our results indicate that (i) MRN analysis, an indicator of changing environmental conditions, is associated with droughts in regions with a single climate driver but provides ambiguous results in regions with multiple climate/environmental drivers; (ii) the lacustrine ecosystem was ‘less sensitive’ to forcings during the early Holocene wetter periods; (iii) archives in climate zones with a single climate driver were most sensitive to regime shifts; (iv) data analyses are successful in identifying the timing of onset of climate change, and distinguishing between extrinsic and intrinsic (lacustrine) regime shifts by comparison with forcing mechanisms. Our results enable development of conceptual models to explain links between forcings and regional climate change that can be tested in climate models to provide an improved understanding of the ISM dynamics and their impact on ecosystems. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive deep convolutional neural network‐based secure integration of fog to cloud supported Internet of Things for health monitoring system
Authors: Kesavan Revathi , Arumugam Samydurai
Published: September 2020

In recent years, the healthcare monitoring system plays a significant role in providing early intervention for the people who are under risk. Several advanced technologies including the Internet of Things (IoT) are becoming accessible nowadays due to its high level and ubiquitous monitoring. The IoT also enables a structured and competent technique in handling the healthcare of the patients based on remote patient monitoring and mobile health. In addition to this, the deep learning approaches are employed in health‐based applications so as to achieve promising and satisfactory performances for a sizeable amount of data. While monitoring the health condition of the patients, there occur delays in data transferring to the cloud. So, to overcome such shortcomings, the proposed approach of this paper utilizes four different phases including data acquisition phase (DAP), fog to cloud phase (FCP), decision‐making phase (DMP), and execution phase (EP) in transferring the data to the cloud via the fog layer. The initial phase or DAP phase comprises of data storage and collection. The second phase or the FCP phase comprises of two different types of layers namely fog layer and the cloud layer along with that, secure integration of FCP is described. The third phase or the DMP phase involves feture extraction and classification. Here, Adaptive Deep Convolution Neural Network along with the Levy Flightbased Grey Wolf Optimization (LFGWO) are employed in the classification process to obtain the best optimal solution. The final phase or the EP phase provides notification or information to the doctor or the practitioner soon after the detection of any abnormality case. The experimental results are made by comparing various approaches with the proposed approach and the analysis reveals that the proposed approach provides better results with high accuracy, efficiency, response time with less computational cost in healthcare monitoring applications.
Differential effects of different antipsychotic drugs on cognitive function in patients with chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Dong Rui , Yuan Lian , Yang Yong , Du Xiang‐Dong , Jia Qiufang , Dillon Brett A. , Yu Liling , Zhang Xiang Yang
Published: September 2020

Background

Cognitive impairment is core feature of schizophrenia. The impact of antipsychotics on cognition remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the effects of long‐term use of different types of antipsychotics on cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients.

Methods

We used the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) to assess the cognition of three groups of schizophrenia patients (318 on clozapine, 125 on risperidone, and 166 on typical antipsychotic drugs) and 399 healthy controls, and used the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale to assess schizophrenia symptoms of patients.

Results

Patients taking typical antipsychotics scored higher on the immediate memory and delayed memory index than those taking clozapine or risperidone (all p < 0.01). Patients taking clozapine scored higher on the language subscale than those taking risperidone (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that the drug type was identified as an independent contributor to the immediate memory, language, and delayed memory index of RBANS (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Patients taking typical antipsychotics have better memory than those taking clozapine or risperidone. Patients taking clozapine have better language function than those taking risperidone.
Respectful maternity care in the context of COVID‐19: A human rights perspective
Authors: Reingold Rebecca B. , Barbosa Isabel , Mishori Ranit
Published: September 2020

Pregnant women should receive respectful maternity care in the context of COVID‐19 and not be subject to policies and practices that violate their human rights.
Management of Drug Interactions With Cyclosporine
Authors: Lake Kathleen D.
Published: September 2020

Major advances in transplantation and in the treatment of autoimmune disorders have been achieved with the use of cyclosporine (CsA). During the past 10 years a variety of drug interactions have been reported to occur with CsA. These may be classified as either pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic in origin. Pharmacokinetic interactions are manifested by either an increase or decrease in the CsA concentration. The predominant mechanism of interaction is alteration in the cytochrome P‐450 metabolism of CsA, however, some of the drugs may also affect its absorption, distribution, and elimination. Pharmacodynamic interactions include enhanced nephrotoxicity. Management of these events mandates proactive measures such as assessing the interactive potential of each new agent, measuring CsA concentrations more frequently when either initiating or discontinuing other agents, adjusting the dosage of CsA as necessary, and monitoring patients' clinical status to ensure efficacy and minimize the risk of toxicity.
Advancing continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in vivo: New insights into tissue challenges
Authors: Kesserwan Shereen , Mulka Adam , Sharafieh Roshanak , Qiao Yi , Wu Rong , Kreutzer Donald L. , Klueh Ulrike
Published: September 2020

Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) is superior to conventional insulin therapy as it improves glycemic control thus reducing the probability of diabetic complications. Notwithstanding CSII's benefits, insulin dependent diabetic patients rarely achieve optimal glucose control. Moreover, CSII is only FDA approved for 3 days and often fails prematurely for reasons that have not been fully elucidated. We hypothesize that phenolic compounds, such as m‐cresol and phenol, which are present in all commercial insulin formulations are responsible for the tissue reaction occurring at the insulin infusion site. This hypothesis was examined with in vitro cell cultures and a mouse air‐pouch model to determine cellular and tissue reactions following infusions with saline, phenolic compounds, (i.e., commercial diluent), and insulin. We demonstrated that diluent and insulin were cytotoxic to cells in culture at sub‐clinical concentrations (e.g., >1:10 of commercial insulin). Air pouch studies demonstrated that infusion of either diluted insulin or diluent itself induced three to five‐fold level of recruited leukocytes as compared to saline. At both 3‐ and 7‐days post infusion, these were predominantly neutrophils and macrophages. We conclude that phenolic compounds in commercial insulin preparations are cell and tissue toxic, which contributes to the failure of effective insulin infusion therapy.
Polyether ether ketone surface modification with plasma and gelatin for enhancing cell attachment
Authors: Mehdizadeh Omrani Maryam , Kumar Hitendra , Mohamed Mohamed G. A. , Golovin Kevin , S. Milani Abbas , Hadjizadeh Afra , Kim Keekyoung
Published: September 2020

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) has shown great promise for implant and biomedical applications because of its excellent chemical, mechanical, and biocompatible properties. However, PEEK is bioinert, which causes weak cell adhesion and limits its use for biomedical applications such as bone implants. Therefore, the activation of the PEEK's surface for cell attachment is desirable. In this study, oxygen plasma and gelatin were used to modify PEEK's surface and the effects of surface roughness, wettability, and cell adhesion to the surface were studied. Surface roughness was measured using a laser scanning confocal microscope, and wettability was measured using the sessile drop method. There was no significant difference in the roughness of the three samples. The gelatin‐coated surface showed higher wettability than the plasma‐modified or control samples. The cell attachment and proliferation rate were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and the XTT assay, respectively. The XTT assay results indicated that a greater number of cells grew on the gelatin‐coated PEEK surface than on the control or plasma‐treated surfaces. These results confirmed that the plasma and gelatin treatments enhanced the biocompatibility of the PEEK samples. The increase in biocompatibility could make PEEK a better material candidate for treating bone related injuries and defects.
Single‐cell RNA sequencing analysis of SARS‐CoV‐2 entry receptors in human organoids
Authors: Mahalingam Rajasekaran , Dharmalingam Prakash , Santhanam Abirami , Kotla Sivareddy , Davuluri Gangarao , Karmouty‐Quintana Harry , Ashrith Guha , Thandavarayan Rajarajan A.
Published: September 2020

Coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) is a global pandemic and caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), which has resulted in millions of deaths worldwide. Reports denote SARS‐CoV‐2 uses angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) as its primary entry point into the host cell. However, understanding the biology behind this viral replication, disease mechanism and drug discovery efforts are limited due to the lack of a suitable experimental model. Here, we used single‐cell RNA sequencing data of human organoids to analyze expressions of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, in addition to an array of RNA receptors to examine their role in SARS‐CoV‐2 pathogenesis. ACE2 is abundant in all organoids, except the prostate and brain, and TMPRSS2 is omnipresent. Innate immune pathways are upregulated in ACE2(+) cells of all organoids, except the lungs. Besides this, the expression of low‐density lipoprotein receptor is highly enriched in ACE2(+) cells in intestinal, lung, and retinal organoids, with the highest expression in lung organoids. Collectively, this study demonstrates that the organoids can be used as an experimental platform to explore this novel virus disease mechanism and for drug development.
Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of partial left pulmonary artery sling: A rare case report
Authors: Xu Ling , Wang Limin , Gai Yuanyuan , Ma Qiuping , Xiang Guanghua , Ouyang Chunyan , Shang Ning
Published: September 2020

Pulmonary artery sling is a rare congenital vascular anomaly. Partial anomalous left pulmonary artery is even rarer and no in utero observation has yet been reported. Here, we present the ultrasonographic findings of a 38‐year‐old woman at 32 weeks of gestation whose fetus showed a normal bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk into the right and left pulmonary arteries, but an anomalous origin of the left lower lobe pulmonary artery from the right pulmonary artery. These findings were confirmed by postnatal echocardiography and thoracic computed tomography.
Artificial intelligence in medicine creates real risk management and litigation issues
Authors: Keris Matthew P.
Published: September 2020

The next step in the evolution of electronic medical record (EMR) use is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into health care. With the benefit of roughly 15 years of electronic medical records (EMR) data from millions of patients, health systems can now leverage this historical information via the assistance of complex mathematical algorithms to formulate computer‐based medical decisions. With AI spending in health care forecasted to increase from $2.1 billion currently to $36 billion by 2025,1 we sit on the precipice of the next revolution in health care. Now is the time to consider the potential risks, liability and litigation issues of using AI in health care.
Comparison of microcapillary column length and inner diameter investigated with gradient analysis of lipids by ultrahigh‐pressure liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Miller Kelsey E. , Jorgenson James W.
Published: September 2020

Biological samples in lipidomic studies can consist of extremely complex mixtures due to the diverse range of species and isomerism. Herein, highly efficient, in‐house packed microcapillary columns introduce the potential to better separate these complex mixtures. We compared the effects of changing column length (15, 30, and 60 cm) and inner diameter (75 and 100 μm) on lipid separation efficiency by reversed‐phase gradient analysis using ultrahigh‐pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with operating pressures ranging from 450 to 2200 bar. Seven lipid standards composed of phosphatidylcholine and triacylglycerol species were analyzed at four different gradient rates to calculate conditional peak capacity. The longest column, 60 cm, at the shallowest gradient of 2% gave the highest peak capacity of 359 with a separation window of 2 h. The intermediate column length of 30 cm with 75 μm inner diameter provided a peak capacity of 287 with a separation window of 1 h. There was no significant difference in peak capacity between 75 and 100 μm inner diameter columns. This study showed that using highly efficient microcapillary columns increased peak capacity and resolution of lipids, and thus, this technique seems promising for enhancing lipid coverage and enabling better discovery of lipid biomarkers.
Inferring the potential impact of human activities on evapotranspiration in the Tumen River Basin based on LANDSAT imagery and historical statistics
Authors: Yu Hangnan , Lee Woo‐Kyun , Li Lan , Jin Ri , Zhu Weihong , Xu Zhen , Cui Guishan
Published: September 2020

Understanding the spatial and temporal changes in actual evapotranspiration (ETa) caused by different human activities is important for water management in water‐sensitive areas, because ETa plays a major role in regulating the availability of water on land. Thus, ETa observation is particularly important for observing land degradation in the watershed. This study used the operational simplified surface energy balance (SSEBop) model to perform ETa estimations and observations in the Tumen River Basin (TRB), covering the border of China and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), over the last 30 years by using eight periods of clear‐sky LANDSAT Thematic Mapper/Operational Land Imager (TM/OLI) and thermal infrared sensor (TIRS) data. To assess the reliability of the ETa estimations, multilayer soil temperatures from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) Land Data Assimilation System Version 2.0 (CLDAS‐V2.0) were utilized. The highest R2 (.71) between ETa and soil temperature was observed in layers shallower than 10 cm; this value of R2 gradually decreased to .57 at a depth of 200 cm. The average ETa of the TRB declined from 1.65 mm in 1985 to 1.03 mm in 2017. The impact of human activities on water loss (ETa) was determined by comparing land cover changes observed by an object‐based image analysis (OBIA) approach and economic activities between 1994 and 2008. Varying economic activities and water depletion in different soil layers may have led to the variable ETa values between the northern (China) and southern (DPRK) part of the TRB during the last three decades.
Patient Frailty Is Independently Associated With the Risk of Hospitalization for Acute‐on‐Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: Shah Shivani , Goldberg David S. , Kaplan David E. , Sundaram Vinay , Taddei Tamar H. , Mahmud Nadim
Published: September 2020

There is significant interest in identifying risk factors associated with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF). In transplant candidates, frailty predicts wait‐list mortality and posttransplant outcomes. However, the impact of frailty on ACLF development and mortality is unknown. This was a retrospective study of US veterans with cirrhosis identified between 2008 and 2016. First hospitalizations were characterized as ACLF or non‐ACLF admissions. Prehospitalization patient frailty was ascertained using a validated score based on administrative coding data. We used logistic regression to investigate the impact of an increasing frailty score on the odds of ACLF hospitalization and short‐term ACLF mortality. Cox regression was used to analyze the association between frailty and longterm survival from hospitalization. We identified 16,561 cirrhosis hospitalizations over a median follow‐up of 4.19 years (interquartile range, 2.47‐6.34 years). In adjusted models, increasing frailty score was associated with significantly increased odds of ACLF hospitalization versus non‐ACLF hospitalization (odds ratio, 1.03 per point; 95% CI 1.02‐1.03; P < 0.001). By contrast, frailty score was not associated with ACLF 28‐ or 90‐day mortality (P = 0.13 and P = 0.33, respectively). In an adjusted Cox analysis of all hospitalizations, increasing frailty scores were associated with poorer longterm survival from the time of hospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.02 per 5 points; 95% confidence interval, 1.01‐1.03; P = 0.004). Frailty increases the likelihood of ACLF hospitalization among patients with cirrhosis, but it does not impact short‐term ACLF mortality. These findings have implications for clinicians caring for frail outpatients with cirrhosis, including tailored follow‐up, risk mitigation strategies, and possible expedited transplant evaluation.
Nonstandard methods for finite structures
Authors: Tsuboi Akito
Published: September 2020

We discuss the possibility of applying the compactness theorem to the study of finite structures. Given a class of finite structures, it is important to determine whether it can be expressed by a particular category of sentences. We are interested in this type of problem, and use nonstandard method for showing the non‐expressibility of certain classes of finite graphs by an existential monadic second order sentence.
Meshes‐to‐Fibrils Transition of Gellan Gum Hydrogel Architecture by Thermal Annealing
Authors: Abalymov Anatolii A. , Van der Meeren Louis , Van de Walle Davy , Dewettinck Koen , Skirtach Andre G. , Parakhonskiy Bogdan V.
Published: September 2020

The possibilities created by tuning the architecture of hydrogels open up extensive opportunities for their application in tissue engineering and biomedicine. A simple and effective procedure is developed here, based on thermal annealing, which affects the alignment of the fibrils and results in a mesh‐like structure. Atomic force microscopy and cryo‐scanning electron microscopy are used to characterize the resultant gel. The alignment angle is demonstrated to take place spontaneously, providing an easy way for self‐assembly of such structures. The protocol developed here is likely to be applicable in numerous areas of biomedicine and tissue engineering.
Global trends in the development of complex, personalized, biomedical, surgical implant devices using 3D printing/additive manufacturing: A review
Authors: Murr Lawrence E.
Published: September 2020

With the advent and proliferation of commercial 3D printing/additive manufacturing systems for laser and electron beam powder bed fusion fabrication of complex, open‐cellular metal and alloy biomedical implant devices over the past decade, custom manufacture of personalized and patient‐specific devices has become popularized. In‐hospital, point‐of‐care surgical service centres have been established around the world, which include surgical modelling and planning, and surgical model fabrication, as well as the production of complex, open‐cellular, patient‐specific implants; especially of Ti‐6Al‐4 V alloy. The selective production of open‐cellular, porous mesh and foam biomedical devices provides for optimal biomechanical compatibility with bone as well as bone cell ingrowth, which assures implant fixation and the reduction of revision surgeries. This review discusses these issues in the context of globalization of custom implant device fabrication.
Technical Note: Optimization of quantitative susceptibility mapping by streaking artifact detection
Authors: Wu Ming‐Long , Wang Chun‐Kun , Lin Po‐Yu , Chao Tzu‐Cheng
Published: September 2020

Purpose

In quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) using magnetic resonance imaging, image reconstruction methods usually aim at suppressing streaking artifacts. In this study, a streaking detection method is proposed for evaluating and optimizing quantitative susceptibility maps.

Methods

Nine healthy subjects participated in this study and underwent three‐dimensional multi‐echo gradient echo scans. Regularized iterative algorithm was used for reconstruction of tissue susceptibility maps in all subjects. Streaking detection was applied to evaluate streaking artifact in tissue susceptibility maps. In addition, an optimization process for QSM reconstruction by streaking detection was applied and was compared with matching noise level method.

Results

It is shown that the proposed streaking detection technique effectively delineates streaking artifact in tissue susceptibility maps. In QSM reconstruction, optimization by streaking detection successfully determines the regularization factor that balances between streaking artifact suppression and tissue texture preservation. ROI analyses of brain tissue susceptibility show that optimization by streaking detection achieves results in good agreement with that from matching noise level method.

Conclusions

Streaking detection enables direct visualization of streaking patterns in tissue susceptibility maps. It can be applied both for evaluating QSM reconstruction quality and for comparing different reconstruction algorithms. Furthermore, streaking detection can be incorporated into an optimization process of QSM reconstruction. Therefore, we conclude that the proposed method will add value to reconstruction of QSM.
Development of a patient rated scale for mental health global state for use during humanitarian interventions
Authors: Llosa Augusto E. , Martínez‐Viciana Carmen , Carreño Cristina , Evangelidou Stella , Casas German , Marquer Caroline , Moro Marie Rose , Falissard Bruno , Grais Rebecca F.
Published: September 2020

Objective

We present the results of a cross‐cultural validation of the Mental Health Global State (MHGS) scale for adults and adolescents (<14 years old).

Methods

We performed two independent studies using mixed methods among 103 patients in Hebron, Occupied Palestinian Territories and 106 in Cauca, Colombia. The MHGS was analyzed psychometrically, sensitivity and specificity, ability to detect clinically meaningful change, compared to the Clinical Global Impression‐Severity scale (CGI‐S). Principal component analysis was used to reduce the number of questions after data collection.

Results

The scale demonstrated good internal consistency, with a Cronbach alpha score of 0.80 in both settings. Test retest reliability was high, ICC 0.70 (95% CI [0.41–0.85]) in Hebron and 0.87 (95% CI [0.76–0.93]) in Cauca; inter‐rater reliability was 0.70 (95% CI [0.42–0.85]) in Hebron and 0.76 (95% CI [0.57–0.88]) in Cauca. Psychometric properties were also good, and the tool demonstrated a sensitivity of 85% in Hebron and 100% in Cauca, with corresponding specificity of 80% and 79%, when compared to CGI‐S.

Conclusions

The MHGS showed promising results to assess global mental health thereby providing an additional easy to use tool in humanitarian interventions. Additional work should focus on validation in at least one more context, to adhere to best practices in transcultural validation.
Economic Losses of Catfish to Avian Predation: A Case Report
Authors: Kumar Ganesh , Hegde Shraddha , Wise David , Mischke Charles , Dorr Brian
Published: September 2020

Avian predation in catfish aquaculture has been a persistent issue throughout the history of the industry, and as production has expanded predation from piscivorous birds has intensified. Catfish ponds in the Mississippi River delta (in the Mississippi migratory flyway) provide a constant and readily accessible supply of forage for birds. Intensive foraging by fish-eating birds has led to a specific regulatory policy and numerous on-farm and regional management efforts. However, in 2016, legal challenges lead to recision of some federal policies and uncertainty as to allowable management, resulting in limitations on bird depredation. Estimating the extent of fish losses to avian predators is difficult, as loss estimates from farms are often confounded with disease- and management-related mortalities. This study details the reported losses to birds that were observed in commercial-scale catfish ponds at the Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center, Stoneville, Mississippi, during periods of limited bird management. The observed fish losses attributed to birds ranged from 33% to 95% loss in survival and potential yield losses of 4,396 to 8,889 lb/acre, increasing production costs and decreasing net returns. Net economic losses when accounting for negative net returns and lost profits ranged from US$3,518 to $4,060/acre. Losses of this magnitude on commercial fish farms are economically detrimental, especially because catfish farms lack the compensatory economic relief programs that are available in other agriculture sectors. Roost dispersal activities that are organized by federal agencies and avoiding delays in issuing bird depredation permits are vital for mitigating this persistent and growing regulatory problem in the U.S. catfish industry.
Parameter estimation in a 3‐parameterp‐star random graph model
Authors: Lenarda Pietro , Gnecco Giorgio , Riccaboni Massimo
Published: September 2020

An important issue in social network analysis refers to the development of algorithms for estimating parameters of a social network model, using data available from the network itself. This entails solving an optimization problem. In the paper, we propose a new method for parameter estimation in a specific social network model, namely, the so‐calledp‐star random graph model with three parameters. The method is based on the mean‐field approximation of the moments associated with the three subgraphs defining the model, namely: the mean numbers of edges, 2‐stars, and triangles. A modified gradient ascent method is applied to maximize the log‐likelihood function of thep‐star model, in which the components of the gradient are computed using approximate values of the moments. Compared to other existing iterative methods for parameter estimation, which are computationally very expensive when the number of vertices becomes large, such as gradient ascent applied to maximum log‐likelihood and maximum log‐pseudo‐likelihood estimation, the proposed approach has the advantage of a much cheaper cost per iteration, which is practically independent of the number of vertices.
Controlled fuzzy metric spaces and some related fixed point results
Authors: Sezen Müzeyyen Sangurlu
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we introduce a new extension in the subject of fuzzy metric, called controlled fuzzy metric space. This notion is a generalization of fuzzy b‐metric space. Also, we prove a Banach‐type fixed point theorem and a new fixed point theorem for some self‐mappings satisfying fuzzyψ‐contraction condition that is more general than existing theorems. Furthermore, we establish some examples about our main results.
Tumor Evolution in a Patient with Recurrent Endometrial Cancer and Synchronous Neuroendocrine Cancer and Response to Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment
Authors: Trikalinos Nikolaos A. , Chatterjee Deyali , Winter Kyle , Powell Matthew , Yano Motoyo
Published: September 2020

Both metachronous and synchronous tumors pose a diagnostic and clinical challenge, more so when one of the specimens demonstrates the rare neuroendocrine histology. We describe a patient with sarcoidosis who was treated for endometrial and ovarian neoplasm, recurred with two separate histologies (adenocarcinoma and high grade neuroendocrine), both associated with microsatellite instability (MSI)-high status. Targeted next-generation sequencing of tumor with synonymous somatic alterations pointed to a common ancestry of all three tumors and patient was successfully treated with a tailored immunotherapy regimen. Her sarcoidosis worsened only slightly, and immunotherapy did not need to be discontinued. This case highlights the importance of molecular testing for the optimal therapy of complex synchronous tumors and the need for communication between surgical and medical oncologists in patients with MSI-high cancer.

Key Points

The case of a patient with a recurrent gynecological cancer presenting as microsatellite instability (MSI)-high endometrial adenocarcinoma and MSI-high neuroendocrine tumor is reported. This case demonstrated a common genetic lineage with good response to checkpoint inhibition without clinical worsening of autoimmune disease. This article adds to the literature, suggesting tumor evolution with neuroendocrine differentiation in some cancers, and argues that a molecular-based approach to treatment might achieve better understanding and possibly superior treatment outcomes.