bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Albumin concentration is a candidate indicator for predicting the risk of calf venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery
Authors: Xin Xing , Huang Hailong , Lu Weixin , Li Yunli , Zeng Fanke , Wang Shaoshuai , Feng Ling
Published: March 2021

Objective

To explore the ability of albumin concentration to predict calf venous thromboembolism (cVTE) in gynecologic diseases.

Methods

We analyzed data from 761 patients from the gynecology department. We screened the serum albumin concentration as an important indicator for predicting cVTE through logistic analysis. The data were divided into albumin below 35 and 35 g/L or more. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was used to compare the predictive ability of albumin, D‐dimer, and a combination of these parameters as indicators for cVTE risk in different groups and subgroups.

Results

In gynecologic diseases, the albumin concentrations were lower in the surgery and malignancy group than in the chemotherapy and benign disease group. Albumin concentration had a predictive ability for cVTE risk. In ovarian cancer patients with albumin concentrations less than 35 g/L, albumin was better than D‐dimer at predicting cVTE (area under the curve [AUC] 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70–0.87, P < 0.001 versus AUC 0.65, 95% CI 0.54–0.77, P = 0.016).

Conclusion

The albumin concentration was a candidate indicator for predicting cVTE in surgical patients in the gynecology department, especially in ovarian cancer patients with albumin concentrations less than 35 g/L. A combination of the albumin and D‐dimer parameters may improve the predictive ability for cVTE.
Considering Possibilities to Promote Disciplinary Literacy Instruction in Mathematics
Authors: Enderson Mary C. , Colwell Jamie
Published: March 2021

In this article, we use a case study to provide suggestions and lessons for considering mathematical literacy instruction. Preservice teachers in the study were provided coursework and support in designing mathematical literacy instruction, and then they incorporated that instruction into a field‐based practicum experience. We then studied their perceptions to consider how teachers might be supported in mathematical literacy instruction. Themes that emerged from analysis focused on the role of mathematical literacy in mathematics instruction, complexities of instantiating inquiry in mathematics instruction, and linking teacher education in mathematical literacy to the realities of secondary mathematics curricula and schooling. Findings are presented in the form of lessons gleaned from these themes that teachers, mathematics coaches, and teacher educators might use to provide support for mathematical literacy instruction and integration.
Knockdown of RpL36 in testes impairs spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Fang Yang , Zong Qiong , He Zhen , Liu Chen , Wang Yu‐Feng
Published: March 2021

Many ribosomal proteins (RPs) not only play essential roles in ribosome biogenesis, but also have “extraribosomal” functions in various cellular processes. RpL36 encodes ribosomal protein L36, a component of the 60S subunit of ribosomes in Drosophila melanogaster. We report here that RpL36 is required for spermatogenesis in D. melanogaster. After showing the evolutionary conservation of RpL36 sequences in animals, we revealed that the RpL36 expression level in fly testes was significantly higher than in ovaries. Knockdown RpL36 in fly testes resulted in a significantly decreased egg hatch rate when these males mated with wild‐type females. Furthermore, 76.67% of the RpL36 knockdown fly testes were much smaller in comparison to controls. Immunofluorescence staining exhibited that in the RpL36 knockdown testis hub cell cluster was enlarged, while the number of germ cells, including germ stem cells, was reduced. Knockdown of RpL36 in fly testis caused much fewer or no mature sperms in seminal vesicles. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) signal was stronger in RpL36 knockdown fly testes than in the control testes, but the TUNEL‐positive cells could not be stained by Vasa antibody, indicating that apoptotic cells are not germ cells. The percentage of pH3‐positive cells among the Vasa‐positive cells was significantly reduced. The expression of genes involved in cell death, cell cycle progression, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway was significantly changed by RpL36 knockdown in fly testes. These results suggest that RpL36 plays an important role in spermatogenesis, likely through JAK/STAT pathway, thus resulting in defects in cell‐cycle progression and cell death in D. melanogaster testes.
Are GMI gangliosidosis and Morquio type B two different disorders or part of one phenotypic spectrum?
Authors: Kingma Sandra D. K. , Ceulemans Berten , Kenis Sandra , Jonckheere An I.
Published: March 2021

Monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GMI) gangliosidosis and Morquio type B (MorB) are two lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) caused by the same enzyme deficiency, β‐galactosidase (βgal). GMI gangliosidosis, associated with GMI ganglioside accumulation, is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by psychomotor regression, visceromegaly, cherry red spot, and facial and skeletal abnormalities. MorB is characterized by prominent and severe skeletal deformities due to keratan sulfate (KS) accumulation. There are only a few reports on intermediate phenotypes between GMI gangliosidosis and MorB. The presentation of two new patients with this rare intermediate phenotype motivated us to review the literature, to study differences and similarities between GMI gangliosidosis and MorB, and to speculate about the possible mechanisms that may contribute to the differences in clinical presentation. In conclusion, we hypothesize that GMI gangliosidosis and MorB are part of one phenotypic spectrum of the same disease and that the classification of LSDs might need to be revised.
Treatment Outcomes for Adolescents Versus Adults Receiving Cognitive Processing Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder During Community Training
Authors: LoSavio Stefanie T. , Murphy Robert A. , Resick Patricia A.
Published: March 2021

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a gold‐standard treatment for adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, adolescents may also benefit from CPT, particularly when existing evidence‐based treatments for adolescents are unavailable or not a good fit. In this program evaluation study, community‐based therapists participating in training delivered a modular version of CPT to 32 adolescents (age range: 14–17 years) and 174 adults recruited at their sites (overall sample: 81.1% female, 59.7% White, 31.6% Black, 21.6% Hispanic, 2.9% American Indian/Alaskan Native, 1.9% Asian, and 9.7% other race). The same protocol was used for adolescents as adults. Treatment outcomes, including treatment completion status, number of sessions needed, and PTSD and depression symptom change, were compared between groups. In total, 47.1% of adults versus 71.9% of adolescents completed treatment. Among completers, there was no between‐group difference in the number of attended sessions, RR = 1.04, 95% CI [0.88, 1.23], p = .576. Overall, in the full intent‐to‐treat sample (i.e., completers and noncompleters), large symptom reductions were observed for PTSD, b = −3.27, SE = 0.17, p < .001, d = 1.22; and depression, b = −0.82, SE = 0.07, p < .001, d = 0.84. There were no differences in the rate of change for adolescents versus adults regarding PTSD, b = −0.15, SE = 0.48, p = .759; or depression, b = −0.20, SE = 0.14, p = .181. These findings suggest that CPT is a viable treatment option for adolescents, who benefited from treatment and completed treatment at a high rate.
Racial Discrimination is Associated with Acute Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Predicts Future Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity in Trauma‐Exposed Black Adults in the United States
Authors: Bird Claire M. , Webb E. Kate , Schramm Andrew T. , Torres Lucas , Larson Christine , deRoon‐Cassini Terri A.
Published: March 2021

In the United States, Black residents exposed to a traumatic event are at an increased risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and experiencing more severe symptoms compared to their non‐Hispanic White counterparts. Although previous work has suggested a link between racial discrimination and PTSD symptoms, no studies have assessed this association in a sample of traumatic injury survivors. The current study investigated whether (a) past racial discrimination was associated with acute posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and (b) discrimination prospectively contributed to the prediction of future PTSD symptoms. African American and/or Black patients (N= 113) were recruited from an emergency department in southeastern Wisconsin. Patients in the acute postinjury phase (i.e., 2 weeks posttrauma) completed self‐report measures, with PTSD symptoms assessed using the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale at 6‐month follow‐up. Bivariate associations indicated past racial discrimination was significantly related to acute PTSS. A multiple regression analysis revealed that pretrauma exposure to racial discrimination significantly predicted PTSD symptoms at follow‐up, even after controlling for age, gender, previous psychiatric diagnosis, social support, and lifetime trauma history. Our results suggest that experiences of racial discrimination add significant additional risk for PTSD symptom development following traumatic injury,R2= .16,F(6, 106) = 3.25,p= .006. Broadly, these findings add to the body of empirical evidence and personal testimonies of Black individuals in White‐centric societies asserting that racial discrimination affects mental health and overall well‐being and further highlight the recent call for racism to be classified as a public health crisis.
Fire Management Effects on Long‐Term Gopher Tortoise Population Dynamics
Authors: Hunter Elizabeth A. , Rostal David C.
Published: March 2021

Long‐term datasets are required to understand the response of long‐lived organisms (e.g., gopher tortoises [Gopherus polyphemus]) to management actions, such as prescribed burns. Our objective was to estimate the effects of prescribed burning on gopher tortoise population dynamics over decadal time frames at Fort Stewart Army Reserve, southeastern Georgia, USA. We captured and marked adult tortoises from 1994–2020. In addition, since the early 1990s, managers at Fort Stewart collected spatial records of prescribed burns; thus, we could compare demography of the population to prescribed burning. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model (open population Jolly‐Seber model) to estimate population parameters (emigration and survival, immigration and recruitment, and adult abundance) and their relationships with years since burn. We observed opposing responses to years since burn at 2 sites: abundance and the probability of staying (survival plus not emigrating) increased within 1 site when it had been more recently burned (F zones), but abundance and probability of staying in a second site increased when it had been longer since the site was burned (E zones). Some of these effects were weak but indicative of different responses to burning between the sites. Although the sites experienced similar burning regimes, they differed substantially in other habitat features: the F zones had almost twice the tree cover and lower soil sand composition, indicating that tortoise population responses to burning depend on habitat context. We inferred that the primary mechanism for demographic responses to years since burn was likely emigrating adults, which indicates the need for more detailed movement data. Our results demonstrate that gopher tortoise population responses to prescribed burning are complex, context dependent, and primarily influenced by tortoise movements. Therefore, prescribed burn plans may best accommodate spatially dynamic tortoise populations when they create spatial heterogeneity in burn ages within the range of typical tortoise movements. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Erosion hazard evaluation for soil conservation planning that sustains life expectancy of the A‐horizon: The black soil region of China
Authors: Zhang Tianyu , Wilson Glenn V. , Hao Yanfang , Han Xiao
Published: March 2021

Soil erosion is threatening crop production in the black soil region (BSR) of China. This study aims to: (i) evaluate soil erosion hazard for all sloping croplands in BSR; (ii) identify optimum soil conservation practices and propose a schedule for soil conservation. High‐quality spatial data were collected and converted to a map with 30‐m resolution for analysis, including consideration of climate, soil, gemology, topography, and land use. The current erosion hazard was evaluated with soil life expectancy of the A‐horizon (SLEA). The lands with SLEA < 0 yr, 0–20 yr, 20–100 yr, 100–1,000 yr, and ≥1,000 yr were classified as ‘Damaged’. ‘High hazard’, ‘Moderate hazard’, ‘Low hazard’, and ‘No hazard’ in erosion hazard degree, respectively. The result indicated that the current area ratio of these degrees was 8%, 5%, 22%, 61%, and 4%, respectively. Conservation practices are urgently needed. Moreover, optimum practices were identified by comparing SLEA, feasibility, and relative crop yield in the future (2020–2120) under several soil conservation scenarios. The optimum practices were found to be: (i) no‐till (zero‐tillage) for all ‘Damaged’, ‘High hazard’ in warmer BSR, and ‘Moderate’ in warmer BSR; (ii) Combo (a combination of contour tillage, terracing, and ‘green for grain’ measures) for ‘High hazard’ in cooler BSR and ‘Moderate’ in cooler BSR; (iii) maintaining present conditions for all ‘Low hazard’ and all ‘No hazard’. Practices should be implemented to assist ‘Damaged’ and ‘High hazard’ immediately, no later than 2040 for ‘Moderate hazard’ and at any time for ‘Low hazard’ and ‘No hazard’. The strategy suggested by this study is useful for soil conservation works in other regions.
Black Race Is Associated With Higher Rates of Early‐Onset End‐Stage Renal Disease and Increased Mortality Following Liver Transplantation
Authors: Alvarado Meagan , Schaubel Douglas E. , Reddy K. Rajender , Bittermann Therese
Published: March 2021

Black race is a risk factor for end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Racial disparities in the risks of early and long‐term renal complications after liver transplantation (LT) have not been systematically studied. This study evaluated racial differences in the natural history of acute and chronic renal insufficiency after LT. This was a retrospective single‐center cohort study of 763 non‐Hispanic White and 181 Black LT recipients between 2008 and 2017. Black race was investigated as an independent predictor of the following outcomes: (1) receipt and duration of early post‐LT hemodialysis and (2) time to post‐LT ESRD. The interaction of race and post‐LT ESRD on survival was also studied. Black recipients had higher rates of pre‐LT hypertension (P < 0.001), but diabetes mellitus and renal function before LT were not different by race (all P > 0.05). Overall, 15.2% of patients required early hemodialysis immediately after LT with no difference by race (covariate‐adjusted odds ratio, 0.89; P = 0.71). Early dialysis discontinuation was lower among Black recipients (covariate‐adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.47; P = 0.02), whereas their rate of post‐LT ESRD was higher (aHR, 1.91; P = 0.005). Post‐LT survival after ESRD was markedly worse for Black (aHR, 11.18; P < 0.001) versus White recipients (aHR, 5.83; P < 0.001; interaction P = 0.08). Although Black and White LT recipients had comparable pretransplant renal function, post‐LT renal outcomes differed considerably, and the impact of ESRD on post‐LT survival was greater for Black recipients. This study highlights the need for an individualized approach to post‐LT management to improve outcomes for all patients.
Out‐of‐field dose assessment for a 1.5 T MR‐Linac with optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yan Shaojie , Cui Zhen , Wang Yungang , Li Zhenjiang , Yin Yong , Li Baosheng , Quan Hong , Zhu Jian
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To assess the out‐of‐field surface and internal dose of the 1.5 T MR‐Linac compared to the conventional external beam linac using optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs), and evaluate the out‐of‐field dose calculation accuracy of the Monaco treatment planning system (TPS) of the 1.5T MR‐Linac.

Methods

A cubic solid water phantom, with OSLDs on the surface, was vertically irradiated by MR‐Linac square fields with different sizes. In addition, OSLDs were arranged out of the beam edges in four directions. An anthropomorphic adult phantom, with 125 cm3 simulated volume, was irradiated in four orthogonal directions by both MR‐Linac and conventional linac at the head, thoracic, and pelvic sites. Out‐of‐field doses were measured by OSLDs on both the surface and internal emulational organs at risk (OARs). The results were compared to the simulated dose from Monaco TPS.

Results

At different field sizes (5 × 5 to 20 × 20 cm2) and distances (1 to 10 cm) to beam edge, the out‐of‐field surface dose measured on MR‐Linac varied from 0.16 % (10 cm to 5 × 5 cm2 edge) to 7.02 % (1 cm to 20 × 20 cm2 edge) of the maximum dose laterally and from 0.14 % (10 cm to 5 × 5 cm2 edge) to 8.56 % (1 cm to 20 × 20 cm2 edge) of the maximum dose longitudinally. Compared to the OSLDs measured data, the Monaco TPS presented an overestimate of the out‐of‐field dose of OARs at 0–2 % isodose area on both surface and internal check points, and the overestimation gets greater as the distance increases. The underestimation was found to be 0–35% at 2–5% isodose area on both surface and internal check points. Compared to the conventional linac, MR‐Linac delivered higher average values of out‐of‐field dose on surface check points (20%, 19%, 21%) and internal simulated OARs (42%, 37%, 9%) of the anthropomorphic phantom at head, thoracic, and pelvic irradiations, respectively.

Conclusions

Compared to the conventional linac, MR‐Linac has the same out‐of‐field dose distribution. However, considering the absolute dose values, MR‐Linac delivered relatively higher out‐of‐field doses on both surface and internal OARs. Additional radiation shielding to patients undergoing MR‐Linac may provide protection from out‐of‐field exposure.
Point‐Counterpoint: Indirect Calorimetry Is Essential for Optimal Nutrition Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Wischmeyer Paul E. , Molinger Jeroen , Haines Krista
Published: March 2021

Iatrogenic malnutrition and underfeeding are ubiquitous in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide for prolonged periods after ICU admission. A major driver leading to the lack of emphasis on timely ICU nutrition delivery is lack of objective data to guide nutrition care. If we are to ultimately overcome current fundamental challenges to effective ICU nutrition delivery, we must all adopt routine objective, longitudinal measurement of energy targets via indirect calorimetry (IC). Key evidence supporting the routine use of IC in the ICU includes (1) universal societal ICU nutrition guidelines recommending IC to determine energy requirements; (2) data showing predictive equations or body weight calculations that are consistently inaccurate and correlate poorly with measured energy expenditure, ultimately leading to routine overfeeding and underfeeding, which are both associated with poor ICU outcomes; (3) recent development and worldwide availability of a new validated, accurate, easy‐to‐use IC device; and (4) recent data in ICU patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) showing progressive hypermetabolism throughout ICU stay, emphasizing the inaccuracy of predictive equations and marked day‐to‐day variability in nutrition needs. Thus, given the availability of a new validated IC device, these findings emphasize that routine longitudinal IC measures should be considered the new standard of care for ICU and post‐ICU nutrition delivery. As we would not deliver vasopressors without accurate blood pressure measurements, the ICU community is only likely to embrace an increased focus on the importance of early nutrition delivery when we can consistently provide objective IC measures to ensure personalized nutrition care delivers the right nutrition dose, in the right patient, at the right time to optimize clinical outcomes.
A comparison between the effects of school‐based education programs provided by peer group versus health practitioners on premenstrual syndrome in adolescents: A protocol for a non‐masked clinical trial
Authors: Babapour Farzaneh , Elyasi Forouzan , Yazdani‐charati Jamshid , Shahhosseini Zohreh
Published: March 2021

Aim

To compare the effect of school‐based education programs, by peer group versus health practitioner on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in adolescent girls.

Design

Non‐masked three‐armed clinical trial.

Methods

Ninety 11th‐grade students with moderate to severe PMS will be allocated to Intervention Group 1 (IG1), Intervention Group 2 (IG2) and Comparison Group (CG). Three weeks (six online sessions) of parallel education will be implemented in IG1 by trained peer educators and in IG2 by a health practitioner. The primary outcome will be changes in PMS severity score between three groups over time (measured by Daily Record of Severity of Problems). Secondary outcomes include changes in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and General Health. Data collection will be conducted in two‐time points, at baseline, and at the end of the intervention.

Results

Our study will explore the effect of school‐based education programs, by peer group versus health practitioner on PMS. This will add to the evidence‐based interventions to PMS management and the effectiveness of peer education in health promotion of adolescents girls.
Public service in Nigeria: Perception of young and middle‐aged adults
Authors: Oyekola Isaac Akintoyese , Ajani Oludele Albert , Asamu Festus Femi , Olajire Oluyinka Olutola
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study is to assess the perception of public service in Nigeria from the standpoint of young and middle‐aged adults in Ibadan, Nigeria with a view to determining its performance and contribution to national development. Concurrent triangulation mixed methods research design was adopted in this study to collect primary data from young and middle‐aged adults in Ibadan, Nigeria. Descriptive and inferential statistics described quantitative data and principal component analysis (PCA) extracted two factors. In addition, thematic content analysis was adopted to analyze qualitative research data. Findings showed that respondents had a negative perception of public service in Nigeria both in terms of its operation and reward. Job security was perceived positively but corruption/bad behavior in the public service was most perceived negatively. Also, final year undergraduates most perceive public service negatively and public paid workers least perceived public service negatively. Knowledge of this study will benefit Nigerians who render and enjoy public services, and will be most useful for the Nigerian public service to formulate policies that will prevent self‐interested, inefficient, ineffective, and unproductive public service workforce. This study measures, for the first time, perception of Nigerian public service in terms of its operation and reward. Studies that will investigate the rationale behind young and middle‐aged adults' negative perception of and high preference for careers in Nigerian public service are recommended. Also, improvement in service delivery and in the conditions of Nigerian public service will help in correcting the negative view.
Control yourself: ISPE‐endorsed guidance in the application of self‐controlled study designs in pharmacoepidemiology
Authors: Cadarette Suzanne M. , Maclure Malcolm , Delaney J. A. Chris , Whitaker Heather J. , Hayes Kaleen N. , Wang Shirley V. , Tadrous Mina , Gagne Joshua J. , Consiglio Giulia P. , Hallas Jesper
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Consensus is needed on conceptual foundations, terminology and relationships among the various self‐controlled “trigger” study designs that control for time‐invariant confounding factors and target the association between transient exposures (potential triggers) and abrupt outcomes. The International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE) funded a working group of ISPE members to develop guidance material for the application and reporting of self‐controlled study designs, similar to Standards of Reporting Observational Epidemiology (STROBE). This first paper focuses on navigation between the types of self‐controlled designs to permit a foundational understanding with guiding principles.

Methods

We leveraged a systematic review of applications of these designs, that we term Self‐controlled Crossover Observational PharmacoEpidemiologic (SCOPE) studies. Starting from first principles and using case examples, we reviewed outcome‐anchored (case‐crossover [CCO], case‐time control [CTC], case‐case‐time control [CCTC]) and exposure‐anchored (self‐controlled case‐series [SCCS]) study designs.

Results

Key methodological features related to exposure, outcome and time‐related concerns were clarified, and a common language and worksheet to facilitate the design of SCOPE studies is introduced.

Conclusions

Consensus on conceptual foundations, terminology and relationships among SCOPE designs will facilitate understanding and critical appraisal of published studies, as well as help in the design, analysis and review of new SCOPE studies. This manuscript is endorsed by ISPE.
Identifying prescribing cascades in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: The calcium channel blocker‐diuretic prescribing cascade
Authors: Singh Sonal , Cocoros Noelle M. , Haynes Kevin , Nair Vinit P. , Harkins Thomas P. , Rochon Paula A. , Platt Richard , Dashevsky Inna , Reynolds Juliane , Mazor Kathleen M. , Bloomstone Sarah , Anzuoni Kathryn , Crawford Sybil L. , Gurwitz Jerry H.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Prescribing cascades occur when a physician prescribes a new drug to address the side‐effect of another drug. Persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are at increased risk for prescribing cascades. Our objective was to develop an approach to estimating the proportion of calcium channel blocker‐diuretic (CCB‐diuretic) prescribing cascades among persons with ADRD in two U.S. health plans.

Methods

We identified patients aged ≥50 on January 1, 2017, dispensed a drug to treat ADRD in the 365‐days prior to/on cohort entry date. Patients had medical/pharmacy coverage for 1 year before and through cohort entry. We excluded individuals with an institutional stay encounter in the 45 days prior to cohort entry and censored patients based on: disenrollment from coverage, death, or end of data. We identified incident and prevalent CCB use in the 183‐days following cohort entry, and identified subsequent incident diuretic use among incident and prevalent CCB‐users within 365‐days from cohort entry.

Results

There were 121 538 eligible patients. Approximately 62% were female, with a mean age of 79.5 (SD ±8.6). Overall 2.1% of the cohort experienced a prevalent CCB‐diuretic prescribing cascade with 1586 incident diuretic‐users among 36 462 prevalent CCB‐users (4.3%, 95% CI 4.1–4.6%]); and there were161 incident diuretic‐users among 3304 incident CCB‐users (4.9%, 95% CI 4.2–5.7%) (incident CCB‐diuretic cascade).

Conclusions

We describe an approach to identify prescribing cascades in persons with ADRD, which can be used to assess the proportion of prescribing cascades in large cohorts. We determined the proportion of CCB‐diuretic prescribing cascades was low.
ZINC40099027 activates human focal adhesion kinase by accelerating the enzymatic activity of the FAK kinase domain
Authors: Rashmi  , More Shyam K. , Wang Qinggang , Vomhof‐DeKrey Emilie E. , Porter James E. , Basson Marc D.
Published: March 2021

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) regulates gastrointestinal epithelial restitution and healing. ZINC40099027 (Zn27) activates cellular FAK and promotes intestinal epithelial wound closure in vitro and in mice. However, whether Zn27 activates FAK directly or indirectly remains unknown. We evaluated Zn27 potential modulation of the key phosphatases, PTP‐PEST, PTP1B, and SHP2, that inactivate FAK, and performed in vitro kinase assays with purified FAK to assess direct Zn27‐FAK interaction. In human Caco‐2 cells, Zn27‐stimulated FAK‐Tyr‐397 phosphorylation despite PTP‐PEST inhibition and did not affect PTP1B‐FAK interaction or SHP2 activity. Conversely, in vitro kinase assays demonstrated that Zn27 directly activates both full‐length 125 kDa FAK and its 35 kDa kinase domain. The ATP‐competitive FAK inhibitor PF573228 reduced basal and ZN27‐stimulated FAK phosphorylation in Caco‐2 cells, but Zn27 increased FAK phosphorylation even in cells treated with PF573228. Increasing PF573228 concentrations completely prevented activation of 35 kDa FAK in vitro by a normally effective Zn27 concentration. Conversely, increasing Zn27 concentrations dose‐dependently activated kinase activity and overcame PF573228 inhibition of FAK, suggesting the direct interactions of Zn27 with FAK may be competitive. Zn27 increased the maximal activity (Vmax) of FAK. The apparent Km of the substrate also increased under laboratory conditions less relevant to intracellular ATP concentrations. These results suggest that Zn27 is highly potent and enhances FAK activity via allosteric interaction with the FAK kinase domain to increase the Vmax of FAK for ATP. Understanding Zn27 enhancement of FAK activity will be important to redesign and develop a clinical drug that can promote mucosal wound healing.
Establishment of rapid, sensitive, and quantitative liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry method coupled with liquid–liquid extraction for measurement of urinary bisphenol A, 4‐t‐octylphenol, and 4‐nonylphenol
Authors: Battal Dilek , Sukuroglu Ayca Aktas , Kocadal Kumsal , Cok Ismet , Unlusayin Irfan
Published: March 2021

Rationale

Bisphenol A (BPA), 4‐t‐octylphenol (4‐t‐OP), and 4‐nonylphenol (4‐NP) are ubiquitous manufactured chemicals classified as endocrine disruptors. Now these substances are prevalent and found in a wide range of biological and environmental matrices globally. Acting as xenoestrogens, their target is to bind estrogen receptors and compete against natural hormones. Thus, there is an increasing concern on their negative health consequences.

Methods

A rapid, sensitive, and robust method was established, validated, and used for the trace analysis of BPA, 4‐t‐OP, and 4‐NP in human urine using liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

The linear ranges for BPA, 4‐t‐OP, and 4‐NP were 5.0–500 ng/mL. The correlation coefficient was higher than 0.996. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation for the compounds were 0.001, 0.007, and 0.005 ng/mL and 0.005, 0.023, and 0.180 ng/mL, respectively. The recoveries were as follows: 99.539%–108.557%, 97.780%–110.768%, and 99.694%–106.908% for BPA, 4‐NP, and 4‐t‐OP respectively, with relative standard deviation <8.26%.

Conclusions

The established method was also applied effectively for the determination of BPA, 4‐t‐OP, and 4‐NP levels in 15 human urine samples. This method was specifically developed for easy and precise analysis of BPA, 4‐t‐OP, and 4‐NP in human urine. The method developed has been shown to be accurate, precise, and sensitive.
Chances of pregnancy after dropping out from infertility treatments: Evidence from a social survey in Japan
Authors: Hirakawa Marie , Usui Emiko , Mitsuyama Nahoko , Oshio Takashi
Published: March 2021

Purpose

We examined a patient's chances of pregnancy after dropping out from infertility treatments, an issue that has been largely understudied.

Method

Drawing from a nationwide Internet survey in Japan with 1930 respondents, we used data from 199 individuals (109 women and 90 men) who had undergone an infertility treatment. We estimated linear probability models to investigate the extent to which the probability of pregnancy was affected by dropping out after controlling for a couple's attributes.

Results

Among the 199 respondents who had experienced an infertility treatment, 91 (45.7% of the entire sample) became pregnant during the treatment, and 108 (54.3%) dropped out. Among these 108 dropouts, 66 (33.2%) eventually became pregnant. After controlling for a couple's attributes, treatment discontinuation reduced the probability of pregnancy by 31.6% (standard error: 5.0%). A relatively limited reduction in the chances of pregnancy was also observed after a patient dropped out of any of the three treatment stages (timed intercourse, intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization).

Conclusions

The results suggest that dropping out from infertility treatments does not preclude any chance of a future pregnancy. More follow‐up attention should be provided to dropout patients.
Multiple‐input multiple‐output homogeneous integral control design using the implicit Lyapunov function approach
Authors: Mercado‐Uribe Angel , Moreno Jaime A. , Polyakov Andrey , Efimov Denis
Published: March 2021

In this article, continuous and discontinuous integral controllers for multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems are designed for a large class of nonlinear systems, which are (partially) feedback linearizable. These controllers of arbitrary positive or negative degree of homogeneity are derived by combining a Lyapunov function obtained from the implicit Lyapunov function (ILF) method with some extra explicit terms. Discontinuous integral controllers are able to stabilize an equilibrium or track a time‐varying signal in finite time, while rejecting vanishing uncertainties and nonvanishing Lipschitz matching perturbations. Continuous integral controllers achieve asymptotic stabilization despite nonvanishing constant perturbations in finite‐time, exponentially or nearly fixed‐time for negative, zero, or positive homogeneity degree, respectively. The design method and the properties of the different classes of integral controllers are illustrated by means of a simulation example.
Entrepreneurial strategies during institutional changes: Evidence from China's economic transition
Authors: Wu You (Willow) , Eesley Charles E. , Yang Delin
Published: March 2021

Research Summary

Institutional changes create entrepreneurial opportunities and entrepreneurs strategically respond to institutional pressure. However, we lack an understanding of how institutional changes impact entrepreneurial strategies. By exploiting the regional disparities in China's economic transition, we examine how institutional changes alter the effects of entrepreneurial strategies. Using data from an alumni survey in China, we find that relationship‐based strategies are positively associated with firm size in the early stage of the institutional change, innovation‐based strategies appear more effective in the late stage, and “cocoon‐based” strategies are associated with larger firm size in the intermediate stage. We propose that entrepreneurs may temporarily leverage “cocoon institutions” to buffer uncertainty in the broader institutional environment. Overall, we contribute to research at the intersection of institutional change and entrepreneurial strategies.

Managerial Summary

Institutional environments influence the effectiveness of entrepreneurial strategies. How should entrepreneurs adopt different strategies at different stages of an institutional change? We tackle this question by examining China's transition from a planned economy to a market economy. Using data from an alumni survey in China, we find that relationship‐based strategies promote firm growth in the early stage, innovation‐based strategies appear more effective in the late stage, and locating in science parks benefits firm growth in the intermediate stage. Overall, our study implies that entrepreneurs should adopt different strategies to fit different types of institutional environments. Also, our study provides implications to policymakers that cocoon institutions, such as science parks, may be temporarily effective during the intermediate stage of an institutional change.
Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their Derivatives: Designing Principles and Advances toward Advanced Cathode Materials for Alkali Metal Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhu Wei , Li Ang , Wang Zhuanping , Yang Jixing , Xu Yunhua
Published: March 2021

Metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives have attracted enormous attention in the field of energy storage, due to their high specific surface area, tunable structure, highly ordered pores, and uniform metal sites. Compared with the wide research of MOFs and their related materials on anode materials for alkali metal ion batteries, few works are on cathode materials. In this review, design principles for promoting the electrochemical performance of MOF‐related materials in terms of component/structure design, composite fabrication, and morphology engineering are presented. By summarizing the advancement of MOFs and their derivatives, Prussian blue and its analogs, and MOF surface coating, challenges and opportunities for future outlooks of MOF‐related cathode materials are discussed.
Halogen‐Bond Mediated 3D Confined Assembly of AB Diblock Copolymer and C Homopolymer Blends
Authors: Zheng Xihuang , Ren Min , Wang Huayang , Wang Huiying , Geng Zhen , Xu Jiangping , Deng Renhua , Chen Senbin , Binder Wolfgang H. , Zhu Jintao
Published: March 2021

Halogen‐bond driven assembly, a world parallel to hydrogen‐bond, has emerged as an attractive tool for constructing (macro)molecular arrangement. However, knowledge about halogen‐bond mediated confined‐assembly in emulsion droplets is limited so far. An I….N bond mediated confined‐assembly pathway to enable order‐order phase transitions is reported here. Compared to hydrogen bonds, the distinct features of halogen bonds (e.g., higher directionality, hydrophobicity, favored in polar solvents), offers opportunities to achieve novel nanostructures and materials. Polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) AB diblock copolymer is chosen as halogen acceptor, while an iodotetrafluorophenoxy substituted C‐type homopolymer, (poly(3‐(2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐4‐iodophenoxy)propyl acrylate), PTFIPA) is designed as halogen donor, synthesized via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Formation of halogen bonding donor–acceptor pairs between the PTFIPA homopolymer and the P4VP segments presented in PS‐b‐P4VP, increase the volume of P4VP domains, in turn inducing an order‐to‐order morphology transition sequence: changing from spherical → cylindrical → lamellar → inverse cylindrical, by tuning the PTFIPA content and choice of surfactant. Subsequent selective swelling/deswelling of the P4VP domains give rise to further internal morphology transitions, creating tailored mesoporous microparticles, disassembled nanodiscs, and superaggregates. It is believed that these results will stimulate further examinations of halogen bonding interactions in emulsion droplets and many areas of application.
A Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly Route to Electroplated Fibril‐Based 3D Porous Current Collectors for Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Woo Seunghui , Nam Donghyeon , Chang Woojae , Ko Younji , Lee Seokmin , Song Yongkwon , Yeom Bongjun , Moon Jun Hyuk , Lee Seung Woo , Cho Jinhan
Published: March 2021

Electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and large electroactive surface areas are the most important factors in determining the performance of various flexible electrodes in energy storage devices. Herein, a layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly‐induced metal electrodeposition approach is introduced to prepare a variety of highly porous 3D‐current collectors with high flexibility, metallic conductivity, and large surface area. In this study, a few metal nanoparticle (NP) layers are LbL‐assembled onto insulating paper for the preparation of conductive paper. Subsequent Ni electroplating of the metal NP‐coated substrates reduces the sheet resistance from ≈103 to <0.1 Ω sq−1 while maintaining the porous structure of the pristine paper. Particularly, this approach is completely compatible with commercial electroplating processes, and thus can be directly extended to electroplating applications using a variety of other metals in addition to Ni. After depositing high‐energy MnO NPs onto Ni‐electroplated papers, the areal capacitance increases from 68 to 811 mF cm−2 as the mass loading of MnO NPs increases from 0.16 to 4.31 mg cm−2. When metal NPs are periodically LbL‐assembled with the MnO NPs, the areal capacitance increases to 1710 mF cm−2.
Trifluoromethylphenylacetic Acid as In Situ Accelerant of Ostwald Ripening for Stable and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhu Hepeng , Duan Chenghao , Qin Minchao , Liu Zidan , Li Jiong , Yuan Ligang , Wen Qiaoyun , Lu Xinhui , Shi Lei , Xie Jiangsheng , Yan Keyou
Published: March 2021

Perovskite thin film quality, including large grain size and low defect, is one of the fundamental factors to improve the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, trifluoromethylphenylacetic acid (TFPA) as the accelerant of Ostwald ripening is introduced and an in situ crystal growth control (ICGC) strategy is developed to obtain high‐quality thin films. With adding a proper amount of TFPA into the FAI/MAX (X is Br and Cl) precursor in the two‐step method, the larger grain size and reduced defect density perovskite are achieved due to Ostwald ripening. The ICGC process makes the average particle size from 476 to 625 nm. The defect density is reduced by a factor of 3.18. The high‐quality thin film endows the champion PSC (SnO2/perovskite/spiro‐OMeTAD) with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of champion PSC higher than 22.19%. Furthermore, TFPA is insoluble in the water and thus TFPA‐modified film is resistive to moisture. The device can be stored in an argon glove box for 2000 h without efficiency change and when exposed to 65–75% relative humidity for more than 1500 h, it retains more than 85% of the initial PCE.
Renin-angiotensin system is involved in embryonic emergence of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Julien Emmanuelle , Biasch Katia , El Omar Reine , Freund Jean-Noël , Gachet Christian , Lanza François , Tavian Manuela
Published: March 2021

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a key element of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), has recently been identified as a new marker of both adult and embryonic human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). However, whether a full renin-angiotensin pathway is locally present during the hematopoietic emergence is still an open question. In the present study, we show that this enzyme is expressed by hematopoietic progenitors in the developing mouse embryo. Furthermore, ACE and the other elements of RAS—namely angiotensinogen, renin, and angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors—are expressed in the paraaortic splanchnopleura (P-Sp) and in its derivative, the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region, both in human and mouse embryos. Their localization is compatible with the existence of a local autocrine and/or paracrine RAS in these hemogenic sites. in vitro perturbation of the RAS by administration of a specific AT1 receptor antagonist inhibits almost totally the generation of blood CD45-positive cells from dissected P-Sp, implying that angiotensin II signaling is necessary for the emergence of hematopoietic cells. Conversely, addition of exogenous angiotensin II peptide stimulates hematopoiesis in culture, with an increase in the number of immature c-Kit+CD41+CD31+CD45+ hematopoietic progenitors, compared to the control. These results highlight a novel role of local-RAS during embryogenesis, suggesting that angiotensin II, via activation of AT1 receptor, promotes the emergence of undifferentiated hematopoietic progenitors.
Sounds as properties
Authors: Young Nick ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: March 2021

Leddington has recently put forward a new version of the idea that sounds are properties. Whereas other ‘property views’ take material objects to be the bearers of sounds (the sound of a bell being struck is a property instantiated by the bell itself), on Leddington's view sounds are borne by the source events in which these objects are participating (the sound of a bell being struck is a property instantiated by the striking event). In this paper, I argue that the case for events as the bearers of sound properties rather than objects is, at best, ambiguous, and that there are good reasons for wanting to include objects amongst the things we hear. I put forward a new account on which sounds are temporally extended properties of objects. This approach, I argue, not only retains the advantages of Leddington's view, but also allows for the audibility of both objects and events.
Inhibited vertical mixing and seasonal persistence of a thin cyanobacterial layer in a stratified lake
Authors: Fernández Castro Bieito , Sepúlveda Steiner Oscar , Knapp Deborah , Posch Thomas , Bouffard Damien , Wüest Alfred
Published: March 2021

Harmful blooms of the filamentous cyanobacteria Planktothrix rubescens have become common in many lakes as they have recovered from eutrophication over the last decades. These cyanobacteria, capable of regulating their vertical position, often flourish at the thermocline to form a deep chlorophyll maximum. In Lake Zurich (Switzerland), they accumulate during stratified season (May–October) as a persistent metalimnetic thin layer (~2 m wide). This study investigated the role of turbulent mixing in springtime layer formation, its persistence over the summer, and its breakdown in autumn. We characterised seasonal variation of turbulence in Lake Zurich with four surveys conducted in April, July and October of 2018 and September of 2019. Surveys included microstructure profiles and high-resolution mooring measurements. In July and October, the thin layer occurred within a strong thermocline ($$N \gtrsim 0.05$$

N
≳
0.05

 s$$^{-1}$$

-
1

) and withstood significant turbulence, observed as turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates ($$\varepsilon \approx 10^{-8}$$

ε
≈

10

-
8

 W kg$$^{-1}$$

-
1

). Vertical turbulent overturns –monitored by the Thorpe scale– went mostly undetected and on average fell below those estimated by the Ozmidov scale ($$L_O \approx 1$$

L
O

≈
1

 cm). Consistently, vertical diffusivity was close to molecular values, indicating negligible turbulent fluxes. This reduced metalimnetic mixing explains the persistence of the thin layer, which disappears with the deepening of the surface mixed layer in autumn. Bi-weekly temperature profiles in 2018 and a nighttime microstructure sampling in September 2019 showed that nighttime convection serves as the main mechanism driving the breakdown of the cyanobacterial layer in autumn. These results highlight the importance of light winds and convective mixing in the seasonal cycling of P. rubescens communities within a strongly stratified medium-sized lake.