bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation on compression and mildew of mixed and separated maize
Authors: Liu Chaosai , Chen Guixiang , Zhou Yang , Yue Longfei , Liu Wenlei
Published: July 2022

This study explores the influence of different segregation configurations on the creep behaviors and mildew of maize. An inexpensive and easy‐to‐use system was designed, and three configurations of maize kernels distribution, i.e., uniform mixing (Mdm), alternating distribution (Mda), and segregated state distribution (Mds), with wet basis moisture content of 22.9%, were compressed under vertical pressure of 200 kPa through a one‐dimensional oedometer. The compression and creep behaviors were investigated using the strain/settlement–time results, and aerobic plate counting (APC) was performed to study the effect of distribution configuration on the mildew effect. A finite‐element model was established to simulate the temperature variation caused by physical environmental factors, and the heat production by fungi was quantified using the difference in temperature between simulation and test. The results indicate that the three‐element Schiffman model can represent the creep behavior of the maize with different distribution configurations. The average temperature of Mdm, Mda, and Mds were 7.53%, 12.98%, and 14.76% higher than the average room temperature, respectively. The aerobic plate count of Mdm, Mda, and Mds were 1.0 × 105, 2.2 × 105, and 8.8 × 105 cfu g−1 stored for 150 h, respectively. In general, the temperature and APC in segregated maize bulk are higher than uniform grain. The effectiveness of the numerical model was verified, and the heat production by maize bulk fungi was quantified using the test and numerical temperature difference. The average heat was the least in Mdm with 2.8 × 106 J m−3, and Mda and Mds were 1.7 and 2 times more than Mdm. And the heat was related to the segregation configurations and agreed very well with the APC and temperature results.
Expert consensus on clinical trials of human xenotransplantation in China
Authors: Huang Jiefu ,   China Organ Transplantation Development Foundation
Published: July 2022

The history of xenotransplantation started in the 19th century. After a few decades of investigation, significant breakthroughs and preclinical milestones have been achieved worldwide. With the recent transplantation of genetically modified porcine kidneys and heart into humans, these ground‐breaking achievements have attracted great attention worldwide, in the hope that xenotransplantation might alleviate or even solve the problem of organ shortage. On January 20, 2022, the China Organ Transplantation Development Foundation convened a symposium on “The History, Current Situation and Future of Human Xenotransplantation Clinical Trials,” where ways to promote the ethical and sustainable development of xenotransplantation in China were discussed among the participating experts. A formal consensus was reached as the product of the symposium, outlining the expert opinions on scientific, regulatory, and ethical issues of clinical trials of xenotransplantation in China.
Inhibition of lysyl oxidase‐like 2 overcomes adhesion‐dependent drug resistance in the collagen‐enriched liver cancer microenvironment
Authors: Gong Lanqi , Zhang Yu , Yang Yuma , Yan Qian , Ren Jifeng , Luo Jie , Tiu Yuen Chak , Fang Xiaona , Liu Beilei , Lam Raymond Hiu Wai , Lam Ka‐On , Lee Anne Wing‐Mui , Guan Xin‐Yuan
Published: July 2022

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is considered to be one of the vital mediators of tumor progression. Extracellular matrix (ECM), infiltrating immune cells, and stromal cells collectively constitute the complex ecosystem with varied biochemical and biophysical properties. The development of liver cancer is strongly tied with fibrosis and cirrhosis that alters the microenvironmental landscape, especially ECM composition. Enhanced deposition and cross‐linking of type I collagen are frequently detected in patients with liver cancer and have been shown to facilitate tumor growth and metastasis by epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. However, information on the effect of collagen enrichment on drug resistance is lacking. Thus, the present study has comprehensively illustrated phenotypical and mechanistic changes in an in vitro mimicry of collagen‐enriched TME and revealed that collagen enrichment could induce 5‐fluorouracil (5FU) and sorafenib resistance in liver cancer cells through hypoxia‐induced up‐regulation of lysyl oxidase‐like 2 (LOXL2). LOXL2, an enzyme that facilitates collagen cross‐linking, enhances cell adhesion‐mediated drug resistance by activating the integrin alpha 5 (ITGA5)/focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/rho‐associated kinase 1 (ROCK1) signaling axis. Conclusion: We demonstrated that inhibition of LOXL2 in a collagen‐enriched microenvironment synergistically promotes the efficacy of sorafenib and 5FU through deterioration of focal adhesion signaling. These findings have clinical implications for developing LOXL2‐targeted strategies in patients with chemoresistant liver cancer and especially for those patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Clinical phenotype of adult‐onset liver disease in patients with variants in ABCB4 , ABCB11 , and ATP8B1
Authors: Nayagam Jeremy S. , Foskett Pierre , Strautnieks Sandra , Agarwal Kosh , Miquel Rosa , Joshi Deepak , Thompson Richard J.
Published: July 2022

Variants in ATP8B1, ABCB11, and ABCB4 underlie the most prevalent forms of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis. We aim to describe variants in these genes in a cohort of patients with adult‐onset liver disease, and explore a genotype–phenotype correlation. Patients with onset of liver disease aged above 18 who underwent sequencing of cholestasis genes for clinical purposes over a 5‐year period were identified. Bioinformatic analysis of variants was performed. Liver histology was evaluated in patients with variants. Of the 356 patients tested, at least one variant was identified in 101 (28.4%): 46 ABCB4, 35 ABCB11, and 28 ATP8B1. Patients with ABCB4 variants had chronic liver disease (71.7%) and pregnancy‐associated liver dysfunction (75%), with a younger age of onset in more severe genotypes (p = 0.046). ABCB11 variants presented with pregnancy‐associated liver dysfunction (82.4%) and acute/episodic cholestasis (40%), with no association between age of onset and genotype severity. ATP8B1 variants were associated with chronic liver disease (75%); however, they were commonly seen in patients with an alternate etiology of liver disease and variants were of low predicted pathogenicity. In adults with suspected genetic cholestasis, variants in cholestasis genes were frequently identified and were likely to contribute to the development of liver disease, particularly ABCB4 and ABCB11. Variants were often in heterozygous state, and they should no longer be considered recessive Mendelian traits. Sequencing cholestasis genes in selected patients with adult‐onset disease should be considered, with interpretation in close collaboration with histopathologists and geneticists.
A novel automated depression detection technique using text transcript
Authors: Yadav Uma , Sharma Ashish K.
Published: July 2022

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, impacting billions of people worldwide. The lack of existing resources is impeding the country's economic prosperity. As a result, new approaches for detecting and treating mental diseases as well as reaching out to individuals are required so that people can overcome their daily challenges and become more productive. An automated depression detection system can greatly aid in clinical findings and early treatment of depression. Automatic detection, like in a clinical interview can be derived from various modalities that include video, audio, and text. Among these modalities, audio characteristics are the most commonly researched while text elements are seldom investigated. In the light of the above, this paper proposes a novel automated depression identification approach based on linguistic material gathered from patient interviews. The focus is to enhance both the accuracy and efficiency of detection. The proposed approach is made up of two parts: a Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BGRU) network for dealing with linguistic information and a fully coupled network that integrates the model outputs to measure the depressed state. The proposed approach is validated using Distress Analysis Interview Corpus‐Wizard‐of‐Oz interviews dataset. To evaluate the performance precision, recall, and F1 score are computed using the proposed approach and then the comparative analysis is done with the existing approaches. The proposed approach yielded an F1 score of 0.92, indicating the existence of depression as well as the projected severity level. It is realized from the generated results that the proposed approach has outperformed the previous ones. The proposed approach can not only automatically assess the severity of depression but also enhances both the accuracy and efficiency of detection. The proposed approach indicates the feasibility of BGRU over Long Short Term Memory by achieving exceptional results for recognition of depression.
Naphthenic acid fraction components from oil sands process‐affected water from the Athabasca Oil Sands Region impair murine osteoblast differentiation and function
Authors: Gutgesell Robert M. , Jamshed Laiba , Frank Richard A. , Hewitt L. Mark , Thomas Philippe J. , Holloway Alison C.
Published: July 2022

The extraction of bitumen from surface mining in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) produces large quantities of oil sands process‐affected water (OSPW) that needs to be stored in settling basins near extraction sites. Chemical constituents of OSPW are known to impair bone health in some organisms, which can lead to increased fracture risk and lower reproductive fitness. Naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs) are thought to be among the most toxic class of compounds in OSPW; however, the effect of NAFCs on osteoblast development is largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that NAFCs from OSPW inhibit osteoblast differentiation and deposition of extracellular matrix, which is required for bone formation. Extracellular matrix deposition was inhibited in osteoblasts exposed to 12.5–125 mg/L of NAFC for 21 days. We also show that components within NAFCs inhibit the expression of gene markers of osteoblast differentiation and function, namely, alkaline phosphatase (Alp), osteocalcin, and collagen type 1 alpha 1 (Col1a1). These effects were partially mediated by the induction of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity; NAFC induces the expression of the GR activity marker genes Sgk1 (12.5 mg/L) and p85a (125 mg/L) and inhibits GR protein (125 mg/L) and Opg RNA (12.5 mg/L) expression. This study provides evidence that NAFC concentrations of 12.5 mg/L and above can directly act on osteoblasts to inhibit bone formation and suggests that NAFCs contain components that can act as GR agonists, which may have further endocrine disrupting effects on exposed wildlife.
Change in Morphological Features of Enlarged Subarachnoid Spaces Following Treatment in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Authors: Camerucci Emanuele , Graff‐Radford Jonathan , Jones David T. , Elder Benjamin D. , Gunter Jeffrey L. , Cutsforth‐Gregory Jeremy K. , Botha Hugo , Murphy Matthew C. , Johnson Derek R. , Davidge‐Pitts Caroline , Jack Clifford R. , Huston John , Cogswell Petrice M.
Published: July 2022

Background

Focally enlarged sulci (FES) are areas of proposed extraventricular fluid entrapment that may occur within idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) with radiographic evidence of disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid‐space hydrocephalus (DESH), and should be differentiated from atrophy.

Purpose

To evaluate for change in FES size and pituitary height after shunt placement in iNPH.

Study type

Retrospective.

Subjects

A total of 125 iNPH patients who underwent shunt surgery and 40 age‐matched controls.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5 T and 3 T. Axial T2w FLAIR, 3D T1w MPRAGE, 2D sagittal T1w.

Assessment

FES were measured in three dimensions and volume was estimated by assuming an ellipsoid shape. Pituitary gland height was measured in the mid third of the gland in iNPH patients and controls.

Statistical tests

Wilcoxon signed‐rank test for comparisons between MRI measurements; Wilcoxon rank sum test for comparison of cases/controls. Significance level was P < 0.05.

Results

Fifty percent of the patients had FES. FES volume significantly decreased between the pre and first postshunt MRI by a median of 303 mm3 or 30.0%. Pituitary gland size significantly increased by 0.48 mm or 14.4%. FES decreased significantly by 190 mm3 or 23.1% and pituitary gland size increased significantly by 0.25 mm or 6% between the first and last postshunt MRI.

Data Conclusion

Decrease in size of FES after shunt placement provides further evidence that these regions are due to disordered cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics and should not be misinterpreted as atrophy. A relatively smaller pituitary gland in iNPH patients that normalizes after shunt is a less‐well recognized feature of altered CSF dynamics.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Evaluation on the effect of ice glazing with different compound additives on the quality of frozen stored (−23 °C) large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea)
Authors: Chu Yuanming , Ding Zhaoyang , Yang Dazhang , Xie Jing
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Compounded ice glazing has been used in large yellow croaker to improve its quality during frozen storage. The ice glazing liquid is prepared by compound use of trehalose and tea polyphenols, and the moisture, protein‐related properties and freshness of the fish have been evaluated during 300 days of frozen storage.

RESULTS

The results showed that the addition of trehalose effectively reduced the loss of water. At the same time, it was difficult for ice crystals to grow under the action of trehalose, the average diameter could still be maintained at 111.25–119.85 μm. The combination with tea polyphenols could effectively maintain the protein structure and keep the total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N) and K value within 11.84 mg/100 g and 13.18%, so that the freshness of the fish was always at the first level.

CONCLUSION

In a word, the ice glazing with 5% trehalose and 8% tea polyphenols had the best preservation effect, which was recommended for the frozen storage. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Trace determination of imidacloprid and its major metabolites in wheat‐soil system
Authors: Liu Jiayue , Zhang Yunhui , Dong Fengshou , Wu Xiaohu , Pan Xinglu , Xu Jun , Zheng Yongquan
Published: July 2022

Trace analysis method is a reliable basis for studying the translocation and metabolism of imidacloprid used as an insecticide in wheat, and it clarifies whether biologically active metabolites including residual imidacloprid, have long‐lasting insecticidal potency against wheat aphids under seed treatment during the entire growth period. In this study, a highly sensitive analytical method was established to determine the residues of imidacloprid and its six metabolites (5‐hydroxy imidacloprid, imidacloprid olefin, imidacloprid guanidine, imidacloprid urea, 6‐chloronicotinic acid, and imidacloprid nitrosimine) in wheat–soil systems, such as in wheat leaves, wheat ears, wheat grains, roots, and soil. All the compounds were extracted using an ACN:water (8:2, v/v) mixture and purified by dispersive solid‐phase extraction. The average recoveries ranged from 74.4% to 109.5% for all matrices, with intra‐ and inter‐day variations of less than 14.9%. The limit of quantitation was in the range of 0.001–0.005 mg/kg. The method is demonstrated to be sensitive and accurate for monitoring imidacloprid and its metabolites at trace levels during the entire growth period under field conditions.
Co‐authoring with undergraduate students: An emerging process from the semi‐periphery of the world of science
Authors: Plakhotnik Maria S.
Published: July 2022

Undergraduate students benefit from writing for publication and co‐authoring with faculty, who in turn find value in collaborating with students. Yet, compared to graduate students and novice researchers, undergraduates are rarely in the focus of research and practice around scholarly writing and co‐authorship. Furthermore, this limited knowledge is primarily, if not exclusively, produced by scholars in countries that dominate the international publication landscape. How faculty and undergraduates from countries in the semi‐periphery of the world of science collaborate to co‐author scholarly publications is not clear. This paper describes a process that has led to publishing articles with undergraduate students in the semi‐periphery in English language journals indexed in Web of Science (SSCI), Scopus, and the AJG guide. The process consists of two phases that differ across such dimensions as goals, length, key steps, and contributors' roles. The process demonstrates that collaboration with talented undergraduates is not different from co‐authoring with novice and experienced scholars in its final outcome, a high‐quality article, and its process of creative ideation, rigorous execution, and collective contribution. I discuss how journal editors, universities, and other researchers in the semi‐periphery could change the ways in which they approach publication collaborations with undergraduate students.
The barriers and informational needs of students and junior researchers when reading scientific papers
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang , Xia Lingying , Duan Qingyu
Published: July 2022

Students and junior researchers are important stakeholders in scholarly publishing, but there is relatively little research into their reading needs and barriers. This study hoped to understand the similarities and differences between junior researchers and students, between this group and more senior researchers and between different disciplines. The research comprised two parts: initial interviews to ascertain the main barrier and needs items, followed by a large‐scale online survey. The survey received 673 responses from Chinese students and junior researchers. The survey revealed that poor presentation leading to poor understanding was a common barrier, but there were disciplinary differences, with humanities scholars having fewer barriers than other disciplines. Postgraduates reported more barriers than undergraduates, and also scored information needs more highly. The results identify needed improvements in the presentation of articles and explanation of terminology in order to better engage with students and junior researchers.
Nurturing an ‘ethic of collaboration’: Dispatches from a case study on Jindal Global Law Review
Authors: Pagedar Aishwarya , Sanghi Sanskriti , Gangwar Shivangi
Published: July 2022

Key points

Building an ethos of trust and respect is a key factor in the success of engaging early career researchers (ECRs) in editorial teams.

Regular meetings and open communication ensure accountability and sharing of responsibilities.

Nurturing and sustaining an ethic of collaboration with senior editors mentoring junior ones ensures a strong allegiance and sense of responsibility to the journal.

Being part of a journal editorial group can help build community and solidarity with other researchers which may not be so easily achieved within academia.

Real‐time engagement, whilst beneficial to the journal and to authors, may be too onerous for ECRs and separation of work and personal life should be maintained.
Management of the facial nerve following temporal bone ballistic injury
Authors: Maxwell Anne K. , Lemoine John C. , Kahane Jacob B. , Gary Celeste C.
Published: July 2022

Objective

To understand the patterns of temporal bone fracture and facial nerve injury from ballistic trauma.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Retrospective review of 42 patients evaluated following temporal bone ballistic injury at a single institution, university‐based level‐one trauma center between 2012 and 2021. Demographics, facial nerve status, CT images, interventions, complications, and outcomes were reviewed.

Results

Mean age 30.3 years (range 5–58 years); 79% male. Racial demographics reflected the surrounding community. Seven mortalities occurred. Nineteen patients (54%) demonstrated facial nerve injury. Of those, 13/19 displayed immediate paralysis, 1 delayed, 5 unknown (due to altered mental status). On consultation, House‐Brackmann grade 6 paralysis was common (13/19). Fracture was otic capsule‐sparing in 17/19 (90%), universally comminuted, with significant disruption along the mastoid tip (16/19), external auditory canal (EAC) (15/19), and periauricular soft tissues (13/19). Nine patients underwent surgical intervention: Transmastoid facial nerve decompression to remove compressive bony spicules (n = 5); eye protection surgery (n = 3); and peripheral facial nerve exploration (n = 1), noting transection at the pes. One required middle cranial fossa and transmastoid repair of cerebrospinal fistulae in setting of severe meningitis. House‐Brackmann scores improved in 80% following transmastoid nerve decompression despite CT evidence of likely additional injury in its extratemporal course.

Conclusions

Common patterns of temporal bone fracture seen in blunt trauma (longitudinal/transverse, otic capsule‐sparing/disrupting) were not found in patients with ballistic facial nerve injury. Rather, injury was commonly apparent in the EAC, mastoid tip, and periauricular soft tissues. Clinicians should have high suspicion for extratemporal facial nerve injury following ballistic trauma.
Nitrous oxide production in the Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Tang Weiyi , Tracey John C. , Carroll Julia , Wallace Elizabeth , Lee Jenna A. , Nathan Levy , Sun Xin , Jayakumar Amal , Ward Bess B.
Published: July 2022

Estuaries at the global scale are significant but highly uncertain sources of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O), which is an intense greenhouse gas and ozone depletion agent. As the largest estuary in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay is suggested to be a spatially and temporally variable source and sink of N2O. However, limited observations of N2O cycling preclude us from estimating and predicting its net N2O flux. To improve our mechanistic understanding of the processes that control the N2O flux at the point of production, we applied multiple 15N tracers (, 15N‐urea, and ) to separately track N2O production from nitrification and denitrification under in situ and manipulated O2 concentrations in the Chesapeake Bay. Nitrification was the major N2O production pathway in oxic waters (up to 7.5 nmol N2O L−1 d−1). In contrast, denitrification dominated N2O production from hypoxic/anoxic waters (up to 20 nmol N2O L−1 d−1). N2O production from urea was observed for the first time in estuarine waters. The contribution from urea was small, but interestingly, showed a depth pattern distinct from other N2O precursors. Experimentally lowering the O2 concentration substantially enhanced N2O production. Therefore, the expansion of hypoxic and anoxic zones in the Chesapeake Bay under climate change as suggested by some climate models may favor the production of N2O, potentially providing positive feedback on warming. Overall, our study provides mechanistic constraints on N2O dynamics that could benefit modeling studies to better estimate the N2O flux in the Chesapeake Bay and other coastal environments.
Conformational Transition‐Driven Self‐Folding Hydrogel Based on Silk Fibroin and Gelatin for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Wang Lu , Yan Ling , Liu Shuang , Zhang Hao , Xiao Jing , Wang Ziyin , Xiao Wenqian , Li Bo , Liao Xiaoling
Published: July 2022

Self‐folding is a rapidly evolving method for converting flat objects into three‐dimensional (3D) structures. However, because there are few materials with suitable properties, the application of self‐folding in tissue engineering has been hindered greatly. Herein, a novel self‐folding hydrogel using  conformational transition mechanism is developed by employing  photocrosslinkable silk fibroin and gelatin composite hydrogel. It is hypothesized that differences in the amount of beta‐sheet (β‐sheet) formation between the upper and lower layers will supply additional folding stress and drive the self‐folding behavior of a bilayer patch, which can improve the mechanical properties and long‐term stability of the self‐folded structure. In this study, the impact of various proportions of β‐sheets in composite hydrogels on their swelling, mechanics, and internal microstructures are investigated. Subsequently, the folding process parameters are optimized, and diffusion through the folded tubular structure is studied with a perfusion test. Finally, it is proven that the self‐folding hydrogel system is cytocompatible and can be utilized to build a 3D coculture system of “endothelial cells–smooth muscle cells”. These findings suggest that the self‐folding hydrogel can be a promising candidate for applications in blood vessel tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
α‐Synuclein V15A Variant in Familial Parkinson's Disease Exhibits a Weaker Lipid‐Binding Property
Authors: Daida Kensuke , Shimonaka Shotaro , Shiba‐Fukushima Kahori , Ogata Jun , Yoshino Hiroyo , Okuzumi Ayami , Hatano Taku , Motoi Yumiko , Hirunagi Tomoki , Katsuno Masahisa , Shindou Hideo , Funayama Manabu , Nishioka Kenya , Hattori Nobutaka , Imai Yuzuru
Published: July 2022

Background

The α‐Synuclein (α‐Syn) V15A variant has been found in two Caucasian families with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the significance of this missense variant remained unclear.

Objective

We sought to elucidate whether V15A could increase aggregation or change phospholipid affinity.

Methods

A sequencing analysis for the SNCA encoding α‐Syn from 875 patients with PD and 324 control subjects was performed. Comparing with known pathogenic missense variants of α‐Syn, A30P, and A53T, we analyzed the effects of V15A on binding to phospholipid membrane, self‐aggregation, and seed‐dependent aggregation in cultured cells.

Results

Genetic screening identified SNCA c.44 T>C (p.V15A) from two Japanese PD families. The missense variant V15A was extremely rare in several public databases and predicted as pathogenic using in silico tools. The amplification activity of α‐Syn V15A fibrils was stronger than that of wild‐type α‐Syn fibrils.

Conclusions

The discovery of the V15A variant from Japanese families reinforces the possibility that the V15A variant may be a causative variant for developing PD. V15A had a reduced affinity for phospholipids and increased propagation activity compared with wild‐type. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
An Euler–Maruyama method and its fast implementation for multiterm fractional stochastic differential equations
Authors: Huang Jianfei , Huo Zhenyang , Zhang Jingna , Tang Yifa
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we derive an Euler–Maruyama (EM) method for a class of multiterm fractional stochastic nonlinear differential equations and prove its strong convergence. The strong convergence order of this EM method is
, where
is the order of Caputo fractional derivative satisfying that
, and
. Then, a fast implementation of this proposed EM method is also presented based on the sum‐of‐exponentials approximation technique. Finally, some numerical experiments are given to verify the theoretical results and computational efficiency of our EM method.
Whole‐Body MRI in Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type R1/2A: Correlation With Clinical Scores
Authors: Aivazoglou Laís U. , Guimarães Julio B. , Costa Maria Alice F. , Aihara André Yui , Cardoso Fabiano N. , Pinto Wladimir B. V. De R. , de Souza Paulo Victor S. , da Silva André M. S. , Zanoteli Edmar , Oliveira Acary S. B. , Carvalho Alzira A. S. , Fernandes Artur Da R. C.
Published: July 2022

Introduction/Aim

The most common limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) worldwide is LGMD type R1 (LGMDR1). The aim of this study was to correlate the MRI findings with functional scores and to describe the whole‐body MRI (WBMRI) pattern in a LGMDR1 Brazilian cohort.

Methods

LGMDR1 patients under follow‐up in three centers were referred for the study. Clinical data were collected and a functional evaluation was performed, consisting of Gardner‐Medwin and Walton (GMW) and Brooke scales. All patients underwent a WBMRI study (1.5T) with axial T1 and STIR images. Fifty‐one muscles were semiquantitatively assessed regarding fatty infiltration and muscle edema.

Results

The study group consisted of 18 patients. The highest fatty infiltration scores involved the serratus anterior, biceps femoris long head, adductor magnus, and lumbar erector spinae. There was a latero‐medial and caudo‐cranial descending gradient of involvement of the paravertebral muscles, with erector spinae being significantly more affected than the transversospinalis muscles (p < 0.05). A striped appearance that has been dubbed the “pseudocollagen sign” was present in 72% of the patients. There was a positive correlation between the MRI score and GMW (Rho:0.83) and Brooke (Rho:0.53) scores.

Discussion

WBMRI in LGMDR1 allows a global patient evaluation including involvement of the paraspinal muscles, usually an underestimated feature in the clinical and imaging study of myopathies. Knowledge of the WBMRI pattern of LGMDR1 involvement can be useful in the diagnostic approach and in future studies to identify the best target muscles to serve as outcome measures in clinical trials.
Rapid fat–water separated T1 mapping using a single‐shot radial inversion‐recovery spoiled gradient recalled pulse sequence
Authors: Li Zhitao , Mathew Manoj , Syed Ali B. , Feng Li , Brunsing Ryan , Pauly John M. , Vasanawala Shreyas S.
Published: July 2022

T1 mapping is increasingly used in clinical practice and research studies. With limited scan time, existing techniques often have limited spatial resolution, contrast resolution and slice coverage. High fat concentrations yield complex errors in Look–Locker T1 methods. In this study, a dual‐echo 2D radial inversion‐recovery T1 (DEradIR‐T1) technique was developed for fast fat–water separated T1 mapping. The DEradIR‐T1 technique was tested in phantoms, 5 volunteers and 28 patients using a 3 T clinical MRI scanner. In our study, simulations were performed to analyze the composite (fat + water) and water‐only T1 under different echo times (TE). In standardized phantoms, an inversion‐recovery spin echo (IR‐SE) sequence with and without fat saturation pulses served as a T1 reference. Parameter mapping with DEradIR‐T1 was also assessed in vivo, and values were compared with modified Look–Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI). Bland–Altman analysis and two‐tailed paired t‐tests were used to compare the parameter maps from DEradIR‐T1 with the references. Simulations of the composite and water‐only T1 under different TE values and levels of fat matched the in vivo studies. T1 maps from DEradIR‐T1 on a NIST phantom (Pcomp = 0.97) and a Calimetrix fat–water phantom (Pwater = 0.56) matched with the references. In vivo T1 was compared with that of MOLLI:
;
. In this work, intravoxel fat is found to have a variable, echo‐time‐dependent effect on measured T1 values, and this effect may be mitigated using the proposed DRradIR‐T1.
What does FEXI measure?
Authors: Khateri Mohammad , Reisert Marco , Sierra Alejandra , Tohka Jussi , Kiselev Valerij G.
Published: July 2022

Filter‐exchange imaging (FEXI) has already been utilized in several biomedical studies for evaluating the permeability of cell membranes. The method relies on suppressing the extracellular signal using strong diffusion weighting (the mobility filter causing a reduction in the overall diffusivity) and monitoring the subsequent diffusivity recovery. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate that FEXI is sensitive not uniquely to the transcytolemmal exchange but also to the geometry of involved compartments: complex geometry offers locations where spins remain unaffected by the mobility filter; moving to other locations afterwards, such spins contribute to the diffusivity recovery without actually permeating any membrane. This exchange mechanism is a warning for those who aim to use FEXI in complex media such as brain gray matter and opens wide scope for investigation towards crystallizing the genuine membrane permeation and characterizing the compartment geometry.
Quantitative 7T sodium magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain using a 32‐channel phased‐array head coil: Application to patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Wilferth Tobias , Mennecke Angelika , Gast Lena V. , Lachner Sebastian , Müller Max , Rothhammer Veit , Huhn Konstantin , Uder Michael , Doerfler Arnd , Nagel Armin M. , Schmidt Manuel
Published: July 2022

Apparent tissue sodium concentrations (aTSCs) determined by 23Na brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have the potential to serve as a biomarker in pathologies such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the quantification is hindered by the intrinsically low signal‐to‐noise ratio of 23Na MRI. The purpose of this study was to improve the accuracy and reliability of quantitative 23Na brain MRI by implementing a dedicated postprocessing pipeline and to evaluate the applicability of the developed approach for the examination of MS patients. 23Na brain MRI measurements of 13 healthy volunteers and 17 patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) were performed at 7 T using a dual‐tuned 23Na/1H birdcage coil with a receive‐only 32‐channel phased array. The aTSC values were determined for normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and normal appearing gray matter (NAGM) in healthy subjects and SPMS patients. Signal intensities were normalized using the mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sodium concentration determined in 37 separate patients receiving a spinal tap for routine diagnostic purposes. Five volunteers underwent MRI examinations three times in a row to assess repeatability. Coefficients of variation (CoVs) were used to quantify the repeatability of the proposed method. aTSC values were compared regarding brain regions and subject cohort using the paired‐samples Wilcoxon rank‐sum test. Laboratory CSF sodium concentration did not differ significantly between patients without and with MS (p = 0.42). The proposed quantification workflow for 23Na MRI was highly repeatable with CoVs averaged over all five volunteers of 1.9% ± 0.9% for NAWM and 2.2% ± 1.6% for NAGM. Average NAWM aTSC was significantly higher in patients with SPMS compared with the control group (p = 0.009). Average NAGM aTSC did not differ significantly between healthy volunteers and MS patients (p = 0.98). The proposed postprocessing pipeline shows high repeatability and the results can serve as a baseline for further studies establishing 23Na brain MRI as a biomarker in diseases such as MS.
Three‐dimensional optical body shape and features improve prediction of metabolic disease risk in a diverse sample of adults
Authors: Bennett Jonathan P. , Liu Yong En , Quon Brandon K. , Kelly Nisa N. , Leong Lambert T. , Wong Michael C. , Kennedy Samantha F. , Chow Dominic C. , Garber Andrea K. , Weiss Ethan J. , Heymsfield Steven B. , Shepherd John A.
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study examined whether body shape and composition obtained by three‐dimensional optical (3DO) scanning improved the prediction of metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence compared with BMI and demographics.

Methods

A diverse ambulatory adult population underwent whole‐body 3DO scanning, blood tests, manual anthropometrics, and blood pressure assessment in the Shape Up! Adults study. MetS prevalence was evaluated based on 2005 National Cholesterol Education Program criteria, and prediction of MetS involved logistic regression to assess (1) BMI, (2) demographics‐adjusted BMI, (3) 85 3DO anthropometry and body composition measures, and (4) BMI + 3DO + demographics models. Receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) values were generated for each predictive model.

Results

A total of 501 participants (280 female) were recruited, with 87 meeting the criteria for MetS. Compared with the BMI model (AUC = 0.819), inclusion of age, sex, and race increased the AUC to 0.861, and inclusion of 3DO measures further increased the AUC to 0.917. The overall integrated discrimination improvement between the 3DO + demographics and the BMI model was 0.290 (p < 0.0001) with a net reclassification improvement of 0.214 (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Body shape measures from an accessible 3DO scan, adjusted for demographics, predicted MetS better than demographics and/or BMI alone. Risk classification in this population increased by 29% when using 3DO scanning.
Weight loss and β‐cell responses following gastric banding or pharmacotherapy in adults with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial
Authors: Utzschneider Kristina M. , Ehrmann David A. , Arslanian Silva A. , Barengolts Elena , Buchanan Thomas A. , Caprio Sonia , Edelstein Sharon L. , Hannon Tamara S. , Kahn Steven E. , Kozedub Alexandra , Mather Kieren J. , Nadeau Kristen J. , Sam Susan , Tripputi Mark , Xiang Anny H. , El ghormli Laure ,   The RISE Consortium
Published: July 2022

Objective

The extent to which weight loss contributes to increases in insulin sensitivity (IS) and β‐cell function after surgical or medical intervention has not been directly compared in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Methods

The Restoring Insulin Secretion (RISE) Study included adults in the Beta‐Cell Restoration Through Fat Mitigation Study (n = 88 randomized to laparoscopic gastric banding or metformin [MET]) and the Adult Medication Study (n = 267 randomized to placebo, MET, insulin glargine/MET, or liraglutide + MET [L + M]). IS and β‐cell responses were measured at baseline and after 12 months by modeling of oral glucose tolerance tests and during arginine‐stimulated hyperglycemic clamps. Linear regression models assessed differences between and within treatments over time.

Results

BMI decreased in all treatment groups, except placebo, at 12 months. IS increased in all arms except placebo and was inversely correlated with changes in BMI. L + M was the only treatment arm that enhanced multiple measures of β‐cell function independent of weight loss. Insulin secretion decreased in the laparoscopic gastric banding arm proportional to increases in IS, with no net benefit on β‐cell function.

Conclusions

Reducing demand on the β‐cell by improving IS through weight loss does not reverse β‐cell dysfunction. L + M was the only treatment that enhanced β‐cell function.
Pre‐ and postnatal exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and body composition at 12 years: periods of susceptibility
Authors: Mourino Nerea , Pérez‐Ríos Mónica , Yolton Kimberly , Lanphear Bruce P. , Chen Aimin , Buckley Jessie P. , Kalkwarf Heidi J. , Cecil Kim M. , Braun Joseph M.
Published: July 2022

Objective

The study aimed to identify periods of heightened susceptibility to the effects of pre‐ and postnatal secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure on body composition at age 12 years.

Methods

The study used data from 217 children from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective cohort in Cincinnati, Ohio. Using multiple informant models, the study estimated associations of maternal serum cotinine (16 and 26 weeks of pregnancy) and child serum cotinine concentrations (at age 12, 24, 36, and 48 months) with measures of body composition obtained with anthropometry and dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry at 12 years. We examined whether there were differences between these associations for pre‐ and postnatal exposure periods and potential effect measure modification by sex.

Results

Postnatal cotinine concentrations were associated with higher weight, BMI, body fat and lean mass, waist circumference, and visceral, android, and gynoid fat. Each 10‐fold increase in postnatal cotinine was associated with 76% increased risk of overweight or obesity (95% CI: 1.13‐2.75). Associations between prenatal concentrations and measures of body composition at 12 years were generally null.

Conclusions

Postnatal exposure to SHS may increase adolescent adiposity and lean mass. Future studies should determine whether early‐life exposures to SHS are associated with other cardiometabolic risk markers.
Aldose reductase promotes diet‐induced obesity via induction of senescence in subcutaneous adipose tissue
Authors: Thiagarajan Devi , Quadri Nosirudeen , Jawahar Shabnam , Zirpoli Hylde , del Pozo Carmen Hurtado , López‐Díez Raquel , Hasan Syed Nurul , Yepuri Gautham , Gugger Paul F. , Finlin Brian S. , Kern Philip A. , Gabbay Kenneth , Schmidt Ann Marie , Ramasamy Ravichandran
Published: July 2022

Objective

Aldose reductase (AKR1B1 in humans; Akr1b3 in mice), a key enzyme of the polyol pathway, mediates lipid accumulation in the murine heart and liver. The study objective was to explore potential roles for AKR1B1/Akr1b3 in the pathogenesis of obesity and its complications.

Methods

The study employed mice treated with an inhibitor of aldose reductase or mice devoid of Akr1b3 were used to determine their response to a high‐fat diet. The study used subcutaneous adipose tissue‐derived adipocytes to investigate mechanisms by which AKR1B1/Akr1b3 promotes diet‐induced obesity.

Results

Increased expression of aldose reductase and senescence in the adipose tissue of humans and mice with obesity were demonstrated. Genetic deletion of Akr1b3 or pharmacological blockade of AKRIB3 with zopolrestat reduced high‐fat‐diet‐induced obesity, attenuated markers of adipose tissue senescence, and increased lipolysis.

Conclusions

AKR1B1/Akr1b3 modulation of senescence in subcutaneous adipose tissue contributes to aberrant metabolic responses to high‐fat feeding. These data unveil new opportunities to target these pathways to combat obesity.
Pragmatic implementation of a fully automated online obesity treatment in primary care
Authors: Thomas J. Graham , Panza Emily , Espel‐Huynh Hallie M. , Goldstein Carly M. , O'Leary Kevin , Benedict Noah , Puerini Albert J. , Wing Rena R.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Behavioral obesity treatment implemented in primary care is efficacious but typically involves face‐to‐face or phone contact. This study evaluated enrollment, engagement, and 12‐week weight loss in a fully automated online behavioral weight‐loss intervention implemented pragmatically in a primary care network.

Methods

As part of routine primary care, providers and nurse care managers offered a no‐cost online obesity treatment program to 1,721 patients. Of these, 721 consented and were eligible (aged 18‐75 years with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and internet access), and 464 started the program. The program included 12 weekly online lessons, a self‐monitoring platform, and automated feedback.

Results

More than one‐quarter of patients who were offered the program (26%) initiated treatment. In intent‐to‐treat analyses using all data available, mean 12‐week weight change was −5.10% (SE = 0.21). Patients who submitted their weights on all 12 weeks (37% of 464) lost an estimated 7.2% body weight versus 3.4% in those submitting less frequently.

Conclusions

This fully automated online program, implemented into the routine workflow of a primary care setting without any human counseling or researcher involvement, produced clinically meaningful short‐term weight loss. Greater program engagement was associated with greater weight loss; efforts are needed to understand barriers to engagement.
A study of the mechanical performance of nanocomposites of polyethylene containing exfoliated boron nitride nanoplatelets
Authors: Wei Si‐Ning , Liu Xin , Yan Jun , Zhong Meiling , Joseph Paul , Zhang Jiali , Zhang Ri‐Chao
Published: July 2022

Boron nitride nanoplatelets (BNNPs) are emerging as a potential candidate for developing polymer‐based thermally conducting nanocomposites that have electrically insulating properties. Generally, the mechanical performance of such polymer‐based nanocomposites, for example, toughness, is often found to be inferior, primarily, owing to the poor dispersion of BNNP, resulting from weaker interfacial interactions between BNNPs and polymer matrices. Here, we report on a successful method to fabricate high density polyethylene (HDPE)/BNNP nanocomposites, with superior mechanical properties, through the in situ exfoliation of the nanofiller via a melt‐extrusion technique. The results obtained showed that the toughness of a nanocomposite with 15 wt% BNNP loading is 18.8 × 103 KJ m−3, that is, about 1.5 times enhancement as compared to the control HDPE sample. The enhancement in mechanical properties can be attributed to a greater degree of homogeneous dispersion of the exfoliated BNNPs achieved using the melt‐ extrusion route. The results that were analyzed through scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared measurements showed that an interesting microstructural feature, named “sunflower‐like” core‐shell structure, formed owing to the relatively stronger interactions between BNNPs and polyethylene chains, which in turn facilitated the uniform dispersion of exfoliated BNNPs in HDPE matrix. This work, therefore, opens up a pathway toward an easy and up‐scalable version for fabricating polymer nanocomposites that have superior mechanical performance and with wider applicability.
The absolute heat capacity of polymer grafted nanoparticles using fast scanning calorimetry*
Authors: Sakib Nazam , Koh Yung P. , Simon Sindee L.
Published: July 2022

The absolute heat capacity of a matrix‐free polystyrene grafted silica nanocomposite system is investigated using ultrafast Flash differential scanning calorimetry (Flash DSC) and compared to results for a neat polystyrene sample of similar molecular weight. The heat capacity of the polymer in the nanocomposite is 8% lower than that of the neat polystyrene. In addition, the step change in heat capacity at the glass transition Tg is 15% lower, indicating a 2 nm‐thick immobile layer of polymer around the nanoparticles. There is neither an increase in the nanocomposite heat capacity towards that of the neat material nor any additional ∆Cp steps, indicating that the glassy layer around the nanoparticles remains immobile up to 300°C. In addition to the analysis of the absolute heat capacity, the dynamic temperature gradient in the Flash DSC sample increases linearly with increasing rate of measurement, whereas the noise in the heat capacity data increases linearly with the reciprocal of the scanning rate; the optimum rate for measurements lies between 300 and 1000 K/s for the samples studied here and will depend on the sample thickness.
Role of expandable graphite on flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and acid resistance of polypropylene/magnesium hydroxide composites
Authors: Liang Shitong , Liu Jichun , Guo Yiming , Luo Jie , Liu Hongyu , Peng Shuge
Published: July 2022

In this work, expandable graphite (EG) was introduced to the composite of polypropylene/magnesium hydroxide (PP/MH) by melt compounding, fire performance, thermal degradation behavior, and acid resistance of the PP/MH/EG composites were investigated. The results demonstrate that the flame retardant efficiency of MH is very low by itself and there is a noticeable synergism between MH and EG in PP. The addition of proper EG can enhance flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and acid resistance of the PP/MH composite significantly at the same time. Replacing 8.7 wt% MH with 8.7 wt% EG reduces the filling grade needed for V‐0 from 63 wt% MH to 56.5 wt% MH/EG mixture. The presence of EG on the composite surface hinders acid erosion of MH. There is no chemical reaction between MH and EG. Continuous intumescent char can be produced on the composite surface upon combustion, which is responsible for the much‐improved flame retardancy and smoke suppression, regardless of the presence of MH on the surface area.