bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Segments Associated with the Discernment of Risk and Information of Contracting the 2019-nCoV in India
Authors: Vijayakumar L. , Sharmila J.
Published: November 2020

This examination explored hazard discernment and mindfulness among India grown-up members about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Two self-managed online studies were led on 1000 respondents (320 and 680 members, individually) during the lockdown time frame in India at two separate time focuses from 26-31 March 2020 (early lockdown) and 11-16 May 2020 (late lockdown) by means of internet based life. Univariate and numerous straight relapse models were utilized to look in danger observation and information related elements toward COVID-19. Scores of mean information (8.4 versus 8.0, P=0.021) and impression of hazard (11.2 versus 9.4, P < 0.001) vary altogether among right on time and late lockdown. There was a huge reduction in saw hazard scores for contracting 2019-nCoV [β=-0.83, 95%CI: - 1.29, - 0.29], while information around 2019-nCoV diminished yet not critical [β=-0.21, 95%CI: - 0.45, 0.02] in late lockdown contrasted and early lockdown period. High rehearsed isolate and isolated in line with general wellbeing specialists during COVID-19 were regular variables related with expanded apparent hazard and information on contracting 2019-nCoV. Any activity in India to raise open information and comprehension of COVID-19 would then organize male who have performed low isolate and are less worried about the transmission of this sort of pathogen.
Effect of MU‐weighted multi‐leaf collimator position error on dose distribution of SBRT radiotherapy in peripheral non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Feng AiHui , Chen Hua , Wang Hao , Gu HengLe , Shao Yan , Duan YanHua , Ying YanChen , Yue Ning Jeff , Xu ZhiYong
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Position accuracy of the multi‐leaf collimator (MLC) is essential in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). This study is aimed to investigate the dosimetric impacts of the MU‐weighted MLC positioning uncertainties of SBRT for patients with early stage peripheral non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Three types of MLC position error were simulated: Type 1, random error; Type 2, system shift, in which both MLC banks shifted to the left or right direction; and Type 3, in which both MLC banks moved with same magnitudes in the opposite directions. Two baseline plans were generated: an automatic plan (AP) and a manually optimized plan (MP). Multi‐leaf collimator position errors were introduced to generate simulated plans with the preset MLC leaf position errors, which were then reimported into the Pinnacle system to generate simulated plans, respectively. The dosimetric parameters (CI, nCI, GI, etc.) and gEUD values of PTV and OARs were calculated. Linear regression between MU‐weighted/unweighted MLC position error and gEUD was performed to obtain dose sensitivity.

Results

The dose sensitivities of the PTVs were −4.93, −38.94, −41.70, −55.55, and 30.33 Gy/mm for random, left shift, right shift, system close, and system open MLC errors, respectively. There were significant differences between the MU‐weighted and the unweighted dose sensitivity, which was −38.94 Gy/mm vs −3.42 Gy/mm (left shift), −41.70 Gy/mm vs −3.56 Gy/mm (right shift), −55.55 Gy/mm vs −4.84 Gy/mm (system close), and 30.33 vs 2.64 Gy/mm (system open). For the system open/close MLC errors, as the PTV volume became larger, the dose sensitivity decreased. APs provided smaller dose sensitivity for the system shift and system close MLC errors compared to the conventional MPs.

Conclusions

There was significant difference in dose sensitivity between MU‐weighted and unweighted MLC position error of SBRT radiotherapy in peripheral NSCLC. MU is suggested to be included in the dosimetric evaluation of the MLC misalignments, since it is much closer to clinical radiotherapy.
Contextual loss based artifact removal method on CBCT image
Authors: Xie Shipeng , Liang Yingjuan , Yang Tao , Song Zhenrong
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers advantages such as high ray utilization rate, the same spatial resolution within and between slices, and high precision. It is one of the most actively studied topics in international computed tomography (CT) research. However, its application is hindered owing to scatter artifacts. This paper proposes a novel scatter artifact removal algorithm that is based on a convolutional neural network (CNN), where contextual loss is employed as the loss function.

Methods

In the proposed method, contextual loss is added to a simple CNN network to correct the CBCT artifacts in the pelvic region. The algorithm aims to learn the mapping from CBCT images to planning CT images. The 627 CBCT‐CT pairs of 11 patients were used to train the network, and the proposed algorithm was evaluated in terms of the mean absolute error (MAE), average peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR) and so on. The proposed method was compared with other methods to illustrate its effectiveness.

Results

The proposed method can remove artifacts (including streaking, shadowing, and cupping) in the CBCT image. Furthermore, key details such as the internal contours and texture information of the pelvic region are well preserved. Analysis of the average CT number, average MAE, and average PSNR indicated that the proposed method improved the image quality. The test results obtained with the chest data also indicated that the proposed method could be applied to other anatomies.

Conclusions

Although the CBCT‐CT image pairs are not completely matched at the pixel level, the method proposed in this paper can effectively correct the artifacts in the CBCT slices and improve the image quality. The average CT number of the regions of interest (including bones, skin) also exhibited a significant improvement. Furthermore, the proposed method can be applied to enhance the performance on such applications as dose estimation and segmentation.
Identification and functional characterization of novel GDAP1 variants in Chinese patients with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease
Authors: Chen Cong‐Xin , Li Jia‐Qi , Dong Hai‐Lin , Liu Gong‐Lu , Bai Ge , Wu Zhi‐Ying
Published: November 2020

Objective

To identify and characterize the pathogenicity of novel variants in Chinese patients with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease.

Methods

Multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and whole‐exome sequencing (WES) were performed in 30 unrelated CMT patients. Minigene assay was used to verify the effect of a novel splicing variant (c.694+1G>A) on pre‐mRNA. Primary fibroblast cell lines were established from skin biopsies to characterize the biological effects of the novel variants p.L26R and p.S169fs. The mitochondrial structure was observed by an electron microscope. The expression level of protein was analyzed by Western Blotting. Mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, Δψm) were analyzed via immunofluorescence study. Mitochondrial ATP levels were analyzed via bioluminescence assay. The rate of oxygen consumption was measured with a Seahorse Bioscience XF‐96 extracellular flux analyzer.

Results

We identified 10 pathogenic variants in three known CMT related genes, including three novel variants (p.L26R, p.S169fs, c.694+1G>A) and one known pathogenic variant (p.R120W) in GDAP1. Further, we described the clinical features of patients carrying pathogenic variants in GDAP1 and found that almost all Chinese CMT patients with GDAP1 variants present axonal type. The effect of c.694+1G>A on pre‐mRNA was verified via minigene splice assay. Cellular biological effects showed ultrastructure damage of mitochondrial, reduced protein levels, different patterns of mitochondrial dynamics, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), ATP content, and defects in respiratory capacity in the patient carrying p.L26R and p.S169fs in GDAP1.

Interpretation

Our results broaden the genetic spectrum of GDAP1 and provided functional evidence for mitochondrial pathways in the pathogenesis of GDAP1 variants.
Sensitizing Full‐Spectrum Lanthanide Luminescence within a Semiconductor CaZnOS Host
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhu Qi , Chen Bing , Wang Shixun , Rogach Andrey L. , Wang Feng
Published: October 2020

Lanthanide ions are appealing for luminescence applications due to their sharp and tunable emission lines spanning the whole spectral range. However, the parity‐forbidden nature of the electronic transition in lanthanide ions typically results in ineffective excitation processes, which is a major obstacle to practical applications of lanthanide‐based luminescent materials. Herein, a general method to sensitize lanthanide luminescence within a semiconductor host of CaZnOS is developed. Efficient energy transfer from the host to a series of lanthanide ions with the assistance of Cu+ or Mn2+ codopants is demonstrated, which introduces intermediate energy states to mediate the energy transfer processes. Accordingly, a wide spectrum of emission is achieved by a single band excitation in the near‐ultraviolet region. Due to the efficient host sensitization, a phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diode (LED) is constructed by integrating the lanthanide‐doped CaZnOS with an ultraviolet LED chip, which is used for near‐infrared studies of biological tissues.
Phenotype–genotype analysis of 242 individuals with RASopathies: 18‐year experience of a tertiary center in Brazil
Authors: Bertola Débora R. , Castro Matheus A. A. , Yamamoto Guilherme L. , Honjo Rachel S. , Ceroni José Ricardo , Buscarilli Michele M. , Freitas Amanda B. , Malaquias Alexsandra C. , Pereira Alexandre C. , Jorge Alexander A. L. , Passos‐Bueno Maria Rita , Kim Chong A.
Published: October 2020

We report the clinical and molecular data of a large cohort comprising 242 individuals with RASopathies, from a single Tertiary Center in Brazil, the largest study from Latin America. Noonan syndrome represented 76% of the subjects, with heterozygous variants in nine different genes, mainly PTPN11, SOS1, RAF1, LZTR1, and RIT1, detected by Sanger and next‐generation sequencing. The latter was applied to 126 individuals, with a positive yield of 63% in genes of the RAS/MAPK cascade. We present evidence that there are some allelic differences in PTPN11 across distinct populations. We highlight the clinical aspects that pose more medical concerns, such as the cardiac anomalies, bleeding diathesis and proliferative lesions. The genotype–phenotype analysis between the RASopathies showed statistically significant differences in some cardinal features, such as craniofacial and cardiac anomalies, the latter also statistically significant for different genes in Noonan syndrome. We present two individuals with a Noonan syndrome phenotype, one with an atypical, structural cardiac defect, harboring variants in genes mainly associated with isolated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and discuss the role of these variants in their phenotype.
Synthesis and Bioactivity of Guanidinium‐Functionalized Pillar[5]arene as a Biofilm Disruptor
Authors: Guo Shuwen , Huang Qiaoxian , Chen Yuan , Wei Jianwen , Zheng Jun , Wang Leyong , Wang Yitao , Wang Ruibing
Published: October 2020

Due to the inherent resistance of bacterial biofilms to antibiotics and their serious threat to global public health, novel therapeutic agents and strategies to tackle biofilms are urgently needed. To this end, we designed and synthesized a novel guanidinium‐functionalized pillar[5]arene (GP5) that exhibited high antibacterial potency against Gram‐negative E. coli (BH101) and Gram‐positive S. aureus (ATCC25904) strains. More importantly, GP5 effectively disrupted preformed E. coli biofilms by efficient penetration through biofilm barriers and subsequent destruction of biofilm‐enclosed bacteria. Furthermore, host–guest complexation between GP5 and cefazolin sodium, a conventional antibiotic that otherwise shows negligible activity against biofilms, exhibited much enhanced, synergistic disruption activity against E. coli biofilms, thus providing a novel supramolecular platform to effectively disrupt biofilms.
Prebiotically Plausible RNA Activation Compatible with Ribozyme‐Catalyzed Ligation
Authors: Song Emilie Yeonwha , Jiménez Eddy Ivanhoe , Lin Huacan , Le Vay Kristian , Krishnamurthy Ramanarayanan , Mutschler Hannes
Published: October 2020

RNA‐catalyzed RNA ligation is widely believed to be a key reaction for primordial biology. However, since typical chemical routes towards activating RNA substrates are incompatible with ribozyme catalysis, it remains unclear how prebiotic systems generated and sustained pools of activated building blocks needed to form increasingly larger and complex RNA. Herein, we demonstrate in situ activation of RNA substrates under reaction conditions amenable to catalysis by the hairpin ribozyme. We found that diamidophosphate (DAP) and imidazole drive the formation of 2′,3′‐cyclic phosphate RNA mono‐ and oligonucleotides from monophosphorylated precursors in frozen water‐ice. This long‐lived activation enables iterative enzymatic assembly of long RNAs. Our results provide a plausible scenario for the generation of higher‐energy substrates required to fuel ribozyme‐catalyzed RNA synthesis in the absence of a highly evolved metabolism.
Evaluation of acrylic acid grafting on the loading and release of scopolamine butylbromide from polymeric matrices for future sialorrhea treatment
Authors: Morise Beatriz Tiemi , Mutch Alexandra Louise , Garms Bruna Cambraia , Herculano Rondinelli Donizetti , Grøndahl Lisbeth
Published: November 2020

Sialorrhea is a disorder which causes an increase in salivation. Scopolamine butylbromide (SBB) can be administrated to treat sialorrhea and its transdermal application minimizes the occurrence of side effects. This work compared SBB adsorption and release from two polymer matrices, polycaprolactone and natural rubber latex, as well as the matrices modified by gamma irradiation‐induced graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AAc). Grafting with AAc‐introduced carboxylate groups onto the surface of the matrices evident from chemical analysis and resulted in increased hydrophilicity evident from contact angle measurements. SBB adsorbed to the matrices without changing its structure and for the AAc‐grafted matrices this was governed by electrostatic interactions. Higher SBB loading was observed for the AAc‐grafted matrices while SBB release was slower for the non‐grafted matrices than the grafted matrices. The four different matrices produced are candidates for the development of a transdermal drug delivery system.
Aging‐induced structural relaxation in cornstarch plasticized with urea and glycerol
Authors: Šmídová Natália , Šoltýs Alojz , Hronský Viktor , Olčák Dušan , Popovič Ľuboš , Chodák Ivan
Published: October 2020

In present work structural properties and aging of thermoplastic starches prepared by plasticization of cornstarch with urea, glycerol and their mixtures are studied using solid‐state1H NMR and13C NMR spectroscopy and WAXS measurements. Broad line1H NMR spectra reveal phase separation of plasticizers during aging of the samples with the same or higher relative amount of glycerol than the amount of urea. Glycerol in the TPS samples induces motion of starch chain segments, the mobility of which depends on the relative amount of glycerol. At the scale of nm, formation of B‐type crystallites in the samples containing glycerol and also of single‐helical crystallinity in all samples is observed during one‐year aging through cross‐polarization magic angle spinning13C NMR spectra. Urea, when used as the sole plasticizer, prevents the ordering of starch chains in B‐type crystallites. WAXS diffractograms show that regular crystals do not form in any of the samples.
Tools for teaching biochemistry and molecular biology: A parallel session at the IUBMB/PSBMB 2019 “Harnessing Interdisciplinary Education in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” conference
Authors: Chou Chia‐Cheng , Provost Joseph J. , Waye Mary Miu Yee , Yu Gracia Fe B. , Macaulay Janet O.
Published: October 2020

Approaches to learning and teaching have been undergoing massive changes. Technology has enabled many innovations while other methods have embedded authentic research approaches or looked to other disciplines. The tools in education session of the conference looked at tools being used to teach biochemistry and molecular biology ranging from online platforms, authentic research experiences to the use of music.
The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry
Authors: Magyari Melinda , Joensen Hanna , Laursen Bjarne , Koch‐Henriksen Nils
Published: October 2020

Objectives

The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry is the oldest operative and nationwide MS registry. We present The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry with its history, data collection, scientific contribution, and national and international research collaboration.

Materials and Methods

Detailed description of data collection, completeness, quality optimizing procedures, funding, and legal, ethical and data protection issues are provided.

Results

The total number of registered cases with clinical isolated syndrome and multiple sclerosis since 1956 was by start of May 2020 30,023 of whom 16,515 cases were alive and residing in Denmark, giving a prevalence rate of about 284 per 100,000 population. The mean annual number of new cases receiving an MS diagnosis was 649 per year in the period 2010 to 2019. In total, 7,945 patients (48.1%) are receiving disease modifying therapy at the start of May 2020.

Conclusions

Multiple Sclerosis registers are becoming increasingly important, not only for epidemiological research but also by quantifying the burden of the disease for the patients and society and helping health care providers and regulators in their decisions. The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry has served as data source for a number of scientific publications including epidemiological studies on changes in incidence and mortality, cohort studies investigating risk factors for developing MS, comorbidities and socioeconomic outcomes in the MS population, and observational studies on effectiveness of disease modifying treatments outside the narrow realms of randomized clinical trials.
COVID‐19 in cancer patients on active systemic therapy – Outcomes from LMIC scenario with an emphasis on need for active treatment
Authors: Ramaswamy Anant , Nayak Lingaraj , Roy Moulik Nirmalya , Sengar Manju , Chinnaswamy Girish , Jobanputra Kunal , Shah Minit J. , Kapoor Akhil , Joshi Amit , Kumar Amit , Gokarn Anant , Bonda Avinash , Cheriyalinkal Parambil Badira , Prasad Maya , Bagal Bhausaheb , Dhamne Chetan , Narula Gaurav , Jain Hasmukh , Ghosh Jaya , Thorat Jayashree , Bajpai Jyoti , Menon Nandini , Khattry Navin , Bhargava Prabhat , Punatar Sachin , Gulia Seema , Banavali Shripad , Gupta Sudeep , Srinivas Sujay , Rath Sushmita , Vora Tushar , Noronha Vanita , Patil Vijay M. , Ostwal Vikas , Prabhash Kumar
Published: October 2020

Background

There is limited data on outcomes in cancer patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) from lower middle‐income countries (LMICs).

Patients and Methods

This was an observational study, conducted between 12 April and 10 June 2020 at Tata Memorial centre, Mumbai, in cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy with laboratory confirmed COVID‐19. The objectives were to evaluate cumulative 30‐day all‐cause mortality, COVID‐19 attributable mortality, factors predicting mortality, and time to viral negativity after initial diagnosis.

Results

Of the 24 660 footfalls and 7043 patients evaluated, 230 patients on active systemic therapy with a median age of 42 (1‐75) years were included. COVID‐19 infection severity, as per WHO criteria, was mild, moderate, and severe in 195 (85%), 11 (5%), and 24 (11%) patients, respectively. Twenty‐three patients (10%) expired during follow‐up, with COVID‐19 attributable mortality seen in 15 patients (6.5%). There were no mortalities in the pediatric cohort of 31 (14%) patients. Advanced stage cancer being treated with palliative intent vs others [30‐day mortality 24%% vs 5%, odds ratio (OR) 5.6, 95% CI 2.28‐13.78, P < .001], uncontrolled cancer status vs controlled cancer (30‐day mortality37.5%% vs 4%%, OR 14, 95% CI 4.46‐44.16, P < .001) and severe COVID‐19 vs mild COVID‐19 (30‐day mortality 71% vs 3%, OR 92.29, 95% CI 26.43‐322.21, P < .001) were significantly associated with mortality. The median time to SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐PCR negativity was 17 days [interquartile range (IQR)17‐28) in the cohort.

Conclusions

The mortality rates in cancer patients with COVID‐19 who are receiving systemic anti‐cancer therapy in LMICSs are marginally higher than that reported in unselected COVID‐19 cohorts with prolonged time to viral negativity in a substantial number of patients. The pediatric cancer patients tended to have favorable outcomes.
Higher miR‐543 levels correlate with lower STK31 expression and longer pancreatic cancer survival
Authors: Yuan Weizhong , Gao Hao , Wang Guangfu , Miao Yi , Jiang Kuirong , Zhang Kai , Wu Junli
Published: October 2020

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most malignant gastrointestinal tumors and the 5‐year survival is only 9%. The expression of miRNAs in serum has been proved to be related to tumorigenesis and development of cancers. The miRNA targets and gene targets were predicted in microRNA.org, miRDB, TargetScan, and RNAInter. The expression data of STK31 (Serine/Threonine Kinase 31) and miRNAs generated from PC samples was from TCGA and the relationship of expression of STK31 and miR‐543 was confirmed in PC samples from our center. Double luciferase reporter gene assay was used to demonstrate the direct binding between miR‐543 and STK31. The effect of expression level of miRNAs on survival time was assessed by Kaplan–Meier curves. The Go Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of miR‐543‐related genes were performed. The results showed that miR‐543 had a statistically significant correlation with the expression of STK31 and contained the direct binding site with STK31. The expression level of miR‐543 may affect the survival of PC. The results of GO and KEGG pathway analysis showed that miR‐543 might play a key role in Insulin signaling pathway. MiR‐543 could be combined with STK31 and affect the expression of STK31. The expression of miR‐543 could also predict the survival of patients with PC, which suggested that miR‐543 might play an important role in PC. The GO and KEGG pathway analysis also displayed that miR‐543 was involved in several other pathways of pancreas.
Pamiparib dose escalation in Chinese patients with non‐mucinous high‐grade ovarian cancer or advanced triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Xu Binghe , Yin Yongmei , Dong Mei , Song Yan , Li Wei , Huang Xiang , Wang Tongshan , He Jing , Mu Xiyan , Li Li , Mu Song , Zhang Wa , Li Miao
Published: October 2020

Background

The recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of pamiparib, an investigational PARP1/2 inhibitor, was established as 60 mg twice daily (BID) in a first‐in‐human (FIH) study (NCT02361723).

Methods

Chinese patients with advanced non‐mucinous high‐grade ovarian cancer (HGOC) or triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) whose disease either progressed despite standard therapy, or for which there is no standard therapy were enrolled in the dose‐escalation (DE) portion of a phase 1/2 study (NCT03333915). The primary endpoint was safety/tolerability; secondary objectives were pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity. BRCA1/2 mutation status was retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Nine HGOC and six TNBC patients (N = 15; n = 4, 20 mg; n = 4, 40 mg; n = 7, 60 mg) were enrolled; as of 30 September 2019, one HGOC patient remained on treatment. Seven patients (n = 5, HGOC; n = 2, TNBC) had germline BRCA1/2 mutation (gBRCAmut); all HGOC patients were resistant/refractory to platinum. Asthenia and nausea (n = 12 each) were the most common treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs). Decreased hemoglobin was the most common grade 3 TRAE (n = 3); no grade ≥4 AEs were observed. No dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) were reported. Pamiparib plasma exposure was similar to exposure observed in the FIH study after a single‐dose administration, albeit slightly higher at steady state. Among 13 RECIST‐evaluable patients, two with HGOC (gBRCAmut, n = 1) achieved a confirmed partial response and six with HGOC (gBRCAmut, n = 4) achieved stable disease; all TNBC RECIST‐evaluable patients (n = 5) reported progressive disease.

Conclusions

Pamiparib was generally well tolerated in Chinese patients, with durable responses observed in patients with HGOC. Based on these results, pamiparib 60 mg BID was confirmed as the RP2D.
Displacement of the third molar bud to the sublingual space during open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular angle fracture: A case report
Authors: Sharifi Reza , Kamaliehakim Lotfollah , Matloubi Narges
Published: October 2020

This case could remind surgeons to consider the possibility of displacement of the impacted third molar in the fractured line to adjacent spaces, during open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular angle fracture.
Giant juvenile fibroadenoma in an adolescent female: A case report
Authors: Baral Suman , Gyawali Milan , Thapa Neeraj , Chhetri Raj Kumar , Dahal Prahar
Published: October 2020

Giant juvenile fibroadenoma in adolescents should be dealt with utmost caution as this may be associated with anxiety, fear, and emotional factors. The treatment should aim for preserving the normal contour of the breast along with appealing scar.
Self‐Assembly/Sacrificial Synthesis of Highly Capacitive Hierarchical Porous Carbon from Longan Pulp Biomass
Authors: Wang Jie , Ma Chuanli , Su Linghao , Gong Liangyu , Dong Dongqi , Wu Zexing
Published: October 2020

Exploration of efficient strategies for highly capacitive electrodes is of great significance for the development of advanced energy devices. Herein, we propose a novel method for the preparation of a hierarchical porous carbon material derived from longan pulp biomass for application in supercapacitors. First, a precursor of the two‐dimensional graphitized carbon with uniform carbon spheres is self‐assembled via a hydrothermal method with a post‐calcination process. After that, the longan pulp hierarchical porous carbon with inner pores is achieved through an embedding method with a mixture of precursor, KOH and KCl at high‐pressure and appropriate annealing temperature by self‐sacrificial means. The rich mesopores inside the sheet of LHPC‐3 demonstrate a more conducive strategy to create holes inside the materials, which is beneficial for electrical double‐layer capacitance. As a result, the LHPC‐3 is characterized with a high specific surface area of 1678 m2 g−1 and an abundance of meso‐/micropores, which facilitate the electrolyte penetration and mass transfer rates. Accordingly, LHPC‐3 exhibits an excellent specific capacitance of 380 and 153 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in three‐electrode and symmetric supercapacitor systems, respectively. The new synthesis strategy is more conducive to the internal pore formation of carbon materials and has the potential to be widely applied to the synthesis of other electrochemical materials.
The links among interpersonal conflict, personal and contextual resources, and creative behaviour
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Belausteguigoitia Imanol
Published: October 2020

This study examines how employees' exposure to interpersonal conflict might reduce their creative behaviour, with a particular focus on how this negative connection might be mitigated by their access to pertinent personal and contextual resources. Using data from employees who work in the construction sector, the empirical findings reveal that interpersonal conflict thwarts creativity, but this effect is weaker when employees can more easily control their emotions, have clear job descriptions, and are satisfied with how their employer communicates with them. Empathy exhibits a weak effect. This study accordingly reveals different means through which organizations can overcome the challenge that arises when emotion‐based conflicts steer employees away from creativity.
Orcokinin in the central complex of the locust Schistocerca gregaria: Identification of immunostained neurons and colocalization with other neuroactive substances
Authors: Homberg Uwe , Hensgen Ronja , Rieber Evelyn , Seyfarth Jutta , Kern Martina , Dippel Stefan , Dircksen Heinrich , Spänig Lisa , Kina Yelda Pakize
Published: October 2020

The central complex is a group of highly interconnected neuropils in the insect brain. It is involved in the control of spatial orientation, based on external compass cues and various internal needs. The functional and neurochemical organization of the central complex has been studied in detail in the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. In addition to classical neurotransmitters, immunocytochemistry has provided evidence for a major contribution of neuropeptides to neural signaling within the central complex. To complement these data, we have identified all orcokinin‐immunoreactive neurons in the locust central complex and associated brain areas. About 50 bilateral pairs of neurons innervating all substructures of the central complex exhibit orcokinin immunoreactivity. Among these were about 20 columnar neurons, 33 bilateral pairs of tangential neurons of the central body, and seven pairs of tangential neurons of the protocerebral bridge. In silico transcript analysis suggests the presence of eight different orcokinin‐A type peptides in the desert locust. Double label experiments showed that all orcokinin‐immunostained tangential neurons of the lateral accessory lobe cluster were also immunoreactive for GABA and the GABA‐synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase. Two types of tangential neurons of the upper division of the central body were, furthermore, also labeled with an antiserum against Dip‐allatostatin I. No colocalization was found with serotonin immunostaining. The data provide additional insights into the neurochemical organization of the locust central complex and suggest that orcokinin‐peptides of the orcokinin‐A gene act as neuroactive substances at all stages of signal processing in this brain area.
Identification of retinal ganglion cell types and brain nuclei expressing the transcription factor Brn3c/Pou4f3 using a Cre recombinase knock‐in allele
Authors: Parmhans Nadia , Fuller Anne Drury , Nguyen Eileen , Chuang Katherine , Swygart David , Wienbar Sophia Rose , Lin Tyger , Kozmik Zbynek , Dong Lijin , Schwartz Gregory William , Badea Tudor Constantin
Published: November 2020

Members of the POU4F/Brn3 transcription factor family have an established role in the development of retinal ganglion cell (RGCs) types, the main transducers of visual information from the mammalian eye to the brain. Our previous work using sparse random recombination of a conditional knock‐in reporter allele expressing alkaline phosphatase (AP) and intersectional genetics had identified three types of Brn3c positive (Brn3c+) RGCs. Here, we describe a novel Brn3cCre mouse allele generated by serial Dre to Cre recombination and use it to explore the expression overlap of Brn3c with Brn3a and Brn3b and the dendritic arbor morphologies and visual stimulus response properties of Brn3c+ RGC types. Furthermore, we explore brain nuclei that express Brn3c or receive input from Brn3c+ neurons. Our analysis reveals a much larger number of Brn3c+ RGCs and more diverse set of RGC types than previously reported. Most RGCs expressing Brn3c during development are still Brn3c positive in the adult, and all express Brn3a while only about half express Brn3b. Genetic Brn3c‐Brn3b intersection reveals an area of increased RGC density, extending from dorsotemporal to ventrolateral across the retina and overlapping with the mouse binocular field of view. In addition, we report a Brn3c+ RGC projection to the thalamic reticular nucleus, a visual nucleus that was not previously shown to receive retinal input. Furthermore, Brn3c+ neurons highlight a previously unknown subdivision of the deep mesencephalic nucleus. Thus, our newly generated allele provides novel biological insights into RGC type classification, brain connectivity, and cytoarchitectonic.
Job satisfaction at specialized eating disorder units in Norway
Authors: Hage Trine Wiig , Rø Øyvind
Published: October 2020

Objective

Patients with an eating disorder are frequently referred to as a particularly challenging group to treat. As a consequence, it is important to understand how working with eating disorders affects workplace well‐being. Job satisfaction is a key indicator of workplace welfare. The aims of the current study were to (a) measure overall job satisfaction among healthcare providers working at specialized eating disorder units in Norway, and (b) to investigate possible differences in job satisfaction between professional groups and between staff working fixed versus rotating shifts.

Method

This cross‐sectional study is part of a larger study investigating work‐related well‐being at specialized eating disorder units in Norway. The total sample was composed of 186 participants from 11 specialized eating disorder units.

Results

Overall, high job satisfaction was found across all professional groups. There were significant differences between daytime and shift workers on several dimensions of job satisfaction. Medical doctors and clinical psychologists scored significantly higher than nursing staff on several aspects of job satisfaction.

Discussion

This study suggests high job satisfaction across all professional groups among healthcare providers working at specialized eating disorder units, contrary to commonly‐held beliefs that working with eating disorders is very demanding.
Asymmetric competition and floater dynamics
Authors: Noonburg Erik G. , Anderson Rindy C.
Published: October 2020

In territorial species, nonterritorial floaters may be critical to population dynamics. One theoretical framework, based on the assumption that floating is a strategic decision to forego reproduction, predicts that selection maintains an abundant floater population even if low‐quality territories are available. However, existing models make two critical assumptions: all individuals have equal competitive ability, and every individual in a population has access to every available territory. We assess the consequences of relaxing these assumptions in a model of asymmetric competition with a trade‐off between investment in competitiveness and reproductive success. Our results demonstrate that selection for greater competitiveness eliminates floater production unless the outcome of territorial contests has a strong stochastic component. Next, we suppose individuals can compete for territories only within a fixed neighborhood. If this constraint is sufficiently strong, our model predicts that a population will produce floaters. Finally, we show that our model makes novel predictions regarding the maintenance of trait variation and the relationship between this variation and the distribution of competitors among unequal territories.
European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Study Group for Adult Congenital Heart Care in Central and South Eastern European Countries consensus paper: current status, provision gaps and investment required
Authors: Brida Margarita , Šimkova Iveta , Jovović Ljiljana , Prokšelj Katja , Antonová Petra , Balint Hajnalka Olga , Gumbiene Lina , Lebid Ihor H. , Komar Monika , Kratunkov Pencho , Kovačević Preradović Tamara , Ermel Raili , Strenge Agnese , Coman Ioan Mircea , Vukomanović Vladislav , Gatzoulis Michael A. , Roos‐Hesselink Jolien W. , Diller Gerhard‐Paul
Published: November 2020

Aims

To examine the current status of care and needs of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) services in the Central and South Eastern European (CESEE) region.

Methods and results

We obtained data regarding the national ACHD status for 19 CESEE countries from their ACHD representative based on an extensive survey for 2017 and/or 2018. Thirteen countries reported at least one tertiary ACHD centre with a median year of centre establishment in 2007 (interquartile range 2002–2013). ACHD centres reported a median of 2114 patients under active follow‐up with an annual cardiac catheter and surgical intervention volume of 49 and 40, respectively. The majority (90%) of catheter or surgical interventions were funded by government reimbursement schemes. However, all 19 countries had financial caps on a hospital level, leading to patient waiting lists and restrictions in the number of procedures that can be performed. The median number of ACHD specialists per country was 3. The majority of centres (75%) did not have ACHD specialist nurses. The six countries with no dedicated ACHD centres had lower Gross Domestic Product per capita compared to the remainder (P = 0.005).

Conclusion

The majority of countries in CESEE now have established ACHD services with adequate infrastructure and a patient workload comparable to the rest of Europe, but important gaps still exist. ACHD care is challenged or compromised by limited financial resources, insufficient staffing levels, and reimbursement caps on essential procedures compared to Western Europe. Active advocacy and increased resources are required to address the inequalities of care across the continent.
Dexmedetomidine versus clonidine adjuvants to levobupivacaine for ultrasound‐guided transversus abdominis plane block in paediatric laparoscopic orchiopexy: Randomized, double‐blind study
Authors: Mostafa Mohamed F. , Hamed Esam , Amin Ahmed H. , Herdan Ragaa
Published: October 2020

Background

Laparoscopic surgeries are associated with less postoperative pain and adverse events compared to open procedures. But, it still reduces the quality of life in children. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is used to reduce pain. We hypothesized that dexmedetomidine or clonidine could improve the analgesic profile of levobupivacaine to the same extent during TAP block in children.

Methods

Ninety children were randomly allocated in a randomized double‐blind trial to receive bilateral TAP block with levobupivacaine plus normal saline (group B, n = 30), or dexmedetomidine (group D, n = 30) or clonidine (group C, n = 30). Primary outcome was the modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale score. Secondary outcomes included time to initial analgesic request, number of analgesic claims, total analgesic consumption, parents' satisfaction, sedation score and complications.

Results

Children of group D showed reduced pain scores compared to other groups. They represented the longest period of analgesia (565.00 ± 71.5 min) with p < 0.001, and fewer patients required two doses of analgesia during the first postoperative day. The cumulative amount of backup analgesia was significantly different between these groups (p = 0.026). Higher parents’ satisfaction scores were recorded in groups D and C compared to group B. Sedation among the study groups revealed significant differences (p = 0.035), but no severe complications were recorded.

Conclusions

Adding dexmedetomidine to levobupivacaine can extend the time of analgesia and reduce the use of postoperative backup analgesics with minimal sedation effects when used in TAP block in paediatrics undergoing laparoscopic orchiopexy. Clonidine can be used as an alternative adjuvant to local anaesthetics with good postoperative analgesic profiles.

Significance

Clonidine can alternate dexmedetomidine during TAP block with local anesthetics for pediatrics laparoscopies. Both can lead to better postoperative analgesic profiles. Clonidine may be preferred, especially in our developing regions, because of its easy availability and lower cost than that of dexmedetomidine.
Faces of clinical pain: Inter‐individual facial activity patterns in shoulder pain patients
Authors: Kunz Miriam , Prkachin Kenneth , Solomon Patricia E. , Lautenbacher Stefan
Published: November 2020

Background

Facial activity during pain is composed of varying combinations of a few elementary facial responses (so‐called Action Units). A previous study of experimental pain showed that these varying combinations can be clustered into distinct facial activity patterns of pain. In the present study, we examined whether comparable facial activity patterns can also be identified among people suffering from clinical pain; namely, shoulder pain.

Methods

Facial expressions of patients suffering from shoulder pain (N = 126) were recorded while twice undergoing a battery of passive range‐of‐motion tests to their affected limbs (UNBC‐McMaster Shoulder Pain Expression Archive Database), which elicited peaks of acute pain. Facial expressions were analysed using the Facial Action Coding System to extract facial Action Units (AUs). Hierarchical cluster analyses were used to look for characteristic combinations of these AUs.

Results

Cluster analyses revealed four distinct activity patterns during painful movements. Each cluster was composed of different combinations of pain‐indicative AUs, with one AU common to all clusters, namely, “narrowed eyes”. Besides these four clusters, there was a “stoic” pattern, characterized by no discernible facial action. The identified clusters were relatively stable across time and comparable to the facial activity patterns found previously for experimental heat pain.

Conclusions

These findings corroborate the hypothesis that facial expressions of acute pain are not uniform. Instead, they are composed of different combinations of pain‐indicative facial responses, with one omnipresent response, namely, “narrowed eyes”. Raising awareness about these inter‐individually different “faces of pain” could improve the recognition and, thereby, its diagnostic training for professionals, like nurses and physicians.

Significance

Similar to experimental pain, facial activity during evoked pain episodes in shoulder pain patients could be clustered into distinct faces of pain. Each cluster was composed of different combinations of single facial responses, namely: narrowed eyes, which is displayed either alone or in combination with opened mouth or wrinkled nose, or furrowed brows and closed eyes. These distinct faces of pain may inform the training of professionals and computers how to best recognize pain based on facial expressions.
A Highly Sensitive Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor Based on Carbon Electrode Amplified with PdxCuy Catalyst
Authors: Chowdhury Sreya Roy , Mukherjee Parthasarathi , Bhattacharya Swapan Kumar
Published: October 2020

Approximately global Pd and Pd94Cu6 alloy nano catalysts of average diameter 10.5 and 5.9 nm respectively, have been synthesized hydrothermally by wet chemical reduction and co‐reduction methods without addition of any capping agent. X‐ray diffraction and various microscopic studies are used to characterize the crystal phase and the morphology of the catalysts. Non‐enzymatic amperometric glucose sensors based on these synthesized catalyst materials are tested and compared in alkali at different potentials by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The sensors characterized by fixed potential chronoamperometry are found to be sufficiently sensitive to glucose at different negative potentials like −0.65 V, −0.40 V, −0.10 V with respect to Hg/HgO electrode (E0≈0.1 V), where the reactions of glucose oxidation are different. The sensor constructed with Pd94Cu6 nanocatalyst shows an outstanding sensitivity of 10.1 mA cm−2 mM−1 which is considerably higher than that constructed with similarly synthesized Pd nanoparticles at any potential and that found in the literature of Pd based glucose sensors. The lower detection limit and response time obtained with Pd94Cu6 nanoparticles are 10 μM and 3 s respectively. These sensors also exhibit high specificity to glucose and significant anti‐interference property against some common species like ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and some monosaccharides whose interfering effects are found to decrease with decrease of potential of glucose oxidation. The electrocatalytic ability of the synthesized Pd and Pd94Cu6 nanoparticles toward glucose oxidation has also found promising in blood sample at different potentials.
Miniaturized free‐flow electrophoresis: production, optimization, and application using 3D printing technology
Authors: Preuss John‐Alexander , Nguyen Gia Nam , Berk Virginia , Bahnemann Janina
Published: October 2020

The increasing resolution of three‐dimensional (3D) printing offers simplified access to, and development of, microfluidic devices with complex 3D structures. Therefore, this technology is increasingly used for rapid prototyping in laboratories and industry. Microfluidic free flow electrophoresis (μFFE) is a versatile tool to separate and concentrate different samples (such as DNA, proteins, and cells) to different outlets in a time range measured in mere tens of seconds and offers great potential for use in downstream processing, for example. However, the production of μFFE devices is usually rather elaborate. Many designs are based on chemical pretreatment or manual alignment for the setup. Especially for the separation chamber of a μFFE device, this is a crucial step which should be automatized. We have developed a smart 3D design of a μFFE to pave the way for a simpler production. This study presents (1) a robust and reproducible way to build up critical parts of a μFFE device based on high‐resolution MultiJet 3D printing; (2) a simplified insertion of commercial polycarbonate membranes to segregate separation and electrode chambers; and (3) integrated, 3D‐printed wells that enable a defined sample fractionation (chip‐to‐world interface). In proof of concept experiments both a mixture of fluorescence dyes and a mixture of amino acids were successfully separated in our 3D‐printed μFFE device.
Developmental validation of the Yfiler Platinum PCR Amplification Kit for forensic genetic caseworks and databases
Authors: Song Mengyuan , Song Feng , Wang Shuangshuang , Hou Yiping
Published: October 2020

Y chromosome kits are successfully applied in cases where human biological material exists. With the development of genotyping ability, more Y chromosomal markers are needed for finer identification of male individuals and lineages. In this study, a developmental validation of a newly emerged Y chromosome kit that combines two different kinds of markers: 38 Y‐STRs and 3 Y‐indels are conducted. The results show that this kit has high sensitivity when there is a small amount of DNA (125 pg), more than one male (minor:major = 1:7), or a mixture of males and females (male:female = 125pg:1875pg), inhibited substances (800 μM hematin and more than 1600 ng/μL humic acid). The kit exhibits high precision level with a standard deviation of allele size no more than 0.14 nt. Locus DYS481 shows the largest stutter rate, with three stutters per true allele. Population samples are well identified (MP of 0.001106), and mutations can be observed in father–son pairs (46 mutations in 70 pairs, 10 in locus DYS627). Out of all the population samples, 13.2% belong to haplogroup M117‐O2a2b1a1, with their ethnic group being Han Chinese. The results show that this kit can improve the performance of identifying male individuals, obtaining more unique haplotypes (increasing from 894 to 918 of 1000 male samples) and higher discrimination capacity (increasing from 0.942 to 0.955) in this study compared to previous widely used Yfiler Plus kit. Besides, it gives information about their paternal lineages in forensic genetic casework and genealogical database construction.