bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy versus postoperative histopathology for diagnosing thyroid malignancy
Authors: Aliyev Aziz , Aliyeva Irada , Giammarile Francesco , Talibova Narmin , Aliyeva Gunay , Novruzov Fuad
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is currently widely used for the initial screening of patients with thyroid nodules enabling prevention of unnecessary surgery. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyse the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid FNAB compared with postoperative histopathology of a large cohort from Azerbaijan.

Methods

We evaluated the FNAB results of 738 patients who underwent thyroid surgery at the National Centre of Oncology in Azerbaijan. The measures of diagnostic accuracy were calculated for the ultrasound‐guided preoperative FNAB results (based on the six diagnostic categories of the Bethesda classification) compared with postoperative histopathologic results (benign or malignant) for correspondent areas.

Results

Considering both DC V and DC VI categories (387 cases) as ‘cytologic‐positive’ and DC II category (72 cases) as ‘cytologic‐negative’, we found 14 false‐positive and 10 false‐negative results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy were 97.4%, 86.1%, 96.4%, 81.6% and 94.8%, respectively. Conversely, when considering only the DC VI category as ‘cytologic‐positive’, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy of FNA were 93.2%, 100%, 100%, 81.6% and 97.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

The results of our cohort demonstrated high levels of diagnostic accuracy, supporting FNAB's role as a reliable diagnostic tool in the preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV and accuracy of thyroid FNAB in our institution were comparable with those of other institutions.
Environmental DNA highlights fish biodiversity in mesophotic ecosystems
Authors: Muff Marion , Jaquier Mélissa , Marques Virginie , Ballesta Laurent , Deter Julie , Bockel Thomas , Hocdé Régis , Juhel Jean‐Baptiste , Boulanger Emilie , Guellati Nacim , Fernández Andrea Polanco , Valentini Alice , Dejean Tony , Manel Stéphanie , Albouy Camille , Durville Patrick , Mouillot David , Holon Florian , Pellissier Loïc
Published: September 2022

Mesophotic marine ecosystems are characterized by lower light penetration supporting specialized fish fauna. Due to their depths (−30–−150 m), accessibility is challenging, and the structure of mesophotic fish assemblages is generally less known than either shallow reefs or deep zones with soft bottoms which are generally trawled. Environmental DNA metabarcoding from seawater filtered in situ could improve our ability to monitor the diversity of mesophotic ecosystems. Here, we developed and tested a submersible standalone pumping device allowing targeted marine water filtering to explore the biodiversity of two mesophotic ecosystems, one temperate along the Provence coast in the North‐Western Mediterranean Sea and one tropical at the seamount La Pérouse in the Western Indian Ocean. We filtered water samples from depths ranging between 0 and 200 m in the Mediterranean Sea and between 60 and 140 m in the Indian Ocean and applied a metabarcoding protocol using the teleo primer pair targeting the 12S mitochondrial rDNA (Actinopterygii and Chondrichthyes). For both study regions, our eDNA surveys were able to recover highly diverse fish assemblages, and the compositional analysis of eDNA samples showed both a marked signal of fish compositional turnover and overlapping taxa between depth zones. Further, we observed that a substantial number of species were found in samples collected in depths beyond their reported depth range suggesting an underestimation of species' depth tolerances. eDNA metabarcoding should thus complement existing knowledge of species' geographic distributions across space and depth. Overall, our results demonstrate the potential of eDNA metabarcoding for future mesophotic surveys as it allows fast and broad biodiversity assessment.
EnvironmentalDNAsurveys of African biodiversity: State of knowledge, challenges, and opportunities
Authors: von der Heyden Sophie
Published: September 2022

Environmental DNA surveys have become a well‐established tool for detecting natural communities, showing excellent promise for supporting biodiversity monitoring, conservation, and management efforts. Africa is a continent of exceptional biodiversity, threatened not only by anthropogenic pressures but also by a general lack of research capacity and infrastructure, limiting evaluation and monitoring of ecosystems. This commentary explores the use of environmental DNA in surveying natural diversity, a rapidly moving field, within the context of capturing Africa's natural capital. Through an extensive literature search and filtering, 65 papers from 22 countries were identified, with research from Madagascar and Africa forming the bulk of the literature (~38%), with many countries only represented by one to three papers. There was a diverse range of studies, with more than half reporting on communities or diet analyses; freshwater and marine research are underrepresented, accounting for ~5% of studies. There were some papers on disease monitoring, particularly in freshwater. Disturbingly, representation of authors was highly skewed and highlights the ongoing inequality of scientific publishing and the extent of parachute science; one‐third of papers (n = 21) reported no African representation, in contrast with the 18 papers that had either first or senior authors affiliated with an institution in Africa. The remainder of the papers (n = 27) had at least one author affiliated with an African institution. In addition, less than half of papers reported appropriate sampling permits. Importantly and with a concerted global effort, building long‐term capacity, through meaningful and equitable relationships will help increase self‐sustaining science around technologies based on eDNA, thus ensuring not only biodiversity but also humanitarian benefits across Africa.
Characterization of therapeutic mAb charge heterogeneity by iCIEF coupled to mass spectrometry (iCIEF–MS)
Authors: Schlecht Johannes , Moritz Bernd , Kiessig Steffen , Neusüß Christian
Published: September 2022

Imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (iCIEF) has emerged as an important technique for therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) charge heterogeneity analysis in the biopharmaceutical context, providing imaged detection and quantitation by UV without a mobilization step. Besides quantitation, the characterization of separated charge variants ideally directly by online electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (ESI–MS) is crucial to ensure product quality, safety, and efficacy. Straightforward direct iCIEF–MS coupling combining high separation efficiency and quantitative results of iCIEF with the characterization power of MS enables deep characterization of mAb charge variants. A short technical setup and optimized methodical parameters (30 nl/min mobilization rate, 2%–4% ampholyte concentration, 0.5–2 mg/ml sample concentration) allow successful mAb charge variant peak assignment from iCIEF to MS. Despite a loss of separation resolution during the transfer, separated intact mAb charge variants, including deamidation as well as major and minor glycoforms even from low abundant charge variants, could be characterized by online ESI–MS with high precision. The presented setup provides a large potential for mAb charge heterogeneity characterization in biopharmaceutical applications.
NOx and CO levels in the Mediterranean major Patras area, Greece
Authors: Bloutsos Aristeidis A. , Yannopoulos Panayotis C.
Published: September 2022

Gaseous pollutants negatively affect air quality and consequently human health and wellbeing. Thus, the University of Patras Campus (UPC) air quality is evaluated in comparison to Patras downtown air quality, regarding nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) concentration levels. The air pollution station installed at the suburban area of UPC was monitoring the air quality during the period 2014–2018. The daily average concentrations ± standard deviations recorded by continuous measurements of NO, NO2, NOx, and CO were 0.4 ± 0.5, 4.6 ± 2.7, and 5.0 ± 3.0, and 39.3 ± 64.1 μg m−3, correspondingly. These values are lower than the corresponding ones measured by downtown monitoring stations during 2001–2018. After analyzing the data recorded, the diurnal, weakly and yearly variations of NO, NO2, NOx, CO concentrations and NO/NOx, NO2/NOx, NO/NO2 ratios were obtained. The yearly variations show that the pollutant concentrations at UPC are below the legislation limits. On the contrary, in Patras Downtown only NOx concentrations overcome the limit, while NO2 concentrations found marginally below the limit during the last decade. Statistical analysis showed that concentration levels are affected by seasonality and meteorological parameters. The present findings may be useful in environmental impact assessments necessary for sustainable development projects.
Vulvar ductal carcinoma in situ as a manifestation of ectopic breast tissue
Authors: Sandak Michael D. , Chandler Katherine A. , Goberdhan Samuel P. , Willett William F. , Scarborough Charles S.
Published: September 2022

Synopsis

The fourth known occurrence of ductal carcinoma in situ found in ectopic breast tissue of the vulva successfully treated with wide‐excision biopsy and anastrozole.
Risk and protective factors for marijuana use and problems with use in a national sample of female Ecuadorian secondary school students
Authors: Ocaña‐Gordillo Daniela , Kliewer Wendy
Published: September 2022

This study investigated risk and protective factors for marijuana use and problems with use in Ecuadorian girls in an attempt to inform this growing problem. Female secondary school students (N = 16,310; M = 15.02, SD = 1.73 years) who completed the 2016 national survey of drug use participated. The likelihood of lifetime marijuana use, reported by 7.3% of the sample, was predicted by older age, greater perceived access to marijuana and affiliation with tobacco‐ and marijuana‐using peers; aspects of parental monitoring and perceived physical safety in and around school were negatively related to the probability of use. Among girls reporting any marijuana use, age, frequency of past year use, ease of access and affiliation with marijuana‐using peers was positively associated with marijuana use problems. These data support the roles of both parents and communities in reducing marijuana use among Ecuadorian girls and highlight the important role of peer influence.
Research progress on components and mechanisms of neurotoxicity induced by traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Guo Jiafu , Zhang Jian , Liu Qiuyan , Yang Nannan , Huang Yan , Hu Tingting , Rao Chaolong
Published: September 2022

Over the years, the safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has received widespread attention, especially the central nervous system‐related adverse reactions. Indeed, the complexity of TCM has limited the widespread application of TCM. The article summarizes the main components associated with neurotoxicity, including alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, saponins, proteins, and heavy metals, by reviewing the literature on the neurotoxicity of TCM. It has been established that the neurotoxicity mechanisms mainly include mitochondrial damage, oxidative damage, inhibition of cell proliferation (including transcriptional and DNA damage), changes in cell membrane permeability, and apoptosis. By reviewing the latest literature, this paper provides the foothold for follow‐up studies and can assist clinicians in preventing neurotoxicity via rational and safe TCM drug use.
Extracellular vesicle‐bound DNA in urine is indicative of kidney allograft injury
Authors: Sedej Ivana , Štalekar Maja , Tušek Žnidarič Magda , Goričar Katja , Kojc Nika , Kogovšek Polona , Dolžan Vita , Arnol Miha , Lenassi Metka
Published: September 2022

Extracellular vesicle‐bound DNA (evDNA) is an understudied extracellular vesicle (EV) cargo, particularly in cancer‐unrelated research. Although evDNA has been detected in urine, little is known about its characteristics, localization, and biomarker potential for kidney pathologies. To address this, we enriched EVs from urine of well‐characterized kidney transplant recipients undergoing allograft biopsy, characterized their evDNA and its association to allograft injury. The SEC‐based method enriched pure EVs from urine of kidney transplant recipients, regardless of the allograft injury. Urinary evDNA represented up to 29.2 ± 8% (mean ± SD) of cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) and correlated with cfDNA in several characteristics but was less fragmented (P < 0.001). Importantly, using DNase treatment and immunogold labelling TEM, we demonstrated that evDNA was bound to the surface of urinary EVs. Normalised evDNA yield (P = 0.042) and evDNA copy number (P = 0.027) significantly differed between patients with normal histology, rejection injury and non‐rejection injury, the later groups having significantly larger uEVs (mean diameter, P = 0.045) and more DNA bound per uEV. ddDNA is detectable in uEV samples of kidney allograft recipients, but its quantity is highly variable. In a proof‐of‐principle study, several evDNA characteristics correlated with clinical and histological parameters (P = 0.040), supporting that the potential of evDNA as a biomarker for kidney allograft injury should be further investigated.
Active antithrombin glycoforms are selectively physiosorbed on plasma extracellular vesicles
Authors: Radeghieri Annalisa , Alacqua Silvia , Zendrini Andrea , Previcini Vanessa , Todaro Francesca , Martini Giuliana , Ricotta Doris , Bergese Paolo
Published: September 2022

Antithrombin (AT) is a glycoprotein produced by the liver and a principal antagonist of active clotting proteases. A deficit in AT function leads to AT qualitative deficiency, challenging to diagnose. Here we report that active AT may travel physiosorbed on the surface of plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs), contributing to form the “EV‐protein corona.” The corona is enriched in specific AT glycoforms, thus suggesting glycosylation to play a key role in AT partitioning between EVs and plasma. Differences in AT glycoform composition of the corona of EVs separated from plasma of healthy and AT qualitative deficiency‐affected subjects were also noticed. This suggests deconstructing the plasma into its nanostructured components, as EVs, could suggest novel directions to unravel pathophysiological mechanisms.
Clinical evaluation of deep learning and atlas‐based auto‐segmentation for critical organs at risk in radiation therapy
Authors: Gibbons Eddie , Hoffmann Matthew , Westhuyzen Justin , Hodgson Andrew , Chick Brendan , Last Andrew
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Contouring organs at risk (OARs) is a time‐intensive task that is a critical part of radiation therapy. Atlas‐based automatic segmentation has shown some success at reducing this time burden on practitioners; however, this method often requires significant manual editing to reach a clinically accurate standard. Deep learning (DL) auto‐segmentation has recently emerged as a promising solution. This study compares the accuracy of DL and atlas‐based auto‐segmentation in relation to clinical ‘gold standard’ reference contours.

Methods

Ninety CT datasets (30 head and neck, 30 thoracic, 30 pelvic) were automatically contoured using both atlas and DL segmentation techniques. Sixteen critical OARs were then quantitatively measured for accuracy using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance (HD). Qualitative analysis was performed to visually classify the accuracy of each structure into one of four explicitly defined categories. Additionally, the time to edit atlas and DL contours to a clinically acceptable level was recorded for a subset of 9 OARs.

Results

Of the 16 OARs analysed, DL delivered statistically significant improvements over atlas segmentation in 13 OARs measured with DSC, 12 OARs measured with HD, and 12 OARs measured qualitatively. The mean editing time for the subset of DL contours was 50%, 23% and 61% faster (all P < 0.05) than that of atlas segmentation for the head and neck, thorax, and pelvis respectively.

Conclusions

Deep learning segmentation comprehensively outperformed atlas‐based contouring for the majority of evaluated OARs. Improvements were observed in geometric accuracy and visual acceptability, while editing time was reduced leading to increased workflow efficiency.
Influence of damaged starch on thermal and rheological properties of wheat starch and wheat starch–gluten systems in water and sucrose
Authors: Teobaldi Andrés Gustavo , Barrera Gabriela Noel , Severini Hernán , Ribotta Pablo Daniel
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

The granular integrity of starch granules is affected by the mechanical action of the milling‐process, thus producing what is called damaged starch (DS). The effect of DS on bakery products was extensively studied, but there is not much information about the effect of this minor flour component on batter‐type products in which there is a high amount of sucrose. The objective of this work was to study the influence of damaged wheat‐starch on starch and starch–gluten systems dispersed in water and sucrose 500 g kg−1 solution.

RESULTS

Thermal and pasting properties and the viscoelastic behavior of the systems were evaluated. Gelatinization enthalpy decreased when DS amount increased in the samples in both solvents. In starch–gluten systems, the degree of influence of DS on the gelatinization enthalpy was solvent‐dependent. The presence of gluten minimized the effect of DS on the gelatinization process in water. The viscosity profile of starch and starch–gluten samples was reduced in both solvents when DS level increased. The influence of DS on the viscosity profile was solvent‐dependent in starch–gluten systems. The presence of gluten lessened the influence of DS on the viscosity profile during the pasting process in sucrose solution. Higher DS levels decreased the viscoelastic behavior of the systems in both solvents and further reduced the viscoelastic behavior of the systems in sucrose solution.

CONCLUSION

These results contribute to understanding the influence of the DS levels on the batter properties of flour‐based batter‐type products, mainly those generated on starch and gluten–starch systems dispersed in sucrose solution. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Efficient degradation of rice straw through a novel psychrotolerant Bacillus cereus at low temperature
Authors: Wang Yu , Cai Jinling , Li Demao
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Rice straw (RS) is one of the largest sources of lignocellulosic, which is an abundant raw material for biofuels and chemicals. However, the natural degradation of RS under a low temperature environment is the biggest obstacle to returning straw to the field.

RESULTS

In the present study, one bacillus strain W118 was isolated. Strain W118 was identified as Bacillus cereus through morphological and physiological characterization and 16S rDNA sequencing. The optimum growth temperature and pH of strain W118 were 20 °C and 6.5, respectively. Simultaneously, it was found that the strain W118 grew well at low temperature, even at a temperature of 4 °C (OD600 = 1.40 ± 0.01). The decrease of various compositions of RS after the fermentation process at a temperature of 20 °C and 4 °C for 14 days was 27.00 ± 0.02% and 23.70 ± 0.04%, respectively. The composition of RS decreased to 50.71 ± 0.02% after being fermented at 4 °C for 25 days. The results of scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction of RS showed that the compositions of RS were significant decreased.

CONCLUSION

This test suggests that the strain W118 is efficient for degrading RS at low temperature, which has great application potential for straw degradation in a low temperature area. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Usefulness of Shear Wave Elastography in Determining the Tumor Extent of Basal Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Liang Jian‐Feng , Feng Ming‐Chu , Wang Jing , Chen Dong‐Xiang , Guan Jian‐Ying , Luo Ping‐Ping
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of shear wave elastography (SWE) in determining tumor extent of basal cell carcinomas (BCC), and thereby determine the optimal surgical margins (OSM).

Methods

10 patients (40 surgical margins) with BCC were collected, the visual observation boundaries (VOB) were marked, and the SWE parameters of soft tissues were measured 1 mm intervals in “3, 6, 9, 12” clock directions, starting from VOB. Then tumors were resected with a 5 mm surgical margin outward expansion of VOB. All specimens were examined pathologically 1 mm intervals from VOB in four clock directions. With the positive margins furthest from the tumor as the real tumor boundaries (RTB) and the negative margins closest to the tumor as the optimal surgical margins (OSM). The SWE parameters were compared between these two groups.

Results

The elasticity ratio (Eratio) of average young's modulus between region of interest and adjacent normal soft tissue had statistically significant differences between groups (P = .000), while other parameters show no difference. The Eratio of RTB and OSM were 1.22 ± 0.14 and 0.99 ± 0.07. The area under the ROC curve was .947. Taking 1.075 as the threshold of Eratio for the diagnosis of tumor extent, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 87.5%, 90.0% and 90.0%. The surgical margins designed according to OSM were better than those designed according to VOB + 5 mm (P = .000).

Conclusions

The Eratio of SWE is helpful in determining tumor extent of BCC. This is beneficial for surgical margin designing.
Navigating the initial stages of the pandemic using knowledge management: An integrated framework
Authors: Elembilassery Varun , Chakraborty Shreyashi , Chandrasekaran Shabana
Published: September 2022

Knowledge management is a key driver of competitive advantage at all times. This paper explores the different knowledge management measures taken by organizations during the initial stages of the pandemic and the various knowledge resources leveraged for the same. The scope of the study is limited to the initial stages of the pandemic, when things were uncertain and most organizations were going through such a crisis for the first time. The methodology used in this paper combines three‐stage thematic coding and a topic modelling algorithm. The data consist of interviews of human resource leaders and articles published in globally renowned sources. The data was collected during the initial stages of the pandemic and it reflects the thorough process during the initial stages of the pandemic. The findings indicate that firms take various short‐term and long‐term knowledge management measures by leveraging on several internal and external knowledge resources. The findings were analytically clustered and theoretically aggregated to develop an integrated framework for organizational navigation during the initial stages of the pandemic. The paper contributes to the literature by making a novel attempt to study the measures taken in the very early stages of the pandemic and some findings are new to the literature. Also, this paper integrates two different methodologies, which is unique to research. The integrated framework could be used by practitioners for developing a resilient knowledge management system.
Optimal Timing of the Salivary Pepsin Test for the Diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Authors: Zhang Jinhong , Wang Xiaoyu , Wang Jiasen , Zhao Jing , Zhang Chun , Liu Zhi , Li Jinrang
Published: September 2022

Objective

To investigate the optimal time point for diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) through combining 24‐h hypopharyngeal‐esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH (24‐h HEMII‐pH) monitoring and the multi‐time point salivary pepsin test (MTPSPT).

Study Design

Prospective uncontrolled trial.

Method

Patients with and without LPR symptoms were included as the test group and the control group, respectively. The patients in the test group underwent 24‐h HEMII‐pH and MTPSPT. The results of 24‐h HEMII‐pH were used as a diagnostic criterion for LPR, and the diagnostic value of salivary pepsin tests performed at different time points was compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

A total of 153 patients were included. Based on 24‐h HEMII‐pH, the positive rate of LPR in the test group of patients was 84.00%. In the control group, only one person (3.57%) had a positive salivary pepsin test result. The area under the curve (AUC) of the MTPSPT was 0.827. In addition, we separately calculated the AUC of the combined salivary pepsin test at different time points, and found good diagnostic value (AUC = 0.799) when the test was combined with the waking, 1 and 2 h after breakfast and lunch, and 1 h after dinner tests. However, when the number of tests were further increased, the diagnostic value did not improve significantly.

Conclusion

Salivary pepsin testing combined with waking, 1 h and 2 h after breakfast and lunch, and 1 h after dinner has almost the same diagnostic value as MTPSPT, and testing at these time points can be an effective method for diagnosing LPR.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 133:1706–1711, 2023
Titles in research articles: Changes across time and discipline
Authors: Jiang Feng Kevin , Hyland Ken
Published: September 2022

Titles are a crucial feature of research papers and have become increasingly important with changes in publishing practices and the explosion of published research. As a result, novice writers seeking to get their work noticed in international journals might benefit from a clear understanding of the features of research titles and an awareness of the relationship between language and disciplinary context. In this study, we explore this relationship and the impact of changing contexts on titles across the last 60 years on the length, form and content of 36,000 titles from the 10 leading journals from six disciplines spread along a soft‐hard science continuum. Our results show a considerable increase in the length of titles coupled with more interrogative and compound titles in almost all disciplines. There has also been a growing mention of methods in the titles of hard knowledge papers with more frequent inclusion of results in the softer domains. These diachronic changes can be attributed to different characteristics of the fields and of the changing dynamics of the publishing context. Our findings have important implications for early career academics seeking to publish in English and contribute to studies of diachronic analysis of academic discourse.
Examining ecological succession of diatoms in California Current System cyclonic mesoscale eddies
Authors: Abdala Zuzanna M. , Clayton Sophie , Einarsson Sveinn V. , Powell Kimberly , Till Claire P. , Coale Tyler H. , Chappell P. Dreux
Published: September 2022

The California Current System is a diatom‐dominated region characterized by seasonal coastal upwelling and additional elevated mesoscale activity. Cyclonic mesoscale eddies in the region trap productive coastal waters with their planktonic communities and transport them offshore with limited interaction with surrounding waters, effectively acting as natural mesocosms, where phytoplankton populations undergo ecological succession as eddies age. This study examines diatom community composition within two mesoscale cyclonic eddies that formed in the same region of the California Current System 2 months apart and in the California Current waters surrounding them. The diatom communities were analyzed in the context of shifting environmental gradients and through a lens of community succession to expand our understanding of biophysical interactions in California Current System cyclonic eddies. Diatom communities within each eddy were different from non‐eddy communities and varied in concert with salinity and dissolved iron (Fe) concentrations. The younger, nearshore eddy displayed higher macronutrient and dissolved Fe concentrations, had higher values for diatom Shannon diversity and evenness, and had nutrient ratios indicative of either eventual silicic acid (Si) or Fe limitation or possibly co‐limitation. The older, offshore eddy displayed low macronutrient and dissolved Fe concentrations, was likely nitrate‐limited, and had lower diatom Shannon diversity and evenness indices. Sequences from the genus Rhizosolenia, some of which form vertically migrating mats to bypass nitrate limitation, dominated in the older eddy. This is of potential significance as the prevalence of Rhizosolenia mats could impact estimates of carbon cycling and export in the wider California coastal area.
Thermosensitive Injectable Gradient Hydrogel‐Induced Bidirectional Differentiation of BMSCs
Authors: Bi Gangyuan , Liu Sa , Zhong Xiupeng , Peng Yaotian , Song Wenjing , Yang Junzhong , Ren Li
Published: September 2022

Osteochondral defects threaten the quality of life of patients to a great extent. To simulate gradient changes in osteochondral tissue, a gradient‐mixing injection device consisting of a controller and injection pumps is design. Bioactive glass (BG) and gellan gum (GG) are used to prepare thermosensitive injectable gradient hydrogels (B0.5G, B1G) with an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) range of 37.7–40.2 °C using this device for the first time. The mechanical properties of gradient hydrogels are significantly better than those of pure GG hydrogels. The gradients in the composition, structure, and morphology of gradient hydrogels are confirmed via physicochemical characterization. Cytocompatibility tests show that hydrogels, especially B0.5G gradient hydrogels, promote the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Most importantly, qRT‐PCR shows that the different components in B0.5G gradient hydrogels simultaneously induce the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Experimental injection in porcine osteochondral defects indicates that the B0.5G gradient hydrogel seamlessly fills irregular osteochondral defects in a less invasive manner by controlling the temperature to avoid cellular and tissue damage arising from crosslinkers or other conditions. These results show that thermosensitive injectable B0.5G gradient hydrogels have the potential for less invasive integrated osteochondral repair.
Synergistic Effects of Iron Alginate on Improving the Fire Safety and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin/Ammonium Polyphosphate Composites
Authors: Liu Chang , Li Ping , Xu Ying‐Jun , Liu Yun , Zhu Ping
Published: September 2022

Iron alginate is chosen as an eco‐friendly synergist to improve the flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and mechanical properties of epoxy resin/ammonium polyphosphate composites (EP/APP). The suitable additive amount of iron alginate further enhances the char‐forming ability in the higher‐temperature range and flame retardancy of EP/APP. EP/APP9.0‐iron alginate1.0 retains a char residue of 33.3% at 700 °C and obtains a limiting oxygen index value of 28.4% and vertical burning test (UL‐94) V‐0 rating, while EP/APP10 has no UL‐94 rating. The burning behaviors of EP/APP9.0‐iron alginate1.0 are also suppressed; and the total smoke production value is much lower than that of EP/APP10. EP/APP9.0‐iron alginate1.0 releases less smoke and flammable fragments. The suitable additive amount of iron alginate boosts the mechanical properties of EP/APP, while APP destroys the mechanical properties of EP. Therefore, the addition of suitable amount of iron alginates can further reduce the fire hazard, and improve the mechanical properties of EP/APP composites.
Association of ACE1 I/D rs1799752 and ACE2 rs2285666 polymorphisms with the infection and severity of COVID‐19: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Aziz Md. Abdul , Islam Mohammad Safiqul
Published: September 2022

Background

ACE1 I/D rs1799752 and ACE2 rs2285666 genetic polymorphisms could play a critical role in altering the clinical outcomes of SARS‐CoV‐2. The findings of previous studies remained inconclusive. This meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate the association and provide a more reliable outcome.

Methods

This study was completed following the updated recommendations of PRISMA using RevMan 5.4.1 statistical software.

Results

A total of 11 studies with 950 severe cases and 1573 non‐severe cases with COVID‐19 infection were included. Pooled analysis showed that ACE1 I/D polymorphism was correlated with the severity of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the DD genotype and D allele for the fixed‐effects model (OR:1.27 and OR:1.17). Besides, codominant 3, recessive, and allele models were associated with the severity of the fixed‐effects model (OR:1.35, OR:1.37, and OR:1.20) in Caucasian ethnicity. ACE2 rs2285666 was linked with the severity in codominant 3 (OR:2.63, for both random‐ and fixed effects‐models), overdominant (OR:1.97, for random‐effects model and OR:1.97, for fixed effects‐model), and recessive model (OR:0.41 for fixed‐ and random‐effects model). Allele model of rs2285666 showed a significant association in the fixed‐effects model (OR:1.61).

Conclusion

Our present meta‐analysis suggests that ACE1 I/D rs1799752 and ACE2 rs2285666 variants may enhance the severity in SARS‐CoV‐2 infected patients. Future studies are warranted to verify our findings.
A novel SYNJ1 homozygous variant causing developmental and epileptic encephalopathy in an Afro‐Caribbean individual
Authors: Maj Mary , Taylor Christie L. , Landau Kevin , Toriello Helga V. , Li Dong , Bhoj Elizabeth J. , Hakonarson Hakon , Nelson Beverly , Gluschitz Sarah , Walker Ruth H. , Sobering Andrew K.
Published: September 2022

Background

SYNJ1 encodes Synaptojanin‐1, a dual‐function poly‐phosphoinositide phosphatase that is expressed in the brain to regulate neuronal synaptic vesicle dynamics. Biallelic SYNJ1 variants cause a spectrum of clinical manifestations, from early onset parkinsonism to developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

Methods

Proband‐only exome sequencing was used to identify a homozygous SYNJ1 pathogenic variant in an individual with epileptic encephalopathy. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the variant.

Results

We present an Afro‐Caribbean female who developed uncontrollable seizures shortly after birth, accompanied by developmental delay and severe generalized dystonia. She had homozygosity for a novel c.242‐2A > G variant in SYNJ1 with both parents being heterozygous carriers. An older sister was reported to have had a similar presentation but was not examined. Both siblings died at an approximate age of 16 years.

Conclusions

We report a novel pathogenic variant in SYNJ1 present in homozygosity leading to developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Currently, there are only 4 reports describing 10 individuals with SYNJ1‐related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. This case expands the clinical knowledge and the allelic heterogeneity associated with SYNJ1 variants.
California's landmark CARE Court law faces many implementation questions
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: September 2022

Factors ranging from funding stability to the vagaries of county‐level policy decisions will ultimately determine whether landmark legislation focused on serving Californians with serious mental illness becomes a national model.
Michigan seeks to enhance children's crisis care
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: September 2022

Community mental health agencies in Michigan are eligible for additional state money under a grant program designed to expand children's access to mobile crisis care services.
Hypoplastic model with fabric change effect and semifluidized state for post‐liquefaction cyclic behavior of sand
Authors: Liao Dong , Yang Zhongxuan , Wang Shun , Wu Wei
Published: September 2022

This paper presented the formulation of a novel hypoplastic model for sand considering both the cyclic mobility and large accumulative shear deformation in the post‐liquefaction stage. Based on experimental observations and existing modeling response, two constitutive ingredients were incorporated into the hypoplastic model to improve its prediction accuracy. First, the fabric change effect was considered, enabling a satisfactory simulation of effective stress reduction under undrained cyclic loading. The second component was the introduction of the semifluidized state concept to reflect the modulus degradation and deviatoric strain development of sand at low‐stress state. The capability of the proposed model is demonstrated by the comparisons between the model responses and experimental results of the cyclic behavior of sand under different test conditions. Remarkably, the liquefaction phenomenon and increasing deviatoric strain amplitude during the post‐liquefaction stage were reproduced well by the model.
Effect of excessive gestational weight gain on insulin sensitivity and insulin kinetics in women with overweight/obesity
Authors: Cade William Todd , Mittendorfer Bettina , Patterson Bruce W. , Haire‐Joshu Debra , Cahill Alison G. , Stein Richard I. , Schechtman Kenneth B. , Tinius Rachel A. , Brown Katherine , Klein Samuel
Published: September 2022

Objective

Obesity increases the risk for pregnancy complications and maternal hyperglycemia. The Institute of Medicine developed guidelines for gestational weight gain (GWG) targets for women with overweight/obesity, but it is unclear whether exceeding these targets has adverse effects on maternal glucose metabolism.

Methods

Insulin sensitivity (assessed using the Matsuda Insulin Sensitivity Index), β‐cell function (assessed as insulin secretion rate in relation to plasma glucose), and plasma insulin clearance rate were evaluated using a frequently sampled oral glucose tolerance test at 15 and 35 weeks of gestation in 184 socioeconomically disadvantaged African American women with overweight/obesity.

Results

Insulin sensitivity decreased, whereas β‐cell function and insulin clearance increased from 15 to 35 weeks of gestation in the entire group. Compared with women who achieved the recommended GWG, excessive GWG was associated with a greater decrease in insulin sensitivity between 15 and 35 weeks. β‐cell function and plasma insulin clearance were not affected by excessive GWG.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that gaining more weight during pregnancy than recommended by the Institute of Medicine is associated with functional effects on glucose metabolism.
Do thrifty genes exist? Revisiting uricase
Authors: Johnson Richard J. , Sánchez‐Lozada Laura G. , Nakagawa Takahiko , Rodriguez‐Iturbe Bernardo , Tolan Dean , Gaucher Eric A. , Andrews Peter , Lanaspa Miguel A.
Published: September 2022

Sixty years ago, the geneticist James Neel proposed that the epidemics of obesity and diabetes today may have evolutionary roots. Specifically, he suggested that our ancestors may have accumulated mutations during periods of famine that provided a survival advantage at that time. However, the presence of this “thrifty genotype” in today's world, where food is plentiful, would predispose us to obesity and diabetes. The “thrifty gene” hypothesis, attractive to some, has been challenged over the years. The authors have previously postulated that the loss of the uricase gene, resulting in a rise in serum and intracellular uric acid levels, satisfies the criteria of a thrifty genotype mutation. This paper reviews and brings up‐to‐date the evidence supporting the hypothesis and discusses the current arguments that challenge this hypothesis. Although further studies are needed to test the hypothesis, the evidence supporting a loss of uricase as a thrifty gene is substantial and supports a role for evolutionary biology in the pathogenesis of the current obesity and diabetes epidemics.
Design, fabrication and evaluation of amphiphilic hyaluronic acid conjugates as efficient carriers of 6‐thioguanine for in vitro anticancer drug delivery applications
Authors: Deka Smriti R , Singh Reena , Verma Pratiksha , Kumar Pradeep
Published: September 2022

Nanoparticle‐based polymeric carriers are highly desirable for efficient delivery of hydrophobic drugs. The development of nanocarriers with high encapsulation efficiency synthesized by a simple emulsification technique has become a challenging task with their controlled and sustained release ability at disease sites. Here, we have synthesized a series of hydrophobically modified hyaluronic–dodecylamide (HD) conjugates by coupling dodecylamine onto hyaluronic acid in varying amounts and characterized them using physicochemical techniques. The synthesized HD conjugates, in an aqueous medium, self‐assembled into nanoparticles of size in the range of ca 189–355 nm with hydrophilic surface and hydrophobic core. 6‐Thioguanine (TG) was used as a model drug for encapsulation into the hydrophobic core of the conjugate (HD‐2) by the standard emulsification technique with high encapsulation efficiency. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that the drug‐loaded nanoconjugate showed a sustained release of drug over a period of time and also showed enzymatic responsiveness towards hyaluronidase. In vitro experiments were performed with HEK293, HeLa and HepG2 cells and it was observed that drug‐loaded nanoparticles were more toxic towards cancerous cells as compared with free TG. These results advocate that the reported system, being biocompatible, could be used as promising anticancer drug delivery system. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Are physical activity and nutrition linked to personality disorders? Health habits and personality disorders: A scoping review
Authors: St‐Amour Samuel , Bérubé Félix‐Antoine , Cailhol Lionel , Le Corff Catherine
Published: September 2022

Individuals with personality disorders (PDs) have a decreased life expectancy compared with the general population in part due to physical illnesses. Many hypotheses have been suggested to explain those physical illnesses such as hormone imbalance, medication, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy diet. However, little is known about the relation between lifestyle and PDs. The purpose of this scoping review is to regroup the available information on this topic. We searched the literature up to February 2021 using four databases and found 21 articles analyzing the relation between lifestyle and PDs in observational studies including 153,081 participants from diverse populations going from general population to adults in psychiatric care. Most studies used measures of lifestyle as control variables or did not use lifestyle variables at all. Moreover, the instruments used to measure lifestyle variables lacked precision at best. Two studies demonstrated a relation between early malnutrition and further development of PDs, but those results may be influenced by confounding variables and cannot indicate a clear link between nutrition and personality disorder. The lack of solid evidence we observed is surprising, considering the multiple benefits individuals with PDs could get from a healthy lifestyle. More studies are needed to thoroughly analyze the impact of lifestyle on PDs and vice versa.
Studies of Energetic and Non‐Energetic Plasticizers for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber based CSP
Authors: Singh Sudhir , Raveendran Sidharth , Kshirsagar Dhirendra R. , Somraj  , Kumar Arvind , Bhongale Chetan J. , Gupta Manoj
Published: September 2022

Binders with energetic plasticizers besides boosting energy also enhance the structural integrity of the propellant composition. In recent energetic compositions, energetic plasticizers such as NG, BTTN, DEGDN and TEGDN replace conventional plasticizers as they possess positive heat of the explosion and energetic groups in the same molecule. Energetic groups impart enhanced potential for delivering superior performance. In the present paper, a comparative study is done between NBR based composite solid propellant formulations with energetic (DEGDN and TEGDN) and non‐energetic (DAP and DBP) plasticizers. The predicted theoretical performance of non‐aluminized and aluminized propellants shows that DEGDN/TEGDN based propellants are more energetic than that of DAP/DBP propellants. The viscosity (768 Pa.s), density (1748 kg/m3), cal‐val (5426.64 J/g), burning rate (4.21 mm/s) of DBP and DAP based propellants are on the lower side than DEGDN and TEGDN based propellants. End of mix viscosity and burning rate of energetic plasticizer based compositions is approximately twice of the inert plasticizer based compositions. There is up to 60 % increase in TS and modulus while elongation is reduced by 20 %. Pressure index increases from 0.159 to 0.310 for DBP to DEGDN based propellant. The study shows that high performance high burning rate propellant can be designed with DEGDN.
Extraction, Fractional Structure and Physiological Activities of Fulvic Acid from Yunnan Xundian Lignite
Authors: Gong Guanqun , Liang Shaojie , Zhang Yingjie , Zhang Yongzhen , Sanjaa Batbileg , Zhang Fushui , Wang Ziyan , Li Zhiling , Li Ruonan , Lu Shan
Published: September 2022

The efficient conversion of lignite is important for environmental protection. Coal‐based fulvic acid (FA) was prepared by the oxidative degradation of lignite in a microwave field. The highest extraction rate of FA was 35.03 %. To reduce the heterogeneity of FA, it was divided into four fractions‐FAI, FAII, FAIIIand FAIV‐with molecular weights of <500, 500–1000, 1000–3500, and >3500 Da, respectively. A variety of characterisation methods revealed that all the FA fractions contained carboxyl, phenolic hydroxyl, amino and sulfhydryl groups. The FAIcontained the most oxygen‐containing functional groups. The benzene rings of the >1000 Da FA fractions were mostly tri‐substituted. FA could break dormancy and promote the germination of coreopsis seeds but this effect was weakened when the FA concentration was too high. FAIcould effectively promote chlorophyll synthesis, FAIIcould effectively improve plant stress resistance and FAIIIpromoted seedling longitudinal growth.
Supramolecular Organic Nanowires of 2,6‐Naphthalene Dicarboxylic Acid Observed in the Lamellar Space of Zn3(PO4)4and Zn1.6Co1.4(PO4)4Host Lattices
Authors: Babu Mukkamala Saratchandra , Wang Sue‐Lein
Published: September 2022

The formation of unique nanometer‐sized organic supramolecular assemblies was observed in the lamellar space of metal phosphate host lattices. Two new chiral and achiral organic‐inorganic hybrid materials, zinc phosphate, (H3tren)2[Zn3(PO4)4]⋅2NDA (ZnP‐NDA) and zinc‐cobalt phosphate, (H3tren)2[Zn1.6Co1.4(PO4)4]⋅2NDA (ZnCoP‐NDA) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The crystalline host framework was built with corner‐sharing MO4(M=Zn or Zn/Co) and PO4tetrahedra. In between these framework layers, aromatic dicarboxylic acid, 2,6‐Naphthalene dicarboxylic acids (NDA) are held together by means of strong hydrogen bonding and π‐π stacking interactions resulting in infinite supramolecular zigzag chains. After incorporating the cobalt into inorganic host lattice, astonishingly, the chiral structure tuns achiral. The crystal structures were elucidated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction and characterized by powder XRD, elemental analysis, thermogravimetry and photoluminescence measurements.