bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of ibuprofen prescriptions into a Psychiatric Hospital: regarding safety, indication, and dose.
Authors: Dantas Carolina Rosario , Couto Ricardo David , Soares Denis De Melo
Published: June 2020

Introdução: Os anti-inflamatórios não esteróides (AINEs), como o ibuprofeno, são amplamente utilizados no mundo todo. No hospital psiquiátrico em que este estudo foi realizado, medicamentos como inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina e lítio são amplamente utilizados e sabe-se que podem interagir com o ibuprofeno. A literatura também mostra que o ibuprofeno pode levar a alterações no sistema nervoso central, o que pode desencadear o desequilíbrio dos distúrbios psiquiátricos.

Objetivo: Avaliar a frequência da utilização do ibuprofeno e se suas prescrições estão de acordo com as informações contidas na literatura com relação à segurança, indicação e dose.

Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo transversal observacional retrospectivo para avaliar o uso de ibuprofeno em pacientes de um hospital psiquiátrico. As prescrições foram avaliadas por um período de 10 meses.

Resultados: Entre as prescrições avaliadas 43 continham ibuprofeno na dose de 600 mg. Observa-se que, na maioria dos casos, o medicamento estava sendo utilizado conforme prescrito na literatura. No entanto, em alguns casos, as prescrições divergiram da literatura em relação à segurança e dosagem.

Conclusão: O uso desse medicamento frequentemente de modo geral não obedeceu aos critérios de segurança e dosagem referentes à literatura científica.

 

Palavras-chave: Ibuprofeno, Estudos de utilização, Segurança do paciente, Anti-inflamatório, Medicamentos, Farmácia hospitalar.
An unbiased high‐throughput drug screen reveals a potential therapeutic vulnerability in the most lethal molecular subtype of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Pan Chun‐Hao , Otsuka Yuka , Sridharan BanuPriya , Woo Melissa , Leiton Cindy V. , Babu Sruthi , Torrente Gonçalves Mariana , Kawalerski Ryan R. , K. Bai Ji Dong , Chang David K. , Biankin Andrew V. , Scampavia Louis , Spicer Timothy , Escobar‐Hoyos Luisa F. , Shroyer Kenneth R.
Published: June 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is predicted to become the second leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in the United States by 2020, due in part to innate resistance to widely used chemotherapeutic agents and limited knowledge about key molecular factors that drive tumor aggression. We previously reported a novel negative prognostic biomarker, keratin 17 (K17), whose overexpression in cancer results in shortened patient survival. In this study, we aimed to determine the predictive value of K17 and explore the therapeutic vulnerability in K17‐expressing PDAC, using an unbiased high‐throughput drug screen. Patient‐derived data analysis showed that K17 expression correlates with resistance to gemcitabine (Gem). In multiple in vitro and in vivo models of PDAC, spanning human and murine PDAC cells, and orthotopic xenografts, we determined that the expression of K17 results in a more than twofold increase in resistance to Gem and 5‐fluorouracil, key components of current standard‐of‐care chemotherapeutic regimens. Furthermore, through an unbiased drug screen, we discovered that podophyllotoxin (PPT), a microtubule inhibitor, showed significantly higher sensitivity in K17‐positive compared to K17‐negative PDAC cell lines and animal models. In the clinic, another microtubule inhibitor, paclitaxel (PTX), is used in combination with Gem as a first‐line chemotherapeutic regimen for PDAC. Surprisingly, we found that when combined with Gem, PPT, but not PTX, was synergistic in inhibiting the viability of K17‐expressing PDAC cells. Importantly, in preclinical models, PPT in combination with Gem effectively decreased tumor growth and enhanced the survival of mice bearing K17‐expressing tumors. This provides evidence that PPT and its derivatives could potentially be combined with Gem to enhance treatment efficacy for the ~ 50% of PDACs that express high levels of K17. In summary, we reported that K17 is a novel target for developing a biomarker‐based personalized treatment for PDAC.
Media Use and the Development of Racial and Ethnic Identities
Authors: Behm‐Morawitz Elizabeth
Published: June 2020

This entry is an introduction to the relationship between media use and the development of racial and ethnic identities. First, an overview is provided of the uses and gratifications approach to understanding the active and conscious selection and avoidance of media by individuals to help meet social identity needs. Second, media identification and social comparison are discussed in relation to self‐concept and stereotype threat for individuals who identify as a racial or ethnic minority. Third, priming theory is utilized to explain how media use activates racial and ethnic stereotypes that may influence perceptions of racial and ethnic in groups and out groups. Last, social categorization explains how perceptual bias comes into play when individuals interact with media relevant to racial or ethnic identity. In sum, media use offers information salient to race and ethnicity that individuals may incorporate into their self‐concept.
Effects of Media Use on Social Aggression in Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Martins Nicole
Published: June 2020

The majority of the existing research on media aggression has focused on media violence and its effects on physical aggression. However, scholars have recently focused their attention on other forms of aggression in the media, such as social aggression, and its effects on viewer attitudes and behaviors. Indeed, several content analyses now show that social aggression in the media is commonplace and the way in which it is presented makes it likely that children will imitate such behaviors. In support of social cognitive theory and the general aggression model, both surveys and experimental research demonstrate that exposure to social aggression in the media is related to subsequent aggressive behaviors among youth. These findings have important implications for theory building and public policy.
Reinforcing Spirals Model
Authors: Slater Michael D. , Shehata Adam , Strömbäck Jesper
Published: June 2020

The reinforcing spirals model (RSM) describes the role of communication (mediated and interpersonal) in how socialization, attitudes, and social identities are formed, reinforced, and/or sustained in the face of competing perspectives. The RSM proposes that people tend to select communication sources and content that reinforces their beliefs and social identity, and in turn beliefs and behaviors can be reinforced by such communication selectivity. From this perspective, the role of mediated communication in particular can be viewed as an endogenous or mediating process. Under normal circumstances this reinforcement process is likely to have reached homeostasis, and not be readily detectable empirically. However, in times of identity formation/change (e.g., adolescence, immigration) and identity threat (e.g., social disruption, economic difficulty, life changes) the process should become dynamic and measurable. Other boundary factors impacting the process include how open or closed the communication norms are for a given individual or set of individuals in a given social identity group, as well as how open or closed communication systems are in the larger society. This entry also describes empirical findings supporting the RSM, reviews methodological issues in the study of reinforcing spirals as a dynamic model, and identifies future research directions.
Modern Synthetic Approaches to Phosphorus‐Sulfur Bond Formation in Organophosphorus Compounds
Authors: Jones David J. , O'Leary Eileen M. , O'Sullivan Timothy P.
Published: June 2020

Phosphorothioates, phosphonothioates, phosphinothioates and phosphonodithioates are organophosphorus compounds with widespread application, especially in the fields of agrochemicals, medicinal chemistry and materials chemistry. Herein, we review modern methods for the construction of the phosphorus‐sulfur bonds in these important functional groups. This review is organised on the basis of the different synthetic approaches, with the advantages and disadvantages of each also examined.

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Appropriate Delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 System through the Nonlysosomal Route: Application for Therapeutic Gene Editing
Authors: Yin Hang , Yuan Xiaoling , Luo Lihua , Lu Yichao , Qin Bing , Zhang Junlei , Shi Yingying , Zhu Chunqi , Yang Jie , Li Xiang , Jiang Mengshi , Luo Zhenyu , Shan Xinyu , Chen Dawei , You Jian
Published: June 2020

The development of gene delivery has attracted increasing attention, especially when the introduction and application of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system appears promising for gene therapy. However, ensuring biosafety and high gene editing efficiency at the same time poses a great challenge for its in vivo applications. Herein, a pardaxin peptide (PAR)‐modified cationic liposome (PAR‐Lipo) is developed. The results are indicative that significantly enhanced gene editing efficiency can be obtained through the mediation of PAR‐Lipos compared to non‐Lipos (non‐PAR‐modified liposomes) and Lipofectamine 2000, owing to its protection toward carried nucleotide by the prevention of lysosomal capture, prolongation of retention time in cells through the accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and more importantly, facilitation of the nuclear access via an ER‐nucleus route. Accumulation of PAR‐Lipos in the ER may improve the binding of Cas9 and sgRNA, thus further contributing to the eventually enhanced gene editing efficiency. Given their high biosafety, PAR‐Lipos are used to mediate the knockout of the oncogene CDC6 in vivo, which results in significant tumor growth inhibition. This work may provide a useful reference for enhancing the delivery of gene editing systems, thus improving the potential for their future clinical applications.
Introducing grazeable cover crops to the winter wheat systems in Oklahoma
Authors: Horn Kyle M. , Rocateli Alexandre C. , Warren Jason G. , Turner Kenneth E. , Antonangelo Joao A.
Published: June 2020

Fields are typically kept fallow after winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain harvest in the U.S. southern Great Plains (SGP). Introducing summer cover crops to the system could increase soil conservation and farm profitability if grazed. The objective of this research was to evaluate cover crops’ forage yield, residue cover potential, weed suppression, and effect on wheat production. Monocultures and grass–legume mixtures of cover crops were established in mid‐June of 2016 and 2017 near Chickasha and Perkins, OK. At 6 weeks after planting (WAP), three cutting regimes based on stubble height were used: severe (2.5 cm), recommended (legumes: 7.5 cm, grasses and mixtures: 15 cm), and no cutting. Cover crops regrowth was chemically terminated at 14 WAP; winter wheat was no‐till seeded in mid‐October; then harvested in early‐June 2017 and 2018. Cultivar Triple Treat sorghum−sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × S. bicolor var. sudanese] and grass−legume mixtures showed the greatest available forage dry matter. Grasses and grass−legume mixtures had greater forage dry matter residue and weed suppression than legumes. Results indicated that exceeding 6.4 ± 1.2 Mg ha−1 of total dry matter (TDM) produced during the summer, a wheat grain yield penalty of −50.1 ± 15.8 kg ha−1 resulted for each increment of 1.0 Mg ha−1 of TDM produced. Also, a wheat protein content penalty of −1.9 ± 0.5 kg ha−1 resulted in each increment of 1.0 Mg ha−1 of TDM produced when exceeding to 5.7 ± 1.0 Mg ha−1 TDM threshold. Findings suggest N uptake by high‐biomass grasses and mixtures might result in deficient water and N availability for wheat production.
Implementation of an automatic time‐series calibration method for the DSSAT wheat models to enhance multi‐model approaches
Authors: Röll Georg , Memic Emir , Graeff‐Hönninger Simone
Published: June 2020

Multi‐modeling (MM) approaches allow increasing modeling accuracy through a combination of different modeling structures for the simulation of plant growth and yield. The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) 4.7 modeling platform currently includes three different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) models (CERES, N‐Wheat, and Cropsim). However, the main obstacle for using an MM approach is the calibration procedure. Calibration is time consuming and complex, especially if the user is not familiar with all three models. It results in a subjective calibration optimum and might discriminate models if the user is less trained. To avoid these conflicts, an automated calibration program which optimizes cultivar coefficients based on the root means square error (RMSE) of time‐series data was developed to ensure objective calibration results across three different wheat models and to highlight the potential of MM approaches for decision support in the future. Model calibration was performed on a 4‐yr nitrogen wheat fertilizer trial (0–240 kg ha−1 N) in southwest Germany. The evaluation mean showed satisfying results for the calibration (d‐index = .93) and evaluation dataset (d‐index = .81). By comparing different years, the MM approach improved modeling accuracy in most cases. Especially in the drought season of 2018, the MM approach revealed higher modeling accuracy for yield (d‐index = .61) in contrast to a single simulation of CERES (d‐index = .34) and Cropsim (d‐index = .39). This demonstrated the advantage of an MM approach as different modeling structures could compensate for errors that occur in single modeling approaches.
Rhizosphere microbial communities reflect genotypic and trait variation in a salt marsh ecosystem engineer
Authors: Lumibao Candice Y. , Bernik Brittany M. , Formel Stephen K. , Kandalepas Demetra , Mighell Kimberly L. , Pardue John , Van Bael Sunshine A. , Blum Michael J.
Published: June 2020

Premise

There is growing recognition that intraspecific genetic variation in plants can influence associated soil microbial communities, but the functional bridges linking plant genotype with microbial community structure are not well understood. This deficit is due in part to a prevailing focus on characterizing relationships between microbial communities and functional trait variation among plant species or across plant communities, rather than within a single species.

Methods

We examined whether and how spatiotemporal variation in salt marsh rhizosphere microbial communities reflect plant provenance (genotypic variation) and associated trait variation within an ecosystem engineer, Spartina alterniflora. We planted S. alterniflora from four genetically distinct source populations in replicate sets of experimental plots across a shoreline in southeastern Louisiana, USA. After 2 years, we measured functional plant traits and profiled microbial communities.

Results

Bacterial and fungal α‐diversity and richness were significantly higher in winter than in summer and corresponded to plant trait variation associated with provenance. Notably, 20% of the variation in fungal community composition was explained by trait differences while bacterial community structure did not reflect plant provenance or trait variation. However, evidence was found suggesting that bacterial communities are indirectly shaped by the influence of plant provenance on soil physicochemical properties.

Conclusions

This study illustrates that intraspecific genetic and corresponding trait variation in an ecosystem engineer can shape rhizosphere microbial communities, with fungal communities being more responsive than bacteria to the influence of plant provenance and associated trait variation. Our results highlight the potential relevance of plant intraspecific variation in plant–microbe–soil feedbacks shaping naturally depauperate ecosystems like salt marshes.
Report on Electroencephalographic Findings in Critically Ill Patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Vespignani Hervé , Colas Damien , Lavin Bruce S. , Soufflet Christine , Maillard Louis , Pourcher Valérie , Paccoud Olivier , Medjebar Samir , Frouin Pierre‐Yves
Published: June 2020

In March 2020, we treated a cohort of 26 critically ill hospitalized SARS‐CoV‐2–infected patients who underwent electroencephalography to assess unexplained altered mental status, loss of consciousness, or poor arousal and responsiveness. Of the 26 patients studied, 5 patients had electroencephalograms that showed periodic discharges consisting of high‐amplitude frontal monomorphic delta waves with absence of epileptic activity. These findings may suggest central nervous system injury potentially related to COVID‐19 in these patients. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:626–630
Constructing Charge‐Transfer Excited States Based on Frontier Molecular Orbital Engineering: Narrowband Green Electroluminescence with High Color Purity and Efficiency
Authors: Xu Yincai , Li Chenglong , Li Zhiqiang , Wang Qingyang , Cai Xinliang , Wei Jinbei , Wang Yue
Published: June 2020

The design and synthesis of organic materials with a narrow emission band in the longer wavelength region beyond 510 nm remain a great challenge. For constructing narrowband green emitters, we propose a unique molecular design strategy based on frontier molecular orbital engineering (FMOE), which can integrate the advantages of a twisted donor–acceptor (D‐A) structure and a multiple resonance (MR) delayed fluorescence skeleton. Attaching an auxiliary donor to a MR skeleton leads to a novel molecule with twisted D‐A and MR structure characteristics. Importantly, a remarkable red‐shift of the emission maximum and a narrowband spectrum are achieved simultaneously. The target molecule has been employed as an emitter to fabricate green organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.23, 0.69) and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 27.0 %.
Acceptor‐Doping Accelerated Charge Separation in Cu2O Photocathode for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: Theoretical and Experimental Studies
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Wang Jiajun , Xue Hui , Zhang Jinfeng , Peng Shengjie , Han Xiaopeng , Deng Yida , Hu Wenbin
Published: June 2020

Cu2O is a typical photoelectrocatalyst for sustainable hydrogen production, while the fast charge recombination hinders its further development. Herein, Ni2+ cations have been doped into a Cu2O lattice (named as Ni‐Cu2O) by a simple hydrothermal method and act as electron traps. Theoretical results predict that the Ni dopants produce an acceptor impurity level and lower the energy barrier of hydrogen evolution. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements demonstrate that Ni‐Cu2O exhibits a photocurrent density of 0.83 mA cm−2, which is 1.34 times higher than that of Cu2O. And the photostability has been enhanced by 7.81 times. Moreover, characterizations confirm the enhanced light‐harvesting, facilitated charge separation and transfer, prolonged charge lifetime, and increased carrier concentration of Ni‐Cu2O. This work provides deep insight into how acceptor‐doping modifies the electronic structure and optimizes the PEC process.
Dynamics of Ligand Binding to a Rigid Glycosidase**
Authors: Ben Bdira Fredj , Waudby Christopher A. , Volkov Alexander N. , Schröder Sybrin P. , AB Eiso , Codée Jeroen D. C. , Overkleeft Hermen S. , Aerts Johannes M. F. G. , van Ingen Hugo , Ubbink Marcellus
Published: June 2020

The single‐domain GH11 glycosidase from Bacillus circulans (BCX) is involved in the degradation of hemicellulose, which is one of the most abundant renewable biomaterials in nature. We demonstrate that BCX in solution undergoes minimal structural changes during turnover. NMR spectroscopy results show that the rigid protein matrix provides a frame for fast substrate binding in multiple conformations, accompanied by slow conversion, which is attributed to an enzyme‐induced substrate distortion. A model is proposed in which the rigid enzyme takes advantage of substrate flexibility to induce a conformation that facilitates the acyl formation step of the hydrolysis reaction.
Photoactivated Polymersome Nanomotors: Traversing Biological Barriers
Authors: Shao Jingxin , Cao Shoupeng , Williams David S. , Abdelmohsen Loai K. E. A. , van Hest Jan C. M.
Published: June 2020

Synthetic nanomotors are appealing delivery vehicles for the dynamic transport of functional cargo. Their translation toward biological applications is limited owing to the use of non‐degradable components. Furthermore, size has been an impediment owing to the importance of achieving nanoscale (ca. 100 nm) dimensions, as opposed to microscale examples that are prevalent. Herein, we present a hybrid nanomotor that can be activated by near‐infrared (NIR)‐irradiation for the triggered delivery of internal cargo and facilitated transport of external agents to the cell. Utilizing biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(d,l‐lactide) (PEG‐PDLLA) block copolymers, with the two blocks connected via a pH sensitive imine bond, we generate nanoscopic polymersomes that are then modified with a hemispherical gold nanocoat. This Janus morphology allows such hybrid polymersomes to undergoing photothermal motility in response to thermal gradients generated by plasmonic absorbance of NIR irradiation, with velocities ranging up to 6.2±1.10 μm s−1. These polymersome nanomotors (PNMs) are capable of traversing cellular membranes allowing intracellular delivery of molecular and macromolecular cargo.
The Carbonyl⋅⋅⋅Tellurazole Chalcogen Bond as a Molecular Recognition Unit: From Model Studies to Supramolecular Organic Frameworks
Authors: Mehrparvar Saber , Wölper Christoph , Gleiter Rolf , Haberhauer Gebhard
Published: June 2020

In the last years, chalcogen bonding, the noncovalent interaction involving chalcogen centers, has emerged as interesting alternative to the ubiquitous hydrogen bonding in many research areas. Here, we could show by means of high‐level quantum chemical calculations that the carbonyl⋅⋅⋅tellurazole chalcogen bond is at least as strong as conventional hydrogen bonds. Using the carbonyl⋅⋅⋅tellurazole binding motif, we were able to design complex supramolecular networks in solid phase starting from tellurazole‐substituted cyclic peptides. X‐ray analyses reveal that the rigid structure of the cyclic peptides is caused by hydrogen bonds, whereas the supramolecular network is held together by chalcogen bonding. The type of the supramolecular network depends on peptide used; both linear wires and a honeycomb‐like supramolecular organic framework (SOF) were observed. The unique structure of the SOF shows two channels filled with different types of solvent mixtures that are either locked or freely movable.
Ultrastable and Highly Catalytically Active N‐Heterocyclic‐Carbene‐Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles in Confined Spaces
Authors: Gou Xing‐Xing , Liu Tong , Wang Yao‐Yu , Han Ying‐Feng
Published: June 2020

Controlling the size and surface functionalization of nanoparticles (NPs) can lead to improved properties and applicability. Herein, we demonstrate the efficiency of the metal‐carbene template approach (MCTA) to synthesize highly robust and soluble three‐dimensional polyimidazolium cages (PICs) of different sizes, each bearing numerous imidazolium groups, and use these as templates to synthesize and stabilize catalytically active, cavity‐hosted, dispersed poly‐N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐anchored gold NPs. Owing to the stabilization of the NHC ligands and the effective confinement of the cage cavities, the as‐prepared poly‐NHC‐shell‐encapsulated AuNPs displayed promising stability towards heat, pH, and chemical regents. Most notably, all the Au@PCCs (PCC=polycarbene cage) exhibited excellent catalytic activities in various chemical reactions, together with high stability and durability.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Electrophilic Functionalization of Pyridine Derivatives through Phosphonium Salts
Authors: Che Yuan‐Yuan , Yue Yanni , Lin Ling‐Zhi , Pei Bingbing , Deng Xuezu , Feng Chao
Published: June 2020

Herein, we report a highly efficient and practical method for pyridine‐derived heterobiaryl synthesis through palladium‐catalyzed electrophilic functionalization of easily available pyridine‐derived quaternary phosphonium salts. The nice generality of this reaction was goes beyond arylation, enabling facile incorporation of diverse carbon‐based fragments, including alkenyl, alkynyl, and also allyl fragments, onto the pyridine core. Notably, the silver salt additive is revealed to be of vital importance for the success of this transformation and its pivotal role as transmetallation mediator, which guarantees a smooth transfer of pyridyl group to palladium intermediate, is also described.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylative Annulation of 1‐Hydroxy‐o‐Carborane and Internal Alkynes via Regioselective B‐H Activation
Authors: Au Yik Ki , Quan Yangjian , Xie Zuowei
Published: June 2020

A Pd‐catalyzed three‐component carbonylative‐annulation of 1‐hydroxy‐o‐carborane, internal alkyne and carbon monoxide has been achieved via direct and regioselective cage B−H activation. A class of C,B‐substituted carborano‐coumarin derivatives with potential applications in pharmaceuticals were facilely prepared in moderate to high yields with excellent chemoselectivity and regioselectivity. A plausible reaction mechanism including CO insertion, electrophilic B−H metalation, alkyne insertion and reductive elimination was proposed.
Determination of parvovirus antigen in the vaccine using time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay
Authors: Chen Cuicui , Liang Huankun , Hu Baoyu , Ning Bo , Lai Hongrui , He Ying , Guo Guiling , Zhong Shuhai , Li Laiqing
Published: June 2020

As a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease of dogs, canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV‐2) usually causes severe myocarditis and gastroenteritis, while vaccine injection has greatly reduced the incidence of CPV‐2 diseases. However, there is currently a lack of simple and effective method for quantitative detection of CPV‐2 in vaccine. Therefore, this study aims to prepare an accurate method to determine the CPV‐2 antigen (CPV‐2‐Ag) in vaccine. Here, a sandwich time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) was established and optimized. Anti‐CPV‐2 antibodies were immobilized on 96‐well plates to capture CPV‐2‐Ag, and then bound together with the detection antibodies labeled with Europium(III) (Eu3+) chelates; finally, time‐resolved fluorometry was employed to measure the fluorescence intensity. Vaccination was performed to evaluate the relationship between CPV‐2‐Ag concentration and antibody titer. The sensitivity is 1.15 mEU/mL (LogY = 1.524 + 0.8667 × LogX, R2 = 0.9933), and the average recovery is among 91.00% to 106.39% without cross‐reactions with the other canine viral antigen. The correlation between ELISA assay and this method is up to 0.9861. And, there is high correlation between the CPV‐2‐Ag concentration and antibody titers (R2 = 0.9234). This immunoassay established has high sensitivity, accuracy, and specificity, which indicate that this method could be suitable for quantitative detection of CPV‐2‐Ag in vaccine evaluation.
A High‐Power Dielectric Biconical Antenna for Treatment of Subcutaneous Targets
Authors: Xiao Shu , Zou Xianbing , Huynh Khiem , Yamada Ryo , Petrella Ross , Bani Hani Maisoun , Beebe Stephen
Published: June 2020

A dielectric biconical antenna (DiBiCA) for radiating subnanosecond pulses to treat subcutaneous tissue was designed, constructed, and tested. It is composed of a conical wave launcher and truncated conical emitter. In between, there is a short cylinder that provides a space for a ring terminating resistor. The material of the antenna has a dielectric constant of 28, so its size is small (length: 7 cm and aperture diameter: 2.2 cm). It was housed in an oil container to withstand high voltages and avoid surface flashover. The radiated electric field, measured in water, increased as the input voltage increased up to 30 kV but leveled off for higher voltages up to 50 kV, presumably because of losses in the antenna dielectric. The maximum field was 1.5 kV/cm for a depth of 5 mm and 1.0 kV/cm for a depth of 20 mm. Although the dielectric loss mechanism remains to be investigated, the antenna can be useful for noninvasive delivery of subnanosecond pulses to induce biological responses on subcutaneous targets. The DiBiCA radiated pulses were shown to change the viabilities of dendritic cells and macrophages for 10‐min exposure. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41:413–424. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Mass spectrometry studies of the fragmentation patterns and mechanisms of protonated peptoids
Authors: Ren Jianhua , Tian Yuan , Hossain Ekram , Ho Joshua S. , Mann Yadwinder S. , Zhang Yuntao , Browne Michael D. , Connolly Michael D. , Zuckermann Ronald N.
Published: June 2020

Peptoids belong to a class of sequence‐controlled polymers comprising of N‐alkylglycine. This study focuses on using tandem mass spectrometry techniques to characterize the fragmentation patterns of a set of singly and doubly protonated peptoids consisting of one basic residue placed at different positions. The singly protonated peptoids fragment by producing predominately high‐abundant C‐terminal ions called Y‐ions and low‐abundant N‐terminal ions called B‐ions. Computational studies suggest that the proton affinity (PA) of the C‐terminal fragments is generally higher than that of the N‐terminal fragments, and the PA of the former increases as the fragments are elongated. The B‐ions are likely formed upon dissociating the proton‐activated amide bonds via an oxazolone structure, and the Y‐ions are produced subsequently by abstracting a proton from the newly formed B‐ions, which is energetically favored. The doubly protonated peptoids prefer to fragment closest to either the N‐ or the C‐terminus and produce corresponding B/Y‐ion pairs. The basic residue seems to dictate the preferred fragmentation site, which may be the result of minimizing the repulsion between the two charges. Water and terminal neutral losses are a facile process accompanying the peptoid fragmentation in both charge states. The patterns appear to be highly influenced by the location of the basic residue.
Simultaneous determination of sutetinib and its active metabolite sutetinib N‐oxide in human plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry: Evaluation of plasma stability
Authors: Qiu Yanan , Tang Chongzhuang , Li Ranran , Cao Sumin , Zhang Yuqiang , Chen Xiaoyan
Published: June 2020

From the point of view of drug efficacy and safety, pharmacokinetic profiles of both In this work, a sensitive and reliable liquid chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric method was established for simultaneous determination of sutetinib and N‐oxide metabolite (SNO) in human plasma and further applied to a pharmacokinetic study. Analytes were extracted from plasma samples (100 μl) via acetonitrile‐induced protein precipitation and separated on a C18 column using ammonium acetate with ammonium hydroxide and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. Positive electrospray ionization was carried out through multiple reaction monitoring with transitions of m/z 440.2 → 367.1 and 446.2 → 367.1 for sutetinib and SNO, respectively. The method was linear within the concentration range of 0.5–100 ng/ml for both analytes. The precision, accuracy, selectivity, recovery and matrix effect of this method all met the requirements of bioanalytical guidance. In addition, a plasma stability assessment demonstrated unexpected results. Sutetinib was prone to form covalent conjugates with plasma albumin in vitro. The degree of covalent binding increased with increasing temperature, resulting in a significant decrease in its plasma concentrations. However, SNO could not easily bind with albumin owing to steric hindrance or electronegativity. Furthermore, sutetinib and SNO remained stable when blood and plasma samples were kept on wet ice. The validated method was successfully employed for the pharmacokinetic evaluation of sutetinib in patients with advanced malignant solid tumors.
Blood pressure after follow‐up in a stroke prevention clinic
Authors: Hornnes Agnete Hviid , Poulsen Mai Bang
Published: June 2020

Objectives

In Denmark, 25% of hospital admissions with stroke are recurrent strokes. With thrombolytic treatment, more patients survive with only minor disability. This promising development should be followed up by intensive secondary prevention. Hypertension is the most important target. We aimed at testing the hypotheses that early follow‐up in a preventive clinic would result in (a) a higher proportion of patients with blood pressure at target and (b) time to stroke recurrence, myocardial infarction, and death would be longer in the intervention group compared to controls.

Materials and Methods

Eligible patients admitted to the stroke unit of Herlev Hospital were randomized shortly before discharge to intervention or control group. Of 78 included participants, data from 73 were available for follow‐up 9 months after inclusion. Patients in the intervention group were seen in the clinic within 1 week. In case of hypertension, treatment was initiated or supplied with a new drug. We used individual targets for blood pressure according to diagnosis of stroke and patients' comorbidity. Patients in the intervention group had a median of five visits to the preventive clinic.

Results

In the intervention group, blood pressure was treated to target in 25 patients (69%) versus 14 (38%) in the control group (p = .007). Median time to first event was 44 months (4–49) in the intervention group and 19 months (4–37) in controls (p = .316).

Conclusions

Treatment of hypertension to individual targets after stroke is feasible. It may postpone recurrent stroke and death in stroke survivors.
Altered gut bacterial–fungal interkingdom networks in patients with current depressive episode
Authors: Jiang Hai‐yin , Pan Li‐ya , Zhang Xue , Zhang Zhe , Zhou Yuan‐yue , Ruan Bing
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Bacterial dysbiosis has been described in patients with current depressive episode (CDE); however, the fungal composition in the gut has not been investigated in these patients.

Methods

Here, we characterized the fungal gut mycobiota in patients with CDE. We systematically characterized the microbiota and mycobiota in fecal samples obtained from 24 patients with CDE and 16 healthy controls (HC) using 16S rRNA gene‐ and ITS1‐based DNA sequencing, respectively.

Results

In patients with CDE, bacterial dysbiosis was characterized by an altered composition and reduced correlation network density, and the gut mycobiota was characterized by a relative reduction in alpha diversity and altered composition. Most notably, the CDE group had higher levels of Candida and lower level of Penicillium than the HC group. Compared with the HC group, the gut microbiota in patients with CDE displayed a significant disruption in the bacteria–fungi correlation network suggestive of altered interkingdom interactions. Furthermore, a gut microbial index based on the combination of eight genera (four bacterial and four fungal CDE‐associated genera) distinguished CDE patients from controls with an area under the curve of approximately 0.84, suggesting that the gut microbiome signature is a promising tool for disease classification.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that both bacteria and fungi contribute to gut dysbiosis in patients with CDE. Future studies involving larger cohorts and metagenomic or metabolomic analyses may clarify the structure and potential roles and functions of the gut mycobiome and its impact on the development of CDE.
Identification and characterization of a Triton X‐100 replacement for virus inactivation
Authors: Luo Wen , Hickman Danielle , Keykhosravani Mandana , Wilson Joseph , Fink Jamie , Huang Lihua , Chen Dayue , O'Donnell Sean
Published: June 2020

Triton X‐100 detergent treatment is a robust enveloped virus inactivation unit operation included in biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. However, the European Commission officially placed Triton X‐100 on the Annex XIV authorization list in 2017 because a degradation product of Triton X‐100, 4‐(1,1,3,3‐tetramethylbutyl) phenol (also known as 4‐tert‐octylphenol), is considered to have harmful endocrine disrupting activities. As a result, the use of Triton X‐100 in the European Economic Area (EEA) would not be allowed unless an ECHA issued authorization was granted after the sunset date of January 4, 2021. This has prompted biopharmaceutical manufacturers to search for novel, environment‐friendly alternative detergents for enveloped virus inactivation. In this study, we report the identification of such a novel detergent, Simulsol SL 11W. Simulsol SL 11W is an undecyl glycoside surfactant produced from glucose and C11 fatty alcohol. We report here that Simulsol SL 11W was able to effectively inactive enveloped viruses, such as xenotropic murine leukemia virus (XMuLV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV). By using XMuLV as a representative enveloped virus, the influence of various parameters on the effectiveness of virus inactivation was evaluated. Virus inactivation by Simulsol SL 11W was effective across different clarified bioreactor harvests at broad concentrations, pH, and temperature ranges. Simulsol SL 11W concentration, temperature of inactivation, and treatment time were identified as critical process parameters for virus inactivation. Removal of Simulsol SL 11W was readily achieved by Protein A chromatography and product quality was not affected by detergent treatment. Taken together, these results have shown the potential of Simulsol SL 11W as a desirable alternative to Triton X‐100 for enveloped virus inactivation that could be readily implemented into biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Simultaneous and rapid quantification of microalga biomolecule content using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Al Ahmad Mahmoud , Raji Shaima , Mustafa Farah , Rizvi Tahir A. , Al‐Zuhair Sulaiman
Published: June 2020

Lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates are the major constituents found in microalga cells, in varying proportions, and these biomolecules find applications in different industries. During microalga cultivation, to efficiently manipulate, control, and optimize the productivity of a specific compound for a specific application, real‐time monitoring of these three cell components is essential. In this study, a method using measurement of electrical capacitance was developed to simultaneously determine the lipid, protein, and carbohydrate content of microalga cells without the requirement for any pre‐processing steps. The marine microalga Nannochloropsis oculata was cultivated under nitrogen starvation conditions to induce lipid accumulation over a period of 22 days. The correlation between the electrical capacitance of the microalga culture and the intracellular biomolecule content (determined by standard techniques) was investigated, enabling subsequent deduction of microalga intracellular content from electrical capacitance of the culture. The accuracy and precision of the technique were proven by validating an independent sample. The main advantage of the proposed technique is its capability of quantifying microalga composition within a few minutes, significantly faster than currently available conventional techniques.
Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anti‐Inflammatory Activities of Essential Oil Derived from the Wild Rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala
Authors: Wu Yong‐Xiang , Lu Wei‐Wei , Geng Yu‐Chuang , Yu Chang‐Hao , Sun Han‐Ju , Kim You‐Jeong , Zhang Gen , Kim Taewan
Published: June 2020

The present study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti‐inflammatory activities of essential oil (EO) derived from the wild rhizomes of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (AMA) growing in Qimen County (eastern China). GC/MS analysis identified fifteen compounds, representing 92.55 % of AMA EO. The major compounds were atractylone (39.22 %), β‐eudesmol (27.70 %), thymol (5.74 %), hinesol (5.50 %), and 11‐isopropylidenetricyclo[4.3.1.1(2,5)]undec‐3‐en‐10‐one (4.71 %). Ferricyanide reducing, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picyrlhydrazyl (DPPH) and 3‐ethyl‐benzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging assays revealed that AMA EO exhibited strong antioxidant capacities. Additionally, AMA EO showed inhibitory effects on growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, with the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 mg/mL. Treatments with AMA EO also significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells, indicating anti‐inflammatory activity of AMA EO. Furthermore, treatments with AMA EO decreased the transcriptional levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), which might be the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti‐inflammatory effects. Overall, these results provide a theoretical basis for further study and application of AMA EO in food and medicine products.
Procedural and 1‐year clinical outcomes of orbital atherectomy for treatment of coronary in‐stent restenosis: A single‐center, retrospective study
Authors: Yasumura Keisuke , Benhuri Benjamin , Vengrenyuk Yuliya , Petrov Artiom , Barman Nitin , Sweeny Joseph , Kapur Vishal , Suleman Javed , Baber Usman , Mehran Roxana , Stone Gregg W. , Kini Annapoorna S. , Sharma Samin K.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

We evaluated the procedural and 1‐year clinical outcomes of orbital atherectomy (OA) for treatment of coronary in‐stent restenosis (ISR).

Background

The optimal treatment for ISR remains uncertain. While rotational and laser atherectomy have been used as neointimal debulking techniques for ISR, there have been few reports on OA for ISR.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study of consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ISR with OA in Mount Sinai catheterization laboratory between November 2013 and January 2018. Procedural success was defined as angiographic success without in‐hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE; the composite of all‐cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or target vessel revascularization). Clinical outcomes were assessed at 1 month and 12 months postprocedure.

Results

A total of 87 patients were included in the study. All 87 patients were treated with OA, after which 49 (56.3%) patients also received new drug‐eluting stents. Angiographic success was achieved in 87 (100%) patients and procedural success was achieved in 79 (90.8%) patients. In‐hospital MACE occurred in 8 (9.2%) patients, all due to periprocedural non‐Q‐wave MI. Acute lumen gain was 1.19 ± 0.57 mm after OA plus balloon angioplasty and 1.75 ± 0.50 mm after stent placement. MACE within 1 year occurred in 17 (19.5%) patients.

Conclusions

OA for ISR was performed with favorable procedural and 1‐year clinical outcomes. Randomized trials are warranted to determine whether OA improves the poor prognosis of patients with ISR treated without debulking.
Effect of hydration on physical grain quality of durum wheat
Authors: Cabas‐Lühmann Patricia A. , Manthey Frank A.
Published: June 2020

Background and objectives

Movement of moisture into dry grain can cause the grain to take on a weathered, bleached appearance. Bleaching is a concern for durum producers since the grain price is often discounted. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the effect of grain moisture content, temperature, and wet/dry cycles with bulk water and with high relative humidity on the hydration of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum [Desf.] Husn.) grain and their effect on physical grain quality parameters related to bleaching.

Findings

Water gain was greater for grain with low (13%) than high (17%) initial moisture content, which resulted in similar grain moisture contents (~30%) after 3 hr of soaking. At 24°C, there was more water uptake than at 5°C. Exposure to a single bulk water wet/dry cycle caused durum kernels to increase in width and caused a rough and wrinkled bran surface which resulted in a decline in test weight and vitreous kernel content and an increase in kernel size and brightness. A single high relative humidity event caused a reduction in vitreous kernel content and an increase in kernel size. Additional cycles of high relative humidity were needed to cause a reduction in test weight. Micrographs from scanning electron microscope and light microscope showed that the germ and ventral surface of grain were important sites for water absorption.

Conclusions

Initial grain moisture, temperature, and wet/dry cycles affected water gain. A single exposure to moisture (bulk water or high relative humidity) was enough to cause a decline in physical grain quality.

Significant and novelty

These data confirm anecdotal stories from durum producers that a single moisture event can cause bleaching and reduce grain quality and value.
Reducing injury response to surgery with repurposed drugs: An evolving approach to prevention of cancer metastases
Authors: Lowe Michael , Sukhatme Vidula V. , Sukhatme Vikas P.
Published: June 2020

Despite dramatic improvements in survival for most cancers over the past decade, outcomes for cancer patients with metastatic disease continue to be dismal. Haldar et al present a randomized trial of the perioperative combination of COX2 and beta‐adrenergic blockade in patients with resectable colorectal cancer.
The computer desktop image compression based on clustering algorithm
Authors: Gui Dawei
Published: June 2020

With the rapid development of computer software and hardware technology and network technology, aiming at the limitations of the traditional image compression standards and the deficiencies of the existing computer desktop image compression methods. By analyzing the characteristics of computer desktop image, according to the characteristics of desktop compression, a compression scheme based on high efficiency video coding (HEVC) and color clustering is proposed, which divides blocks into text/graphics blocks, natural image blocks and mixed blocks based on the features of histogram information and texture information of blocks. In block division and classification, an adaptive dynamic block classification algorithm is proposed which is different from the traditional block partitioning. Compared with the traditional method, the new block classification algorithm can save the code stream and improve the classification accuracy.
Genomic signals found using RNA sequencing show signatures of selection and subtle population differentiation in walleye (Sander vitreus) in a large freshwater ecosystem
Authors: Thorstensen Matt J. , Jeffrey Jennifer D. , Treberg Jason R. , Watkinson Douglas A. , Enders Eva C. , Jeffries Ken M.
Published: June 2020

RNA sequencing is an effective approach for studying aquatic species yielding both physiological and genomic data. However, its population genetic applications are not well‐characterized. We investigate this possible role for RNA sequencing for population genomics in Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, walleye (Sander vitreus). Lake Winnipeg walleye represent the largest component of the second‐largest freshwater fishery in Canada. In the present study, large female walleye were sampled via nonlethal gill biopsy over two years at three spawning sites representing a latitudinal gradient in the lake. Genetic variation from sequenced mRNA was analyzed for neutral and adaptive markers to investigate population structure and possible adaptive variation. We find low population divergence (FST = 0.0095), possible northward gene flow, and outlier loci that vary latitudinally in transcripts associated with cell membrane proteins and cytoskeletal function. These results indicate that Lake Winnipeg walleye may be effectively managed as a single demographically connected metapopulation with contributing subpopulations and suggest genomic differences possibly underlying observed phenotypic differences. Despite its high cost relative to other genotyping methods, RNA sequencing data can yield physiological in addition to genetic information discussed here. We therefore argue that it is useful for addressing diverse molecular questions in the conservation of freshwater species.