bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration of radiative heat on the Jeffery fluid flow in a microchannel for the impact of suction/injection
Authors: Gopi Krishna Gunduboina , Ramanuja Mani , Mishra Satyaranjan , Ramanjini V. , Sudhakar A. , Kavitha J.
Published: October 2022

The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the flow and heat transfer of thermal radiation on the Jeffery fluid flow within a microchannel for the effects of the superhydrophobic surface (SHS) within suction/injection. The governing differential equations of motion and heat transfer are transformed into nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using appropriate similarity transformations. The ODEs are solved along with boundary conditions by adopting Runge–Kutta with shooting technique. Symbolic computational software such as MATLAB, the solver bvp4c syntax examines the behavior of the relevant physical parameters. However, some effective emerging parameters on the flow problem reveal that the microchannel walls within the suction/injection parameter increase the temperature, and the SHS is heated. In contrast, without slip, the opposite behavior is rendered. It is clearly shown that the velocity profile diminishes with increasing the Prandtl number. Furthermore, it is noticed that velocity decreases for increasing values of Hartmann number. Comparison with available results for particular cases is an excellent agreement.
Combined effects of runoff increase and sea level rise on the water exchange and saltwater intrusion for an estuary bay in non‐flood season
Authors: He Wei , Zhou Hongxing , Zhang Jian , Xu Hui , Liu Chunsheng
Published: October 2022

Estuary bays are vulnerable to salinization effects due to relative sea level rise and modification in upland hydrology owing to a variety of factors. Much research has evaluated the one‐sided effect of runoff discharge or sea level on the water exchange and saltwater intrusion for an estuary, while their combined effects have not been evaluated, especially for an estuary bay with narrow river mouth. Taking the Wanquan Estuary Bay (WEB), China, as study case, this paper has revealed the long‐term significant increasing trend of freshwater runoff in non‐flood season during years 1956–2017 using the Man‐Kendall trend analysis, robust principle component regression and Theil–Sen's estimator. A 3‐D hydrodynamic‐salinity‐tracer numerical model is built and calibrated based on the finite‐volume community ocean model, and the effects of runoff increase and sea level rise on the water exchange and saltwater intrusion are investigated. This paper shows the following: (1) The freshwater runoff during non‐flood season in WEB shows significant long‐term increasing trend, and the mean changing magnitude is 0.4546 m3/s/a. (2) The increased runoff accelerates the water exchange, and reduces the turn‐over time and saltwater intrusion in the WEB. The sea level rise reduces the water exchange and increase the saltwater intrusion. (3) For the estuary bay with narrow river mouth, the salinity distributions show more vertical stratification characteristics. The freshwater runoff has power relationships with the average turnover time and salinity, and the sea level has linear relationships. (4) The water exchange and salinity of an estuary bay is more vulnerable to the changed runoff than the sea level rise, while the impacts of sea level rise would increase for estuaries with wide river mouth. This paper provides support for the freshwater exploitation and utilization in estuary bay under the background of climate change and sea level rise.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Osteoblast Morphology and Wnt Signal‐Induced Osteoblast Reactivation during Bone Modeling in Vitro
Authors: Tsuji Naoki , Sakamoto Tomoaki , Hoshi Kazuto , Hikita Atsuhiko
Published: October 2022

Bone nodule formation by differentiating osteoblasts is considered an in vitro model that mimics bone modeling. However, the details of osteoblast behavior and matrix production during bone nodule formation are poorly understood. Here, we present a spatiotemporal analysis system for evaluating osteoblast morphology and matrix production during bone modeling in vitro via two‐photon microscopy. Using this system, a change in osteoblast morphology from cuboidal to flat was observed during the formation of mineralized nodules, and this change was quantified. Areas with high bone formation were densely populated with cuboidal osteoblasts, which were characterized by blebs, protruding structures on their cell membranes. Cuboidal osteoblasts with blebs were highly mobile, and osteoblast blebs exhibited a polar distribution. Furthermore, mimicking romosozumab treatment, when differentiated flattened osteoblasts were stimulated with BIO, a GSK3β inhibitor, they were reactivated to acquire a cuboidal morphology with blebs on their membranes and produced more matrix than nonstimulated cells. Our analysis system is a powerful tool for evaluating the cell morphology and function of osteoblasts during bone modeling. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Emodin suppresses oxaliplatin‐induced neuropathic pain by inhibiting COX2/NF‐κB mediated spinal inflammation
Authors: Yang He‐Yu , Wu Ji , Lu Hong , Cheng Meng‐Lin , Wang Bang‐Hua , Zhu Hai‐Li , Liu Ling , Xie Min
Published: October 2022

Oxaliplatin (OXA) is a common chemotherapy drug for colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers. The anticancer effect of OXA is often accompanied by neurotoxicity and acute and chronic neuropathy. The symptoms present as paresthesia and pain which adversely affect patients' quality of life. Herein, five consecutive intraperitoneal injections of OXA at a dose of 4 mg/kg were used to mimic chemotherapy. OXA administration induced mechanical allodynia, activated spinal astrocytes, and increased inflammatory response. To develop an effective therapeutic measure for OXA‐induced neuropathic pain, emodin was intrathecally injected into OXA rats. Emodin developed an analgesic effect, as demonstrated by a significant increase in the paw withdrawal threshold of OXA rats. Moreover, emodin treatment reduced the pro‐inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β) which upregulated in OXA rats. Furthermore, autodock data showed four hydrogen bonds were formed between emodin and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX2), and emodin treatment decreased COX2 expression in OXA rats. Cell research further proved that emodin suppressed nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB)‐mediated inflammatory signal and reactive oxygen species level. Taken together, emodin reduced spinal COX2/NF‐κB mediated inflammatory signal and oxidative stress in the spinal cord of OXA rats which consequently relieved OXA‐induced neuropathic pain.
Novel spiro[indene‐1,2′‐quinazolin]‐4′(3′H)‐one derivatives as potent anticonvulsant agents: One‐pot synthesis, in vivo biological evaluation, and molecular docking studies
Authors: Mohammadi Ali Asghar , Taheri Salman , Shisheboran Sanaz , Ahdenov Reza , Mohammadi‐Khanaposhtani Maryam , Darjani Pedram Salehi , Masihi Patrick Honarchian , Shakiba Aidin , Larijani Bagher , Mahdavi Mohammad , Ahangar Nematollah
Published: October 2022

A new series of spiro[indene‐1,2′‐quinazolin]‐4′(3′H)‐one derivatives 4a–m were synthesized via a one‐pot method and evaluated for anticonvulsant activities using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES)‐induced seizures. Obtained results demonstrated that these compounds have not anticonvulsant activity in PTZ test while are active in the MES test. Among the synthesized compounds, the best anticonvulsant activity was obtained with compound 4h. This compound also was not neurotoxic. Given that the title new compounds have the pharmacophore requirement for benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor agonist, the most potent compound was assayed in vivo and in silico as BZD receptor agonist. After treatment with flumazenil as a standard BZD receptor antagonist, anticonvulsant activity of compound 4h decreased. Therefore, the involvement of BZD receptors in anticonvulsant activity of this compound confirmed. Furthermore, docking study of compound 4h in the BZD‐binding site of GABAA receptor confirmed that this compound interacted with the important residues.
Toward more potent imidazopyridine inhibitors of Candida albicans Bdf1: Modeling the role of structural waters in selective ligand binding
Authors: Zhou Yingsheng , Overhulse Justin M. , Dupper Nathan J. , Guo Yanchun , Kashemirov Boris A. , Wei Kaiyao , Govin Jérôme , Petosa Carlo , McKenna Charles E.
Published: October 2022

Novel agents to treat invasive fungal infections are urgently needed because the small number of established targets in pathogenic fungi makes the existing drug repertoire particularly vulnerable to the emergence of resistant strains. Recently, we reported that Candida albicans Bdf1, a bromodomain and extra‐terminal domain (BET) bromodomain with paired acetyl‐lysine (AcK) binding sites (BD1 and BD2) is essential for fungal cell growth and that an imidazopyridine (1) binds to BD2 with selectivity versus both BD1 and human BET bromodomains. Bromodomain binding pockets contain a conserved array of structural waters. Molecular dynamics simulations now reveal that one water molecule is less tightly bound to BD2 than to BD1, explaining the site selectivity of 1. This insight is useful in the performance of ligand docking studies to guide design of more effective Bdf1 inhibitors, as illustrated by the design of 10 new imidazopyridine BD2 ligands 1a–j, for which experimental binding and site selectivity data are presented.
Use of situational judgment tests for assessing non‐cognitive attributes of final year dental students
Authors: Fahim Ayesha , Khan Rehan Ahmed , Sethi Ahsan
Published: October 2022

Objective

Situational judgment tests (SJT) have been previously used in the admission process of medical and dental undergraduate programs, but their utilization as an assessment tool is fairly new. The objective of this study was to explore essential non‐cognitive attributes of dental graduates. We also aimed to assess the attributes of final year dental students utilizing SJT and later collected participants’ reactions on the test.

Methods

A mixed‐method exploratory sequential study was conducted. One‐on‐one and group discussions were done with subject matter experts (SMEs) to explore the essential attributes of fresh dental graduates. Based on the thematic analysis, 10 SJT items per domain were constructed by one group of SMEs and expert validated by a different group of SMEs and vice versa. The final dental‐SJT was piloted online on final year dental students and their perceptions were collected using a five‐point Likert scale questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Cronbach's alpha were calculated for the test.

Results

The consultation with SMEs generated three main themes, namely, Conventional skills, Tribal skills, and Occupational skills. The 70‐item dental‐SJT piloted on 150 final year dental students revealed data were normally distributed. The internal reliability of test was good (0.738). Students scored highest in “management skills” (>70%) and lowest in “professional ethics” (56%) and “diverse experiences” (58%). The overall student perception about the test was good.

Conclusion

SJT is an effective tool to assess non‐cognitive attributes of dental students. It has an overall positive perception about perceived predictive validity, perceived fairness, face and content validity.
An investigation of preceptors' perceptions of behavioral elements of “professionalism” among genetic counseling students
Authors: Delk Paula , Bowling Isabella , Schroeder Courtney , Wilson Theodore E. , Wesson Melissa , Wetherill Leah
Published: October 2022

Professionalism in health care is a loosely defined but increasingly studied concept. In genetic counseling, “professional development” expectations for entry‐level genetic counselors are described in the “Practice‐Based Competencies for Genetic Counselors,” but the teaching and evaluation of “professionalism” among genetic counseling students is relatively unexplored. This study investigated program leaders' and clinical supervisors' perceptions of professionalism demonstrated by genetic counseling graduate students to learn about their associated strengths and lapses. Members of program leadership and clinical supervisors at Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) accredited genetic counseling graduate programs in the United States and Canada were surveyed regarding their observations of genetic counseling students for the years 2017–2019 regarding four domains of professional behavior: integrity, accountability/conscientiousness, teamwork, and patient care, with the Merriam‐Webster definition of each behavior provided for each domain. Participants also provided open‐text descriptions. Descriptive results showed that the 263 participants found all facets of these professional behaviors to be essential. Patient care had the highest importance and was the domain with the most strengths observed among genetic counseling students. Lapses in professional behavior were identified for self‐awareness, time management, and thoroughness. Free responses noted that suggestions or strategies for education about professional behavior from ACGC may improve the professional behavior of genetic counseling students and in turn, genetic counselors. Participants voiced the importance of consideration of diverse professional and cultural backgrounds in setting the expectations for professional behavior among genetic counseling students and genetic counselors so that “professionalism” in genetic counseling is not defined through a White lens. Further investigation into challenges that genetic counseling students face regarding professional behavior during their graduate training and strategies for education about these behaviors will aid in the growth and improvement of the training of genetic counselors. Given the sensitive nature of this topic, portions of this discussion may be triggering for some readers.
Spanning trees in graphs of high minimum degree with a universal vertex II: A tight result
Authors: Reed Bruce , Stein Maya
Published: October 2022

We prove that, if is sufficiently large, every graph on vertices that has a universal vertex and minimum degree at least contains each tree with edges as a subgraph. Our result confirms, for large , an important special case of a conjecture by Havet, Reed, Stein, and Wood. The present paper builds on the results of a companion paper in which we proved the statement for all trees having a vertex that is adjacent to many leaves.
Age‐Dependent Changes in Knee Cartilage T1, T2, and T1pSimultaneously Measured Using MRI Fingerprinting
Authors: Kijowski Richard , Sharafi Azadeh , Zibetti Marcelo V. W. , Chang Gregory , Cloos Martijn A. , Regatte Ravinder R.
Published: October 2022

Background

Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) techniques have been recently described for simultaneous multiparameter cartilage mapping of the knee although investigation of their ability to detect early cartilage degeneration remains limited.

Purpose

To investigate age‐dependent changes in knee cartilage T1, T2, and T1p relaxation times measured using a three‐dimensional (3D) MRF sequence in healthy volunteers.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

The study group consisted of 24 healthy asymptomatic human volunteers (15 males with mean age 34.9 ± 14.4 years and 9 females with mean age 44.5 ± 13.1 years).

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3.0 T gradient‐echo‐based 3D‐MRF sequence was used to simultaneously create proton density‐weighted images and T1, T2, and T1p maps of knee cartilage.

Assessment

Mean global cartilage and regional cartilage (lateral femur, lateral tibia, medial femur, medial tibia, and patella) T1, T2, and T1ρ relaxation times of the knee were measured.

Statistical Tests

Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compared cartilage T1, T2, and T1ρ relaxation times between different age groups, while Spearman correlation coefficients was used to determine the association between age and cartilage T1, T2, and T1ρ relaxation times. The value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Higher age groups showed higher global and regional cartilage T1, T2, and T1ρ. There was a significant difference between age groups in global cartilage T2 and T1ρ but no significant difference (P = 0.13) in global cartilage T1. Significant difference was also present between age groups in cartilage T2 and T1ρ for medial femur cartilage and medial tibia cartilage. There were significant moderate correlations between age and T2 and T1ρ for global cartilage (R2 = 0.63–0.64), medial femur cartilage (R2 = 0.50–0.56), and medial tibia cartilage (R2 = 0.54–0.66).

Conclusion

Cartilage T2 and T1p relaxation times simultaneously measured using a 3D‐MRF sequence in healthy volunteers showed age‐dependent changes in knee cartilage, primarily within the medial compartment.
The effects of surge pricing on driver behavior in the ride‐sharing market: Evidence from a quasi‐experiment
Authors: Miao Wei , Deng Yiting , Wang Wei , Liu Yongdong , Tang Christopher S.
Published: October 2022

Surge pricing has been used to coordinate supply and demand in the ride‐sharing industry, but its causal effects on driver behavior remain unclear. This motivates us to examine how surge pricing causally affects driver earnings and labor supply by leveraging a unique quasi‐experiment, in which a leading ride‐sharing company in China introduced surge pricing in two cities at different times. Using a difference‐in‐differences design with the causal forest method, we find that surge pricing led to increases in drivers' weekly revenue. Decomposing the weekly revenue into “intensive margin” and “extensive margin” factors, we discover two countervailing effects at play: a cherry‐picking effect and a competition effect, and the daily revenue decreased because the latter dominated. Consequently, the increased weekly revenue can be explained by the extensive margin: drivers worked on more days to compensate for the decreased daily revenue, a result consistent with the income targeting behavior. Finally, we examine heterogeneous treatment effects across drivers, and find that surge pricing enticed more part‐time drivers to flood the market and crowd out full‐time drivers, and that the increase in the drivers' weekly revenue was primarily driven by part‐time drivers. Therefore, the benefit of surge pricing was unevenly distributed across drivers.
Clinical effects of the adjunctive use of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid‐based gel in the subgingival re‐instrumentation of residual periodontal pockets: A randomized, split‐mouth clinical trial
Authors: Pilloni Andrea , Rojas Mariana A. , Trezza Cinzia , Carere Mauro , De Filippis Alessandro , Marsala Rosalia L. , Marini Lorenzo
Published: October 2022

Background

Polynucleotides (PN) and hyaluronic acid (HA) have been effective in stimulating the growth of primary gingival fibroblasts and promoting wound healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of a gel containing PN and HA used in association with subgingival re‐instrumentation in the treatment of residual periodontal pockets.

Methods

Fifty patients were enrolled in a randomized, split‐mouth, single‐blind, clinical trial. For each patient, two teeth with similar residual pockets with probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm were selected to receive re‐instrumentation with (test group) or without (control group) the adjunctive use of a PN and HA‐based gel. Differences in changes of PD, gingival recession, clinical attachment level (CAL), modified sulcular bleeding index (mSBI), plaque index (PI) from baseline to 6, 8, 24, 36, and 48 weeks were analyzed and the frequencies of sites with PD ≤4 mm at 48 weeks were compared.

Results

At 48 weeks, the test group showed better results in terms of PD reduction (2.08 ± 1.24 vs. 1.94 ± 1.19, p = 0.533) and sites with PD ≤4 mm (38/50 vs. 35/50, p = 0.499), although not statistically significant. Similarly, CAL gain was comparable between groups (test: 0.50 ± 1.85 vs. control: 0.36 ± 1.80, p = 0.700). Significantly higher reduction in mSBI was recorded in the test group only in sites with baseline PD ≥6 mm (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

The adjunctive use of a PN and HA‐based gel could help to ensure a greater reduction of clinical parameters of inflammation in deep residual pockets.
Description and prediction of copper contents in soils using different modeling approaches—Results of long‐term monitoring of soils of northern Germany
Authors: Ludwig Bernard , Klüver Karen , Filipinski Marek , Greenberg Isabel , Piepho Hans‐Peter , Cordsen Eckhard
Published: October 2022

Background

Different regression approaches may be useful to predict dynamics of copper (Cu), an essential element for plants and microorganisms that becomes toxic at increased contents, in soils.

Aim

Our objective was to explore the usefulness of mixed‐effects modeling and rule‐based models for a description and prediction of Cu contents in aqua regia (CuAR) in surface soils using site, pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) as predictors.

Methods

Three sites in northern Germany were intensively monitored with respect to CuAR and SOC contents, pH, and CEC. Data analysis consisted of calibrations using the entire data set and of calibration/validation approaches with and without spiking.

Results

There was no consistent temporal trend, so data could be combined for the subsequent regressions. Calibration using the entire data set and calibration/validation after random splitting (i.e., pseudo‐independent validation) were successful for mixed‐effects and cubist models, with Spearman's rank correlation coefficients rs ranging from 0.83 to 0.91 and low root mean squared errors (RMSEs). Both algorithms included SOC, CEC, and pH as essential predictors, whereas site was important only in the mixed‐effects models. Three‐fold partitioning of the data according to site to create independent validations was again successful for the respective calibrations, but validation results were variable, with rs ranging from 0.04 to 0.76 and generally high RMSEs. Spiking the calibration samples resulted in generally marked improvements of the validations, with rs ranging from 0.45 to 0.67 and lower RMSEs.

Conclusions

Overall, the information provided by SOC, pH, and CEC is beneficial for predicting CuAR contents in a closed population of sites using either mixed‐effects or cubist models. However, for a prediction of CuAR dynamics at new sites in the region, spiking is required.
Perioperative medication management for older people
Authors: Johnson Samuel , Haywood Cilla
Published: October 2022

The average age of surgical candidates is increasing with the ageing population worldwide. Major surgery in older patients is associated with a significant risk of complications due to physiologic changes occurring with ageing and individual patient factors such as frailty, polypharmacy, and multimorbidity. Periodic medication review should be part of the routine management of all older patients, with the perioperative period presenting an opportune time for this review. Regular medications may need short‐term modification during the surgical period. Medications implicated in increasing risk of inducing or worsening delirium should be identified and withdrawal considered ahead of time. Perioperative commencement of medication aimed at reducing risk of other complications, including cardiovascular events, should be considered on an individual basis, analysing risks and benefits. Comprehensive medication review and careful planning through the perioperative period may enhance the prospects of recovery and reduce morbidity and mortality for older surgical patients.
Design of glucono‐δ‐lactone‐induced pinto bean protein isolate/κ‐carrageenan mixed gels with various microstructures: fabrication, characterization, and release behavior
Authors: Aliabbasi Neda , Emam‐Djomeh Zahra , Askari Gholamreza , Salami Maryam
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Protein gels are used for different purposes, such as providing good texture, serving as fat replacers, and enhancing the nutritional and functional characteristics of foods. They can also deliver controlled release agents for sensitive drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of κ‐carrageenan (kcr) concentration (0, 1.5, 3, and 4.5 mg g−1) on the morphological and physicochemical properties and release behavior of glucono‐δ‐lactone (GDL)‐induced pinto bean protein aggregate (PBA) gels.

RESULTS

When κ‐carrageenan concentration increased from 0 to 1.5 and 3 mg.g−1, the firmness of the samples increased significantly, by 2.04 and 3.7 fold, respectively (P < 0.05). A compact and homogenous network with considerable strength and maximum water‐holding capacity (97.52 ± 1.17%) was obtained with the addition of 3 mg g−1 κ‐carrageenan to the gel system. Further increasing the κ‐carrageenan concentration to 4.5 mg g−1 produced a coarse gel structure with higher storage modulus (G′), firmness (6.30‐fold), thermal stability, and entrapment efficiency (85.6%). Depending on the κ‐carrageenan concentration, various microstructures from protein continuous phase to κ‐carrageenan continuous phase were observed. The release test indicated that 70.25% of the loaded curcumin was released in the simulated gastrointestinal tract for pure PBA gels. In contrast, for binary gels containing 4.5 mg g−1 κ‐carrageenan, curcumin was protected in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and 64.45% of loaded curcumin was delivered to the colon.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that κ‐carrageenan/PBA gels had high entrapment efficiency and could protect curcumin in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The hydrogels are therefore very valuable for colon‐targeting delivery purposes. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effects of guanidinoacetic acid supplementation on lactation performance, nutrient digestion and rumen fermentation in Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Liu Yongjia , Zhang Jing , Wang Cong , Guo Gang , Huo Wenjie , Xia Chengqiang , Chen Lei , Zhang Yawei , Pei Caixia , Liu Qiang
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Considering the high energy demand of lactation and the potential of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) addition on the increase in creatine supply for cows, the present study investigated the effects of 0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 g kg−1 dry matter (DM) of GAA supplementation on lactation performance, nutrient digestion and ruminal fermentation in dairy cows. The study used 40 mid‐lactation multiparous Holstein cows and the study duration was 100 days.

Results

DM intake was not affected, but milk and milk component yields and feed efficiency increased linearly with increasing GAA addition. The total‐tract digestibility of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and non‐fibre carbohydrates increased linearly and that of crude protein increased quadratically with increasing GAA addition. When the addition level of GAA increased, ruminal pH, molar percentages of butyrate, isobutyrate and isovalerate and the acetate‐to‐propionate ratio decreased linearly, and the total volatile fatty acids concentration and propionate molar percentage also increased linearly, whereas the acetate molar percentage and ammonia‐N concentration were unaltered. The activities of fibrolytic enzymes, α‐amylase and protease increased linearly. The populations of total bacteria, fungi, Ruminococcus albus, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Ruminobacter amylophilus and Prevotella ruminicola increased linearly, whereas protozoa and methanogens decreased linearly with increasing GAA addition. As for the blood metabolites, concentrations of glucose, urea nitrogen and methionine were unchanged, total protein, albumin, creatine and homocysteine increased linearly, and folate decreased linearly with increasing GAA supply.

Conclusion

The results of the present study indicate that supplementation of GAA improved milk performance and rumen fermentation in lactating dairy cows. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Incidence of Sinus Inflammation After Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Henry Laura E. , Eide Jacob G. , Kshirsagar Rijul S. , Tong Charles C. L. , Kuan Edward C. , Poonia Seerat K. , Storm Phillip B. , Palmer James N. , Adappa Nithin D.
Published: October 2022

Background

The extended endonasal approach has been utilized in the resection of anterior skull base lesions in the pediatric population. There are unique challenges to these patients in the post‐operative setting, including patient compliance with medical therapy and post‐operative debridements, and a smaller nasal airway that may increase propensity toward scarring. Our objective for this study is to evaluate the incidence of post‐operative radiographic inflammation in this patient population using the Lund‐Mackay (LM) score.

Methods

A single‐center, retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing endoscopic approach to the skull base between 2009 and 2021 was performed. Demographic and clinicopathologic data and pre‐ and post‐operative imaging were analyzed. One‐way ANOVA followed by Tukey multiple pairwise comparisons statistical tests were used to compare mean LM scores between groups.

Results

Seventy‐two patients (52 males, 20 females) were identified with a median follow‐up of 27 months. All patients underwent an extended endonasal approach for resection of skull base lesions. The mean LM scores were compared between pre‐operative MRI, first post‐operative MRI > 30 days after surgery, and most recent post‐operative MRI. One‐way ANOVA was performed with significant differences noted between the groups (p < 0.001). Tukey multiple pairwise comparisons test was then performed and noted significant differences between the pre‐operative and first post‐operative LM (p < 0.0001) and the first post‐operative and most recent LM (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference noted between the pre‐operative LM score and most recent LM score (p = 0.14).

Conclusion

Despite concerns regarding possible subsequent development of chronic rhinosinusitis following endoscopic skull base surgery in pediatric patients, the current study suggests that transient radiographic evidence of sinus inflammation can be seen up to six months postoperatively, which appears to resolve by approximately two years after surgery.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:2014–2017, 2023
Photolithographically Patterned Cell‐Repellent PEG‐b‐PTHPMA Diblock Copolymer for Guided Cell Adhesion and Growth
Authors: Kourti Dimitra , Kanioura Anastasia , Manouras Theodore , Vamvakaki Maria , Argitis Panagiotis , Chatzichristidi Margarita , Kakabakos Sotirios , Petrou Panagiota
Published: October 2022

Surfaces for guided cell adhesion and growth are indispensable in several diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Towards this direction, four diblock copolymers comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly(2‐tetrahydropyranyl methacrylate) (PTHPMA) are synthesized employing PEG macroinitiators of different chain lengths. The copolymer with a 5000 Da PEG block and a PEG‐PTHPMA comonomers weight ratio of 43–57 provides a film with the highest stability in the culture medium and the strongest cell repellent properties. This copolymer is used to develop a positive photolithographic material and create stripe patterns onto silicon substrates. The highest selectivity regarding smooth muscle cell adhesion and growth and the highest fidelity of adhered cells for up to 3 days in culture is achieved for stripe patterns with widths between 25 and 27.5 µm. Smooth muscle cells cultured on such patterned substrates exhibit a decrease in their proliferation rate and nucleus area and an increase in their major axis length, compared to the cells cultured onto non‐patterned substrates. These alterations are indicative of the adoption of a contractile rather than a synthetic phenotype of the smooth muscle cells grown onto the patterned substrates and demonstrate the potential of the novel photolithographic material and patterning method for guided cell adhesion and growth.
Biodegradable, Solvent‐Free Photocrosslinkable PLLA Resin Formulations for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Pal Shibam , S. K. Asha
Published: October 2022

Acrylate end‐functionalized linear and star poly l‐lactide (PLLA) based aliphatic, photocurable oligomeric crosslinkers are developed, which are formulated with hydroxyl (ethyl)methacrylate (HEMA) as a biodegradable reactive diluent to demonstrate successful application for solvent‐less 3D printing using digital light processing (DLP) technique as well as a custom‐designed direct ink writing 3D printer. The resin formulation for 3D printing is optimized using spot curing, photodifferential scanning calorimetry and cure depth analysis. The 3D printed parts exhibit promising mechanical property along with improved hydrophilicity and biodegradability. The development of new photocurable resin formulations are expected to meet the growing demand for raw materials that can be applied for developing custom designed bio implantable objects.
Responsive Polyphenol‐Crosslinked Supramacromolecular Microgels with pH‐Triggered Disassembly in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Molano‐López Catalina , Braun Susanne , Kather Michael , Töpel Alexander , van Wissen Gil , Pich Andrij
Published: October 2022

This work focuses on the pH‐triggered disassembly of supramacromolecular microgels, which are composed of the temperature‐responsive poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) and the natural polyphenol tannic acid (TA). A systematic investigation of the microgel formation demonstrates that a retarded addition of tannic acid during semi‐batch precipitation polymerization influences the yield, chemical composition, and properties of the microgels to a great extent. Microgel properties, such as size, deformability, and chemical stability, can be easily tuned by varying the ratio between both building blocks PVCL and TA. Finally, the pH‐triggered disassembly of supramacromolecular microgels at different pH and temperatures demonstrates that their chemical structure can precisely control the degradation profile. Temperatures lower than the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of PVCL (T < 32 °C) and a pH > 10 result in a complete disassembly of the microgels into PVCL chains and TA due to the destruction of the hydrogen bonds responsible for the formation of a colloidal microgel. Interestingly, at temperatures above VPTT, the microgels keep their integrity due to enhanced hydrophobic interactions between the polymer chains of the microgel and are no longer affected by pH changes.
Integration in some new concept of ergodic functions and application to some epidemiological models
Authors: Ait Dads El Hadi , Lhachimi Lahcen
Published: October 2022

In a former work, we introduced a new class of functions, which we call measure pseudo
‐asymptotically omega periodic functions and give some properties of those functions as the topological properties of the space of such functions, the invariance by translation of this space, and the convolution product in this space. In this paper, we consider the same class of functions and give contributions as the stability by the integral operator; we present some examples and composition results. Then we apply the obtained results to investigate the existence of measure pseudo
‐asymptotically omega periodic mild solutions for some nonlinear infinite delay integral equations arising in epidemiology; exactly, we consider the nonlinear infinite delay integral equation:

Then we apply these results to a finite delay integral equation when the delay is time dependent
Efficient dose–volume histogram–based pretreatment patient‐specific quality assurance methodology with combined deep learning and machine learning models for volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy
Authors: Gong Changfei , Zhu Kecheng , Lin Chengyin , Han Ce , Lu Zhongjie , Chen Yuanhua , Yu Changhui , Hou Liqiao , Zhou Yongqiang , Yi Jinling , Ai Yao , Xiang Xiaojun , Xie Congying , Jin Xiance
Published: October 2022

Background

Weak correlation between gamma passing rates and dose differences in target volumes and organs at risk (OARs) has been reported in several studies. Evaluation on the differences between planned dose–volume histogram (DVH) and reconstructed DVH from measurement was adopted and incorporated into patient‐specific quality assurance (PSQA). However, it is difficult to develop a methodology allowing the evaluation of errors on DVHs accurately and quickly.

Purpose

To develop a DVH‐based pretreatment PSQA for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with combined deep learning (DL) and machine learning models to overcome the limitation of conventional gamma index (GI) and improve the efficiency of DVH‐based PSQA.

Methods

A DL model with a three‐dimensional squeeze‐and‐excitation residual blocks incorporated into a modified U‐net was developed to predict the measured PSQA DVHs of 208 head‐and‐neck (H&N) cancer patients underwent VMAT between 2018 and 2021 from two hospitals, in which 162 cases was randomly selected for training, 18 for validation, and 28 for testing. After evaluating the differences between treatment planning system (TPS) and PSQA DVHs predicted by DL model with multiple metrics, a pass or fail (PoF) classification model was developed using XGBoost algorithm. Evaluation of domain experts on dose errors between TPS and reconstructed PSQA DVHs was taken as ground truth for PoF classification model training.

Results

The prediction model was able to achieve a good agreement between predicted, measured, and TPS doses. Quantitative evaluation demonstrated no significant difference between predicted PSQA dose and measured dose for target and OARs, except for Dmean of PTV6900 (p = 0.001), D50 of PTV6000 (p = 0.014), D2 of PTV5400 (p = 0.009), D50 of left parotid (p = 0.015), and Dmax of left inner ear (p = 0.007). The XGBoost model achieved an area under curves, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.89 versus 0.88, 0.89 versus 0.86, 0. 71 versus 0.71, and 0.95 versus 0.91 with measured and predicted PSQA doses, respectively. The agreement between domain experts and the classification model was 86% for 28 test cases.

Conclusions

The successful prediction of PSQA doses and classification of PoF for H&N VMAT PSQA indicating that this DVH‐based PSQA method is promising to overcome the limitations of GI and to improve the efficiency and accuracy of VMAT delivery.
Peripheral neuropathies associated with DNA repair disorders
Authors: Maguina Melissa , Kang Peter B. , Tsai Ang‐Chen , Pacak Christina A.
Published: October 2022

Repair of genomic DNA is a fundamental housekeeping process that quietly maintains the health of our genomes. The consequences of a genetic defect affecting a component of this delicate mechanism are quite harmful, characterized by a cascade of premature aging that injures a variety of organs, including the nervous system. One part of the nervous system that is impaired in certain DNA repair disorders is the peripheral nerve. Chronic motor, sensory, and sensorimotor polyneuropathies have all been observed in affected individuals, with specific physiologies associated with different categories of DNA repair disorders. Cockayne syndrome has classically been linked to demyelinating polyneuropathies, whereas xeroderma pigmentosum has long been associated with axonal polyneuropathies. Three additional recessive DNA repair disorders are associated with neuropathies, including trichothiodystrophy, Werner syndrome, and ataxia‐telangiectasia. Although plausible biological explanations exist for why the peripheral nerves are specifically vulnerable to impairments of DNA repair, specific mechanisms such as oxidative stress remain largely unexplored in this context, and bear further study. It is also unclear why different DNA repair disorders manifest with different types of neuropathy, and why neuropathy is not universally present in those diseases. Longitudinal physiological monitoring of these neuropathies with serial electrodiagnostic studies may provide valuable noninvasive outcome data in the context of future natural history studies, and thus the responses of these neuropathies may become sentinel outcome measures for future clinical trials of treatments currently in development such as adeno‐associated virus gene replacement therapies.
Factors associated with strong opioid use for noncancer pain in patients with chronic intestinal failure
Authors: Deutsch Liat , Cloutier Anabelle , Leahy Gavin , Teubner Antje , Abraham Arun , Taylor Michael , Paine Peter , Lal Simon
Published: October 2022

Background

Chronic analgesic use is described in home parenteral nutrition (HPN)–dependent patients, but there are limited data on factors associated with opioid use for noncancerous pain.

Methods

Patients attending a national UK intestinal failure reference center were divided in two groups according to strong opioid (SO) usage; risk factors for SO usage were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 168 HPN‐dependent patients were included. During the study period, 73 patients (43.5%) had documented SO usage (SO group), whereas the remainder did not (No‐SO group). The prevalence of Crohn's disease among the No‐SO group was twofold higher than among the SO group (43.2% vs 24.7%; P = 0.013), whereas those with surgical complications were twice as prevalent among the SO group (19.2% vs 8.4%, respectively; P = 0.04). The rate of working‐age unemployment was significantly higher in the SO group (90.6%) than the No‐SO group (55.6%; P = 0.001). Multivariate regression showed unemployment as an independent risk factor for SO usage (OR, 6.005; 95% CI, 1.435–25.134), whereas Crohn's disease (OR, 0.284; 95% CI, 0.09–0.898) and <4 intravenous support (IVS) nights per week (OR, 0.113; 95% CI, 0.012–1.009) were protective factors. The life‐long incidence of catheter‐related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) was comparable between groups (34.2% SO vs 27.4% No‐SO; P = 0.336).

Conclusion

SO use is frequent among HPN‐dependent patients and associated with high rates of unemployment and ≥4 IVS nights per week, but not with increased rate of CRBSI. The reduced usage among patients with Crohn's disease warrants further evaluation but might be due to the chronicity as compared with other IF etiologies.
An a priori error analysis of a type III thermoelastic problem with two porosities
Authors: Bazarra Noelia , Fernández José R. , Quintanilla Ramón , Suárez Sofía
Published: October 2022

In this work, we study, from the numerical point of view, a type III thermoelastic model with double porosity. The thermomechanical problem is written as a linear system composed of hyperbolic partial differential equations for the displacements and the two porosities, and a parabolic partial differential equation for the thermal displacement. An existence and uniqueness result is recalled. Then, we perform its a priori error numerical analysis approximating the resulting variational problem by using the finite element method and the implicit Euler scheme. The linear convergence of the algorithm is derived under suitable additional regularity conditions. Finally, some numerical simulations are shown to demonstrate the accuracy of the approximations and the dependence of the solution on a coupling coefficient.
Computability of magnetic Schrödinger and Hartree equations on unbounded domains
Authors: Becker Simon , Sewell Jonathan , Tebbutt Euan
Published: October 2022

We study the computability of global solutions to linear Schrödinger equations with magnetic fields and the Hartree equation on . We show that the solution can always be globally computed with error control on the entire space if there exist a priori decay estimates in generalized Sobolev norms on the initial state. Using weighted Sobolev norm estimates, we show that the solution can be computed with uniform computational runtime with respect to initial states and potentials. We finally study applications in optimal control theory and provide numerical examples.
Insurance Subsidies, the Affordable Care Act, and Financial Stability
Authors: Dodini Samuel
Published: October 2022

This paper measures the effects of subsidies in the Affordable Care Act on adverse financial outcomes using administrative tax data and credit data on financial outcomes. Using a difference‐in‐differences design with propensity score reweighting, I find that at $100 per capita, ACA premium tax credits and cost‐sharing reduction subsidies reduced consumer bankruptcies and severe auto delinquency by 8 percent and 7 percent, respectively, and substantially reduced right‐tail delinquent debt and third‐party collections. The value of recipients’ risk protection against medical debt payments amounts to approximately 16 to 21 percent of the cash costs of the subsidies, while the subsidies provided substantial indirect transfers to external parties.
Imaging of pediatric testicular tumors: A COG Diagnostic Imaging Committee/SPR Oncology Committee White Paper
Authors: Behr Gerald G. , Morani Ajaykumar C. , Artunduaga Maddy , Desoky Sarah M. , Epelman Monica , Friedman Jonathan , Lala Shailee V. , Seekins Jayne , Towbin Alexander J. , Back Susan J.
Published: October 2022

Primary intratesticular tumors are uncommon in children, but incidence and risk of malignancy both sharply increase during adolescence. Ultrasound is the mainstay for imaging the primary lesion, and cross‐sectional modalities are often required for evaluation of regional or distant disease. However, variations to this approach are dictated by additional clinical and imaging nuances. This paper offers consensus recommendations for imaging of pediatric patients with a known or suspected primary testicular malignancy at diagnosis and during follow‐up.
Late mortality reduction among survivors of germ cell tumors in childhood and adolescence in Europe: A report from the PanCareSurFup cohort
Authors: Trama Annalisa , Bernasconi Alice , Botta Laura , Byrne Julianne , Grabow Desiree , Reulen Raoul C. , Calaminus Gabriele , Terenziani Monica
Published: October 2022

Background

Data on late mortality from pediatric germ cell tumors (GCTs) are limited to small case series. Our population‐based study aimed to investigate excess risk of death in survivors of GCT in childhood and adolescence, whether long‐term mortality changed over time and by period of diagnosis.

Methods

The PanCare Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Survivor Care and Follow‐Up Studies (PanCareSurFup) cohort includes 2773 five‐year survivors diagnosed under 21 years of age with gonadal and extragonadal GCT (from 1940 to 2008). We calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and absolute excess risks (AERs). We fitted a Cox's model to assess the impact of treatment period. We estimated 10‐year survival and calculated average percentage changes between periods of diagnosis (1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999) to assess whether late mortality decreased.

Results

GCT survivors had an almost four‐fold excess risk of dying compared to general population. The risk of death for patients treated after 1980 was nearly halved compared to patients treated before 1980. Survivors diagnosed in 1990–1999 had a 10‐year survival rate of 99%, which was 2.4% and 1.1% higher than for patients treated in 1970–1979 and 1980–1989, respectively.

Conclusions

This is the largest population‐based study in Europe and showed a decrease in long‐term mortality for survivors of GCTs in childhood and adolescence over the last decades. After the introduction of platinum compound in 1980, which is a paradigm of success compared to the previous treatments, no major changes in drug therapies have been made to treat GCTs in the last 40 years. However, GCT survivors maintain an excessive risk of death that requires long‐term care.