bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of obstetric and maternal outcomes after prior uterine artery embolization
Authors: Matsuzaki Shinya , Lee Misooja , Nagase Yoshikazu , Jitsumori Mariko , Matsuzaki Satoko , Maeda Michihide , Takiuchi Tsuyoshi , Kakigano Aiko , Mimura Kazuya , Ueda Yutaka , Tomimatsu Takuji , Endo Masayuki , Kimura Tadashi
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to review the obstetric complications during subsequent pregnancies after uterine artery embolization (UAE) for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) by exploring the relationship between prior UAE and obstetric complications through a meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic literature review through March 31, 2021, using PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines and determined the effect of prior UAE for PPH on the rate of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), PPH, placenta previa, hysterectomy, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and preterm birth (PTB). Twenty-three retrospective studies (2003–2021) met the inclusion criteria. They included 483 pregnancies with prior UAE and 320,703 pregnancies without prior UAE. The cumulative results of all women with prior UAE indicated that the rates of obstetric complications PAS, hysterectomy, and PPH were 16.3% (34/208), 6.5% (28/432), and 24.0% (115/480), respectively. According to the patient background-matched analysis based on the presence of prior PPH, women with prior UAE were associated with higher rates of PAS (odds ratio [OR] 20.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.27–132.41) and PPH (OR 5.32, 95% CI 1.40–20.16) but not with higher rates of hysterectomy (OR 8.93, 95% CI 0.43–187.06), placenta previa (OR 2.31, 95% CI 0.35–15.22), FGR (OR 7.22, 95% CI 0.28–188.69), or PTB (OR 3.00, 95% CI 0.74–12.14), compared with those who did not undergo prior UAE. Prior UAE for PPH may be a significant risk factor for PAS and PPH during subsequent pregnancies. Therefore, at the time of delivery, clinicians should be more attentive to PAS and PPH when women have undergone prior UAE. Since the number of women included in the patient background-matched study was limited, further investigations are warranted to confirm the results of this study.
Regulation of Melanophilin (Mlph) gene expression by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR)
Authors: Myung Cheol Hwan , Lee Ji Eun , Jo Chan Song , Park Jong il , Hwang Jae Sung
Published: August 2021

Mlph plays a crucial role in regulating skin pigmentation through the melanosome transport process. Although Mlph is a major component involved in melanosome transport, the mechanism that regulates the expression of the Mlph gene has not been identified. In this study, we demonstrate that Mlph expression is regulated by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Alteration of GR activity using a specific GR agonist or antagonist only regulated the expression of Mlph among the 3 key melanosome transport proteins. Translocation of GR from the cytosol into the nucleus following Dex treatment was confirmed by separating the cytosol and nuclear fractions and by immunofluorescence staining. In ChIP assays, Dex induced GR binding to the Mlph promoter and we determined that Dex induced the GR binding motif on the Mlph promoter. Our findings contribute to understanding the regulation of Mlph expression and to the novel role of GR in Mlph gene expression.
A national assessment of elective cesarean sections in Bangladesh and the need for health literacy and accessibility
Authors: Afiaz Awan , Arusha Anowara Rayhan , Ananna Nurjahan , Kabir Enamul , Biswas Raaj Kishore
Published: August 2021

There has been a gradual rise in the number of cesarean sections (CSs) in Bangladesh. The present study identified the cohort of women, who were more likely to opt for an elective CS based on their sociodemographic characteristics, pre-delivery care history, and media exposure, using the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey-2019. The survey stratification adjusted logistic regression model and interpretable machine learning method of building classification trees were utilized to analyze a sample of 9202 women, alongside district-wise heat maps. One-in-five births (20%) were elective CSs in the 2 years prior to the survey. Women residing in affluent households with educated house-heads, who accessed antenatal care prior to delivery (AOR 4.12; 95% CI 3.06, 5.54) with regular access to media (AOR 1.31; 95% CI 1.10, 1.56) and who owned a mobile phone (AOR 1.25; 95% CI 1.04, 1.50) were more likely to opt for elective CSs, which suggests that health access and health literacy were crucial factors in women’s mode of delivery. Spatial analyses revealed that women living in larger cities had more elective CS deliveries, pointing towards the availability of better health and access to multiple safe delivery options in peripheral areas.
Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on the mitochondrial peptide MOTS-c in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors
Authors: Dieli-Conwright Christina M. , Sami Nathalie , Norris Mary K. , Wan Junxiang , Kumagai Hiroshi , Kim Su-Jeong , Cohen Pinchas
Published: August 2021

MOTS-c is a mitochondrial derived peptide with exercise mimetic activity that elicits beneficial effects on metabolism and exercise capacity. Furthermore, MOTS-c effects in humans are affected by race, potentially via ethnic-specific mtDNA variations. Women treated for breast cancer are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, due to side effects of cancer-treatments. We conducted a secondary analysis of the effects of a 16-week aerobic and resistance exercise intervention on MOTS-c in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors (BCS). BCS (Stage I–III) were randomized to exercise or standard care. The intervention promoted aerobic and resistance exercise for 16 weeks. MOTS-c was analyzed in fasting plasma using an in-house ELISA. Within and between group differences were assessed by paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Pearson’s correlation was computed to assess the association between MOTS-c and metabolic biomarkers at baseline and post-exercise. Twenty-five Hispanic-BCS and 24 non-Hispanic White BCS were included. Hispanic BCS were younger, of greater adiposity, had higher stage cancers, and had worse metabolic profiles at baseline compared to non-Hispanic White BCS (p < 0.001). Post-exercise, MOTS-c levels significantly increased when compared to baseline and the usual care group among non-Hispanic White BCS (p < 0.01) but not among Hispanic breast cancer survivors (p > 0.01). Post-exercise levels of MOTS-c among non-Hispanic White BCS were significantly associated with reductions in fat mass, body weight, HOMA-IR, CRP, and an increase in lean mass (p < 0.01). A 16-week aerobic and resistance intervention increased MOTS-c levels among non-Hispanic White BCS.

Trial registration: This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01140282 as of June 9, 2010. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01140282.
Associations of creatinine/cystatin C ratio and postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a retrospective study
Authors: Kim Hye Jin , Kim Hye-Bin , Kim Ha Yan , Shim Jae-Kwang , Lee Cheolhun , Kwak Young-Lan
Published: August 2021

Sarcopenia along with nutritional status are associated with postoperative pulmonary complications in various surgical fields. Recently, the creatinine/cystatin C ratio and CONtrolling NUTritional status score were introduced as biochemical indicators for sarcopenia and malnutrition, respectively. We aimed to investigate the associations among these indicators and postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. We reviewed the medical records of 605 elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery from January 2010 to December 2019. Postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, prolonged ventilation [> 24 h], and reintubation during post-surgical hospitalisation) occurred in 80 patients. A 10-unit increase of creatinine/cystatin C ratio was associated with a reduced risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (odds ratio: 0.80, 95% confidence interval: 0.69–0.92, P = 0.001); the optimal cut-off values for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications was 89.5. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that age, congestive heart failure, and creatinine/cystatin C ratio < 89.5 (odds ratio 2.36, 95% confidence interval 1.28–4.37) were independently associated with the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications, whereas CONtrolling NUTritional status score was not. A low creatinine/cystatin C ratio was associated with an increased risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.
Serum indices based on creatinine and cystatin C predict mortality in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease
Authors: Lin Yu-Li , Chang I-Chen , Liou Hung-Hsiang , Wang Chih-Hsien , Lai Yu-Hsien , Kuo Chiu-Huang , Hsu Bang-Gee
Published: August 2021

Serum indices based on creatinine and cystatin C, including creatinine/cystatin C ratio (Cr/CysC), ratio and difference of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on cystatin C and creatinine (eGFRcys/eGFRcre and eGFRDiff), and serum creatinine × eGFRcys, are recently identified serum markers for sarcopenia. We aimed to evaluate the association between these serum indices and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A single-center retrospective cohort study included 1141 adult patients with stage 1–5 CKD between 2016 and 2018. Basic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and serum creatinine and cystatin C values were obtained. Patients were followed up until death, dialysis, transfer to another hospital, or end of the study. The median age (interquartile range) of our participants was 71 (62–81) years. During a median follow-up of 39 months, 116 (10.2%) patients died. Compared to the survivor group, Cr/CysC, eGFRcys/eGFRcre, eGFRDiff, and Cr × eGFRcys were all lower in the non-survivors (p < 0.001 for all). The receiver operating characteristic curves of serum indices for predicting mortality showed that all four indices had significant discriminative power. Based on the Cox proportional hazard models, lower values of four serum indices, both as continuous and categorical variables, independently predicted mortality. Our findings suggest that low serum indices of Cr/CysC, eGFRcys/eGFRcre, eGFRDiff, and Cr × eGFRcys are independent indicators of mortality in patients with non-dialysis CKD.
Pest detection dogs for wood boring longhorn beetles
Authors: Arnesen Charlotte Holmstad , Rosell Frank
Published: August 2021

Invasive alien species are increasing due to globalization. Their spread has resulted in global economic losses. Asian [Anoplophora glabripennis(Motschulsky)] (ALB) and citrus [A. chinensis(Forster)] (CLB) longhorn beetles are two introduced wood borers which contribute to these economic losses e.g. the destruction of tree plantations. Early detection is key to reduce the ecological influence alongside the detrimental and expensive eradication. Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) can detect these insects, potentially at an early stage. We trained two privately owned dogs to investigate their use as detection tools. We tested the dog’s ability to discriminate ALB and CLB from native wood borers by carrying out double-blind and randomized experiments in three search conditions; (1) laboratory, (2) semi-field and (3) standardized field. For condition one, a mean sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 95% and accuracy of 92% were achieved. For condition two and three, a mean sensitivity of 88% and 95%, specificity of 94% and 92% and accuracy of 92% and 93% were achieved. We conclude that dogs can detect all types of traces and remains of ALB and CLB and discriminate them from native wood borers and uninfested wood, but further tests on live insects should be initiated.
An exploratory, cross-cultural study on perception of putative cyclical changes in facial fertility cues
Authors: Marcinkowska Urszula M. , Jones Benedict C. , Cai Huaijan , Contreras-Garduno Jorge , Onyishi Ike E. , Orjiakor Charles T. , Prasai Keshav , Pazhoohi Farid , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Lee Anthony J.
Published: August 2021

Although many researchers have argued that facial traits evolved as honest cues to women’s current fertility (possibly via changes in facial femininity), evidence that women’s facial attractiveness is significantly, positively related to probability of conception throughout menstrual cycle is mixed. These mixed results could reflect differences among studies in the methods used to assess facial attractiveness (i.e., forced choice versus rating-scale methods), differences in how fertility was assessed, differences in perceiver characteristics (e.g., their own attractiveness), and facial preferences possibly being moderated by the characteristics of the living environment. Consequently, the current study investigated the putative effect of cyclical changes in fertility on women’s facial attractiveness and femininity (1) using forced choice and rating-scale method, (2) conducting both ovulation tests and repeated daily measures of estradiol assessing the conception probability, (3) based on a culturally diverse sample of perceivers, while (4) controlling for inter-individual variation. Although we found some limited evidence that women’s faces became more attractive when conception probability increased, these effects differed depending on the methods used to assess both attractiveness and fertility. Moreover, where statistically significant effects were observed, the effect sizes were extremely small. Similarly, there was little robust evidence that perceivers’ characteristics reliably predicted preferences for fertility cues. Collectively, these results suggest that mixed results in previous studies examining cyclical fluctuation in women’s facial attractiveness are unlikely to reflect inter-cultural differences and are more likely to reflect differences in the methods used to assess facial attractiveness and fertility.
Interaction of clozapine with metformin in a schizophrenia rat model
Authors: Horvath G. , Kis G. , Kekesi G. , Büki A. , Adlan L. G. , Szűcs E. , Heni H. El , Benyhe S.
Published: August 2021

The low efficacy of antipsychotic drugs (e.g., clozapine) for negative symptoms and cognitive impairment has led to the introduction of adjuvant therapies. Because previous data suggest the procognitive potential of the antidiabetic drug metformin, this study aimed to assess the effects of chronic clozapine and metformin oral administration (alone and in combination) on locomotor and exploratory activities and cognitive function in a reward-based test in control and a schizophrenia-like animal model (Wisket rats). As impaired dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) function might play a role in the cognitive dysfunctions observed in patients with schizophrenia, the second goal of this study was to determine the brain-region-specific D1R-mediated signaling, ligand binding, and mRNA expression. None of the treatments affected the behavior of the control animals significantly; however, the combination treatment enhanced D1R binding and activation in the cerebral cortex. The Wisket rats exhibited impaired motivation, attention, and cognitive function, as well as a lower level of cortical D1R binding, signaling, and gene expression. Clozapine caused further deterioration of the behavioral parameters, without a significant effect on the D1R system. Metformin blunted the clozapine-induced impairments, and, similarly to that observed in the control animals, increased the functional activity of D1R. This study highlights the beneficial effects of metformin (at the behavioral and cellular levels) in blunting clozapine-induced adverse effects.
Design of time-delayed safety switches for CRISPR gene therapy
Authors: Sun Dashan
Published: August 2021

CRISPR system is a powerful gene editing tool which has already been reported to address a variety of gene relevant diseases in different cell lines. However, off-target effect and immune response caused by Cas9 remain two fundamental problems. Inspired by previously reported Cas9 self-elimination systems, time-delayed safety switches are designed in this work. Firstly, ultrasensitive relationship is constructed between Cas9-sgRNA (enzyme) and Cas9 plasmids (substrate), which generates the artificial time delay. Then intrinsic time delay in biomolecular activities is revealed by data fitting and utilized in constructing safety switches. The time-delayed safety switches function by separating the gene editing process and self-elimination process, and the tunable delay time may ensure a good balance between gene editing efficiency and side effect minimization. By addressing gene therapy efficiency, off-target effect, immune response and drug accumulation, we hope our safety switches may offer inspiration in realizing safe and efficient gene therapy in humans.
Identification of a transcription factor, PunR, that regulates the purine and purine nucleoside transporter punC in E. coli
Authors: Rodionova Irina A. , Gao Ye , Sastry Anand , Hefner Ying , Lim Hyun Gyu , Rodionov Dmitry A. , Saier Milton H. , Palsson Bernhard O.
Published: August 2021

Many genes in bacterial genomes are of unknown function, often referred to as y-genes. Recently, the analytic methods have divided bacterial transcriptomes into independently modulated sets of genes (iModulons). Functionally annotated iModulons that contain y-genes lead to testable hypotheses to elucidate y-gene function. The inversely correlated expression of a putative transporter gene,ydhC, relative to purine biosynthetic genes, has led to the hypothesis that it encodes a purine-related transporter and revealed a LysR-family regulator, YdhB, with a predicted 23-bp palindromic binding motif. RNA-Seq analysis of aydhBknockout mutant confirmed the YdhB-dependent activation ofydhCin the presence of adenosine. The deletion of either theydhCor theydhBgene led to a substantially decreased growth rate forE. coliin minimal medium with adenosine, inosine, or guanosine as the nitrogen source. Taken together, we provide clear evidence that YdhB activates the expression of theydhCgene that encodes a purine transporter inE. coli. We propose that the genesydhBandydhCbe re-named aspunRandpunC, respectively.
Rydberg series of dark excitons and the conduction band spin-orbit splitting in monolayer WSe2
Authors: Kapuściński Piotr , Delhomme Alex , Vaclavkova Diana , Slobodeniuk Artur O. , Grzeszczyk Magdalena , Bartos Miroslav , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Faugeras Clément , Potemski Marek
Published: August 2021

Strong Coulomb correlations together with multi-valley electronic bands in the presence of spin-orbit interaction are at the heart of studies of the rich physics of excitons in monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD). Those archetypes of two-dimensional systems promise a design of new optoelectronic devices. In intrinsic TMD monolayers the basic, intravalley excitons, are formed by a hole from the top of the valence band and an electron either from the lower or upper spin-orbit-split conduction band subbands: one of these excitons is optically active, the second one is dark, although possibly observed under special conditions. Here we demonstrate the s-series of Rydberg dark exciton states in tungsten diselenide monolayer, which appears in addition to a conventional bright exciton series in photoluminescence spectra measured in high in-plane magnetic fields. The comparison of energy ladders of bright and dark Rydberg excitons is shown to be a method to experimentally evaluate one of the missing band parameters in TMD monolayers: the amplitude of the spin-orbit splitting of the conduction band.
Earth’s core could be the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir
Authors: Bajgain Suraj K. , Mookherjee Mainak , Dasgupta Rajdeep
Published: August 2021

Evaluating carbon’s candidacy as a light element in the Earth’s core is critical to constrain the budget and planet-scale distribution of this life-essential element. Here we use first principles molecular dynamics simulations to estimate the density and compressional wave velocity of liquid iron-carbon alloys with ~4-9 wt.% carbon at 0-360 gigapascals and 4000-7000 kelvin. We find that for an iron-carbon binary system, ~1-4 wt.% carbon can explain seismological compressional wave velocities. However, this is incompatible with the ~5-7 wt.% carbon that we find is required to explain the core’s density deficit. When we consider a ternary system including iron, carbon and another light element combined with additional constraints from iron meteorites and the density discontinuity at the inner-core boundary, we find that a carbon content of the outer core of 0.3-2.0 wt.%, is able to satisfy both properties. This could make the outer core the largest reservoir of terrestrial carbon.
Optimisation of Passive Permeability for Oral Absorption
Authors: Pike Andy , Ian Storer R.
Published: August 2021

To reach their site of action following oral administration, drugs must first be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, design of compounds capable of passing through the gut wall is a key aspect of drug discovery and overwhelmingly this is achieved through the optimization of passive permeability to enable absorption by the transcellular route. In this chapter we describe methods for screening, the physicochemical principles underlying optimal passive permeability and provide examples of how these principles can be leveraged to optimise passive permeability during drug design. Additionally, given the changing pharmacological target landscape and the pressure it imposes on historical physicochemical design guidelines, we briefly discuss the implications of working in so called “beyond rule-of-five” space and how this might affect future drug design strategies.
Cytochrome P450 Metabolism
Authors: Stepan Antonia F. , Obach R. Scott
Published: August 2021

Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are a heme containing family of proteins comprising more than 40 human CYP enzymes. CYP oxidation is highly relevant to drug clearance, drug–drug interactions and interpatient variability in pharmacokinetics. Strategies on how to reduce CYP-mediated turnover are highlighted and exemplified.
Cytochrome P450 Induction
Authors: Lv Hua , Zhu Wei , Shen Hong
Published: August 2021

Induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes, especially CYP3A4, could be a significant clinical issue leading to therapeutic efficacy reduction or even loss of a co-medication or the CYP3A4 inducer itself, because CYP3A4 alone is involved in the metabolism of more than 50% of marketed drugs. In this chapter, the mechanism of action of CYP induction, clinical consequence, screening strategies and the structures of representative CYP inducers are briefly described. The chapter focuses on the mitigation strategies for CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 inductions with many literature examples illustrated: (1) introducing a polar substituent to the hydrophobic group; (2) removing or replacing the key hydrophobic group with a less hydrophobic group; and (3) introducing steric hindrance or rigidifying the structure.
Cardiac Ion Channel Inhibition
Authors: Bordoni Cinzia , Brough Daniel J. , Davison Gemma , Hunter James H. , Lopez-Fernandez J. Daniel , McAdam Kate , Miller Duncan C. , Morese Pasquale A. , Papaioannou Alexia , Uguen Mélanie , Ratcliffe Paul , Sitnikov Nikolay , Waring Michael J.
Published: August 2021

Interaction with cardiac ion channels can potentially result in severe or even fatal cardiac side effects. The most prominent of cardiac channels, human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG), voltage-gated sodium channel 1.5 (NaV1.5) and voltage-gated calcium channel 1.2 (CaV1.2), which traffic major ion currents shaping cardiac action potential, are recognized as primary counter-screen targets. These channels possess relatively large inner pores with multiple binding sites and can accommodate a variety of structurally diverse ligands. This chapter provides a short overview of in vitro approaches in preclinical cardiotoxicity screening, gives a summary of available structural data and pharmacophore models for hERG, NaV1.5 and CaV1.2 as well as discusses medicinal chemistry strategies that were successfully applied to mitigate cardiotoxicity risk. The major highlighted approaches are lipophilicity reduction, basicity reduction and removal or modification of (hetero)aromatic substituents. The strategies are illustrated by multiple examples from recent literature.
Biodegradable supramolecular micelles via host–guest interaction of cyclodextrin-terminated polypeptides and adamantane-terminated polycaprolactones
Authors: Pottanam Chali Sharafudheen , Azhdari Suna , Galstyan Anzhela , Gröschel André H. , Ravoo Bart Jan
Published: August 2021

Supramolecular polymer micelles are formed by host–guest interaction of cyclodextrin- and adamantane-terminated polypeptides and polycaprolactones. Enzyme degradation of the micelles leads to a controlled release of payload.
Facile synthesis of α-aminophosphine oxides from diarylphosphine oxides, arynes and formamides
Authors: Huang Wen-Bin , Qiu Li-Qi , Ren Fang-Yu , He Liang-Nian
Published: August 2021

The straightforward synthesis of α-amino phosphine oxides via three-component reactions involving arynes, formamides and diarylphosphine oxides is disclosed.
Ground and excited states analysis of alkali metal ethylenediamine and crown ether complexes
Authors: Ariyarathna Isuru R. , Miliordos Evangelos
Published: August 2021

Quantum calculations show that ethylenediamine and crown ethers polarize and displace valence electrons of alkali metals to the periphery of the formed complex. The nature of the building blocks of expanded metals and electrides is discussed.
Correction: Flexible lipid nanomaterials studied by NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Mallikarjunaiah K. J. , Kinnun Jacob J. , Petrache Horia I. , Brown Michael F.
Published: August 2021

Correction for ‘Flexible lipid nanomaterials studied by NMR spectroscopy’ by K. J. Mallikarjunaiah et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2019, 21, 18422–18457, DOI: 10.1039/C8CP06179C.
Solar-heating thermocatalytic H2 production from formic acid by a MoS2-graphene-nickel foam composite
Authors: Bai Xianhua , Li Sipu , Zhang Yufan , Zhu Shilei , Gao Linjie , Cong Ridong , Yu Wei , Wang Shufang , Liang Baolai , Li Yaguang
Published: August 2021

Using a combination of Ni/G/MoS2 and a Cu2Se based reaction device, a CO free H2 production rate of 982 mmol g−1 h−1 was achieved under 0.6 Sun of irradiation, 3.5 times higher than the previous record of photocatalytic formic acid decomposition.
High-efficiency photoreductive vapor generation of osmium
Authors: de Oliveira Richard M. , Borges Daniel L. G. , Grinberg Patricia , Sturgeon Ralph E.
Published: August 2021

Photochemical vapor generation of Os. OsO4 oxidative product from photolysis of 5% HNO3 medium; reductive product from 1% acetic acid/50 mg L−1 Fe3/2+ an uncharacterized organometallic Os compound [Osw(CO)x(CH3)yHz] detected by ICP-MS.
Tuning the efficiency of CoFe2O4@rGO composite by encapsulating Ag nanoparticles for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl violet dye and energy storage systems
Authors: Vijayalakshmi S. , Elanthamilan E. , Merlin J. Princy , Lydia I. Sharmila
Published: August 2021

Photocatalytic activity of the Ag NPs/CoFe2O4@rGO composite.
The chemical ecology of the fungus-farming termite symbiosis
Authors: Schmidt Suzanne , Kildgaard Sara , Guo Huijuan , Beemelmanns Christine , Poulsen Michael
Published: August 2021

Since the early 1970s, 375 natural products have been identified from members of the fungus-farming termite symbiosis, and this review summarises and discusses the ecological implications of the presence of this vast chemical repertoire.
Effect of the Hf content on the microstructure and ferroelectric properties of HfxZr1−xO2 thin films using an all-inorganic aqueous precursor solution
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Zhou Dayu , Dong Wei , Li Ziqi , Sun Nana , Hou Xiaoduo , Liu Feng
Published: August 2021

20 nm thick Hf-doped ZrO2-based ferroelectric thin films were prepared using all-inorganic salt precursors through the CSD method.
Machine learning and materials modelling interpretation of in vivo toxicological response to TiO2 nanoparticles library (UV and non-UV exposure)
Authors: Gomes Susana I. L. , Amorim Mónica J. B. , Pokhrel Suman , Mädler Lutz , Fasano Matteo , Chiavazzo Eliodoro , Asinari Pietro , Jänes Jaak , Tämm Kaido , Burk Jaanus , Scott-Fordsmand Janeck J.
Published: August 2021

Based on a highly detailed materials characterisation database (including atomistic and multiscale modelling), single and univariate statistical methods, combined with machine learning techniques, revealed key descriptors of biological functions.
Novel furimazine derivatives for nanoluciferase bioluminescence with various C-6 and C-8 substituents
Authors: Li Jie , Wang Xiaoxu , Dong Gaopan , Yan Chongzheng , Cui Yuanyuan , Zhang Zheng , Du Lupei , Li Minyong
Published: August 2021

Nanoluciferase (NLuc) is the emerging commercially available luciferase considering its small size and superior bioluminescence performance.
Photoaffinity labelling strategies for mapping the small molecule–protein interactome
Authors: Burton Nikolas R. , Kim Phillip , Backus Keriann M.
Published: August 2021

We review the development of photoaffinity labeling (PAL) chemistries and the application of PAL to chemoproteomic target deconvolution for small molecules, lipids, and metabolites.
The ultralow thermal conductivity and tunable thermoelectric properties of surfactant-free SnSe nanocrystals
Authors: Mir Wasim J. , Sharma Anirudh , Villalva Diego Rosas , Liu Jiakai , Haque Md Azimul , Shikin Semen , Baran Derya
Published: August 2021

This work demonstrates tunable transport in surfactant free SnSe nanocrystals that retain ultralow nature of thermal conductivity.
Unidirectional water transport on a two-dimensional hydrophilic channel with anisotropic superhydrophobic barriers
Authors: An Qier , Wang Jinshu , Zhao Feng , Li Peiliu , Wang Lei
Published: August 2021

A two-dimensional titanium dioxide-based hydrophilic channel demonstrates unidirectional water transporting properties.
Vacuum-filtration assisted layer-by-layer strategy to design MXene/carbon nanotube@MnO2 all-in-one supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Ya-Li , Bian Shao-Wei
Published: August 2021

A flexible all-in-one supercapacitor was fabricated using the MXene/carbon nanotube@MnO2 composite film electrode through a vacuum-filtration assisted layer-by-layer strategy.
Incorporating Patient Narratives to Enhance Audiological Care and Clinical Research Outcomes
Authors: Clark Khaya D. , Garinis Angela C. , Konrad-Martin Dawn
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The engagement of patients as key stakeholders in their experience of care processes is a critical component of quality improvement efforts for both clinical care and translational research. Increasingly, health care systems are soliciting input from patients on care processes and experiences through surveys, patient interviews, and patient video narratives. The purpose of this viewpoint article is twofold: (a) to describe the increasing role of patient narratives about their experiences with adverse health conditions to inform patient-centered research and quality improvement efforts and (b) to present three patient narratives that highlight the real-world impacts of hearing loss and tinnitus, the life enhancing impacts of aural rehabilitation, and the importance of prospective ototoxicity monitoring in individuals with complex health conditions.

Conclusion

Patient narratives provide individual patient perspectives that can be used to build awareness of the range of experiences and impact of hearing disorders, and to explore patient preferences for when and how to implement hearing-related clinical services.
Genesis of a New Generation of Telepractitioners: The COVID-19 Pandemic and Pediatric Speech-Language Pathology Services
Authors: Campbell Deborah R. , Goldstein Howard
Published: August 2021

Purpose

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a worldwide shift from in-person care to synchronous videoconferencing or telehealth. Many barriers to remote service delivery were eliminated, effectively creating a new generation of telepractitioners. This study chronicles changes in speech-language pathology clinicians' use and perceptions of telehealth with pediatric populations.

Method

The
Telehealth Services: Pediatric Provider Survey
was created in multiple steps and then distributed broadly through social media and professional community sites. Respondents were speech-language pathologists and speech-language pathology assistants in a variety of employment settings from across the country and abroad who were serving primarily pediatric clients (
n
= 269). Survey questions sought to capture changes in speech-language pathology clinicians' experiences with and perceptions of telehealth before, during, and predictions after the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyses identified factors that influenced the use of telehealth services before and after March 2020 (COVID-19).

Results

Survey results documented the dramatic increase in telehealth use from before March 2020 to October 2020. The reasons pediatric speech-language pathology clinicians used telehealth during the pandemic were mostly a result of employer mandates or lowering infection risk for both client and clinician; however, over time, pediatric speech-language pathology clinicians increased their telehealth proficiency and discovered the benefits of telehealth.

Conclusion

The adoption of telehealth and the rapid improvement in proficiency is a testament to the resiliency of providers and has long-term effects on the use of telehealth into the future.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15183690
Using Nonword Repetition to Identify Developmental Language Disorder in Monolingual and Bilingual Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Schwob Salomé , Eddé Laurane , Jacquin Laure , Leboulanger Mégane , Picard Margot , Oliveira Patricia Ramos , Skoruppa Katrin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

A wealth of studies has assessed the diagnostic value of the nonword repetition task (NWRT) for the detection of developmental language disorder (DLD) in the clinical context of speech and language therapy, first in monolingual children and, more recently, in bilingual children. This review article reviews this literature systematically and conducts a meta-analysis on the discriminative power of this type of task in both populations.

Method

Three databases were used to select articles based on keyword combinations, which were then reviewed for relevance and methodological rigor based on internationally recognized checklists. From an initial pool of 488 studies, 46 studies were selected for inclusion in the systematic review, and 35 of these studies could be included in a meta-analysis.

Results

Most of the articles report significant discrimination between children with and without DLD in both monolingual and bilingual contexts, and the meta-analysis shows a large mean effect size. Three factors (age of the child, linguistic status, and language specificity of the task) yielded enough quantitative data for further exploration. Subgroups analysis shows variance in effect sizes, but none of the three factors, neither their interactions, were significant in a metaregression. We discuss how other, less explored factors (e.g., nature of the stimuli, scoring methods) could also contribute to differences in results. Sensitivity and specificity analyses reported in 33 studies confirmed that, despite possible effect size differences, the diagnostic accuracy of the NWRT is generally near thresholds considered to be discriminatory. It generally increases when it is combined with other tasks (e.g., parental questionnaire).

Conclusions

This review indicates that the NWRT is a promising diagnostic tool to identify children with DLD in monolingual and bilingual contexts with a large mean effect size. However, it seems necessary to choose the precise NWRT materials based on the children's language background and to complement the assessment sessions with other tools in order to ensure diagnosis and to obtain complete language profile of the child.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15152370
The Fornax 3D project: PNe populations and stellar metallicity in edge-on galaxies
Authors: Galán-de Anta P. M. , Sarzi M. , Spriggs T. W. , Nedelchev B. , Pinna F. , Martín-Navarro I. , Coccato L. , Corsini E. M. , de Zeeuw P. T. , Falcón-Barroso J. , Gadotti D. A. , Iodice E. , Fahrion K. , Lyubenova M. , McDermid R. M. , Morelli L. , van de Ven G. , Viaene S. , Zhu L.
Published: August 2021

Context.Extragalactic planetary nebulae (PNe) are useful distance indicators and are often used to trace the dark-matter content in external galaxies. At the same time, PNe can also be used as probes of their host galaxy stellar populations and to help understand the later stages of stellar evolution. Previous works have indicated that a specific number of PNe per stellar luminosity can vary across different galaxies and as a function of stellar-population properties, for instance increasing with decreasing stellar metallicity.

Aims.In this study we further explore the importance of stellar metallicity in driving the properties of the PNe population in early-type galaxies, using three edge-on galaxies in the Fornax cluster offering a clear view into their predominantly metal-rich and metal-poor regions near the equatorial plane or both below and above it, respectively.

Methods.Using very large telescope-multi unit spectroscopic explorer (VLT-MUSE) integral-field observations and dedicated PNe detection procedures, we constructed the PNe luminosity function and computed the luminosity-specific number of PNeαin both in- and off-plane regions of our edge-on systems.

Results.Comparing theseαvalues with metallicity measurements also based on the same MUSE data, we find no evidence for an increase in the specific abundance of PNe when transitioning between metal-rich and metal-poor regions.

Conclusions.Our analysis highlights the importance of ensuring spatial consistency to avoid misleading results when investigating the link between PNe and their parent stellar populations, and suggest that in passively evolving systems variations in the specific number of PNe may pertain to rather extreme metallicity regimes found either in the innermost or outermost regions of galaxies.
Does the in vitro egg hatch test predict the failure of benzimidazole treatment in Haemonchus contortus?
Authors: Babják Michal , Königová Alžbeta , Urda Dolinská Michaela , Kupčinskas Tomas , Vadlejch Jaroslav , von Samson-Himmelstjerna Georg , Petkevičius Saulius , Várady Marián
Published: August 2021

Considerable research has been directed towards optimising in vitro tests that can diagnose resistance in pre-parasitic stages of parasites. The objective of this study was to compare the in vivo faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), the in vitro egg hatch test (EHT), and the molecular determination of the frequency of a codon 200 allele of β-tubulin isotype 1 associated with benzimidazole resistance in larval stages of Haemonchus contortus obtained from infected goats. Animals were infected with composite infective doses representing 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 80% resistant alleles. Faecal samples for the EHT were collected on 28, 33, and 35 days post-infection. The results of the in vivo FECRT indicated that albendazole treatment reduced infections consisting of composite doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 80% larvae of the resistant isolate by 91.3, 78.0, 63.3, 48.4, 36.5, and 41.4%, respectively. The drug concentration at which 50% of the eggs were prevented from developing hatching larvae (ED50) in the in vitro EHT varied from 0.09 ± 0.01 to 15.63 ± 12.10 μg/mL thiabendazole. The results of the in vitro EHT indicated that the test could estimate in vivo resistance well. The EHT could thus accurately estimate the in vivo efficacy of the drug and percentage of the resistance allele in the population using hatching parameters in delineation doses. This finding was also supported by comparing the FECRT data to the hatching percentages in the EHT on 30 goat farms in Slovakia with natural mixed infections of gastrointestinal parasites.
Quality Control of Herbal Medicines: From Traditional Techniques to State-of-the-art Approaches
Authors: Klein-Junior Luiz C. , de Souza Maira R. , Viaene Johan , Bresolin Tania M. B. , de Gasper André L. , Henriques Amélia T. , Heyden Yvan Vander
Published: August 2021

Herbal medicines are important options for the treatment of several illnesses. Although their therapeutic applicability has been demonstrated throughout history, several concerns about their safety and efficacy are raised regularly. Quality control of articles of botanical origin, including plant materials, plant extracts, and herbal medicines, remains a challenge. Traditionally, qualitative (e.g., identification and chromatographic profile) and quantitative (e.g., content analyses) markers are applied for this purpose. The compound-oriented approach may stand alone in some cases (e.g., atropine in Atropa belladonna). However, for most plant materials, plant extracts, and herbal medicines, it is not possible to assure quality based only on the content or presence/absence of one (sometimes randomly selected) compound. In this sense, pattern-oriented approaches have been extensively studied, introducing the use of multivariate data analysis on chromatographic/spectroscopic fingerprints. The use of genetic methods for plant material/plant extract authentication has also been proposed. In this study, traditional approaches are reviewed, although the focus is on the applicability of fingerprints for quality control, highlighting the most used approaches, as well as demonstrating their usefulness. The literature review shows that a pattern-oriented approach may be successfully applied to the quality assessment of articles of botanical origin, while also providing directions for a compound-oriented approach and a rational marker selection. These observations indicate that it may be worth considering to include fingerprints and their data analysis in the regulatory framework for herbal medicines concerning quality control since this is the foundation of the holistic view that these complex products demand.
Identification and Quantification of Polymethoxylated Flavonoids in Different Citrus Species Using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and HPLC-DAD
Authors: Brits Maxime , Naessens Tania , Theunis Mart , Taktak Olfa , Allouche Noureddine , Pieters Luc , Foubert Kenn
Published: August 2021

Many species from the genus Citrus are used in traditional medicine and contain polymethoxylated flavonoids. These compounds show anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive activities, among others, and therefore have a big potential to be developed as therapeutic agents or dietary supplements. Citrus species are different in their profile and yield of polymethoxylated flavonoids. Therefore, polymethoxylated flavonoids were identified and quantified in seven different Citrus species, including wild-type and commercially available species. All species were profiled using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis combined with mass spectral molecular networking. A total of 38 polymethoxylated flavonoids were detected and 8 of them were present in every species. As the yield of polymethoxylated flavonoids was different for each species, a generally applicable HPLC-diode array detection method was developed and validated according to the ICH guidelines to quantify the amount
of nobiletin and the total amount of polymethoxylated flavonoids expressed as nobiletin. Analysis of the seven samples showed evidence that wild-type Citrus species (e.g., Citrus depressa) contain higher yields of polymethoxylated flavonoids compared to commercially available species (e.g., Citrus limon). Qualitative analysis revealed the broadest variety of different PMFs in C. depressa, Citrus reticulata, and Citrus reticulata × Citrus sinensis, which makes them interesting sources of polymethoxylated flavonoids for future development as therapeutic agents or dietary supplements.
Persistent Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Agarwal Amit , Baghmar Saphalta , Qureshi Suhail , Khurana Aseem , Setia Rasika , Khan Maroof Ahmad , Barman Purabi , Kapoor Raj Kumar , Hasthavaram Navneeth Reddy , Kumar Ramesh , Singh Navdeep , Sarin Aditya , Handoo Anil
Published: August 2021

Introduction There is limited literature available regarding the prevalence and durability of immune response to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)/coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in cancer patients.

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the seroconversion rate in cancer patients recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Materials and Methods We retrospectively analyzed antibody levels and seroconversion rates in serum samples from 135 cancer patients who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chemiluminescent immunoassay using Roche Cobas e801 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) was performed to identify Pan Ig antibody against nucleocapsid antigen. Reports of first, third, and sixth month were analyzed. Seroconversion was also compared with health-care workers (HCW) of our institute who had recovered from COVID-19 infection.

Results Seroconversion rate in cancer patients was 81.2% at 1 month, 95% at 3 months, and 94.6% at 6 months post reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction positivity. There was no difference in seroconversion rate among different age groups, gender, comorbidities, severity of COVID-19 symptoms, cancer disease status, and treatment with chemotherapy. Seroconversion rate in cancer patients is comparable to HCW (90.4 vs. 96%, p = 0.82) and is durable.

Conclusion Humoral response to COVID-19 infection in cancer patients is comparable to general population and sustained. Such responses suggest that cancer patients are likely to benefit from COVID-19 vaccination.
Adjusting the analytical aperture: propositions for an integrated approach to the social study of reproductive technologies
Authors: Boydell Victoria , Dow Katharine
Published: August 2021

The ever-expanding availability of reproductive technologies, the continued roll-out of ‘family planning’ and maternity services across low- and middle-income settings and the rapid development of the fertility industry mean that it is more likely than ever that individuals, especially women and gender non-conforming people, will engage with more than one RT at some point in their life. These multiple engagements with RTs will affect users’ expectations and uptake, as well as the technologies’ availability, commercial success, ethical status and social meanings. We argue that an integrated approach to the study of RTs and their users not only makes for better research, but also more politically conscious research, which questions some of the ideological precepts that have led to reproduction being parcelled out into biomedical specialisations and a disproportionate focus on particular forms of reproduction in particular disciplines within public health and social science research. We offer this article as part of a wider movement in the study of reproduction and reproductive technologies, which takes inspiration from the reproductive justice framework to address forms of exclusion, discrimination and stratification that are perpetuated in the development and application of reproductive technologiesandthe ways in which they are studied and theorised.