bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Who’s for dinner? Bird prey diversity and choice in the great evening bat, Ia io
Authors: Gong Lixin , Shi Biye , Wu Hui , Feng Jiang , Jiang Tinglei
Published: May 2021

The mysterious predator–prey interaction between bats and nocturnally migrating birds is a very rare and incredible process in natural ecosystems. So far only three avivorous bat species, including two noctule bats (Nyctalus lasiopterus and Nyctalus aviator) and the great evening bat (Ia io), are known to regularly prey on songbirds during nocturnal avian migration. The information related to the diversity and the characteristics of the birds as prey and the hunting strategy in both species of noctule bats are already clear. However, the diversity of bird prey in the diet of I. io as confirmed by molecular identification remains unknown. Moreover, like hunting insects, it remains unclear whether the avivorous bats opportunistically prey on birds. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding to investigate the bird prey composition, diversity, and choice in diets of I. io. We found I. io consumed 22 species of seven families from Passeriformes with a body mass of 6–19 g, and preferentially selected small‐sized passerine birds for optimizing the benefit/risk trade‐off. Moreover, most of the species preyed upon were migratory birds, while four species were local resident birds, indicating that I. io may adopt both aerial‐hawking and gleaning strategies on songbirds as do the other two noctules. Further, I. io body mass did not influence in prey choice and predation richness on birds, suggesting I. io is an opportunistic avivorous predator. This study provides novel insights into the avian dietary ecology of I. io and completes the analysis of predator/prey interaction between three avivorous bats and nocturnally migrating birds. Our results also indicate bat predation on birds which occurs as an act of ecological opportunity may subject bats to intense natural selection pressure, causing them access to the new diet‐defined adaptive zones.
Extra‐cardiac targets in the management of cardiometabolic disease: Device‐based therapies
Authors: Jorbenadze Ana , Fudim Marat , Mahfoud Felix , Adamson Phillip B. , Bekfani Tarek , Wachter Rolf , Sievert Horst , Ponikowski Piotr P. , Cleland John G. F. , Anker Stefan D.
Published: May 2021

Heart failure (HF) does not occur in a vacuum and is commonly defined and exacerbated by its co‐morbid conditions. Neurohormonal imbalance and systemic inflammation are some of the key pathomechanisms of HF but also commonly encountered co‐morbidities such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cachexia, obesity and sleep‐disordered breathing. A cornerstone of HF management is neurohormonal blockade, which in HF with reduced ejection fraction has been tied to a reduction in morbidity and mortality. Pharmacological treatment effective in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction did not show substantial effects in HF with preserved ejection fraction. Here, we review novel device‐based therapies using neuromodulation of extra‐cardiac targets to treat cardiometabolic disease.
Cardiac reverse remodelling and health status in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Wang Kaiming , Youngson Erik , Bakal Jeffrey A. , Thomas Jissy , McAlister Finlay A. , Oudit Gavin Y.
Published: May 2021

Aims

This study aims to assess long‐term changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) together with echocardiographic markers of cardiac remodelling and their association with prognosis and patient‐reported quality of life (QoL).

Methods and results

We conducted a retrospective analysis of serial echocardiograms performed between January 2009 and December 2019 in 1089 patients (median age 63 years, 71.0% men) enrolled in the Mazankowski Heart Function Clinic Registry who had at least two echocardiograms separated by ≥12 months. We classified the patients into four subgroups by their baseline and LVEF trajectories: persistent heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (persistent HFrEF, n = 364), recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF, n = 325), transient recovery in ejection fraction (HFtrecEF, n = 117), and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, n = 283); 4490 echocardiograms were included in the present analysis, with 4.1 ± 1.8 echocardiograms available per patient during follow‐up. Reductions in echocardiographic markers of cardiac remodelling, including LVIDd [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75–2.86], LVIDs (aOR: 2.44, 95% CI 2.00–2.94), left ventricular mass index (aOR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.09–1.22), E/e′ ratio (aOR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.30), left atrial volume index (aOR: 1.10, 95% CI 1.03–1.16), along with an increase in the maximum recommended daily dose of renin‐angiotensin system inhibitors (aOR: 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.07) and mineralocorticoid‐receptor antagonists (aOR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.11) at 2 years, strongly predicted the HFrecEF classification, which was further sustained at 5 years of follow‐up. However, changes in these parameters were mostly absent in patients experiencing only a transient recovery in LVEF (HFtrecEF), closely resembling patients with persistent HFrEF. In the multivariable analysis, HFrecEF patients had lower risk of all‐cause mortality alone [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.46, 95% CI 0.23–0.93], and composite all‐cause (aHR: 0.59, 95% CI 0.49–0.73), cardiovascular (aHR: 0.47, 95% CI 0.36–0.61), and heart failure (aHR: 0.50, 95% CI 0.35–0.70) related hospitalizations with mortality than patients with persistent HFrEF. QoL assessed through the shortened Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire‐12 at the end of follow‐up was greater in patients with HFrecEF by 5.2, 12.4, and 9.4 points than persistent HFrEF, HFtrecEF, and HFpEF, respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with HFrecEF experienced progressive normalization in echocardiographic markers of cardiac remodelling characterized by reductions in left ventricular dimensions and mass in tandem with reductions in left atrial volume and E/e′ ratio, which is associated with better prognosis and QoL.
50 Years of Materials Research for Photocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Marschall Roland
Published: May 2021

50 years ago, Fujishima and Honda published their work on photoelectrocatalytic water splitting with the aid of the light absorbing semiconductor TiO2. Since then, many different novel absorber materials for water splitting have been discovered and investigated. This Minireview aims to briefly summarize the most important materials developments for photocatalytic water splitting of that time, differentiating between single absorbers and Z‐schemes.
Flexible Photocatalytic Electrode Using Graphene, Non‐noble Metal, and Organic Semiconductors for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Kondo Kohei , Watanabe Yusuke , Kuno Junya , Ishii Yosuke , Kawasaki Shinji , Kato Masashi , Kalita Golap , Hattori Yoshiyuki , Mashkov Oleksandr , Sytnyk Mykhailo , Heiss Wolfgang
Published: May 2021

Two kinds of visible light‐responsible organic semiconductors (epindolidione [EPI] and fluorinated EPI [2F‐EPI]) are synthesized. The solar hydrogen evolution photocatalytic electrode properties of the organic semiconductors are investigated and the heterostructure effect caused by manipulating the order of the deposition of 2F‐EPI and EPI is found, which increased the photoresponse current by reducing the carrier recombination of photoexcited electrons and holes. In addition, it is found that the deposition of Ni metal on the organic semiconductors further enhanced the photoresponse current and increased the durability of the organic semiconductor photocatalyst. Finally, a flexible photocatalytic electrode using graphene, organic semiconductors, and non‐noble metal cocatalyst for solar hydrogen generation is prepared. A transparent flexible electric conductive film is prepared by transfer of a graphene sheet on the polymer film. The graphene electrode is coated by two kinds of organic semiconductors layer by layer to reduce recombination of photoexcited electrons and holes. Ni metal particles are deposited on the surface of the organic semiconductor layer as a cocatalyst to improve the photocatalytic property and durability of organic semiconductors. A clear photoresponse current (about 4 μA cm−2) of the flexible photocatalytic electrode under the simulated solar light (AM 1.5 G, 100 mW cm−2) is observed.
In the Quest of Low‐Frequency Impedance Spectra of Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Prochowicz Daniel , Trivedi Suverna , Parikh Nishi , Saliba Michael , Kalam Abul , Mahdi Tavakoli Mohammad , Yadav Pankaj
Published: May 2021

Measurement and understanding of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are nontrivial, as perovskite absorbers are a mixed conductor exhibiting both ionic and electronic motion. Moreover, the interpretation of the low‐frequency spectra especially low‐frequency resistance (R
LF) is ambiguous. Some reports suggest that R
LF is related to ionic transport resistance, whereas others attribute it with the recombination processes. Herein, more light is put on the quest of low‐frequency impedance spectra of efficient PSCs. It is found that high‐ and low‐frequency resistances (R
HF and R
LF) follow a similar dependence on the applied bias and illumination with a comparable slope. These resistances are associated with the recombination processes in PSCs. The relation between low‐frequency spectra of PSCs and the physical parameters such as the role of the interface, grains’ sizes, and perovskite composition is studied. It is found that the low‐frequency spectra of PSCs mainly depend on the grains’ sizes and shift toward the high frequency, i.e., toward faster time constants with increasing the grain size. It is observed that these devices exhibit the lower recombination and higher open‐circuit voltage. A convenient way for the in‐depth analysis of PSCs, which will be crucial for designing better‐performing PSCs, is provided.
Experimental investigations and developing multilayer neural network models for prediction of CO2 solubility in aqueous MDEA/PZ and MEA/MDEA/PZ blends
Authors: Li Tianci , Tantikhajorngosol Puttipong , Yang Congning , Tontiwachwuthikul Paitoon
Published: May 2021

In this research, a new set of experimental data for CO2 solubility in aqueous blended amine solvents were investigated experimentally over the CO2 partial pressure range from 8 to 100 kPa at 40 °C and were compared with the benchmark aqueous 30 wt.% MEA solution. This work developed two multilayer neural network models named models A and B, for predicting the CO2 solubility in various aqueous blended amine solvents including 36 wt.% MDEA + 17 wt.% PZ, 24 wt.% MDEA + 26 wt.% PZ, and 6 wt.% MEA + 25 wt.% MDEA + 17 wt.% PZ. Models A and B were developed by using Levenberg–Marquardt back propagation algorithm with 427 and 301 of reliable experimental data sets gathered from the published data, respectively. The results indicate that the high accuracy prediction of the CO2 solubility in Methyldiethanolamine/Piperazine (MDEA/PZ) blends could be obtained by the network developed by Tan‐sigmoid transfer function with two hidden layers consist of eight and four neurons, while the network developed by Tan‐sigmoid transfer function with three hidden layers consist of 20, 10, and five neurons provided the highest accuracy for predicting the CO2 solubility in MEA/MDEA/PZ blends comparing to other model structures. The comparison results show that the neural network modeling provided more closer predictions to the experimental results than the simulator and other thermodynamic models when predicting the CO2 equilibrium solubility in blended amine solvents. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
COVID‐19‐Related Downscaling of In‐Hospital Liver Care Decreased Patient Satisfaction and Increased Liver‐Related Mortality
Authors: Hartl Lukas , Semmler Georg , Hofer Benedikt Silvester , Schirwani Nawa , Jachs Mathias , Simbrunner Benedikt , Bauer David Josef Maria , Binter Teresa , Pomej Katharina , Pinter Matthias , Trauner Michael , Mandorfer Mattias , Reiberger Thomas , Scheiner Bernhard
Published: May 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic necessitated down‐scaling of in‐hospital care to prohibit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus‐2. We (1) assessed patient perceptions on quality of care by telesurvey (cohort 1) and written questionnaire (cohort 2), and (2) analyzed trends in elective and nonelective admissions before (December 2019 to February 2020) and during (March to May 2020) the COVID‐19 pandemic in Austria. A total of 279 outpatients were recruited into cohort 1 and 138 patients into cohort 2. All admissions from December 2019 to May 2020 to the Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology at the Vienna General Hospital were analyzed. A total of 32.6% (n = 91 of 279) of cohort 1 and 72.5% (n = 95 of 131) of cohort 2 had telemedical contact, whereas 59.5% (n = 166 of 279) and 68.2% (n = 90 of 132) had face‐to‐face visits. A total of 24.1% (n = 32 of 133) needed acute medical help during health care restrictions; however, 57.3% (n = 51 of 89) reported that contacting their physician during COVID‐19 was difficult or impossible. Patient‐reported satisfaction with treatment decreased significantly during restrictions in cohort 1 (visual analog scale [VAS] 0‐10: 9.0 ± 1.6 to 8.6 ± 2.2; P < 0.001) and insignificantly in cohort 2 (VAS 0‐10: 8.9 ± 1.6 to 8.7 ± 2.1; P = 0.182). Despite fewer hospital admissions during COVID‐19, the proportion of nonelective admissions (+6.3%) and intensive care unit admissions (+6.7%) increased. Patients with cirrhosis with nonelective admissions during COVID‐19 had significantly higher Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) (25.5 [14.2] vs. 17.0 [interquartile range: 8.8]; P = 0.003) and ΔMELD (difference from last MELD: 3.9 ± 6.3 vs. 8.7 ± 6.4; P = 0.008), required immediate intensive care more frequently (26.7% vs. 5.6%; P = 0.034), and had significantly increased 30‐day liver‐related mortality (30.0% vs. 8.3%; P = 0.028). Conclusion: The COVID‐19 pandemic’s effects on quality of liver care is evident from decreased patient satisfaction, hospitalization of sicker patients with advanced chronic liver disease, and increased liver‐related mortality. Strategies for improved telemedical liver care and preemptive treatment of cirrhosis‐related complications are needed to counteract the COVID‐19‐associated restrictions of in‐hospital care.
The use of hedgerows to mitigate pesticide exposure of a population living in a rural area
Authors: Langenbach Tomaz , Mager Alfredo H. , Campos Maize M. , De Falco Anna , Aucélio Ricardo , Campos Tácio M. , Caldas Luiz Q. A.
Published: May 2021

Farmer populations living in houses inside vegetable gardens are exposed to indoor pesticide pollution. The pulverization drift and volatile pesticides transported by wind are important sources of indoor pollution, which can be mitigated by hedgerows. This study was the first attempt in Brazil to investigate the efficiency of six different hedgerow species in reducing pesticide residues in air. A fluorescent compound (p-aminobenzoic acid or PABA) was introduced in the sprayed pesticide fluid that traced the pesticide in the water. Samples were collected in Petri dishes positioned on stakes at different heights in front of and behind the hedgerows. Data indicated barrier efficiency of up to 99%. Simulation of nontarget drift contamination with herbicide concentrations exhibited reduced senescence effects on leaves and posed no threat to survival. Hedgerows are feasible, simple, and inexpensive techniques, which may be used easily by farmers, independent of external support and efficiently mitigating indoor pesticide pollution, thus protecting human health. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:19–24. © 2021 SETAC

KEY POINTS

This study suggests that hedgerows have effective mitigation possibilities for protecting dwellers from indoor airborne pesticide exposures avoiding health hazard risks as a usual source of airborne diseases. Hedgerows are a feasible, simple, and inexpensive technique that may be easily used by farmers, independent of external support and efficiently mitigating indoor pesticide pollution. Hedgerows may function as protective house shields against pesticide drift.
Sediment toxicity data and excess simultaneously extracted metals from field-collected samples: Comparison to United States Environmental Protection Agency benchmarks
Authors: DeForest David K. , Toll John E. , Judd Nancy L. , Shaw Amy , McPeek Kate , Tobiason Karen , Santore Robert C.
Published: May 2021

US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Procedures for the Derivation of Equilibrium Partitioning Sediment Benchmarks (ESBs) for the Protection of Benthic Organisms: Metal Mixtures are based on the principle that metals toxicity to benthic organisms is determined by bioavailable metals concentrations in porewater. One ESB is based on the difference between simultaneously extracted metal (SEM) and acid volatile sulfide (AVS) concentrations in sediment (excess SEM). The excess SEM ESBs include a lower uncertainty bound, below which most samples (95%) are expected to be “nontoxic” (defined as a bioassay mortality rate ≤24%), and an upper uncertainty bound, above which most samples (95%) are expected to be “toxic” (defined as a mortality rate >24%). Samples that fall between the upper and lower bounds are classified as “uncertain.” Excess SEM ESBs can, in principle, be improved by normalizing for organic carbon (OC). OC is a binding phase that reduces metals bioavailability. OC normalization should improve the accuracy of bioavailable metal concentration estimates, thus tightening uncertainty bounds. We evaluated field-collected sediments from 13 studies with excess SEM, OC, and bioassay data (n = 740). Use of the OC-normalized excess SEM benchmarks did not improve prediction accuracy. The ESB model predicts OC-normalized excess SEM exceeding the upper benchmark even when toxicity is not observed, because error in the OC normalization model increases at low OC concentrations. To minimize the likelihood of incorrectly identifying nontoxic samples as toxic, we recommend that OC normalization of excess SEM should not be considered for sediments with an OC concentration <1% and is questionable for sediments with an OC concentration of 1%–4%. Additional focused studies are needed to confirm or refine the minimum sediment OC concentrations that are applicable for reducing uncertainty in toxicity predictions due to excess SEM. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:174–186. © 2021 SETAC

KEY POINTS

One of the US Environmental Protection Agency's equilibrium partitioning sediment benchmark approaches for metals is based on the molar difference between acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metal (SEM), which is referred to as excess SEM. Organic carbon (OC) normalization of excess SEM is intended to reduce uncertainty in toxicity predictions by considering a binding phase, in addition to AVS, that reduces metal bioavailability. Based on a synthesis of bioassay and chemistry data from field-collected samples, we argue that the theory behind OC normalization breaks down at low OC concentrations and that OC normalization should not be applied in sediments with OC <1% and is questionable in sediment with OC between 1% and 4%.
Maclurin exerts anti‐cancer effects in human osteosarcoma cells via prooxidative activity and modulations ofPARP, p38, andERKsignaling
Authors: Lee Yu Jin , Lee Sang Yeol
Published: May 2021

Maclurin [(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐(2,4,6‐trihydroxyphenyl) methanone] is a natural compound that can be extracted from white mulberry(Morus alba)and purple mangosteen(Garcinia mangostana). Maclurin is known for its dual‐sided effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS). Osteosarcoma is a primary malignant tumor of the bone and is one of the most aggressive cancers. It is common especially in children and young adults and can progress into highly metastatic cancer. In this study, we investigated the anti‐cancer effects of maclurin on U2OS human osteosarcoma cells. The results indicated that maclurin exerts prooxidative effects and induces apoptosis via capase‐3‐independent PARP regulation in U2OS human osteosarcoma cells. Maclurin also inhibits the migration of U2OS human osteosarcoma cells. Maclurin modulates two of the three major mitogen‐activated protein kinases that are closely linked with cancer metastasis; that is, it activates p38 and inactivates Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase. The apoptosis‐inducing effects of maclurin on U2OS osteosarcoma cells were diminished by additional treatment with antioxidantN‐acetyl cysteine (NAC), but the migration‐inhibiting effect was not affected by NAC treatment. This further suggested the only apoptosis‐inducing effect of maclurin may be strongly related to its prooxidative activity. Taken together, these results suggested that maclurin may be a strong candidate molecule as an anti‐osteosarcoma agent.
No‐arbitrage priors, drifting volatilities, and the term structure of interest rates
Authors: Carriero Andrea , Clark Todd E. , Marcellino Massimiliano
Published: May 2021

We use a Bayesian vector autoregression with stochastic volatility to forecast government bond yields. We form the conjugate prior from a no‐arbitrage affine term structure model. The model improves on the accuracy of point and density forecasts from a no‐change random walk and an affine term structure model with stochastic volatility. Our proposed approach may succeed by relaxing the no‐arbitrage affine term structure model's requirements that yields obey a factor structure and that the factors follow a Markov process. In the term structure model, its cross‐equation no‐arbitrage restrictions on the factor loadings appear to play a marginal role in forecasting gains.
Oxidative stress‐mediated apoptosis is involved in bisphenol S‐induced reproductive toxicity in male C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Dai Wei , He Qing‐zhi , Zhu Bi‐qi , Zeng Huai‐cai
Published: May 2021

The reproductive toxicity of bisphenol S (BPS) in male mammals and its possible mechanism are not clear. We investigated the effects and possible mechanism of action of BPS on adult male C57BL/6 mice. We found that exposure to 200‐mg/kg BPS resulted in a significant decrease in the sperm count in the caput/corpus and cauda epididymis, significantly decreased sperm motility, and significantly increased the sperm deformity. Histological evaluation revealed that BPS exposure caused a decrease of spermatozoa in the lumen of seminiferous tubules and a reduction in the proportion of Stage VII or VIII seminiferous tubules in the BPS‐treated groups. Furthermore, ultrastructure analysis revealed BPS‐induced mitochondrial damage and apoptosis in spermatogenic cells. Moreover, BPS exposure‐induced oxidative stress in testicular tissues. Further, dUTP‐biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay showed that BPS induced the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in a dose‐dependent manner. BPS also significantly upregulated cleaved caspase‐8, cleaved caspase‐9, cleaved caspase‐3, Fas, and FasL and significantly downregulated the Bcl‐2/Bax ratio. These results suggest that BPS‐induced oxidative stress in the testis and spermatogenic cell apoptosis potentially impairs spermatogenesis and sperm function, which may be the mechanism of the reproductive toxicity of BPS. The Fas/FasL and mitochondrial signal pathways may be involved in BPS‐induced oxidative stress‐related apoptosis. These results suggest that BPS‐induced oxidative stress in the testis and spermatogenic cell apoptosis potentially impairs spermatogenesis and sperm function, which may be the mechanism of the reproductive toxicity of BPS. The Fas/FasL and mitochondrial signal pathways may be involved in BPS‐induced oxidative stress‐related apoptosis.
Importance of some factors on the Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction
Authors: Akkoç Senem
Published: May 2021

This review was designed to give an overview of the significant parameters in Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling (SMC) reactions, which are a powerful tool for the formation of the carbon–carbon (CC) bond. Since the SMC reaction depends on factors such as solvent, base, temperature, time, catalyst amount, substituent in aryl halides, and molar ratios of the substrates, all these parameters should be screened for a successful SMC reaction. After finding the optimum reaction conditions, the SMC reaction's products of boronic acid derivatives with aryl halides can be obtained in high yields.
Narrating ambiguous loss: Deficiencies in narrative processing and negative appraisal of consequences
Authors: Huang Manxia , Habermas Tilmann
Published: May 2021

Objective

To compare narrative coping with physical and psychological ambiguous loss (AL) and definite loss in terms of distancing (vs. narrative immersion), meaning‐making, and subjective biographical consequences.

Methods

Thirty adults who had lost a parent to death, to going missing, or to Alzheimer disease (N = 90, 67 females; mean age 36.73 years, SD = 7.27; mean time since loss 9.0 years) narrated two loss‐related and three control memories.

Results

Individuals with AL were not more immersed in the loss experience, but less successful in finding meaning and in evaluating the loss and its consequences positively compared to those with a definite loss. These group differences were not due to differences in depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and protracted grief.

Conclusions

Ambiguity of loss renders meaning‐making and coherently narrating loss more difficult, leading to more negative affect, suggesting interventions that help narrating loss coherently in a self‐accepting way.
Identifying a typology of homelessness based on self‐sufficiency: Implications for rapid re‐housing interventions
Authors: Lei Quinmill , Brown Molly
Published: May 2021

Limited research exists on the characteristics of individuals experiencing homelessness who achieve positive housing outcomes in rapid re‐housing (RRH) interventions. We aimed to identify a typology of homelessness based on Self‐Sufficiency Matrix (SSM) domains and examine its relation to sociodemographic characteristics and housing placement through RRH. Homeless Management Information System data, including sociodemographics, SSM domains, and housing outcomes, were obtained for 261 Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re‐housing Program participants in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 2009 to 2012. Latent class analysis (LCA) and latent class regression (LCR) were used to identify subgroups and predict associations between the identified typology and sociodemographic variables and housing placement outcome, respectively. LCA revealed three classes based on SSM domains: “High Self‐Sufficiency,” “Low Socioeconomic Self‐Sufficiency,” and “Low Psychosocial Self‐Sufficiency.” LCR revealed that race significantly predicted class membership such that Black individuals had a significantly higher probability of being in the High Self‐Sufficiency class than the other two classes. Latent class membership significantly predicted immediate housing placement. The Low Psychosocial Self‐Sufficiency group was the least likely to exit RRH to a permanent housing placement compared to the two other subgroups. Results affirm that individuals with greater psychosocial self‐sufficiency have better housing outcomes through RRH than those with more complex support needs. Future research is needed to understand factors influencing differential self‐sufficiency, as measured by the SSM, among Black and White individuals.
Analysis of microbial community, physiochemical indices, and volatile compounds of Chinese te‐flavor baijiu daqu produced in different seasons
Authors: Fu Gui‐Ming , Deng Meng‐Fei , Chen Yan , Chen Yan‐Ru , Wu Sheng‐Wen , Lin Pei , Huang Bing‐Jing , Liu Cheng‐Mei , Wan Yin
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Chinese te‐flavor baijiu (CTF), the most famous Chinese baijiu in Jiangxi province, China, is made from a unique daqu. Its characteristic style is closely related to the daqu used for fermentation. However, current studies on the effects of different production seasons on microbial communities, physicochemical indices, and volatile compounds in CTF daqu are very rare.

RESULTS

The relationships of microbial communities, physicochemical indices, and volatile compounds in CTF daqu produced in summer (July and August) and autumn (September and October) were studied. The results of Illumina MiSeq sequencing indicated that there was greater bacterial diversity in the CTF daqu‐7 (produced in July) and CTF daqu‐8 (produced in August) and greater fungal diversity in the CTF daqu‐9 (produced in September) and CTF daqu‐10 (produced in October). The physicochemical indices of CTF daqu produced in different seasons were significantly different. It was determined that CTF daqu‐9 had the highest esterification and liquefaction abilities. A total of 44 volatile compounds, including alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and ketones were identified in CTF daqu produced during different seasons. Among them, CTF daqu‐9 had the greatest alcohol content.

CONCLUSION

September (early autumn) is the best production period for CTF daqu. The results of the study provide a theoretical basis for the standardized and uniform production of Chinese baijiu. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
miRNA‐10a‐5p inhibits cell metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma via targeting SKA1
Authors: Shen Duo , Zhao Hong‐Yu , Gu Ai‐Dong , Wu Yin‐Wei , Weng Yu‐Hang , Li Shu‐Jie , Song Jin‐Yun , Gu Xue‐Feng , Qiu Jie , Zhao Wei
Published: May 2021

A variety of microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of miR‐10a‐5p in the progression of HCC remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the role of miR‐10a‐5p in the development of HCC and the possible molecular mechanism. miR‐10a‐5p expression in HCC tissues and plasma from patients was detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Migratory changes in HCC cells were detected after the overexpression of miR‐10a‐5p. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related proteins were detected by Western blot. Finally, through luciferase assay and rescue experiments, the mechanism by which miR‐10a‐5p regulates its downstream gene, human spindle and kinetochore‐associated complex subunit 1, SKA1 and the interaction between these molecules in the development of HCC were determined. The expression of miR‐10a‐5p was markedly downregulated in HCC tissues, cell lines, and plasma. The overexpression of miR‐10a‐5p significantly inhibited the migration, invasion, and EMT of HCC cells. Furthermore, SKA1 was shown to be a downstream gene of miR‐10a‐5p. SKA1 silencing had the same effect as miR‐10a‐5p overexpression in HCC. In particular, the overexpression of SKA1 reversed the inhibitory effects of miR‐10a‐5p in HCC. Taken together, low miR‐10a‐5p expression is associated with HCC progression. miR‐10a‐5p inhibits the malignant development of HCC by negatively regulating SKA1.
YAP/TEAD4‐induced KIF4A contributes to the progression and worse prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Ya , Zhu Xiangzhan , Yang Minglei , Wang Yingying , Li Jianhui , Fang Jiarui , Guo Wenna , Ma Shanshan , Guan Fangxia
Published: May 2021

Aberrant expression of kinesin family member 4A (KIF4A), which is associated with tumor progression, has been reported in several types of cancer. However, its expression and the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating the transcription of KIF4A in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain largely unclear. Here, we found that high KIF4A expression was positively correlated with tumor stage and poor prognosis in ESCC patients. KIF4A silencing significantly inhibited the growth and migration of ESCC cells, arrested cell cycle, and induced apoptosis. Interestingly, KIF4A expression was positively related to the expression of YAP in human ESCC tissues. YAP knockdown or disrupting YAP/TEAD4 interaction by verteporfin repressed KIF4A expression. Also, KIF4A knockdown significantly inhibited the cell growth induced by YAP overexpression. Mechanistically, YAP activated KIF4A transcriptional expression by TEAD4‐mediated direct binding to KIF4A promoter. Finally, KIF4A knockdown and verteporfin treatment synergistically inhibited tumor growth in xenograft models. Together, these results indicated that KIF4A, a novel target gene of YAP/TEAD4, may be a progression and prognostic biomarker of ESCC. Targeting drugs for KIF4A combined with YAP inhibitor may be a novel therapeutic strategy for ESCC.
Increasing Occurrence of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna on Atlantic Herring Spawning Grounds: A Signal of Escalating Pelagic Predator–Prey Interaction?
Authors: Turcotte François , McDermid Jenni L. , Tunney Tyler D. , Hanke Alex
Published: May 2021

Predation can be a significant source of natural mortality for small pelagic fish species, rivaling or exceeding fishery removals. Failure to account for changes in natural mortality can introduce uncertainty in the assessment and management of these stocks. In this study, a 10-year span of hydroacoustic data was used to detect Bluefin Tuna Thunnus thynnus on two major fall spawning grounds of Atlantic Herring Clupea harengus, an economically and ecologically valuable forage fish species in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL). Average Bluefin Tuna detections increased 22-fold from 2002 to 2012 on both spawning grounds independently of Atlantic Herring density or aggregation size. This increase is directionally consistent but larger than changes in other Bluefin Tuna population indices. Preliminary estimates of annual Atlantic Herring consumption doubled across the time series, reaching values of 4,300–20,000 metric tons in recent years. This would suggest that Bluefin Tuna are among the most important consumers of Atlantic Herring in the sGSL. These findings are key for an ecosystem-based approach to the assessment and management of both Atlantic Herring and Bluefin Tuna in the sGSL.
RT‐QuIC Detection of Pathological α‐Synuclein in Skin Punches of Patients with Lewy Body Disease
Authors: Mammana Angela , Baiardi Simone , Quadalti Corinne , Rossi Marcello , Donadio Vincenzo , Capellari Sabina , Liguori Rocco , Parchi Piero
Published: May 2021

Background

Evidence suggests that skin represents a suitable matrix for demonstrating α‐synuclein oligomers as a diagnostic biomarker for Lewy body disease.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of skin α‐syn real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay in patients with Lewy body disease.

Methods

We analyzed skin punches taken in vitam (n = 69) or postmortem (n = 49) from patients with PD, dementia with Lew bodies (DLB), incidental Lewy body pathology, and neurological controls. Seventy‐nine patients underwent both CSF and skin α‐synuclein real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay.

Results

Overall, the skin α‐synuclein real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay distinguished Lewy body disease patients with 94.1% accuracy (sensitivity, 89.2%; specificity, 96.3%). Assay sensitivity reached 94.1% in the 17 Lewy body disease patients analyzed in the cervical region. In patients with both CSF and skin samples, the 2 real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay protocols yielded similar diagnostic accuracy (skin, 97.5%; CSF, 98.7%).

Conclusion

Skin punch biopsies might represent a valid and convenient alternative to CSF analysis to demonstrate Lew body‐related α‐synuclein deposition in patients with Lewy body disease. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Preparing genomic revolution: Attitudes, clinical practice, and training needs in delivering genetic counseling in primary care in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China
Authors: Yu Man Wai Cecilia , Fung Jasmine Lee Fong , Ng Amy Pui Pui , Li Zhuo , Lan Wang , Chung Claudia Ching Yan , Li Yang , Liu Ying , Chung Brian H. Y. , Wong William Chi Wai
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The aim was to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice concerning medical genetics, genetic testing, and counseling among primary care physicians (PCPs) in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China.

Methods

The University of Hong Kong (HKU), HKU‐Shenzhen Hospital, and Shenzhen Health Capacity Building and Continuing Education Center invited PCPs from Hong Kong and Shenzhen to participate in an online survey.

Results

The survey was completed by 151 PCPs and 258 PCPs from Hong Kong and Shenzhen, respectively. The majority agreed it was important to keep current with genetics (91%) and that personalized medicine was the future of healthcare (86%), yet only 10% reported that they had postgraduate training in genomic medicine. Seventeen percent of Hong Kong and 40% of Shenzhen's PCPs encountered genetic‐related cases in the past 6 months, and they identified insufficient knowledge, few training opportunities, and self‐rated low confidence in their skillsets as main barriers.

Conclusions

Our survey shows that Hong Kong and Shenzhen's PCPs are not yet fully utilizing potential benefits of genomic medicine in their clinical practice, which could be addressed with a combination of easily accessible educational resources, clear referral pathways and guidelines on genetic diseases, and cross‐specialty collaboration between healthcare systems and professional bodies.
Ligustrum robustum Alleviates Atherosclerosis by Decreasing Serum TMAO, Modulating Gut Microbiota, and Decreasing Bile Acid and Cholesterol Absorption in Mice
Authors: Liu Sijing , He Fangting , Zheng Tianli , Wan Siqi , Chen Jiayi , Yang Fei , Xu Xin , Pei Xiaofang
Published: May 2021

Scope

Atherosclerosis (AS) is closely related to gut microbiota. Previous studies demonstrates that Ligustrum robustum (LR), a flavonoid‐rich tea like plant, can mitigate several AS‐related risk factors and modulate gut microbiota in animal models and human subjects. But its anti‐AS effect and mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, impacts of LR on AS development are investigated and the potential underlying mechanisms in C57BL/6J and Apoe−/− mice are explored.

Methods and Results

Female C57BL/6J and Apoe−/− mice are fed a chow diet or high‐choline diet, supplemented with vehicle (water) or LR water extract (700 mg kg−1) by gavage for 17 weeks. It is found that LR attenuates diet‐induced AS by reducing serum trimethylamine and trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO) levels likely by modulating gut microbiota. Moreover, LR increases the abundance of the genus Bifidobacterium, which generates bile salt hydrolase, and thus presumably enhances bile acid (BA) deconjugation and increases fecal BA excretion. Meanwhile, LR increases fecal cholesterol excretion, decreases the levels of serum and hepatic cholesterol, but did not affect short‐chain fatty acids in feces.

Conclusion

LR attenuates AS development presumably by decreasing serum TMAO levels and increasing fecal BA excretion likely via gut microbial modulation. These effects are accompanied by increases in fecal cholesterol excretion and decreases in serum and hepatic cholesterol.
Spinal cord fMRI with MB‐SWIFT for assessing epidural spinal cord stimulation in rats
Authors: Laakso Hanne , Lehto Lauri J. , Paasonen Jaakko , Salo Raimo , Canna Antonietta , Lavrov Igor , Michaeli Shalom , Gröhn Olli , Mangia Silvia
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Electrical epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is used as a treatment for chronic pain as well as to partially restore motor function after a spinal cord injury. Monitoring the spinal cord activity during SCS with fMRI could provide important and objective measures of integrative responses to treatment. Unfortunately, spinal cord fMRI is severely challenged by motion and susceptibility artifacts induced by the implanted electrode and bones. This pilot study introduces multi‐band sweep imaging with Fourier transformation (MB‐SWIFT) technique for spinal cord fMRI during SCS in rats. Given the close to zero acquisition delay and high bandwidth in 3 dimensions, MB‐SWIFT is demonstrated to be highly tolerant to motion and susceptibility‐induced artifacts and thus holds promise for fMRI during SCS.

Methods

MB‐SWIFT with 0.78 × 0.78 × 1.50 mm3 spatial resolution and 3‐s temporal resolution was used at 9.4 Tesla in rats undergoing epidural SCS at different frequencies. Its performance was compared with spin echo EPI. The origin of the functional contrast was also explored using suppression bands.

Results

MB‐SWIFT was tolerant to electrode‐induced artifacts and respiratory motion, leading to substantially higher fMRI sensitivity than spin echo fMRI. Clear stimulation frequency‐dependent responses to SCS were detected in the rat spinal cord close to the stimulation site. The origin of MB‐SWIFT fMRI signals was consistent with dominant inflow effects.

Conclusion

fMRI of the rat spinal cord during SCS can be consistently achieved with MB‐SWIFT, thus providing a valuable experimental framework for assessing the effects of SCS on the central nervous system.
Assessment of myofiber microstructure changes due to atrophy and recovery with time‐dependent diffusion MRI
Authors: Lemberskiy Gregory , Feiweier Thorsten , Gyftopoulos Soterios , Axel Leon , Novikov Dmitry S. , Fieremans Els
Published: May 2021

Current clinical MRI evaluation of musculature largely focuses on nonquantitative assessments (including T1‐, T2‐ and PD‐weighted images), which may vary greatly between imaging systems and readers. This work aims to determine the efficacy of a quantitative approach to study the microstructure of muscles at the cellular level with the random permeable barrier model (RPBM) applied to time‐dependent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for varying diffusion time. Patients (N = 15, eight males and seven females) with atrophied calf muscles due to immobilization of one leg in a nonweight‐bearing cast, were enrolled after providing informed consent. Their calf muscles were imaged with stimulated echo diffusion for DTI, T1‐mapping and RPBM modeling. Specifically, After cast removal, both calf muscles (atrophied and contralateral control leg) were imaged with MRI for all patients, with follow‐up scans to monitor recovery of the atrophied leg for six patients after 4 and 8 weeks. We compare RPBM‐derived microstructural metrics: myofiber diameter, a, and sarcolemma permeability, κ, along with macroscopic anatomical parameters (muscle cross‐sectional area, fiber orientation, <θ>, and T1 relaxation). ROC analysis was used to compare parameters between control and atrophied muscle, while the Friedman test was used to evaluate the atrophied muscle longitudinally. We found that the RPBM framework enables measurement of microstructural parameters from diffusion time‐dependent DTI, of which the myofiber diameter is a stronger predictor of intramuscular morphological changes than either macroscopic (anatomical) measurements or empirical diffusion parameters. This work demonstrates the potential of RPBM to assess pathological changes in musculature that seem undetectable with standard diffusion and anatomical MRI.
Development and validation of the information needs questionnaire for differentiated thyroid cancer patient with radioactive iodine therapy (INQ‐DTC)
Authors: Zhang Jing , Li Limei , Liu Dongling , Zhu Tingting , Gao Qiaoqiao , Chen Hui , Ma Ling , Li Jiayin , Wang Zichen
Published: May 2021

Aims

This study aimed to develop and validate the psychometric properties of Information Needs Questionnaire for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (INQ‐DTC) in DTC patients with radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy.

Design

Mixed methods.

Methods

Using qualitative methods, we developed the initial questionnaire from a personal perspective of information needs of 15 patients with DTC. We used a formal Delphi consensus process to help assess the initial questionnaire and provide recommendations for its application. Totally, 230 DTC patients with RAI therapy were selected for the process of validation.

Results

The final version of INQ‐DTC contains 33 items. The total Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.945, the total split‐half reliability was 0.822, and the test‐retest value was 0.984 for the overall score. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 5 factors, which could explain 61.86% of the total variance. The Scale‐level content validity index (S‐CVI) was 0.928, and 0.929 for the item‐level content validity index (I‐CVI).
The processes of hospital discharge and recovery after blunt thoracic injuries: The patient’s perspective
Authors: Baker Edward , Xyrichis Andreas , Norton Christine , Hopkins Philip , Lee Geraldine
Published: May 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to explore hospital discharge processes and the self‐management of recovery in the early post‐discharge period after blunt thoracic injury from a patient perspective.

Design

Qualitative interview study.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with participants recruited from 8 sites across England and Wales between November 2019–May 2020. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted between 5–8 weeks after hospital discharge, and in total, 14 interviews were undertaken. These interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic coding.

Results

Three main themes were identified from the analysis: (a) challenges in the discharge process, (b) coping at home after discharge and (c) managing medications at home. Pain was a dominant thread running throughout all themes which represented an important quality and safety concern for all participants. Associated concerns included insufficient preparation and education for hospital discharge, ineffective communication and subsequent unsafe use of opioids at home highlighting unmet patient care needs.
Impact of Energy Turnover on the Regulation of Energy and Macronutrient Balance
Authors: Bosy‐Westphal Anja , Hägele Franziska A. , Müller Manfred J.
Published: May 2021

Energy turnover, defined as the average daily total metabolic rate, can be normalized for basal metabolic rate in order to compare physical activity level between individuals, whereas normalization of energy turnover for energy intake (energy flux) allows investigation of its impact on regulation of energy partitioning independent of energy balance. Appetite sensations better correspond to energy requirements at a high compared with a low energy turnover. Adaptation of energy intake to habitual energy turnover may, however, contribute to the risk of weight gain associated with accelerated growth, pregnancy, detraining in athletes, or after weight loss in people with obesity. The dose–response relationship between energy turnover and energy intake as well as the metabolic effects of energy turnover varies with the habitual level of physical activity and the etiology of energy turnover (e.g., cold‐induced thermogenesis, growth, or lactation; aerobic vs. anaerobic exercise). Whether a high energy turnover due to physical activity or exercise may compensate for adverse effects of overfeeding or an unhealthy diet needs to be further investigated using the concept of energy flux. In summary, the beneficial effects of a high energy turnover on regulation of energy and macronutrient balance facilitate the prevention and treatment of obesity and associated metabolic risk.