bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Fc‐fusion proteins: Current analytical strategies
Authors: Duivelshof Bastiaan L. , Murisier Amarande , Camperi Julien , Fekete Szabolcs , Beck Alain , Guillarme Davy , D'Atri Valentina
Published: September 2020

Fc‐Fusion proteins represent a successful class of biopharmaceutical products, with already 13 drugs approved in the European Union and United States as well as three biosimilar versions of etanercept. Fc‐Fusion products combine tailored pharmacological properties of biological ligands, together with multiple functions of the fragment crystallizable domain of immunoglobulins. There is a great diversity in terms of possible biological ligands, including the extracellular domains of natural receptors, functionally active peptides, recombinant enzymes, and genetically engineered binding constructs acting as cytokine traps. Due to their highly diverse structures, the analytical characterization of Fc‐Fusion proteins is far more complex than that of monoclonal antibodies and requires the use and development of additional product‐specific methods over conventional generic/platform methods. This can be explained, for example, by the presence of numerous sialic acids, leading to high diversity in terms of isoelectric points and complex glycosylation profiles including multiple N‐ and O‐linked glycosylation sites. In this review, we highlight the wide range of analytical strategies used to fully characterize Fc‐fusion proteins. We also present case studies on the structural assessment of all commercially available Fc‐fusion proteins, based on the features and critical quality attributes of their ligand‐binding domains.
Is Lung Ultrasound Imaging a Worthwhile Procedure for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pneumonia Detection?
Authors: Fonsi Giovanni Battista , Sapienza Paolo , Brachini Gioia , Andreoli Chiara , De Cicco Maria Luisa , Cirillo Bruno , Meneghini Simona , Pugliese Francesco , Crocetti Daniele , Fiori Enrico , Mingoli Andrea
Published: September 2020

Objectives

We compared 2 imaging modalities in patients suspected of having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pneumonia. Blinded to the results of real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR) testing, lung ultrasound (LUS) examinations and chest computed tomography (CT) were performed, and the specific characteristics of these imaging studies were assessed.

Methods

From March 15, 2020, to April 15, 2020, 63 consecutive patients were enrolled in this prospective pilot study. All patients underwent hematochemical tests, LUS examinations, chest CT, and confirmatory rRT‐PCR. The diagnostic performance of LUS and chest CT was calculated with rRT‐PCR as a reference. The interobserver agreement of radiologists and ultrasound examiners was calculated. Ultrasound and CT features were compared to assess the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Positive and negative likelihood ratios measured the diagnostic accuracy.

Results

Nineteen (30%) patients were COVID‐19 negative, and 44 (70%) were positive. No differences in demographics and clinical data at presentation were observed among positive and negative patients. Interobserver agreement for CT had a κ value of 0.877, whereas for LUS, it was 0.714. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of chest CT for COVID‐19 pneumonia were 93%, 90%, 85%, and 95%, respectively; whereas for LUS, they were 68%, 79%, 88%, and 52%. On receiver operating characteristic curves, area under the curve values were 0.834 (95% confidence interval, 0.711–0.958) and 0.745 (95% confidence interval, 0.606–0.884) for chest CT and LUS.

Conclusions

Lung ultrasound had good reliability compared to chest CT. Therefore, our results indicate that LUS may be used to assess patients suspected of having COVID‐19 pneumonia.
Epididymal Appearance in Congenital Absence of Vas Deferens
Authors: Gokhale Sudheer , Kochhar Kapil
Published: September 2020

Scrotal sonography was performed in the infertile males. Sonography of epididymis was performed to document its presence, appearance, echo texture and duct ectasia. The spermatic cord was examined to document the status of the vas deferens. TRUS was performed to look for distal vas. Epididymal abnormalities were universal in men with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens, with a sensitivity of 100%. Three types of abnormal appearances were recognized ‐ a honeycomb appearance, a fine meshwork pattern of head, or complete or partial absence of epididymis. Identification of these abnormalities can be a very sensitive marker for congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens.
Evaluation of Hemodynamics in a Murine Hindlimb Ischemia Model Using Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging
Authors: Leyba Katherine A. , Vasudevan Sandhya , O'Sullivan Thomas D. , Goergen Craig J.
Published: September 2020

Background and Objectives

Spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI), an optical imaging technique capable of quantitatively measuring tissue hemodynamics over a large field‐of‐view, has captured the interest of scientists and clinicians due to its ability to image rapidly and noninvasively. The goal of this study was to apply SFDI in a preclinical murine model to assess its ability to measure hemodynamic changes due to hindlimb ischemia in vivo longitudinally.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Complete unilateral femoral artery ligation was performed on a total of nine C57BL/6J mice to induce ischemia in the left hindlimb. Changes in vascular perfusion in each mouse were monitored through SFDI acquisition of both the ischemic and control limbs throughout the course of 4 weeks. High‐frequency pulsed‐wave Doppler ultrasound was also acquired to confirm occlusion of the left femoral artery post‐ligation compared with the control limb, while histological analysis was used to quantify femoral artery lumen shape and size.

Results

Tissue oxygen saturation in the ischemic limb normalized to the control limb decreased from a ratio of 0.96 ± 0.06 at baseline to 0.86 ± 0.10 at day 1, then 0.94 ± 0.06 at day 3, followed by 0.95 ± 0.14 at day 7, 0.91 ± 0.09 at day 14, 0.90 ± 0.09 at day 21, and 1.01 ± 0.09 at day 28.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate the utility of SFDI to detect hemodynamic changes in a preclinical murine model, as well as how to effectively use this tool to extract information regarding ischemia‐induced hindlimb changes. In our model, we observed a decline in tissue oxygen saturation within one day post‐ischemic injury, followed by a return to baseline values over the 4‐week study period. While reducing skin artifacts and modifying camera hardware could still improve this murine imaging approach, our multimodality study presented here suggests that SFDI can be used to reliably characterize ischemia‐mediated changes in a clinically relevant mouse model of peripheral arterial disease. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Longitudinal change of metabolite profile and its relation to multiple risk factors for the risk of developing hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huang Bo‐Yuan , Tsai Min‐Ru , Hsu Jia‐Kai , Lin Ching‐Yu , Lin Chih‐Lin , Hu Jui‐Ting , Huang Yi‐Wen , Liu Chun‐Jen , Wu Wan‐Jung , Wu Chih‐Feng , Sung Feng‐Yu , Chen Pei‐Jer , Liang Hao‐Jan , Lin Shi‐Ming , Yu Ming‐Whei
Published: September 2020

Despite considerable knowledge of viral pathogenesis, the pathophysiological changes related to the multifactorial, multistep process of hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development remains unclear. Longitudinal metabolomics study can reveal biological process for disease progression. We performed metabolite profiling with longitudinal prediagnostic plasma samples from two nested case‐control studies of hepatitis B surface antigen carriers participating in ultrasound screening for HCC, one within a government employee cohort (870 samples from 109 HCC cases and 107 controls) and the other within a hospital‐based cohort (266 samples from 63 HCC cases and 114 controls). Of the 34 measured metabolites, tyrosine, isoleucine, and glutamine were consistently associated with HCC. In analyses combining longitudinal data, a high metabolic risk score based on the three amino acids was robustly associated with increased risk of HCC (OR = 3.71, 95% confidence interval: 2.53–5.42), even after adjustment for clinical factors, or when assessed for different times up to ≥8 years before diagnosis. Similar association was observed in an independent, prospective analysis comprising 633 randomly selected individuals of the government employee cohort. More importantly, this metabolite signature was longitudinally influenced by HBV‐infection phase and involved in gradual progression to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Furthermore, mediation analysis showed that the score mediated substantial proportions of the associations of key viral factors, insulin resistance, and diabetes status with HCC risk. Our results suggest that an amino‐acid dysregulation metabotype may play a role in HBV‐related HCC development, and may also be linked to common pathways that mediate increased HCC risks.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease: Current status of translational research/clinical and therapeutic implications
Authors: Manolis Antonis S. , Manolis Antonis A. , Manolis Theodora A. , Apostolaki Naomi E. , Apostolopoulos Evdoxia J. , Melita Helen , Katsiki Niki
Published: September 2020

Mitochondria provide energy to the cell during aerobic respiration by supplying ~95% of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules via oxidative phosphorylation. These organelles have various other functions, all carried out by numerous proteins, with the majority of them being encoded by nuclear DNA (nDNA). Mitochondria occupy ~1/3 of the volume of myocardial cells in adults, and function at levels of high‐efficiency to promptly meet the energy requirements of the myocardial contractile units. Mitochondria have their own DNA (mtDNA), which contains 37 genes and is maternally inherited. Over the last several years, a variety of functions of these organelles have been discovered and this has led to a growing interest in their involvement in various diseases, including cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction relates to the status where mitochondria cannot meet the demands of a cell for ATP and there is an enhanced formation of reactive‐oxygen species. This dysfunction may occur as a result of mtDNA and/or nDNA mutations, but also as a response to aging and various disease and environmental stresses, leading to the development of cardiomyopathies and other CV diseases. Designing mitochondria‐targeted therapeutic strategies aiming to maintain or restore mitochondrial function has been a great challenge as a result of variable responses according to the etiology of the disorder. There have been several preclinical data on such therapies, but clinical studies are scarce. A major challenge relates to the techniques needed to eclectically deliver the therapeutic agents to cardiac tissues and to damaged mitochondria for successful clinical outcomes. All these issues and progress made over the last several years are herein reviewed.
Identification of common differentially expressed genes in Turner (45,X) and Klinefelter (47,XXY) syndromes using bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Manotas María Carolina , Calderón Juan Camilo , López-Kleine Liliana , Suárez-Obando Fernando , Moreno Olga M. , Rojas Adriana
Published: September 2020

Background

Analysis of patients with chromosomal abnormalities, including Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome, has highlighted the importance of X‐linked gene dosage as a contributing factor for disease susceptibility. Escape from X‐inactivation and X‐linked imprinting can result in transcriptional differences between normal men and women as well as in patients with sex chromosome abnormalities.

Objective

To identify differentially expressed genes among patients with Turner (45,X) and Klinefelter (46,XXY) syndrome using bioinformatics analysis.

Methodology

Two gene expression data sets of Turner (45,X) and Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY) were obtained from the Gene Omnibus Expression (GEO) database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Statistical analysis was performed using R Bioconductor libraries. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined using significance analysis of microarray (SAM). The functional annotation of the DEGs was performed with DAVID v6.8 (The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery).

Results

There are no genes over‐expressed simultaneously in both diseases. However, when crossing the list of under‐expressed genes for 45,X cells and the list of over‐expressed genes for 47,XXY cells, there are 16 common genes: SLC25A6, AKAP17A, ASMTL, KDM5C, KDM6A, ATRX, CSF2RA, DHRSX, CD99, ZBED1, EIF1AX, MVB12B, SMC1A, P2RY8, DOCK7, DDX3X, eight of which are involved in the regulation of gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms, regulation of splicing processes and protein synthesis.

Conclusion

Of the 16 identified as under‐expressed in 45,X cells and over‐expressed in 47,XXY cells, 14 are located in X chromosome and 2 in autosomal chromosome; 8 of these genes are involved in the regulation of gene expression: 5 genes are related to epigenetic mechanisms, 2 in regulation of splicing processes, and 1 in the protein synthesis process. Our results are limited by it being the product of a bioinformatic analysis from mRNA isolated from whole blood, this makes necessary further exploration of the relationships between these genes and Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome in the future.
Blow‐up for wave equation with the scale‐invariant damping and combined nonlinearities
Authors: Hamouda Makram , Hamza Mohamed  Ali
Published: September 2020

In this article, we study the blow‐up of the damped wave equation in the scale‐invariant case and in the presence of two nonlinearities. More precisely, we consider the following equation:

with small initial data.

For
and μ ∈ (0, μ∗), where μ∗ > 0 is depending on the nonlinearties' powers and the space dimension (μ∗ satisfies
), we prove that the wave equation, in this case, behaves like the one without dissipation (μ = 0). Our result completes the previous studies in the case where the dissipation is given by
, where, contrary to what we obtain in the present work, the effect of the damping is not significant in the dynamics. Interestingly, in our case, the influence of the damping term
is important.
High energy LiDAR source for long distance, high resolution range imaging
Authors: Jiang Yewen , Yang Jiang , Li Peilin , Si Hanying , Fu Xing , Liu Qiang
Published: September 2020

High energy, high repetition rates laser with excellent beam quality are fundamental components for LiDAR. In particular, high pulse energy is benefit for long distance range imaging. Narrow pulse width and high repetition rates are benefit for high resolution and high refresh rate operation of LiDAR. However, increasing the laser repetition rates will cause the pulse energy decreasing and the pulse width expanding. In order to achieve the requirements at the same time, we propose a 885 nm laser diode end‐pumped RTP Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser. Pulse pumping scheme was used to avoid heat accumulation. With a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) system, 40.5 mJ, 7.5 ns of 1064 nm pulses were obtained at 2 kHz. The beam quality factor M2 was measured as 1.60/1.51. Moreover, by frequency doubling with a LBO crystal, 16.4 mJ, 6.5 ns of 532 nm laser with the M2 factor of 1.52 and 1.50 was obtained. The 1064 and 532 nm pulses are suitable for avalanche photodiode arrays LiDAR and streak tube imaging LiDAR, respectively. The laser system is shown to accomplish high stability from temperature of −10°C to 30°C and vibration frequency of 10 to 100 Hz.
Adaptive greedy algorithms based on parameter‐domain decomposition and reconstruction for the reduced basis method
Authors: Jiang Jiahua , Chen Yanlai
Published: September 2020

The reduced basis method (RBM) empowers repeated and rapid evaluation of parametrized partial differential equations through an offline–online decomposition, a.k.a. a learning‐execution process. A key feature of the method is a greedy algorithm repeatedly scanning the training set, a fine discretization of the parameter domain, to identify the next dimension of the parameter‐induced solution manifold along which we expand the surrogate solution space. Although successfully applied to problems with fairly high parametric dimensions, the challenge is that this scanning cost dominates the offline cost due to it being proportional to the cardinality of the training set which is exponential with respect to the parameter dimension. In this work, we review three recent attempts in effectively delaying this curse of dimensionality, and propose two new hybrid strategies through successive refinement and multilevel maximization of the error estimate over the training set. All five offline‐enhanced methods and the original greedy algorithm are tested and compared on two types of problems: the thermal block problem and the geometrically parameterized Helmholtz problem.
Weekday time in bed and obesity risk in adolescence
Authors: Danielsen Yngvild Sørebø , Pallesen Ståle , Sivertsen Børge , Stormark Kjell Morten , Hysing Mari
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Sleep curtailment is associated with obesity in children, but few studies have investigated this relationship in a longitudinal sample of adolescents. The aim of the present study was to examine the longitudinal association between weekday time in bed (TIB) at age 10–13 and overweight at age 16–19.

Methods

Adolescents and their parents (N = 3025 families), participating in a longitudinal population‐based study, completed questionnaires assessing habitual bedtime and wake time on weekdays, weight and height, socioeconomic status (SES), internalizing mental health problems and disturbed eating. Two surveys were administered with a 6‐year interval (T1 and T2). A one‐way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed examining the association between TIB and weight category 6 years later, with SES, internalizing problems and disturbed eating at baseline entered as covariates. Hierarchical and logistic regression analyses were used to assess TIB at age 10–13 years to as a predictor of body mass index (BMI) standardized deviation scores (SDS) and overweight status at age 16–19 adjusting for the same confounders and baseline BMI.

Results

A linear inverse relationship between TIB at age 10–13 and BMI category at age 16–19 was demonstrated by the ANCOVA, p < 0.001. Shorter TIB was related to higher weight, but the effect size was small (partial eta squared = 0.01). When adjusting for the included baseline confounders in the hierarchical regression model TIB significantly predicted later BMI SDS (β = −0.039, p = 0.02). The adjusted logistic regression model showed that for each hour reduction of TIB at T1 the odds of being overweight/obese at T2 increased with a factor of 1.6.

Conclusion

Shorter TIB was found to be a significant, yet modest, independent predictor of later weight gain in adolescence. The findings implicate that establishing healthy sleep habits should be addressed in prevention and treatment strategies for adolescent obesity.
Enhanced tailored of thermal stability, optical and electrochemical properties of PANI matrix containing Al2O3 hybrid materials synthesized through in situ polymerization
Authors: Bekhti Mohamed Amine , Belardja Mohamed Sif eddine , Lafjah Mama , Chouli Faiza , Benyoucef Abdelghani
Published: September 2020

Hybrid materials based on Al2O3, modified with polyaniline have been obtained. Samples have been synthesized by chemical polymerization of aniline monomer with Al2O3 nanoparticles, the ammonium persulfate have been used as oxidizers. The resulting samples were fully characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV‐vis spectroscopies, which have shown that polymerizations have been carried out. Importantly, this work represents an efficacious way of setting the optical properties of the synthesized nanocomposites, obtained by adjusted the amounts of Al2O3 during polymerization, the analysis shows that the lowest evaluate of optical band gap is 2.88 eV for PANI@Al2O3 (4%) compared to PANI@Al2O3 (2%), and PANI@Al2O3 (6%) with 2.95 and 2.91 eV, respectively. Good electroactivity response where achieve two pairs oxidation/reduction with improved thermal stability for the synthesized hybrid materials have been observed.
An Indonesian model of well‐being: The integration of universal and cultural factors
Authors: Maulana Herdiyan , Khawaja Nigar , Obst Patricia
Published: September 2020

The current study examined a predictive model of both universal factors (socioeconomic, neuroticism, and extraversion) and culturally specific factors (sense of community, trust, and self‐construal) towards the well‐being of Indonesians. A nationally representative sample (N = 929) was recruited across the nation to complete a survey in either online or offline format. The survey contained a measure of well‐being as well as demographic, psychosocial, and cultural variables. Analysis via hierarchical multiple regression showed that both universal and cultural factors were associated with well‐being in this Indonesian sample. In particular, once the cultural factors were added to the model, there were changes in universal factor effects to well‐being. The finding of this study recognized the multidimensional model of well‐being and supports the importance of evaluating well‐being at the dimensional level to allow for an exploration of the nuanced relationship between distinct indicators and facets of well‐being. The theoretical implications of these results and future directions were also discussed in this study.
Review of epidemiological factors (other than maternal age) that determine the prevalence of common autosomal trisomies
Authors: Cuckle Howard , Benn Peter
Published: September 2020

The birth prevalence of each common autosomal trisomy (21, 18 and 13) increases with advancing maternal age and this is the most important epidemiological risk factor. Prevalence during pregnancy is also dependent on gestational age. Other factors claimed to influence prevalence include paternal age, ethnicity, family history, premature reproductive aging, parity, twinning, smoking, environmental exposures, maternal medical conditions, and predispositions. We review the evidence for these associations since they may provide insights into causal mechanisms. When investigating potential co‐factors it is important to adequately allow for maternal age and minimize its confounding contribution. This is well illustrated by reports of an inverse paternal age effect where there is strong correlation between parental ages. Gestational age at diagnosis, availability of prenatal screening, diagnostic testing, and elective termination of affected pregnancies and healthcare disparities also confound the studies on ethnicity, medical conditions, and predispositions or environmental factors. Data from twin zygosity studies demonstrate the importance of differences in fetal viability for affected pregnancies. We conclude that existing epidemiological evidence for most of the co‐factors discussed should currently be considered tenuous; history of Down syndrome, albeit biased, may be an exception. The co‐factors may yet provide clues to hitherto poorly understood causal pathways.
Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System Therapy with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Enhanced Clearance of Piperacillin in a Pediatric Patient and Led to Failure to Attain Pharmacodynamic Targets
Authors: Tang Girdwood Sonya , Arbough Trent , Dong Min , Mizuno Tomoyuki , Tang Peter , Vinks Alexander A. , Kaplan Jennifer
Published: September 2020

Molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS), an extracorporeal support device used in patients with liver failure, specifically removes albumin‐bound molecules, including antibiotics. Case reports in adult patients showed that MARS enhances the clearance of piperacillin. However, for those patients, pharmacodynamic targets were achieved when piperacillin/tazobactam was administered as extended infusions over 3–4 hours. In contrast, piperacillin/tazobactam is typically given as short intermittent infusions in children. No reports describe the effect of MARS on piperacillin pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamic target attainment in pediatric patients with liver failure. This case report describes the effects of MARS on piperacillin clearance and target attainment in a child with liver failure. It was noted that MARS, in conjunction with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), enhanced the clearance of piperacillin when compared with CRRT alone (6.4–7.4 L/hr vs 3.0 L/hr). Pharmacodynamic targets were not attained during MARS‐CRRT cycles with free piperacillin concentrations being above 64 µg/ml for < 50% of dosing intervals, the goal target. We performed simulation analysis to identify a dosing regimen to optimize target attainment. For this patient, doses 3 times what she received over 3‐hour extended infusions and an additional dose within 5 hours of cycle initiation would have led to target attainment throughout the MARS‐CRRT cycles.
Slippery liquid‐infused porous surface via thermally induced phase separation for enhanced corrosion protection
Authors: Hao Zhentao , Chen Chuchu , Shen Ting , Lu Jiaxing , Yang Hao‐Cheng , Li Weihua
Published: September 2020

Slippery liquid‐infused porous surface (SLIPS) is a rising star in corrosion protection owing to its outstanding corrosive medium resistance and self‐healing property. The large‐area and facile fabrication of SLIPS remains a challenge lying on the way of its practical application. Herein, we develop a novel SLIPS based on a porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) substrate fabricated by thermally induced phase separation. A sphere‐packing structure can be easily obtained by blade‐coating followed by cooling. The SLIPS exhibits an extremely low sliding angle of 5.8° so that it can resist the fouling of even the Chinese ink, ascribing to its slippery dynamic surface with low surface energy. We also evaluated the anti‐corrosion performance of the SLIPS and superhydrophobic PVDF coating by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning Kelvin probe technique (SKP), both of which exhibited enhanced corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution due to the physical oil and air barriers against the corrosive medium penetration. Nevertheless, the SLIPS coatings performed outstanding self‐healing properties because of the high fluidity of infused oil to recover the surface damages, and the self‐healing process was recorded by the SKP.
Obesity‐related asthma in children: A role for vitamin D
Authors: O'Sullivan Brian P. , James Laura , Majure Joseph M. , Bickel Scott , Phan Ly‐Thao , Serrano Gonzalez Monica , Staples Heather , Tam‐Williams Jade , Lang Jason , Snowden Jessica ,   the IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network
Published: September 2020

Excess adipose tissue predisposes to an enhanced inflammatory state and can contribute to the pathogenesis and severity of asthma. Vitamin D has anti‐inflammatory properties and low‐serum levels are seen in children with asthma and in children with obesity. Here we review the intersection of asthma, obesity, and hypovitaminosis D in children. Supplementation with vitamin D has been proposed as a simple, safe, and inexpensive adjunctive therapy in a number of disease states. However, little research has examined the pharmacokinetics of vitamin D and its therapeutic potential in children who suffer from obesity‐related asthma.
Pediatric lung imaging features of COVID‐19: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nino Gustavo , Zember Jonathan , Sanchez‐Jacob Ramon , Gutierrez Maria J. , Sharma Karun , Linguraru Marius George
Published: September 2020

Rationale

Pediatric COVID‐19 studies have been mostly restricted to case reports and small case series, which have prevented the identification of specific pediatric lung disease patterns in COVID‐19. The overarching goal of this systematic review and meta‐analysis is to provide the first comprehensive summary of the findings of published studies thus far describing COVID‐19 lung imaging data in the pediatric population.

Methods

A systematic literature search of PubMed was performed to identify studies assessing lung‐imaging features of COVID‐19 pediatric patients (0–18 years). A single‐arm meta‐analysis was conducted to obtain the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results

A total of 29 articles (n = 1026 children) based on chest computerized tomography (CT) images were included. The main results of this comprehensive analysis are as follows: (1) Over a third of pediatric patients with COVID‐19 (35.7%, 95% CI: 27.5%–44%) had normal chest CT scans and only 27.7% (95% CI: 19.9%–35.6%) had bilateral lesions. (2) The most typical pediatric chest CT findings of COVID‐19 were ground‐glass opacities (GGO) (37.2%, 95% CI: 29.3%–45%) and the presence of consolidations or pneumonic infiltrates (22.3%, 95% CI: 17.8%–26.9%). (3) The lung imaging findings in children with COVID‐19 were overall less frequent and less severe than in adult patients. (4) Typical lung imaging features of viral respiratory infections in the pediatric population such as increased perihilar markings and hyperinflation were not reported in children with COVID‐19.

Conclusion

Chest CT manifestations in children with COVID‐19 could potentially be used for early identification and prompt intervention in the pediatric population.
Serum ECP as a diagnostic marker for asthma in children less than 5 years: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Polavarapu Mounika , Klonoff‐Cohen Hillary
Published: September 2020

Background

Currently, there are no clear‐cut clinical or laboratory parameters to diagnose asthma in young children. Spirometry or the lung function tests cannot be reliably measured in children less than 5 years. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of serum eosinophilic cationic protein (sECP) in diagnosing asthma among children less than 5 years of age.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to identify studies investigating the role of sECP in diagnosing childhood asthma. The quality of each study was assessed using quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies 2 scale. A meta‐analysis was conducted using the RevMan 5.3 application.

Results

A total of eight studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the systematic review and five studies in the meta‐analysis. There was a degree of clinical heterogeneity between studies primarily related to the definition of asthma and the time of assessment of sECP levels. Pooled sensitivity was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66–0.88), pooled specificity was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.54–0.92), and the pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 14.73 (95% CI: 3.58–60.58).

Conclusion

Overall, this review found insufficient evidence to support the role of sECP levels in diagnosing early childhood asthma.
Nematicidal activity of teleocidin B4 isolated from Streptomyces sp. against pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Kang Min‐Kyoung , Kim Min‐Hee , Liu Min‐Jiao , Jin Chun Zhi , Park So Hee , Lee Jong Min , Kim Junheon , Park Dong‐Jin , Park Hae‐Ryong , Kim Young Ho , Kim Chang‐Jin
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is a plant disease that causes serious damage to pine trees. PWD occurs when the host plant is infected with pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. In this study, a compound with nematicidal activity was isolated from actinomycetes and its efficacy was investigated in vitro.

RESULT

We screened and selected Streptomyces sp. 680560, which had nematicidal activity against B. xylophilus. Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, it showed 99.93% similarity with Streptomyces blastmyceticus NRRB‐5480T. Furthermore, the active compound was isolated and identified as teleocidin B4. Teleocidin B4 at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 100 μM had low nematicidal activity after 24 and 36 h against adult and stage juveniles (J2) of B. xylophilus, but after 48 h nematicidal activity exceeded 95%. The rate of inhibition of egg hatching for Teleocidin B4 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μM was confirmed to be dose‐dependently inhibited after 48 h of treatment. Teleocidin B4 is not only toxic to hatched B. xylophilus, but also affects egg hatching.

CONCLUSION

This study was carried out to isolate actinomycete metabolites from pine tree endophytes from various natural environments for control of PWD. A compound with nematicidal activity was isolated from a selected strain and its structure was identified as teleocidin B4. The nematicidal effect of the isolated active substance, teleocidin B4, was confirmed. This is the first report of the effect of teleocidin B4 on B. xylophilus, suggesting its possibility as a PWD control agent. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Transition‐Metal‐Doped ScN for Spintronics Applications
Authors: Benissad Fares , Houari Abdesalem
Published: September 2020

Motivated by the ongoing interest in nitrides as materials for spintronics applications, the effects of doping with magnetic transition‐metal elements (T = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) on the electronic properties of semiconducting scandium nitride (ScN) are studied. Using density functional theory together with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and PBE0r hybrid functional (with different mixing of the exact exchange), two different doping amounts of 25% (Sc0.75T0.25N) and 10% (Sc0.9T0.1N) are investigated. This is done in comparison to the reference compound ScN with a strong focus on identifying candidates for half‐metallic or semiconducting ferromagnetic ground states. Within GGA, only Sc0.75T0.25N and Sc0.75Mn0.25N are found to be semiconducting and half‐metallic, respectively. The use of hybrid functional changes these findings drastically, where Sc0.75Fe(Co,Ni)0.25N becomes the half‐metal and Sc0.75Cr(Mn)0.25N the semiconductor. However, additional calculations assuming antiferromagnetic ordering reveal that Sc0.75T0.25N is the only compound of this series, which prefers an antiferromagnetic (and semiconducting) ground state. For the lower concentration, Sc0.9T0.1N, similar results are predicted, and all the doped nitrides are found to prefer ferromagnetic ground state over an antiferromagnetic one.
Analog ensemble data assimilation and a method for constructing analogs with variational autoencoders
Authors: Grooms Ian
Published: September 2020

It is proposed to use analogs of the forecast mean to generate an ensemble of perturbations for use in ensemble optimal interpolation (EnOI) or ensemble variational (EnVar) methods. A new method of constructing analogs using variational autoencoders (VAEs; a machine learning method) is proposed. The resulting analog methods using analogs from a catalog (AnEnOI), and using constructed analogs (cAnEnOI), are tested in the context of a multiscale Lorenz‐‘96 model, with standard EnOI and an ensemble square root filter for comparison. The use of analogs from a modestly‐sized catalog is shown to improve the performance of EnOI, with limited marginal improvements resulting from increases in the catalog size. The method using constructed analogs (cAnEnOI) is found to perform as well as a full ensemble square root filter, and to be robust over a wide range of tuning parameters.
Linear response of the indirect J‐coupling alternation to the energy gap of increasing π‐conjugated oligomers
Authors: Oliveira João P. C. , Rivelino Roberto
Published: September 2020

We have investigated the dependence of the electronic energy gap of organic conjugated oligomers on the J‐coupling alternation (JCA) parameter, derived from the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We exploit the systematic and concerted oscillations observed for the indirect spin‐spin coupling constants (SSCCs), between two adjacent 13C nuclei (1JCC), in the π‐conjugated systems. Hence, we define a scalar JCA parameter in terms of the differences of 1JCC, which is further analyzed as a function of the HOMO‐LUMO gaps (the energy difference between the frontier molecular orbitals), as well as other properties of the studied oligomers. Using an adequate exchange‐correlation density functional approach, we show that, for all systems considered here, that is, polyacetylene (PA), poly(para‐phenylene) (PPP), polypyrrole (PPy), and polythiophene (PTh), their calculated electronic energy gaps may exhibit a linear dependence on the JCA. Our results indicate that a single‐valued NMR‐based parameter properly renders the electronic features of highly conjugated oligomers, allowing us to compare the strengths of J‐couplings in different systems. The present description yields a way to capture both the bonding features and the electronic absorption of these systems provided by the SSCCs. The JCA gives evidence for the differences in the electronic structure of distinct classes of conjugated systems, such as PA, and those that can exhibit a quinoid character, such as PPP, PPy, and PTh.
Open versus robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy: A longitudinal comparison of 880 patients over 10 years
Authors: Zeuschner Philip , Greguletz Leonie , Meyer Irmengard , Linxweiler Johannes , Janssen Martin , Wagenpfeil Gudrun , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Siemer Stefan , Stöckle Michael , Saar Matthias
Published: September 2020

Background

Most comparisons between robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and open partial nephrectomy (OPN) indicate the superiority of RAPN, but the learning curve is often not considered.

Methods

All consecutive partial nephrectomies from the very first RAPN at a single tertiary referral centre (n = 818, 500 RAPN vs. 313 OPN) were retrospectively analyzed. Complications, success rates and surgical outcomes were compared. Inequalities between cohorts and the inherent learning curve were controlled by subgroup comparisons, regression analyses, and propensity score matching.

Results

Overall, RAPN had fewer complications, less blood loss, and shorter length of stay. However, an inherent learning curve caused higher complications for the first 4 years. Thereafter, perioperative outcomes clearly favoured RAPN, even for more complex tumours.

Conclusions

In one of the largest monocentric cohorts over more than 10 years, RAPN was found to be superior to OPN. However, not all advantages of RAPN are immediate because a learning curve must be passed.
Transplantation in the era of the Covid‐19 pandemic: How should transplant patients and programs be handled?
Authors: NasrAllah Mohamed M. , Osman Noha A. , Elalfy Mahmoud , Malvezzi Paolo , Rostaing Lionel
Published: September 2020

Due to the Covid‐19 pandemic caused by SARS‐CoV‐2, transplant programs worldwide have been severely impacted with dwindling numbers of transplantations performed and a complete halt in several areas. In this review we examine whether SARS‐CoV‐2 infection presents differently in transplant recipients, whom and how we should test, how susceptible the transplant population is to overt infection and describe the range of outcomes. From retrieved published reports on SARS‐CoV‐2infections in 389solid organ transplant recipients reported in the literature, the overall mortality rate was 16.7% (n= 65); however for those with mild or moderate Covid‐19 disease this was 2.9% and 2.3% respectively; conversely, for those with severe infection the mortality rate was 52.2%.We then address questions regarding halting transplantation programs during this pandemic, whether all human tissues being considered for transplantation are capable of transmitting the infection, and if we should alter immunosuppressive medications during the pandemic.
O2 dissociative adsorption on the Cu‐, Ag‐, and W‐doped Al(111) surfaces from DFT computation
Authors: Qiao Yaxia , Xu Lingling , Zhang Hao , Luo Hongjian
Published: September 2020

The O2 adsorption and dissociation on M‐doped (M = Cu, Ag, W) Al(111) surface were studied by density functional theory. The adsorption energy of adsorbate, the average binding energy and surface energy of Al surface, and the doping energy of doping atom were calculated. All the doped atoms can be stably combined with Al atoms, while being slightly embedded in the surface to a certain depth. The TOP‐type surfaces are the most stable doped surfaces for O2 adsorption, which is related to the orbital hybridization between the adsorbate and the surface atoms, the electronegativity, and the orbital energy level of the doping atoms. Moreover, the O atoms and doping atoms contribute significantly to the density of states (DOS), especially the O‐p orbital electrons and the d orbital electrons of doping atoms. The degree of O2 dissociation is related to the doping atoms on Al surfaces, and the doping atoms actually resist the dissociation of O2. W atoms have the best resistance effect on the O2 dissociation as compared with Cu and Ag atoms, especially W‐1NN surface, which has both large barrier energy and reaction energy.
Carbon Dot Loaded Integrative CoFe2O4/g‐C3N4 P‐N Heterojunction: Direct Solar Light‐Driven Photocatalytic H2 Evolution and Organic Pollutant Degradation
Authors: Lallimathi Mathiazhagan , Kalisamy Periyathambi , Suryamathi Mathiazhagan , Alshahrani T. , Shkir Mohd. , Venkatachalam Munusamy , Palanivel Baskaran
Published: September 2020

In this report, the novel carbon dot (CD) loaded CoFe2O4/g‐C3N4 p‐n heterojunction for photocatalytic H2 evolution and tetracycline (TCN) degradation under sunlight irradiation has been proposed. The wet chemical method was used to prepare the photocatalysts. The heterojunction formation between the CoFe2O4 and g‐C3N4 facilitates to improve the solar light absorption ability which was confirmed by UV‐vis‐diffused reflectance spectroscopy. Moreover, the CD loading improves the charge carrier's separation. Comparison with the pure and binary nanocomposite photocatalysts, the CD loaded ternary heterojunction photocatalyst exhibits the greater photocatalytic performance with high H2 production (2715 μmol/g) and TCN degradation (95 %) under sun‐light irradiation. Moreover, the recycling process shows the excellent stability nature of ternary composite photocatalyst. The probable photocatalytic mechanism and the main active radicals for the degradation process were well defined with the help of elemental trapping experiment.
Development of Magnet‐Driven and Image‐Guided Degradable Microrobots for the Precise Delivery of Engineered Stem Cells for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Wei Tanyong , Liu Jiang , Li Dongfang , Chen Shuxun , Zhang Yachao , Li Junyang , Fan Lei , Guan Zhangyan , Lo Chung‐Mau , Wang Lidai , Man Kwan , Sun Dong
Published: September 2020

Precise delivery of therapeutic cells to the desired site in vivo is an emerging and promising cellular therapy in precision medicine. This paper presents the development of a magnet‐driven and image‐guided degradable microrobot that can precisely deliver engineered stem cells for orthotopic liver tumor treatment. The microrobot employs a burr‐like porous sphere structure and is made with a synthesized composite to fulfill degradability, mechanical strength, and magnetic actuation capability simultaneously. The cells can be spontaneously released from the microrobots on the basis of the optimized microrobot structure. The microrobot is actuated by a gradient magnetic field and guided by a unique photoacoustic imaging technology. In preclinical experiments on nude mice, microrobots carrying cells are injected via the portal vein and the released cells from the microrobots can inhibit the tumor growth greatly. This paper reveals for the first time of using degradable microrobots for precise delivery of therapeutic cells in vascular tissue and demonstrates its therapeutic effect in preclinical test.
Exchange Interactions Drive Supramolecular Chiral Induction in Polyaniline
Authors: Mishra Suryakant , Kumar Anup , Venkatesan Munuswamy , Pigani Laura , Pasquali Luca , Fontanesi Claudio
Published: September 2020

The focus of this paper is on the intermolecular interaction active between polyaniline (PANI) and 10‐camphorsulfonic acid (10CSA). Enantiopure 10CSA, present in the electropolymerization solution, promotes chiral induction in the supramolecular polyaniline polymer (cPANI). Tight integration of experimental data (circular dichroism, CD, near edge X‐ray absorption spectra, NEXAFS, conductive probe atomic force microscopy, CP‐AFM) and theoretical [density functional theory, (DFT)] results allows to unfold the nature of the electronic interaction between PANI and 10CSA and to shed light on the physical interactions inducing the chiral character to bulk pristine non‐chiral PANI: eventually yielding cPANI. The electropolymerization follows a “wet chemistry” method: electrochemical polymerization of aniline in the co‐presence in bulk solution of enantiopure 10‐camphorsulfonic acid (10CSA). The latter is exploited as chirality inductor. The method of integration between experimental results with ab‐initio theoretical calculations, strongly suggests that the chiral induction exerted by the CSA stems from exchange interaction between CSA and PANI.
Modeling and Analysis of Transformer DC Bias Current Caused by Metro Stray Current
Authors: Yu Kun , Ni Yanru , Zeng Xiangjun , Peng Ping , Fan Xinyu , Leng Yang
Published: September 2020

The metro stray current leaked during the subway operation causes the nearby earth surface potential to change, so that the various neutral‐grounded transformers to be at different earth surface potentials, resulting transformer DC bias. In order to analyze the influence of metro stray current on transformer DC bias, the polarization potential monitoring data in metro traction power supply system and neutral point current of nearby transformer were compared, and the positive correlation characteristics between the two were pointed out. By studying the stray current leakage reason in the metro traction power supply system and the circulation path causing transformer DC bias, the mechanism of the transformer DC bias under the subway operating environment was revealed. Based on the discrete model of the stray current distribution, considering the mechanism of stray current on DC bias, the equivalent resistance model of the transformer DC bias caused by metro stray current was built with double‐end power supply environment. Then the calculation formula of transformer neutral point current changing with subway operating conditions was derived, the numerical calculation of DC bias current of transformer caused by metro stray current was realized. The validity of the proposed model was verified by current distribution, electromagnetic field, grounding and soil structure analysis, the simulation results showed that the proposed model can calculate the stray current distribution and the nearby transformer DC bias current with high accuracy, which provided a quantitative analysis method for studying the correlation between metro stray current and transformer DC bias phenomenon. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.