bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of lithofacies on pore structure of the Cambrian organic‐rich shale in northern Guizhou, China
Authors: Xia Peng , Li Hongnan , Fu Yong , Qiao Wenlang , Guo Chuan , Yang Zhen , Huang Jinqiang , Mou Yuliang
Published: September 2020

Taking the Cambrian organic‐rich shale in northern Guizhou for research object, total organic carbon (TOC), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were used to study shale lithofacies, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and nitrogen adsorption analyses were combined to reveal pore structure, in order to document the effect of shale lithofacies on pore structure. The results show that the Niutitang shale can be divided into six shale lithofacies, and three (siliceous shale lithofacies, carbonate‐rich siliceous shale lithofacies, and carbonaceous/argillaceous containing siliceous shale lithofacies) of them can be identified. Four types of pores (organic matter, interparticle, intraparticle, and dissolved pores) are present in the Niutitang shale. Organic matter and interparticle pores mainly occur in siliceous shales, and intraparticle and dissolved pores typically develop in carbonate‐rich siliceous shales and carbonaceous/argillaceous containing siliceous shales. Organic matter and brittle minerals related pores are two significant components of the pore volume in the Niutitang shales. The micropores and mesopores volumes promptly increase with the increase in organic matter content, indicating that organic matter is the primary contributor to micropores and mesopores. Clay content shows weakly negative relations with both the micropore and mesopore volumes. The development of macropores is associated with inorganic minerals (i.e., clay and carbonate). Organic matter and clay contribute the most to specific surface area, while the contribution of brittle minerals is negligible. Siliceous shales are the most favourable reservoir for shale gas due to their tremendous specific surface area and pore volume. In contrast, carbonate‐rich siliceous shales have the least storage capacity of shale gas because of their relatively smaller specific surface area and pore volume.
Influences of upstream reservoir stratification and downstream tidal fluctuations on the summer thermal regime of a regulated coastal river
Authors: West David Timothy , Moore Robert Daniel
Published: September 2020

This study focused on the effects of upstream reservoir thermal dynamics and downstream tidal influences on temperatures in a 25‐km reach of Alouette River (coastal British Columbia, Canada) below a control dam and upstream of its confluence with Pitt River. Temperature was monitored during summer 2013 using 25 sensors. Water was released from the reservoir through a low level outlet at approximately 2.7 m3 s−1, except during late spring when a higher flow was released over the dam spillway. Temperature variations in the lowest section of Alouette River, and in the lower portion of a tributary, were distinct from those further upstream due to backwatering effects associated with a semi‐diurnal tide, which can cause flow reversals in Pitt River. An internal seiche was identified in the reservoir during mid‐summer that resulted in oscillating releases of warmer and cooler water with an amplitude of up to 6°C and a period of approximately 12 hr. Wavelet analysis and band‐pass filtering indicated that the 12‐hr signal declined in strength with downstream distance, but remained detectable about 15 km below the dam. In contrast, the 24‐hr diel signal increased in strength with distance below the dam. Travel times computed via cross‐correlation of the 12‐hr signals with that at the low level outlet were within ±10% of those estimated from measured mean velocities. Lagrangian tracking of water parcels using the derived travel times indicated that the cooling effect of periodic releases of cold water during the seiching period persisted to the lower extent of the non‐tidal reach. The tidally influenced locations experienced higher temperatures than those recorded in the non‐tidal portion of Alouette River, although the relative roles of heating in the upstream tidal reach versus upstream advection of water associated with tide‐driven flow reversals in Pitt River require further study.
Exchange rate factors, income levels, and investment abroad: An empirical study based on a sample of emerging economies
Authors: Ma Yu , Du Xinqian
Published: September 2020

With the continuous advancement of economic globalization, the rapid growth of investment abroad by emerging economies has become an important part of international capital flows. By building dynamic panel models using 1993–2016 data from 49 emerging economies, this study investigate the effects of exchange rate factors and economic development levels on investment by emerging economies. The findings are as follows. First, exchange rate changes and exchange rate flexibility had significant effects on investment abroad by emerging economies. Second, for emerging economies with different income levels, there are significant differences in factors affecting foreign investment. The impact of exchange rate changes, exchange rate flexibility, and the interaction between the two on a country's foreign investment is related to the country's income level.
Everolimus‐induced gastric antral vascular ectasia in advanced renal cancer
Authors: Hata Kenichi , Yasue Keiji , Ishii Gen , Kimura Takahiro , Egawa Shin
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Although several medical, endoscopic, and surgical treatment options are available, the management of gastric antral vascular ectasia remains clinically challenging. We report a case of gastric antral vascular ectasia due to everolimus use in a patient with advanced renal cancer.

Case presentation

A 71‐year‐old man was diagnosed with right‐sided renal cancer and multiple lung metastases. In the period of everolimus as third‐line therapy, endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed everolimus‐induced gastric antral vascular ectasia. Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation and variceal ligation were repeated seven times within a month of everolimus cessation. Subsequently, an antrectomy was performed; his postoperative course was uneventful.

Conclusion

Based on our experience, we believe that an antrectomy is important in the management of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor‐related gastric antral vascular ectasia.
LncRNA SOX2OT/Smad3 feedback loop promotes myocardial fibrosis in heart failure
Authors: Ou Yali , Liao Chunfeng , Li He , Yu Guolong
Published: September 2020

Long noncoding RNA SOX2OT is associated with myocardial fibrosis (MF) in heart failure (HF). This article aims to investigate the role of SOX2OT in MF. We constructed HF mouse models by subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline (ISO). Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were treated with ISO to induce MF.Hematoxylin‐eosin, Masson, and Sirius‐red staining were used to identify myocardial injury and collagen deposition in heart tissues. The relationship among SOX2OT, miR‐138‐5p, TGF‐β1, and Smad3 were evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assay. The gene and protein expression were verified by quantitative real‐time PCR and western blot. We found that SOX2OT was up‐regulated in HF mice and ISO‐induced CFs. SOX2OT knockdown reduced myocardial injury and collagen deposition in HF mice. The expression of collagen I, α‐SMA, TGF‐β1, and p‐Smad3 were inhibited by SOX2OT down‐regulation in HF mice and ISO‐induced CFs. Furthermore, TGF‐β1 was a target gene of miR‐138‐5p and indirectly regulated by SOX2OT. SOX2OT promoted MF in HF by activating TGF‐β1/Smad3, and then Smad3 interacted with the SOX2OT promoter and formed a positive feedback loop. In conclusion, our work verifies that SOX2OT/Smad3 feedback loop promotes MF in HF. Thus, SOX2OT is potentially a novel therapeutic target for MF in HF.
Evaluation of annealed titanium oxide nanotubes on titanium: From surface characterization to in vivo assays
Authors: Gomez Sanchez Andrea , Katunar María R. , Pastore Juan Ignacio , Tano de la Hoz María Florencia , Ceré Silvia
Published: September 2020

The entire route from anodic oxidation and surface characterization, including in vitro experiments and finally in vivo osseointegration assays were performed with the aim to evaluate nanotubular and crystalline annealed titanium oxides as a suitable surface for grade 2 titanium permanent implants. Polished titanium (T0) was compared with anodized surfaces obtained in acidic media with fluoride, leading to an ordered nanotubular structure of titanium oxide on the metal surface, characterized by tube diameter of 89 ± 24 nm (Tnts). Samples were thermally treated in air (TntsTT) to increase the anatase crystalline phase on nanotubes, with minor alteration of the structure. Corrosion tests were performed to evaluate the electrochemical response after 1, 14, and 28 days of immersion in simulated body fluid. Based on the in vitro results, heat‐treated titanium nanotubes (TntsTT) were selected as a promissory candidate to continue with the osseointegration in vivo assays. The in vivo results showed no major improvement in the osseointegration process when compared with untreated Ti after 30 days of implantation and there also was a lower increase in the development of new osseous tissue.
Pollen morphology and viability ofTillandsia(Bromeliaceae) species by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: de Oliveira Souza Sandra , Souza de Oliveira Rafaelle , Aona Lidyanne Yuriko Saleme , Souza Fernanda Vidigal Duarte , Soares Taliane Leila , Rossi Mônica Lanzoni , de Souza Everton Hilo
Published: September 2020

Tillandsiais the bromeliad genus containing the largest number of species, with wide geographic dispersion and an important ecological role in the ecosystems. Investigations of pollen morphology are important to support taxonomic and conservation studies as well as to choose promising species for cross‐pollination to obtain hybrids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphology, production, and viability of pollen grains of 24Tillandsiaspecies that naturally occur in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Pollen grains were acetolized and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The pollen were germinated in vitro in two culture media (BM and BKM) and collected at three floral development stages (pre‐anthesis, anthesis and post‐anthesis). Pollen viability also was analyzed by staining with Alexander's solution and acetocarmine in three floral development stages. Variations in the ornamentation and size of the pollen were observed among the species studied, with the majority having medium size, whileT. polystachiaandT. junceahad large grains and the subgeneraDiaphoranthemaandPhytarrhizahad small grains. The pollen of the majority of species had bilateral symmetry, with a single irregularly shaped colpus, semitectate exine and reticulated‐heterobrochate surface. The pollen presented high germination percentage, tube length and viability according to the histochemistry, except forT. recurvata,T. usneoidesandT. loliacea. The BKM medium and collection of pollen during anthesis produced the best results for theTillandsiaspecies. The results can support studies of the taxonomy and conservation of these species, which have great environmental importance and high value for ornamental purposes.
Biogeochemical and climate drivers of wetland phosphorus and nitrogen release: Implications for nutrient legacies and eutrophication risk
Authors: Jarvie Helen P. , Pallett Denise W. , Schäfer Stefanie M. , Macrae Merrin L. , Bowes Michael J. , Farrand Philip , Warwick Alan C. , King Stephen M. , Williams Richard J. , Armstrong Linda , Nicholls David J. E. , Lord William D. , Rylett Daniel , Roberts Colin , Fisher Nigel
Published: September 2020

The dynamics and processes of nutrient cycling and release were examined for a lowland wetland‐pond system, draining woodland in southern England. Hydrochemical and meteorological data were analyzed from 1997 to 2017, along with high‐resolution in situ sensor measurements from 2016 to 2017. The results showed that even a relatively pristine wetland can become a source of highly bioavailable phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and silicon (Si) during low‐flow periods of high ecological sensitivity. The drivers of nutrient release were primary production and accumulation of biomass, which provided a carbon (C) source for microbial respiration and, via mineralization, a source of bioavailable nutrients for P and N co‐limited microorganisms. During high‐intensity nutrient release events, the dominant N‐cycling process switched from denitrification to nitrate ammonification, and a positive feedback cycle of P and N release was sustained over several months during summer and fall. Temperature controls on microbial activity were the primary drivers of short‐term (day‐to‐day) variability in P release, with subdaily (diurnal) fluctuations in P concentrations driven by water body metabolism. Interannual relationships between nutrient release and climate variables indicated “memory” effects of antecedent climate drivers through accumulated legacy organic matter from the previous year's biomass production. Natural flood management initiatives promote the use of wetlands as “nature‐based solutions” in climate change adaptation, flood management, and soil and water conservation. This study highlights potential water quality trade‐offs and shows how the convergence of climate and biogeochemical drivers of wetland nutrient release can amplify background nutrient signals by mobilizing legacy nutrients, causing water quality impairment and accelerating eutrophication risk.
Serotonin signaling suppresses the nutrition‐responsive induction of an alternate male morph in horn polyphenic beetles
Authors: Schwab Daniel B. , Newsom Keeley D. , Moczek Armin P.
Published: September 2020

Environment‐responsive development contributes significantly to the phenotypic variation visible to selection and as such possesses the potential to shape evolutionary trajectories. However, evaluation of the contributions of developmental plasticity to evolutionary diversification necessitates an understanding of the developmental mechanisms underpinning plastic trait expression. We investigated the role of serotonin signaling in the regulation and evolution of horn polyphenism in the beetle genus Onthophagus. Specifically, we assessed the role of serotonin in development by determining whether manipulating serotonin biosynthesis during the larval stage alters body size, developmental rate, and the formation of relative adult trait size in traits characterized by minimal (genitalia), moderate (elytra), and pronounced (horns) nutrition‐responsive development in O. taurus. Second, we assessed serotonin's role in evolution by replicating a subset of our approaches across four species reflecting ancestral as well as derived conditions. Lastly, we employed immunohistochemical approaches to begin assessing whether serotonin may be acting via the endocrine or nervous system. Our results show that pharmacological manipulation of serotonin signaling affects overall size, developmental rate, and the body size threshold separating alternate male morphs. Threshold body sizes were affected across species, regardless of the severity of horn polyphenism, and independent of the precise morphological location of horns. However, histological assessments suggest it is unlikely serotonin functions as a neurotransmitter and instead may rely on other mechanisms that remain to be identified. We discuss the most important implications of our results for our understanding of the evolution of and through plasticity in horned beetles and beyond.
Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of new 1,2,4‐triazole, 1,3,4‐oxadiazole, 1,3,4‐thiadiazole, thiopyrane, thiazolidinone, and azepine derivatives
Authors: Abu‐Hashem Ameen Ali
Published: September 2020

4‐oxo‐4‐phenylbutanehydrazide 3 was reacted with aryl or alkyl isothiocyanates to give the corresponding N‐substituted‐2‐(4‐oxo‐4‐phenylbutanoyl) hydrazine‐1‐carbothioamide 4a‐c. Cyclization of thiosemicarbazides 4a‐c with sodium hydroxide led to the formation of 3‐(4‐sub‐5‐thioxo‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)‐propanone 5a‐c. Desulfurization of thiosemicarbazides 4a‐c by mercuric oxide afforded 3‐(5‐(sub‐amino)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)‐propanone 6a‐c. The reaction of 4a‐c with phosphorus oxychloride gave 3‐(5‐(sub‐amino)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl)‐propanone 7a‐c. Treatment of 4a‐c with ethyl‐bromoacetate or α‐bromopropionic acid gave N′‐(3‐sub‐thiazolidin‐2‐ylidene)‐butanehydrazide 8a‐c and (N′‐(3‐sub‐oxothiazolidin‐2‐ylidene)‐butanehydrazide 9a‐c. Chlorination of oxothiazolidine‐hydrazide 9a‐c by phosphorus oxychloride afforded N‐(3‐sub‐4‐oxothiazolidine)‐butane‐hydrazonoyl‐chloride 10a‐c. The reaction of 10a‐c with mercaptoacetyl‐chloride yielded 2‐((4‐benzoyl‐thiopyrane) hydrazono)‐3‐sub‐thiazolidinone 11a‐c. Also, reacted of 10a‐c with hydrazine hydrate afforded N″‐(3‐sub‐oxothiazolidine)‐butane‐hydrazon‐hydrazide 12a‐c. The 3‐sub‐2‐((pyridazine) hydrazono) thiazolidinone 13a‐c was obtained by cyclization of 12a‐c via refluxing in DMF. The reaction and cyclized of 9a‐c with chloroacetyl‐chloride in ethanolic KOH afforded 1‐((3‐sub‐4‐oxothiazolidine) amino)‐azepine‐dione 14a‐c. The chemical structures of the new compounds have been confirmed by diverse spectroscopy analyses such as IR, NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity and these compounds were considered (Pyridazin‐hydrazono‐thiazolidinone 13a‐c, oxothiazolidin‐azepinedione 14a‐c, N‐thiazolidin‐hydrazon‐hydrazide 12a‐c, and thiopyran‐hydrazono‐thiazolidinone 11a‐c) the most effective as antimicrobial activity.
Overt speech feasibility using continuous functional magnetic resonance imaging: Isolation of areas involved in phonology and prosody
Authors: Berro David Hassanein , Lemée Jean‐Michel , Leiber Louis‐Marie , Emery Evelyne , Menei Philippe , Ter Minassian Aram
Published: September 2020

To avoid motion artifacts, almost all speech‐related functional magnetic resonance imagings (fMRIs) are performed covertly to detect language activations. This method may be difficult to execute, especially by patients with brain tumors, and does not allow the identification of phonological areas. Here, we aimed to evaluate overt task feasibility. Thirty‐three volunteers participated in this study. They performed two functional sessions of covert and overt generation of a short sentence semantically linked with a word. Three main contrasts were performed: Covert and Overt for the isolation of language‐activated areas, and Overt > Covert for the isolation of the motor cortical activation of speech. fMRI data preprocessing was performed with and without unwarping, and with and without regression of movement parameters as confounding variables. All types of results were compared to each other. For the Overt contrast, Dice coefficients showed strong overlap between each pair of types of results: 0.98 for the pair with and without unwarping, and 0.9 for the pair with and without movement parameter regression. The Overt > Covert contrast allowed isolation of motor laryngeal activations with high statistical reliability and revealed the right‐lateralized temporal activity related to acoustic feedback. Overt speaking during magnetic resonance imaging induced few artifacts and did not significantly affect the results, allowing the identification of areas involved in primary motor control and prosodic regulation of speech. Unwarping and motion artifact regression in the postprocessing step, seem to not be necessary. Changes in lateralization of cortical activity by overt speech shall be explored before using these tasks for presurgical mapping.
The lenses of lean: Visioning the science and practice of efficiency
Authors: Hopp Wallace J. , Spearman Mark S.
Published: September 2020

There is a significant gap between the descriptions of Lean used by industry practitioners and the various bodies of academic research that have studied the theory and application of Lean. There is also a gap between applied research on Lean and basic research in the mathematical, physical and social sciences. As a result, Lean practice is based largely on trial‐and‐error experience while potentially valuable research results remain locked away unused in archival journals. This paper attempts to close these gaps by describing four “Lenses of Lean,” each of which aligns with a practical perspective and rests on a distinct body of conceptual research. Our hope is that this framework will provide a useful construct for Lean training and implementation and will also spur academic research that is relevant to advancing Lean practice.
Kinematic changes in severe hip osteoarthritis measured at matched gait speeds
Authors: Ismailidis Petros , Kaufmann Mara , Clauss Martin , Pagenstert Geert , Eckardt Anke , Ilchmann Thomas , Mündermann Annegret , Nüesch Corina
Published: September 2020

Kinematic differences between patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and control participants have been reported to be influenced by gait speed. The purpose of this study was to experimentally detect the effect of walking speed on differences in spatiotemporal parameters and kinematic trajectories between patients with hip OA and age‐matched asymptomatic participants using wearable sensors and statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Twenty‐four patients with severe unilateral hip OA and 48 control participants were included in this study. Patients walked at a self‐selected normal speed and control participants at self‐selected normal and slow speeds. Spatiotemporal parameters and kinematic trajectories were measured with the inertial sensor system Rehagait®. Gait parameters were compared between patients with hip OA and control participants for normal and matched speed using SPM with independent sample t‐tests. At self‐selected normal speed, the patient group walked slower (−0.20 m/s, p < .001) and at lower cadence (−5.0 steps/minute, p < .001) as well as with smaller hip flexion (−7.4°, p < .001) and extension (−4.1°, p = .001), higher knee flexion during terminal stance (+8.0°, p < .001) and higher ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion (+7.1°, p < .001). While differences in spatiotemporal parameters and the ankle trajectory disappeared at matched speed, some clinically relevant and statistically significant differences in hip and knee trajectories remained. Most differences in sagittal plane gait kinematics between patients with hip OA and control participants were present for matched speed, and therefore appear to be associated with a disease rather than gait speed. Nevertheless, studies investigating hip kinematics in patients with hip OA should involve trials at matched speeds.
Helicity‐resolved resonant Raman spectroscopy of layered WS2
Authors: Zhao Yan , Han Shiyi , Zhang Jin , Tong Lianming
Published: September 2020

When excited by circularly polarized light, the Raman scattered light may have the same or opposite helicity as the incident light determined by the helicity selection rule. For two‐dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogonides (TMDCs), the helicity selection rule can be broken down due to the strong Fröhlich exciton–phonon interaction. However, how the helicity selection rule changes with excitation energy has not been reported yet. Here, we study the helicity‐resolved Raman scattering of layered WS2 excited by circularly polarized light for excitations off‐excitonic resonance and near resonance to different excitons. We find that for off‐resonance excitation, the helicity of
mode of WS2 obeys the helicity selection rule determined by the symmetry of crystal structure and vibration modes. When excited near resonance to the B exciton, the breakdown of the helicity selection rule is observed, which is attributed to the appearance of nonzero diagonal elements of the Raman tensor resulted from the Fröhlich exciton–phonon interaction. The layer number dependence of the helicity polarization ratio of the
mode shows that the proportion of helicity‐conserved component decreases with the increase of layer number. When the excitation energy is near resonance to the A exciton, the different helicity polarization ratio is found and remains unchanged with increasing layer number, which may be attributed to the different coupling strengths of exciton–phonon interactions.
Clinical Application of High‐frequency Ultrasound in Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas
Authors: Meng Hong , Jiang Licheng , Chen Zhe , Zhang Gaiying , Liu Jianlin
Published: September 2020

Objective

To study the clinical application of high‐frequency ultrasound in the treatment of infantile hemangiomas.

Methods

Ultrasonographic data before and after treatment for 1 month, 3 months and 5 months were recorded from 80 patients with infantile hemangioma. The hemangioma was monitored dynamically with relevant indexes before and after treatment, and the treatment results were divided into 2 groups: the treatment‐effective group of 70 cases and the treatment‐ineffective group of 10 cases. The differences of tumor size, internal echo and hemodynamic parameters (peak arterial systolic flow velocity, resistance index and venous velocity) were compared before and after treatment, and reliable ultrasound observation indexes were summarized.

Results

After treatment, in the treatment‐effective group, the thickness of tumor was reduced in all cases, the blood flow signals decreased in 55 cases, the peak systolic velocity decreased in 55 cases, resistance index increased in 55 cases, and venous flow velocity decreased in 53 cases; the differences were statistically significant compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05). The thickness of tumors was significantly decreased after 5 months of treatment compared with 1 month and 2 month treatment (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the longitudinal and transverse diameter of tumors after treatment (P > 0.05). In the treatment‐ineffective group, there was no significant difference in the above indexes before and after treatment (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

High‐frequency ultrasound had primary application value in the treatment of infantile hemangiomas, where the change of tumor thickness provided the most important observational indicator.
Systemic Bevacizumab (Avastin) for Juvenile‐Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ryan Marisa A. , Leu Grace R. , Upchurch Patrick A. , Tunkel David E. , Walsh Jonathan M. , Boss Emily F.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP) can cause severe or disseminated disease. Surgical treatment may be inadequate. Systemic bevacizumab has shown initial success for severe JORRP. The objective of this systematic review was to assess usage, effectiveness, and safety of this treatment.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies of humans with JORRP treated with systemic bevacizumab. Two researchers independently reviewed the studies to determine inclusion and aggregate data on patient characteristics, dosing protocols, treatment response, adverse events, and level of evidence.

Results

Of 80 identified articles, 12 studies were included detailing 20 distinct cases. At a mean age of 12.8 years (range = 1–43 years) patients received initial dosing of 5 to 10 mg/kg of bevacizumab followed by ongoing doses at a mean 3‐week intervals (range = 2–5 weeks). All patients had clinically significant disease reduction with reduced need for surgery. Six patients (30%) had complete response in at least one involved anatomic site. Eleven (55%) required no surgery after initiating treatment. There was recurrence in all four patients whose treatment was stopped, but had rapid improvement with treatment resumption. Six (30%) experienced mild or moderate adverse events.

Conclusions

Marked improvement in severe JORRP has been reported from systemic bevacizumab. Treatment protocols vary, and treatment discontinuation was not feasible in any reported patient. Based on currently available data, systemic bevacizumab can be considered for severe JORRP as it appears to be well tolerated and effective. A clinical trial could enhance the understanding of its safety and efficacy for this indication. Laryngoscope, 131:1138–1146, 2021
Elucidating the Role of Interfacial Hydrogen Bonds on Glass Transition Temperature Change in a Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/SiO2 Polymer‐Nanocomposite by Noncovalent Interaction Characterization and Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Panigrahi Ritwik , Chakraborty Souvik , Ye Jun , Lim Geraldine S. , Lim Freda C. H. , Yam Joachim Khin Hun , Wu Linda Yongling , Chng Shuyun , Prawirasatya Melissa , van Herk Alexander M. , Thoniyot Praveen
Published: September 2020

A thorough experimental investigation of polymer‐glass transition temperature (Tg) is performed on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and fumed silica nanoparticle (SiNP) composite. This is done together with atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of PVA systems in contact with bare and fully hydroxylated silica. Experimentally, PVA‐SiNP composites are prepared by simple solution casting from aqueous solutions followed by its characterization using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC). Both theoretical and experimentally deduced Tg are correlated with the presence of hydrogen bonding interactions involving OH functionality present on the surface of SiNP and along PVA polymer backbone. Further deconvolution of FTIR data show that inter‐molecular hydrogen bonding present between PVA and SiNP surface is directly responsible for the increase in Tg. SiNP filler and PVA matrix ratio is also optimized for a desired Tg increase. An optimal loading of SiNP exists, in order to yield the maximum Tg increase arising from the competition between hydrogen bonding and crowding effect of SiNP.
Implementation of the Pulley Effect of Polyrotaxane in Transparent Bulk Polymer for Simultaneous Strengthening and Toughening
Authors: Xie Zhen Hua , Rong Min Zhi , Zhang Ming Qiu , Liu Dong
Published: September 2020

The fascinating pulley effect from moveable α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) based polyrotaxane favors toughening of hydrogels, but the strategy is rarely applied in bulk polymers because of the severe aggregation trend of α‐CDs. Herein, the authors propose a simple approach to moderately modify the α‐CDs of polyrotaxane by introducing large steric side groups and reactive CC so as to minimize the unwanted hydrogen bonds‐induced aggregation of α‐CDs and hydrophilicity of polyrotaxane. Accordingly, the proof‐of‐concept material, poly(methyl acrylate) crosslinked by the modified polyrotaxane, turns out to be rather homogeneous with optical transparency. The polyrotaxane crosslinks are movable under external force as disclosed by in situ small‐angle X‐ray scattering and other techniques, which is correlated to the relative amount of α‐CDs. A few polyrotaxane crosslinkers prove to be sufficient to simultaneously improve strength and toughness of poly(methyl acrylate) owing to the stress equalization. The present work provides an expandable toolbox for enhancing polymers.
Identification of novel candidate risk genes for myelomeningocele within the glucose homeostasis/oxidative stress and folate/one‐carbon metabolism networks
Authors: Hillman Paul , Baker Craig , Hebert Luke , Brown Michael , Hixson James , Ashley‐Koch Allison , Morrison Alanna C. , Northrup Hope , Au Kit Sing
Published: September 2020

Background

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common complex birth defect, yet, our understanding of the genetic contribution to their development remains incomplete. Two environmental factors associated with NTDs are Folate and One Carbon Metabolism (FOCM) and Glucose Homeostasis and Oxidative Stress (GHOS). Utilizing next‐generation sequencing of a large patient cohort, we identify novel candidate genes in these two networks to provide insights into NTD mechanisms.

Methods

Exome sequencing (ES) was performed in 511 patients, born with myelomeningocele, divided between European American and Mexican American ethnicities. Healthy control data from the Genome Aggregation database were ethnically matched and used as controls. Rare, high fidelity, nonsynonymous predicted damaging missense, nonsense, or canonical splice site variants in independently generated candidate gene lists for FOCM and GHOS were identified. We used a gene‐based collapsing approach to quantify mutational burden in case and controls, with the control cohort estimated using cumulative allele frequencies assuming Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium.

Results

We identified 45 of 837 genes in the FOCM network and 22 of 568 genes in the GHOS network as possible NTD risk genes with p < 0.05. No nominally significant risk genes were shared between ethnicities. Using a novel approach to mutational burden we identify 55 novel NTD risk associations.

Conclusions

We provide a means of utilizing large publicly available sequencing datasets as controls for sequencing projects examining rare disease. This approach confirmed existing risk genes for myelomeningocele and identified possible novel risk genes. Lastly, it suggests possible distinct genetic etiologies for this malformation between different ethnicities.
The periosteal‐cutaneous chimeric medial femoral condyle free flap for subtotal ear reconstruction: A case report
Authors: di Summa Pietro G. , Sapino Gianluca , Zaugg Patrice , Raffoul Wassim , Guillier David
Published: September 2020

When costal graft is contraindicated or refused by the patient, autologous total/subtotal auricular reconstruction represent a real challenge as limited surgical options has been described. Aim of present report is to offer a novel possible autologous reconstruction of the ear frame using a chimeric free medial femoral condyle (MFC) flap. We present a case of a 29 years old patient who had total loss of the upper 2/3 of the right ear after bombing in Somalia and secondary infected condritis (considered a relative contraindication for costal cartilage graft). The MFC flap was harvested with a chimeric skin paddle (7 × 5 cm), a thin sheet of femoral cortex (6.5 × 8 cm) was used as basal ear frame, while part of the contralateral concha was trimmed as support for the helix, with the periosteal component of the flap wrapping around the whole framework. The chimeric skin paddle assured the retroauricular skin coverage, while the anterior part of the construct was covered by a thinned dermal flap. Postoperative course was uneventful. A defatting procedure of the posterior skin paddle was performed at 2 months post‐op. At 6 months post‐op, the patient was satisfied with the result, could wear glasses and was socially integrated. This new application of the free chimeric MFC flap, despite being not the primary choice for ear reconstruction, guaranteed satisfactory results in terms of ear shape and infection prevention and may be considered when ordinary cartilage rib reconstruction is refused, contraindicated, or failed.
Irregularities of TUC4 and TUAC6 nanotubes
Authors: Gao Wei , Virk Abaid ur Rehman
Published: September 2020

A graph is said to be regular if all its vertices have the same degree, otherwise, it is irregular. Irregularity indices are usually used for quantitative characterization of the topological structure of nonregular graphs. In numerous applications and problems in material engineering and chemistry, it is useful to be aware that how irregular a molecular structure is. Furthermore, evaluations of the irregularity of underline molecular graphs could be valuable for QSAR/QSPR studies, and for the expressive determines of chemical and physical properties, such as enthalpy of vaporization, toxicity, resistance, entropy, melting, and boiling points. In this paper, we find some irregularity measures of nanotubes. We compute 16 irregularities of TUC4 and TUAC6 nanotubes. We also compare the computed irregularities by plotting our results using software Mathematica.
A Petrov–Galerkin spectral method for the numerical simulation and analysis of fractional anomalous diffusion
Authors: Jani Mostafa , Babolian Esmail , Bhatta Dambaru
Published: September 2020

Anomalous diffusion problems are used to describe the evolution of particle's motion in crowded environments with many applications, such as modeling the intracellular transport and disordered media. In the present paper, we develop a Petrov–Galerkin spectral method for the fourth‐order anomalous fractional diffusion equations. For the dimension reduction, we use a discretization in time by the convolution quadrature. We then introduce the basis sets for the trial‐and‐test spaces using modal Bernstein basis functions with a presentation of the method in a weak spectral formulation along with a discussion of the structure of the resulting systems, the convergence, and stability of the proposed method. The theoretical results are supported by illustrating some numerical examples.
Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1A: Longitudinal change in nerve ultrasound parameters
Authors: Kojima Yuta , Noto Yu‐ichi , Tsuji Yukiko , Kitani‐Morii Fukiko , Shiga Kensuke , Mizuno Toshiki , Nakagawa Masanori
Published: September 2020

Background

This study aimed to elucidate the longitudinal changes in nerve ultrasound parameters of adult Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) patients.

Methods

Fifteen adult patients with CMT1A prospectively underwent nerve ultrasound and clinical assessment (CMT neuropathy score [CMTNS]) at baseline and 5 y later. Nerve cross‐sectional area (CSA) and echogenicity were measured in the median and sural nerves. Changes in ultrasound parameters and CMTNS and correlation between changes of ultrasound parameters and CMTNS were analyzed.

Results

Median and sural nerve CSAs did not change over 5 y, although CMTNS increased (P < .01). Nerve echogenicity in the sural nerve decreased over 5 y (P = .045). No correlations between changes in nerve ultrasound parameters and CMTNS were identified.

Conclusions

No longitudinal changes in nerve size was detected in adult CMT1A. Exploring the factors that determine nerve size in childhood CMT1A may lead to the development of treatments.
Cognitive challenges in persons with spina bifida: Bearing on urological dysfunctions?
Authors: Ehrén Ingrid , Hagman Göran , Lindbo Lena , Gabrielsson Hanna , Bendt Martina , Seiger Åke
Published: September 2020

Aim

To evaluate if adult persons with spina bifida (SB) who have urinary tract complications have cognitive difficulties that can be identified by neuropsychological tests.

Methods

All individuals with SB ≥ 18 years of age registered at a regional outpatient clinic (n = 219) were invited, of which, 154 persons were included. Neuropsychological assessment of their cognitive status was performed with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale®—Fourth Edition: Coding, Block design, Arithmetic's, FAS (word generation), Rey Auditory Verbal Test for learning, and delayed recall 30 min. Bladder and bowel function were assessed with questions used by the Nordic Spinal Cord Injury Registry (NSCIR) in structured interviews, by questionnaires, and by chart reviews.

Results

Average neuropsychological test results for this SB population was shown to be approximately 1 SD under the median for the general population. The Coding test showed significantly lower test results as compared with the whole SB group in persons with urinary tract complications, especially urinary tract infections, reduced kidney function, dependent emptying of the bladder, and the bowel and accidental bowel leakage. The Arithmetic's test showed a significant difference between subgroups in all parameters except reduced kidney function whereas the other neuropsychological tests were significantly correlated with some but not all urological parameters.

Conclusion

We propose neuropsychological testing with primarily two tests to find those persons with SB who, due to cognitive challenges, might need extra support to minimize urological complications.
Converting volunteers to donors: Fundraising strategies for professional associations
Authors: Hung ChiaKo
Published: September 2020

The use of fundraising strategies in professional associations is on the rise as member donations have become an increasingly important revenue stream for the associations. This study aims to understand why member volunteers are potential donors to professional associations and to examine whether association solicitation is effective in increasing member volunteer donations. A moderated mediation model was tested with data that consisted of 3,224 professional association members. The results suggest that member satisfaction significantly mediates the relationship between member volunteering and financial giving, and solicitation only makes a difference to member volunteers who are satisfied with their membership. This study concludes that targeting satisfied member volunteers for donations could yield financial benefits to professional associations.
Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure, Gestational Weight Gain, and Postpartum Weight Changes in Project Viva
Authors: Mitro Susanna D. , Sagiv Sharon K. , Rifas‐Shiman Sheryl L. , Calafat Antonia M. , Fleisch Abby F. , Jaacks Lindsay M. , Williams Paige L. , Oken Emily , James‐Todd Tamarra M.
Published: September 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to test the extent to which pregnancy per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations were associated with gestational weight gain and postpartum weight changes.

Methods

This study was composed of 1,614 women recruited between 1999 and 2002 via the Project Viva cohort with pregnancy plasma concentrations of six PFAS, including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and 2‐(N‐ethyl‐perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid. Gestational weight gain was defined as the difference between last pregnancy weight and prepregnancy weight, 1‐year postpartum weight retention as the difference between 1‐year postpartum weight and prepregnancy weight, and 3‐year postpartum weight change as the difference between 3‐year postpartum weight and prepregnancy weight.

Results

During pregnancy, women gained 0.37 kg (95% CI: 0.11‐0.62) more weight per doubling of 2‐(N‐ethyl‐perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid. At 1 year post partum, women retained 0.55 kg (95% CI: 0.07‐1.04) more weight per doubling of PFOA. At 3 years post partum, women gained 0.91 kg (95% CI: 0.25‐1.56) more weight per doubling in PFOA. Findings were similar after adjustment for all PFAS. Other PFAS were not associated with weight changes. Postpartum associations were stronger among women with higher prepregnancy BMI. Models were adjusted for demographics.

Conclusions

Pregnancy PFAS were associated with greater gestational weight gain, weight retention, and weight gain years after pregnancy.
Lymphopenia During Definitive Chemoradiotherapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Association with Dosimetric Parameters and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Xu Hui , Lin Maosheng , Hu Yingying , Zhang Li , Li Qiaoqiao , Zhu Jinhan , Wang Shi , Xi Mian
Published: September 2020

Background

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical characteristics, as well as dosimetric parameters, and the risk of treatment-related lymphopenia in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Materials and Methods

Clinical characteristics and dosimetric parameters were collected from 436 patients with ESCC who received definitive CRT from 2010 through 2017. Absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) were obtained before, during, and 1 month after CRT. Grade 4 (G4) lymphopenia was defined as ALC <0.2 × 109/L during CRT. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of each factor on predicting G4 lymphopenia. The relationship between lymphopenia and overall survival (OS) was examined, and a nomogram was developed to predict OS.

Results

G4 lymphopenia was observed in 103 patients (23.6%) during CRT. Multivariate analysis indicated that planning target volume (PTV), lung V10, heart V10, performance status, and pretreatment lymphopenia were significant risk factors for G4 lymphopenia. Patients with G4 lymphopenia had significantly worse survival than those without. Based on multivariate analysis, clinical TNM stage, radiotherapy modality, pretreatment ALC, and G4 lymphopenia were predictive of OS and were incorporated into the nomogram, yielding a concordance index of 0.71.

Conclusions

G4 lymphopenia during definitive CRT was associated with larger PTVs, higher lung V10 and heart V10, and worse survival.

Implications for Practice

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical characteristics, as well as dosimetric parameters, and the risk of treatment-related lymphopenia in 436 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received definitive chemoradiotherapy. Grade 4 (G4) lymphopenia was observed in 23.6% of patients during radiotherapy. G4 lymphopenia was associated with larger planning target volumes, higher lung V10 and heart V10, and worse survival. Then, a nomogram was built based on multivariate analysis, yielding excellent performance to predict overall survival. Prospective studies are needed to investigate potential approaches for mitigating severe lymphopenia, which may ultimately convert into survival benefits.
Differential TM4SF5‐mediated SIRT1 modulation and metabolic signaling in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis progression
Authors: Ryu Jihye , Kim Eunmi , Kang Min‐Kyung , Song Dae‐Geun , Shin Eun‐Ae , Lee Haesong , Jung Jae Woo , Nam Seo Hee , Kim Ji Eon , Kim Hye‐Jin , Son Taekwon , Kim Semi , Kim Hwi Young , Lee Jung Weon
Published: September 2020

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a chronic condition involving steatosis, steatohepatitis and fibrosis, and its progression remains unclear. Although the tetraspanin transmembrane 4 L six family member 5 (TM4SF5) is involved in hepatic fibrosis and cancer, its role in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression is unknown. We investigated the contribution of TM4SF5 to liver pathology using transgenic and KO mice, diet‐ or drug‐treated mice, in vitro primary cells, and in human tissue. TM4SF5‐overexpressing mice exhibited nonalcoholic steatosis and NASH in an age‐dependent manner. Initially, TM4SF5‐positive hepatocytes and liver tissue exhibited lipid accumulation, decreased Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), increased sterol regulatory‐element binding proteins (SREBPs) and inactive STAT3 via suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1/3 upregulation. In older mice, TM4SF5 promoted inflammatory factor induction, SIRT1 expression and STAT3 activity, but did not change SOCS or SREBP levels, leading to active STAT3‐mediated ECM production for NASH progression. A TM4SF5‐associated increase in chemokines promoted SIRT1 expression and progression to NASH with fibrosis. Suppression of the chemokine CCL20 reduced immune cell infiltration and ECM production. Liver tissue from high‐fat diet‐ or CCl4‐treated mice and human patients exhibited TM4SF5‐dependent steatotic or steatohepatitic livers with links between TM4SF5‐mediated SIRT1 modulation and SREBP or SOCS/STAT3 signaling axes. TM4SF5‐mediated STAT3 activation in fibrotic NASH livers increased collagen I and laminin γ2. Both collagen I α1 and laminin γ2 suppression resulted in reduced SIRT1 and active STAT3, but no change in SREBP1 or SOCS, and abolished CCl4‐mediated mouse liver damage. TM4SF5‐mediated signaling pathways that involve SIRT1, SREBPs and SOCS/STAT3 promoted progression to NASH. Therefore, TM4SF5 and its downstream effectors may be promising therapeutic targets to treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.