bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Paris system classification for urinary cytology in patients under bacillus Calmette‐Guerin treatment
Authors: Moulavasilis Napoleon , Stravodimos Konstantinos , Meletis Emmanouel , Levis Panagiotis , Leftheriotis Vassilis , Lazaris Andreas , Constantinides Constantine , Mikou Panagiota
Published: March 2022

Background

The role of urinary cytology as a diagnostic test for the detection and surveillance of urothelial cancer is crucial. Intravesical bacillus Calmette‐Guerin (BCG) is the appropriate therapeutic strategy for patients with high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGCU) or in situ carcinoma. We investigate how applicable is the Paris System for reporting urinary cytology (TPS) and how accurate is urinary cytology, in patients who undergo intravesical BCG instillations.

Methods

Our study contains urine samples from patients during the period January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. The inclusion criteria were patients with history of urothelial bladder carcinoma who had been treated with intravesical BCG instillation and cytology was followed by histology. We report our results and estimate the risk of high‐grade malignancy (ROHM) for each TPS category and cytology accuracy.

Results

Four hundred thirty‐eight samples corresponding to 146 patients fulfilled the criteria to be included in the study. There were 2 inadequate, 118 negative for high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (NHGUC), 14 atypical urothelial cells (AUC), 6 suspicious for high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (SHGUC), and 6 cases HGUC. Corresponding histology assessment has shown that the ROHM amounted to 0 for inadequate, 3.4% for NHGUC, 57% for AUC, 100% for SHGUC and HGUC. Sensitivity was 50%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, NPV 91%, and accuracy 91.7%, considering inadequate, NHGUC and AUC as negative and SHGUC and HGUC as positive result. However, considering AUC a positive result, the accuracy parameters were different; sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 95%, PPV 76.9%, NPV 96.67%, and accuracy 93%.

Conclusion

The Paris system for reporting urinary cytology can be safely applied to patients during follow‐up after BCG intravesical administration.
Usefulness of duckbill‐type anti‐reflux self‐expandable metal stents for distal malignant biliary obstruction with duodenal invasion: A pilot study
Authors: Kobori Ikuhiro , Katayama Yasumi , Hayakawa Fuki , Fujiwara Takeshi , Kuwada Masaru , Gyotoku Yoshinori , Kitahama Akihiro , Kusano Yumi , Tamano Masaya
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Early obstruction of a self‐expandable metal stent placed for distal malignant biliary obstruction is more likely to occur in the presence of duodenal invasion. An anti‐reflux self‐expandable metal stent (ARMS) has been developed for the purpose of preventing duodenal fluid reflux into the bile duct. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness and safety of a duckbill‐type ARMS (D‐ARMS) in the situation of duodenal invasion.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 10 consecutive patients who received D‐ARMS for distal malignant biliary obstruction with duodenal invasion. We evaluated non‐occlusion cholangitis, recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), and adverse events after D‐ARMS placement.

Results

There were no cases of non‐occlusion cholangitis. RBO was observed in 2 patients (20%), and time to RBO was 236 days and 117 days, respectively. The causes of RBO were overgrowth and sludge formation. The median time to RBO was 382 days (range, 117–382 days). Only one adverse event was observed (cholecystitis).

Conclusions

D‐ARMS shows potential as an optimal ARMS.
A potential preventive method for scar stenosis after esophageal endoscopic mucosal resection using human amniotic epithelial cells in a porcine model
Authors: Konno Yuji , Sato Chiaki , Tokodai Kazuaki , Saito Masatoshi , Hoshiai Tetsuro , Taniyama Yusuke , Okamoto Hiroshi , Fukutomi Toshiaki , Ozawa Yohei , Ujiie Naoto , Koseki Ken , Ando Ryohei , Takahashi Kozue , Shinozaki Yasuharu , Unno Michiaki , Kamei Takashi
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The current methods employed for esophageal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) involve the risk of adverse postprocedural complications. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a new method to prevent stenosis following a resection procedure using human amniotic epithelial cells in a porcine model.

Methods

With the consent of a woman who underwent a cesarean section, amniotic epithelial cells were isolated from the amniotic membrane of the delivered placenta. Six swine were used for this study. Under general anesthesia, four EMRs using cap‐fitted microscope ulcers were performed on each porcine esophagus. Of the four ulcers, the two on the oral side were treated by injecting human amniotic epithelial (AE group) cells, and the remaining two on the anal side were left untreated (control group). One week after the procedure, the swine were sacrificed, and the ulcers were evaluated. The epithelialization rate was calculated by dividing the length of the epithelialized portion of each section by the length of the ulcer, which was determined using an optical microscope. Moreover, the mucosal thickening in each section was measured in terms of diameter.

Results

The epithelialization rate was significantly higher in the AE group than in the control group. Mucosal thickening was not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusions

Transplanting amniotic epithelial cells into the ulcer promoted ulcer epithelialization. Amniotic epithelial cell transplantation is a potential method for the management of ulcer scar stenosis following esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection.
Development of a clinical risk score to predict death in patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Alhamar Ghadeer , Maddaloni Ernesto , Al Shukry Abdullah , Al‐Sabah Salman , Al‐Haddad Mohannad , Al‐Youha Sarah , Jamal Mohammed , Almazeedi Sulaiman , Al‐Shammari Abdullah A. , Abu‐Farha Mohamed , Abubaker Jehad , Alattar Abdulnabi T. , AlOzairi Ebaa , Alessandri Francesco , D’Onofrio Luca , Leto Gaetano , Mastroianni Carlo Maria , Mignogna Carmen , Pascarella Giuseppe , Pugliese Francesco , Ali Hamad , Al Mulla Fahd , Buzzetti Raffaella , Pozzilli Paolo
Published: March 2022

Objective

To build a clinical risk score to aid risk stratification among hospitalised COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

The score was built using data of 417 consecutive COVID‐19 in patients from Kuwait. Risk factors for COVID‐19 mortality were identified by multivariate logistic regressions and assigned weighted points proportional to their beta coefficient values. A final score was obtained for each patient and tested against death to calculate an Receiver‐operating characteristic curve. Youden's index was used to determine the cut‐off value for death prediction risk. The score was internally validated using another COVID‐19 Kuwaiti‐patient cohort of 923 patients. External validation was carried out using 178 patients from the Italian CoViDiab cohort.

Results

Deceased COVID‐19 patients more likely showed glucose levels of 7.0–11.1 mmol/L (34.4%, p < 0.0001) or >11.1 mmol/L (44.3%, p < 0.0001), and comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension compared to those who survived (39.3% vs. 20.4% [p = 0.0027] and 45.9% vs. 26.6% [p = 0.0036], respectively). The risk factors for in‐hospital mortality in the final model were gender, nationality, asthma, and glucose categories (<5.0, 5.5–6.9, 7.0–11.1, or 11.1 > mmol/L). A score of ≥5.5 points predicted death with 75% sensitivity and 86.3% specificity (area under the curve (AUC) 0.901). Internal validation resulted in an AUC of 0.826, and external validation showed an AUC of 0.687.

Conclusion

This clinical risk score was built with easy‐to‐collect data and had good probability of predicting in‐hospital death among COVID‐19 patients.
Development of a reversible transformer model for the calculation of inrush currents energizing from higher and lower voltage windings
Authors: Yonezawa Rikido
Published: March 2022

Transformers are normally energized from the higher voltage winding. In power system restoration, however, they may be energized from the lower voltage winding. Therefore, a reversible transformer model that is able to accurately calculate inrush currents and some other low‐frequency transients is required regardless of which winding is energized. Although a reversible transformer model based on a topology‐based model that considers magnetic couplings between phases has been proposed, it is difficult to determine the parameters of the model because iron‐core and winding design information are not available in most cases. In addition, the approximation of the design information required when such information is not available does not always hold accurately. In this article, a reversible transformer model that can be composed only from available information such as nameplates and test reports, without using the design information (or the approximation), by using mutually coupled magnetic resistances has been developed. As a result of verification using a 500 VA single‐phase three‐winding transformer, it is indicated that the inrush currents calculated by the developed model are in good agreement with those obtained by the laboratory measurements using the test transformer regardless of which winding is energized.
Combining a Standardized Batch Test with the Biotic Ligand Model to Predict Copper and Zinc Ecotoxicity in Soils
Authors: Tiberg Charlotta , Smolders Erik , Fröberg Mats , Gustafsson Jon Petter , Kleja Dan Berggren
Published: March 2022

Extraction of soil samples with dilute CaCl2 solution in a routinely performed batch test has potential to be used in site-specific assessment of ecotoxicological risks at metal-contaminated sites. Soil extracts could potentially give a measure of the concentration of bioavailable metals in the soil solution, thereby including effects of soil properties and contaminant “aging.” We explored the possibility of using a 0.001 M CaCl2 batch test combined with biotic ligand models (BLMs) for assessment of ecotoxicity in soils. Concentrations of Cu2+ and Zn2+ in soil extracts were linked to responses in ecotoxicity tests (microbial processes, plants, and invertebrates) previously performed on metal-spiked soils. The batch test data for soils were obtained by spiking archived soil materials using the same protocol as in the original studies. Effective concentration values based on free metal concentrations in soil extracts were related to pH by linear regressions. Finally, field-contaminated soils were used to validate model performance. Our results indicate a strong pH-dependent toxicity of the free metal ions in the soil extracts, with R2 values ranging from 0.54 to 0.93 (median 0.84), among tests and metals. Using pH-adjusted Cu2+ and Zn2+ concentrations in soil extracts, the toxic responses in spiked soils and field-contaminated soils were similar, indicating a potential for the calibrated models to assess toxic effects in field-contaminated soils, accounting for differences in soil properties and effects of contaminant “aging.” Consequently, evaluation of a standardized 0.001 M CaCl2 batch test with a simplified BLM can provide the basis for an easy-to-use tool for site-specific risk assessment of metal toxicity to soil organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1540–1554. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

A standardized batch test evaluated by a simplified biotic ligand model approach could provide a useful tool to improve site specific assessment of metal ecotoxicity in soil. EC50 = median effective concentration.
Developing Novel Biointerfaces: Using Chlorhexidine Surface Attachment as a Method for Creating Anti‐Fungal Surfaces
Authors: Bryant Jack A. , Riordan Lily , Watson Rowan , Nikoi Naa Dei , Trzaska Wioleta , Slope Louise , Tibbatts Callum , Alexander Morgan R. , Scurr David J. , May Robin C. , de Cogan Felicity
Published: March 2022

There is an increasing focus in healthcare environments on combatting antimicrobial resistant infections. While bacterial infections are well reported, infections caused by fungi receive less attention, yet have a broad impact on society and can be deadly. Fungi are eukaryotes with considerable shared biology with humans, therefore limited technologies exist to combat fungal infections and hospital infrastructure is rarely designed for reducing microbial load. In this study, a novel antimicrobial surface (AMS) that is modified with the broad‐spectrum biocide chlorhexidine is reported. The surfaces are shown to kill the opportunistic fungal pathogens Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans very rapidly (<15 min) and are significantly more effective than current technologies available on the commercial market, such as silver and copper.
Build and they will come: A follow‐up evaluation of outdoor exercise equipment in Western Australia
Authors: Leavy Justine E. , Jancey Jonine , Crawford Gemma
Published: March 2022

Issue addressed

In Australia, the role of local governments authorities (LGAs) are diverse, ranging from waste collection to the provision of recreational facilities, such as parks. One strategy to improve parks is outdoor exercise equipment (OEE), and provide free, community‐based physical activity opportunities. We undertook an observational study to capture a profile and behaviour of park visitors and OEE users in 2012 and 2019.

Methods

We compared observational data at two parks using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) in March and June 2012 and 2019. Data were collected 6:30‐7:30 AM and 5:30‐6:30 PM weekdays; 8:30‐9:30 AM and 3:30 to 4:30 PM weekends. Two trained staff collected data concurrently.

Results

Total n = 1654 visitors were observed, most at Park One (68.0%; n = 1117), half were male (50.9%; n = 841). There were significant differences in the gender of visitors across the two parks (P < 0.001). Most visitors observed were young adults (42.6%; n = 705; P < 0.001). In 2012, 3.9% (n = 65) of all observed park visitors used the OEE, in 2019, this increased to 4.8 % (n = 78).

Conclusions

The adage ‘Build it, and they will come’ did not resonate with the two parks' local community. The key challenge is attracting people to local parks making OEE use attractive and easy.

So what?

There is a demand for the provision of active environments that are accessible and inexpensive. LGAs may hold the key to delivering this infrastructure supported by diverse strategies to engage and promote the benefits of being physically active for all ages.
Health and well‐being benefits of e‐bike commuting for inactive, overweight people living in regional Australia
Authors: Anderson Carina C. , Clarkson Danielle E. , Howie Virginia A. , Withyman Cathie J. , Vandelanotte Corneel
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Pedal‐assisted electric‐bikes (e‐bikes) are bicycles fitted with electric motors. Motorised functions on e‐bikes only operate when the user pedals, allowing riders a moderate amount of physical activity. This study aimed to explore the mental and physical health and well‐being impacts related to ebike usage for inactive overweight or obese individuals living in regional Australia.

Methods

Twenty inactive, overweight/obese people who seldom cycled were provided with an ebike over a 12‐week period. Individual semi‐structured interviews conducted at the end of the trial generated data about participants’ experiences of using ebikes. Inductive thematic analysis of interview data using Thomas (2006) data analysis framework and NVivo 12 software was undertaken.

Results

Data analysis revealed that e‐cycling improved participants’ mental and physical well‐being and that they felt happier when riding an e‐bike.

Conclusions

Riding an e‐bike can improve mental and physical health, happiness and overall sense of well‐being. Greater uptake of e‐bikes would have positive health implications for the wider community. Results from this study can be used to inform active transport policy.

So what?

Our study demonstrated that encouraging active transport in the form of e‐cycling can improve the overall health and well‐being of overweight and obese Australians. More specifically, e‐cycling demonstrated a positive impact on mental health well‐being.
The single‐cell transcriptional landscape of lung carcinoid tumors
Authors: Bischoff Philip , Trinks Alexandra , Wiederspahn Jennifer , Obermayer Benedikt , Pett Jan Patrick , Jurmeister Philipp , Elsner Aron , Dziodzio Tomasz , Rückert Jens‐Carsten , Neudecker Jens , Falk Christine , Beule Dieter , Sers Christine , Morkel Markus , Horst David , Klauschen Frederick , Blüthgen Nils
Published: March 2022

Lung carcinoid tumors, also referred to as pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors or lung carcinoids, are rare neoplasms of the lung with a more favorable prognosis than other subtypes of lung cancer. Still, some patients suffer from relapsed disease and metastatic spread. Several recent single‐cell studies have provided detailed insights into the cellular heterogeneity of more common lung cancers, such as adeno‐ and squamous cell carcinoma. However, the characteristics of lung carcinoids on the single‐cell level are yet completely unknown. To study the cellular composition and single‐cell gene expression profiles in lung carcinoids, we applied single‐cell RNA sequencing to three lung carcinoid tumor samples and normal lung tissue. The single‐cell transcriptomes of carcinoid tumor cells reflected intertumoral heterogeneity associated with clinicopathological features, such as tumor necrosis and proliferation index. The immune microenvironment was specifically enriched in noninflammatory monocyte‐derived myeloid cells. Tumor‐associated endothelial cells were characterized by distinct gene expression profiles. A spectrum of vascular smooth muscle cells and pericytes predominated the stromal microenvironment. We found a small proportion of myofibroblasts exhibiting features reminiscent of cancer‐associated fibroblasts. Stromal and immune cells exhibited potential paracrine interactions which may shape the microenvironment via NOTCH, VEGF, TGFβ and JAK/STAT signaling. Moreover, single‐cell gene signatures of pericytes and myofibroblasts demonstrated prognostic value in bulk gene expression data. Here, we provide first comprehensive insights into the cellular composition and single‐cell gene expression profiles in lung carcinoids, demonstrating the noninflammatory and vessel‐rich nature of their tumor microenvironment, and outlining relevant intercellular interactions which could serve as future therapeutic targets.
A defect of amphiregulin release predicted longer survival independently of YAP expression in patients with pleural mesothelioma in the IFCT‐0701 MAPS phase 3 trial
Authors: Maille Elodie , Levallet Jérôme , Dubois Fatéméh , Antoine Martine , Danel Claire , Creveuil Christian , Mazieres Julien , Margery Jacques , Greillier Laurent , Gounant Valérie , Moro‐Sibilot Denis , Molinier Olivier , Léna Hervé , Monnet Isabelle , Bergot Emmanuel , Langlais Alexandra , Morin Franck , Scherpereel Arnaud , Zalcman Gérard , Levallet Guénaëlle
Published: March 2022

The Hippo pathway effector YAP is dysregulated in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). YAP's target genes include the secreted growth factor amphiregulin (AREG), which is overexpressed in a wide range of epithelial cancers and plays an elusive role in MPM. We assayed the expression of YAP and AREG in MPM pathology samples and that of AREG additionally in plasma samples of patients from the randomized phase 3 IFCT‐0701 Mesothelioma Avastin Cisplatin Pemetrexed Study (MAPS) using immunohistochemistry and ELISA assays, respectively. MPM patients frequently presented high levels of tumor AREG (64.3%), a high cytosolic AREG expression being predictive of a better prognosis with longer median overall and progression‐free survival. Surprisingly, tumor AREG cytosolic expression was not correlated with secreted plasma AREG. By investigating the AREG metabolism and function in MPM cell lines H2452, H2052, MSTO‐211H and H28, in comparison with the T47D ER+ breast cancer cell line used as a positive control, we confirm that AREG is important for cell invasion, growth without anchorage, proliferation and apoptosis in mesothelioma cells. Yet, most of these MPM cell lines failed to correctly execute AREG posttranslational processing by metalloprotease ADAM17/tumor necrosis factor‐alpha‐converting enzyme (TACE) and extracell secretion. The favorable prognostic value of high cytosolic AREG expression in MPM patients could therefore be sustained by default AREG posttranslational processing and release. Thus, the determination of mesothelioma cell AREG content could be further investigated as a prognostic marker for MPM patients and used as a stratification factor in future clinical trials.
Cataract grading method based on deep convolutional neural networks and stacking ensemble learning
Authors: Elloumi Yaroub
Published: March 2022

The cataract is the most common cause of severe vision impairment or blindness worldwide. A periodical diagnosis is recommended in order to prevent cataract severity, where screening might be feasibly ensured through fundus images. In this paper, we propose a CAD system to efficiently grade the cataract from fundus images. For such a need, an ensemble learning framework is put forward where the knowledge of three convolutional deep neural networks is stacked in order to perform an efficient cataract prediction. The main contributions of this work are given as follows: (1) Preprocessing and data augmentation of fundus images are carried out to ensure the robustness of the cataract grading; (2) The well‐known DL architectures (Inception‐V3, MobileNet‐V2 and NasNet‐Mobile) are fine‐tuned and learned as base classifiers; (3) An Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) is performed as a meta classifier to stack the predictions of base classifiers. The evaluation is conducted using a dataset of 590 fundus images selected from two public databases. The suggested framework achieves 94.07% accuracy, 94.37% sensitivity, 93.62% specificity, 95.71% precision and 95.04% F‐measure for cataract grading. The experimentation proves that the proposed framework successfully grades fundus images into cataract severity. Moreover, stacking ensemble learning allows achieving a performance that significantly surpasses the ones realized by each DL architecture, applied separately.
Nitrogen rate, irrigation and rainfall impacts on groundwater nitrate levels in sandy coastal golf courses
Authors: Petrovic A. Martin , Cambareri Thomas C. , Barnes LaJan , Cohen Stuart
Published: March 2022

There have been concerns over fertilizer nitrogen (N) applied to turfgrass areas affecting groundwater quality in sandy coastal areas since the 1970s . Extensive amount of small‐scale research studies has determined the major factors that contribute to excessive nitrate‐N leaching from turfgrass ecosystems. There are limited data on large‐scale groundwater monitoring of turfgrass sites, such as golf courses, which are related to management inputs. There are land‐use regulations limiting the amount of fertilized turfgrass in coastal area in the United States which assume a linear relationship between the amounts of N applied and leached. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long‐term impact of yearly variations in N application rate, irrigation amounts, and seasonal precipitation on groundwater quality on golf courses in critical groundwater recharge areas. Two golf courses, The Bridge and Sebonack Golf Club, in this study are in eastern Long Island, NY with systematic groundwater monitoring for NO3–N. Each golf course follows best management practices (BMP) including limitations on amount, rate, source and timing of N applications as well as controlled irrigation based on on‐site evapotranspiration measurements. The results of this study clearly show that on golf courses in sandy critical groundwater recharge areas that follow BMP, the amount of N applied is not related to NO3–N levels in groundwater. Rainfall amounts more closely followed NO3–N levels in groundwater, thus abnormally high rainfall can result in higher NO3–N levels. Implementing fertilizer BMP can be very effective in protecting groundwater quality.
An exploratory QUALquan comparison of patient‐centeredness priorities in outpatient Care for Patients and Pharmacists
Authors: Olson Anthony W. , Isetts Brian J. , Stratton Timothy P. , Vaidyanathan Rajiv , Hillman Lisa A. , Schommer Jon C.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Evidence‐based practice is necessary for improving chronic disease prevention, reduction, and management while simultaneously lowering care costs. Patient‐centeredness encompasses one of three essential and overlapping components of evidence‐based practice, the others being clinical expertise and scientific/research evidence. While patient‐centered care was placed at the center of the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP), few studies investigate the concept's meaning in outpatient pharmacist care.

Objectives

This study explores the meaning of patient‐centeredness from the perspectives of patients and their pharmacists participating in outpatient care consistent with the PPCP, and compares the elements that matter most between these two groups.

Methods

Data for this exploratory QUALquan mixed methods study were collected via in‐depth interviews designed to elicit perceptions of what matters to patients in pharmacist care from a purposive sample of adult patients with multiple chronic conditions and their outpatient pharmacists in the United States. Data were assessed using directed content analysis informed by 40 seminal patient‐centeredness concepts from the health professional literatures of medicine, nursing, and health policy.

Results

Data analysis produced 13 distinct superordinate concepts representing the meaning of patient‐centeredness in the context of the PPCP. The perceived importance of the patient‐centeredness superordinate concepts was generally consistent between patients and pharmacist groups except for “Therapeutic Alliance,” “Care Coordination and Integration,” and “Care Experience.”

Conclusion

This study's superordinate concepts of patient‐centeredness adds clarity for what matters to patients in pharmacist care encounters, key elements for organizing team‐based systems to meet the unique needs of each patient, and upstream factors that can facilitate or prevent patient‐centered care. Future research should assess the reproducibility of the findings, explore reasons behind patient‐pharmacist priority differences, and evaluate the resulting impact.
Silk fibroin microfiber‐reinforced polycaprolactone composites with enhanced biodegradation and biological characteristics
Authors: Bojedla Sri Sai Ramya , Chameettachal Shibu , Yeleswarapu Sriya , Nikzad Mostafa , Masood Syed H. , Pati Falguni
Published: March 2022

There is an enormous demand for bone graft biomaterials to treat developmental and acquired bony defects arising from infections, trauma, tumor, and other conditions. Polycaprolactone (PCL) has been extensively utilized for bone tissue engineering but limited cellular interaction and tissue integration are the primary concerns. PCL‐based composites with different biomaterials have been attempted to improve the mechanical and biological response. Interestingly, a few studies have tried to blend PCL with aqueous silk fibroin solution, but the structures prepared with the blend were mechanically weak due to phase mismatch. As a result, silk microparticle‐based PCL composites have been prepared, but the microfibers‐reinforced composites could be superior to them due to significant fiber–matrix interaction. This study aims at developing a unique composite by incorporating 100–150 μm long (aspect ratio; 8:1–5:1) silk‐fibroin microfibers into the PCL matrix for superior biological and mechanical properties. Two silk variants were used, that is, Bombyx mori and a wild variant, Antheraea mylitta, reported to have cell recognizable Arginine–Glycine–Aspartic acid (RGD) sequences. A. mylitta silk fibroin microfibers were produced, and composites were made with PCL for the first time. The morphological, tensile, thermal, biodegradation, and biological properties of the composites were evaluated. Importantly, we tried to optimize the silk concentration within the composite to strike a balance among the cellular response, biodegradation, and mechanical strength of the composites. The results indicate that the PCL‐silk fibroin microfiber composite could be an efficient biomaterial for bone tissue engineering.
Sensation seeking and adolescent drinking: Do protective behavioral strategies lower risk?
Authors: Doumas Diana M. , Russo G. Michael , Miller Raissa , Esp Susan , Mastroleo Nadine R. , Turrisi Rob
Published: March 2022

Using a cross‐sectional design, we examined protective behavioral strategies (PBS) as a moderator of the relationship between sensation seeking and hazardous drinking and alcohol‐related consequences among high school seniors (N = 212). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated sensation seeking was a significant predictor of binge drinking (β = 0.65, p < 0.001), prepartying (β = 0.71, p < 0.001), gaming (β = 0.75, p < 0.001), and alcohol‐related consequences (β = 0.69, p < 0.001). Further, PBS moderated these relationships such that among high sensation seeking adolescents, PBS use was associated with better outcomes, including lower levels of binge drinking (β = −0.37, p < 0.01), prepartying (β = −0.44, p < 0.01), gaming (β = −0.31, p < 0.05), and alcohol‐related consequences (β = −0.53, p < 0.001). We discuss counseling implications, including assessment and harm reduction strategies focusing on PBS to reduce hazardous drinking among high sensation seeking adolescents.
Exploring school counseling during the first wave of COVID‐19
Authors: Villares Elizabeth , Starrett Angie , Limberg Dodie
Published: March 2022

In the wake of the COVID‐19 outbreak, school counselors played an essential role in helping students, teachers, and families pivot to new learning environments and implemented services to promote students’ academic, social‐emotional, and career development. In this study, we analyzed school counselors’ (N = 589) delivery of program services and their individual and school characteristics to identify four approaches to school counseling: reactive, universal, consultative/collaborative, and comprehensive during the first wave of the pandemic. School counselors in the reactive profile spent most of their time engaged in noncounselor‐duties and reported the highest levels of burnout. Conversely, counselors belonging to the comprehensive profile devoted the most time to delivering consultation, coordination, counseling, and curriculum services and limited engagement in noncounseling‐related duties. This study emphasizes the importance of defining the school counselors’ roles and responsibilities and the extent to which school counselors were able to deliver their school counselor services during the global pandemic.
Behavioral effects of ethanol in the Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
Authors: Gutierrez Arnold , Creehan Kevin M. , de Guglielmo Giordano , Roberts Amanda J. , Taffe Michael A.
Published: March 2022

Alcohol abuse remains one of the primary preventable sources of mortality in the United States. Model species can be used to evaluate behavioral and other biological changes associated with alcohol and to identify novel treatments. This report describes methods for evaluating the behavioral effects of ethanol (EtOH) in crayfish. Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) were immersed in ethanol concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 molar, for 10‐30 min. Studies evaluated hemolymph alcohol concentration, locomotion in an open field and anxiety‐like behavior using a Light/Dark transfer approach. EtOH immersion produced dose‐dependent increases in hemolymph EtOH (up to 249 mg/dL) and reductions in open field locomotion that depended on EtOH concentration or exposure duration. Untreated crayfish exhibit avoidance of the open parts of the locomotor arena and a preference for a covered portion. Acute EtOH immersion decreased time spent in the covered portion of the Light/Dark arena, consistent with a decrease in anxiety‐like behavior. Daily EtOH immersion for 5 days did not alter locomotor responses, however, activity was increased 3 days after the repeated EtOH regimen. Overall, this study shows that this inexpensive, easily maintained species can be used for behavioral pharmacological experiments designed to assess the acute and repeated effects of EtOH.
Retrospective comparison of parent‐reported genetics knowledge, empowerment, and familial uptake of cardiac screening between parents who received genetic counseling by a certified genetic counselor and those who did not: A single US academic medical center study
Authors: Hancock Bailey , Miller Erin M. , Parrott Ashley , Weaver Kathryn Nicole , Tretter Justin T. , Pilipenko Valentina , Shikany Amy R.
Published: March 2022

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect, which can cause severe cardiac complications. BAVs cluster in families and demonstrate high heritability. Cardiac screening for first‐degree relatives of individuals with a BAV is recommended. This retrospective two‐group study evaluated the impact of cardiovascular genetic counseling provided by a board‐certified genetic counselor on parent‐reported outcomes by comparing parental responses of those who received genetic counseling by a genetic counselor (GC group) for family history of BAV to those who did not (non‐GC group). A retrospective chart review from May 2016 to June 2019 identified 133 pediatric patients with an isolated BAV. Parents of eligible probands were invited to complete an online survey assessing genetics knowledge, empowerment (Genomics Outcome Scale), and familial uptake of cardiac screening. Surveys were completed by 38/97 (39%) parents in the non‐GC group and 20/36 (56%) parents in the GC group. The median genetics knowledge score was not significantly different between the two groups (GC group: 8, range 3–11 out of a maximum possible of 12; non‐GC group: 7, range 2–11; p = .08). The mean empowerment score was not significantly different between the two groups (GC group: mean 24.6, SD 2.2; non‐GC group: mean 23.2, SD 3.5; p = .06). The uptake of cardiac screening was significantly higher in the GC group with 39/59 (66%) total first‐degree relatives reported as having been screened compared with 36/91 (40%) in the non‐GC group (p = .002). Parent‐reported outcomes in our study suggest that receiving genetic counseling by a board‐certified genetic counselor significantly increased familial uptake of cardiac screening for first‐degree relatives of pediatric patients with a BAV. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the findings of this study; however, a referral to a genetic counselor should be considered for patients with a BAV.
Clinical, laboratory data and outcomes of 17 Iranian citrullinemia type 1 patients: Identification of five novel ASS1 gene mutations
Authors: Moarefian Shirin , Zamani Mahdi , Rahmanifar Ali , Behnam Babak , Zaman Talieh
Published: March 2022

Citrullinemia type 1 is an autosomal recessive metabolic disease caused by ASS1 gene mutations encoding argininosuccinic acid synthetase enzyme which is within the pathway of arginine and nitric oxide biosynthesis. Disease confirmation was done by ASS1 gene mutation analysis using next‐generation sequencing, DNA Sanger sequencing. The study group was 17 citrullinemia type 1 patients from 10 unrelated families referred to Iranian National Society for Study on Inborn Errors of Metabolism's clinic between 2008 and 2020. Clinical, laboratory, and molecular data were retrospectively evaluated. Eleven different ASS1 gene mutations were detected in 13 (76%) of 17 neonatal, three (18%) of 17 late infantile, and one (6%) of 17 asymptomatic patients. Severe developmental delay and intractable seizures despite metabolic control was outcome of neonatal form survivor. Two late infantile form patients live metabolically controlled with quite normal performance. DNA mutations are as follows: seven missense, one nonsense, and two insertion/deletion mutations in 12, two, and three patients, respectively. Five novel mutations were detected including a homozygous GG deletion in exon 12 (c.790_791delGG;p.Gly264Profs*3) and a homozygous mutation in exon 7 (c.440C>T; p.Met147Thr), both causing infantile (late onset) form; a homozygous mutation in exon 6 (c.1130T>C; p.Met376Thr) causing neonatal form; two compound heterozygote mutations in exon 14 (c.1167_1168insC:p.Gly390Argfs*22& c.1186T>A; p.Ser396Thr) causing asymptomatic form. Five (38%) patients with classic neonatal form had mutation in exon 14 of ASS1 (c.1168G>A; p.Gly390Arg). Classic neonatal was the most common form of disease in Iranian‐studied patients and homozygote c.1168G>A was the most frequent ASS1 gene mutation. Global neonatal screening for citrullinemia type 1 in Iran is recommended and certain mutations can be used for screening severe form in this population.
Yield of baseline imaging for distant metastases in high‐risk primary melanoma
Authors: Yan Mabel K. , Adler Nikki R. , Pan Yan , Chamberlain Alexander , Kelly John , Yap Kenneth , Voskoboynik Mark , Haydon Andrew , Shackleton Mark , Mar Victoria J.
Published: March 2022

Background

The yield of baseline imaging in patients presenting with higher risk primary tumours, at least American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition stage IIC or III melanoma, is unclear.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients referred to the Victorian Melanoma Service from January 2017 to April 2020, diagnosed with at least stage IIC or stage III melanoma. Patients with a T4b tumour and no sentinel lymph node biopsy were included as ‘T4bNX’.

Results

One hundred and sixty‐four patients (median age 65 years) with baseline imaging (T4bNX: 19, IIC: 30, IIIA: 21, IIIB: 43, IIIC: 50, IIID: 1) were included. The majority were male (73%), and those with T4bNX melanoma tended to be older (median age 79 years). Distant metastases were detected in 21% (4/19) of T4bNX, 3% (1/30) of stage IIC, 0% (0/21) of stage IIIA, and 6% (6/94) of stages IIIB–D melanoma patients. All stage III patients with distant metastases had palpable lymphadenopathy a presentation. Two patients had brain metastases, both of whom had T4bNX melanoma and synchronous extra‐cranial metastases.

Conclusions

Compared to stage IIC, baseline imaging detects higher rates of extra‐cranial distant disease in stages IIIB–D and T4bNX melanoma. Intracranial imaging has greater yield in patients with distant extra‐cranial disease.
Rise of a native apex predator and an invasive zooplankton cause successive ecological regime shifts in a North Temperate Lake
Authors: Martin Benjamin E. , Walsh Jake R. , Vander Zanden M. Jake
Published: March 2022

Ecosystems can undergo abrupt regime shifts as a result of many factors. Shifts between turbid and clearwater states are well understood for human‐impacted shallow lakes, but are not well understood in other types of lakes. Here we use long‐term data to describe abrupt shifts in water clarity in Trout Lake, an oligotrophic lake with a largely undeveloped watershed. For several decades mean summer water clarity averaged 4.5 m, but then around 2007 water clarity sharply increased and the “clear water regime” persisted for nearly a decade. Nutrient availability did not explain these changes, but rather they were explained by a classic top‐down trophic cascade. Around 2007, the population of the apex pelagic predator, Lake Trout, substantially increased. This was accompanied by a sharp decline in the lake's major pelagic prey fish, the zooplanktivorous Cisco. In turn, there was an increase in large‐bodied zooplankton taxa (calanoids, Daphnia), which reduced algal biomass. This clear water regime was then disrupted in 2014 by the invasion of a predatory zooplankton, Bythotrephes cederstroemi. This invasion corresponded to strong impacts on lower trophic levels (decrease in large‐bodied zooplankton and decreased water clarity), but more minor impacts on higher trophic levels (increased Cisco, decreased Lake Trout abundances)—in effect reversing the trophic cascade and shifting Trout Lake to a novel ecosystem state. Our study provides a long‐term, empirically based example of successive ecological regime shifts that occurred from the rise of an apex predator and a mid‐trophic level invasion in an undeveloped, oligotrophic lake.
Polymer‐Carrying Ability of Actin Filaments Interacting with Myosin Motors in a Biological Motility System In Vitro
Authors: Sunada Yuma , Hatori Kuniyuki
Published: March 2022

The reconstituted motility system of actin‐myosin is expected to be used in bioinspired transport devices, in which carried materials are attached to either moving actin filaments or walking myosin molecules. However, the dependence of the ability to transport on the size of the attached materials is still inadequately understood. Here, as carried materials, polyethylene glycols (PEGs) of various sizes are covalently bound to actin filaments, and the motility of PEG‐attached filaments on a heavy meromyosin (HMM) immobilized on a glass surface is observed via fluorescence microscopy. Full attachment of 2 kDa PEG, with an approximately 2 nm gyration radius, decreases the velocity and fraction of moving actin filaments by approximately 10% relative to unattached filaments. For the 5 kDa PEG, the fraction of moving filaments is decreased by approximately 70% even when the filaments contain only 20% PEG‐attached actin. The attachment of both sizes of PEGs suppresses the actin‐activated ATPase activity at the same level. These results suggest that actin filaments can carry PEGs up to 2 kDa having the same size as actin monomers, while the rate of ATP hydrolysis is limited. The size dependence may provide a criterion for material delivery via actin filaments in nanotransport applications.
State‐owned industrial enterprises' non‐R&D innovation and regional total factor productivity: An analysis based on the panel co‐integration method
Authors: Wu Zhouyi , Wang Chuncao , He Bin , Yang Siying
Published: March 2022

State‐owned industrial enterprises' (SOIEs') non‐R&D innovation activities have been ignored by scholars. Using panel data on the regions of China, this paper examines the impact of non‐R&D innovation by SOIEs on regional total factor productivity (TFP) with panel Co‐integration and a panel vector error correction (VEC) model. The results show that SOIEs' non‐R&D innovation is important for economic growth, and different types of non‐R&D innovations have heterogeneous effects on regional TFP. Foreign technology acquisition (FTA) has more positive long‐term and short‐term impacts on regional TFP than do R&D expenditures. Technology assimilation (TA) improves regional TFP, but the effect of R&D expenditures on innovation is higher than that of TA in the eastern region. Domestic technology purchases (DTPs) have no significant impact on regional TFP in the central and western regions and even have a negative effect in the eastern region. Technology transformation (TT) has a stronger long‐term positive effect on regional TFP than R&D expenditures, but R&D innovation has a stronger short‐term positive effect than TT. We examine the impact of SOIEs' non‐R&D innovation on regional economic efficiency and, to a degree, identify the source of its effect on innovation. This study emphasizes the critical function of technology diffusion in fostering economic efficiency.
Longitudinal Tau Positron Emission Tomography in Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Authors: Chen Qin , Przybelski Scott A. , Senjem Matthew L. , Schwarz Christopher G. , Lesnick Timothy G. , Botha Hugo , Knopman David S. , Graff‐Radford Jonathan , Savica Rodolfo , Jones David T. , Fields Julie A. , Jain Manoj K. , Graff‐Radford Neill R. , Ferman Tanis J. , Kremers Walter K. , Jack Clifford R. , Petersen Ronald C. , Boeve Bradley F. , Lowe Val J. , Kantarci Kejal
Published: March 2022

Background and Objective

Patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) may have overlapping Alzheimer's disease pathology. We investigated the longitudinal rate of tau accumulation and its association with neurodegeneration and clinical disease progression in DLB.

Methods

Consecutive patients with probable DLB (n = 22) from the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and age‐matched and sex‐matched cognitively unimpaired controls (CU; n = 22) with serial magnetic resonance imaging and flortaucipir positron emission tomography scans within an average of 1.6 years were included. Regional annualized rates of flortaucipir uptake standardized uptake value ratios (SUVr) were calculated. Regional annualized rates of cortical volume change were measured with the Tensor Based Morphometry–Syn algorithm.

Results

The annual increase of flortaucipir SUVr was greater in the middle and superior occipital, fusiform, and inferior parietal cortices in DLB (mean: 0.017, 0.019, 0.019, and 0.015, respectively) compared with the CU (mean: −0.006, −0.009, −0.003, and − 0.005, respectively; P < 0.05). In patients with DLB (but not the CU), a longitudinal increase in flortaucipir SUVr was associated with longitudinal cortical atrophy rates in the lateral occipital and inferior temporoparietal cortices, hippocampus, and the temporal pole as well as a concurrent decline on Mini‐Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating–Sum of Boxes in the lateral occipital and the fusiform cortices.

Conclusions

Tau accumulation was faster in DLB compared with the CU, with increased accumulation rates in the lateral occipital and temporoparietal cortices. These increased rates of tau accumulation were associated with neurodegeneration and faster disease progression in DLB. Tau may be a potential treatment target in a subset of patients with DLB. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society