bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poor clinical outcomes and immunoevasive contexture in interleukin‐9 abundant muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Zhou Quan , Zhang Hongyu , Wang Zewei , Zeng Han , Liu Zhaopei , Huang Qiuren , Lin Zhiyuan , Qu Yang , Xiong Ying , Wang Jiajun , Chang Yuan , Bai Qi , Xia Yu , Wang Yiwei , Liu Li , Dai Bo , Guo Jianming , Zhu Yu , Xu Le , Xu Jiejie
Published: July 2020

Chemotherapy and immunotherapy yield survival benefits for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients, in which tumor microenvironment has been found to exert crucial roles through tipping the balance between antitumor immunity and immune evasion. Our study aims to explore the clinical significance and therapeutic role of intratumoral interleukin‐9‐producing cells (IL‐9+ cells) in MIBC. Two hundred fifty‐nine MIBC patients from two independent clinic centers were utilized for retrospective analysis in the study. Sixty‐five fresh MIBC tumor tissues were used to evaluate the infiltration and function of immune cells via flow cytometry and ex vivo intervention experiments. Three hundred ninety‐one MIBC patients of The Cancer Genome Atlas were applied for bioinformatics analysis. It was found that patients with high IL‐9+ cells infiltration had worse overall survival and relapse‐free survival. pT2 patients with low IL‐9+ cells infiltration could benefit more from adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT). IL‐9+ cells infiltration was correlated with decreased expression of granzyme B from CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and perforin from CD8+ T cells, while blockade of IL‐9 reactivated the antitumor capacity of both cells leading to tumor regression. Furthermore, IL‐9+ cells infiltration could be a biomarker for predicting anti‐PD‐1 efficacy. In conclusion, IL‐9+ cells infiltration could be applied as an independent prognosticator for clinical outcome and ACT/anti‐PD‐1 effectiveness. IL‐9+ cells infiltration diminished the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells and NK cells resulting in tumor immune evasion, and thus targeting IL‐9 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for MIBC.
Adapting antenatal care in a rural LMIC during COVID‐19: A low literacy checklist to mitigate risk for community health workers
Authors: Hernandez Sasha , Oliveira Jessica B. , Mendoza Sosof Concepcion , Lawrence Eleanor , Shirazian Taraneh
Published: July 2020

Community health workers trained in mitigating infection risk via a low literacy checklist can provide essential healthcare, such as prenatal care, during the COVID‐19 pandemic in LMICs.
Psychological impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic among pregnant women in Sri Lanka
Authors: Patabendige Malitha , Gamage Madhawa M. , Weerasinghe Malika , Jayawardane Asanka
Published: July 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused increased rates of perinatal anxiety and depression in pregnant women with no known COVID‐19 infection in Sri Lanka.
The roles of exosomal circular RNAs in cancer
Authors: Gao Nan , Shi Fangzhou , Song Dandan , Xuan Wei
Published: July 2020

Despite the development of therapeutic strategies, cancer is the second death cause worldwide and still rising. Unclear molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and lack of biomarkers for early diagnosis or advanced management are responsible for the poor prognosis of cancer. Recently, exosomes have been the focus of tumor studies, as they carry many biomolecules including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and transfer them to participate in tumor development. Among the biomolecules, noncoding RNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in exosomes have been found to participate in carcinogenesis and gain more attention. Compared with lncRNAs and miRNAs, the exosomal circRNAs are less studied in tumor studies. However, circRNAs are enriched and more stable in exosomes because of their covalently closed‐loop structures, protection provided by exosomes, and protein binding partners. Furthermore, exosomal circRNAs display more potent sponge effect for miRNAs, as they contain more miRNA response elements than lncRNAs. In this review, we highlighted the functional roles of exosomal circRNAs on the tumor progression including tumor growth, invasion, metabolism, immunomodulation, and chemotherapeutic drug resistance. Moreover, we also summarized predictive potency and clinical use of exosomal circRNAs in cancer.
Apatite matrix substituted with biologically essential rare earth elements as an artificial hard tissue substitute: Systematic physicochemical and biological evaluation
Authors: Chandran Likha , AM Ballamurugan
Published: July 2020

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) forms the main inorganic component of natural bone and hence has been widely use in implant applications. Ionic substitutions in apatite also gains enormous interest during the recent years due to the crucial role played by these elements in the biological process. In this context, the least investigated elements namely lanthanum (La3+) and praseodymium (Pr3+) have been selected as a potential substitutions in apatite. The results from the analytical techniques confirm the phase purity of the HAP and its ability holds the substitutions at its lattice. Morphological analysis unveils the presence of agglomerated spheroids notwithstanding the ion concentration of substituents. EDX spectra affirm the presence of La and Pr alongside the determined Ca/P atomic ratio of 1.67. La3+ and Pr3+ presence envisaged the good antibacterial efficiency against the tested microbes and further demonstrated the biocompatibility nature from the cytotoxicity analysis.
Reversion‐inducing cysteine‐rich protein with Kazal motifs and MT1‐MMP promote the formation of robust fibrillin fibers
Authors: Matsuzaki Tomoko , Keene Douglas R. , Nishimoto Emi , Noda Makoto
Published: July 2020

Fibrillins (FBNs) form mesh‐like structures of microfibrils in various elastic tissues. RECK and FBN1 are co‐expressed in many human tissues, suggesting a functional relationship. We found that dermal FBN1 fibers show atypical morphology in mice with reduced RECK expression (RECK‐Hypo mice). Dermal FBN1 fibers in mice‐lacking membrane‐type 1‐matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP) show a similar atypical morphology, despite the current notion that MT1‐MMP (a membrane‐bound protease) and RECK (a membrane‐bound protease inhibitor) have opposing functions. Our experiments using dermal fibroblasts indicated that RECK promotes pro‐MT1‐MMP activation, increases cell‐associated gelatinase/collagenase activity, and decreases diffusible gelatinase/collagenase activity, while MT1‐MMP stabilizes RECK in these cells. Experiments using purified proteins indicate that RECK and its binding partner ADAMTS10 keep the proteolytic activity of MT1‐MMP within a certain range. These findings suggest that RECK, ADAMTS10, and MT1‐MMP cooperate to support the formation of robust FBN1 fibers.
Comprehensive identification of Vitex trifolia fruit and its five adulterants by comparison of micromorphological, microscopic characteristics, and chemical profiles
Authors: Li Xin‐Xin , Wang Long , Liu Yong‐Li , Zhao Zhen‐Xia , Wang Xiao‐Lei , Lei Rong , Li Hui‐Jun
Published: July 2020

Prevention against the adulteration of traditional Chinese medicine in an accurate way has been long exploring. Vitex trifolia fruit (VTF), as a widely used analgesic in East Asia, has frequently been found to be adulterated with five adulterants, namely Vitex cannabifolia fruit (VCF) (Fam. Verbenaceae), Vitex negundo fruit (VNF) (Fam. Verbenaceae), Piper cubeba fruit (PCF) (Fam. Lauraceae), Euphorbia lathyris seed (ELS) (Fam. Euphorbiaceae), and Vaccinium bracteatum fruit (VBF) (Fam. Ericaceae). In this study, the methods of micromorphological identification, microscopic identification, and chemical analysis were combined to distinguish VTF from its five adulterants comprehensively. As a result, the micromorphological features in terms of fruit or seed epidermis were photographed by stereomicroscopy firstly. Secondly, the microscopic characteristics of various herb powders were captured under light microscopy. Thirdly, 33 nonvolatile components and 124 volatile components in VTF were identified by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Orbitrap‐MS) and comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography hyphenated with mass spectrometry (GC × GC–MS), respectively. Furthermore, betulinic acid, persicogenin, and the volatile 4‐(2,2,6‐trimethyl‐bicyclo[4.1.0]hept‐1‐yl)‐butan‐2‐one were screened out to be the specific markers of VTF distinctive from the adulterants. Collectively, VTF and its five adulterants were distinguished successfully by the comparison of micromorphological, microscopic characteristics, and chemical profiles.
In vitro effects of silver nanoparticles on gills morphology of female Guppy (Poecilia reticulate) after a short‐term exposure
Authors: Mohsenpour Reza , Mousavi‐Sabet Hamed , Hedayati Aliakbar , Rezaei Amir , Yalsuyi Ahmad Mohamadi , Faggio Caterina
Published: July 2020

The application of nanoparticles in various industries has grown significantly in recent years. The aims of this study were evaluation effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on survival rate and tissues (Gills) of Guppy (Poecilia reticulate) as a model of the freshwater organism. For this purpose, 90 mature fish were exposed to a different level of AgNPs for 96 hr. Data analyzed showed there was a significant correlation between fish mortality rate and AgNPs concentrations. Histological assays showed some typical tissue damages such as hyperplasia, hypertrophy, hyperemia, hemorrhage, and necrosis. Moreover, fish exposed to a lethal concentration of AgNPs showed some clinical signs, such as increasing operculum movement, swimming near the water surface, anxiety, and death with open mouth. The results of the present study showed that AgNPs can have toxicity effects on Guppy, also to sub‐lethal concentrations, leading to several tissue damages and reduced survival rate of fish.
DABCO mediated one pot synthesis of 2‐(3‐benzyl‐2, 6‐dioxo‐3, 6‐dihydropyrimidin‐1[2H]‐yl)‐N‐(4‐(1, 3‐dioxo‐1H‐benzo [de]isoquinolin‐2[3H]‐yl) aryl) acetamides as antimicrobial agents
Authors: Sirgamalla Rambabu , Adem Kurumanna , Boda Sakram , Kommakula Ashok , Neradi Suryam , Perka Shyam , Bojja Kiran , Arifuddin Mohammed
Published: July 2020

We report herein DABCO mediated one pot synthesis of 2‐(3‐benzyl‐2, 6‐dioxo‐3,6‐dihydropyrimidin‐1[2H]‐yl)‐N‐(4‐(1,3‐dioxo‐1H‐benzo[de]isoquinolin‐2[3H]‐yl) aryl) acetamides (4a‐j). The silent features of this new one pot synthesis include the shorter reaction time, high yields, simple workup, and simultaneous formation of N‐Amide and N‐benzyl bonds in the one pot. The newly synthesized compounds (4a‐j) were characterized by different spectral techniques such as IR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, HRMS. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti‐bacterial and anti‐fungal activities. The anti‐bacterial activities results reveal that the compounds 4a, 4g, 4i, and 4j are most active against S. aureus. In the case of B. subtilis the compounds 4a, 4i, and 4j are found to be most active. The compounds 4c, 4e, 4i, and 4j are most active against E. coli. In the case of P. aeruginosa 4a, 4i & 4j are found to be more active. On the other hand, the anti‐fungal activity result shows that the compounds 4d, 4f, 4i, and 4j are more active against A. niger. The compounds 4a, 4d, 4i, and 4j are found to be more active against C. albicans.
The crisis standard of care: Considerations for risk management
Authors: West John C.
Published: July 2020

Many writers and organizations have postulated that health care facilities and providers may need to implement a “crisis standard of care” to deal with the exigent circumstances associated with the massive influx of patients infected with the novel coronavirus and suffering from COVID‐19. There is a relative scarcity of critical resources, such as intensive care unit beds, emergency department beds, ventilators, personal protective equipment, and medications. Facilities can become overwhelmed. A crisis standard of care can act as a guidepost for rationing supplies and care, should that become necessary. However, that is not without danger. Health care facilities and providers should plan carefully and then act with due deliberation in implementing a crisis standard of care to mitigate or prevent future liability.
In situ detection and imaging of lysophospholipids in zebrafish using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: He Kaili , Chen Chao , Deng Jiewei , Hou Ya‐Jun , Xiang Zhangmin , Yang Yunyun
Published: July 2020

In this paper, a matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry (MS) (MALDI‐FTICR‐MS) imaging method was developed to rapid and in situ detect the spatial distribution of lysophospholipids (LPLs) in zebrafish. The combination of MALDI with ultrahigh‐resolution FTICR‐MS achieves the MS imaging of LPLs with a mass resolution up to 50 000, which allows accurate identification and clear spatial visualization of LPLs in complex biological tissues. A series of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) was detected using positive ion detection mode, and their concentration differences and spatial distributions were clearly visualized in different parts of zebrafish tissue. The method is rapid, simple, and efficient, being a desirable way to understand the spatial distribution of LPLs in biosome.
The impact of socioeconomic status on 30‐day mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Khan Khurram Shahzad , Torpiano Giuliana , McLellan Morag , Mahmud Sajid
Published: July 2020

Socioeconomic status (SES) impacts outcome in a number of diseases. Our aim was to compare the outcome of hospitalized coronavirus disease 219 (COVID‐19) patients in low and high SES group. Prospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID‐19 in three acute hospitals. Electronic case notes were analyzed for baseline characteristics and admission investigations. Scottish index for multiple deprivation (SIMD) was used to divide patients into two groups: more deprived (SIMD 1‐5) and less deprived (SIMD 6‐10) and results compared. Poor outcome was defined as either need for intubation and/or death. One hundred and seventy‐three patients were identified, one was excluded. One hundred and eight (62.8%) were males, mean age was 68.5 ± 14.7 years. Commonest comorbidity was hypertension 87 (50.6%). One hundred and seventeen (68.0%) patients were in more deprived group. Baseline characteristics, admission blood profile and reason for admission were evenly matched in both groups. Outcomes were comparable in both groups: transfer to critical care (27.4% vs 27.3%;P = .991), intubation (18.8% vs 20.2%;P = .853), 30‐day all‐cause mortality (19.7% vs 14.5%;P = .416) and overall poor outcome (30.8% vs 30.9%;P = .985). Median time to discharge was 7 days longer (17 vs 10 days;P = .018) and median time to death was 4.5 days longer in more deprived group (17 vs 12.5 days;P = .388). Contrary to recent literature on COVID‐19 in other geographical areas, our study suggests that the SES does not have any impact on outcome of hospitalized patients with COVID‐19, however it negatively impacts length of stay.
Oceanic and atmospheric impact of central American cold surges (Nortes) in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Kurczyn Jorge A. , Appendini Christian M. , Beier Emilio , Sosa‐López Atahaualpa , López‐González José , Posada‐Vanegas Gregorio
Published: July 2020

Abstracts

Central American cold surge outbreaks, known as Nortes, are standard features of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) climate, having significant oceanic and atmospheric impacts over the region that are essential for the marine ecosystem. Fifteen years of analysis of weather reports showed that Nortes occur within a 9 months window (September to May), with a total number of 24 ± 5 episodes per season. On average, there were 2.5 ± 1 events per month, lasting between 1 and 3 days with a maximum duration of 13 consecutive days. A Principal Component Analysis of 15 years of in situ observations identified the air temperature (41.6% of the explained variance) and the wave height (36.3%) as the two main drivers of these events impacts. Cluster Analysis to these same data categorized the Nortes into three types: Moderate, Strong, and Severe, based on the environmental impact caused in the GoM. These events tend to transit between categories as they lose strength while travelling to southern latitudes. Severe events are more frequent in the northwestern coast, occurring from January to March, whereas moderate events are more common in the middle of the GoM during September–December. Our results showed that Nortes increase the wind stress over the sea surface, rising the height and period of the waves over the southwestern and central GoM. Nortes also disturb the sea‐level and the surface currents, provoking high amplitude oscillations along the coasts, and accelerating and shifting the currents towards the southwest. Nortes bring cold, dry air that cools the ocean surface and the lower atmosphere and diminishes its relative humidity, which, together with the wind velocity increments, promote a positive sensible and latent heat flux maximized on the northwestern and western coasts.
Fagerström test for nicotine dependence as an indicator in tobacco‐related studies in periodontology
Authors: Salhi Leila , Seidel Laurence , Albert Adelin , Lambert France
Published: July 2020

Background

Smoking is considered a risk factor for periodontitis genesis and progression. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the negative effect of smoking, in particular the number of cigarettes consumed (NCC), on periodontal clinical parameters. However, smoking addiction assessed by the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) has received little attention in periodontal research.

Methods

In smoking patients presenting with periodontitis, the periodontal clinical features were measured and correlated with smoking status. The ability of FTND and NCC to predict periodontitis severity was assessed and compared.

Results

Thirty‐four smoking patients aged 46.5 ± 11.5 years were included. The means of NCC and FTND were 16.6 ± 5.5 and 5.2 ±1.8, respectively. NCC and FTND were correlated with each other (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). Patients had stage III (44.1%) or stage IV (55.9%) periodontitis and 73.5% presented a generalized extension of periodontitis. The combination of FTND and NCC in discerning disease severity (ROC curve analysis: AUC = 0.746, P = 0.027) was superior to each indicator separately. A discriminant score based on both indicators (D = –0.42 – 0.15 × NCC + 0.63 × FTND) derived by logistic regression showed the opposite role of the indicators and the greater relevance of FTND (P = 0.031) compared to NCC (P = 0.084) in the relationship.

Conclusion

This study shows that FTND could substantially complement NCC as an indicator of smoking status in periodontal research.
The added value of periodontal measurements for identification of diabetes among Saudi adults
Authors: Talakey Arwa A. , Hughes Francis , Almoharib Hani , Al‐Askar Mansour , Bernabé Eduardo
Published: July 2020

Background

The aims of this study were to develop a prediction model for identification of individuals with diabetes based on clinical and perceived periodontal measurements; and to evaluate its added value when combined with standard diabetes screening tools.

Methods

The study was carried out among 250 adults attending primary care clinics in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). The study adopted a case‐control approach, where diabetes status was first ascertained, and the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC), Canadian Diabetes Risk questionnaire (CANRISK), and periodontal examinations were carried out afterward.

Results

A periodontal prediction model (PPM) including three periodontal indicators (missing teeth, percentage of sites with pocket probing depth ≥6 mm, and mean pocket probing depth) had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.694 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.612‐0.776) and classified correctly 62.4% of participants. The FINDRISC and CANRISK tools had AUCs of 0.766 (95% CI: 0.690‐0.843) and 0.821 (95% CI: 0.763‐0.879), respectively. The addition of the PPM significantly improved the AUC of FINDRISC (P = 0.048) but not of CANRISK (P = 0.144), with 26.8% and 9.8% of participants correctly reclassified, respectively. Finally, decision curve analysis showed that adding the PPM to both tools would result in net benefits among patients with probability scores lower than 70%.

Conclusions

This study showed that periodontal measurements could play a role in identifying individuals with diabetes, and that addition of clinical periodontal measurements improved the performance of FINDRISC and CANRISK.
Hypercholesterolaemia screening: proposal for development of a new professional pharmaceutical service
Authors: Real Juan Pablo , Rossetti Cristian Alan , Vargas Aylen Magali , Jimenez‐Kairuz Alvaro , Robledo Jorge Alberto
Published: July 2020

Objective

To determine the feasibility of the community pharmacist identifying new patients with hypercholesterolaemia (HC) through a screening program (PHI‐CAPTCHA).

Methods

The study begins with patients who attended any of four pharmacies in the town of Jovita (Argentina) to obtain their lipid‐lowering medication between March 1 and April 30, 2017. The genealogical trees of the patients who agreed to participate were determined. Authorisation was requested to review the cholesterolaemia records of their relatives stored in the databases of the Jovita Clinical Analysis Laboratory (1997–2015). The hypothetical efficacy of PHI‐CAPTCHA was determined as (i) the proportion of children confirmed to have HC, and (ii) the proportion of patients with at least one child with HC.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐nine patients of the 274 patients who obtained their lipid‐lowering drugs from any of the four pharmacies, met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the total number of patients' relatives, 532 had historical records of cholesterol readings and agreed to participate in the study. Thirty‐five per cent of children (95/270) and 26% of grandchildren (69/262) presented with HC. Forty‐eight per cent of patients had at least one child with HC. Of the 2nd generation patients of the service (original patient´s hypercholesterolaemic children), 35% of their children had HC and 50% had at least one child with this condition. A child’s probability of having high cholesterol was found to double when their father also had HC (OR = 2.08, 95%CI [1.19, 3.63]).

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate screening services should be offered to all HC patients, regardless of the age of their children and grandchildren.
Impact of the initial phase of COVID‐19 pandemic on surgical oncology services at a tertiary care center in Eastern India
Authors: Sultania Mahesh , Muduly Dillip K. , Balasubiramaniyan Vigneshwaran , Imaduddin Mohammed , Ephraim R. , Chaudhary Itisha , Singh Abhitesh , Jain Anshul , Colney Lalchhandami , Ambre Sachin , Dipin K.R. , Kar Madhabananda
Published: July 2020

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused a global health emergency and affected the resources in both the public and private health sectors significantly. The present study aims to assess the impact of the pandemic on the services by the department in the first 3 months since the first COVID case in the region.

Methods

The study period was from 16 March to 15 June 2020. We queried the database for data on site of the tumor, diagnosis, stage, tumor board decisions and planning, surgical procedures, adjuvant treatment, and follow‐up details. The change in tumor board decision and actual treatment taken by the patient were all recorded, taking into consideration the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results

Among the 1567 patient contacts, 1306 were out‐patient visits and 261 teleconsultations. Fifty‐four patients underwent surgery from the 87 admitted to the hospital. Ten preoperative patients and two postoperative patients were tested for COVID and reported to be negative.

Conclusions

The dilemma of providing cancer surgery services to the patients in this pandemic has been global. Strict measures and guidelines can help to overcome the COVID pandemic time, keeping in mind the locoregional logistics.
Multi‐institutional Survey of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the External Auditory Canal in Japan
Authors: Shiga Kiyoto , Nibu Ken‐ichi , Fujimoto Yasushi , Asakage Takahiro , Homma Akihiro , Mitani Hiroki , Ogawa Takenori , Okami Kenji , Murono Shigeyuki , Hirano Shigeru , Ueda Tsutomu , Hanai Nobuhiro , Tsukahara Kiyoaki , Ota Ichiro , Yoshimoto Seiichi , Shinozaki Takeshi , Iwae Shigemichi , Katagiri Katsunori , Saito Daisuke , Kiyota Naomi , Tahara Makoto , Takahashi Fumiaki , Hayashi Ryuichi
Published: July 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for patients with advanced cancer of the external auditory canal (EAC) by analyzing the outcome of the patients.

Methods

This is a multi‐institutional retrospective survey, and we reviewed the medical records of the subjects. A total of 181 patients with tumor (T)3 or T4 tumor in 17 institutions were enrolled. Further analysis was performed for 74 patients who underwent CRT under curative intent.

Results

Overall 5‐year survival rates of the patients who underwent CRT (n = 74) were 54.6%. Those of the patients who underwent CRT with modified TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin [CDDP], and 5‐fluorouracil) regimen (n = 50) and CRT with CDDP regimens (n = 24) were 64.4% and 36.7%, respectively. Significant differences were observed between these two groups.

Conclusion

Given the tendency that head and neck surgeons prefer CRT for advanced larger cancer of the EAC, CRT for advanced EAC cancer using the modified TPF regimen showed good clinical outcomes.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E870–E874, 2021
Elements of lake macrophyte metacommunity structure: Global variation and community‐environment relationships
Authors: García‐Girón Jorge , Heino Jani , Baastrup‐Spohr Lars , Clayton John , de Winton Mary , Feldmann Tõnu , Fernández‐Aláez Camino , Ecke Frauke , Hoyer Mark V. , Kolada Agnieszka , Kosten Sarian , Lukács Balázs A. , Mormul Roger P. , Rhazi Laila , Rhazi Mouhssine , Sass Laura , Xu Jun , Alahuhta Janne
Published: July 2020

Documenting the patterns of biological diversity on Earth has always been a central challenge in macroecology and biogeography. However, we are only beginning to generate an understanding of the global patterns and determinants of macrophyte diversity. Here, we studied large‐scale variation and community‐environment relationships of lake macrophytes along climatic and geographical gradients using regional data from six continents. We applied statistical routines typically used in the context of metacommunity studies to provide novel insights into macrophyte community compositional patterns within regions worldwide. We found that lake macrophyte metacommunities followed clumped species replacement structures, suggesting that two or more species groups were responding similarly to the environment within regions. Underlying such general convergence, our results also provided evidence that community‐environment relationships were largely context‐dependent, stressing that no single mechanism is enough to account for the complex nature of compositional variation. Surprisingly, we found no general relationships between functional or phylogenetic composition and main metacommunity types, suggesting that linking multi‐trait and evolutionary information to the elements of metacommunity structure is not straightforward. Our findings highlight that global conservation initiatives and biodiversity protection need to capture environmental variation at the metacommunity level, and acknowledge the highly context‐dependent patterns in the community‐environment relationships of lake macrophytes. Overall, we emphasize the need to embrace the potential complexity of ecological inferences in metacommunity organization across the globe.
Design of New Amines of Low Toxicity for Efficient Free Radical Polymerization under Air
Authors: Sprick Elodie , Becht Jean‐Michel , Tigges Thomas , Neuhaus Kira , Weber Christoph , Lalevée Jacques
Published: July 2020

Two new amines are proposed here as a new class of high performance coinitiators for camphorquinone (CQ)‐based systems for mild polymerizations of methacrylates under blue light irradiation (LED@477 nm). These new compounds are very interesting because they are much less toxic than commonly used amines such as ethyl 4‐(dimethylamino) benzoate or 4‐(dimethylamino) benzonitrile. The particularity of one of these two new amines is its dual role: it is a coinitiator and contains a copolymerizable group. Therefore, it is much less subject to migration or leaching, which is a major current issue of polymers. Excellent polymerization performances in the presence of CQ for the free radical polymerization of methacrylates under blue light irradiation and under air are observed. Remarkably, good bleaching properties are obtained after polymerization.
Has Deep Brain Stimulation Changed the Very Long‐Term Outcome of Parkinson's Disease? A Controlled Longitudinal Study
Authors: Mahlknecht Philipp , Peball Marina , Mair Katherina , Werkmann Mario , Nocker Michael , Wolf Elisabeth , Eisner Wilhelm , Bajaj Sweta , Quirbach Sebastian , Peralta Cecilia , Eschlböck Sabine , Wenning Gregor K. , Willeit Peter , Seppi Klaus , Poewe Werner
Published: July 2020

Background

The long‐term impact of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on Parkinson's disease (PD) is difficult to assess and has not yet been rigorously evaluated in comparison to its natural history.

Objective

Comparison of key disability milestones (recurrent falls, psychosis, dementia, and institutionalization) and death in patients with PD with versus without DBS.

Methods

We collected retrospective information from clinical notes of patients with PD at our center that were implanted with subthalamic DBS >8 years ago (1999–2010) and a control group of PD patients without DBS similar in age at onset, age at baseline, sex distribution, and number of comorbidities at baseline (extracted from a registry study performed in 2004). Cox regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios, adjusted for potential baseline confounding variables (age, sex, disease duration, disease severity, and number of comorbidities).

Results

A total of 74 DBS‐treated and 61 control patients with PD were included. For a median observational period of 14 years, patients treated with DBS were at lower risk of experiencing recurrent falls (hazard ratio = 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–0.90; P = 0.015) and psychosis (hazard ratio = 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.12–0.59; P = 0.001) compared with control patients. There was no significant difference in risk for dementia, institutionalization, or death. Disease progression as assessed by Hoehn and Yahr scores was not slower in DBS‐treated patients.

Conclusions

Treatment with chronic subthalamic DBS was associated with lower risk for recurrent falls and psychotic symptoms, effects that may be mediated through improved motor symptom control and reduction in dopaminergic therapies, respectively. There was no evidence for DBS effects on underlying disease progression.
Mathematical analysis of crime dynamics in and out of prisons
Authors: Park Jongo , Kim Pilwon
Published: July 2020

Recently, there have been many attempts to develop a mathematical model that captures the nature of crime. One of the successful models has been based on diffusion‐type differential equations that describe how criminals spread in a specific area. Here, we propose a dynamic model that focuses on the effect of interactions between distinct types of criminals. The accumulated criminal records show that serious and minor crimes differ in many measures and are related in a complex way. While some of those who have committed minor crime spontaneously evolve into serious criminals, the transition from minor crime to major crime involves many social factors and has not been fully understood yet. In this work, we present a mathematical model to describe how minor criminals turn into major criminals inside and outside of prisons. The model assumes that a population can be divided into a set of compartments, according to the level of crime and whether arrested or not, and individuals have equal probability to change compartment. The model is design to implement two social effects which respectively have been conceptualized in popular terms “broken windows effect” and “prison as a crime school.” Analysis of the system shows how the crime‐related parameters such as the arrest rate, the period of imprisonment, and the in‐prison contact rate affect the criminal distribution at equilibrium. Without proper control of contact between prisoners, the longer imprisonment rather increases occurrence of serious crimes in society. An optimal allocation of the police resources to suppress crimes is also discussed.
Regulation of Trpm activation and calcium wave initiation during Drosophila egg activation
Authors: Hu Qinan , Wolfner Mariana F.
Published: July 2020

The transition from a developmentally arrested mature oocyte to a developing embryo requires a series of highly conserved events, collectively known as egg activation. All of these events are preceded by a ubiquitous rise of intracellular calcium, which results from influx of external calcium and/or calcium release from internal storage. In Drosophila, this calcium rise initiates from the pole(s) of the oocyte by influx of external calcium in response to mechanical triggers. It is thought to trigger calcium responsive kinases and/or phosphatases, which in turn alter the oocyte phospho‐proteome to initiate downstream events. Recent studies revealed that external calcium enters the activating Drosophila oocyte through Trpm channels, a feature conserved in mouse. The local entry of calcium raises the question of whether Trpm channels are found locally at the poles of the oocyte or are localized around the oocyte periphery, but activated only at the poles. Here, we show that Trpm is distributed all around the oocyte. This requires that it thus be specially regulated at the poles to allow calcium wave initiation. We show that neither egg shape nor local pressure is sufficient to explain this local activation of Trpm channels.
Age, Sex, and Depot‐Specific Differences in Adipose‐Tissue Estrogen Receptors in Individuals with Obesity
Authors: Porter Jay W. , Barnas Jillian L. , Welly Rebecca , Spencer Nicole , Pitt James , Vieira‐Potter Victoria J. , Kanaley Jill A.
Published: July 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of sex and menopausal status on depot‐specific estrogen signaling in white adipose tissue (AT) in age‐matched men and women with morbid obesity.

Methods

A total of 28 premenopausal women, 16 postmenopausal women, and 27 age‐matched men undergoing bariatric surgery were compared for omental (OM) AT (OMAT) and abdominal subcutaneous (SQ) AT (SQAT) genes and proteins.

Results

With the exception of fasting nonesterified fatty acids being higher in women (P < 0.01), no differences were found in other indicators of glucose and lipid metabolism. In OMAT, estrogen receptor (ER) beta (ERβ) levels were higher in older women than in younger women and older men (sex‐age interaction, P < 0.01), and aromatase expression was higher in older men than in older women (P < 0.05). In SQAT, women had lower expression of ERβ than men (P < 0.05). Protein content of ER alpha and ERβ was highly correlated with the mitochondrial protein uncoupling protein 1 across sexes and ages (P < 0.001). Age increased SQ inflammatory gene expression in both sexes.

Conclusions

In morbid obesity, sex and age affect AT ERs, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1, and inflammatory expression in an AT depot–dependent manner. The SQAT immunometabolic profile is heavily influenced by age and menopause status, more so than OMAT.
Child Support and the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid Expansions
Authors: Bullinger Lindsey Rose
Published: July 2020

A quickly developing literature has shown that the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Medicaid expansions have improved health insurance coverage, health, and financial well‐being among low‐income adults without dependent children. This population includes noncustodial parents. With substantial overlap in the population that is typically obligated to pay child support and the population that has strongly benefited from the expansions, there may be potential implications for child support enforcement. In this paper, I examine the effect of public health insurance eligibility to low‐income adults on child support outcomes. I find that the ACA Medicaid expansions increased child support distributed to custodial families as arrears by 8.5 percent. Evidence also suggests current support distributions increased by about 2 percent. There were no significant effects on paying toward a child support order. Among unmarried mothers, the likelihood of child support receipt increased by 8 percent. These results imply that access to public health insurance can increase the ability of noncustodial parents to pay child support.
The role of carbon nanoparticles in epoxy‐based nanocomposites modified with (poly[polypropylene oxide]‐block‐poly[ethylene oxide]‐block‐poly[propylene oxide]) triblock copolymers on phase morphology and mechanical properties
Authors: Silva Bruna L. , B. Schuster Marcia , H. Bello Roger , Becker Daniela , F. Coelho Luiz A.
Published: July 2020

The main goal of this work is to show the role of carbon nanoparticle geometry and poly(ethylene oxide):poly(propylene oxide) (PEG:PPG) ratio on the miscibility, morphology, and final properties of an epoxy resin modified with triblock copolymers PPG‐block‐PEG‐block‐PPG (PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG). The employed copolymers have different PEG:PPG ratios in their molecular structure. One of them is miscible and the other is immiscible in epoxy resin. The used carbon nanoparticles were multiwalled carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, and carbon black in a concentration of 0.5 wt/wt% for all nanoparticles. Adding the nanoparticles did not influence the miscibility of the PPG‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPG copolymer in the resin. However, the different geometries of the nanoparticles interfered in the dispersion, reflecting on the mechanical and thermal properties of the epoxy‐based nanocomposites. Nanocomposites in a miscible system with graphene nanoparticles showed a 10% increase in Young's modulus over the neat resin. Immiscible systems with carbon black nanoparticles presentedKIcvalues 81% higher than the neat matrix, while the numerical valueKIcwas only 6.5% higher than the neat resin for the miscible ones. Besides, a synergistic effect was observed between the copolymer/nanoparticles on the toughness of the nanocomposites. Finally, the nanoparticles minimized the negative effect of the block copolymer on Young's modulus and the glass transition temperature of the neat resin.
Depression, suicide, and the gifted student: A primer for the school psychologist
Authors: Winsor Denise L. , Mueller Christian E.
Published: July 2020

Growing up gifted often means growing up “different.” As schools struggle to provide appropriately designed interventions for student mental health issues, the role of the school psychologist is becoming increasingly important. In the present article, the role of the school psychologist is discussed, particularly as related to helping gifted students who may be manifesting symptoms of depression, suicidal ideation, and potentially suicidal behavior. Further, a holistic intervention approach is advocated and that accounts for four growth factors—intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental/contextual, and developmental. Importantly, the specific strategies discussed are designed to help the school psychologist in their many capacities of helping gifted students thrive. Increasingly, however, it must also be recognized that the role of the school psychologist has expanded in recent years, and thus many of the intervention strategies offered may require a team of professionals to effectively implement. Regardless, the strategies discussed are designed to help gifted students thrive in the school setting.
Elastic and durable multi‐cation‐crosslinked anion exchange membrane based on poly(styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene)
Authors: Li Ziming , Li Conghui , Long Chuan , Sang Jing , Tian Lin , Wang Fanghui , Wang Zhihua , Zhu Hong
Published: July 2020

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs), as the core component of the new generation anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), directly determine the performance and the lifetime of this energy conversion device. Here, AEMs with pendant multiple quaternary ammonium anchored onto the poly(styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene) (SEBS) backbone are synthesized. The comb‐shaped copolymer SEBS‐C16 is synthesized with N,N‐dimethyl‐1‐hexadecylamine and chloromethylated SEBS to improve solubility, then the multi‐cation crosslinker is prepared and grafted on the above backbone to fabricate a series of flexible multi‐cation crosslinked SEBS‐based AEMs (SEBS‐C16‐xC4, where x% is the ratio of the crosslinker to polystyrene block) with practical properties. The obtained SEBS‐C16‐20C4 membrane exhibits a microphase separated morphology with an interdomain spacing of 18.87 nm. Benefited from the ion channels, SEBS‐C16‐20C4 shows high conductivity of 77.78 mS/cm at 80°C. Additionally, the prepared SEBS‐C16‐20C4 membrane with ion exchange capacity of 2.35 mmol/g also exhibits enhanced alkaline stability (5.87% hydroxide conductivity decrease in 2 M NaOH solution at 80°C after 1,700 hr) and improved mechanical properties, compared with the non‐crosslinked SEBS‐C16 sample. Furthermore, AEMFC single cell performance is evaluated with the SEBS‐C16‐20C4 membrane, and a maximum power density of 182 mW/cm2 is achieved at 80°C under H2/O2 conditions.
Photoinduced step‐growth polymerization of thieno[3,4‐b] thiophene derivatives. The substitution effect on the reactivity and electrochemical properties
Authors: Celiker Tugba , İsci Recep , Kaya Kerem , Ozturk Turan , Yagci Yusuf
Published: July 2020

We herein report photoinduced step‐growth polymerization of highly conjugated 2,5‐dithiophenyl (thieno[3,4‐b] thiophene) (TTs) derivatives possessing 4‐cyanophenyl or 4‐methoxyphenyl or 3‐(4‐fluorophenyl) groups substituted at the terminal position. Upon irradiation at 350 nm, the excited state of these molecules forms exciplex with diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate (DPI) that undergoes electron transfer reaction forming radical cations. Successive proton release and radical coupling reactions yield corresponding oligothienothiophenes with overall yields varying between 19–74%. Structural and molecular weight characteristics of the oligomers thus formed were investigated by Ultraviolet, fluorescence, NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and infrared (IR) spectroscopic methods, and GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography), respectively. The effect of substitution and dithiophene side groups on the reactivity of the monomer and band gap of the oligomers formed was evaluated by using cyclic voltammetry.
Pediatric pulmonology year in review 2019: Physiology
Authors: Rhoads Eli , Wall Brittany L. , Ren Clement L.
Published: July 2020

Pulmonary physiologic assessments are critical for the care and study of pediatric respiratory disease. In 2019, there were numerous contributions to this topic in Pediatric Pulmonology.
Doses for experiments with microbeams and microcrystals: Monte Carlo simulations in RADDOSE‐3D
Authors: Dickerson Joshua L. , Garman Elspeth F.
Published: July 2020

Increasingly, microbeams and microcrystals are being used for macromolecular crystallography (MX) experiments at synchrotrons. However, radiation damage remains a major concern since it is a fundamental limiting factor affecting the success of macromolecular structure determination. The rate of radiation damage at cryotemperatures is known to be proportional to the absorbed dose, so to optimize experimental outcomes, accurate dose calculations are required which take into account the physics of the interactions of the crystal constituents. The program RADDOSE‐3D estimates the dose absorbed by samples during MX data collection at synchrotron sources, allowing direct comparison of radiation damage between experiments carried out with different samples and beam parameters. This has aided the study of MX radiation damage and enabled prediction of approximately when it will manifest in diffraction patterns so it can potentially be avoided. However, the probability of photoelectron escape from the sample and entry from the surrounding material has not previously been included in RADDOSE‐3D, leading to potentially inaccurate does estimates for experiments using microbeams or microcrystals. We present an extension to RADDOSE‐3D which performs Monte Carlo simulations of a rotating crystal during MX data collection, taking into account the redistribution of photoelectrons produced both in the sample and the material surrounding the crystal. As well as providing more accurate dose estimates, the Monte Carlo simulations highlight the importance of the size and composition of the surrounding material on the dose and thus the rate of radiation damage to the sample. Minimizing irradiation of the surrounding material or removing it almost completely will be key to extending the lifetime of microcrystals and enhancing the potential benefits of using higher incident X‐ray energies.
Adding carboplatin to chemotherapy regimens for metastatic castrate‐resistant prostate cancer in postsecond generation hormone therapy setting: Impact on treatment response and survival outcomes
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed E. , Andrews Jack R. , Alamiri Jamal , Higa Julianna , Haloi Rimki , Alom Manaf , Motterle Giovanni , Joshi Vidhu , Shah Paras H. , Jeffrey Karnes R. , Kwon Eugene
Published: July 2020

Background

The clinical course in metastatic castrate‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) can be complicated when patients have disease progression after prior treatment with second generation hormone therapy (second HT), such as enzalutamide or abiraterone. Currently, limited data exist regarding the optimal choice of chemotherapy for mCRPC after failing second generation hormone therapy. We sought to evaluate three common chemotherapy regimens in this setting.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 150 mCRPC patients with disease progression on enzalutamide or abiraterone. Of these 150 patients, 92 patients were chemo‐naïve while 58 patients had previously received docetaxel chemotherapy before being started on second HT. After failing second HT, 90 patients were assigned for docetaxel‐alone (group A), 33 patients received carboplatin plus docetaxel (group B), while 27 patients received cabazitaxel‐alone (Group C). A favorable response was defined by more than or equal to 50% reduction in prostate‐specific antigen from the baseline level after a complete course of chemotherapy. Survival outcomes were assessed for 30‐month overall survival.

Results

Patients in group (B) were 2.6 times as likely to have a favorable response compared to patients in group (A) (OR = 2.625, 95%CI: 1.15‐5.99) and almost three times compared to patients in group (C) (OR = 2.975, 95%CI: 1.04–8.54) (P = .0442). 30‐month overall survival was 70.7%, 38.9% and 30.3% for group (B), (A), and (C), respectively (P = .008). We report a Hazard Ratio of 3.1 (95% CI, 1.31‐7.35; P = .0037) between patients in group (A) versus those in group (B) and a Hazard Ratio of 4.18 (95% CI, 1.58‐11.06; P = .0037) between patients in group (C) compared to those in group (B)

Conclusion

This data demonstrates improved response and overall survival in treatment‐refractory mCRPC with a chemotherapy regimen of docetaxel plus carboplatin when compared to docetaxel alone or cabazitaxel alone. Further investigations are required.