bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of post shelling storage environments on seed germination and vigor of peanut
Authors: Weaver Caleb C. , Monfort W. Scott , Grey Timothy L. , Pilon Cristiane , Tubbs R. Scott
Published: July 2021

Proper storage of peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.) seed is essential for maintaining viability to ensure adequate plant stands are achieved upon planting. Experiments conducted in Georgia from 2017 to 2018 evaluated cultivar by storage condition by sampling date effects on three peanut cultivars. The effects of varying environments, with respect to different temperatures and humidity, on peanut seed viability was evaluated when stored up to 72 d. Seed germination and vigor were assessed in petri dishes on a thermal gradient table with temperatures ranging from 10.2 to 33.2 °C and incubated for 7 d. Daily mean temperature data were used to calculate growing degree day (GDD) accumulation via thermocouples. Maximum germination rates (b0) and GDD values at 80% germination (Germ80) were quantified. Results indicated that germination and vigor varied by cultivar, storage environment, and sampling date with respect to GDDs required to reach Germ80 and maximum germination (b0). Storage environment treatments consisted of (a) 9–12 °C and 43–51% relative humidity (RH), (b) 18–27 °C and 42–54% RH, (c) 12–37 °C and 48–74% RH, and (d) 24–46 °C and 33–85% RH. Storage environments affected seed germination, where environments with large fluctuations in temperature and RH (12–37 °C, 48–74% RH and 24–46 °C, 33–85% RH) for up to 72 d resulted in decreased percentage germination (>20 points) and vigor (>5 GDDs). However, excellent seed germinationand vigor were sustained where storage temperatures were below 18 °C and RH was below 54%. Therefore, maintaining proper temperatures and RH is key to sustaining seed quality (germination and vigor) over time.
Alcohol does not increase in‐hospital mortality due to severe blunt trauma: an analysis of propensity score matching using the Japan Trauma Data Bank
Authors: Sasaki Kazuma , Obinata Hirofumi , Yokobori Shoji , Sakamoto Taigo
Published: July 2021

Aim

Alcohol‐related problems, including trauma, are a great burden on global health. Alcohol metabolism in the Japanese population is genetically inferior to other races. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of alcohol use among a Japanese severe blunt trauma cohort.

Methods

This retrospective observational study analyzed the data of trauma patients registered in the Japan Trauma Data Bank between 2004 and 2019. The primary outcome of this study was in‐hospital mortality. The lengths of hospital and intensive care unit stay were the secondary outcomes. Propensity score matching was used to adjust the anatomical severity and patient background to reduce the potential alcohol use bias.

Results

We analyzed 46,361 patients categorized into nondrinking (n = 37,818) and drinking (n = 8,543) groups. After a 1:1 propensity score matching (n = 8,428, respectively), despite the Glasgow Coma Scale and Revised Trauma Score scores being significantly lower in the drinking group (14 vs. 13 and 7.84 vs. 7.55, P < 0.001, respectively) and intensive care unit length of stay being significantly longer in the drinking group (6 vs. 7 days, P = 0.002), in‐hospital mortality was significantly lower in the alcohol group (11.8% vs. 9.0%, P < 0.001) and there were no differences in the duration of hospital stay (19 vs. 19 days, P = 0.848).

Conclusion

Despite increasing physiological severity on admission, after adjusting for anatomical severity, alcohol consumption could be beneficial in severe blunt trauma patients as regards in‐hospital mortality.
Spinal Fluid Myeloid Microvesicles Predict Disease Course in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Gelibter Stefano , Pisa Marco , Croese Tommaso , Finardi Annamaria , Mandelli Alessandra , Sangalli Francesca , Colombo Bruno , Martinelli Vittorio , Comi Giancarlo , Filippi Massimo , Furlan Roberto
Published: July 2021

Objective

In vivo measures of myeloid activity are promising biomarkers in multiple sclerosis. We previously demonstrated that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) myeloid microvesicles are markers of microglial/macrophage activity and neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis. Here, we aimed at investigating the diagnostic and prognostic value of myeloid microvesicles in a clinical setting.

Methods

Six hundred one patients discharged with a diagnosis of neuroinflammatory, neurodegenerative, or no neurological disease were enrolled. Myeloid microvesicles were measured with flow cytometry as isolectin B4–positive events in fresh CSF. Clinical, demographical, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were collected at diagnosis (all patients) and during follow‐up (n = 176).

Results

CSF myeloid microvesicles were elevated in neuroinflammatory patients compared to the neurodegenerative and control groups. In multiple sclerosis, microvesicles were higher in patients with MRI disease activity and their concentration increased along with the number of enhancing lesions (p < 0.0001, Jonckheere–Terpstra test). CSF myeloid microvesicles were also higher in patients with higher disease activity in the month and year preceding diagnosis. Microvesicles excellently discriminated between the relapsing–remitting and control groups (receiver operator characteristic curve, area under the curve = 0.939, p < 0.0001) and between radiologically isolated syndrome and unspecific brain lesions (0.942, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, microvesicles were independent predictors of prognosis for both the relapsing–remitting and progressive groups. Microvesicles independently predicted future disease activity in relapsing–remitting patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.967, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.147–3.372), correcting for prognostic factors of standard clinical use. In the progressive group, microvesicles were independent predictors of disability accrual (HR = 10.767, 95% CI = 1.335–86.812).

Interpretation

Our results confirm that CSF myeloid microvesicles are a clinically meaningful biomarker of neuroinflammation and microglial/macrophage activity in vivo. These findings may support a possible use in clinical practice during diagnostic workup and prognostic assessment. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:253–265
Ultrashort Pulse Generation in Nanolasers by Means of Lorenz–Haken Instabilities
Authors: Cerdán Luis
Published: July 2021

Nearly half a century ago, the German physicist Hermann Haken proved that the laser dynamics could be described, under certain conditions, by the Lorenz equations, the paradigm of deterministic chaos. Unfortunately, its experimental realization has remained elusive for conventional laser materials and cavities mostly due to the extreme pumping conditions and the low cavity quality factors (“bad‐cavity condition”) required to achieve Lorenz–Haken (L‐H) self‐pulsing dynamics upon continuous wave excitation. In this paper, it is theoretically proved that dielectric and plasmonic nanolasers, that can naturally fulfill the bad‐cavity condition, may overcome the limitations of macroscopic cavities and make the observation of L‐H instabilities in visible‐IR solid‐state materials become a reality. Remarkably, the adequate choice of active material and cavity design enables the generation of trains of ultrashort pulses in the sub‐ps regime and with MHz–GHz repetition rates without the need of resorting to neither mode‐locking nor Q‐switching techniques. Thus, the results reported in this manuscript unveil a new paradigm in the generation of ultrashort pulses at the nanoscale.
Selectively Deoxyfluorinated N‐Acetyllactosamine Analogues as 19F NMR Probes to Study Carbohydrate‐Galectin Interactions
Authors: Kurfiřt Martin , Dračínský Martin , Červenková Šťastná Lucie , Cuřínová Petra , Hamala Vojtěch , Hovorková Michaela , Bojarová Pavla , Karban Jindřich
Published: July 2021

Galectins are widely expressed galactose‐binding lectins implied, for example, in immune regulation, metastatic spreading, and pathogen recognition. N‐Acetyllactosamine (Galβ1‐4GlcNAc, LacNAc) and its oligomeric or glycosylated forms are natural ligands of galectins. To probe substrate specificity and binding mode of galectins, we synthesized a complete series of six mono‐deoxyfluorinated analogues of LacNAc, in which each hydroxyl has been selectively replaced by fluorine while the anomeric position has been protected as methyl β‐glycoside. Initial evaluation of their binding to human galectin‐1 and ‐3 by ELISA and 19F NMR T2‐filter revealed that deoxyfluorination at C3, C4′ and C6′ completely abolished binding to galectin‐1 but very weak binding to galectin‐3 was still detectable. Moreover, deoxyfluorination of C2′ caused an approximately 8‐fold increase in the binding affinity towards galectin‐1, whereas binding to galectin‐3 was essentially not affected. Lipophilicity measurement revealed that deoxyfluorination at the Gal moiety affects log P very differently compared to deoxyfluorination at the GlcNAc moiety.
Systemic and local evidence for complement involvement in chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors: Alizadeh Aghdam Mehran , van den Elzen Mignon , van Os‐Medendorp Harmieke , van Dijk Marijke R. , Knol Edward F. , Knulst André C. , Röckmann Heike , Otten Henny G.
Published: July 2021

Background

The pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), including the mechanism of action of omalizumab, remain unclear. We hypothesized complement system involvement given the often fast clinical response induced by treatment, including omalizumab. Therefore, we assessed the role of various complement factors surrounding omalizumab treatment.

Methods

Thirty CSU patients (median age 42 [range 21–70]; 73 % female) with a median once daily Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7) score at baseline of 31.5 points were enrolled. Treatment consisted of six administrations of 300 mg omalizumab every 4 weeks succeeded by a follow‐up period of 12 weeks. Four punch skin biopsies were taken per patient; at baseline from lesional skin, at baseline from nonlesional skin, and after 1 and 7 days from formerly lesional skin. Complement activity, including C1q, C3, C3bc/C3, C4, C4bc/C4, C5a, and Membrane Attack Complex in peripheral blood were analyzed and complement activation in the skin was determined by the analysis of C4d deposition. Results were related to the clinical response to omalizumab.

Results

Fifteen patients showed a UAS7 score of 6 or lower (median 0) at Week 24, 15 patients did not (median 16). Lesional skin biopsies at baseline revealed complement deposition (C4d) in blood vessels in the papillary dermis of 53% (16/30) of the patients, which suggests involvement of immune complexes in the pathogenesis of urticaria. Moreover, indication of increased complement activation in CSU was substantiated by increased C5a levels in peripheral blood compared to healthy controls (p = 0.010). The clinical effect of omalizumab could not be linked to the variation of complement components.

Conclusions

Both C4d deposition in lesional skin and elevated C5a levels in peripheral blood indicate the involvement of complement activation in the pathogenesis of CSU. No correlation was found between omalizumab and activation of complement indicative of independent processes in the immunopathogenesis of CSU.
Implementing information and communication technology education on food allergy and anaphylaxis in the school setting
Authors: Poza‐Guedes Paloma , González‐Pérez Ruperto
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Every year, 1/10,000 children experiences a food‐anaphylactic reaction. Most of these events, including attack‐related deaths, may happen during the school hours. In the current study, we assessed the influence of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the school‐staff's education on food allergy and anaphylaxis (FAA).

Methods

The target population of this intervention was non‐university teaching centers from the local Regional Education Council, including both state and private institutions. The digital intervention was supported by the free‐of‐charge and open‐source learning‐management Aulatic Educational Platform. Structured questionnaires were developed to evaluate the educators' knowledge, feelings, and self‐efficacy on FAA, in addition to a satisfaction and quality survey of the training program.

Results

A total of 1748 school‐educators were virtually enrolled from May 2016 to June 2020 in one of the 8‐week course editions, with 80.6% of attendees successfully completing the full training. All scores concerning school‐staff's basic knowledge and self‐efficacy on FAA significantly improved after the educational intervention, reaching a high level of satisfaction among participants (98.5%) over the 4‐year educational program.

Conclusion

Our results highlighted the effectiveness of a focused e‐learning activity to improve teachers and school caretakers in the management of food allergic scholars and anaphylactic reactions during the school hours. The use of ICTs tools should become an integrated part of curricular frameworks in non‐university education, leading to a better care of FAA school children.
An Evidence‐Based Framework for Evaluating Pharmacogenomics Knowledge for Personalized Medicine
Authors: Whirl‐Carrillo Michelle , Huddart Rachel , Gong Li , Sangkuhl Katrin , Thorn Caroline F. , Whaley Ryan , Klein Teri E.
Published: July 2021

Clinical annotations are one of the most popular resources available on the Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB). Each clinical annotation summarizes the association between variant‐drug pairs, shows relevant findings from the curated literature, and is assigned a level of evidence (LOE) to indicate the strength of support for that association. Evidence from the pharmacogenomic literature is curated into PharmGKB as variant annotations, which can be used to create new clinical annotations or added to existing clinical annotations. This means that the same clinical annotation can be worked on by multiple curators over time. As more evidence is curated into PharmGKB, the task of maintaining consistency when assessing all the available evidence and assigning an LOE becomes increasingly difficult. To remedy this, a scoring system has been developed to automate LOE assignment to clinical annotations. Variant annotations are scored according to certain attributes, including study size, reported P value, and whether the variant annotation supports or fails to find an association. Clinical guidelines or US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved drug labels which give variant‐specific prescribing guidance are also scored. The scores of all annotations attached to a clinical annotation are summed together to give a total score for the clinical annotation, which is used to calculate an LOE. Overall, the system increases transparency, consistency, and reproducibility in LOE assignment to clinical annotations. In combination with increased standardization of how clinical annotations are written, use of this scoring system helps to ensure that PharmGKB clinical annotations continue to be a robust source of pharmacogenomic information.
Microbiological testing of clinical samples before and after periodontal treatment. A comparative methodological study between real‐time PCR and real‐time‐PCR associated to propidium monoazide
Authors: Sereti Maria , Zekeridou Alkisti , Cancela Jose , Mombelli Andrea , Giannopoulou Catherine
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The aim of the present methodological study was to evaluate the discrepancies in the detection of a number of periodontally involved pathogenic bacteria obtained from clinical samples by two methods: the quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and the qPCR combined with pre‐treatment by Propidium Monoazide (PMA).

Material and methods

Plaque and saliva samples were obtained from 30 subjects: 20 subjects with chronic or aggressive periodontitis in need of periodontal therapy with or without antibiotics and 10 subjects in Supportive Periodontal Treatment (SPT). The clinical samples taken before treatment (BL) and 1 month later (M1), were divided in two aliquots: one was immediately treated with PMA while the other was left untreated. All samples were further analyzed with qPCR after DNA extraction, for the detection of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Treponema denticola (Td), Parvimonas micra (Pm), and Prevotella intermedia (Pi).

Results

Large inter‐individual variations were observed in the concentration of the studied bacteria. At both instances (BL and M1) and for the three groups, significantly lower counts of bacteria were depicted when plaque and saliva samples were pre‐treated with PMA as compared to those without treatment. Treatment resulted in significant decreases in the number of bacteria, mainly in the plaque samples. However, these changes were almost similar in the three groups independently of the method of detection used (PMA‐qPCR vs. q‐PCR).

Conclusion

Removal of DNA from non‐viable cells with PMA treatment is an easily applied step added to the classical qPCR that could give accurate information on the presence of viable bacterial load and evaluate the response to periodontal treatment.
Marching toward “heart work”: Connecting in new ways to thrive amidst COVID‐19 crisis
Authors: Chakraborty Debarun , Biswas Wendrila , Dash Ganesh
Published: July 2021

With one of the greatest turmoil in the world of work that has wreaked havoc on companies small and large, the global pandemic COVID‐19 is penning a new normative. Amidst such disruptions, employees are found to be floundering with tears, boredom, annoyance, and helplessness. With unparalleled challenges and uncertain prognosis, employees are unable to rebuild their power and thrive in alternative circumstances. This calls for an active effort on the part of organizations to embrace openness and discuss vividly what needs to be preserved, created, eliminated, or accepted. Deeper ties and inclusive approach of firms can amp up an employee's self‐worth. The current study reflected the essence of connectedness and oneness at times of crisis. Organizations can play a pivotal role in helping employees rise above the feeling of despair. Connecting with heart can sweep off the feeling of instability, bringing in a stream of positive emotions and experiences. The study draws a cross‐sectional data (n = 418) from employees working in various manufacturing and service companies of India to test the hypothesized framework. We have carried out SEM analysis through AMOS to understand the combined measurement model with mediation effects. The analytical results demonstrate that positive mindset fully and partially mediates between the drivers of heart work and resilience. The study reveals that the contributing factors of heart work significantly influences positive mindset of employees, which in turn has a positive association with resilience at work. One of the triggers of heart work—“Face the fear, fix fast” is found to be a strong and consistent predictor of positive mindset. Again, “Generate energy moments” another element of heart work stands to be a sharp predictor of resilience at work. The study also discusses varied implications that can enrich managerial effectuality in this crisis condition.
Optimal design and application of fuzzy logic equipped control in STATCOM to abate SSR oscillations
Authors: Yousuf Viqar , Ahmad Aijaz
Published: July 2021

The phenomenon of subsynchronous resonance (SSR) is important to understand the operation and stability of the power system. The system becomes vulnerable to SSR oscillations due to series compensation that is unavoidable as it enhances transmission capability. So different alleviation measure is necessary, and this paper presents a novel control with the implementation of fuzzy logic control (FLC) and active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) for the abatement of SSR using a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM). This control can compensate for reactive power as well as alleviate SSR oscillations. Both the proposed controllers have the inherent capability to overcome the limitation of proportional and integral (PI) in a non‐linear framework. In the proposed control, the use of a phase‐locked loop is eliminated, thus providing a faster response. Thus, the proposed algorithm highly enhances the capability of STATCOM in controlling the level of series compensation, which results in a substantial reduction of the SSR oscillations. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, an IEEE second benchmark model is simulated. Furthermore, the dynamics of SSR are put forth through various analyses, such as, eigenvalue analysis, frequency scan, fast Fourier analysis, and time‐domain analysis, which helps to better understand the problem of SSR.
Analysis of rare coding variants in 200,000 exome‐sequenced subjects reveals novel genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Curtis David
Published: July 2021

Aims

The study aimed to elucidate the effects of rare genetic variants on the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Materials and methods

Weighted burden analysis of rare variants was applied to a sample of 200,000 exome‐sequenced participants in the UK Biobank project, of whom over 13,000 were identified as having T2D. Variant weights were allocated based on allele frequency and predicted effect, as informed by a previous analysis of hyperlipidaemia.

Results

There was an exome‐wide significant increased burden of rare, functional variants in three genes, GCK, HNF4A and GIGYF1. GIGYF1 has not previously been identified as a diabetes risk gene and its product appears to be involved in the modification of insulin signalling. A number of other genes did not attain exome‐wide significance but were highly ranked and potentially of interest, including ALAD, PPARG, GYG1 and GHRL. Loss of function (LOF) variants were associated with T2D in GCK and GIGYF1 whereas nonsynonymous variants annotated as probably damaging were associated in GCK and HNF4A. Overall, fewer than 1% of T2D cases carried one of these variants. In HNF1A and HNF1B there was an excess of LOF variants among cases but the small numbers of these fell short of statistical significance.

Conclusions

Rare genetic variants make an identifiable contribution to T2D in a small number of cases but these may provide valuable insights into disease mechanisms. As larger samples become available it is likely that additional genetic factors will be identified.
Circular RNA_0001946 is insufficiently expressed in tumor tissues, while its higher expression correlates with less lymph node metastasis, lower TNM stage, and improved prognosis in NSCLC patients
Authors: Zhang Minghua , Wen Fangjing , Zhao Ke
Published: July 2021

Objective

Circular RNA_0001946 (circ_0001946) inhibits tumor progression but promotes chemosensitivity in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, its correlation with tumor features and prognosis in NSCLC patients is still unclear; therefore, this study aimed to investigate these issues.

Methods

A total of 284 NSCLC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Circ_0001946 expression in tumor (n = 284) and adjacent (n = 125) tissues was detected by the reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Meanwhile, patients’ clinical characteristics, recurrence, and survival data were extracted from the electrical database.

Results

Circ_0001946 expression in adjacent tissues was over 3‐folds as that in tumor tissues (P < .001). Meanwhile, higher tumor circ_0001946 expression was correlated with less lymph node metastasis (P < .001) and decreased TNM stage (P = .001), but did not correlate with other clinicopathological features. Moreover, higher tumor circ_0001946 expression was associated with prolonged disease‐free survival (DFS) (P < .001) and overall survival (OS) (P < .001), respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed that higher tumor circ_0001946 was correlated with improved DFS in patients with TNM stage I, II, or III, respectively (all P < .05), while only correlated with prolonged OS in patients with TNM stage III (P = .037), but not in patients with TNM stage I or II. Further multivariate Cox's proportional hazard regression analyses suggested that higher tumor circ_0001946 expression could independently predict improved DFS (P < .001, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.719) and OS (P < .001, HR = 0.746), respectively.

Conclusion

Circ_0001946 is insufficiently expressed in tumor tissues, whereas its higher expression correlates with less lymph node metastasis, reduced TNM stage, and improved prognosis in NSCLC patients.
L‐proline modified inactivated lipase and its immobilization on cellulose‐based material: stability and enantioselectivity
Authors: Ozyilmaz Elif , Caglar Ozge , Yilmaz Mustafa
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Chemical modification is a simple, low cost, very fast and easy production that has no limits as to the nature of the groups introduced into the enzymes. Chemical modification may be directed to improve enzyme stability, as well as selectivity, specificity, and activity.

RESULTS

Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) was immobilized onto a cellulose‐based support. The native, inactivated, and immobilized lipases were modified by the reaction of L‐proline (Prl) in the presence of coupling reagent (EDC). The catalytic properties of the modified lipases were evaluated by hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenylpalmitate and the enantioselective hydrolysis of racemic naproxen methyl ester. It was observed that by chemical modification with proline, the hydrolytic activities of native, inactivated, and immobilized lipases increased 2.4, 11.0, and 2.2‐fold, respectively. The immobilized lipase retained 64% of its activity after 120 min at 60 °C, while immobilized L‐proline modified lipase was found to retain 72%. It was also found that the immobilized inactivated lipase kept 44% of its activity at 60 °C for 2 h, while the immobilized L‐proline modified inactivated lipase retained their activity at 65%. In addition, the attained results of the best enantioselectivity of CRL‐Prl exhibited a 2.2‐fold improvement compared to the native enzyme.

CONCLUSION

The method is simple, cost‐effective, very fast, and it can obtain stronger biocatalysts. It was understood that a lipase lost its activity and could be reused after being simply modified with L‐proline. This study predicts that such facile chemical modifications will open new avenues to develop industrially important biocatalyst with superior catalytic properties. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Optimization of calcium pectinate gel production from high methoxyl pectin
Authors: Duan Hanying , Wang Xiaoyun , Azarakhsh Nima , Wang Chao , Li Meng , Fu Guiming , Huang Xuesong
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Calcium pectinate (CaP) gel is traditionally prepared by de‐esterifying high methoxyl pectin (HMP) to low methoxyl pectin (LMP), followed by gelation with calcium. To save both time and cost in the production of CaP gel, an alternative method was developed by the addition of CaCl2 to HMP at alkaline pH. To optimize the production, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effects of temperature (30–50 °C), time (20–40 min) and pH (8–10) on yield, calcium content of the CaP gel and the degree of esterification (DE) of pectin following decalcification of CaP (DC‐pectin).

RESULTS

The linear term for pH had a significant effect (P < 0.01) on all three responses, whereas interaction effects were not significant (P > 0.01), except on the calcium content (P < 0.01). The optimized process conditions (temperature, time and pH) to obtain maximum CaP‐HMP gel yield (88.83%) were 50 °C, 40 min and pH 9.6, and for the highest calcium content (97.23 mg g–1) they were 40 °C, 30 min and pH 9.7. DC‐pectin was a typical LMP with DE varying from 26.92% to 50.33%. The DE of DC‐pectin could be predicted by a model that proved significant (R2 = 0.9888).

CONCLUSION

The optimum conditions were established to produce CaP gels from HMP with high yield and calcium content. Also, LMP with predictable DE can be produced following a significant model. This study provides new insights into the production and application of CaP gel. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Characteristics of the Dual Board‐Certified Sleep Otolaryngology Workforce
Authors: Yu Phoebe K. , Gadkaree Shekhar K. , Li Joanna , McCarty Justin C. , Huyett Phillip , Bergmark Regan W.
Published: July 2021

Objective

Sleep medicine is a multidisciplinary field that includes otolaryngology. After 2011, sleep medicine board eligibility required completion of a dedicated sleep medicine fellowship. The objective of our study is to describe the characteristics and geographic distribution of the dual board‐certified sleep otolaryngology workforce and to assess the impact of the 2011 change.

Methods

A cross‐sectional analysis of sleep‐certified otolaryngologists registered with the American Board of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery in 2019 was performed to characterize the sleep otolaryngology workforce. County and regional analysis of provider density was conducted by comparing provider characteristics with county‐level data from the United States Census Bureau.

Results

There were 275 active dual board‐certified sleep otolaryngologists, or approximately 1 for every 1.12 million Americans. 77.8% were in private practice and 2.9% had American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology membership. Eighty‐eight percent were male, with females more likely than males to be in an academic setting (36.4% for females compared to 20.2% for males; P = .045). The South Atlantic and South Central regions had the highest number of sleep board‐certified otolaryngologists per capita. Before 2011, an average of 75.7 otolaryngologists took the sleep board exam per 2‐year cycle, compared to 14.3 otolaryngologists after 2011 (P = .029).

Conclusion

There are few dual board‐certified sleep otolaryngologists across the country, which may affect care for patients with sleep‐disordered breathing. Increased resident exposure and otolaryngology training in sleep medicine can strengthen the otolaryngology contribution to the multidisciplinary care of these patients.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2712–E2717, 2021
Maryland introduces check‐in element to enhance statewide 211 system
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: July 2021

As of July 1, Maryland's 211 crisis call system includes an innovative component that allows for recurring check‐ins with residents who may need ongoing mental health support or more intensive services. This initiative, which is believed to be the first of its kind nationally, was made possible through state legislation that came about after the suicide of the son of a member of Congress from Maryland.
Groups support bill for peers as part of integrated BH team
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2021

Legislation that would expand access to peer support services for mental health and substance use disorders and allow more patients to access peer support treatment by ensuring primary care physicians can bill this service to Medicare has been endorsed by a number of leading mental health organizations.
A mixed finite element method for solving coupled wave equation of Kirchhoff type with nonlinear boundary damping and memory term
Authors: Parvizi Maryam , Khodadadian Amirreza , Eslahchi M.R.
Published: July 2021

This paper is concerned with the numerical approximation of the solution of the coupled wave equation of Kirchhoff type with nonlinear boundary damping and memory term using a mixed finite element method. The Raviart‐Thomas mixed finite element method is one of the most prominent techniques to discretize the second‐order wave equations; therefore, we apply this scheme for space discretization. Furthermore, an L2‐in‐space error estimate is presented for this mixed finite element approximation. Finally, the efficiency of the method is verified by a numerical example.
Province-Wide Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes for Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Tjong Michael C. , Doherty Mark , Tan Hendrick , Chan Wing C. , Zhao Haoyu , Hallet Julie , Darling Gail , Kidane Biniam , Wright Frances C. , Mahar Alyson , Davis Laura E. , Delibasic Victoria , Parmar Ambika , Mittmann Nicole , Coburn Natalie G. , Louie Alexander V.
Published: July 2021

Background

In Ontario, Canada, patient-reported outcome (PRO) evaluation through the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) has been integrated into clinical workflow since 2007. As stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with substantial disease and treatment-related morbidity, this province-wide study investigated moderate to severe symptom burden in this population.

Materials and Methods

ESAS collected from patients with stage IV NSCLC diagnosed between 2007 and 2018 linked to the Ontario provincial health care system database were studied. ESAS acquired within 12 months following diagnosis were analyzed and the proportion reporting moderate to severe scores (ESAS ≥4) in each domain was calculated. Predictors of moderate to severe scores were identified using multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variance.

Results

Of 22,799 patients, 13,289 (58.3%) completed ESAS (84,373 assessments) in the year following diagnosis. Patients with older age, with high comorbidity, and not receiving active cancer therapy had lower ESAS completion. The majority (94.4%) reported at least one moderate to severe symptom. The most prevalent were tiredness (84.1%), low well-being (80.7%), low appetite (71.7%), and shortness of breath (67.8%). Most symptoms peaked at diagnosis and, while declining, remained high in the following year. On multivariable analyses, comorbidity, low income, nonimmigrants, and urban residency were associated with moderate to severe symptoms. Moderate to severe scores in all ESAS domains aside from anxiety were associated with radiotherapy within 2 weeks prior, whereas drowsiness, low appetite and well-being, nausea, and tiredness were associated with systemic therapy within 2 weeks prior.

Conclusion

This province-wide PRO analysis showed moderate to severe symptoms were prevalent and persistent among patients with metastatic NSCLC, underscoring the need to address supportive measures in this population especially around treatments.

Implications for Practice

In this largest study of lung cancer patient-reported outcomes (PROs), stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients had worse moderate-to-severe symptoms than other metastatic malignancies such as breast or gastrointestinal cancers when assessed with similar methodology. Prevalence of moderate-to-severe symptoms peaked early and remained high during the first year of follow-up. Symptom burden was associated with recent radiation and systemic treatments. Early and sustained PRO collection is important to detect actionable symptom progression, especially around treatments. Vulnerable patients (e.g., older, high comorbidity) who face barriers in attending in-person clinic visits had lower PRO completion. Virtual PRO collection may improve completion.
Prenatal cerebellar growth is altered in congenital diaphragmatic hernia on ultrasound
Authors: Van der Veeken Lennart , Russo Francesca M. , Litwinska Ewelina , Gomez Olga , Emam Doaa , Lewi Liesbeth , Basurto David , Van der Veeken Stephan , De Catte Luc , Gratacos Eduard , Eixarch Elisenda , Nicolaides Kypros , Deprest Jan
Published: July 2021

Objective

Children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are at risk for neurodevelopmental delay. Herein we report on prenatal changes in biometry and brain perfusion in fetuses with isolated CDH.

Study Design

This retrospective study evaluated fetuses with isolated, left‐sided CDH in three European referral centers. Abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), head circumference (HC), transcerebellar diameter (TCD), middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler, and ventricular width (VW) were assessed during four gestational periods (<24 weeks, 25–28 weeks, 29–32 weeks, >33 weeks). Z‐scores were calculated, and growth curves were created based on longitudinal data.

Results

In 367 fetuses, HC, AC and FL were within normal ranges throughout gestation. The TCD diminished with advancing gestational age to fall below the fifth percentile after 32 weeks. A less pronounced but similar trend was seen in VW. The peak systolic velocity of the MCA was consistently approximately 10% lower than normal. Disease severity was correlated to TCD (p = 0.002) and MCA doppler values (p = 0.002). There were no differences between fetuses treated with FETO and those managed expectantly.

Conclusion

Fetuses with isolated left‐sided CDH have a small cerebellum and reduced MCA peak systolic velocity. Follow up studies are necessary to determine the impact of these changes on neurodevelopment.
Association between methylphenidate and risk of myocardial infarction: A multinational self‐controlled case series study
Authors: Jeong Han Eol , Lee Hyesung , Lai Edward Chia‐Cheng , Liao Tzu‐Chi , Man Kenneth K. C. , Wong Ian C. K. , Coghill David , Chi Mei‐Hung , Hsieh Cheng‐Yang , Shin Ju‐Young
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To investigate the association between use of methylphenidate and risk of myocardial infarction among Asians.

Methods

We conducted a multinational self‐controlled case series study using nationwide healthcare databases of South Korea (2002–2018), Taiwan (2004–2015), and Hong Kong (2001–2016). Of patients with myocardial infarction who were also prescribed methylphenidate within the observation period, methylphenidate use was classified into four mutually exclusive periods by each person‐day: exposed (exposed to methylphenidate), pre‐exposure (prior to the first methylphenidate prescription), washout (after the end of methylphenidate treatment), and baseline (unexposed to methylphenidate). Risk of myocardial infarction among the three periods of methylphenidate use was compared to the baseline period using conditional Poisson regression analysis to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

We identified 2104, 484, and 30 patients from South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, respectively. Risk of myocardial infarction was the highest during the pre‐exposure period in all three populations: South Korea, pre‐exposure (IRR 3.17, 95% CI 3.04–3.32), exposed (1.05, 1.00–1.11), washout (1.92, 1.80–2.04); Taiwan, pre‐exposure (1.97, 1.78–2.17), exposed (0.72, 0.65–0.80), washout (0.56, 0.46–0.68); Hong Kong, pre‐exposure (18.09, 8.19–39.96), exposed (9.32, 3.44–25.28), washout (7.69, 1.72–34.41). Following stratification for age and sex, the trends remained analogous to the main findings across all three populations.

Conclusions

Although a positive association between initiating methylphenidate and the onset of myocardial infarction was observed, the risk was the highest in the period before its initiation. Thus, this multinational study suggests there was no causal relationship between methylphenidate and myocardial infarction among Asians.
Clinical efficacy of curcumin versus chlorhexidine as an adjunct to scaling and root planing for the treatment of periodontitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Yang , Huang Lei , Mazurel Danuta , Zheng Hanhua , Yang Jingmei , Deng Dongmei
Published: July 2021

This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of curcumin versus chlorhexidine as adjuncts to scaling and root planing (SRP) for periodontitis treatment. We searched PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to February 18, 2021 and identified studies with relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using curcumin or chlorhexidine as an adjunct to SRP. Nine RCTs involving 420 patients/sites were included. A meta‐analysis with a random‐effects model revealed that curcumin and chlorhexidine, as an adjunct to SRP, reduced probing pocket depth (PPD) at similar levels during a 3‐, 4‐, 6‐, and 12‐week follow‐up. No significant differences were observed in reducing clinical attachment loss (CAL) between curcumin and chlorhexidine as an adjunct to SRP at 4 weeks and 6 weeks. Furthermore, gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were similar using curcumin versus chlorhexidine as an adjunct to SRP at the 4‐week‐, 6‐week‐, and 12‐week follow‐up. Based on the available evidence in RCTs, compared with chlorhexidine as an adjunct to SRP, curcumin has a similar effect on reducing PPD, CAL, GI, and PI. The quality of evidence is low, limited by the number of studies and their limitations. Further studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of curcumin.
Fabrication and Characterization of Saffron Stamen Aqueous Extract Controlled Release System as Potential Topical Treatment of Thermal Burn Wounds
Authors: Burak Ozdemir MsC. , Burcin Piskin Mehmet , Bahar Gok MsC. , Demir Neslihan , Budama‐Kilinc Yasemin
Published: July 2021

In our study, we aimed the preparation of Saffron stamen aqueous extract (SSAE) loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) to be used topically for thermal burns. First, biological activity tests such as DNA binding, DNA cleavage and antibacterial activity were performed to determine the effectiveness of SSAE to be encapsulated. Additionally, a genotoxicity test was performed for the reliability of SSAE. Ionic gelation method was used for encapsulation, and SSAE‐loaded CNPs were obtained. Average particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PdI), morphology, and releasing kinetics of the SSAE‐loaded CNPs and blank CNPs were determined. DNA binding showed that SSAE interacted with DNA electrostatically. It was determined that all doses of SSAE used in hydrolytic and oxidative DNA cleavage experiments cleave DNA. As a result of the Ames / Salmonella test, it was found that 1,25 mg SSAE was not genotoxic. Then, this concentration was used in nanoparticle synthesis. As a result of DLS analysis, it was determined that SSAE‐loaded CNPs have an average size of 57.61±1.234 nm, 0.175±0.008 PdI, and +14±0.755 mV zeta potential. Encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of SSAE‐loaded CNPs calculated as 71.76 % and 2,64 % respectively. As a result of releasing kinetics, it was determined that 79.54 % of SSAE was released after 168 hours. Antibacterial results revealed that SSAE loaded CNPs were more effective against bacteria than blank SSAE.
Synthesis, In Vitro Antiprotozoal Activity and Cytotoxicity of New Thymol Carbonate Derivatives
Authors: Clemente Camila M. , Ravetti Soledad , Allemandi Daniel A. , Hergert Lisandro Y. , Pineda Tatiana , Robledo Sara M.
Published: July 2021

Considering the biological properties of thymol and its derivatives and the urgency of effective drugs for neglected tropical diseases, we report the synthesis of a novel series of carbonates of thymol, using N,N‐carbonyldiimidazole and several aliphatic alcohols. The in vitro leishmanicidal, trypanocidal, antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of thymol and derivatives were also studied together with the in silico physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of synthesized compounds. Both, thymol and carbonate derivatives although were cytotoxic to mammal U‐937 cells, they were also highly active against Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma cruzi parasites. When relating the cytotoxicity with antiparasitic activity all compounds, except 1 g and 1 i were more selective against parasites than against the mammal cells. Computational analysis indicates good oral bioavailability for all compounds. Results suggest that thymol and their carbonate derivatives have promising therapeutic potential as antiplasmodial, trypanocidal and leishmanicidal agents; nonetheless further studies are needed to validate their efficacy as antiparasitic drugs in in vivo assays.
Ultrasensitive and Selective Protein Recognition with Nanobody‐Functionalized Synthetic Nanopores
Authors: Duznovic Ivana , Gräwe Alexander , Weber Wadim , Müller Lena K. , Ali Mubarak , Ensinger Wolfgang , Tietze Alesia , Stein Viktor
Published: July 2021

The development of flexible and reconfigurable sensors that can be readily tailored toward different molecular analytes constitutes a key goal and formidable challenge in biosensing. In this regard, synthetic nanopores have emerged as potent physical transducers to convert molecular interactions into electrical signals. Yet, systematic strategies to functionalize their surfaces with receptor proteins for the selective detection of molecular analytes remain scarce. Addressing these limitations, a general strategy is presented to immobilize nanobodies in a directional fashion onto the surface of track‐etched nanopores exploiting copper‐free click reactions and site‐specific protein conjugation systems. The functional immobilization of three different nanobodies is demonstrated in ligand binding experiments with green fluorescent protein, mCherry, and α‐amylase (α‐Amy) serving as molecular analytes. Ligand binding is resolved using a combination of optical and electrical recordings displaying quantitative dose–response curves. Furthermore, a change in surface charge density is identified as the predominant molecular factor that underlies quantitative dose–responses for the three different protein analytes in nanoconfined geometries. The devised strategy should pave the way for the systematic functionalization of nanopore surfaces with biological receptors and their ability to detect a variety of analytes for diagnostic purposes.
Nanoparticle‐Mediated Blocking of Excessive Inflammation for Prevention of Heart Failure Following Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Kwon Sung Pil , Hwang Byung‐Hee , Park Eun‐Hye , Kim Han Young , Lee Ju‐Ro , Kang Mikyung , Song Seuk Young , Jung Mungyo , Sohn Hee Su , Kim Eunmin , Kim Chan Woo , Lee Kwan Yong , Oh Gyu Chul , Choo Eunho , Lim Songhyun , Chung Yeonseok , Chang Kiyuk , Kim Byung‐Soo
Published: July 2021

Severe cardiac damage following myocardial infarction (MI) causes excessive inflammation, which sustains tissue damage and often induces adverse cardiac remodeling toward cardiac function impairment and heart failure. Timely resolution of post‐MI inflammation may prevent cardiac remodeling and development of heart failure. Cell therapy approaches for MI are time‐consuming and costly, and have shown marginal efficacy in clinical trials. Here, nanoparticles targeting the immune system to attenuate excessive inflammation in infarcted myocardium are presented. Liposomal nanoparticles loaded with MI antigens and rapamycin (L‐Ag/R) enable effective induction of tolerogenic dendritic cells presenting the antigens and subsequent induction of antigen‐specific regulatory T cells (Tregs). Impressively, intradermal injection of L‐Ag/R into acute MI mice attenuates inflammation in the myocardium by inducing Tregs and an inflammatory‐to‐reparative macrophage polarization, inhibits adverse cardiac remodeling, and improves cardiac function. Nanoparticle‐mediated blocking of excessive inflammation in infarcted myocardium may be an effective intervention to prevent the development of post‐MI heart failure.