bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital media in chemistry education: Developing professional skills in context of a school student laboratory
Authors: Martens Michael A. , Schwarzer Stefan
Published: January 2022

Laut den Bildungsstandards der KMK sowie den allgemeinen Bildungs‐ und Erziehungszielen der Lehr‐ und Bildungspläne der einzelnen Bundesländer sollen Schülerinnen und Schüler digitale Kompetenzen fächerübergreifend erwerben. Angehende Chemielehrkräfte müssen sich für die Vermittlung dieser Kompetenzen die dafür notwendigen Voraussetzungen und damit die Kompetenzen selbst erst aneignen. Im Unterrichtsfach Chemie ist dabei die Nutzung von digitalen Medien in chemischen Experimenten sowohl zur Messwerterfassung als auch zur Visualisierung des Übergangs von der makroskopischen zur submikroskopischen Ebene als Besonderheit zu berücksichtigen. Zur Vermittlung dieser digitalen Kompetenzen an angehende Chemielehrerinnen und ‐lehrer wurde ein Seminar konzipiert, bei dem sie im Schülerlabor LMUchemlab Schülerinnen und Schüler unter Einsatz von digitalen Medien beim Experimentieren betreuen und den Einsatz der digitalen Medien in den chemischen Experimenten anschließend reflektieren. Dazu wurde ein neues Schülerlaborprogramm mit fünf Experimentierstationen zu modernen Materialien und verschiedenen digitalen Medien entworfen. Dieser Artikel stellt die Experimentierstationen, die in den Experimenten eingesetzten digitalen Medien sowie deren didaktische Funktionen vor und zeigt auf, welche digitalen Kompetenzen die Studierenden im Verlauf des Seminars erwerben sollen.
A perspective for advancing climate prediction services in Brazil
Authors: Coelho Caio A. S. , Baker Jessica C. A. , Spracklen Dominick V. , Kubota Paulo Y. , de Souza Dayana C. , Guimarães Bruno S. , Figueroa Silvio N. , Bonatti José P. , Sampaio Gilvan , Klingaman Nicholas P. , Chevuturi Amulya , Woolnough Steven J. , Hart Neil , Zilli Marcia , Jones Chris D.
Published: January 2022

The Climate Science for Service Partnership Brazil (CSSP‐Brazil) project provides Brazil and UK partners the opportunity to address important challenges faced by the climate modeling community, including the need to develop subseasonal and seasonal prediction and climate projection services. This paper provides an overview of the climate modeling and prediction research conducted through CSSP‐Brazil within the context of a framework to advance climate prediction services in Brazil that includes a research‐to‐services (R2S) and a services‐to‐research (S2R) feedback pathway. The paper also highlights plans to advance scientific understanding and capability to produce beneficial climate knowledge and new products to improve climate prediction services to support decisions in various industries in Brazil. Policy‐relevant outcomes from climate modeling and prediction exercises illustrated in this paper include supporting stakeholders with climate information provided from weeks to months ahead for (a) improving water management strategies for human consumption, navigation, and agricultural and electricity production; (b) defining crop variety and calendars for food production; and (c) diversifying energy production with alternatives to hydropower.
Reducing severe cutaneous adverse and type B adverse drug reactions using pre‐stored human leukocyte antigen genotypes
Authors: Lee Kye Hwa , Kang Dong Yoon , Kim Hyun Hwa , Kim Yi Jun , Kim Hyo Jung , Kim Ju Han , Song Eun Young , Yun James , Kang Hye‐Ryun
Published: January 2022

Background

Several type B adverse drug reactions (ADRs), especially severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), are associated with particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes. However, pre‐stored HLA information obtained from other clinical workups has not been used to prevent ADRs. We aimed to simulate the preemptive use of pre‐stored HLA information in electronic medical records to evaluate whether this information can prevent ADRs.

Methods

We analyzed the incidence and the risk of ADRs for selected HLA alleles (HLA‐B*57:01, HLA‐B*58:01, HLA‐A*31:01, HLA‐B*15:02, HLA‐B*15:11, HLA‐B*13:01, HLA‐B*59:01, and HLA‐A*32:01) and seven drugs (abacavir, allopurinol, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, dapsone, methazolamide, and vancomycin) using pre‐stored HLA information of transplant patients based on the Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base guidelines and experts' consensus.

Results

Among 11,988 HLA‐tested transplant patients, 4092 (34.1%) had high‐risk HLA alleles, 4583 (38.2%) were prescribed risk drugs, and 580 (4.8%) experienced type B ADRs. Patients with HLA‐B*58:01 had a significantly higher incidence of type B ADR and SCARs associated with allopurinol use than that of patients without HLA‐B*58:01 (17.2% vs. 11.9%, odds ratio [OR] 1.53 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.09–2.13], p = 0.001, 2.3% versus 0.3%, OR 7.13 [95% CI 2.19–22.69], p < 0.001). Higher risks of type B ADR and SCARs were observed in patients taking carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine if they had one of HLA‐A*31:01, HLA‐B*15:02, or HLA‐B*15:11 alleles. Vancomycin and dapsone use in HLA‐A*32:01 and HLA‐B*13:01 carriers, respectively, showed trends toward increased risk of type B ADRs.

Conclusion

Utilization of pre‐stored HLA data can prevent type B ADRs including SCARs by screening high‐risk patients.
Process‐Structure‐Formulation Interactions for Enhanced Sodium Ion Battery Development: A Review
Authors: Sawhney M. Anne , Wahid Malik , Muhkerjee Santanu , Griffin Rebecca , Roberts Alexander , Ogale Satishchandra , Baker Jenny
Published: January 2022

Before the viability of a cell formulation can be assessed for implementation in commercial sodium ion batteries, processes applied in cell production should be validated and optimized. This review summarizes the steps performed in constructing sodium ion (Na‐ion) cells at research scale, highlighting parameters and techniques that are likely to impact measured cycling performance. Consistent process‐structure‐performance links have been established for typical lithium‐ion (Li‐ion) cells, which can guide hypotheses to test in Na‐ion cells. Liquid electrolyte viscosity, sequence of mixing electrode slurries, rate of drying electrodes and cycling characteristics of formation were found critical to the reported capacity of laboratory cells. Based on the observed importance of processing to battery performance outcomes, the current focus on novel materials in Na‐ion research should be balanced with deeper investigation into mechanistic changes of cell components during and after production, to better inform future designs of these promising batteries.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Synthesis by Alcohol‐Gas‐Source Method Under Low Ethanol Pressure: Growth Temperature Dependence
Authors: Yamamoto Daiki , Karasawa Shusaku , Sharma Kamal Prasad , Saida Takahiro , Naritsuka Shigeya , Maruyama Takahiro
Published: January 2022

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are grown via an Ir‐catalyzed gas‐source‐type cold‐wall chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method under high vacuum. A nozzle injector is used to supply ethanol gas. The grown SWCNT surface shows a colored concentric morphology. This corresponds to the in‐plane distribution of SWCNT lengths, which is induced by in‐plane variations in the ethanol pressure. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to investigate the dependence of the SWCNT yield on the growth temperature and ethanol pressure. The ethanol pressure that gives the highest SWCNT yield decreases with decreasing growth temperature. Optimization of the ethanol pressure enables SWCNT growth between 500 °C and 800 °C, and vertically aligned SWCNTs are grown at 700 °C and 800 °C. The SWCNT diameters are small at all growth temperatures, namely less than 0.9 nm for growth at 500 °C and 600 °C, and less than 1.0 nm for growth at 700 °C and 800 °C. The estimated activation energy for SWCNT growth with an Ir catalyst is 0.97 eV, which is much smaller than that with a Co catalyst.
Regional heritability mapping and genome‐wide association identify loci for rice traits
Authors: Suela Matheus M. , Azevedo Camila F. , Nascimento Moysés , Nascimento Ana Carolina C. , de Resende Marcos Deon V.
Published: January 2022

Although genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) based on single‐marker analysis have been widely applied in plant breeding programs, the effectivity of the methodology is still undermined by high false‐positive rates and the limited power to detect associations. Bayesian methods, which estimate marker effects simultaneously, proved to be efficient, indicating genes with important effects. Regional heritability mapping (RHM), on the other hand, determines the genome region (group of markers) associated with the phenotype, considers population structure and familial relatedness, and is more powerful to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) and reduced false‐positive rates than single‐marker methodologies. A single‐marker mixed model (SM‐MM) Bayesian approach and RHM were used for 11 traits in 413 rice (Oryza sativa L.) accessions genotyped for 44,100 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Using RHM in regions of 0.21 and 0.69 Mb, respectively, detected five and seven associated regions with 163 and 569 SNPs. Bayesian method with regions of 0.21 and 0.69 Mb detected regions for all traits, whereas SM‐MM detected four single SNP–trait associations. For the 11 traits, RHM explained approximately 25–40 and 25–76% using genome regions of 0.21 and 0.69 Mb, respectively, and SM‐MM using single markers explained 1–7% of the genomic heritability. Regional heritability mapping was more effective than SM‐MM in capturing major proportions of genomic heritability. The regions found in this study were within or close to the QTL noted in the Q‐TARO and Gramene QTL databases.
A proposal to improve gene expression analysis
Authors: Kerachian Mohammad Amin , Azghandi Marjan , Thiery Jean Paul
Published: January 2022

Gene expression profiling is commonly used to define molecular subtypes in cancers and gene sets can be identified as prognostic indicators or as potential biomarkers. Reverse transcription‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction is commonly used to measure relative changes in gene transcript messenger RNA levels. However, given target gene expression levels are inconstantly reported in the literature. The variable quantification of the gene expression level could be affected by intra/intergenic noncoding RNAs. To overcome this problem, we suggest the analysis be performed using at least two sets of primers, which are designed in two different regions of the target gene.
Long‐term nitrogen enrichment mediates the effects of nitrogen supply and co‐inoculation on a viral pathogen
Authors: Easterday Casey A. , Kendig Amy E. , Lacroix Christelle , Seabloom Eric W. , Borer Elizabeth T.
Published: January 2022

Host nutrient supply can mediate host–pathogen and pathogen–pathogen interactions. In terrestrial systems, plant nutrient supply is mediated by soil microbes, suggesting a potential role of soil microbes in plant diseases beyond soil‐borne pathogens and induced plant defenses. Long‐term nitrogen (N) enrichment can shift pathogenic and nonpathogenic soil microbial community composition and function, but it is unclear if these shifts affect plant–pathogen and pathogen–pathogen interactions. In a growth chamber experiment, we tested the effect of long‐term N enrichment on infection by Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV‐PAV) and Cereal Yellow Dwarf Virus (CYDV‐RPV), aphid‐vectored RNA viruses, in a grass host. We inoculated sterilized growing medium with soil collected from a long‐term N enrichment experiment (ambient, low, and high N soil treatments) to isolate effects mediated by the soil microbial community. We crossed soil treatments with a N supply treatment (low, high) and virus inoculation treatment (mock‐, singly‐, and co‐inoculated) to evaluate the effects of long‐term N enrichment on plant–pathogen and pathogen–pathogen interactions, as mediated by N availability. We measured the proportion of plants infected (i.e., incidence), plant biomass, and leaf chlorophyll content. BYDV‐PAV incidence (0.96) declined with low N soil (to 0.46), high N supply (to 0.61), and co‐inoculation (to 0.32). Low N soil mediated the effect of N supply on BYDV‐PAV: instead of N supply reducing BYDV‐PAV incidence, the incidence increased. Additionally, ambient and low N soil ameliorated the negative effect of co‐inoculation on BYDV‐PAV incidence. BYDV‐PAV infection only reduced chlorophyll when plants were grown with low N supply and ambient N soil. There were no significant effects of long‐term N soil on CYDV‐RPV incidence. Soil inoculant with different levels of long‐term N enrichment had different effects on host–pathogen and pathogen–pathogen interactions, suggesting that shifts in soil microbial communities with long‐term N enrichment may mediate disease dynamics.
Why flowers close at noon? A case study of an alpine species Gentianopsis paludosa (Gentianaceae)
Authors: Hou Qinzheng , Zhao Xiang , Pang Xia , Duan Meiling , Ehmet Nurbiye , Shao Wenjuan , Sun Kun
Published: January 2022

Repeatable floral closure with diurnal rhythms, that is, flower opening in the morning and closing in the evening, was widely reported. However, the rhythm of flower opening in the morning but closing in the midday received much less attention. Gentianopsis paludosa, Gentianaceae, has an obvious petal movement rhythm opening in the morning and closing at noon at northeast of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we examined the effects of temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), and illumination intensity (II) on G. paludosa's flower closure. Furthermore, we monitored the environmental changes inside and outside of the flowers, aiming to test the effect of floral closure on the stability of microenvironment inside the flower. Finally, we artificially interrupted temporal petal closure and investigated its effects on reproductive fitness. The results showed that high/low temperature contributed more to the flower closure than low RH, while illumination intensity had no significant effect on it. The medium temperature, relative humidity and illumination intensity (environmental conditions at 10:00) did not delay flower closure when flowers at pre‐closing period or stimulate reopen when flowers full closed. Floral closure provided a stable temperature condition and a higher RH condition inside the flower. Meanwhile, compulsive opening and delayed closure of flowers decreased the seed‐set ratio while no effect was found when flowers were forced to close. We conclude that endogenous rhythm regulates floral closure. The rhythm of petal movement providing a stable microenvironment for G. paludosa, increasing the seed production and saving energy from flower opening maintenance, which might be an adaptive strategy to against unfavorable environmental conditions.
Development of species‐specific multiplex real‐time PCR assays for tracing the small pelagic fishes of North Pacific with environmental DNA
Authors: Wong Marty Kwok‐Shing , Nobata Shigenori , Ito Shin‐ichi , Hyodo Susumu
Published: January 2022

Environmental DNA (eDNA) has become a popular non‐invasive method to study the presence of organisms in the environment. To study the ecological behavior and migration routes of small pelagic fishes that are difficult to trace with traditional capturing methods, we developed multiplex real‐time PCR assays to measure the eDNA of chub mackerel, blue mackerel, Japanese jack mackerel, Japanese anchovy, Japanese sardine, and Pacific saury. To test the validity, eDNA samples collected from the water near fisherman set nets in Northeast Japan between 2018 and 2019 were analyzed. Warm‐climate species including blue mackerel, jack mackerel, and anchovy were prominent in autumn, while cold‐climate species such as chub mackerel and sardine were richly present in winter. Pacific saury is an off‐coast species and was not detected in the coastal set net area. The eDNA data were partially correlated to the fishery catch records, suggesting that the eDNA quantities are relevant to the biomass of the fish schools, and our PCR assays can quantify the biological traces left by the small pelagic fish schools. Different patterns of eDNA occurrence were observed between the chub and blue mackerels, indicating that the specificity of the multiplex assay is applicable to field samples to measure the presence of the two closely related species separately. The methods are useful to evaluate the eDNA samples collected from the open water in the North Pacific to elucidate the life cycles and monitor the sustainability of the small pelagic fishes, which not only are important food sources, but also carry a role in the Japanese food culture.
Susceptibility to infections and adaptive immunity in adults with heart failure
Authors: Salzer Ulrich , Müller Alisa , Zhou Qian , Nieters Alexandra , Grundmann Sebastian , Wehr Claudia
Published: January 2022

Aims

Heart failure (HF) is a systemic inflammatory disorder with infections being an important cause of morbidity and mortality. We asked if HF patients have a higher susceptibility to infections compared with the general population and if a subtle secondary immunodeficiency facilitates infectious complications.

Methods and results

In a cohort of 92 patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction, we analysed recirculating lymphocyte subpopulations, serum immunoglobulin levels, and specific antibody titres against pneumococcal antigens. We quantified susceptibility to infections of the respiratory tract with a validated questionnaire and compared it to the general population. Susceptibility to infections of the respiratory tract was comparable in HF patients and the general population. Hypogammaglobulinaemia was present in 16% of HF patients, but anti‐pneumococcal titres showed no evidence of specific secondary antibody deficiency. Relative lymphopaenia in our HF cohort was due to B lymphocytopenia with a relative reduction in naive B‐cells and expansion of memory B‐cells while CD4+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes as well as NK‐cell counts were comparable between HF and healthy donors. The intake of the angiotensin receptor neprilysin (CD10) inhibitor (ARNI) sacubitril/valsartan was associated with increased B‐lymphocyte counts, possibly by an increased output of CD10+ transitional B lymphocytes from the bone marrow.

Conclusion

Despite a reduction of B lymphocytes in HF and mild hypogammaglobulinaemia, patients showed no evidence of secondary immunodeficiency or increased susceptibility to infections. The relevance of B‐cell lymphopenia in HF patients and modulation of B‐cell counts under ARNI treatment remains to be investigated.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Reduction of U(VI) on SrTiO3/ g‐C3N4Composites : Synergistic Interaction
Authors: Mei Peng , Xiao Jingting , Huang Xinshui , Ishag Ahadi , Sun Yubing
Published: January 2022

Perovskite‐based composites have been widely investigated in photocatalysis due to their narrow bandgap width and high separation efficiency of photogenerated charges. Herein, the novel perovskite/carbon nitride heterojunction (SrTiO3/g‐C3N4) was synthesized by a simple calcination method and then was applied in the photocatalytic reduction of U(VI) from aqueous solutions. The characterizations indicated that incorporation of SrTiO3increased the charge separation efficiency and light absorption range, while it decreased electron‐hole recombination. Specifically, the SrTiO3/g‐C3N4composite exhibited the high U(VI) removal rate (100 % in 15 min), high selectivity (88 % U(VI) from seawater within 15 min), chemical stability, and excellent regeneration performance due to the improved electron utilization efficiency. Electrons play an important role in U(VI) photocatalytic reduction according to quenching experiments, XPS, and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis. These findings are crucial for the application of perovskite‐based composites in the actual environmental cleanup under visible‐light to improve solar energy utilization.
Synthetic Modifications of the Linkage Region of Proteoglycans and Impact on CSGalNAcT‐1
Authors: Ayela Benjamin , Heis Floriane , Poisson Thomas , Pannecoucke Xavier , Fournel‐Gigleux Sylvie , Gulberti Sandrine , Lopin‐Bon Chrystel
Published: January 2022

We herein report for the first time a multi‐step synthesis of a library of disaccharides and trisaccharides of the linkage region of proteoglycans (PGs) having a d‐galactose modified at position C‐2, C‐4 or C‐6 by replacing the hydroxyl group by methoxy or deoxy moieties. Efficient radical dehalogenation, Barton‐McCombie reaction, O‐methylation and stereoselective glycosylation are described. We also report preliminary results of the effect of these modifications upon the activity of recombinant chondroitin sulfate N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase‐1 (CSGalNAcT‐1), an enzyme involved at the bifurcation step of the biosynthesis of PGs.
Synthesis of Non‐precious N‐doped Mesoporous Fe3O4/CoO@NC Materials towards Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction for Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Jiang Bolong , Lu Decheng , Jiang Nan , Jiang Hailin , Qi Lihua , Shi Shunjie , Cui Yanyan , Tan Weiqiang
Published: January 2022

N‐doped transition metal oxides are strategic materials towards the efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Non‐precious N‐doped Fe3O4/CoO@NC−T (T represents carbonization temperature) catalysts are prepared by an efficient two‐step strategy for ORR. Fe3O4/CoO@NC‐750 exhibits the best performance with an efficient four‐electron transfer pathway. The optimal power density of MFCs by using Fe3O4/CoO@NC‐750 as the cathode catalyst (1243.4 mW ⋅ m−2) is superior to that of the MFCs with commercial Pt/C catalyst (1080 mW ⋅ m−2), which shows an outstanding activity towards ORR. No significant decrease in output voltage results over 70 days, which shows an excellent electrochemical stability.
A novel approach for enumeration of extracellular vesicles from crude and purified cell culture samples
Authors: Kruse Thomas , Schneider Samuel , Reger Lucas Nik , Kampmann Markus , Reif Oscar‐Werner
Published: January 2022

The interest in extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been increased in recent years due to their potential application in diagnosis and therapy of severe diseases. The versatile fields of application due to the numerous possible cargos and the targeted delivery system make them a promising biopharmaceutical product. However, their broad size range as well as varied surface protein content result in challenges for the purification, characterization, and quantification. In this study a novel method, based on high‐resolution flow cytometry, was examined for the enumeration of EVs in purified as well as crude process samples. In addition to quantification, samples were characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurement, and analytical size exclusion chromatography. It has been demonstrated that EVs were successfully enumerated with the novel method, offering great benefits for development and monitoring of EV processes.
Experimental study on deformation and permeability enhancement of oil sand reservoir by hydraulic fracturing technique under true triaxial stress
Authors: Feng Kangwu , Yu Beichen , Zhang Dongming
Published: January 2022

Hydraulic fracturing technology is often applied to form a permeable zone for geothermal resources near the borehole in tight reservoirs to improve the permeability and extraction efficiency. Steam or hot water is often injected to dissolve the heavy oil to increase its fluidity during the extraction. As the numerical simulation or two‐dimensional physical experiments have great limitations to simulate hydraulic fracturing of oil sand reservoirs, this study conducted a large‐scale three‐dimensional physical simulation experimental study of hydraulic fracturing with high temperature of oil sand reservoir under true triaxial stress state and monitored the water pressure change at various points inside the box during the hydraulic fracturing by laying pressure sensors. The experimental results showed that the hydraulic breakdown pressure of oil sands increases with the increase in σ2, which is related to the increase in σ2 limiting the fracture growth and the decrease in effective stress during fluid injection. To better describe the breakdown pressure variation, we developed a new oil sand breakdown pressure prediction model considering the true triaxial stress condition, which showed a good prediction effect. Due to the formation of fluid hysteresis zone during the fracture expansion, the fluid pressure recorded by the internal pressure sensor lagged behind the injection pressure. Hydraulic fracturing produced shear fractures inside the oil sands under low σ2 conditions and tensile fractures under high σ2 conditions, and the permeability was significantly increased after hydraulic fracturing, in which the shear fractures formed under low σ2 showed a better permeability enhancement effect than the tensile fractures formed under high σ2. The research and analysis in this study can provide reasonable suggestions and feasibility analysis for the design and construction of heavy oil extraction.
Evaluation of IL‐6 for Stepwise Diagnosis of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Gairing Simon Johannes , Anders Julian , Kaps Leonard , Nagel Michael , Michel Maurice , Kremer Wolfgang Maximilian , Hilscher Max , Galle Peter Robert , Schattenberg Jörn M. , Wörns Marcus‐Alexander , Labenz Christian
Published: January 2022

Diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) requires psychometric testing, which is time‐consuming and often neglected in clinical practice. Elevated Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) serum levels have been linked to MHE. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of IL‐6 as a biomarker in a stepwise diagnostic algorithm to detect MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis. A total of 197 prospectively recruited patients without clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) served as the development cohort. Another independent cohort consisting of 52 patients served for validation purposes. Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) was applied for the diagnosis of MHE. Fifty (25.4%) patients of the development cohort presented with MHE. Median IL‐6 levels were more than twice as high in patients with MHE than in patients without HE (16 vs. 7 pg/mL; P < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, higher IL‐6 levels (odds ratio 1.036; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009‐1.064; P = 0.008) remained independently associated with the presence of MHE. IL‐6 levels ≥ 8pg/mL discriminated best between patients with and without MHE in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (area under the ROC 0.751). With a cutoff value of ≥7 pg/mL, further elaborate testing with PHES could be avoided in 38% of all patients with a sensitivity of 90% (95% CI 77%‐96%) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 93% (95% CI 84%‐98%). This diagnostic accuracy was confirmed in the validation cohort (sensitivity 94%; NPV 93%). Conclusion: Using IL‐6 serum levels as a biomarker in a stepwise diagnostic algorithm to detect MHE could substantially reduce the number of patients requiring testing with PHES and in turn the workload. IL‐6 may have especially helped in patients who are unable to perform other screening tests.
Combination therapy with radiation and hyperthermia‐induced clinical complete response of small cell carcinoma of prostate
Authors: Kawai Noriyasu , Nagai Takashi , Naiki‐Ito Aya , Iida Keitaro , Etani Toshiki , Naiki Taku , Hamamoto Shuzo , Okada Atsushi , Murai Taro , Yasui Takahiro
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Small cell carcinoma of the prostate has a poor prognosis even with standard systemic chemotherapy. We report a case, in which combination therapy with radiation and hyperthermia‐induced clinical complete response.

Case presentation

An 87‐year‐old man complaining of dysuria was referred to our hospital. Based on magnetic resonance imaging findings and a history of prostate cancer, a prostate biopsy was performed, and small cell carcinoma of the prostate was diagnosed. Whole‐pelvis radiation therapy was administered with an additional dose to the prostate; eight cycles of hyperthermia treatment (8 MHz radiofrequency capacitive regional hyperthermia) were administered concurrently. Normalized neuron‐specific enolase levels and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a complete response. A few cancer cells were seen in the post‐treatment biopsy specimen, which demonstrated positive immunostaining for heat shock protein 70 and HIKESHI.

Conclusion

In this case, small cell carcinoma of the prostate was effectively treated with combined radiation and hyperthermia therapy.
Predictors of well‐being during the COVID‐19 pandemic: The importance of financial satisfaction and neuroticism
Authors: Ng Weiting , Kang Soon‐Hock
Published: January 2022

Current research suggests that the COVID‐19 pandemic adversely impacts well‐being. This study examined how subjective well‐being (SWB) and psychological well‐being (PWB) in Singapore were affected during the pandemic, and the factors that were important to SWB. A representative sample of 999 respondents completed an online survey during the pandemic in August 2020 (after a lockdown was lifted). Two hundred and thirty‐two respondents completed the follow‐up Wave 2 survey 4 months later. Analyses showed that SWB and PWB during the pandemic were significantly lower than the prepandemic period. However, by Wave 2, well‐being levels recovered to levels similar to those observed in the prepandemic period. Regression analyses showed that previously established key determinants of SWB were still important predictors during the pandemic. Specifically, neuroticism and financial satisfaction were strongly associated with all three major SWB components. PWB, particularly in terms of meeting one's psychological needs for autonomy and mastery, was also closely related to SWB. The importance of financial satisfaction suggests that one avenue to buffer the detrimental effects of the pandemic on well‐being would be to formulate economic policies that can alleviate the pandemic's negative financial impact.
“From the World of Falsehood to the World of Truth”: Recovery and reflexivity in Clubs of Families with Alcohol‐related Problems in Crete
Authors: Vavvos Andreas , Tzanakis Manolis , Triliva Sofia
Published: January 2022

The potential for a critical realist community psychology in the Greek context is not yet apparent. In this article, we present the results of a qualitative study that adheres to critical realism and community psychology principles. The study's focus is the lives of members of the 12 Clubs of Families with Alcohol‐related Problems (CFAP) that operate on Crete. The empirical material was derived from fieldwork notes, minutes from CFAP weekly meetings, and interviews provided by 13 CFAP members. Participants conceptualized the path from alcohol addiction to sobriety as a transition from a world of falsehood and deceit (“fractured reflexivity”) to a world of truth and communalism (“communicative reflexivity”). The article argues that CFAP's “regime of truth” prioritizes communicative reflexivity as the desirable mode of reflexivity, while at the same time contributing to an ambivalent political stance towards the oppressive structural arrangements that promote addiction.
Advocating for equitable management of hereditary cancer syndromes
Authors: Caffrey Rikki Gaber
Published: January 2022

The potential for preventive medicine to lead to more equitable health outcomes exists with the inclusion of genetic testing in medicine. Because of the medical implications of genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes and the financial cost attached to recommended management, ensuring equitable access to cancer screening and prevention must be made a priority. For patients with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) syndrome, the benefits of early detection and prevention are clear, significant, and create the opportunity to provide more equitable, personalized, preventive healthcare. Thus, for genetics providers who offer testing access for their patients, it is important to reflect on the ethical responsibility of advocating for access to appropriate management. Cancer genetic counselors can advocate for health equity by providing thorough pre‐test genetic counseling, collaborating with other disciplines to coordinate care, lobbying state, and national representatives to pass legislation promoting health equity, and developing a management clinic that helps to ensure follow‐up. Equitable access to and benefit from hereditary cancer risk management must be achieved in the pursuit of personalized preventive medicine.
Post‐sequelae symptoms and comorbidities after COVID‐19
Authors: Duggal Priya , Penson Tristan , Manley Hannah N. , Vergara Candelaria , Munday Rebecca M. , Duchen Dylan , Linton Elizabeth A. , Zurn Amber , Keruly Jeanne C. , Mehta Shruti H. , Thomas David L.
Published: January 2022

The frequency, severity, and forms of symptoms months after coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) are poorly understood, especially in community settings. To better understand and characterize symptoms months after community‐based COVID‐19, a retrospective cohort analysis was conducted. Three hundred and twenty‐eight consecutive persons with a positive test for SARS‐CoV‐2 in the Johns Hopkins Health System, Maryland, March−May 2020, were selected for the study. Symptom occurrence and severity were measured through questionnaires. Of 328 persons evaluated, a median of 242 days (109−478 days) from the initial positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test, 33.2% reported not being fully recovered and 4.9% reported symptoms that constrained daily activities. Compared to those who reported being fully recovered, those with post‐acute sequelae were more likely to report a prior history of heart attack (p < 0.01). Among those reporting long‐term symptoms, men and women were equally represented (men = 34.8%, women = 34.6%), but only women reported symptoms that constrained daily activities, and 56% of them were caregivers. The types of new or persistent symptoms varied, and for many, included a deviation from prior COVID‐19 health, such as being less able to exercise, walk, concentrate, or breathe. A limitation is that self‐report of symptoms might be biased and/or caused by factors other than COVID‐19. Overall, even in a community setting, symptoms may persist months after COVID‐19 reducing daily activities including caring for dependents.
N protein‐based ultrasensitive SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody detection in seconds via 3D nanoprinted, microarchitected array electrodes
Authors: Ali Md. Azahar , Hu Chunshan , Zhang Fei , Jahan Sanjida , Yuan Bin , Saleh Mohammad S. , Gao Shou‐Jiang , Panat Rahul
Published: January 2022

Rapid detection of antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 is critical for COVID‐19 diagnostics, epidemiological research, and studies related to vaccine evaluation. It is known that the nucleocapsid (N) is the most abundant protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 and can serve as an excellent biomarker due to its strong immunogenicity. This paper reports a rapid and ultrasensitive 3D biosensor for quantification of COVID‐19 antibodies in seconds via electrochemical transduction. This sensor consists of an array of three‐dimensional micro‐length‐scale electrode architecture that is fabricated by aerosol jet 3D printing, which is an additive manufacturing technique. The micropillar array is coated with N proteins via an intermediate layer of nano‐graphene and is integrated into a microfluidic channel to complete an electrochemical cell that uses antibody‐antigen interaction to detect the antibodies to the N protein. Due to the structural innovation in the electrode geometry, the sensing is achieved in seconds, and the sensor shows an excellent limit of detection of 13 fm and an optimal detection range of 100 fm to 1 nm. Furthermore, the sensor can be regenerated at least 10 times, which reduces the cost per test. This work provides a powerful platform for rapid screening of antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 after infection or vaccination.
Efficacy of melatonin in the treatment of patients with COVID‐19: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lan Shao‐Huan , Lee Hong‐Zin , Chao Chien‐Ming , Chang Shen‐Peng , Lu Li‐Chin , Lai Chih‐Cheng
Published: January 2022

This study investigated the effect of melatonin on clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We searched PubMed, the Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Ovid MEDLINE, and Clinicaltrials.gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before September 11, 2021. Only RCTs that compared the clinical efficacy of melatonin with a placebo in the treatment of patients with COVID‐19 were included. The primary outcome measure was the clinical recovery rate. We included three RCTs in this meta‐analysis. Melatonin 3 mg three times daily was administered in one RCT, and 3 or 6 mg daily before bedtime in the other two trials. Treatment duration was 14 days in two RCTs and 7 days in one trial. The clinical recovery rates were 94.2% (81/86) and 82.4% (70/85) in the melatonin and control groups, respectively. Overall, patients receiving melatonin had a higher clinical recovery rate than did the controls (odds ratio [OR]: 3.67; 95% CI: 1.21−11.12; I2 = 0%, p = 0.02). The risk of intensive care unit admission was numerically lower in the melatonin group than in the control group (8.3% [6/72] vs. 17.6% [12/68], OR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.16−1.25; I2 = 0%, p = 0.13), and the risk of mortality was numerically lower in the melatonin group than in the control group (1.4% [1/72] vs. 4.4% [3/68], OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.03−3.18; I2 = 0%, p = 0.33). In conclusion, melatonin may help improve the clinical outcomes of patients with COVID‐19.
Aggregation of high‐frequency RBD mutations of SARS‐CoV‐2 with three VOCs did not cause significant antigenic drift
Authors: Li Tao , Cui Zhimin , Jia Yunfei , Liang Ziteng , Nie Jianhui , Zhang Li , Wang Meng , Li Qianqian , Wu Jiajing , Xu Nan , Liu Shuo , Li Xueli , An Yimeng , Han Pu , Zhang Mengyi , Li Yuhua , Qu Xiaowang , Wang Qihui , Huang Weijin , Wang Youchun
Published: January 2022

Variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 continue to emerge, posing great challenges in outbreak prevention and control. It is important to understand in advance the impact of possible variants of concern (VOCs) on infectivity and antigenicity. Here, we constructed one or more of the 15 high‐frequency naturally occurring amino acid changes in the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma variants. A single mutant of A520S, V367F, and S494P in the above three VOCs enhanced infectivity in ACE2‐overexpressing 293T cells of different species, LLC‐MK2 and Vero cells. Aggregation of multiple RBD mutations significantly reduces the infectivity of the possible three VOCs. Regarding neutralization, it is noteworthy that E484K, N501Y, K417N, and N439K predispose to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) protection failure in the 15 high‐frequency mutations. Most importantly, almost all possible VOCs (single RBD mutation or aggregation of multiple mutations) showed no more than a fourfold decrease in neutralizing activity with convalescent sera, vaccine sera, and immune sera of guinea pigs with different immunogens, and no significant antigenic drift was formed. In conclusion, our pseudovirus results could reduce the concern that the aggregation of multiple high‐frequency mutations in the RBD of the spike protein of the three VOCs would lead to severe antigenic drift, and this would provide value for vaccine development strategies.
Nontraditional Organic/Polymeric Luminogens with Red‐Shifted Fluorescence Emissions
Authors: Deng Junwen , Jia Haoyuan , Xie Wendi , Wu Hangrui , Li Jingyun , Wang Huiliang
Published: January 2022

Nontraditional organic/polymeric luminogens, which do not contain any conventional chromophores like large π‐conjugated benzene rings and/or heterocycles, have attracted rapidly growing attention owing to their importance in the fundamental understanding of photoluminescence mechanisms and potential practical applications. However, compared to traditional luminogens, most nontraditional luminogens (NTLs) emit fluorescence in the blue region, and only very limited NTLs with green, yellow, and red emissions have been reported. It is of great scientific and practical importance to develop NTLs with red‐shifted emissions and understand their mechanisms. This review first provides a brief overview of the types of NTLs based on heteroatoms in them, the luminescence mechanism and luminescent characteristics of NTLs, then summarizes recent progress in NTLs with red‐shifted emissions and the main strategies employed, i.e., introducing multiple nonconventional chromophores, introducing intra‐/intermolecular interactions to rigidify clusters, and introducing electron‐giving/withdrawing groups into molecules to lower the gap between the HOMO–LUMO energy levels. This review also provides the perspectives and outlook on future development of NTLs with red‐shifted emissions.
Psychedelic therapies continue to be seen as big trend in MH treatment
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2022

Research is revealing that psychedelics are showing promise as mental health treatment for depression and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychedelic therapies continue to be studied in clinical trials around the country.
North Dakota ramps up eligibility in change to Medicaid plan amendment
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: January 2022

North Dakota officials continue to make adjustments to the state's Medicaid behavioral health program, first implemented in a state plan amendment last February. The most recent changes to North Dakota's Medicaid 1915(i) state plan amendment include an eligibility score adjustment that should expand access to home‐ and community‐based services for a broader range of individuals with mental health needs.
Lawyers set to deliver settlement for MH underpayment claims
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2022

Following settlement of a class‐action lawsuit filed in 2017, in which plaintiffs challenged UnitedHealth's tiered reimbursement policy, Zuckerman Spaeder released an announcement last week that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York ordered final approval of the settlement that will provide relief for more than 110,000 mental health patients/insureds represented by the firm.
Pennsylvania bill seeks clinical research on psychedelics
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2022

Legislation to establish a foundation for clinical studies of psilocybin or mushrooms had been introduced in Pennsylvania last fall. The bill would fund clinical trials to address post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans and first responders.
AAPM Task Group Report 272: Comprehensive acceptance testing and evaluation of fluoroscopy imaging systems
Authors: Lin Pei‐Jan Paul , Goode Allen R. , Corwin Frank D. , Fisher Ryan F. , Balter Stephen , Wunderle Kevin A. , Schueler Beth A. , Kim Don‐Soo , Zhang Jie , Zhou Yifang (Jimmy) , Jenkins Peter A. , Mahmood Usman , Lin Teh , Zhao Hui , Park Mi‐Ae , Trianni Annalisa , Lendle Markus , Kuhls‐Gilcrist Andrew , Jans Jan C. , Desponds Lionel , Banasiak Gene , Backes Steve , Snyder Carl , Snyder Angela , Lu Minghui , Gonzalez Scott
Published: January 2022

Modern fluoroscopes used for image guidance have become quite complex. Adding to this complexity are the many regulatory and accreditation requirements that must be fulfilled during acceptance testing of a new unit. Further, some of these acceptance tests have pass/fail criteria, whereas others do not, making acceptance testing a subjective and time‐consuming task. The AAPM Task Group 272 Report spells out the details of tests that are required and gives visibility to some of the tests that while not yet required are recommended as good practice. The organization of the report begins with the most complicated fluoroscopes used in interventional radiology or cardiology and continues with general fluoroscopy and mobile C‐arms. Finally, the appendices of the report provide useful information, an example report form and topics that needed their own section due to the level of detail.
Deep learning‐based AI model for signet‐ring cell carcinoma diagnosis and chemotherapy response prediction in gastric cancer
Authors: Li Cong , Qin Yun , Zhang Wei‐Han , Jiang Hanyu , Song Bin , Bashir Mustafa R. , Xu Heng , Duan Ting , Fang Mengjie , Zhong Lianzhen , Meng Lingwei , Dong Di , Hu Zhenhua , Tian Jie , Hu Jian‐Kun
Published: January 2022

Purpose

We aimed to develop a noninvasive artificial intelligence (AI) model to diagnose signet‐ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of gastric cancer (GC) and identify patients with SRCC who could benefit from postoperative chemotherapy based on preoperative contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT).

Methods

A total of 855 GC patients with 855 single GCs were included, of which 249 patients were diagnosed as SRCC by histopathologic examinations. The AI model was generated with clinical, handcrafted radiomic, and deep learning features. Model diagnostic performance was measured by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity, while predictive performance was measured by Kaplan–Meier curves.

Results

In the test cohort (n = 257), the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of our AI model for diagnosing SRCC were 0.786 (95% CI: 0.721–0.845), 77.3%, and 69.2%, respectively. For the entire cohort, patients with AI‐predicted high risk had a significantly shorter median OS compared with those with low risk (median overall survival [OS], 38.8 vs. 64.2 months, p = 0.009). Importantly, in pathologically confirmed advanced SRCC patients, AI‐predicted high‐risk status was indicative of a shorter overall survival (median overall survival [OS], 31.0 vs. 54.4 months, p = 0.036) and marked chemotherapy resistance, whereas AI‐predicted low‐risk status had substantial chemotherapy benefit (median OS [without vs. with chemotherapy], 26.0 vs. not reached, p = 0.013).

Conclusions

The CT‐based AI model demonstrated good performance for diagnosing SRCC, stratifying patient prognosis, and predicting chemotherapy responses. Advanced SRCC patients with AI‐predicted low‐risk status may benefit substantially from adjuvant chemotherapy.