bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of a novel selective‐dose cannabis inhaler in patients with chronic pain: A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Almog Shlomo , Aharon‐Peretz Judith , Vulfsons Simon , Ogintz Miri , Abalia Hadas , Lupo Tal , Hayon Yael , Eisenberg Elon
Published: May 2020

Background

Precise cannabis treatment dosing remains a major challenge, leading to physicians’ reluctance to prescribe medical cannabis.

Objective

To test the pharmacokinetics, analgesic effect, cognitive performance and safety effects of an innovative medical device that enables the delivery of inhaled therapeutic doses of Δ9‐Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in patients with chronic pain.

Methods

In a randomized, three‐arms, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over trial, 27 patients received a single inhalation of Δ9‐THC: 0.5mg, 1mg, or a placebo.

Δ9‐THC plasma levels were measured at baseline and up to 150‐min post‐inhalation. Pain intensity and safety parameters were recorded on a 10‐cm visual analogue scale (VAS) at pre‐defined time points. The cognitive performance was evaluated using the selective sub‐tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB).

Results

Following inhalation of 0.5 mg or 1mg, Δ9‐THC plasma Cmax ± SD were 14.3 ± 7.7 and 33.8 ± 25.7 ng/ml. Tmax ± SD were 3.7 ± 1.4 and 4.4 ± 2.1 min, and AUC0 → infinity±SD were 300 ± 144 and 769 ± 331 ng*min/ml, respectively. Both doses, but not the placebo, demonstrated a significant reduction in pain intensity compared with baseline and remained stable for 150‐min. The 1‐mg dose showed a significant pain decrease compared to the placebo. Adverse events were mostly mild and resolved spontaneously. There was no evidence of consistent impairments in cognitive performance.

Conclusion

This feasibility trial demonstrated that a metered‐dose cannabis inhaler delivered precise and low THC doses, produced a dose‐dependent and safe analgesic effect in patients with neuropathic pain/ complex‐regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Thus, it enables individualization of medical cannabis regimens that can be evaluated pharmacokinetically and pharmacodynamically by accepted pharmaceutical models.

Significance

Evidence suggests that cannabis‐based medicines are an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults. The pharmacokinetics of THC varies as a function of its route of administration. Pulmonary assimilation of inhaled THC causes rapid onset of analgesia. However, currently used routes of cannabinoids delivery provide unknown doses, making it impossible to implement a pharmaceutical standard treatment plan. A novel selective‐dose cannabis inhaler delivers significantly low and precise doses of THC, thus allowing the administration of inhaled cannabis‐based medicines according to high pharmaceutical standards. These low doses of THC can produce safe and effective analgesia in patients with chronic pain.
Alterations in SUMOylation of the hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated ion channel 2 during persistent inflammation
Authors: Forster Lori A. , Jansen Leslie‐Anne R. , Rubaharan Myurajan , Murphy Anne Z. , Baro Deborah J.
Published: May 2020

Background

Unilateral injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the intra‐plantar surface of the rodent hindpaw elicits chronic inflammation and hyperalgesia in the ipsilateral hindlimb. Mechanisms contributing to this hyperalgesia may act over multiple time courses and can include changes in ion channel expression and post‐translational SUMOylation. Hyperpolarization‐activated, cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels mediate the hyperpolarization‐activated current, Ih. An HCN2‐mediated increase in C‐nociceptor Ih contributes to mechanical hyperalgesia in the CFA model of inflammatory pain. Changes in HCN2 post‐translational SUMOylation and protein expression have not been systematically documented for a given dorsal root ganglia (DRG) throughout the time course of inflammation.

Methods

This study examined HCN2 protein expression and post‐translational SUMOylation in a rat model of CFA‐induced hindpaw inflammation. L5 DRG cryosections were used in immunohistochemistry experiments and proximity ligation assays to investigate HCN2 expression and SUMOylation, respectively, on days 1 and 3 post‐CFA.

Results

Unilateral CFA injection elicited a significant bilateral increase in HCN2 staining intensity in small diameter DRG neurons on day 1 post‐CFA, and a significant bilateral increase in the number of small neurons expressing HCN2 but not staining intensity on day 3 post‐CFA. HCN2 channels were hyper‐SUMOylated in small diameter neurons of ipsilateral relative to contralateral DRG on days 1 and 3 post‐CFA.

Conclusions

Unilateral CFA injection elicits unilateral mechanical hyperalgesia, a bilateral increase in HCN2 expression and a unilateral increase in post‐translational SUMOylation. This suggests that enhanced HCN2 expression in L5 DRG is not sufficient for mechanical hyperalgesia in the early stages of inflammation and that hyper‐SUMOylation of HCN2 channels may also be necessary.

Significance

Nociceptor HCN2 channels mediate an increase in Ih that is necessary for mechanical hyperalgesia in a CFA model of chronic pain, but the mechanisms producing the increase in nociceptor Ih have not been resolved. The data presented here suggest that the increase in Ih during the early stages of inflammation may be mediated by an increase in HCN2 protein expression and post‐translational SUMOylation.
Colorblind and multicultural diversity strategies create identity management pressure
Authors: Kirby Teri A. , Silva Rego Marco , Kaiser Cheryl R.
Published: May 2020

Colorblind and multicultural diversity strategies may create identity management pressure, leading minorities to assert or distance from their racial identity. In two experiments (N = 307, 279), Asian and Asian American participants in the United States completed racial identification measures, contemplated employment at a company expressing a multicultural, colorblind, or control strategy, and completed measures assessing ingroup similarity and comfort in the company. In the colorblind condition, participants who were strongly identified with their racial ingroup downplayed similarity to the ingroup and expressed less comfort relative to multicultural and control conditions. Participants who were weakly identified reported more similarity (but inconsistently) and more comfort in the colorblind relative to multicultural and control conditions. Thus, diversity strategies convey different meanings to strongly and weakly identified Asian individuals, with the former responding to colorblindness with identity distancing and the latter with identity assertion. Multiculturalism does not alter the typical pattern expected, with strongly identified asserting their identity more than weakly identified.
Cross-Taxa Distinctions in Mechanisms of Developmental Effects for Aquatic Species Exposed to Trifluralin
Authors: Awkerman Jill A. , Lavelle Candice M. , Henderson W. Matthew , Hemmer Becky L. , Lilavois Crystal R. , Harris Peggy , Zielinski Nick , Hoglund Marilynn D. , Glinski Donna A. , MacMillan Denise , Ford Jermaine , Seim Roland F. , Moso Elizabeth , Raimondo Sandy
Published: May 2020

Standard ecological risk assessment practices often rely on larval and juvenile fish toxicity data as representative of the amphibian aquatic phase. Empirical evidence suggests that endpoints measured in fish early life stage tests are often sufficient to protect larval amphibians. However, the process of amphibian metamorphosis relies on endocrine cues that affect development and morphological restructuring and are not represented by these test endpoints. The present study compares developmental endpoints for zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), 2 standard test species, exposed to the herbicide trifluralin throughout the larval period. Danio rerio were more sensitive and demonstrated a reduction in growth measurements with increasing trifluralin exposure. Size of X. laevis at metamorphosis was not correlated with exposure concentration; however, time to metamorphosis was delayed relative to trifluralin concentration. Gene expression patterns indicate discrepancies in response by D. rerio and X. laevis, and dose-dependent metabolic activity suggests that trifluralin exposure perturbed biological pathways differently within the 2 species. Although many metabolites were correlated with exposure concentration in D. rerio, nontargeted hepatic metabolomics identified a subset of metabolites that exhibited a nonmonotonic response to trifluralin exposure in X. laevis. Linking taxonomic distinctions in cellular-level response with ecologically relevant endpoints will refine assumptions used in interspecies extrapolation of standard test effects and improve assessment of sublethal impacts on amphibian populations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1797–1812. Published 2020. This article is a US government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Chinese liquor extract attenuates oxidative damage in HepG2 cells and extends lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Liu Jie , Wang Huailing , Liu Xiaoyu , Zhang Guohao , Liu Zhigang
Published: May 2020

Chinese liquor is obtained from various grains by fermentation and complex processes. Chinese liquor contains complex ingredients. However, the low contents and presence of ethanol restricted the flavor substances function study. In current study, a flavor substance, homofuraneol (HOMO) was isolated from the Chinese liquor and the potency against H2O2‐induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells and lifespan‐extending ability in Caenorhabditis elegans were explored. Results indicated that HOMO increased the HepG2 cells cytoactive by eliminating excessive intracellular free radicals, upregulating antioxidant enzyme activity and inhibiting the phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway. Further study revealed that HOMO extended the lifespan of N2 nematodes under normal and oxidative stress conditions. Moreover, RT‐PCR results showed that paraquat activated the expression of PMK‐1 and SKN‐1 was significantly regulated by HOMO. Of note, our results indicated that HOMO recovered the redox states of HepG2 cells by targeting MAPKs and upregulating the stress resistance of nematodes by modulating the expression of stress‐responsive genes, such as DAF‐16.
Disruption of dystonin in Schwann cells results in late‐onset neuropathy and sensory ataxia
Authors: Horie Masao , Yoshioka Nozomu , Kusumi Satoshi , Sano Hiromi , Kurose Masayuki , Watanabe‐Iida Izumi , Hossain Ibrahim , Chiken Satomi , Abe Manabu , Yamamura Kensuke , Sakimura Kenji , Nambu Atsushi , Shibata Masahiro , Takebayashi Hirohide
Published: May 2020

Dystonin (Dst) is a causative gene for Dystonia musculorum (dt) mice, which is an inherited disorder exhibiting dystonia‐like movement and ataxia with sensory degeneration. Dst is expressed in a variety of tissues, including the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), muscles, and skin. However, the Dst‐expressing cell type(s) for dt phenotypes have not been well characterized. To address the questions whether the disruption of Dst in Schwann cells induces movement disorders and how much impact does it have on dt phenotypes, we generated Dst conditional knockout (cKO) mice using P0‐Cre transgenic mice and Dst gene trap mice. First, we assessed the P0‐Cre transgene‐dependent Cre recombination using tdTomato reporter mice and then confirmed the preferential tdTomato expression in Schwann cells. In the Dst cKO mice, Dst mRNA expression was significantly decreased in Schwann cells, but it was intact in most of the sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion. Next, we analyzed the phenotype of Dst cKO mice. They exhibited a normal motor phenotype during juvenile periods, and thereafter, started exhibiting an ataxia. Behavioral tests and electrophysiological analyses demonstrated impaired motor abilities and slowed motor nerve conduction velocity in Dst cKO mice, but these mice did not manifest dystonic movements. Electron microscopic observation of the PNS of Dst cKO mice revealed significant numbers of hypomyelinated axons and numerous infiltrating macrophages engulfing myelin debris. These results indicate that Dst is important for normal PNS myelin organization and Dst disruption in Schwann cells induces late‐onset neuropathy and sensory ataxia.

Main points

Dystonin (Dst) disruption in Schwann cells results in late‐onset neuropathy and sensory ataxia.

Dst in Schwann cells is important for normal myelin organization in the peripheral nervous system.
Interactive influence of self and other language behaviors: Evidence from switching between bilingual production and comprehension
Authors: Liu Huanhuan , Kong Chao , de Bruin Angela , Wu Junjie , He Yuying
Published: May 2020

The neural mechanisms underlying one's own language production and the comprehension of language produced by other speakers in daily communication remain elusive. Here, we assessed how self‐language production and other‐language comprehension interact within a language switching context using event‐related functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (er‐fMRI) in 32 unbalanced Chinese‐English bilinguals. We assessed within‐modality language interference during language production and comprehension as well as cross‐modality interference when switching from production to comprehension and vice versa. Results revealed that the overall effect of production (across switch and repeat trials) was larger in the cross‐modality than within‐modality condition in a series of attentional control areas, namely the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and left precuneus. Furthermore, the left precuneus was recruited more strongly in switch trials compared to repeat trials (i.e., switching costs) in within‐production conditions but not in the cross‐modality condition. These findings suggest that switching from production to comprehension recruits cognitive control areas to successfully implement switches between modalities. However, cross‐language interference (in the form of language switching costs) mainly stems from the self‐language production system.
Head and neck cancer survivorship from the patient perspective
Authors: Pagedar Nitin A. , Kendell Nicholas , Christensen Alan J. , Thomsen Timothy A. , Gist Michaela , Seaman Aaron T.
Published: May 2020

Background

Survivorship is a critical part of head and neck cancer (HNC) care. In order to design better processes, we assessed care provided to long‐term HNC survivors and their priorities for ongoing care.

Methods

A survey was provided to HNC survivors at clinic appointments, including our HNC survivorship clinic. Questions focused on priorities for care in the otolaryngology clinic, types of care provided, and opioid use.

Results

Of 168 respondents, the most common priority for survivors was surveillance for recurrence (first priority in 75%), with general health the next most common (8%). Few respondents reported active primary care involvement in survivorship. About 10% of patients reported current opioid use.

Conclusion

Survivors face a large burden of symptoms and deficits, but our data show that most survivors focus on recurrence. Few survivors reported recall of survivorship care plan delivery or discussing cancer care needs with primary care providers.
How did we get here? Short history of COVID‐19 and other coronavirus‐related epidemics
Authors: Lango Miriam N.
Published: May 2020

The COVID‐19 epidemic was not the first coronavirus epidemic of this century and represents one of the increasing number of zoonoses from wildlife to impact global health. SARS CoV‐2, the virus causing the COVID‐19 epidemic is distinct from, but closely resembles SARS CoV‐1, which was responsible for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2002. SARS CoV‐1 and 2 share almost 80% of genetic sequences and use the same host cell receptor to initiate viral infection. However, SARS predominantly affected individuals in close contact with infected animals and health care workers. In contrast, CoV‐2 exhibits robust person to person spread, most likely by means of asymptomatic carriers, which has resulted in greater spread of disease, overall morbidity and mortality, despite its lesser virulence. We review recent coronavirus‐related epidemics and distinguish clinical and molecular features of CoV‐2, the causative agent for COVID‐19, and review the current status of vaccine trials.
Effect of Joule heating on MHD non‐Newtonian fluid flow past an exponentially stretching curved surface
Authors: Kempannagari Anantha Kumar , Buruju Ramoorthy Reddy , Naramgari Sandeep , Vangala Sugunamma
Published: May 2020

The current endeavor examines the convective heat transfer characteristics on magnetohydrodynamic stagnation point flow of micropolar fluid past an exponential curved surface. The flow is supposed to be laminar and time‐independent. The influence of radiation, irregular heat source/sink, Joule heating, and variable thermal conductivity are supposed. Suitable similarity renovations are considered to transform the original partial differential equations as ordinary ones and then resolved by shooting and fourth‐order Runge–Kutta methods. Graphs are drawn to inspect the impacts of sundry nondimensional parameters on the distributions of velocity, microrotation, and temperature. We detect that there is an escalation in temperature with Eckert number and variable heat source/sink parameters. Also, it is motivating to comment that Biot number is an increasing function of local Nusselt number.
Hydrological functioning of a beaver dam sequence and regional dam persistence during an extreme rainstorm
Authors: Westbrook Cherie J. , Ronnquist Amanda , Bedard‐Haughn Angela
Published: May 2020

It is becoming increasingly popular to reintroduce beaver to streams with the hopes of restoring riparian ecosystem function or reducing some of the hydrological impacts of climate change. One of the risks of relying on beaver to enhance ecosystem water storage is that their dams are reportedly more apt to fail during floods which can exacerbate flood severity. Missing are observations of beaver dam persistence and water storage capacity during floods, information needed to evaluate the risk of relying on beaver as a nature‐based flood solution. A June rainstorm in 2013 triggered the largest recorded flood in the Canadian Rocky Mountains west of Calgary, Alberta. We opportunistically recorded hydrometric data during the rainfall event at a beaver‐occupied peatland that has been studied for more than a decade. We supplemented these observations with a post‐event regional analysis of beaver dam persistence. Results do not support two long‐held hypotheses—that beaver ponds have limited flood attenuation capacity and commonly fail during large flood events. Instead we found that 68% of the beaver dam cascade systems across the region were intact or partially intact after the event. Pond fullness, in addition to the magnitude of the water‐sediment surge, emerged as important factors in determining the structural fate of dam cascade sequences. Beaver ponds at the instrumented site quickly filled in the first few hours of the rain event and levels were dynamic during the event. Water storage offered by the beaver ponds, even ones that failed, delayed downstream floodwater transmission. Study findings have important implications for reintroducing beaver as part of nature‐based restoration and climate change adaptation strategies.
Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with transition from the mesothelium
Authors: Tomisaki Ikko , Matsuyama Atsuji , Jotatsu Mao , Yamamura Sohei , Onishi Rei , Fujimoto Naohiro
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Mucinous cystic neoplasms are uncommon among the tumors that develop in the retroperitoneum. We report a case of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with pathological considerations.

Case presentation

A 47‐year‐old woman complaining of abdominal discomfort presented at our hospital. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large cystic tumor with small solid nodules located in the right retroperitoneum. The tumor was completely removed and the microscopic findings were consistent with primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Two years after the surgery, the patient is alive without recurrence of the tumor.

Conclusion

The microscopic findings suggested that the primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma developed from the metaplasia of the remnant coelomic epithelium. A complete tumor resection that includes the adjacent peritoneum is important to prevent local recurrence.
Salinization and drainage problems of agricultural land
Authors: Singh Ajay
Published: May 2020

The extension of irrigated agriculture is essential to fulfilling the mounting demand for food and fibre from a growing population which is anticipated to reach about 10 billion individuals in 2050. Lacking the necessary drainage, this extension can bring about salinization issues in irrigated regions. Continuous irrigation over many years with no adequate drainage services has led to huge agricultural regions becoming unproductive. Salinization problems linked to poor drainage are widespread in agricultural zones over the world. The aforementioned drainage‐related salinization issues in agricultural land have been solved by using various methods and techniques. This paper presents an assessment of some non‐conventional methods and strategies utilized for dealing with salinization and drainage issues of irrigated land. An indication of the drainage and salinization issues of irrigated areas and the significance of the study are given. Reasoning and foundation of the issues are presented. Numerical and analytical solutions of the problems are described. The drainage water management technique for managing nutrient losses from a drainage system is discussed. The analysis revealed that conjunctive water use with an increased groundwater proportion can to some extent manage the salinization and root‐zone submergence problems of irrigated areas. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of surface modification of poly‐lactide‐co‐glycolide/carbon nanotube nanofibrous scaffolds by laminin protein on nerve tissue engineering
Authors: Nazeri Niloofar , Karimi Roya , Ghanbari Hossein
Published: May 2020

The presence of biological cues to promote the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of neuronal cells is important in the process of nerve regeneration. In this study, laminin as a neurite promoting protein, has been used to modify poly‐lactide‐co‐glycolide/carbon nanotube (PLGA/CNT) electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds by means of either mussel‐inspired poly(dopamine) (PD) coating or via direct physical adsorption as a simple route for the functionalization of biomaterials. The laminin‐modified scaffolds were characterized by a combination of field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. Subsequently, various properties of scaffolds such as degradation time, amount of attached laminin and the rate of CNT release were investigated. The synergistic effect of topographical and biological cues for PC12 cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation were then studied by SEM and confocal microscopy. The results of degradation study showed that laminin‐modified scaffolds were biodegradable with good structural integrity that persisted about 4 weeks. The amount of laminin attached to the PLGA/CNT and PLGA/CNT‐PD scaffolds was 3.12 ± 0.6 and 3.04 ± 071 μg per mg of the scaffold, respectively. Although laminin‐modified scaffolds could improve cell proliferation identically, neurite extensions on the PLGA/CNT scaffold modified via PD coating (PLGA/CNT‐PD‐lam scaffold) were significantly longer than those observed on PLGA/CNT scaffold modified via physical adsorption (PLGA/CNT‐lam scaffold) and unmodified scaffolds. Together, these results indicated that surface modification via PD coating could be a promising strategy to fabricate biomimetic scaffolds capable of sustaining longer neuronal growth for nerve tissue engineering.
T-Score as an Indicator of Fracture Risk During Treatment With Romosozumab or Alendronate in the ARCH Trial
Authors: Cosman Felicia , Lewiecki E Michael , Ebeling Peter R , Hesse Eric , Napoli Nicola , Matsumoto Toshio , Crittenden Daria B , Rojeski Maria , Yang Wenjing , Libanati Cesar , Ferrari Serge
Published: May 2020

In the Active-Controlled Fracture Study in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis at High Risk (ARCH) clinical trial (NCT01631214), 1 year of romosozumab followed by alendronate reduced the risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures compared to alendronate alone in women with prevalent fracture. We performed post hoc analyses of data from patients in ARCH (romosozumab, n = 1739; alendronate, n = 1726) who had a baseline BMD measurement and received at least one open-label alendronate dose. We evaluated 1-year mean BMD and corresponding T-score changes; proportions of patients achieving T-scores > −2.5 at the total hip (TH), femoral neck (FN), and lumbar spine (LS); and group differences in fracture rates after 12 months, while all participants were on alendronate. Subsequently, we investigated the relationship between T-scores achieved at the TH, FN, and LS at 12 months and subsequent fracture incidence. At 1 year, mean change from baseline in TH BMD was 6.3% (T-score change 0.31) with romosozumab versus 2.9% (T-score change 0.15) with alendronate (p < .001). The proportion of patients with TH T-score > −2.5 increased from 34% at baseline to 55% after 1 year of romosozumab and from 32% at baseline to 44% after 1 year of alendronate. Compared with patients receiving alendronate in year 1, those receiving romosozumab had a 75% reduction in new or worsening vertebral fracture (p < .001) in year 2, and a 19% reduction in nonvertebral fracture (p = .120) and 40% reduction in hip fracture (p = .041) during the open-label period. TH and FN T-scores achieved at month 12 were associated with subsequent nonvertebral and vertebral fracture rates and the relationships were independent of treatment received. LS T-score at 12 months was associated with vertebral but not nonvertebral fracture risk. We conclude that 1 year of romosozumab leads to larger BMD gains versus alendronate, and that the T-score achieved with either therapy is related to subsequent fracture risk. These data support the use of T-score as a therapeutic target for patients with osteoporosis. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The up‐regulated hsa‐circRNA9102‐5 may be a risk factor for essential hypertension
Authors: Zheng Shuying , He Xin , Sun Jihan , Li Qiang , Zhang Tao , Zhang Lina
Published: May 2020

Background

The present study was aimed to investigate the expression levels of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the peripheral blood of essential hypertension (EH) patients and healthy controls (HC). On this basis, we tried to explain the possible role of circRNAs in the progression of EH and their potential as diagnostic biomarkers of EH.

Methods

First, we analyzed the differentially expressed circRNAs in peripheral blood obtained from the finished microarray analysis and selected four circRNAs under strict standards. Then, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was performed to measure the expression levels of the selected circRNAs in a total of 192 blood samples, consisting of 96 HC and 96 diagnosed EH patients. Bioinformatics prediction of the target microRNAs (miRNAs) was performed for differentially expressed circRNAs, and the circulating vascular‐related miRNAs were selected for qRT‐PCR analysis to determine their expression levels.

Results

Hsa‐circRNA9102‐5 (11.7 ± 1.06 vs 12.13 ± 1.11, P = .007) was up‐regulated in the patients group which was diagnosed with EH, as compared to the HC group, and was involved in the regulation of EH by sponging hsa‐miR‐150‐5p. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the model was 0.620, using hsa‐circRNA9102‐5 as an independent predictor. Furthermore, the AUC was increased to 0.728 when hsa‐circRNA9102‐5 was combined with hsa‐miR‐150‐5p and multiple other factors, as a combined predictor.

Conclusions

The present results suggested that hsa‐circRNA9102‐5 may have played a crucial role in the development of EH by sponging hsa‐miR‐150‐5p, which showed great potential as a novel target.
Examining posttraumatic stress disorder as a predictor of treatment response to dialectical behavior therapy
Authors: Gratz Kim L. , Berghoff Christopher R. , Richmond Julia R. , Vidaña Ariana G. , Dixon‐Gordon Katherine L.
Published: May 2020

Objective

This study examined the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a predictor of treatment response to dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) across the primary outcomes of interest within DBT (i.e., borderline personality disorder [BPD] symptoms, deliberate self‐harm, emotion regulation [ER] difficulties) and PTSD symptoms.

Method

Participants (N = 56) were consecutive admissions to an outpatient DBT clinic that completed diagnostic interviews at intake and self‐report outcome measures at intake and every 3 months throughout the treatment.

Results

Patients with (vs. without) a PTSD diagnosis did not report greater clinical severity at intake on most outcome measures, with the exception of PTSD symptom severity and, among older patients only, ER difficulties. The presence of a PTSD diagnosis was not associated with poorer treatment response to DBT. Instead, PTSD was associated with better response on the measure of BPD symptom severity.

Conclusions

The results suggest that patients with PTSD can benefit from DBT.
Morphological analysis of aqueous humor drainage using QD nanoparticles and indocyanine green
Authors: Nur İsmail Hakkı , Saçmacı Şerife , Orhan İmdat , Perez William , Testereci Haluk
Published: May 2020

This study represents the first morphological description of the lymphatic drainage of the ciliary body in vivo by comparative hyperspectral fluorescence imaging techniques of Quantum Qdot655 (QD) nanoparticles and indocyanine green (ICG). A volume of 1.25 μl of QD was injected into the left anterior camera of all rats. Similarly,1.25 μl of ICG diluted at a ratio of one‐fourth with physiological saline solution was injected into the right anterior camera of all rats. The thickness of the skin in the mandibular area, connective tissue, and the depth of the mandibular lymph node (MLN) made image retrieval difficult. For QD, 302 nm UV excitation and 605 nm fluorescence peak emission were applied. The detection of QD and ICG used in this study in the MLNs is definitive evidence that aqueous humor (AH) follows a uveolymphatic pathway. Scanning electron microscope and the energy dispersive X‐ray analyzer spectrum were used to examine both the Schlemm's canal and the MLN. For the first time, the QD was detected in the cortex of MLN. The QCM analysis of both QD‐AH and ICG‐AH was used to determine whether there was any interaction between them. This comparative study shows the importance of experimental animal modeling in pharmacological studies regarding eye research and drugs. In a female rat, the signal was taken from the parotid lymph node with QD injections.
Drivers of excess phosphorus and stream sediments in a nested agricultural catchment during base and stormflow conditions
Authors: Grewal Arsh , Melles Stephanie , Oswald Claire
Published: May 2020

A variety of landscape and hydrological characteristics influence nutrient concentrations and suspended sediments in freshwater systems, yet the combined influence of these characteristics within nested agricultural catchments is still poorly understood, particularly across varying flow states. To tease apart potential drivers at within‐catchment scales, it is necessary to sample at a spatiotemporal resolution that captures how landscape drivers change with time. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the relative influence of landscape and hydrological characteristics at sub‐catchment scales in relation to total P (TP), soluble reactive P (SRP), the ratio of SRP and TP (SRP/TP), and total suspended solids (TSS) across varying flow conditions. Synoptic surveys were conducted at 13 longitudinal sampling sites under a variety of flow conditions (n = 14) between 2016 and 2017 in the Innisfil Creek watershed, southern Ontario. The surveys were grouped into baseflow and stormflow conditions, and partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to characterize the relationships between catchment characteristics, median concentrations of P, and TSS. Soil texture (i.e., clay dominated), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and constructed drain density had the largest influences on stormflow SRP and SRP/TP ratios, but measures of soil erosion, like the Bank Erosion Hazard Index and sinuosity, had the largest influence on stormflow TSS. During baseflow periods, these landscape characteristics were not informative, and they were difficult to tie to in‐stream conditions. Overall, our PLSR models indicated that buried tile drainage was a major source of SRP in Innisfil Creek, whereas bank erosion was a dominant source of TSS.
Evaluating multiple predictive models for beach management at a freshwater beach in the Great Lakes region
Authors: Madani Mohammad , Seth Rajesh
Published: May 2020

Recreational water quality is currently monitored at Sandpoint Beach on Lake St. Clair using culture‐based enumeration of Escherichia coli. Using water quality and weather data collected over 4 yr, several multiple linear regression (MLR)‐based models were developed for near real‐time prediction of E. coli concentration and were tested using independent data from the fifth year. Model performance was assessed by the determination of metrics such as RMSE, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Each of the developed MLR models described herein resulted in increased correct responses for both exceedance and non‐exceedance of the applicable standard as compared to predictions based on E. coli measurements (persistence models, using the previous day's E. coli concentration), which is the method currently being used. The AUROC values for persistence models are between 0.5 and 0.6, as compared to >0.7 for all the MLR models described herein. Among the MLR models, model performance improved when qualitative sky weather condition, which is commonly reported but was not previously used in similar models, was included. To select the best model, a principal coordinate analysis was used to combine multiple model performance metrics and provide a more sensitive tool for model comparison. Although models developed using 2, 3, and 4 yr of monitoring data provided reasonable performance, the model developed using the most recent 2‐yr data was marginally better. Thus, data from the most recent 2 yr are likely sufficient as a training dataset for updating the MLR model for Sandpoint Beach in the future.
Prescribed fire effects on sediment and nutrient exports in forested environments: A review
Authors: Klimas Kipling , Hiesl Patrick , Hagan Donald , Park Dara
Published: May 2020

This review examines the impact of prescribed fire on the water quality variables (a) sediment load and (b) limiting macronutrients in forested environments globally. We aim to characterize the forested environments subject to prescribed fire, to discuss factors of the fire regime that contribute to water quality concerns, and to offer insight into the effect of precipitation timing and study scale on constituent exports. High fuel consumption during fire increases the risk of erosion and constituent export during precipitation, though high fuel consumption during prescribed fire is uncommon in forested environments. Small‐scale studies examining sediment yield after prescribed fire may fail to capture the effect of landscape‐scale spatial variability, and watershed‐scale studies accounting for such variability are lacking. Although small‐plot studies confirm that prescribed fire can alter hydrologic inputs, the environmental impact of these increases is minimal, particularly when compared with other land‐use systems. Generally, prescribed fire is a beneficial and low‐impact disturbance that likely improves fire‐adapted forest health. However, gaps in knowledge exist at various spatial and temporal scales; this review suggests two avenues of future research, including (a) greater understanding of fire regime interactions that control surface runoff and erosion at the watershed scale, and (b) monitoring forest health and ecological function after prescribed fire rather than direct nutrient exports.
Somatic cell conversion to a germ cell lineage: A violation or a revelation?
Authors: Wessel Gary M. , Morita Shumpei , Oulhen Nathalie
Published: May 2020

The germline is unique and immortal (or at least its genome is). It is able to perform unique jobs (meiosis) and is selected for genetic changes. Part of being this special also means that entry into the germline club is restricted and cells of the soma are always left out. However, the recent evidence from multiple animals now suggests that somatic cells may join the club and become germline cells in an animal when the original germline is removed. This “violation” may have garnered acceptance by the observation that iPScells, originating experimentally from somatic cells of an adult, can form reproductively successful eggs and sperm, all in vitro. Each of the genes and their functions used to induce pluripotentiality are found normally in the cell and the in vitro conditions to direct germline commitment replicate conditions in vivo. Here, we discuss evidence from three different animals: an ascidian, a segmented worm, and a sea urchin; and that the cells of a somatic cell lineage can convert into the germline in vivo. We discuss the consequences of such transitions and provide thoughts as how this process may have equal precision to the original germline formation of an embryo.
An ecological driver for the macroevolution of morphological polymorphism within colonial invertebrates
Authors: Simpson Carl
Published: May 2020

Colonial marine invertebrates, such as corals and bryozoans, have modular growth. Individual modules within a colony are homologous to an individual solitary animal body. But in contrast to the predominately sexual origin of solitary animal bodies, modules within a colony are always produced asexually. The repetition of modules and the indeterminism of their organization gives colonies the ability to grow in ways solitary animals cannot. Colonial invertebrates consequently grow in such a way as to resemble weeds, bushes, or trees. The multitude of growth forms of colonial invertebrates arise from differences how individual colonies within a species tend to invest their energy into modular growth, persistence, asexual propagation, and sexual reproduction. Moreover, many colonial invertebrates possess several body types, morphological polymorphism among modules, where modules qualitatively differ in shape, size, and function. In this paper, I propose a mechanism that links the origin of novel body types to the evolution of life‐history strategies among species. When colonies first evolve from solitary ancestors, the life‐history strategy of the colony remains constrained by the life‐history strategies of the individual modules within the colony until a new polymorph type evolves. The addition of novel body types within a colony introduces potential variation in life‐history strategies. Colonies can then change strategies by regulating the frequencies of body types within the colony. This, along with the ability of body types to simplify their structure permits colonies to evolve more complex life‐histories. Each new polymorph type that evolves permits more variation in colonial life‐histories to exist.
MRI‐Based Radiomics Models Developed With Features of the Whole Liver and Right Liver Lobe: Assessment of Hepatic Inflammatory Activity in Chronic Hepatic Disease
Authors: Song Junjie , Yu Xiangling , Song Wenlong , Guo Dajing , Li Chuanming , Liu Huan , Zhang Haiping , Zhou Jun , Liu Yangyang
Published: May 2020

Background

The noninvasive assessment of hepatic inflammatory activity (HIA) is crucial for making clinical decisions and monitoring therapeutic efficacy in chronic liver disease (CLD).

Purpose

To develop MRI‐based radiomics models by extracting features from the whole liver and localized regions of the right liver lobe, compare the efficiency of two radiomics models, and further develop a radiomics nomogram for the assessment of HIA in CLD.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 137 consecutive patients.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5T/T2‐weighted imaging.

Assessment

All patients (nonsignificant HIA, n = 98; significant HIA, n = 39) were randomly divided into a training (n = 95) and a test cohort (n = 42). Radiomics features were extracted from the regions covering the whole liver (ROI‐w) and localized regions of the right liver lobe (ROI‐r). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to select features and develop radiomics models. A combined model fusing the valuable radiomics features with clinical‐radiological predictors was developed. Finally, a radiomics nomogram derived from the combined model was developed.

Statistical Tests

Synthetic minority oversampling technique algorithm, LASSO, receiver operator characteristic curve, and calibration curve analysis were performed.

Results

The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of the ROI‐w radiomics model in assessing HIA were 0.858, 0.800, and 0.733, respectively. The ROI‐r model were 0.844, 0.733, and 0.867, respectively. No differences were detected between the two radiomics models (P = 0.8329). The combined model fusing valuable ROI‐w radiomics features, albumin, and periportal edema exhibited a promising performance (AUC, 0.911). The calibration curves showed good agreement between the actual observations and nomogram predictions.

Data Conclusion

The MRI‐based radiomics models had a powerful ability to evaluate HIA and the ROI‐w radiomics model was comparable to the ROI‐r model. Moreover, the radiomics nomogram could be a favorable method to individually estimate HIA in CLD. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2020;52:1668–1678.
Predominance of norovirus GI.4 from children with acute gastroenteritis in Jambi, Indonesia, 2019
Authors: Wulandari Putri Sari , Juniastuti  , Wahyuni Rury Mega , Amin Mochamad , Yamani Laura Navika , Matondang Muhammad Qushai Yunifiar , Dinana Zayyin , Soetjipto  , Utsumi Takako , Shoji Ikuo , Lusida Maria Inge
Published: May 2020

Norovirus (NoV) is one of the most important viral causes of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children worldwide. Only a few studies have reported AGE with NoV‐positive in some cities in Indonesia. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristic of NoV infection, and also genotype distribution of NoV in children with AGE in Jambi, as the capital and the largest city of Jambi province, Indonesia. Stool samples were collected from children (≤15 years of age) with AGE at three participating hospitals in Jambi from February to April 2019. The detection of NoV and its genotyping were carried out by reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Of the 91 stool samples collected, 14 (15.4%) were positive for NoV. Fever, vomiting, and severe diarrhea were commonly observed in AGE with NoV, while level of dehydration was statistically significant difference between children with NoV‐positive and those with NoV‐negative. The most prevalent genotype was GI.4 (42.9%), followed by GII.6 (28.6%) and some other genotypes. Interestingly, this study found the predominance of GI.4, differed from previous reports in Indonesia. Continuously investigation of the circulating genotype is needed to control the NoV‐infected AGE.
The orchard plot: Cultivating a forest plot for use in ecology, evolution, and beyond
Authors: Nakagawa Shinichi , Lagisz Malgorzata , O'Dea Rose E. , Rutkowska Joanna , Yang Yefeng , Noble Daniel W. A. , Senior Alistair M.
Published: May 2020

“Classic” forest plots show the effect sizes from individual studies and the aggregate effect from a meta‐analysis. However, in ecology and evolution, meta‐analyses routinely contain over 100 effect sizes, making the classic forest plot of limited use. We surveyed 102 meta‐analyses in ecology and evolution, finding that only 11% use the classic forest plot. Instead, most used a “forest‐like plot,” showing point estimates (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) from a series of subgroups or categories in a meta‐regression. We propose a modification of the forest‐like plot, which we name the “orchard plot.” Orchard plots, in addition to showing overall mean effects and CIs from meta‐analyses/regressions, also include 95% prediction intervals (PIs), and the individual effect sizes scaled by their precision. The PI allows the user and reader to see the range in which an effect size from a future study may be expected to fall. The PI, therefore, provides an intuitive interpretation of any heterogeneity in the data. Supplementing the PI, the inclusion of underlying effect sizes also allows the user to see any influential or outlying effect sizes. We showcase the orchard plot with example datasets from ecology and evolution, using the R package, orchard, including several functions for visualizing meta‐analytic data using forest‐plot derivatives. We consider the orchard plot as a variant on the classic forest plot, cultivated to the needs of meta‐analysts in ecology and evolution. Hopefully, the orchard plot will prove fruitful for visualizing large collections of heterogeneous effect sizes regardless of the field of study.
Simple magnetization of Fe3O4/MIL‐53(Al)‐NH2 for a rapid vortex‐assisted dispersive magnetic solid‐phase extraction of phenol residues in water samples
Authors: Boontongto Tittaya , Burakham Rodjana
Published: May 2020

The present work describes a simple route to magnetize MIL‐53(Al)‐NH2 sorbent for rapid extraction of phenol residues from environmental samples. To extend the applications and performances of the metal‐organic frameworks in the field of adsorption materials, we combined the properties of metal‐organic frameworks and magnetite to decrease the extraction time and simplify the extraction process as well. In this study, a simple and quick vortex‐assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction method for the extraction of ten United States Environmental Protection Agency's priority phenols from water samples prior to analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection was proposed. The developed method exhibits a rapid enrichment of the target analytes within 10 s for extraction and 10 s for desorption. Low detection limits of 1.8‐41.7 µg/L and quantitation limits of 6.0‐139.0 µg/L with the relative standard deviations for intra‐ and interday analyses less than 12% were achieved. Satisfactory recoveries in the range of 80‐111% with the relative standard deviations less than 11% demonstrated that Fe3O4/MIL‐53(Al)‐NH2 is promising sorbent in the field of magnetic solid‐phase extraction for environmental samples.