bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synchronized determination of sacubitril and valsartan with some co‐administered drugs in human plasma via UPLC–MS/MS method using solid‐phase extraction
Authors: Moussa Bahia Abbas , Hashem Hanaa M. A. , Mahrouse Marianne Alphonse , Mahmoud Sally Tarek
Published: June 2021

An accurate and sensitive UPLC–MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of the newly developed combination of sacubitril and valsartan and the co‐administered drugs nebivolol, chlorthalidone and esomeprazole in human plasma. Solid‐phase extraction was conducted for the purification and extraction of the drugs from human plasma. Chromatographic separation was carried out on an Agilent SB‐C18 (1.8 μm, 2.1 × 50 mm) column using losartan as internal standard. Isocratic elution was applied using acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid in water (85: 15, v/v) as mobile phase. Detection was carried out using a triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer using multiple reaction monitoring, at positive mode at m/z 412.23 → 266.19 for sacubitril, m/z 436.29 → 235.19 for valsartan, m/z 405.8 → 150.98 for nebivolol, m/z 346.09 → 198 for esomeprazole and a selected combination of two fragments m/z 423.19 → 207.14 and 423.19 → 192.2 for losartan (internal standard), and in negative ionization mode at m/z 337.02 → 190.12 for chlorthalidone. The method was linear over the concentration ranges 30–2,000 ng/ml for sacubitril, 70–2,000 ng/ml for valsartan, esomeprazole and chlorthalidone and 70–5,000 pg/ml for nebivolol. The developed method is sensitive and selective and could be applied for dose adjustment, bioavailability and drug–drug interaction studies.
The effect of non‐directive play therapy on reduction of anxiety disorders in young children
Authors: Hateli Bahare
Published: June 2021

Background

There is strong evidence that non‐directive play therapy, which is also known as child‐centred play, may be useful in reducing anxiety in young children. Non‐directive play is an approach to playing where the child is given ultimate freedom rather than a practitioner impressing ideas on them.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of non‐directive play therapy for anxiety reduction in children.

Methods

For this purpose, 20 elementary students who had been diagnosed as anxious according to the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) were selected through random sampling and were divided into an experimental group and control group. The experimental group participated in 10 sessions of play therapy, and after finishing the sessions, the SCAS questionnaire was implemented again as a post‐test. Analysis of covariance was used to analyse the data.

Results

The results of the study showed that scores on the anxiety scale reduced significantly in the experimental group.

Conclusions

Non‐directive play therapy was useful in reducing children's anxiety, so it may be implicated as an education plan for problematic parent–child relationships. However, more studies are needed to support these results.
What support do therapists need to do research? A review of studies into how therapists experience research
Authors: Bager‐Charleson Sofie , McBeath Alistair G.
Published: June 2021

This paper addresses therapists’ experiences when ‘doing research’, with a special interest in their needs for support. It involves revisiting earlier studies into opportunities and obstacles—personally, professionally and academically for psychotherapists and counselling psychologists (therapists) when transitioning to and from postgraduate research. How do therapists experience research; what motivates them to undertake doctoral research; how do they chose to generate knowledge and why; and how will expectations meet outcomes? This ‘re‐search’ approaches earlier studies with an interest in research support. It highlights significant personal, professional and academic obstacles for therapists transitioning into research. Shame, isolation and poor opportunities to research and engage on academic platforms are some of the areas being referred to. Consistent with such needs, our pilot study into research supervision showed how supervisees rated ‘empathy’ as highly as ‘research experience’ for ‘constructive’ supervision. Our review involves a ‘hybrid meta‐synthesis’ that combines autoethnographic and secondary analysis aims. It draws on personal experience of grappling with methodological options as examples of how mixed methods study may ‘come about’ or develop as part of team research practice.
Are Child Welfare Intervention Rates Higher or Lower in Areas Targeted for Enhanced Early Years Services?
Authors: Scourfield Jonathan , Webb Calum J. R. , Elliott Martin , Staniland Lydia , Bywaters Paul
Published: June 2021

Flying Start is an enhanced early years programme in Wales which is targeted at areas where a high proportion of households with children are recipients of income‐related benefits or tax credits. Child protection interventions are known to be concentrated in more deprived areas. Flying Start could have the effect of reducing risk to children or, conversely, it could result in more children coming to the attention of social services. Administrative data were used to identify children in public care and on child protection registers in Wales on 31 March 2015 and to identify lower super output areas covered by Flying Start services. Child welfare intervention rates were examined, and a comparison was made between areas within deprivation quintiles where Flying Start was operating and areas where it was not. In areas where Flying Start services are provided, child welfare intervention rates are higher than in areas where they are not, after controlling for multiple deprivation. Further work is needed to establish why child welfare intervention rates are higher in Flying Start areas and what effect there might be longer term.

‘Child welfare intervention rates were examined, and a comparison was made between areas… where Flying Start was operating and areas where it was not’

Key Practitioner Messages

In Wales there is a ‘social gradient’ in the rates at which local authorities intervene by placing children in statutory care or making them subject to child protection procedures. For each increase in relative deprivation, there is a corresponding increase in intervention rates.

In areas where Flying Start enhanced early years services are provided, child welfare intervention rates are higher than in areas where they are not, after controlling for area‐level deprivation.

The link between poverty and risk to children needs to be more clearly acknowledged in the child protection process.
Key steps to reduce the aerosolized risk related to total laryngectomy in COVID‐19 era: A case report
Authors: Chessman Robert , Singh Tahwinder , Passley Davinia , Gande Richard , Konieczny Katarzyna , Patel Nimesh N.
Published: June 2021

Laryngectomy surgery is a highly aerosolizing procedure, and we document the key steps, including the addition of a novel Perspex shield, which can be enacted during the COVID‐19 pandemic to reduce risk to the patient and healthcare professional.
Heat recovery from hydrothermal carbonization slurry product by coupling processes of flash and organic Rankine cycle: Thermodynamic analysis
Authors: Jia Jiandong , Chen Hongwei , Wang Ruikun , Zhao Zhenghui , Ren Daomeng , Liu Hantao , Lei Haoyang
Published: June 2021

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising and effective technology for upgrading the fuel quality of high‐moisture organic wastes. However, a large amount of energy is required to heat the feedstock to high temperature for HTC. Therefore, the maximum waste heat should be recovered to increase the energy efficiency of the HTC process. In this work, a flash‐organic Rankine cycle (FSPG‐ORC) system was coupled after HTC to recover the heat contained in the HTC slurry product. Various operating factors including the flashing temperature, the HTC temperature, the solid‐water ratio (S/W) of the feedstock, and the organic working fluids in the ORC section were studied to obtain their influences on thermodynamic performance of the coupled system. Results indicated that the net power (Wnet) of the FSPG‐ORC system increased from 185.64 to 774.30 kW through the increase of the HTC temperature from 160 to 280°C. In addition, the Wnet and exergy efficiency of the FSPG‐ORC system also increased with increasing the flashing temperature of HTC slurry product. The coupled FSPG‐ORC system converted waste heat to electric energy and increased the energy efficiency of the HTC process.
Dynamic Pendulum Effect of an Exceptionally Flexible Pillared‐Layer Metal‐Organic Framework†
Authors: Zhou Hao‐Long , Bai Jie , Tian Xiao‐Yun , Mo Zong‐Wen , Chen Xiao‐Ming
Published: June 2021

Main observation and conclusion

Magnifying the controllable directional motions of molecular machines to the macroscopic levels is a significant topic for chemists. Flexible metal–organic frameworks with long‐range order and responsive structural transformation under external stimuli may be an appropriate platform for achieving the target. By taking advantage of the single‐crystal to single‐crystal manner of soft porous crystals, we utilize single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction to directly observe the dynamic structural inversion of a new three‐fold interpenetrated pillared‐layer metal‐organic framework [Co(edba)(bpy)] (MCF‐83, H2edba = 4,4’‐(ethyne‐1,2‐diyl)dibenzoic acid, bpy = 4,4’‐bipyridine). More interestingly, the dynamic inversions of the pillars and layers are selectively guest‐controllable and independent, allowing precise control of the directional shape changes, which is the key of constructing intelligent materials to accomplish a complex task. The mechanism is further studied by combining the X‐ray diffraction analyses, sorption measurements and molecular simulations.
Supramolecular Polymer Networks with Enhanced Mechanical Properties: The Marriage of Covalent Polymer and Metallacycle†
Authors: Zhang Yue‐Yue , Chen Feng , Li Yang , Qiu Hua‐Yu , Zhang Jin‐Jin , Yin Shou‐Chun
Published: June 2021

Main observation and conclusion

Supramolecular polymer networks (SPNs) have always been the focus of research due to their novel features of good processability, stimuli‐responsiveness, self‐healing, and recyclability. Herein, we report the preparation of a metallacycle‐linked supramolecular gel via orthogonal metal‐ligand interactions and host‐guest interactions. A triangular metallacycle with three appended 21‐crown‐7 (21C7) units was obtained by the metal coordination of nickel(II)‐salen‐based dipyridyl ligands and platinum(II) acceptors. The integration of this metallacycle and traditional copolymer bearing secondary ammonium salts constructed a SPN via host‐guest recognition between 21C7 units and ammonium salts, and a supramolecular gel further formed at high concentration. Multiple stimulus responsiveness and self‐healing properties of gel were observed. The gel exhibited better stretchability compared to relative gel formed by copolymer alone owing to the synergistic effect of covalent bonds and supramolecular interactions. Moreover, compared to the model gel without metallacycles, the gel showed higher storage and loss moduli, and exhibited stronger stiffness in the self‐healing tests performed with rheometer, indicating the metallacycle played an important role in improving the stiffness and self‐healing of the gel. Therefore, the feasible approach to the formation of SPNs by the marriage of covalent polymers and metallacycles is expected to open a new way to design novel SPNs.
Circulating miRNAs—A potential tool to identify severe asthma risk?
Authors: Kyyaly Mohammed A. , Sanchez‐Elsner Tilman , He Peijun , Sones Collin L. , Arshad S. Hasan , Kurukulaaratchy Ramesh J.
Published: June 2021

Background

Identifying patients at risk of severe asthma is vitally important given the disproportionate burden of disease imposed by that state. However, biomarkers to support such needs remain elusive.

Methods

In this letter, we assessed whether specific panels of circulating miRNAs (microRNAs) can differentiate between mild and severe asthma patients as well as between healthy subjects and severe asthma patients.

Results

To our knowledge, the miRNAs identified in our work such as miR‐28‐3p, miR‐16‐2‐3p, and miR‐210‐3p have not been previously reported as differentially expressed in the serum of severe asthma patients.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that miRNA expression profiles may have the capability as potential biomarkers that signal the risk of having severe asthma. As such, these findings have significant novelty and merit wider dissemination to facilitate further work in this field.
Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of the CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 Drug‐Drug Interaction and CYP3A4 Induction Potential of Omecamtiv Mecarbil: Two Open‐Label Studies in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Trivedi Ashit , Malik Fady I. , Jafarinasabian Pegah , Zhang Hanze , Flach Stephen , Abbasi Siddique , Dutta Sandeep , Lee Edward
Published: June 2021

Omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) is a cardiac myosin activator under development for the treatment of heart failure. The effect of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibition on OM pharmacokinetics and the potential for OM to induce CYP3A4 was assessed in 2 studies. Study 1, part A, assessed the effect of ketoconazole 200 mg on the pharmacokinetics of OM 10 mg in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers (EMs; n = 8) or poor metabolizers (PMs; n = 8). Study 1, part B, assessed the effect of diltiazem 240 mg on the pharmacokinetics of OM 10 mg (EM; n = 8). Study 2 assessed the effect of OM 25 mg on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam 5 mg (n = 14). Coadministration with ketoconazole led to 51% and 31% increases in OM AUCinf in EM and PM subjects, respectively, whereas OM Cmax remained similar (3% higher and 14% lower for EM and PM subjects, respectively). No changes in OM pharmacokinetics were observed in EM subjects following coadministration with diltiazem. Midazolam AUCinf and Cmax decreased by 18% and 10%, respectively, when coadministered with OM. In conclusion, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitors are unlikely to have a clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of OM. In addition, OM is unlikely to have a clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of CYP3A4 substrates.
Assessment of the Effect of Pyrimethamine, a Potent Inhibitor of Multidrug and Toxin Extrusion Protein 1/2K, on the Pharmacokinetics of Gefapixant (MK‐7264), a P2X3 Receptor Antagonist
Authors: Nussbaum Jesse C. , Hussain Azher , Ma Bennett , Min K. Chris , Evers Raymond , Li Yun , Garrett Graigory , Stoch S. Aubrey , Iwamoto Marian
Published: June 2021

Gefapixant (MK‐7264, AF‐219) is a first‐in‐class P2X3 antagonist in development for refractory or unexplained chronic cough. Gefapixant is primarily cleared by renal excretion. To assess the importance of the multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1 (MATE1) and MATE2K transporters in the elimination of gefapixant, a drug‐drug interaction study was conducted evaluating the effect of coadministration of a single dose of pyrimethamine, a competitive inhibitor of MATE1 and MATE2K, on the single‐dose pharmacokinetics of gefapixant in healthy participants. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. In this open‐label, 2‐period, fixed‐sequence study, a 45‐mg dose of gefapixant was administered to 12 participants in period 1. After a 7‐day washout, a 50‐mg dose of pyrimethamine was administered 3 hours before a 45‐mg dose of gefapixant in period 2. Compared with the administration of gefapixant alone, concomitant dosing of gefapixant with pyrimethamine increased the total gefapixant plasma exposure (area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to infinity) by 24%, reduced gefapixant renal clearance by 30%, and increased gefapixant mean terminal half‐life from 7.7 to 10.3 hours. The most frequently reported adverse events were dysgeusia, hypogeusia, and dry mouth; all adverse events were considered of mild intensity and resolved by the end of the study. These results support that MATE1 and/or MATE2K contribute to the renal clearance of gefapixant, but the effect of inhibition of these transporters on gefapixant pharmacokinetics is not considered clinically meaningful.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Rivaroxaban New Crystalline Forms
Authors: Zhai Lihai , Zhang Zhaohua , Guo Lihong , Zhu Zhiying , Hu Changkai , Zhang Guimin
Published: June 2021

In this paper, two new Rivaroxaban crystalline forms are reported and characterized by the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SXRD), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC), which are synthesized with formic acid and acetic acid, named as forms F and G, respectively. The intermolecular forces for forms F and G are analyzed by Hirshfeld surface analysis method, showing that the force of O···H is significantly stronger than that of H···H. Furthermore, the stability, solubility, and bioavailability of the two crystal forms are also studied. The clinical experiments show that form F is more effective than other reported crystal forms in inhibiting the activity of thrombin and thrombosis, which is expected to replace the marketed crystalline forms in clinical application.
What styles of reasoning are important in primary English?
Authors: Oliver Michaela
Published: June 2021

The importance of teaching reasoning in schools is widely recognised. Yet this has presented teachers with difficulties, particularly in primary education. Difficulties partially stem from a lack of cohesive theory about reasoning for education and a lack of specificity about it in the English National Curriculum. One route to improved teaching of reasoning is through recognition of the importance and prevalence of discipline‐specific practices. This paper draws on socio‐cultural theory and disciplinary literacy research to argue that some reasoning practices are discipline specific. The theoretical lens of reasoning styles is adopted. A cognitive history approach has been used to create a framework of reasoning styles important in primary English. English represents a curriculum area that is currently poorly understood in terms of its prevalent reasoning practices. This paper, therefore, makes important theoretical and pedagogical contributions to existing research. Examples of student engagement with identified reasoning styles are provided. The framework and accompanying examples will help teachers to support the development of student reasoning, particularly in the subject of English. Developing students’ meta‐awareness of patterns of language use is beneficial. Development may also support students to become fuller members of the English academic community.
Orchestrating multiplexity in polychromatic science through OMIPs: A decade‐old resource to empower biomedical research
Authors: Wang Wei , Creusot Remi J.
Published: June 2021

As the optimized multicolor immunofluorescence panel (OMIP) platform entered its 10th anniversary since its launch, the multicolor flow cytometry landscape has changed significantly. Likewise, OMIPs have continuously evolved to cover larger panel sizes, increasing number of subpopulations profiled in a single panel, and new species. After a decade of contributions to the OMIP platform, a review of this collection, summarizing its content and purpose for the research community, is timely and due. This review provides an overview of OMIPs and a presentation of the depth and diversity of this collection of validated panels, with the expectation that readers will take advantage of them to empower and accelerate their research.
Label‐free classification of dead and live colonic adenocarcinoma cells based on 2D light scattering and deep learning analysis
Authors: Li Shuaiyi , Li Ya , Yao Jianning , Chen Bing , Song Jiayou , Xue Qi , Yang Xiaonan
Published: June 2021

The measurement of cell viability plays an essential role in the area of cell biology. At present, the common methods for cell viability assay mainly on the responses of cells to different dyes. However, the additional steps of cell staining will consequently cause time‐consuming and laborious efforts. Furthermore, the process of cell staining is invasive and may cause internal structure damage of cells, restricting their reuse in subsequent experiments. In this work, we proposed a label‐free method to classify live and dead colonic adenocarcinoma cells by 2D light scattering combined with the deep learning algorithm. The deep convolutional network of YOLO‐v3 was used to identify and classify light scattering images of live and dead HT29 cells. This method achieved an excellent sensitivity (93.6%), specificity (94.4%), and accuracy (94%). The results showed that the combination of 2D light scattering images and deep neural network may provide a new label‐free method for cellular analysis.
Tanshinol alleviates ulcerative colitis by promoting the expression of VLDLR
Authors: Zhu Huanhuan , Tong Shaopeng , Cui Yan , Wang Xiaodong , Wang Minying
Published: June 2021

Tanshinol (TAN) is a widely used Chinese medicine ingredient with anti‐inflammatory activity. The therapeutic effect of TAN in ulcerative colitis (UC) deserves further investigation. DSS induced UC model for mice, and TAN of different concentrations was used for in vivo therapy. Colons length was measured; expression of VLDLR in colonic mucosal tissue was evaluated by qRT‐PCR, Western blot and histochemical staining. Besides, normal colorectal mucosal cell line (FHC) was treated with LPS to imitate the inflammatory process of UC in vitro. Different concentrations of TAN treated UC cell model. ELISA and qRT‐PCR were applied to examine the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8, or IL‐1β). Flow cytometry and MTT was used to identify the apoptosis and viability of FHC cells, respectively. Afterwards, Western blot was performed to detect the expressions of Bax, Bcl‐2, Cleaved caspase‐3, and Cleaved caspase‐9 in FHC cells. VLDLR was low‐expressed in UC tissues as compared to the normal tissue. TAN could alleviate DSS‐induced colons length shortening, colonic tissue structure destruction, inflammatory response, and VLDLR expression decrease in vivo. Further study found that TAN could alleviate LPS‐induced inflammatory response, apoptosis, and viability decrease of FHC cells, and siVLDLR could partially offset the effect of TAN. TAN alleviates LPS‐induced viability decrease, apoptosis, and inflammatory response in FHC cells by promoting VLDLR expression.
Analytical characterization of “etonitazepyne,” a new pyrrolidinyl‐containing 2‐benzylbenzimidazole opioid sold online
Authors: Blanckaert Peter , Balcaen Margot , Vanhee Céline , Risseeuw Martijn , Canfyn Michaël , Desmedt Bart , Van Calenbergh Serge , Deconinck Eric
Published: June 2021

This paper reports on the identification and full chemical characterization of the substance colloquially called “etonitazepyne” or “N‐pyrrolidino etonitazene” (2‐(4‐ethoxybenzyl)‐5‐nitro‐1‐(2‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)ethyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole), a potent NPS opioid of the 5‐nitrobenzimidazole class. Identification of etonitazepyne was performed, on a sample purchased during routine monitoring of the drug market, using GC‐MS, HRAM LC‐MS/MS, 1H NMR, and FTIR. The chromatographic data, together with the FTIR data, indicated the presence of a highly pure compound and already indicated a benzimidazole structure. The specific benzimidazole regio‐isomer was confirmed using 1H NMR spectroscopy, resulting in the unambiguous identification of etonitazepyne.
Evidence of sulfur mustard poisoning by detection of the albumin‐derived dipeptide biomarker C(‐HETE)P after nicotinylation
Authors: John Harald , Richter Annika , Thiermann Horst
Published: June 2021

Sulfur mustard (SM, bis[2‐chloroethyl]‐sulfide) is a banned chemical warfare agent that was frequently used in recent years and led to numerous poisoned victims who developed painful erythema and blisters. Post‐exposure analysis of SM incorporation can be performed by the detection of human serum albumin (HSA)‐derived peptides. HSA alkylated by SM contains a hydroxyethylthioethyl (HETE)‐moiety bound to the cysteine residue C34 yielding the dipeptide biomarker C(‐HETE)P after pronase‐catalyzed proteolysis. We herein present a novel procedure for the selective precolumn nicotinylation of its N‐terminus using 1‐nicotinoyloxy‐succinimide. The reaction was carried out for 2 h at ambient temperature with a yield of 81%. The derivative NA‐C(‐HETE)P was analyzed by micro liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization tandem‐mass spectrometry working in the selected reaction monitoring mode (μLC‐ESI MS/MS SRM). The derivative was shown to be stable in the autosampler at 15°C for at least 24 h. The single protonated precursor ion (m/z 428.1) was subjected to collision‐induced dissociation yielding product ions at m/z 116.1, m/z 137.0, and m/z 105.0 used for selective monitoring without any plasma‐derived interferences. NA‐C(‐HETE)P showed a mass spectrometric response superior to the non‐derivatized dipeptide thus yielding larger peak areas (factor 1.3 ± 0.2). The lower limit of identification corresponded to 80 nM SM spiked to plasma in vitro. The presented procedure was applied to real case plasma samples from 2015 collected in the Middle East confirming SM poisoning.
Comorbid mental disorders during long‐term course in a nationwide cohort of patients with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Steinhausen Hans‐Christoph , Villumsen Martin Dalgaard , Hørder Kirsten , Winkler Laura Al‐Dakhiel , Bilenberg Niels , Støving René Klinkby
Published: June 2021

Objective

Comorbid mental disorders in anorexia nervosa during long‐term course require detailed studies.

Method

This matched cohort study was based on nationwide Danish register data of all patients born 1961–2008 with a first‐time ICD‐10 diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN) between 1994 and 2018 at age 8–32 and matched controls taken from all individuals without an eating disorder (ED). For nine categories of non‐eating mental disorders, time from date of first AN‐diagnosis (inclusion date) to time of first diagnosis, accounting for censoring, was studied by use of time‐stratified Cox models.

Results

A total of 9,985 patients with AN (93.5% females) and 49,351 matched controls were followed for a median (IQR) of 9.0 (4.4–15.7) years. For patients, there was about 25% and 55% risk of receiving any non‐ED disorder during the first 2 years and two decades after inclusion, respectively. A hazard ratio (HR) of seven for any non‐ED was found for the first 12 months after inclusion, a ratio that reduced to two at five or more years after inclusion. During the first years, large HRs ranging in 6–9 were found for affective, autism spectrum, personality, and obsessive–compulsive disorders with the latter displaying the highest continuous increased risk. The HR at 12 months after inclusion was highest for any non‐ED disorder and affective disorders in patients aged 8–13 at diagnosis.

Discussion

Comorbid mental disorders in AN are most frequently diagnosed in the first years after diagnosis of AN and on longer terms imply a double immediate risk.
Efficiency of biochar, nitrogen addition, and microbial agent amendments in remediation of soil properties and microbial community in Qilian Mountains mine soils
Authors: Kong Junqia , He Zhibin , Chen Longfei , Yang Rong , Du Jun
Published: June 2021

Lacking systematic evaluations in soil quality and microbial community recovery after different amendments addition limits optimization of amendments combination in coal mine soils. We performed a short‐term incubation experiment with a varying temperature over 12 weeks to assess the effects of three amendments (biochar: C; nitrogen fertilizer at three levels: N‐N1~N3; microbial agent at two levels: M‐M1~M2) based on C/N ratio (regulated by biochar and N level: 35:1, 25:1, 12.5:1) on mine soil properties and microbial community in the Qilian Mountains, China. Over the incubation period, soil pH and MBC/MBN were significantly lower than unamended treatment in N addition and C + M + N treatments, respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and nitrogen (MBN) contents increased significantly in all amended treatments (p < .001). Higher AP, AK, MBC, MBN, and lower MBC/MBN were observed in N2‐treated soil (corresponding to C/N ratio of 25:1). Meanwhile, N2‐treated soil significantly increased species richness and diversity of soil bacterial community (p < .05). Principal coordinate analysis further showed that soil bacterial community compositions were significantly separated by N level. C‐M‐N treatments significantly increased the relative abundance (>1%) of the bacterial phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, and decreased the relative abundance of fungal phyla Chytridiomycota (p < .05). Redundancy analysis illustrated the importance of soil nutrients in explaining variability in bacterial community composition (74.73%) than fungal composition (35.0%). Our results indicated that N addition based on biochar and M can improve soil quality by neutralizing soil pH and increasing soil nutrient contents in short‐term, and the appropriate C/N ratio (25:1) can better promote microbial mass, richness, and diversity of soil bacterial community. Our study provided a new insight for achieving restoration of damaged habitats by changing microbial structure, diversity, and mass by regulating C/N ratio of amendments.
Association of type 2 diabetes remission and risk of cardiovascular disease in pre‐defined subgroups
Authors: Hounkpatin Hilda , Stuart Beth , Farmer Andrew , Dambha‐Miller Hajira
Published: June 2021

Aim

To quantify the association between type 2 diabetes remission and 5‐year incidence of cardiovascular disease outcomes, overall and in pre‐defined subgroups.

Methods

Retrospective cohort analysis of 60,287 adults with type 2 diabetes from the Care and Health Information Analytics (CHIA) database. Multivariable Cox models were used to assess the association between remission within the first two years of follow‐up and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes including events, microvascular and macrovascular complications at 7‐year follow‐up. Effect modification by age, sex, diabetes duration, pre‐existing CVD, baseline body mass index (BMI) and HbA1c level was assessed.

Results

7489 (12.4%) people achieved remission during the first two years of follow‐up. Overall, remission was associated with lower risk of CVD outcomes. Remission was associated with lower risk of microvascular complications for younger compared with older age groups (eg aHR: 0.59 (0.41–0.84) and aHR: 0.78 (0.67–0.92) for those aged <45 years and 75–84 years, respectively). Amongst those achieving remission, those with no or 1–2 comorbidities had lower risk of microvascular complications (aHR: 0.65 (0.56–0.75)) compared to those with more than three comorbidities (aHR: 0.83 (0.69–0.99), respectively). There were no significant interactions in the remaining subgroups or for models assessing CVD events or macrovascular complications.

Conclusions

Achieving remission of type 2 diabetes is associated with a lower risk of microvascular complications, particularly for younger groups and those with fewer comorbidities. Targeted interventions that focus on promoting remission in these groups may reduce the impact of microvascular complications and associated health costs.
TACI haploinsufficiency protects against BAFF‐driven humoral autoimmunity in mice
Authors: Jacobs Holly M. , Arkatkar Tanvi , Du Samuel W. , Scharping Nicole E. , Woods Jonathan , Li Quan‐Zhen , Hudkins Kelly L. , Alpers Charles E. , Rawlings David J. , Jackson Shaun W.
Published: June 2021

Polymorphisms in TACI, a BAFF family cytokine receptor, are linked to diverse human immune disorders including common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Functional studies of individual variants show modest impacts on surface TACI expression and/or downstream signal transduction, indicating that relatively subtle variation in TACI activity can impact human B‐cell biology. However, significant complexity underlies TACI biology, including both positive and negative regulation of physiologic and pathogenic B‐cell responses. To model these contradictory events, we compared the functional impact of TACI deletion on separate models of murine SLE driven by T cell‐independent and ‐dependent breaks in B‐cell tolerance. First, we studied whether reduced surface TACI expression was sufficient to protect against progressive BAFF‐mediated systemic autoimmunity. Strikingly, despite a relatively modest impact on surface TACI levels, TACI haploinsufficiency markedly reduced pathogenic RNA‐associated autoantibody titers and conferred long‐term protection from BAFF‐driven lupus nephritis. In contrast, B cell‐intrinsic TACI deletion exerted a limited impact of autoantibody generation in murine lupus characterized by spontaneous germinal center formation and T cell‐dependent humoral autoimmunity. Together, these combined data provide new insights into TACI biology and highlight how TACI signals must be tightly regulated during protective and pathogenic B‐cell responses.
Recognition of S100 proteins by Signal Inhibitory Receptor on Leukocytes‐1 negatively regulates human neutrophils
Authors: Rumpret Matevž , von Richthofen Helen J. , van der Linden Maarten , Westerlaken Geertje H. A. , Talavera Ormeño Cami , Low Teck Y. , Ovaa Huib , Meyaard Linde
Published: June 2021

Signal inhibitory receptor on leukocytes‐1 (SIRL‐1) is an inhibitory receptor with a hitherto unknown ligand, and is expressed on human monocytes and neutrophils. SIRL‐1 inhibits myeloid effector functions such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In this study, we identify S100 proteins as SIRL‐1 ligands. S100 proteins are composed of two calcium‐binding domains. Various S100 proteins are damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) released from damaged cells, after which they initiate inflammation by ligating activating receptors on immune cells. We now show that the inhibitory SIRL‐1 recognizes individual calcium‐binding domains of all tested S100 proteins. Blocking SIRL‐1 on human neutrophils enhanced S100 protein S100A6‐induced ROS production, showing that S100A6 suppresses neutrophil ROS production via SIRL‐1. Taken together, SIRL‐1 is an inhibitory receptor recognizing the S100 protein family of DAMPs. This may help limit tissue damage induced by activated neutrophils.
Gay = STIs? Exploring gay and lesbian sexual health stereotypes and their implications for prejudice and discrimination
Authors: Rice Dylan R. , Hudson Sa‐kiera T. J. , Noll Nicole E.
Published: June 2021

Gay men and lesbian women face health inequities as well as disparate treatment from healthcare providers. Stereotypes surrounding sexual health might contribute to these disparities. In five studies (N = 1858), we explored sexual health stereotypes about gay men and lesbian women and their implications in prejudice/discrimination. In Studies 1, 2A and 2B, we found people explicitly associated gay men with promiscuity and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) more than lesbian women or straight men/women. In implicit association tests, both gay men and lesbian women were more associated with promiscuity and STIs than straight counterparts. Studies 3A and 3B showed that these associations have consequences: people expressed more prejudice and discrimination toward gay men and lesbian women with STIs versus those with non‐STIs or straight counterparts with either disease type. Taken together, the current research identifies some psychological factors that may underpin health disparities and healthcare barriers for gay and lesbian people.
Development of purification process for dual‐function recombinant human heavy‐chain ferritin by the investigation of genetic modification impact on conformation
Authors: Yin Shuang , Zhang Bingyang , Lin Jianying , Liu Yongdong , Su Zhiguo , Bi Jingxiu
Published: June 2021

Ferritin is a promising drug delivery platform and has been functionalized through genetic modifications. This work has designed and expressed a dual‐functional engineered human heavy‐chain ferritin (HFn) with the inserted functional peptide PAS and RGDK to extend half‐life and improve tumor targeted drug delivery. A facile and cost‐effective two‐step purification pathway for recombinant HFn was developed. The genetic modification was found to affect HFn conformation, and therefore varied the purification performance. Heat‐acid precipitation followed by butyl fast flow hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) has been developed to purify HFn and modified HFns. Nucleic acid removal reached above 99.8% for HFn and modified HFns. However, HFn purity reached above 95% and recovery yield (overall) above 90%, compared with modified HFns purity above 82% and recovery yield (overall) above 58%. It is interesting to find that the inserted functional peptides significantly changed the molecule conformation, where a putative turnover of the E‐helix with the inserted functional peptides formed a “flop” conformation, in contrast with the “flip” conformation of HFn. It could be the cause of fragile stability of modified HFns, and therefore less tolerant to heat and acid condition, observed by the lower recovery yield in heat‐acid precipitation.
Phytoremediation of Nickel via Water Hyacinth for Biocarbon‐Derived Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Shell Katelyn M. , Vohra Shaan Y. , Rodene Dylan D. , Gupta Ram B.
Published: June 2021

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes, WH) is cultivated in a hydroponic system containing various concentrations of Ni2+ to demonstrate phytoremediation techniques as a facile, low‐cost, and sustainable method for synthesizing high‐performance biocarbon electrode materials. A high specific capacitance of 541 F g−1 in 2 m potassium hydroxide (KOH) is achieved for WH‐5 biocarbon with an energy density of 30.5 Wh kg−1. Materials are assembled into a coin cell supercapacitor capable of lasting 10 000 cycles with 100% capacitance retention. Surface area characterizations support these results with an SBET of 3429 m2 g−1, a VBET of 2.13 cm3 g−1, and an Sp avg of 2.5 nm, indicating enhanced pore formation and functional group cleaving. Raman spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform IR (ATR‐FTIR), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) give further insight into physical characteristics of the biocarbon that lead to improved electrochemical performance. This work describes an optimal concentration of preabsorbed Ni2+ catalyst (5 ppm in H2O) capable of achieving 98% of theoretical capacitance and value‐added environmental cleanup associated with synergistic remedial techniques.
Thermodynamic Analysis of a Hybrid Electrical Energy Storage System Integrating High‐Temperature Thermal Energy Storage and Compressed Air Energy Storage for Mitigating Renewable Energy Curtailment
Authors: Cao Ruifeng , Cong Xiaowei , Ni Hexi
Published: June 2021

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) system can smooth out the fluctuated power from renewable energy and allow it to meet electricity demands reliably. It further enables the mitigation of renewable energy curtailment. A hybrid energy storage system integrating high‐temperature thermal energy storage (HTTES) and CAES is proposed. In the energy charging process, the high‐ and low‐quality power from renewable energy are stored separately in the air storage reservoir (ASR) and HTTES system. In the energy discharging process, the compressed air is heated to high temperature in the HTTES system and finally expands in air turbines for electricity generation. Thermodynamic analysis reveals that a round trip efficiency of 64.36% with an energy storage density of 5.38 kWh m−3 can be achieved. It is found that the proposed hybrid system has the beneficial effect of improving the system performance. The largest exergy destruction takes place in the HTTES system. The round trip efficiency is mostly sensitive to the output temperature of HTTES, the isentropic efficiency of compressors and turbines, and the maximum and minimum operating pressures of ASR.
Distribution of carbon and nitrogen cycle microbes along permafrost peatland profile in Northeast China
Authors: Jiang Lei , Song Yanyu , Sun Li , Ma Xiuyan , Wang Xianwei , Song Changchun , Hou Aixin , Wang Lili
Published: June 2021

Microorganisms play critical roles in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles. However, our understanding of the distribution of C‐ and N‐cycling microbial communities along the permafrost peatland profile was limited. We characterized changes in the abundances of bacteria, fungi, archaea, methanogen, methanotroph, ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria, and denitrifying bacteria along a soil profile in the permafrost peatland of the Great Hing'an Mountains, China. Maximum values of bacteria, fungi, archaea, methanotroph, and nirK‐type denitrifying bacteria abundances were found for the 0–40 cm layer and minimum values for the 100–150 cm layer. Bacteria, fungi, archaea, methanotroph, and nirK‐type denitrifying bacteria gradually decreased in terms of abundance with increasing soil depths. Methanogen, ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria, and nirS‐type denitrifying bacteria all showed the highest abundances in the 40–80 cm layer. Abundances of bacteria, fungi, archaea, methanogen, methanotroph, and nirK‐type denitrifying bacteria were all significantly negatively correlated with pH and C:N values, but significantly positively correlated with TC, TN, and TP levels. In the context of climate change, microbial distribution characteristics in the active, transition, and frozen layers in permafrost peatlands will change, and then affect C and N cycles. Results in this study highlighted the importance of sampling deeper soil depths in the study of microbial distribution and C/N cycles in peatland ecosystems.
A novel strategy of “pick the best of the best” for the nondestructive identification of Poria cocos based on near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Li Jiayi , Yu Mei , Li Shangke , Jiang Liwen , Zheng Yu , Li Pao
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a novel strategy of “pick the best of the best” was proposed for the nondestructive identification of different‐origin and adulterated Poria cocos with near‐infrared spectroscopy. First, various preprocessing methods were divided into three classes: baseline correction, scattering and trend correction, and scaling. The single preprocessing methods with the best predictions in each class were selected. Then, the selected preprocessing methods were combined in pairs according to three classes. The pair combination preprocessing methods with the best predictions and also better predictions than single methods were selected. Finally, the selected pair combination preprocessing method was combined with the methods in the unselected class. The three combination preprocessing methods with the best predictions and also better predictions than pair combination methods were selected as the final prediction. With this strategy, the optimized preprocessing combination can be obtained quickly, and the identification accuracy with principal component analysis method can be greatly improved. 0% identification accuracy of adulterated samples and 12.5% identification accuracy of different‐origin samples were obtained with the raw data. However, 100% accuracy of adulterated samples, 93.8% accuracy of calibration dataset, and 75% accuracy of validation dataset can be obtained with the novel strategy. The developed technology can be regarded as a simple, rapid, and accurate nondestructive identification method for different‐origin and adulterated samples, and has a broad application prospect in the future.
Utility of intraoperative digital scintigraphy in radioguided parathyroidectomy
Authors: Creighton Erin Weatherford , Dunlap Quinn , Peckham Merry M. , Elms Christopher , King Deanne , Stack Brendan C.
Published: June 2021

Background

Intraoperative scintigraphy (IoS) has been proposed as a tool for real‐time intraoperative decision‐making regarding parathyroid adenoma localization and confirmation of excision.

Methods

Retrospective review of patients who underwent minimally invasive parathyroidectomies with scintigraphy performed intraoperatively. Preoperative neck ultrasound, 4D computed tomography, as well as intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) and gamma probe measurements were conducted per standard practice. IoS images were obtained prior to and following parathyroid excision. Cases were reviewed to determine accuracy of IoS for localizing parathyroid pathology and confirming successful excision.

Results

Fifty‐six cases met the inclusion criteria. Twenty‐nine patients (51.8%) showed confirmation of excision of an abnormal gland on post‐excision IoS. There were no significant differences in IOPTH reduction and postoperative laboratory values between patients with IoS‐identified resolution and those without IoS‐identified resolution.

Conclusions

With low accuracy in correctly localizing abnormal glands and confirming their excision, there is no appreciable benefit of IoS at this time.
Consensus of free flap complications: Using a nomenclature paradigm in microvascular head and neck reconstruction
Authors: Mady Leila J. , Poonia Seerat K. , Baddour Khalil , Snyder Vusala , Kurukulasuriya Chareeni , Frost Ariel S. , Cannady Steven B. , Chinn Steven B. , Fancy Tanya , Futran Neal , Hanasono Matthew M. , Lewis Carol M. , Miles Brett A. , Patel Urjeet , Richmon Jeremy D. , Wax Mark K. , Yu Peirong , Solari Mario G. , Sridharan Shaum
Published: June 2021

Background

We aim to define a set of terms for common free flap complications with evidence‐based descriptions.

Methods

Clinical consensus surveys were conducted among a panel of head and neck/reconstructive surgeons (N = 11). A content validity index for relevancy and clarity for each item was computed and adjusted for chance agreement (modified kappa, K). Items with K < 0.74 for relevancy (i.e., ratings of “good” or “fair”) were eliminated.

Results

Five out of nineteen terms scored K < 0.74. Eliminated terms included “vascular compromise”; “cellulitis”; “surgical site abscess”; “malocclusion”; and “non‐ or mal‐union.” Terms that achieved consensus were “total/partial free flap failure”; “free flap takeback”; “arterial thrombosis”; “venous thrombosis”; “revision of microvascular anastomosis”; “fistula”; “wound dehiscence”; “hematoma”; “seroma”; “partial skin graft failure”; “total skin graft failure”; “exposed hardware or bone”; and “hardware failure.”

Conclusion

Standardized reporting would encourage multi‐institutional research collaboration, larger scale quality improvement initiatives, the ability to set risk‐adjusted benchmarks, and enhance education and communication.
Detailed streamflow data for understanding hydrologic responses in the Logan River Observatory
Authors: Neilson Bethany T. , Tennant Hyrum , Strong Patrick A. , Horsburgh Jeffery S.
Published: June 2021

The Logan River watershed, located in Northern Utah, USA, consists of a relatively pristine, mountainous area that drains to a lower elevation, valley area influenced by both urban development and agriculture. The Logan River Observatory has been collecting aquatic (streamflow and water quality) and climate data throughout the Logan River watershed since 2014. While streamflow measurements are commonly made at the outlets of research watersheds, the Logan River watershed consists of diverse hydrologic, topographic, and geologic settings that require a detailed understanding of streamflow variability over time at many locations. Here, we illustrate: (a) the importance of collecting streamflow time series throughout complex watersheds, and (b) how simple flow balances can provide much needed hydrologic insight into the locations and timing of gains and losses over reaches to guide future investigations.