bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease: A case report
Authors: Maghfour Soukaina , Mokni Sana , Kahla Marouane Ben , Gammoudi Rima , Aounallah Amina , Boussofara Lobna , Ghariani Najet , Sriha Badreddine , Belajouza Colandane , Denguezli Mohamed
Published: October 2021

Pure cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman is distinguished from classic Rosai-Dorfman disease by isolated skin involvement without lymphadenopathy or systemic symptoms. Herein, we report a case of a 30 year-old-man with 16 months history of a slowly enlarging, asymptomatic, purple plaque on her left cheek following cutaneous leishmaniasis successfully treated. The histopathological examination showed dense infiltration of inflammatory cells involving the entire dermis, consisting of large macrophages with emperipolesis, S100 and CD68 positive, lymphocytes and plasma cells. The patient was treated with intralesional triamcinolone with a significant improvement. The present article aimed to emphasise the clinical, histological differential diagnosis and to share the tumoral presentation of cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease.
AN EXODUS (2:11-22) BEFORE EXODUS (6:2F): RENDERING OF TWO EVENTS IN EARLY BIBLICAL VERSIONS (MT AND ARABIC), COMPARED WITH THE QUR’ANIC (SURAH 28:14F) ACCOUNT
Authors: Dockrat Muhammad Ashraf E.
Published: October 2021

Exodus is the Latinised form of the Greek word, exodos (going out). Two departures of Moses are reported in the Bible. They are firstl,y his fleeing from Egypt described in Exodus 2:11-22, and secondly, his departure as member of a mass exodus (Ex. 6:2f). The focus in the article will be on the events leading to his initial leaving of Egypt, and his eventual sojourn in the country of Midian (Ex. 2:11-22). However, it will be shown that certain expressions in Ex. 2:11-22 also feature in the later description of the exodus proper (e.g., Exodus 18 and Numbers 20). Furthermore, parallels will be drawn between the narrations of events in Ex. 2:11-22 and the Qur’anic surah 28:14-28. Similarities will be pointed out, but also differences relating to the imbedding, structure, and theology of the respective accounts. Finally, affinities between the Biblical exodus of Moses and the later hijra of Muhammad will be indicated. As source text for Ex. 3:11-22, the Masoretic version (Leningrad manuscript) will be used. In addition, reference will be made to two 13th century Arabic manuscripts (Sinai Arab 2 and 4) where there is a direct correspondence between their readings and those of the 7th century Qur’anic Arabic text (e.g., Ex. 2:17 and surah 28:24).
A cross-cultural comparison of factors associated with marijuana use among college students in the United States and Sweden
Authors: Litt Dana M. , Stahlbrandt Henriettae , Andersson Claes , Berglund Mats , LoParco Cassidy R. , Garcia Tracey A. , Lewis Melissa A. , Larimer Mary E.
Published: October 2021

Aims: Marijuana is a popular drug among U.S. college students. In Sweden, the prevalence of marijuana use has been relatively low but is increasing. Brief, personalized interventions have been efficacious in reducing substance use, including marijuana, among college students in the U.S. However, prior to implementation of U.S. interventions in Sweden, it is important to compare factors associated with marijuana use among college students in the two countries.

Design, Setting, and Participants: Data are from baseline assessments of two large college student intervention studies in the U.S. (N = 3,753, 39% male) and Sweden (N = 2,280, 35% male).

Measures: Past 30-day prevalence and frequency of marijuana use was analyzed in regard to relevant demographic factors. The moderating role of nationality was also examined.

Findings: Results support previous findings indicating marijuana use is more common in the U.S. than in Sweden. Most demographic factors were similar across the countries, except for relationship status and work status, in which associations with number of marijuana use days (but not odds of any marijuana use) were stronger for Swedish college students compared to U.S. college students.

Conclusions: Based on overall similarities between the U.S. and Sweden, comparable interventions might be recommended in both countries.
Extraction and Estimation of Protein from Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and its Interaction with Glucose Molecule
Authors: Ayuba Sumayya Ahmed , Shehu Ahmad , Isah Mustapha , Ibrahim Tijjani , Muhammad Labbo Abdullahi
Published: October 2021

Aim: To evaluate the protein composition in the ginger rhizome and its interaction with glucose molecule.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Sokoto State University, Sokoto, Nigeria, between April 2021 and May 2021.

Methodology: Protein was extracted from the rhizome of ginger using 0.1 M phosphate buffer. The protein concentration of the sample was estimated using Biuret method while using xanthoproteic test, the presence of aromatic amino acids was ascertained. The crude protein sample was interacted with glucose using UV interaction study.

Results: The protein concentration of the sample (2 g) was found to be 1.702 mg/ml, it was identified that ginger rhizome contains aromatic amino acids. UV interaction study between the crude protein sample and glucose molecule showed an increase in absorbance at the range of 280 nm.

Conclusion: The interaction of ginger with glucose shows that it possesses a hypoglycemic effect.
Effect of Hexane Extracts of Chromolaena odorata (Linn.) on Hematotoxicity Induced by Cyanide in Male Albino Wistar Rats
Authors: Demilade Ojeniyi Fiyinfoluwa , Folashade Ehigie Adeola , Lydia Aluko Oluwatosin , Emmanuel Adeleke Gbadebo , Ona Ehigie Leonard
Published: October 2021

Aim: To investigate the effect of Hexane extract of Chromolaena odorata (HECO) on cyanide induced hematotoxicity in male Albino Wistar rats.

Methodology: Thirty-five (35) male albino rats weighing between 100g and 150g were distributed randomly into 7 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 which comprised of normal rats received distilled water and served as the normal control, while groups 2-7 comprised of rats exposed to Potassium cyanide (KCN) (3 mg/kg). Group 2 received no treatment and served as the negative control. Groups 3, 4 and 5 received 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg of HECO respectively. Group 6 received 200 mg/kg HECO and 200 mg/kg sodium thiosulphate while group 7 was treated with a sodium thiosulphate (200 mg/kg), an established antidote, and served as the positive control. All administrations were done via the oral route and lasted for 14 days. Complete blood count was conducted after the experimental period. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukeys multiple comparisons test and P < .05 was considered significant.

Results: Results obtained indicate Red cell indices and white blood cell and differential were all significantly raised (P < .05) in treated rats relative to the negative control rats. Platelet value and Mean corpuscular volume were raised and lowered respectively during induction by the treatments, however, no statistical significance (P < .05) was observed. The results therefore suggest that C. odorata could be valuable in the management of the hematological changes induced by cyanide.

Conclusion: HECO reversed the adverse hematological changes in rats induced by cyanide at 100, 150 and 200 doses, with the 200 mg dose being more effective.
Determination of Most Reliable Bony Structure For Ageing of Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) Inhabiting In Duhok River (Iraq)
Authors: Mohammed Jihad Saleem , Saler Serap
Published: October 2021

In this study, it was aimed to make a comparative age determination in the population of Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) living in Duhok River. For this purpose, 71 fish samples (57 male and 14 female) were obtained. The bony structures vertebrae, scales, otoliths and operculum used in the age determination. The age groups determined for each bony structure. The number and percentage distributions of individuals in these groups were expressed with tables. The comparison of age matching between bony structures was expressed by figures. The most reliable bony structures were found as vertebrae, otolith, scales and operculum respectively. The highest consistency was observed in the vertebrae (70.42%). The ages changed between I and IX age in Carassius carassius in this study.
Influence of Bio-fertilizer and Organic Seed Treatment on Growth and Yield Attributing Traits of Mustard (Brassica nigra L.) Variety (Pusa -21)
Authors: Manjunadh Jalla , Dayal Abhinav , Nagar Sasya , Rai Prashant Kumar
Published: October 2021

The Field experiment was conducted in a Randomized block Design (RBD) with three replications during Rabi, 2020-2021 at Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. The genetically pure seeds of Mustard variety Pusa-21 were used for the study. The mustard seeds primed with botanicals and chemicals( Vermiwash, Panchagavya, Azatobactor, NaCl , KNO3, Neem leaf, Parthenium leaf and FYM) were subjected to  study in field experiment of growth and yield parameters were recorded. Objectives of the topic are to evaluate the Influence of bio fertilizer and organic seed treatment on growth, yield and yield attributing traits of mustard crop and to find out the suitable pre-sowing seed treatment  for mustard crop. Analysis of variance revealed significant mean sum of squares due to seed priming treatments. The highest germination percent (88.89),plant height (132.53 cm), number of branches(12.60 per plant),  yield attributing parameters in mustard as number of silique per plant (292.87), number of seeds per silique (18.73), seed yield per plant (17.73 gm/plant), seed yield  per plot (214.33 gm/ plot), biological yield per plot (443.15/ plot), seed yield per hectare (2143.33 kg/ ha), biological yield per hectare (5140 kg/ ha) and harvest index (41.69) showing better result when treated with treatment vermiwash 5 % for 12 hours. Remaining treatments i.e, treatment with panchgavya 5 % & 3 %, azotobactor 3 % & 2 %, NaCl  0.5 % & 0.1 %, KNO3 0.5 % & 0.1 %, neem leaf extract, parthenium leaf extract for and fym 2 % for 12 hours recorded the second most effective treatments and observed significantly superior. It  concluded that T8 (vermiwash 5% solution) found superior in all the growth and yield parameters.
The Importance of Nitrogen in Corn Culture
Authors: Shimada Belmiro Saburo , Simon Marcos Vinícius , Da Silva Vinícius Bueno , Oliveira Nunes Diego Sidney de , Miranda Litaiff Isabela
Published: October 2021

Corn is one of the most cultivated cereals in the world and is used for various purposes and its production is linked to its economic importance, requiring the use of means and methods that enable the increase of its production, and one of them is fertilization with nitrogen. The objective of this work is to carry out a brief literature review on the importance of nitrogen for the corn crop, highlighting the benefits of its use and the need for its use in the crop. Plants need many nutrients for their development, and nitrogen is one of the main nutrients, being important for many chemical and physical functions in the plant. In addition, nitrogen is necessary in the corn crop, as it is a nutrient that is required in large amounts and has a great impact on crop production. Nitrogen has many benefits in the corn crop, as it is essential to the plant and to many crops, providing benefits throughout the plant, ensuring an increase in production components. However, the importance of nitrogen in the crop, refers to the plant, its use in the corn crop and the benefits provided, which generate positive results for its use, increasing various components of crop production, demonstrating that it is important for the crop, in its development and in the increase of maize productivity. Thus, it is noted that nitrogen is very important for the development of corn, composes several chemical and physical functions of the plant, it is necessary in the corn crop due to its requirement, provides many benefits to the crop, increasing production components and has many good results with its use in corn.
Parthenolide Induces Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest by the Suppression of miR-375 Through Nucleolin in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Moorthy Rajesh Kannan , Jayamohan Sridharan , Kannan Mahesh Kumar , Arockiam Antony Joseph Velanganni
Published: October 2021

Aims: To investigate the effect of parthenolide on nucleolin in controlling the expression of miR-375 that induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in prostate cancer.

Study Design: This study is an experimental study.

Methodology: The cytotoxicity effect of parthenolide was tested by MTT assay for 48 h. Microscopic techniques were used to identify the morphological changes of the cell line. The expression of apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory genes was analyzed by the Real-Time PCR. The phase of cell cycle arrest was identified by Flow cytometry.

Results: The obtained results indicated that parthenolide induced cytotoxicity and suppressed the proliferation by reducing the growth of LNCaP cells in 48 h. The microscopic analysis showed the alteration of cell morphology and increase of cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species.  Parthenolide promotes apoptosis by the downregulation of nucleolin, Bcl-2, and up-regulation of Bax gene. Moreover, the flow cytometry assay showed the G1/G0 phase of cell cycle arrest.

Conclusion: Parthenolide induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through nucleolin by the suppression of miR-375 in prostate cancer cells.
Polydopamine Nanosheets Doped Injectable Hydrogel with Nitric Oxide Release and Photothermal Effects for Bacterial Ablation and Wound Healing
Authors: Liu Genhua , Wang Lu , He Ye , Wang Liucan , Deng Zhiwen , Liu Junjie , Peng Dan , Ding Tao , Lu Lu , Ding Yao , Zhang Jixi , Liu Peng , Cai Kaiyong
Published: October 2021

The development of wound dressings with combined antibacterial activities and pro‐healing functions has always been an intractable medical task for treating bacterial wound infection. Herein, a novel injectable hybrid hydrogel dressing is developed, which is doped with nitric oxide (NO) donor (N,N’‐di‐sec‐butyl‐N,N’‐dinitroso‐1,4‐phenylenediamine, BNN6) loaded two‐dimensional polydopamine nanosheets (PDA NS). The hydrogel matrix is in situ formed through dynamic Schiff base crosslinking between hydrazide‐modified γ‐polyglutamic acid (γ‐PGA‐ADH) and aldehyde‐terminated Pluronic F127 (F127‐CHO). Under 808 nm irradiation, the embedded PDA NS exhibits outstanding photothermal transform properties (56.1%) and on‐demand NO release. The combination of photothermal and NO gas therapy with a synergistic antibacterial effect works on both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. Furthermore, a full‐thickness skin defect model also demonstrates that the hybrid hydrogel shows outstanding antibacterial properties and effectively accelerates the wound healing process. Overall, this study provides a facile and promising method for the fabrication of PDA NS based multifunctional hydrogel dressing for the application of infectious skin wound healing.
ROS/RNS and Base Dual Activatable Merocyanine‐Based NIR‐II Fluorescent Molecular Probe for in vivo Biosensing
Authors: Zhang Xin , Chen Ying , He Haisheng , Wang Shangfeng , Lei Zuhai , Zhang Fan
Published: October 2021

Inflammation usually results in high‐level reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) not only in acidic tissue but also in alkaline tissue. However, noninvasively in vivo monitoring reactive species specifically within alkaline tissue remains a huge challenge. Here we introduce a dual activatable fluorescent probe PN910 located in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II, 900–1700 nm), which shows high selectivity toward H2O2 and OONO− at pH beyond 7.4. Then we verified that PN910 could be used for the real‐time, specific and accurate monitoring of cystitis and colitis for living animals. This report presents a unique approach to the development of dual activatable probe for in vivo biosensing.
Interfacial Super‐Assembly of Ordered Mesoporous Carbon‐Silica/AAO Hybrid Membrane with Enhanced Permselectivity for Temperature‐ and pH‐Sensitive Smart Ion Transport
Authors: Zhou Shan , Xie Lei , Li Xiaofeng , Huang Yanan , Zhang Liping , Liang Qirui , Yan Miao , Zeng Jie , Qiu Beilei , Liu Tianyi , Tang Jinyao , Wen Liping , Jiang Lei , Kong Biao
Published: October 2021

Nanofluidic devices have been widely used for diode‐like ion transport and salinity gradients energy conversion. Emerging reverse electrodialysis (RED) nanofluidic systems based on nanochannel membrane display great superiority in salinity gradient energy harvesting. However, the imbalance between permeability and selectivity limits their practical application. Here, a new mesoporous carbon‐silica/anodized aluminum (MCS/AAO) nanofluidic device with enhanced permselectivity for temperature‐ and pH‐regulated energy generation was obtained by interfacial super‐assembly method. A maximum power density of 5.04 W m−2 is achieved, and a higher performance can be obtained by regulating temperature and pH. Theoretical calculations are further implemented to reveal the mechanism for ion rectification, ion selectivity and energy conversion. Results show that the MCS/AAO hybrid membrane has great superiority in diode‐like ion transport, temperature‐ and pH‐regulated salinity gradient energy conversion.
Driver gene alterations profiling of Chinese non‐small cell lung cancer and the effects of co‐occurring alterations on immunotherapy
Authors: Sun Shengjie , Du Wenjuan , Sun Qiong , Zhao Xiao , Qin Boyu , Shi Duozhi , Wan Chong , Wu Zhiyong
Published: October 2021

Background

Molecular testing for alterations in oncogenic driver genes and targeted therapies have become standard procedures for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, little evidence has shed light on the pattern of co‐existence of driver genes in NSCLC, and whether they may have different tumor features affecting immunotherapy is still unclarified.

Methods

Genomic alterations in 14 lung cancer‐related genes were conducted in 3440 Chinese NSCLC patients using next‐generation sequencing. Meanwhile, tumor mutational burden and immunotherapy dataset from the Memorial sloan kettering cancer center (MSKCC) and lung adenocarcinoma dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were utilized for analyzing the impact of the co‐occurring alterations on patients’ survival following immunotherapy.

Results

In this cohort, 90.17% of patients had at least one somatic alteration in the 14 genes, including 51% of co‐occurring alterations. TP53 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were the most prevalent genes (54.74% and 53.55%, respectively), followed by KRAS, ERBB2, ALK, PIK3CA, ROS1, RET, MET, BRAF, KIT, FGFR1, PDGFRA, and NRAS. The prevalence of TP53, EGFR, and ERBB2 in our cohort were significantly higher than that from the TCGA database, whereas KRAS, BRAF, and PDGFRA were significantly lower than the latter. Furthermore, the patients who harbored multiple alterations (8.86%, 31/350) in eight driver genes survived longer and have a higher tumor mutation burden compared to the patients with a single alteration. Similar result was found between the patients with co‐occurring alteration of EGFR and other driver genes and the patients with single EGFR alteration. Meanwhile, we found a distinct immune cell infiltration feature between patients with single and multiple driver gene alterations, as well as between patients with only EGFR alteration and co‐occurring groups.

Conclusion

This study identified a unique driver gene feature and found patients harboring co‐occurring alterations of EGFR and other driver genes may benefit from immunotherapy, which may provide more therapeutic selections for EGFR‐mutated NSCLC patients and merit additional investigation.
Activity‐dependent alteration of early myelin ensheathment in a developing sensory circuit
Authors: Chorghay Zahraa , MacFarquhar David , Li Vanessa J. , Aufmkolk Sarah , Schohl Anne , Wiseman Paul W. , Káradóttir Ragnhildur Thóra , Ruthazer Edward S.
Published: October 2021

Myelination allows for the regulation of conduction velocity, affecting the precise timing of neuronal inputs important for the development and function of brain circuits. In turn, myelination may be altered by changes in experience, neuronal activity, and vesicular release, but the links between sensory experience, corresponding neuronal activity, and resulting alterations in myelination require further investigation. We thus studied the development of myelination in the Xenopus laevis tadpole, a classic model for studies of visual system development and function because it is translucent and visually responsive throughout the formation of its retinotectal system. We begin with a systematic characterization of the timecourse of early myelin ensheathment in the Xenopus retinotectal system using immunohistochemistry of myelin basic protein (MBP) along with third harmonic generation (THG) microscopy, a label‐free structural imaging technique. Based on the mid‐larval developmental progression of MBP expression in Xenopus, we identified an appropriate developmental window in which to assess the effects of early temporally patterned visual experience on myelin ensheathment. We used calcium imaging of axon terminals in vivo to characterize the responses of retinal ganglion cells over a range of stroboscopic stimulation frequencies. Strobe frequencies that reliably elicited robust versus dampened calcium responses were then presented to animals for 7 d, and differences in the amount of early myelin ensheathment at the optic chiasm were subsequently quantified. This study provides evidence that it is not just the presence but also to the specific temporal properties of sensory stimuli that are important for myelin plasticity.
Postnatal myelination of the immature rat cingulum is regulated by GABAB receptor activity
Authors: Pudasaini Samipa , Friedrich Vivien , Bührer Christoph , Endesfelder Stefanie , Scheuer Till , Schmitz Thomas
Published: October 2021

Myelination of axons in the neonatal brain is a highly complex process primarily achieved by oligodendroglial cells (OLs). OLs express receptors for γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is released from cortical interneurons on a basal level, while glial cells can be a source of GABA, too. We investigated GABA‐induced oligodendroglial maturation, proliferation, apoptosis, and myelin production after pharmacological inhibition of GABAA and GABAB in the neonatal rat brain. Daily injections of the reverse GABAA receptor agonist (DMCM) and the GABAB receptor antagonist (CGP35348) were performed from postnatal day 6 (P6) to P11. MBP expression was examined by Western blots and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we determined the number of CC1+OLIG2+ and CNP+OLIG2+ cells to assess maturation, the number of PCNA+OLIG2+ oligodendrocytes to assess proliferation, the number of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (PDGFRα+OLIG2+), and apoptosis of OLs (CASP3A+OLIG2+) as well as apoptotic cells in total (CASP3A+DAPI+) at P11 and P15. In addition, we analyzed the expression Pdgfrα and CNP. MBP expression was significantly reduced after CGP treatment at P15. In the same animal group, CNP expression and CNP+OLIG2+ cells decreased temporarily at P11. At P15, the proliferation of PCNA+OLIG2+ cells and the number of PDGFRα+OLIG2+ cells increased after GABAB receptor antagonization whereas no significant differences were visible in the Pdgfrα gene expression. No changes in apoptotic cell death were observed. CGP treatment induced a transient maturational delay at P11 and deficits in myelin expression at P15 with increased oligodendroglial proliferation. Our in vivo study indicates GABAB receptor activity as a potential modulator of oligodendroglial development.
Impact of weight loss in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: results from the FLAGSHIP study
Authors: Kamisaka Kenta , Kamiya Kuniyasu , Iwatsu Kotaro , Iritani Naoki , Imoto Shota , Adachi Takuji , Iida Yuki , Yamada Sumio ,   FLAGSHIP collaborators
Published: October 2021

Aims

Weight loss (WL) is a poor prognostic factor for patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. However, its prognostic impact on patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains unestablished. The evidence regarding the effects of obesity on the prognosis of WL is also unclear. We aimed to identify the risk factors for WL and examine the association between WL and prognosis of HFpEF in obese and non‐obese patients.

Methods and results

In this multicentre cohort study, the data of 573 patients hospitalized with HFpEF [median age: 78 years (interquartile range, 71–84 years); 49.2% female] were identified from hospital databases. WL was defined as ≥5% weight reduction within 6 months after discharge. Obesity was defined according to Japanese criteria as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2. The main study outcomes were all‐cause mortality and HF rehospitalization between 6 and 24 months after hospital discharge. Logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were performed to identify independent the risk factors associated with WL and to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) associated with adverse outcomes. The prevalence of obesity at discharge was 21.1%. At 6 month follow‐up, WL occurred in 17.4% and 10.8% of the obese and non‐obese patients, respectively. Onset of WL in non‐obese patients was associated with prior hospitalization for HF [odds ratio (OR) 2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22–4.68, P = 0.011] and high levels of brain natriuretic peptide (OR 2.32, CI 1.17–4.60, P = 0.015). In obese patients, WL was associated with the use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (OR 3.26, CI 1.08–9.76, P = 0.03) and vasopressin receptor antagonists (OR 6.61, CI 2.03–21.2, P = 0.001). During 1021.3 person‐years of follow‐up, 31 patients died, and upon 1081.0 person‐years follow‐up, 84 patients required rehospitalization for HF. In proportional hazards analysis, WL was associated with all‐cause mortality (HR 5.12, CI 2.08–12.5, P < 0.001) and HF rehospitalization (HR 2.63, CI 1.38–5.01, P = 0.003) after adjustment for confounders in non‐obese patients, but not in obese patients.

Conclusions

Weight loss should be considered as an indicator for monitoring worsening of HF condition in non‐obese patients with HFpEF. WL was not associated with adverse events in obese patients with HFpEF, possibly due to appropriate fluid management during follow‐up.
Possible occurrence of Palaeoarchean ferropicrite cumulates and ferrobasalts in the Jojohatu area of North Singhbhum Craton, eastern India: Evidence for a mantle plume source
Authors: Jafri Syed Safi Husain , Dwivedi Sujeet Kumar , Pandey Om Prakash , Tripathi Priyanka , Sarma Drona Srinivasa , Krishna Aradhi Keshav , Ramesh Soday Laxman , Vidyasagar Gandikota
Published: October 2021

An occurrence of Palaeoarchaean ferropicrite cumulates and ferrobasalts is being reported from the Jojohatu area of the Iron Ore Group (IOG) greenstone belt, which is situated in the northern part of the Singhbhum Craton (eastern India). The ferropicrite cumulates contain serpentine and clinopyroxene as major constituents and spinel, magnetite, and ilmenite as accessories. Their bulk rock chemistry exhibits an extremely high amount of FeOT (19.0–20.8 wt%) and MgO (22.0–23.9 wt%) and quite low Al2O3 (4.5–5.2 wt%) and Na2O + K2O (<1.0 wt%), thus making them as one of the most Fe‐rich ferropicrite cumulates in the world. They are also characterized by high contents of compatible trace elements (Ni: 986–1,470 ppm; Cr: 990–1,256 ppm) and moderate TiO2 (1.5–1.7 wt%), Nb (15–18 ppm), and Zr (82–90 ppm). These cumulates are possibly formed due to accumulation of olivine from the ferrobasaltic melts. In comparison, ferrobasalts consisting of plagioclase, pyroxene, and opaques are alkaline in nature. Some of the plagioclase and pyroxene grains have shown a signature of metasomatic alteration, which resulted into formation of secondary minerals such as epidote, chlorite, and hornblende. They exhibit relatively low contents of FeOT (14.6–18.4 wt%), MgO (8.4–10.8 wt%), Ni (32–122 ppm), and Cr (41–131 ppm) than the ferropicrite cumulates, while TiO2 (2.9–4.1 wt%), Nb (42–61 ppm), and Zr (216–318 ppm) contents are higher. Incompatible elemental patterns and their ratios, as well as Zr/Y versus Nb/Y plot, indicate their ocean island basalts (OIB) affinity and genesis from a hot mantle plume, having mantle potential temperature of about 1,600°C and pressure of 3.5–5 GPa. Considerably low CaO (3.00–7.16 wt%) and FeO/MgO and CaO/MgO systematics indicate that the primary source of the basaltic melt could be pyroxenite. These volcanic occurrences possibly represent remnants of the OIB formed during the Palaeoarchean in the eastern part of the Indian shield.
Associations Between Alcohol Use and Liver‐Related Outcomes in a Large National Cohort of Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Pearson Meredith M. , Kim Nicole J. , Berry Kristin , Moon Andrew M. , Su Feng , Vutien Philip , Green Pamela K. , Williams Emily C. , Ioannou George N.
Published: October 2021

Alcohol use can cause hepatic necroinflammation and worsening portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to evaluate the associations between degree of alcohol use and clinical liver‐related outcomes according to etiology of cirrhosis. In this retrospective cohort analysis, 44,349 U.S. veterans with cirrhosis from alcohol‐associated liver disease (ALD), chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were identified who completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption questionnaire in 2012. Based on this score, level of alcohol use was categorized as none, low level, or unhealthy. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess for associations between alcohol use and mortality, cirrhosis decompensation (new ascites, encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). At baseline, 36.4% of patients endorsed alcohol use and 17.1% had unhealthy alcohol use. During a mean 4.9 years of follow‐up, 25,806 (57.9%) patients died, 9,409 (21.4%) developed a new decompensation, and 4,733 (11.1%) developed HCC. In patients with ALD‐cirrhosis and HCV‐cirrhosis, unhealthy alcohol use, compared with no alcohol use, was associated with higher risks of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07‐1.19 and aHR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.08‐1.20, respectively) and decompensation (aHR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.07‐1.30 and aHR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00‐1.16, respectively). Alcohol use was not associated with HCC, regardless of cirrhosis etiology. Conclusion: Unhealthy alcohol use was common in patients with cirrhosis and was associated with higher risks of mortality and cirrhosis decompensation in patients with HCV‐cirrhosis and ALD‐cirrhosis. Therefore, health care providers should make every effort to help patients achieve abstinence. The lack of association between alcohol use and HCC merits further investigation.
High resolution diffusion tensor imaging of the hippocampus across the healthy lifespan
Authors: Solar Kevin Grant , Treit Sarah , Beaulieu Christian
Published: October 2021

The human hippocampus is difficult to image given its small size, location, shape, and complex internal architecture. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown age‐related hippocampal volume changes that vary along the anterior–posterior axis. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides complementary measures related to microstructure, but there are few hippocampus DTI studies investigating change with age in healthy participants, and all have been limited by low spatial resolution. The current study uses high resolution 1 mm isotropic DTI of 153 healthy volunteers aged 5–74 years to investigate diffusion and volume trajectories of the hippocampus (whole, head, body, and tail) and correlations with memory. Hippocampal volume showed age‐related changes that differed between head (peaking at midlife), body (no changes), and tail (decreasing across the age span). Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean, axial, and radial diffusivities (MD, AD, RD) yielded peaks or minima, respectively, at ~30–35 years in all three subregions of the hippocampus. Greater magnitude changes were observed during development than in aging. Age trajectories for both volume and DTI were similar between males and females. Correlations between tests of memory and FA and/or volume were significant in younger subjects (5–17 years), but not in 18–49 year olds or 50–74 year olds. MD was significantly correlated with memory performance in 18–49 year olds, but not in other age groups. Given the diffusion‐weighted image contrast and resolution, head digitations could be examined revealing that the majority of subjects had 3–4 (48%) or 2 (32%) bilaterally with no effect of age. One millimeter isotropic DTI yielded high quality diffusion‐weighted maps of the human hippocampus that showed regionally specific age effects and cognitive correlations along the anterior–posterior axis from 5 to 74 years.
Following the curve? Reviewing the physical basis of the SCS curve number method for estimating storm runoff
Authors: Kirkby Mike , Cerdà Artemi
Published: October 2021

Less attention has been paid to runoff generation from semi‐arid than from humid‐temperate catchments. The SCS curve number approach is simple to apply and widely used, but lacks physical underpinning. Here output from a runoff generation models is compared with data from field measurements, making use of 11 years data from rainfall and runoff events at the Sierra de Enguera Soil Erosion Experimental Station in Eastern Spain. Runoff from natural rainfall events was monitored for 10 years on bare plots of 1–16 m length. The largest storm event was of 142 mm, generating runoff of up to 115 mm on the smallest plots. The model presented simulates overland storm flow on a sloping rough and unvegetated surface, representing an area of 320 × 320 m. Green‐Ampt infiltration constants are randomly assigned to each cell in a 128 × 128 grid, and rectangular storms applied at a range of total amounts and intensities to simulate runoff at each transect across the area. A simple algebraic expression is developed to estimate total runoff and storage in terms of storm size and duration, and plot length, with parameters that reflect infiltration behaviour, and this expression is compared with the SCS curve number approach. For the very largest storms, both expressions converge asymptotically towards 100% runoff, but the revised expression greatly improves estimates of runoff from smaller events. Output of these simulations is compared with measured storm runoff data on bare runoff plots at the Sierra de Enguera experimental Station in SE Spain and gives further support to the proposed expression for storm runoff.
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Authors: Wang Ziming , Qiao Jie , Zhao Shuqi , Wang Shilei , He Chuan , Tao Xutang , Wang Shanpeng
Published: October 2021

THz modulators based on 2D materials are attracting attention due to their potential applications in THz communication, sensing, and biomedical diagnostics. The authors present recent progress on 2D materials with different photonic structures, fundamental of THz modulation, and THz operation principles. This work provides useful guidance for the design strategy of 2D materials based THz modulators. (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12236)

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Evaluation of a pain management protocol used to deescalate opioid use in adult patients hospitalized with vaso‐occlusive crisis due to sickle cell disease
Authors: Ciriello Domenique , Cieri‐Hutcherson Nicole E. , Seyse Stephanie , Abeles Jennifer , Conway‐Habes Erin , Slowik Baylie , Woodruff Ashley E.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Limited guidance has been provided for opioid de‐escalation when managing pain associated with vaso‐occlusive crisis (VOC) in hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Therefore, a pain management protocol was developed for use in this population and piloted at a tertiary academic medical center.

Objective

To assess implementation of a newly developed pain management protocol for use in hospitalized patients with a VOC.

Methods

This was a retrospective, single‐center, pre‐post cohort study of SCD patients admitted with a VOC between June 1, 2018 to June 1, 2019 (pre‐protocol) and December 31, 2019 to May 12, 2020 (post‐protocol). The primary outcome was a reduction in intravenous (IV) short‐acting opioid utilization as defined by the proportion of hospitalized days where the route of administration for short‐acting opioids was oral rather than IV for ≥75% of doses given. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of hospitalized days where ≥50% and ≥25% of the short‐acting opioid doses were administered by mouth. Opioid use (in morphine milligram equivalents [MME]) was also compared between groups.

Results

A total of 96 admissions in the pre‐protocol group and 29 admissions in the post‐protocol group were included in the study. There was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of hospitalized days where ≥75% of the short‐acting opioid doses were administered by mouth rather than IV in the post‐protocol group compared with the pre‐protocol group (0% vs 8.3%, P = .0114). Intravenous opioid use and total opioid use in the post‐protocol group was lower compared with the pre‐protocol group.

Conclusion

Implementation of a pain management protocol for use in hospitalized SCD patients admitted with VOC was associated with an increase in the use of oral short‐acting opioids and reduced overall opioid use.
Normal‐mode driven exploration of protein domain motions
Authors: Sanejouand Yves‐Henri
Published: October 2021

Domain motions involved in the function of proteins can often be well described as a combination of motions along a handfull of low‐frequency modes, that is, with the values of a few normal coordinates. This means that, when the functional motion of a protein is unknown, it should prove possible to predict it, since it amounts to guess a few values. However, without the help of additional experimental data, using normal coordinates for generating accurate conformers far away from the initial one is not so straightforward. To do so, a new approach is proposed: instead of building conformers directly with the values of a subset of normal coordinates, they are built in two steps, the conformer built with normal coordinates being just used for defining a set of distance constraints, the final conformer being built so as to match them. Note that this approach amounts to transform the problem of generating accurate protein conformers using normal coordinates into a better known one: the distance‐geometry problem, which is herein solved with the help of the ROSETTA software. In the present study, this approach allowed to rebuild accurately six large amplitude conformational changes, using at most six low‐frequency normal coordinates. As a consequence of the low‐dimensionality of the corresponding subspace, random exploration also proved enough for generating low‐energy conformers close to the known end‐point of the conformational change of the LAO binding protein, lysozyme T4 and adenylate kinase.
Advanced oxidation protein products contribute to chronic kidney disease‐induced muscle atrophy by inducing oxidative stress via CD36/NADPH oxidase pathway
Authors: Kato Hiromasa , Watanabe Hiroshi , Imafuku Tadashi , Arimura Nanaka , Fujita Issei , Noguchi Isamu , Tanaka Shoma , Nakano Takehiro , Tokumaru Kai , Enoki Yuki , Maeda Hitoshi , Hino Shinjiro , Tanaka Motoko , Matsushita Kazutaka , Fukagawa Masafumi , Maruyama Toru
Published: October 2021

Background

Sarcopenia with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is associated with life prognosis. Oxidative stress has attracted interest as a trigger for causing CKD‐related muscular atrophy. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), a uraemic toxin, are known to increase oxidative stress. However, the role of AOPPs on CKD‐induced muscle atrophy remains unclear.

Methods

In a retrospective case–control clinical study, we evaluated the relationship between serum AOPPs levels and muscle strength in haemodialysis patients with sarcopenia (n = 26, mean age ± SEM: 78.5 ± 1.4 years for male patients; n = 22, mean age ± SEM: 79.1 ± 1.5 for female patients), pre‐sarcopenia (n = 12, mean age ± SEM: 73.8 ± 2.0 years for male patients; n = 4, mean age ± SEM: 74.3 ± 4.1 for female patients) or without sarcopenia (n = 12, mean age ± SEM: 71.3 ± 1.6 years for male patients; n = 7, mean age ± SEM: 77.7 ± 1.6 for female ). The molecular mechanism responsible for the AOPPs‐induced muscle atrophy was investigated by using 5/6‐nephrectomized CKD mice, AOPPs‐overloaded mice, and C2C12 mouse myoblast cells.

Results

The haemodialysis patients with sarcopenia showed higher serum AOPPs levels as compared with the patients without sarcopenia. The serum AOPPs levels showed a negative correlation with grip strength (P < 0.01 for male patients, P < 0.01 for female patients) and skeletal muscle index (P < 0.01 for male patients). Serum AOPPs levels showed a positive correlation with cysteinylated albumin (Cys‐albumin), a marker of oxidative stress (r2 = 0.398, P < 0.01). In the gastrocnemius of CKD mice, muscle AOPPs levels were also increased, and it showed a positive correlation with atrogin‐1 (r2 = 0.538, P < 0.01) and myostatin expression (r2 = 0.421, P < 0.05), but a negative correlation with PGC‐1α expression (r2 = 0.405, P < 0.05). Using C2C12 cells, AOPPs increased atrogin‐1 and myostatin expression through the production of reactive oxygen species via CD36/NADPH oxidase pathway, and decreased myotube formation. AOPPs also induced mitochondrial dysfunction. In the AOPPs‐overloaded mice showed that decreasing running time and hanging time accompanied by increasing AOPPs levels and decreasing cross‐sectional area in gastrocnemius.

Conclusions

Advanced oxidation protein products contribute to CKD‐induced sarcopenia, suggesting that AOPPs or its downstream signalling pathway could be a therapeutic target for the treatment of CKD‐induced sarcopenia. Serum AOPPs or Cys‐albumin levels could be a new diagnostic marker for sarcopenia in CKD.
Early versus late enteral nutrition in critically ill patients receiving vasopressor support
Authors: Dorken Gallastegi Ander , Gebran Anthony , Gaitanidis Apostolos , Naar Leon , Hwabejire John O. , Parks Jonathan , Lee Jarone , Kaafarani Haytham M. A. , Velmahos George C. , Mendoza April E.
Published: October 2021

Background

Outcomes of early enteral nutrition (EEN) in critically ill patients on vasoactive medications remain unclear. We aimed to compare in‐hospital outcomes for EEN vs late EN (LEN) in mechanically ventilated patients receiving vasopressor support.

Methods

This was a retrospective study using the national eICU Collaborative Research Database. Adult patients requiring vasopressor support and mechanical ventilation within 24 h of admission and for ≥2 days were included. Patients with an admission diagnosis that could constitute a contraindication for EEN (eg, gastrointestinal [GI] perforation, GI surgery) and patients with an intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) <72 h were excluded. EEN and LEN were defined as tube feeding within 48 h and between 48 h and 1 week (nothing by mouth during the first 48 h) of admission, respectively. Propensity score matching was performed to derive two cohorts receiving EEN and LEN that were comparable for baseline patient characteristics.

Results

Among 1701 patients who met the inclusion criteria (EEN: 1001, LEN: 700), 1148 were included in propensity score–matched cohorts (EEN: 574, LEN: 574). Median time to EN was 29 vs 79 h from admission in the EEN and LEN groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in mortality or hospital LOS between the two nutrition strategies. EEN was associated with shorter ICU LOS, lower need for renal replacement therapy, and lower incidence of electrolyte abnormalities.

Conclusion

This study showed no difference in 28‐day mortality between EEN and LEN in critically ill patients receiving vasopressor support.
Patient‐reported outcomes in human papillomavirus‐related oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Fitzgerald Conall W. R. , Long Sallie M. , McLean Andrew T. , Cracchiolo Jennifer R.
Published: October 2021

This review explores how human papillomavirus‐related oropharyngeal cancer affects health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) and the role patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) can play in optimizing treatment. PRO measures (PROMs) are comprehensive, subjective assessments of patients’ day‐to‐day HR‐QoL. Developed through a scientifically robust, multistage process, PROMs offer insight into patients’ symptoms, function, and satisfaction with care. The use of PROMs can increase symptom awareness, stimulate discussion, and enhance shared decision‐making between patients and healthcare providers.
Impact of care fragmentation on the outcomes of patients receiving neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Brown Zachary J. , Labiner Hanna E. , Shen Chengli , Ejaz Aslam , Pawlik Timothy M. , Cloyd Jordan M.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) is increasingly used for localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The impact of care fragmentation during NT on the outcomes of patients with PDAC is unknown.

Methods

Adult patients with Stage I–III PDAC who received NT and patients who underwent surgery first followed by adjuvant therapy (AT) between 2004 and 2016 were queried from the National Cancer Database. Short‐ and long‐term outcomes were compared between patients who received fragmented care (FC; care provided at >1 hospital) versus integrated care (IC; care at a single institution).

Results

Among 6522 patients who underwent NT before pancreatectomy, 3755 (57.6%) received FC and 2767 (42.4%) received IC. While patients who received FC had a longer time to initiation of treatment (33.2 vs. 29.7 days, p < 0.001), there was no difference in median overall survival (OS) (26.7 vs. 26.5 months, p = 0.6). Among patients who underwent upfront surgery followed by AT (n = 15 291), patients who received FC had a longer time from diagnosis to undergoing surgery but less time from surgery to AT and no difference in OS (24.0 vs. 24.0 months, p = 0.910).

Conclusion

Although care fragmentation was associated with slightly longer times to initiate and complete treatment among patients with localized PDAC, long‐term survival outcomes were similar.