bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epistaxis in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital: Aetiological Profile and Management
Authors: Uju Ibekwe Matilda , Victor O. Ikenga
Published: April 2020

Background: Bleeding from the nose is one of the commonest emergencies that could present in a typical ear, nose and throat clinic. It is often a frightful experience for both the patient and relations, especially in severe cases.

Aim: To determine the aetiological profile, the management and outcome in patients that presented with epistaxis in University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital. 

Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with complaints of epistaxis that were managed within the period of January 2006 to January 2018 in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) department, including referrals from the accident & emergency department and children emergency ward. Data on demographics, aetiology, associated clinical features, treatment modalities and outcome of such treatments were all collated. These were analyzed using IBM statistical package for social sciences SPSSversion 20and results presented in simple descriptive tables.

Results: There were altogether 196 patients studied, 95 males and 101 females, giving a male to female ratio of 1:1.06.  The age range was from 1 to 81 years. Age group 30-39 was the most affected with 22.29% Aetiological factors were; hypertension in 9.2% trauma in 11.2%, idiopathic in most; 58.2%, chronic rhinosinusitis in 18.4%. Conservative medical therapy was the commonest treatment modality; 68.38%. Anterior nasal packing in 26.5% while 4.1% had posterior packing. Anterior aspect of the nose was the commonest site of bleed recorded in 160 cases.

All the patients had a favourable outcome.

Conclusion: Epistaxis in this environment still presents as a common emergency and in the majority of the case, the cause is not known, however, trauma appears to be one of the commonest cause implicated in our setting. The young adults appear to be the ones mainly affected.
Medication Errors Identification Rates by Healthcare Students
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Ahmed Nehad J. , Iqbal Muhammad Zahid
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Medication errors caused devastating consequences affecting both the healthcare system and the patient’s trust. Junior doctors, pharmacists, and nurses are prone to make these mistakes. Thus, this study served a purpose to evaluate the pharmacological knowledge of the healthcare students (HCSs) i.e. pharmacy, medical, and nursing studentsthrough detecting errors in the prescriptions, as this will reflect their performance once they come in real practice.

Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using a validated research tool consisting ofdemographics attributes (gender, race, duration of pre-university and age) as well as three prescriptions. The research tool was distributed to final year HCSs. Demographic data of the respondents were required to investigate the contributing factors in medication errors’ identification. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics by using SPSS ver. 22.

Results: 197 students responded to this study. Findings show that pharmacy students yield high percentages compared to medical and nursing students in identifying errors in the prescriptions. 91.1% of pharmacy students were successful in recognizing the errors in prescription 1, 55.0% in prescription 2 whereas 96.2% in prescription 3. There wasa significantassociation betweenthe age of the respondents and their ability in identifying the errors (p=0.012). No significant relationship was observed between race, gender and duration of pre-university in identifying the mistakes in the prescriptions (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Pharmacy students had the highest percentage ofmedication error identification rates probably in light of the pharmacy curriculum focuses mainly on pharmacology and therapeutic monitoring. This study portrays the importance of additional clinical training in undergraduate programs to enhance student’s pharmacological knowledge and their attitude towards patient safety practices.
Cost-benefit Analysis of Compostable Food Serviceware: A Case Study of an Educational Institute in California
Authors: Kaur Kamalpreet , Acid Michael
Published: April 2020

Globally, many educational institutes are focusing on implementing sustainability goals by encouraging the use of compostable products over the plastics, reducing waste, conserving water and others. The study performs a financial assessment of using Compostable food service ware (CSFW) in the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS), Monterey, California. To better understand the financial implications of the use of compostable food ware, comparisons have been made with the traditional reusable food service ware (RSFW). The results were calculated and compared through different approaches including data analysis, a Cost-Benefit Analysis and Net Present Values (NPVs). NPV values of compostable resulted in positive figures at different discount factors where a 3% discount rate has a higher value. The study concludes that investing in CSFW could be a financially sound approach as this practice is not only cost-effective but has certain environmental benefits over the reusables. The findings of our study can be used in the decision-making process by the educational institutes and other organizations while targeting their sustainability goals. Further studies can be done to evaluate the in depth analysis of assessing costs of production, carbon footprints and to determine the payback period of both types of items.
Carbon accumulation of cool season sports turfgrass species in distinctive soil layers
Authors: Evers Maurice , de Kroon Hans , Visser Eric , de Caluwe Hannie
Published: April 2020

Carbon sequestered by turfgrasses may contribute to reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, to improved soil health, and to increased turfgrass quality. The objective of this study is to compare the amount of soil C accumulated by nine cool season turfgrass monocultures and 12 mixtures of turfgrass species during the first 3 yr of establishment. Thatch, mat, and other soil layers were sampled and thickness of these layers was quantified in a field study conducted in the Netherlands. From these samples, dry matter, C and N concentrations, and C/N ratio were measured. Festuca rubra spp. and Poa pratensis had a thicker thatch layer than Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea, Festuca ovina, and Agrostis stolonifera. Lolium perenne had a thicker mat than Festuca rubra spp. Mixtures of turfgrass species and subspecies seemed to vary more in thatch and mat thickness, as well in the total thickness of both layers combined, than did monocultures. Thatch thickness but not mat thickness correlated to C accumulation in the soil, and this accumulation in the top soil till 20‐cm deep was species dependent. The highest amount of C accumulated in Festuca rubra spp. monocultures, whereas the smallest amount was found in soils with Lolium perenne. Thatch of Festuca rubra spp. showed high C accumulation with high C and N concentrations, whereas in Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis monocultures low C accumulation was related to low C and N concentrations. Only for Festuca rubra spp. and Poa pratensis, C/N ratios partly explained variation of C accumulation with soil depth.
Equipping Natural Killer Cells with Specific Targeting and Checkpoint Blocking Aptamers for Enhanced Adoptive Immunotherapy in Solid Tumors
Authors: Zhang Da , Zheng Youshi , Lin Ziguo , Liu Xiaolong , Li Juan , Yang Huanghao , Tan Weihong
Published: April 2020

Herein, we propose an aptamer‐equipping strategy to generate specific, universal and permeable (SUPER) NK cells for enhanced immunotherapy in solid tumors. NK cells were chemically equipped with TLS11a aptamer targeting HepG2 cells and PDL1‐specific aptamer without genetic alteration. The dual aptamer‐equipped NK cells exhibited high specificity to tumor cells, resulting in higher cytokine secretion and apoptosis/necrosis compared to parental or single aptamer‐equipped NK cells. Interestingly, dual aptamer‐equipped NK cells induced remarkable upregulation of PDL1 expression in HepG2 cells, enhancing checkpoint blockade. Furthermore, in vivo intravital imaging demonstrated high infiltration of aptamer‐equipped NK cells into deep tumor region, leading to enhanced therapeutic efficacy in solid tumors. This work offers a straightforward chemical strategy to equip NK cells with aptamers, holding considerable potential for enhanced adoptive immunotherapy in solid tumors.
Divergent Chemistry Paths for 3D and 1D Metallo‐Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs)
Authors: Xu Hai‐Sen , Luo Yi , See Pei Zhen , Li Xing , Chen Zhongxin , Zhou Yi , Zhao Xiaoxu , Leng Kai , Park In‐Hyeok , Li Runlai , Liu Cuibo , Chen Fangzheng , Xi Shibo , Sun Junliang , Loh Kian Ping
Published: April 2020

The marriage of dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) and coordination chemistry is a powerful tool for assembling complex architectures from simple building units. Recently, the synthesis of woven covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with topologically fascinating structures has been achieved using this approach. However, the scope is highly limited and there is a need to discover new pathways that can assemble covalently linked organic threads into crystalline frameworks. Herein, we have identified branching pathways leading to the assembly of three‐dimensional (3D) woven COFs or one‐dimensional (1D) metallo‐COFs (mCOFs), where the mechanism is underpinned by the absence or presence of ligand exchange.
Experimental study of rheological properties of solid propellant slurry at low‐shear rate and numerical simulation
Authors: Wu Yue , Li Zhuo , Ji Yong‐chao , Lu Rong
Published: April 2020

The steady state rheological properties of a three‐component hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene binder (HTPB) solid propellant slurry at low shear rate were investigated using a rotational rheometer. The data were analyzed and the rheological characteristics of the slurry were determined. The effect of shear rate on apparent viscosity and shear stress as well as the viscosity–time effect of the slurry were also analyzed. Herschel–Bulkley (H‐B) model was applied for the simulation of the flow process of a two‐dimensional container using CFD Ansys‐polyflow software. Experimental results showed that solid propellant slurry had yield pseudoplasticity. Yield characteristics were determined based on the fact that when shear stress was greater than yield stress, the slurry began to flow and the relationship between shear stress and shear rate obeyed power law function. Simulation results further verified the correctness of experimental results.
Influence of complications following total mastectomy and immediate reconstruction on breast cancer recurrence
Authors: Lee K-T , Jung J H , Mun G-H , Pyon J K , Bang S I , Lee J E , Nam S J
Published: April 2020

Background

Immediate breast reconstruction is safe from an oncological perspective, but the relatively high rate of postoperative complications raises oncological concerns. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential influence of postoperative complications after immediate breast reconstruction on breast cancer recurrence and survival.

Methods

Patients with breast cancer who had total mastectomy and immediate reconstruction between 2008 and 2013 were followed for at least 5 years. The impact of postoperative complications on oncological outcomes was assessed using multivariable Cox regression analyses.

Results

In total, 438 patients with a median follow-up of 82 months were analysed. Five-year local recurrence-free, disease-free and overall survival rates were 95·4, 93·1 and 98·4 per cent respectively. Postoperative complications developed in the operated breast in 120 patients (27·4 per cent) and at other sites (flap donor) in 30 patients (6·8 per cent). Development of breast complications was associated with significantly increased rate of recurrence compared with no complications (16·7 versus 5·9 per cent; P = 0·002). In multivariable analysis, patients with breast complications had significantly worse disease-free survival than those with no complications (hazard ratio (HR) 2·25; P = 0·015). This remained significant in patients who received adjuvant therapy without delay (8 weeks or less after surgery) (HR 2·45; P = 0·034).

Conclusion

Development of postoperative complications in the breast can have a negative impact on survival and recurrence after immediate reconstruction.
Development of an ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry method for determination of xanthopurpurin in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Han De‐en , Shi Yanmei , Tian Ping , Wei Hengchao , Miao Mingsan , Li Xiu‐min
Published: April 2020

A rapid and sensitive method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of xanthopurpurin (XPP) in rat plasma using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry. XPP inhibits IgE production and prevents peanut‐induced anaphylaxis. The XPP and emodin (internal standard) were determined in negative ion mode with m/z 239.0350 → 211.0400 and 269.0455 → 241.0507, respectively. The separation process was achieved using an ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water (85:15). The linear range was 0.5–100 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficient (r2) was > 0.993. The inter‐day and intra‐day precision was within an acceptable range of 15%. The extraction recovery and matrix effect were 78.9–87.2% and 94.3–98.5%, respectively. Under different conditions, the XPP was stable in the range of 5.6–10.6%. This method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of XPP with an oral dose of 10.0 mg/kg and intravenous dose of 2.0 mg/kg in rats. The absolute oral bioavailability of XPP was 4.6%.
In vitro metabolism of 2′‐ribose unmodified and modified phosphorothioate oligonucleotide therapeutics using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
Authors: Kim Jaeah , El Zahar Noha M. , Bartlett Michael G.
Published: April 2020

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have been touted as an emerging therapeutic class to treat genetic disorders and infections. The evaluation of metabolic stability of ASOs during biotransformation is critical due to concerns regarding drug safety. Because the effects of the modifications in ASOs on their metabolic stabilities are different from unmodified ASOs, studies that afford an understanding of these effects as well as propose proper methods to determine modified and unmodified ASO metabolites are imperative. An LC–tandem mass spectrometry method offering good selectivity with a high‐quality separation using 30 mm N,N‐dimethylcyclohexylamine and 100 mm 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol was utilized to identify each oligonucleotide metabolite. Subsequently, the method was successfully applied to a variety of in vitro systems including endo/exonuclease digestion, mouse liver homogenates, and then liver microsomes, after which the metabolic stability of unmodified versus modified ASOs was compared. Typical patterns of chain‐shortened metabolites generated by mainly 3′‐exonucleases were observed in phosphodiester and phosphorothioate ASOs, and endonuclease activity was identically observed in gapmers that showed relatively more resistance to nuclease degradation. Overall, the degradation of each ASO occurred more slowly corresponding to the degree of chemical modifications, while 5′‐exonuclease activities were only observed in gapmers incubated in mouse liver homogenates. Our findings provide further understanding of the impact of modifications on the metabolic stability of ASOs, which facilitates the development of future ASO therapeutics.
Educational Opportunities and Obstacles for Teenagers Living in Domestic Violence Refuges
Authors: Bracewell Kelly , Larkins Cath , Radford Lorraine , Stanley Nicky
Published: April 2020

The hidden nature of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is well established. Globally, its prevalence is difficult to ascertain, but international legal frameworks and existing studies recognise that DVA is experienced directly by children and young people in the home or within their own intimate partner relationships. In 2013, UK policy transformed teenagers into primary service users of DVA refuges. This study examines teenagers' educational experiences over the period of their refuge stay and whether refuges responded effectively to their educational needs. Twenty refuges in England assisted with the study. Individual interviews with 25 staff members explored their perceptions of teenagers' experiences. Repeat interviews with 20 teenagers were undertaken over the period of their refuge stay. The voices of teenagers are prioritised in this paper; four teenagers contributed to study design and three assisted with data analysis. A thematic approach was taken to analyse the data. Teenagers described various educational difficulties associated with adolescence and refuge life. Major themes included the disruption of education and a lack of resources to support educational achievement. Education can contribute to the resilience of teenagers who have experienced DVA. Refuges and schools should work collaboratively to build a co‐ordinated response.

‘This study examines teenagers' educational experiences over the period of their refuge stay and whether refuges responded effectively to their educational needs’

Key Practitioner Messages

Refuge staff working with teenagers need to identify and prioritise their educational needs.

Refuges and schools need to collaborate to improve access to educational support and resources for teenagers in refuges.

Where schooling is interrupted, teenagers should be provided with appropriate alternative resources.

The co‐ordinated educational support provided to looked‐after children should be considered as a model for teenagers in refuges.
Two New Abietane Diterpenoids from Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron.
Authors: Wu Wei , Jia Xiao‐Hui , Zhang Sha , Dong Chun‐Mao , Kang Feng‐Hua , Zou Zhen‐Xing , Xu Kang‐Ping
Published: April 2020

Two new abietane diterpenoids, (3S,5R,10S)‐3‐hydroxy‐12‐O‐demethyl‐11‐deoxy‐19(4→3)‐abeo‐cryptojaponol, 12,19‐dihydroxyabieta‐8,11,13‐trien‐7‐one, were isolated from Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron., together with one known abietane diterpenoid and four known tetracyclic triterpenoids. Their structures were characterized by their 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, ECD and mass spectral studies. All compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects on proliferation of three human cancer cells (human non‐small‐cell lung carcinoma cell lines A549 and human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7) in vitro. Among them, three compounds displayed modest cytotoxic activities against the above three human cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 16.28 to 40.67 μM.
Post‐emergence land rolling influences soybean plant architecture but not yield
Authors: Boyers Nathaniel H. , Lenssen Andrew W. , Moore Kenneth J.
Published: April 2020

Increasing the number of nodes for subsequent pod development by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] may be an approach to improve yield. Land rolling is a common practice in soybean production to push rocks and corn (Zea mays L.) root balls back to the soil surface to protect combine harvesters. Limited research has been done to determine if land rolling can change plant architecture by breaking the apical dominance of soybean to induce lateral branching and provide greater node and pod numbers. The objective of this experiment was to determine if land rolling soybeans could break apical dominance to induce lateral branching, increase reproductive node number, and improve yield. Field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 in a randomized complete block design with five replications. Treatments consisted of a control that was not rolled, rolling beforeemergence, and rolling at the V2, V3, and V4 stages of development. Data included counts of main stems and branches, nodes on main stems, branches that did or did not have pods, pod numbers on main stems and branches, stand density, and grain yield. Land rolling decreased main stem numbers, and reproductive nodes and pods on main stems. Land rolling soybean after emergence consistently decreased stand density in 2018 but only decreased stand density on one of three post‐emergence timings in 2017. However, land rolling did not influence branch numbers or branch nodes and pods. Land rolling influenced soybean plant architecture but did not influence yield when done before or after emergence.
The sensory peripheral nervous system in the tail of a cephalochordate studied by serial blockface scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Holland Nicholas D. , Somorjai Ildiko M. L.
Published: April 2020

Serial blockface scanning electron microscopy (SBSEM) is used to describe the sensory peripheral nervous system (PNS) in the tail of a cephalochordate, Asymmetron lucayanum. The reconstructed region extends from the tail tip to the origin of the most posterior peripheral nerves from the dorsal nerve cord. As peripheral nerves ramify within the dermis, all the nuclei along their course belong to glial cells. Invaginations in the glial cell cytoplasm house the neurites, an association reminiscent of the nonmyelinated Schwann cells of vertebrates. Peripheral nerves pass from the dermis to the epidermis via small fenestrae in the sub‐epidermal collagen fibril layer; most nerves exit abruptly, but a few run obliquely within the collagen fibril layer for many micrometers before exiting. Within the epidermis, each nerve begins ramifying repeatedly, but the branches are too small to be followed to their tips with SBSEM at low magnification (previous studies on other cephalochordates indicate that the branches end freely or in association with epidermal sensory cells). In Asymmetron, two morphological kinds of sensory cells are scattered in the epidermis, usually singly, but sometimes in pairs, evidently the recent progeny of a single precursor cell. The discussion considers the evolution of the sensory PNS in the phylum Chordata. In cephalochordates, Retzius bipolar neurons with intramedullary perikarya likely correspond to the Rohon‐Beard cells of vertebrates. However, extramedullary neurons originating from ventral epidermis in cephalochordates (and presumably in ancestral chordates) contrast with vertebrate sensory neurons, which arise from placodes and neural crest.
The effects of fluoxetine on oligodendrocytes in the hippocampus of chronic unpredictable stress‐induced depressed model rats
Authors: Wang Jin , Luo Yanmin , Tang Jing , Liang Xin , Huang Chunxia , Gao Yuan , Qi Yingqiang , Yang Chunmao , Chao FengLei , Zhang Yang , Tang Yong
Published: April 2020

Depression is a mental illness which is harmful seriously to the society. This study investigated the effects of fluoxetine on the CNPase+ oligodendrocytes in hippocampus of the depressed rats to explore the new target structure of antidepressants. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were used to build chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) depressed model of rats. Then, the depressed rats were divided into the CUS standard group and the CUS + fluoxetine (CUS/FLX) group. The CUS/FLX group was treated with fluoxetine at dose of 5 mg/(kg·d) from the fifth week to seventh week. After 7 weeks CUS intervention, the sucrose preference of the CUS standard group was significantly lower than that of the control group and the CUS/FLX group. The stereological results showed that the total number of the CNPase+ cells in the CA1, CA3, and DG subfield of the hippocampus in the CUS standard group were significantly decreased, when compared with the CNPase+ cells in the control group. However, the total number of the CNPase+ cells in the CA1 and CA3 subfield of the hippocampus in the CUS standard group was significantly decreased when it compared with CNPase+ cells in the CUS/FLX group. Therefore, fluoxetine might prevent the loss of CNPase+ oligodendrocytes in CA1 and CA3 subfields of hippocampus of the depressed rats. The oligodendrocytes in hippocampus may play an important role in the pathogenesis of depression. The current result might provide structural basis for the future studies that search for new antidepressant strategies.
Favipiravir: Pharmacokinetics and Concerns About Clinical Trials for 2019‐nCoV Infection
Authors: Du Yin‐Xiao , Chen Xiao‐Ping
Published: April 2020

An outbreak of 2019‐nCoV infection has spread across the world. No specific antiviral drugs have been approved for the treatment of COVID‐2019. In addition to the recommended antiviral drugs, such as interferon‐ɑ, lopinavir/ritonavir, ribavirin, and chloroquine phosphate, some clinical trials focusing on virus RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors have been registered and initiated. Favipiravir, a purine nucleic acid analog and potent RdRp inhibitor approved for use in influenza, is also considered in several clinical trials. Herein, we summarized the pharmacokinetic characteristics of favipiravir and possible drug–drug interactions from the view of drug metabolism. We hope this will be helpful for the design of clinical trials for favipiravir in COVID‐2019, as data regarding in vitro virus inhibition and efficacy in preclinical animal studies are still not available.
Oral appliance therapy versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure in obstructive sleep apnea: A randomized, placebo‐controlled trial on temporomandibular side‐effects
Authors: Nikolopoulou Maria , Aarab Ghizlane , Ahlberg Jari , Hamburger Hans L. , de Lange Jan , Lobbezoo Frank
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To assess the differences in the frequency of clinical signs of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and mandibular function impairment between mandibular advancement device (MAD) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) therapies in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients at baseline and after 6 month of treatment.

Methods

This study concerns a secondary analysis of a randomized placebo‐controlled trial in which different treatment effects of an objectively titrated MAD were compared with those of nCPAP and an intra‐oral placebo appliance in a parallel design. Sixty‐four mild to severe OSA patients (52.0 ± 9.6 years) were randomly assigned to these three groups. All patients underwent a shortened functional examination of their masticatory system at baseline and after 6 months to establish the presence of clinical signs of TMD pain. Mandibular function impairment was assessed with a questionnaire.

Results

Clinical signs of TMD pain were only rarely present at baseline and therapy evaluation. No significant differences were found between the three groups in the (low) frequency of clinical signs of TMD pain at both time points (p = .401–.176). In addition, the (low) scores of mandibular function impairment did not differ between the three groups either, neither at baseline (p = .744) nor after 6 months (p = .359).

Conclusions

A low frequency of clinical signs of TMD pain in mild to severe OSA patients was found after 6 months, regardless of treatment with MAD or nCPAP. In addition, no difference in mandibular function impairment was observed between the different treatment modalities.
Applying metabolomics to detect growth hormone administration in athletes: Proof of concept
Authors: Narduzzi Luca , Dervilly Gaud , Marchand Alexandre , Audran Michel , Le Bizec Bruno , Buisson Corinne
Published: April 2020

Growth hormone (GH), an endogenous peptide regulating anabolism and lipolysis in humans, is known to be abused by athletes to improve their performance. Despite the development of two distinct screening methods, few positive cases have been reported by the antidoping authorities, probably due to the quick turnover of GH and the masking effects of age, ethnicity, and sex. Apart from growth regulation, GH is known to affect several metabolic pathways in humans including ketosis, amino‐acid uptake, and protein breakdown. It is reasonable to imagine observing its markers of effects through the leading tool on metabolism study, metabolomics. In this proof‐of‐concept study, a cohort of well‐trained volunteers was split in two equal groups and administered with micro‐doses of EPO or EPO + GH every second day for 2 weeks. Urine and plasma samples were collected before, during, and after treatment and analyzed using metabolomics and lipidomics approaches. The results show that, by applying a direct discriminant analysis on the treated groups, it is possible to distinguish the treatments, and to use this difference to classify them correctly. High intragroup variability is observed, due to the subject‐specific effect of the hormones. Through time 0 centering the data, a longitudinally tracking of the group was performed and a higher difference was observed between the groups, including a perfect classification of the samples before and after the treatments.
The shape of things to come: Topological data analysis and biology, from molecules to organisms
Authors: Amézquita Erik J. , Quigley Michelle Y. , Ophelders Tim , Munch Elizabeth , Chitwood Daniel H.
Published: April 2020

Shape is data and data is shape. Biologists are accustomed to thinking about how the shape of biomolecules, cells, tissues, and organisms arise from the effects of genetics, development, and the environment. Less often do we consider that data itself has shape and structure, or that it is possible to measure the shape of data and analyze it. Here, we review applications of topological data analysis (TDA) to biology in a way accessible to biologists and applied mathematicians alike. TDA uses principles from algebraic topology to comprehensively measure shape in data sets. Using a function that relates the similarity of data points to each other, we can monitor the evolution of topological features—connected components, loops, and voids. This evolution, a topological signature, concisely summarizes large, complex data sets. We first provide a TDA primer for biologists before exploring the use of TDA across biological sub‐disciplines, spanning structural biology, molecular biology, evolution, and development. We end by comparing and contrasting different TDA approaches and the potential for their use in biology. The vision of TDA, that data are shape and shape is data, will be relevant as biology transitions into a data‐driven era where the meaningful interpretation of large data sets is a limiting factor.
Soluble pattern recognition molecules: Guardians and regulators of homeostasis at airway mucosal surfaces
Authors: Smole Ursula , Kratzer Bernhard , Pickl Winfried F.
Published: April 2020

Maintenance of homeostasis at body barriers that are constantly challenged by microbes, toxins and potentially bioactive (macro)molecules requires complex, highly orchestrated mechanisms of protection. Recent discoveries in respiratory research have shed light on the unprecedented role of airway epithelial cells (AEC), which, besides immune cells homing to the lung, also significantly contribute to host defence by expressing membrane‐bound and soluble pattern recognition receptors (sPRR). Recent evidence suggests that distinct, evolutionary ancient, sPRR secreted by AEC might become activated by usually innocuous proteins, commonly referred to as allergens. We here provide a systematic overview on sPRR detectable in the mucus lining of AEC. Some of them become actively produced and secreted by AECs (like the pentraxins C‐reactive protein and pentraxin 3; the collectins mannose binding protein and surfactant proteins A and D; H‐ficolin; serum amyloid A; and the complement components C3 and C5). Others are elaborated by innate and adaptive immune cells such as monocytes/macrophages and T cells (like the pentraxins C‐reactive protein and pentraxin 3; L‐ficolin; serum amyloid A; and the complement components C3 and C5). Herein we discuss how sPRRs may contribute to homeostasis but sometimes also to overt disease (e.g. airway hyperreactivity and asthma) at the alveolar–air interface.
[Mn(terpy)Sb2S4]n, a 1D Network of MnSb4S5 Rings Exhibiting a Pronounced Magnetocaloric Effect and Luminescence
Authors: Danker Felix , Anderer Carolin , Poschmann Michael , Terraschke Huayna , Näther Christian , van Leusen Jan , Bensch Wolfgang , Kögerler Paul
Published: April 2020

The solvothermal reaction of an aqueous solution of Na3SbS3 or Schlippe's Salt (Na3SbS4·9H2O) in the presence of Mn(ClO4)2·6H2O and terpy (terpy = 2,2':6',2''‐terpyridine) or the [Mn(terpy)]2+ complex led to crystallization of the new compound [Mn(terpy)Sb2S4]n (I). The unique crystal structure of I features chains formed by fused MnSb4S5 rings. The Mn2+ cation is coordinated by one terpy ligand and two S2– anions resulting in a distorted MnN3S2 trigonal bipyramid. The terpy ligands point to the exterior of the chains, distances between neighbored ligands indicate π···π stacking. Magnetic investigations show paramagnetic behavior (µeff = 5.92 µB/Mn2+ at room temperature). Field‐dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements at different temperatures evidence a significant magnetocaloric effect of –ΔS = 20.54 J kg–1 K–1 at T = 2 K for a magnetic field change of ΔB = 9 T. The compound exhibits blue luminescence, and a detailed analysis allowed assignment of the emission and excitation bands to the different constituents of the compound.
Organic Solar Cells' Efficiency Enhanced by Perylene Monoimide Phosphorus Salt Cathode Interfacial Layer
Authors: Qin Ruiping , Guo Deen , Hu Lianghao , Liu Zhiyong , Yang Jien , Liu Hairui , Jiang Lulu , Jiang Yurong
Published: April 2020

The composite high‐performance electrode is very important for excellent photoelectric devices. Interfacial modification is the dominating method to optimize electrode properties. Two easily synthesized perylene monoimide (PMI)‐derived organic phosphonium bromide salts are found interestingly valuable when they are applied as cathode interlayers (CILs) in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs). Using the PBDB‐T:ITIC blend as the BHJ active layer in the inverted device structure, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is greatly improved from 9.49% of the referenced device, which is without phosphonium CIL, to a PCE of 10.42% with PMI‐triphenyl‐phosphonium bromide (PMI‐TPP) and a PCE of 9.87% with PMI‐trimethoxylphenylphosphonium bromide (PMI‐TMOPP) as the CIL. Moreover, the two organic phosphonium bromide salts are also investigated by the traditional device structure, the PCE is 4.21% for the bare aluminum cathode referenced device, in contrast with a moderate increased PCE of 5.18% with PMI‐TPP CIL or a PCE of 5.05% with PMI‐TMOPP CIL. Therefore, the organic phosphonium bromide salt PMI‐TPP is a promising candidate of CIL material in OSCs.
Catalytic Toluene Reforming with In Situ CO2 Capture via an Iron–Calcium Hybrid Absorbent for Promoted Hydrogen Production
Authors: Han Long , Liu Qi , Zhang Yuan , Wang Qinhui , Rong Nai , Liang Xiaorui , Feng Yi , Ma Kaili , Yan Mi , Hu Yanjun
Published: April 2020

A two‐step sol–gel method is adopted to prepare an iron–calcium hybrid absorbent (Ca–Al–Fe) integrating iron catalysis component and inert support with CaO for calcium looping gasification. Effects of Ca–Al–Fe on cyclic CO2 capture reactivity, mechanical strength, and enhanced reforming of biomass tar model component (toluene) are investigated by comparing with three reference absorbents. Results show that main components of Ca–Al–Fe are CaO, mayenite (Ca12Al14O33), and brownmillerite (Ca2Fe2O5). Ca12Al14O33 plays key roles in keeping stable cyclic carbonation reactivity and significantly promotes mechanical strength of the novel absorbent. In comparison with other absorbents without coupling Ca12Al14O33 or Ca2Fe2O5, Ca–Al–Fe approaches the highest toluene conversion (around 60%) and has the lowest coke deposition (12.2 mg g−1), due to the synergetic influences of Ca2Fe2O5 and Ca12Al14O33, which significantly promotes hydrogen production while reducing CO2 yield in reforming syngas. In addition, influences of reaction conditions such as iron loading, reaction temperature, molar ratio of H2O to carbon in toluene, and absorbent particle size on toluene reforming are examined in the presence of Ca–Al–Fe. Potential reaction routes of toluene reforming are also analyzed and discussed.
Secondary Reactions and the Heat of Pyrolysis of Wood
Authors: Jones Jim R. , Chen Qun , Ripberger Georg D.
Published: April 2020

Since its first estimation in 1909, the heat of pyrolysis of biomass has been found to range from endothermic to exothermic, with the latter attributed to secondary reactions that condense secondary char. Herein, the heats of primary and secondary reaction for pine are isolated using a new method to account for the radiative heat loss discrepancy between the heating cycles of wood and char in open crucibles. The overall heat of pyrolysis is then explored as a function of the tortuous path length as volatiles escape from wood particles and the generated internal pressure which together drive the extent of the secondary reactions. Furthermore, two generalized schemes for these secondary reactions are explored, where heterogeneous and homogeneous secondary reactions either compete for the primary reactive volatiles, or apply only to dedicated fractions of them. Of the schemes, the one with dedicated fractions undergoing heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions best explains the results presented here. This work is useful to designers of biomass pyrolysis reactors, where the extent of reaction and thus the overall heat of pyrolysis can be estimated as a function of the nominal particle size and system pressure.
The utility of DSM‐5 indicators of loss of control eating for the bariatric surgery population
Authors: Conceição Eva M. , de Lourdes Marta , Peixoto Ana P. , Pinto‐Bastos Ana , Goldschmidt Andrea B. , Vaz Ana R.
Published: April 2020

Objectives

This study investigated the utility of DSM‐5 indicators of loss of control (LOC) eating in adult bariatric surgery patients who presented with binge‐eating episodes.

Methods

Participants (all women) were 40 preoperative and 28 postoperative bariatric surgery patients reporting objective binge eating (OBE), 46 preoperative and 52 postoperative with subjective binge‐eating (SBE), 53 bulimia nervosa (BN) controls, and 34 binge‐eating disorder (BED) controls. Face‐to‐face Eating Disorder Examination interviews and questionnaires were administered. ANOVA, T‐test,
χ
2, and regressions compared the groups in terms of LOC indicators endorsed and to explain disordered eating psychopathology.

Results

The indicator most commonly reported by bariatric patients with OBE was “feeling disgusted” (90% and 75% of pre‐ and postoperative groups), and the least endorsed was “eating alone” (40 and 28.6%). These indicators were reported by >84.9% of the BN and BED. Bariatric patients (pre‐ or post‐surgery) with OBE only reported a higher number of indicators than patients with SBE only (t(150) = 2.34, p = .021). A higher number of indicators reported were associated with increased eating‐related psychopathology (F(1,134) = 31.06, p < .001), but only for the post‐surgery patients.

Conclusions

The LOC indicators proposed by DSM‐5 need to be refined or revised for the bariatric population.

Highlights

Bariatric patients endorse fewer LOC indicators than BN or BED during a binge‐eating episode.

Some of the DSM‐5 LOC indicators may not be suited to assess episodes of loss of control eating among bariatric patients.

The Higher the number of LOC indicators reported, the higher the eating‐related psychopathology.
Influence of ammonium acetate and betaine supplements on the anaerobic digestion under high salinity conditions
Authors: Liu Xuepeng , Liu Hongyun , Peng Liyu , Su Haijia
Published: April 2020

High salinity frequently causes inhibition and even failure in anaerobic digestion. To explore the impact of increasing NaCl concentrations on biogas production and reveal the role of repair factors in response to high salinity stress, the present research examined the effect of ammonium acetate and betaine as exogenous repair factors on the activity of microorganisms under high‐salt conditions. High salinity wastewater with and without repair additives were compared. The cumulative methane production significantly increased and the methane concentration increased by approximately 30%. The results showed that the repair factors were efficient to relieve the effect of a high‐salt environment on the anaerobic microbial flora, thus considerably reducing the salt‐induced inhibition of anaerobic digestion.
Predictive modeling of consumer color preference: Using retail data and merchandise images
Authors: Li Songtao , Chen Ruoran , Yang Lijian , Huang Dinglong , Huang Simin
Published: April 2020

The popularity of a fashion item depends on its color, shape, texture, and price. For different items (with all attributes identical except color) of a specific product, fashion retailers need to learn consumer color preference and decide their order quantities accordingly to match their products to consumer demand. This study aims to predict consumer color preference using the knowledge learned from merchandise images, historical retail data, and fashion trends. In our work, merchandise images are analyzed to extract color features, and the retail data of a sportswear retailer are used to reveal consumer choices among items with various colors. Choice behavior is described by a multinomial logit model, whose utility function captures the relationship between color features and popularity. Both linear functions and neural networks are applied to represent the utility function, and their out‐of‐sample prediction performances are compared. According to the out‐of‐sample performance test, our model shows reasonable predictive power and can outperform order decisions made by fashion buyers.
A CO2 emissions assessment of the green economy in Iran
Authors: Solaymani Saeed
Published: April 2020

This study aims to provide an assessment of total and sectoral CO2 emissions of Iran using a macroeconomic climate analysis. It uses two quantitative approaches (i.e., energy–economy–environment indicators and econometric analysis) that complement each other. According to the latest accessible data (1971–2016), evidence shows that, first, the change in Iran's total primary energy supply can significantly explain the variation of CO2 emissions in Iran, while energy intensity and CO2 intensity cannot significantly explain its variability. Second, CO2 emissions in Iran are increasing rapidly and the country is not moving toward the green economy situations. Third, the increase in energy intensity is mostly related to significant increases in energy consumption rather than increases in economic activity. This evidence shows that Iran's CO2 intensity highly depends on the consumption of fossil fuels. Fourth, the econometric estimates suggest that CO2 emissions, in comparison with other examined variables, change significantly in response to changes in per capita GDP, energy intensity, and carbon intensity. Fifth, the main contributors to industrial CO2 emissions are industrial per capita GDP and energy and carbon intensities, while in the transport sectors, the main contributors are the number of vehicles, transport energy intensity, and carbon intensity. Sixth, further decomposition analysis shows the positive impact of per capita GDP and the negative impacts of energy structure and energy efficiency on total CO2 emissions in Iran. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Circulating Extracellular Vesicles Carrying Sphingolipid Cargo for the Diagnosis and Dynamic Risk Profiling of Alcoholic Hepatitis
Authors: Sehrawat Tejasav S. , Arab Juan P. , Liu Mengfei , Amrollahi Pouya , Wan Meihua , Fan Jia , Nakao Yasuhiko , Pose Elisa , Navarro‐Corcuera Amaia , Dasgupta Debanjali , Liao Chieh‐Yu , He Li , Mauer Amy S. , Avitabile Emma , Ventura‐Cots Meritxell , Bataller Ramon A. , Sanyal Arun J. , Chalasani Naga P. , Heimbach Julie K. , Watt Kymberly D. , Gores Gregory J. , Gines Pere , Kamath Patrick S. , Simonetto Douglas A. , Hu Tony Y. , Shah Vijay H. , Malhi Harmeet
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is diagnosed by clinical criteria, although several objective scores facilitate risk stratification. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as biomarkers for many diseases and are also implicated in the pathogenesis of AH. Therefore, we investigated whether plasma EV concentration and sphingolipid cargo could serve as diagnostic biomarkers for AH and inform prognosis to permit dynamic risk profiling of AH subjects.

Approach and Results

EVs were isolated and quantified from plasma samples from healthy controls, heavy drinkers, and subjects with end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) attributed to cholestatic liver diseases and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, decompensated alcohol‐associated cirrhosis (AC), and AH. Sphingolipids were quantified by tandem mass spectroscopy. The median plasma EV concentration was significantly higher in AH subjects (5.38 × 1011/mL) compared to healthy controls (4.38 × 1010/mL; P < 0.0001), heavy drinkers (1.28 × 1011/mL; P < 0.0001), ESLD (5.35 × 1010/mL; P < 0.0001), and decompensated AC (9.2 × 1010/mL; P < 0.0001) disease controls. Among AH subjects, EV concentration correlated with Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score. When EV counts were dichotomized at the median, survival probability for AH subjects at 90 days was 63.0% in the high‐EV group and 90.0% in the low‐EV group (log‐rank P value = 0.015). Interestingly, EV sphingolipid cargo was significantly enriched in AH when compared to healthy controls, heavy drinkers, ESLD, and decompensated AC (P = 0.0001). Multiple sphingolipids demonstrated good diagnostic and prognostic performance as biomarkers for AH.

Conclusions

Circulating EV concentration and sphingolipid cargo signature can be used in the diagnosis and differentiation of AH from heavy drinkers, decompensated AC, and other etiologies of ESLD and predict 90‐day survival permitting dynamic risk profiling.
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling (PBPK's) prediction potential in clinical pharmacology decision making during pregnancy
Authors: Eke Ahizechukwu C. , Gebreyohannes Rahel D.
Published: April 2020

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling's prediction potential is critical in clinical pharmacology decision making during pregnancy.
Amnioreduction in emergency cervical cerclage: A series of eight cases
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Han Zhenyan , Gao Qian , Bai Xiaoyi , Hou Hongying
Published: April 2020

Amnioreduction is a safe and feasible option to improve pregnancy outcomes in patients receiving emergency cervical cerclage.
Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) versus Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test (VDRL) and rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) for screening of syphilis in pregnant women
Authors: Solaimalai Dhanalakshmi , Rathore Swati , Beck Manisha M. , Regi Annie , Yesudhason Binesh L. , Veeraraghavan Balaji , Prakash John A.J.
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate a treponemal enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as an alternative screening test for syphilis in pregnant women.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of diagnostic test accuracy was carried out in a large volume laboratory from a tertiary care center. A total of 416 serum samples, including 102 archived syphilis Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA)‐positive samples and 314 samples from pregnant women, were used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA. All the samples were subjected to Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), rapid plasma reagin (RPR), ELISA, and TPHA tests. Performance characteristics of VDRL, RPR, and ELISA were calculated with TPHA as a reference standard test.

Results

VDRL and RPR exhibited higher false positivity of 10.5% and 9.6%, respectively, compared to 2.5% by ELISA. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 98% and 97.5%, of VDRL were 71.6% and 89.5%, and of RPR were 73.5% and 90.5%, respectively. Moreover, ELISA had an excellent agreement (kappa=0.9) with TPHA compared to VDRL/RPR which had a moderate agreement (kappa=0.6) only.

Conclusion

ELISA has the potential to replace VDRL/RPR as a screening test for syphilis in centers that can perform ELISA, especially for antenatal screening.