bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical risk prediction models and informative cluster size: Assessing the performance of a suicide risk prediction algorithm
Authors: Coley Rebecca Yates , Walker Rod L. , Cruz Maricela , Simon Gregory E. , Shortreed Susan M.
Published: May 2021

Clinical visit data are clustered within people, which complicates prediction modeling. Cluster size is often informative because people receiving more care are less healthy and at higher risk of poor outcomes. We used data from seven health systems on 1,518,968 outpatient mental health visits from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015 to predict suicide attempt within 90 days. We evaluated true performance of prediction models using a prospective validation set of 4,286,495 visits from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2017. We examined dividing clustered data on the person or visit level for model training and cross‐validation and considered a within cluster resampling approach for model estimation. We evaluated optimism by comparing estimated performance from a left‐out testing dataset to performance in the prospective dataset. We used two prediction methods, logistic regression with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest. The random forest model using a visit‐level split for model training and testing was optimistic; it overestimated discrimination (area under the curve, AUC = 0.95 in testing versus 0.84 in prospective validation) and classification accuracy (sensitivity = 0.48 in testing versus 0.19 in prospective validation, 95th percentile cut‐off). Logistic regression and random forest models using a person‐level split performed well, accurately estimating prospective discrimination and classification: estimated AUCs ranged from 0.85 to 0.87 in testing versus 0.85 in prospective validation, and sensitivity ranged from 0.15 to 0.20 in testing versus 0.17 to 0.19 in prospective validation. Within cluster resampling did not improve performance. We recommend dividing clustered data on the person level, rather than visit level, to ensure strong performance in prospective use and accurate estimation of future performance at the time of model development.
Measuring resting cerebral haemodynamics using MRI arterial spin labelling and transcranial Doppler ultrasound: Comparison in younger and older adults
Authors: Burley Claire V. , Francis Susan T. , Whittaker Anna C. , Mullinger Karen J. , Lucas Samuel J.E.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) and perfusion measures have been used to determine brain health. Studies showing variation in resting CBF with age and fitness level using different imaging approaches have produced mixed findings. We assess the degree to which resting CBF measures through transcranial Doppler (TCD) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI provide complementary information in older and younger, fit and unfit cohorts.

Methods

Thirty‐five healthy volunteers (20 younger: 24 ± 7y; 15 older: 66 ± 7y) completed two experimental sessions (TCD/MRI). Aging and fitness effects within and between imaging modalities were assessed.

Results

Middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv, TCD) was lower and transit time (MRI) slower in older compared with younger participants (p < .05). The younger group had higher gray matter cerebral perfusion (MRI) than the older group, albeit not significantly (p = .13). Surprisingly, fitness effects in the younger group (decrease/increase in MCAv/transit time with fitness, respectively) opposed the older group (increase/decrease in MCAv/transit time). Whole cohort transit times correlated with MCAv (r=−0.63; p < .05), whereas tissue perfusion did not correlate with TCD measures.

Conclusion

TCD and MRI modalities provide complementary resting CBF measures, with similar effects across the whole cohort and between subgroups (age/fitness) if metrics are comparable (e.g., velocity [TCD] versus transit time [MRI]).
Association between homocysteine and white matter hyperintensities in rural‐dwelling Chinese people with asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis: A population‐based study
Authors: Wang Xiang , Yin Hao , Ji Xiaokang , Sang Shaowei , Shao Sai , Wang Guangbin , Lv Ming , Xue Fuzhong , Du Yifeng , Sun Qinjian
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Although homocysteine (Hcy) has been proven to be associated with the incidence of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in patients with stroke, this association remains unclear in participants with asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis (aICAS). This study aimed to investigate the association of Hcy with WMH in participants with aICAS.

Materials and methods

This was a cross‐sectional study based on the Kongcun Town Study. Participants diagnosed with aICAS by magnetic resonance angiography in the Kongcun Town Study were enrolled in this study. Data on demographics, lifestyle, medical histories, and Hcy levels were collected via interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory tests. The volume of WMH was calculated using the lesion segmentation tool system for the Statistical Parametric Mapping package based on magnetic resonance imaging. The association between Hcy and WMH volume was analyzed using linear and logistic regression analyses.

Results

A total of 137 aICAS participants were enrolled in the present study. Hcy was associated with the incidence of severe WMH (4th quartile, ≥4.20 ml) after adjustment for certain covariates [Hcy as a continuous variable, odds ratio (95% confidence interval) (OR (95% CI)): 1.09 (1.00, 1.19), p = .047; as a categorical variable (Hcy ≥15 μmol/L), OR (95% CI): 3.74 (1.37, 10.19), p = .010)]. After stratification according to the degree of aICAS, this relationship remained significant only in the moderate‐to‐severe stenosis group (stenosis ≥50%). (Hcy as continuous variable, OR (95% CI): 1.14 (1.02, 1.27), p = .025; as a categorical variable (Hcy ≥15 μmol/L), OR (95% CI): 5.59 (1.40, 15.25), p = .015).

Conclusion

Serum Hcy concentration may be positively associated with the volume of WMH in rural‐dwelling Chinese people with moderate‐to‐severe (stenosis ≥50%) aICAS.
Toward a method for evaluating court actor influences on plea negotiations: A preliminary exploration of public defenders
Authors: Metcalfe Christi
Published: May 2021

Plea negotiations remain difficult to study, partly because their informality implicates workgroup‐related factors within decision‐making. In quantitative analyses, these factors are impossible to measure using the case‐level data alone. The current study proposes a combined method using survey data and administrative case data as a means of contextualizing the plea process from the standpoint of workgroup members and quantifying workgroup characteristics that can be used as variables in models predicting actual plea outcomes. A preliminary exploration of this kind is conducted with public defenders. The survey data revealed that public defenders thought pleas were necessary to manage caseloads and resources, but also felt the benefits to defendants outweighed the drawbacks. In a descriptive analysis linking survey‐ and case‐level data, the percent of charge reductions among plea cases varied substantively based on both workgroup relationship characteristics and ideologies of the public defenders. Directions for future research adopting this type of approach are discussed.
Caged Cumate Enables Proximity‐Dependent Control Over Gene Expression
Authors: Love Anna C. , Tran Sabrina H. , Prescher Jennifer A.
Published: May 2021

Cell‐cell interactions underlie diverse physiological processes yet remain challenging to examine with conventional imaging tools. Here we report a novel strategy to illuminate cell proximity using transcriptional activators. We repurposed cumate, a small molecule inducer of gene expression, by caging its key carboxylate group with a nitrile. Nitrilase‐expressing activator cells released the cage, liberating cumate for consumption by reporter cells. Reporter cells comprising a cumate‐responsive switch expressed a target gene when in close proximity to the activator cells. Overall, this strategy provides a versatile platform to image and potentially manipulate cellular interactions over time.
Co‐Oxidative Transformation of Piperine to Piperonal and 3,4‐Methylenedioxycinnamaldehyde by a Lipoxygenase from Pleurotus sapidus
Authors: Krahe Nina‐Katharina , Berger Ralf G. , Kahlert Lukas , Ersoy Franziska
Published: May 2021

The valuable aroma compound piperonal with its vanilla‐like olfactory properties is of high interest for the fragrance and flavor industry. A lipoxygenase (LOXPsa1) of the basidiomycete Pleurotus sapidus was identified to convert piperine, the abundant pungent principle of black pepper (Piper nigrum), to piperonal and a second volatile product, 3,4‐methylenedioxycinnamaldehyde, with a vanilla‐like odor through an alkene cleavage. The reaction principle was co‐oxidation, as proven by its dependence on the presence of linoleic or α‐linolenic acid, common substrates of lipoxygenases. Optimization of the reaction conditions (substrate concentrations, reaction temperature and time) led to a 24‐fold and 15‐fold increase of the piperonal and 3,4‐methylenedioxycinnamaldehyde concentration using the recombinant enzyme. Monokaryotic strains showed different concentrations of and ratios between the two reaction products.
Simple Plug‐In Synthetic Step for the Synthesis of (−)‐Camphor from Renewable Starting Materials
Authors: Calderini Elia , Drienovská Ivana , Myrtollari Kamela , Pressnig Michaela , Sieber Volker , Schwab Helmut , Hofer Michael , Kourist Robert
Published: May 2021

Racemic camphor and isoborneol are readily available as industrial side products, whereas (1R)‐camphor is available from natural sources. Optically pure (1S)‐camphor, however, is much more difficult to obtain. The synthesis of racemic camphor from α‐pinene proceeds via an intermediary racemic isobornyl ester, which is then hydrolyzed and oxidized to give camphor. We reasoned that enantioselective hydrolysis of isobornyl esters would give facile access to optically pure isoborneol and camphor isomers, respectively. While screening of a set of commercial lipases and esterases in the kinetic resolution of racemic monoterpenols did not lead to the identification of any enantioselective enzymes, the cephalosporin Esterase B from Burkholderia gladioli (EstB) and Esterase C (EstC) from Rhodococcus rhodochrous showed outstanding enantioselectivity (E>100) towards the butyryl esters of isoborneol, borneol and fenchol. The enantioselectivity was higher with increasing chain length of the acyl moiety of the substrate. The kinetic resolution of isobornyl butyrate can be easily integrated into the production of camphor from α‐pinene and thus allows the facile synthesis of optically pure monoterpenols from a renewable side‐product.
Misplaced enthusiasm with neglect of Human Rights ‐ Beneficence is not enough
Authors: Gunn John
Published: May 2021

Background

Oak Ridge, a unit for "criminally insane" male patients at Penetanguishene in Ontario, Canada opened in1965 and provided an experimental system of treatment whereby patients looked after other in a strictly controlled and harsh environment. It closed in 1983.

Aims

This article draws attention to the unethical treatments used.

Method

Some of the treatments are described, as is, briefly, the recent civil lawsuit in Ontario which concerned 28 ex‐patients in a class action suit against the province and the two doctors overseeing the experimental project.

Result

The judge severely criticised the experimental treatment and awarded damages to all of the 28 plaintiffs.

Conclusion

The vivid story leads to a number of important principles which are enumerated at the head of the article.
Heavy‐Atom‐Free Bay‐Substituted Perylene Diimide Donor‐Acceptor Photosensitizers
Authors: Deckers Jasper , Cardeynaels Tom , Lutsen Laurence , Champagne Benoît , Maes Wouter
Published: May 2021

Perylene diimide (PDI) dyes are extensively investigated because of their favorable photophysical characteristics for a wide range of organic material applications. Fine‐tuning of the optoelectronic properties is readily achieved by functionalization of the electron‐deficient PDI scaffold. Here, we present four new donor‐acceptor type dyads, wherein the electron donor units – benzo[1,2‐b : 4,5‐b’]dithiophene, 9,9‐dimethyl‐9,10‐dihydroacridine, dithieno[3,2‐b : 2’,3’‐d]pyrrole, and triphenylamine‐are attached to the bay‐positions of the PDI acceptor. Intersystem crossing occurs for these systems upon photoexcitation, without the aid of heavy atoms, resulting in singlet oxygen quantum yields up to 80 % in toluene solution. Furthermore, this feature is retained when the system is directly irradiated with energy corresponding to the intramolecular charge‐transfer absorption band (at 639 nm). Geometrical optimization and (time‐dependent) density functional theory calculations afford more insights into the requirements for intersystem crossing such as spin‐orbit coupling, dihedral angles, the involvement of charge‐transfer states, and energy level alignment.
High‐Throughput NanoString Analysis of Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus and Tumor Microenvironment Transcription in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Stepp Wesley H.
Published: May 2021

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), specifically high‐risk HPVs, are responsible for up to 3% of all cancers in women and up to 2% of all cancers in men. They have been identified as the etiological agent of cervical cancer and have been increasingly found to be the driver behind head and neck cancers of the oropharynx. A system in which we can simultaneously observe transcriptional changes to both a host's tumor microenvironment and its associated oncogenic driver (e.g., HPV) would be highly valuable for understanding HPV's role in tumorigenesis. This article describes a detailed methodology for utilizing high‐throughput RNA analysis to study viral transcription in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded clinical tumor samples. Although our lab utilizes these methods for the study of head and neck cancer, the principles contained within are widely applicable to all fields of HPV study. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: HPV16 transcript analysis using NanoString

Support Protocol 1: Preparation of RNA from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded slides

Support Protocol 2: Preparation of RNA from cell lysates

Support Protocol 3: Fluorometric RNA concentration and RNA integrity analysis

Support Protocol 4: Determination of input RNA based on DV300 calculation
A Case Study to Address: “Is Your Pulsed Laser Deposition Chamber Clean?”
Authors: Dumen Manish , Kaur Ripudaman , Goyal Saveena , Tomar Ruchi , Wadehra Neha , Chakraverty Suvankar
Published: May 2021

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is one of the important techniques for the growth of oxide thin films, interfaces, and superlattices. It can also be utilized to implement diverse combinatorial approaches. Thin film growth using PLD hinges on various parameters that decide the composition, structure, quality, and finally the physical properties of the films, interfaces, and superlattices. In this paper it is demonstrated how the growth conditions inside the chamber during the growth can be judged from outside by combining in situ and ex situ techniques. An example of the growth of LaVO3‐SrTiO3 interface is given to elucidate the effect of repetitive growth on the chamber condition and hence on the reproducibility of the physical properties of the samples. The experiments suggest noticeable change in transport properties with successive deposition processes.
Controlling Void Space in Crumpled Graphene‐Encapsulated Silicon Anodes using Sacrificial Polystyrene Nanoparticles
Authors: She Zimin , Uceda Marianna , Pope Michael A.
Published: May 2021

Silicon anodes have a theoretical capacity of 3590 mAh g−1 (for Li15Si4, at room temperature), which is tenfold higher than the graphite anodes used in current Li‐ion batteries. This, and silicon's natural abundance, makes it one of the most promising materials for next‐generation batteries. Encapsulating silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) in a crumpled graphene shell by spray drying or spray pyrolysis are promising and scalable methods to produce core–shell structures, which buffer the extreme volume change (>300 vol %) caused by (de)lithiaton of silicon. However, capillary forces cause the graphene‐based materials to tightly wrap around Si NP clusters, and there is little control over the void space required to further improve cycle life. Herein, a simple strategy is developed to engineer void‐space within the core by incorporating varying amounts of similarly sized polystyrene (PS) nanospheres in the spray drier feed mixture. The PS completely decomposes during thermal reduction of the graphene oxide shell and results in Si cores of varying porosity. The best performance is achieved at a 1 : 1 ratio (PS/Si), leading to high capacities of 1638, 1468, and 1179 mAh g−1Si+rGO at 0.1, 1, and 4 A g−1, respectively. Moreover, at 1 A g−1, the capacity retention is 80.6 % after 200 cycles. At a practical active material loading of 2.4 mg cm−2, the electrodes achieve an areal capacity of 2.26 mAh cm−2 at 1 A g−1.
Acid Hydrotropic Fractionation of Lignocelluloses for Sustainable Biorefinery: Advantages, Opportunities, and Research Needs
Authors: Zhu Junyong , Chen Liheng , Cai Cheng
Published: May 2021

This Minireview provides a comprehensive discussion on the potential of using acid hydrotropes for sustainably fractionating lignocelluloses for biorefinery applications. Acid hydrotropes are a class of acids that have hydrotrope properties toward lignin, which helps to solubilize lignin in aqueous systems. With the capability of cleaving ether and ester bonds and even lignin‐carbohydrate complex (LCC) linkages, these acid hydrotropes can therefore isolate lignin embedded in the plant biomass cell wall and subsequently solubilize the isolated lignin in aqueous systems. Performances of two acid hydrotropes, that is, an aromatic sulfonic acid [p‐toluenesulfonic acid (p‐TsOH)] and a dicarboxylic acid [maleic acid (MA)], in terms of delignification and dissolution of hemicelluloses, and reducing lignin condensation, were evaluated and compared. The advantages of lignin esterification by MA for producing cellulosic sugars through enzymatic hydrolysis and lignin‐containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) through mechanical fibrillation from the fractionated water insoluble solids (WIS), and for obtaining less condensed lignin with light color, were demonstrated. The excellent enzymatic digestibility of maleic acid hydrotropic fractionation WISs was also demonstrated by comparing with WISs from other fractionation processes. The recyclability and reusability of acid hydrotropes were also reviewed. Finally, perspectives on future research needs to address key technical issues for commercialization were also provided.
Development and evaluation of an automated palpebral fissure length measurement method and implementation system
Authors: Arisaka Naoya , Mamorita Noritaka , Inaoka Hidenori
Published: May 2021

Eyelid dysfunction results in symptoms of ptosis and eyelid retraction. Indicators of eyelid function include the corneal reflection distance at the eyelid margin and eyelid fissure (PF). There is currently no system in Japan that automatically measures the PF, which is a comprehensive measure of eyelid function. We devised a method to measure PF automatically from frontal images using ArUco markers and facial landmark estimation, and developed an implementation of the method using OpenCV and dlib. The system was shown to be significantly smaller than the digital calipers.
Influence of external mass transfer and support resistances for hydrogen permeation through composite palladium membranes
Authors: Arzani Fernanda A. , Ribeiro Neto Altamirando C. , Terra Natália M. , Cardoso Vicelma L. , Reis Miria H. M.
Published: May 2021

Palladium membranes represent a suitable alternative to obtain high purity hydrogen for industrial applications. The modeling of hydrogen permeation through composite membranes is important to understand gas separation systems. Here, experimental and calculated hydrogen flux data through composite palladium/alumina membranes were compared. A dense palladium film of 2.4 μm thick was deposited on a porous support and the produced composite membrane presented infinite hydrogen/nitrogen selectivity. Experimental molecular hydrogen flux at 100 kPa and 723 K was 0.1015 ± 0.0009 mol m−2 s−1. Calculated molecular hydrogen fluxes with the conventional permeation model, without considering external mass transfer and support resistances, were at least 5.7 times greater than experimental data. However, calculated hydrogen flux was only 6.7% lower than the experimental flux at 100 kPa and 723 K when external mass transfer and support resistances were included in the conventional permeation model. Thus, external mass transfer resistances and the permeation through the porous support should be considered for a suitable description of hydrogen fluxes through composite palladium membranes.
Simulating dense granular flow using the μ(I)‐rheology within a space‐time framework
Authors: Gesenhues Linda , Behr Marek
Published: May 2021

A space‐time framework is applied to simulate dense granular flow. Two different numerical experiments are performed: a column collapse and a dam break on an inclined plane. The experiments are modeled as two‐phase flows. The dense granular material is represented by a constitutive model, the (I)‐rheology, that is based on the Coulomb's friction law, such that the normal stress applied by the pressure is related to the tangential stress. The model represents a complex viscoplastic material behavior. The interface between the dense granular material and the surrounding light fluid is captured with a level set function. Due to discontinuities close to the the interface, the mesh requires a sufficient resolution. The space‐time approach allows unstructured meshes in time and, therefore a well‐refined mesh in the temporal direction around the interface. In this study, results and performance of a flat and a simplex space time discretization are verified and analyzed.
Image‐guided surgery in otolaryngology: A review of current applications and future directions in head and neck surgery
Authors: Bessen Sarah Y. , Wu Xiaotian , Sramek Michael T. , Shi Yuan , Pastel David , Halter Ryan , Paydarfar Joseph A.
Published: May 2021

Image‐guided surgery (IGS) has become a widely adopted technology in otolaryngology. Since its introduction nearly three decades ago, IGS technology has developed rapidly and improved real‐time intraoperative visualization for a diverse array of clinical indications. As usability, accessibility, and clinical experiences with IGS increase, its potential applications as an adjunct in many surgical procedures continue to expand. Here, we describe the basic components of IGS and review both the current state and future directions of IGS in otolaryngology, with attention to current challenges to its application in surgery of the nonrigid upper aerodigestive tract.
A Comparison of Bone-Targeted Exercise With and Without Antiresorptive Bone Medication to Reduce Indices of Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women With Low Bone Mass: The MEDEX-OP Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kistler-Fischbacher Melanie , Yong Jedidah S , Weeks Benjamin K , Beck Belinda R
Published: May 2021

The goal of the MEDEX-OP trial was to compare the efficacy of a known effective high-intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT) with a low-intensity exercise control (Buff Bones® [BB]), alone or in combination with antiresorptive bone medication, on indices of fracture risk (bone mass, body composition, muscle strength, functional performance), compliance, and safety. Primary study outcomes were 8-month change in lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH) bone mineral density (BMD). Healthy postmenopausal women with low bone mass (T-score ≤ −1.0) on or off stable doses (≥12 months) of antiresorptive medication were recruited. A total of 115 women (aged 63.6 ± 0.7 years; body mass index [BMI] 25.5 kg/m2; femoral neck [FN] T-score −1.8 ± 0.1) were randomly allocated to 8-month, twice-weekly, 40-minute HiRIT (5 sets of 5 repetitions, >80% to 85% 1 repetition maximum) or BB (low-intensity, Pilates-based training), stratified by medication intake, resulting in four groups: HiRIT (n = 42), BB (n = 44), HiRIT-med (n = 15), BB-med (n = 14). HiRIT improved LS BMD (1.9 ± 0.3% versus 0.1 ± 0.4%, p < 0.001) and stature (0.2 ± 0.1 cm versus −0.0 ± 0.1 cm, p = 0.004) more than BB. Both programs improved functional performance, but HiRIT effects were larger for leg and back muscle strength and the five times sit-to-stand test (p < 0.05). There was a positive relationship between maximum weight lifted and changes in LS BMD and muscle strength in the HiRIT groups. Exploratory analyses suggest antiresorptive medication may enhance exercise efficacy at the proximal femur and lumbar spine. Exercise compliance was good (82.4 ± 1.3%) and both programs were well tolerated (7 adverse events: HiRIT 4; BB 3). HiRIT improved indices of fracture risk significantly more than Buff Bones®. More trials combining bone medication and bone-targeted exercise are needed. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Development and validation of the infant crying and parent well‐being screening tool
Authors: Katch Leslie E. , Burkhardt Tiffany
Published: May 2021

This article describes the development and validation of the infant crying and parent well‐being (ICPW) screening tool, developed to provide an effective and efficient way of identifying families struggling with infant crying and soothing. Construct validity for the ICPW was assessed using survey data from 290 parents of infants. Scores on the ICPW were associated with parental depression, parenting stress, and low co‐parent confidence. Parents with positive ICPW screens—indicating additional support is needed—were more likely to have high or clinical levels of parenting stress than parents with negative screens. Inconsolable and excessive infant crying negatively impacts the well‐being of parents, and most importantly, is the primary trigger for infant abuse. The ICPW is a unique, efficient tool that allows providers to screen for families who may need additional support around infant crying and soothing.
“It's not the end of the story:” Understanding the continued recovery from homelessness using Photovoice and content analysis
Authors: McKinsey Eva , Pruitt Anna S. , Austin Tien
Published: May 2021

In this multipart study, participants in a Housing First program on the Island of O‘ahu conducted a Photovoice project involving participatory analysis to investigate the recovery process from homelessness several years after being housed. University researchers then conducted a secondary analysis of the Photovoice study content to expand on findings and examine the unique contributions of the different methods. Findings suggest that individuals who have experienced homelessness will likely need continued support, particularly social support and opportunities for community engagement, well after initial housing. Findings also suggests that a combination of iterative analytic methods that remain participatory may be most useful for examining lived experiences of individuals recovering from homelessness. The study represents a participatory investigation of recovery from homelessness, as well as a rigorous inquiry into the research methods best suited to investigate this lived experience.
Influence of Prednisone on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Community‐Acquired Pneumonia: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial
Authors: Raess Natalie , Schuetz Philipp , Cesana‐Nigro Nicole , Winzeler Bettina , Urwyler Sandrine A. , Schaedelin Sabine , Rodondi Nicolas , Blum Manuel R. , Briel Matthias , Mueller Beat , Christ‐Crain Mirjam , Blum Claudine A.
Published: May 2021

Glucocorticoids are frequently prescribed in inflammatory diseases and have recently experienced a boom in the treatment of COVID‐19. Small studies have shown an effect of glucocorticoids on inflammatory marker levels, but definitive proof is lacking. We investigated the influence of prednisone on inflammatory biomarkers in a previous multicenter, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial that compared a 7‐day treatment course of 50‐mg prednisone to placebo in patients hospitalized with community‐acquired pneumonia. We compared levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), leukocyte and neutrophil count between patients with and without glucocorticoid treatment at baseline and on days 3, 5, and 7 and at discharge by Wilcoxon tests and analysis of variance. A total of 356 patient data sets in the prednisone group and 355 in the placebo group were available for analysis. Compared to placebo, use of prednisone was associated with reductions in levels of CRP on days 3, 5, and 7 (mean difference of 46%, P < .001 for each time point). For PCT, no such difference was observed. Leukocyte and neutrophil count were higher in the prednisone group at all time points (mean difference of 27% for leukocytes and 33% for neutrophils, P <.001 for all time points). We conclude that after administration of glucocorticoids in community‐acquired pneumonia, patients had lower CRP levels and increased leukocyte and neutrophil count as compared to the placebo group. PCT levels were not different between treatment groups. PCT levels thus may more appropriately mirror the resolution of infection compared to more traditional inflammatory markers.
Viral coinfections in COVID‐19
Authors: Aghbash Parisa S. , Eslami Narges , Shirvaliloo Milad , Baghi Hossein B.
Published: May 2021

The most consequential challenge raised by coinfection is perhaps the inappropriate generation of recombinant viruses through the exchange of genetic material among different strains. These genetically similar viruses can interfere with the replication process of each other and even compete for the metabolites required for the maintenance of the replication cycle. Due to the similarity in clinical symptoms of most viral respiratory tract infections, and their coincidence with COVID‐19, caused by SARS‐CoV‐2, it is recommended to develop a comprehensive diagnostic panel for detection of respiratory and nonrespiratory viruses through the evaluation of patient samples. Given the resulting changes in blood markers, such as coagulation factors and white blood cell count following virus infection, these markers can be of diagnostic value in the detection of mixed infection in individuals already diagnosed with a certain viral illness. In this review, we seek to investigate the coinfection of SARS‐CoV‐2 with other respiratory and nonrespiratory viruses to provide novel insights into the development of highly sensitive diagnostics and effective treatment modalities.
Spheroidization of ultrasonic degraded corn silk polysaccharide to enhance bioactivity by the anti‐solvent precipitation method
Authors: Jia Yanan , Lu Yangpeng , Wang Yajie , Zhang Min , He Chengwei , Chen Haixia
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Corn silk is a very important by‐product of corn production with medicinal value. Corn silk polysaccharide (CSP) is the main active ingredient. In the present study, ultrasound and spheroidization by anti‐solvent were applied to improve the biological activity of CSP.

RESULTS

The results showed that ultrasonic degradation improved the α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity of CSP by changing its physicochemical characteristics. As the anti‐solvent ratio increased, the particle size of the nanoparticles (NPs) from the spheroidization of ultrasonic‐degraded corn silk polysaccharide (UCSP) gradually increased, and NP‐1 exhibited the highest inhibitory effect of α‐glucosidase. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) results indicated that the enhanced activity might be due to more α‐glucosidase binding sites with NP‐1 compared with no spheroidization. Western blotting results showed that NP‐1 could improve the 2‐[N‐(7‐nitrobenz‐2‐oxa‐1,3‐diazol‐4‐yl) amino]‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2‐NBDG) uptake in the L6 cells by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt signal pathway and the translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). NP‐1 also exhibited excellent stability in different environments.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that ultrasonic treatment and spheroidization processing showed potential applications for improving the biological activity of polysaccharides. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A novel nanocomposite based on covalent organic polymer and nanocellulose for thin‐film microextraction of imipramine from biological samples
Authors: Dowlatshah Samira , Saraji Mohammad , Dinari Mohammad , Soltani Roozbeh
Published: May 2021

A novel covalent organic polymer was prepared using 1,5‐diaminonaphthalene as a linker and cyanuric chloride as a node. A thin‐film nanocomposite of 1,5‐diaminonaphthalene covalent organic polymer and cellulose nanocrystalline was then fabricated via filtering and casting method. The effect of incorporation of various amounts of 1,5‐diaminonaphthalene covalent organic polymer and cellulose nanocrystalline was studied to obtain an efficient nanocomposite thin‐film with a large number of polar functional groups and high mechanical stability. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and thermogravimetric analysis techniques were applied for the characterization of physicochemical properties of the prepared materials. Imipramine was determined in the biological samples using thin‐film microextraction followed by gas chromatography flame ionization detection. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of imipramine were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection was 0.5 ng/mL. Film‐to‐film reproducibility for three different films fabricated under the same conditions (at three concentration levels) varied between 8.9 and 9.7%. The linear dynamic range covered more than three orders of magnitude (2–5000 ng/mL) with a determination coefficient of 0.9985. The method was successfully applied for preconcentration and determination of imipramine in biological samples with spiking recoveries between 78 and 93%.
Collective Factors Reinforce Individual Contributions to Human‐Wildlife Coexistence
Authors: Nesbitt Holly K. , Metcalf Alexander L. , Lubeck Alice A. , Metcalf Elizabeth Covelli , Beckman Crystal , Smith Ada P. , Cummins Tina M.
Published: May 2021

Conserving large carnivores while keeping people safe depends on finding means for peaceful coexistence. Although large carnivore populations are generally declining globally, some populations are increasing, causing greater overlap with humans and increasing potential for conflict. One method of reducing conflict with large carnivores is to secure attractants like garbage and livestock. This method is effective when implemented; however, implementation requires a change in human behavior. Human‐wildlife interaction is a public good collective action problem where solutions require contributions from many and individual actions have effects on others. We used the collective interest model to investigate how individual and collective factors work in concert to influence landowner attractant securing behavior in Montana, USA, in black (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bear (U. arctos) range. We used data from a mail‐back survey to develop logistic regression models testing the relative effects of collective and individual factors on landowners' attractant securing behaviors. The most important factor was whether individuals had spoken to a wildlife professional, a reflection of social coordination and pressure. Other collective factors (e.g., social norms [i.e., expectations and behaviors of peers] and the existence of discussion networks [i.e., how much social influence an individual has]) were equally important as individual factors (e.g., beliefs, age, gender) for influencing attractant securing behavior among Montana landowners. This research suggests pathways for wildlife managers and outreach coordinators to increase attractant securing behavior by emphasizing collective factors, such as social norms, rather than appealing exclusively to individual factors, such as risk perception of large carnivores. Furthermore, wildlife agencies would be justified in increasing their efforts to connect with landowners in person and to connect with members of the public who play an important role in discussion networks. This research demonstrates that, even on private lands, collective interests may be a missing and important piece of the puzzle for encouraging voluntary attractant securing behavior and improving wildlife‐human coexistence. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
How Nanofibers Carry the Load: Toward a Universal and Reliable Approach for Tensile Testing of Polymeric Nanofibrous Membranes
Authors: Maccaferri Emanuele , Cocchi Davide , Mazzocchetti Laura , Benelli Tiziana , Brugo Tommaso Maria , Giorgini Loris , Zucchelli Andrea
Published: May 2021

Nanofibrous nonwovens show high versatility and outstanding properties, with reduced weight. Porous morphology, high material flexibility and deformability challenge their mechanical testing, severely affecting results reliability. Still today, a specific technical standard method to carry out tensile testing of nonwoven nanofibrous mats is lacking, as well as studies concerning tensile test data reliability. In this work, an accurate, systematic, and critical study is presented concerning tensile testing of nonwovens, using electrospun Nylon 66 random nanofibrous mats as a case study. Nanofibers diameter and specimen geometry are investigated to thoroughly describe the nanomat tensile behavior, also considering the polymer thermal properties, and the nanofibers crossings number as a function of the nanofibers diameter. Below a threshold value, which lies between 150 and 250 nm, the overall mat mechanical behavior changes from ductile to brittle, showing enhanced elastic modulus for a high number of nanofibers crossings. While specimen geometry does not affect tensile results. Stress–strain data are analyzed using a phenomenological data fitting model to better interpret the tensile behavior. The experimental results demonstrate the high reliability of the proposed mass‐based load normalization, providing a simple, effective, and universally suitable method for obtaining high reproducible tensile stress–strain curves.
Simulation of Vesuvius volcanic ash hazards within Romanian airspace using the Hybrid Single‐Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Volcanic Ash numerical model
Authors: Urlea Ana Denisa , Barbu Nicu , Andrei Simona , Ştefan Sabina
Published: May 2021

The goal of this article is to investigate how the Romanian air space would be affected by a potential large eruption of Vesuvius volcano. In order to characterize the potential impact of such an event on the Romanian air space, we simulated the ash plume transport from a hypothetical explosive eruption with a significant magnitude, that is, Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI 4). The volcanic ash cloud transport towards Romania was described by using the mass distribution from the HYbrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) for Volcanic Ash numerical model. To assess the dominant air circulation types, an adaptation of the WetterLagenKlassification (WLK) classification scheme was used. The results emphasized that a long‐wave trough and southwesterly flow in upper levels would favour the direct transport of volcanic ash cloud towards the Romanian air space. Non‐negative matrix factorization method has been used to identify the atmospheric layer with the maximum values of mass. The simulation results reveal that the maximum values of averaged mass were obtained at an altitude around 7 km.
Design of an anthropomorphic PET phantom with elastic lungs and respiration modeling
Authors: Black David G. , Yazdi Yas Oloumi , Wong Jeremy , Fedrigo Roberto , Uribe Carlos , Kadrmas Dan J. , Rahmim Arman , Klyuzhin Ivan S.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Respiratory motion during positron emission tomography (PET) scans can be a major detriment to image quality in oncological imaging. The impact of motion on lesion quantification and detectability can be assessed using phantoms with realistic anatomy representation and motion modeling. In this work, we develop an anthropomorphic phantom for PET imaging that combines anatomic fidelity and a realistic breathing mechanism with deformable lungs.

Methods

We start from a previously developed anatomically accurate but static phantom of a human torso, and add elastic lungs with a highly controllable actuation mechanism which replicates the physics of breathing. The space outside the lungs is filled with a radioactive water solution. To maintain anatomical accuracy and realistic gamma ray attenuation in the torso, all motion mechanisms and actuators are positioned outside of the phantom compartment. The actuation mechanism can produce custom respiratory waveforms with breathing rates up to 25 breaths per minute and tidal volumes up to 1200 mL.

Results

Several tests were performed to validate the performance of the phantom assembly, in which the phantom was filled with water and given respiratory waveforms to execute. All parts demonstrated expected performance. Force requirements were not exceeded and no leaks were detected, although continued use of the phantom is required to evaluate wear. The motion of the lungs was determined to be within a reasonable realistic range.

Conclusions

The full mechanical design is described in this paper, as well as a software application with graphical user interface which was developed to plan and visualize respiratory patterns. Both are available online as open source files. The developed phantom will facilitate future work in evaluating the impact of respiratory motion on lesion quantification and detectability in clinical practice.
Measuring the level of compulsory hospitalisation in mental health care: The performance of different measures across areas and over time
Authors: Hofstad Tore , Rugkåsa Jorun , Ose Solveig O. , Nyttingnes Olav , Husum Tonje L.
Published: May 2021

Objective

A variety of measures are used for reporting levels of compulsory psychiatric hospitalisation. This complicates comparisons between studies and makes it hard to establish the extent of geographic variation. We aimed to investigate how measures based on events, individuals and duration portray geographical variation differently and perform over time, how they correlate and how well they predict future ranked levels of compulsory hospitalisation.

Methods

Small‐area analysis, correlation analysis and linear regressions of data from a Norwegian health registry containing whole population data from 2014 to 2018.

Results

The average compulsory hospitalisation rate per 100,000 inhabitant was 5.6 times higher in the highest area, compared to the lowest, while the difference for the compulsory inpatient rate was 3.2. Population rates based on inpatients correlate strongly with rates of compulsory hospitalisations (r = 0.88) and duration (r = 0.78). 68%–81% of ranked compulsory hospitalisation rates could be explained by each area's rank the previous year.

Conclusion

There are stable differences in service delivery between catchment areas in Norway. In future research, multiple measures of the level of compulsory hospitalisation should ideally be included when investigating geographical variation. It is important that researchers describe accurately the measure upon which their results are based.
Mitophagy is involved in the mitochondrial dysfunction of vitrified porcine oocytes
Authors: Xu Jiehuan , Zhang Defu , Ju Shiqiang , Sun Lingwei , Zhang Shushan , Wu Caifeng , Rui Rong , Dai Jianjun
Published: May 2021

Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered a crucial factor aggravating oocyte viability after vitrification‐warming. To clarify the role of mitophagy in mitochondrial extinction of vitrified porcine oocytes, mitochondrial function, ultrastructural characteristics, mitochondria‐lysosomes colocalization, and mitophagic proteins were detected with or without chloroquine (CQ) treatment. The results showed that vitrification caused mitochondrial dysfunction, including increasing reactive oxygen species production, decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial DNA copy number. Damaged mitochondrial cristae and mitophagosomes were observed in vitrified oocytes. A highly fused fluorescence distribution of mitochondria and lysosomes was also observed. In the detection of mitophagic flux, mitophagy was demonstrated as increasing fluorescence aggregation of microtubule‐associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B), enhanced colocalization between LC3B, and voltage‐dependent anion channels 1 (VDAC1), and upregulated LC3B‐II/I protein expression ratio. CQ inhibited the degradation of mitophagosomes in vitrified oocytes, manifested as decreased mitochondria‐lysosomes colocalization, increased fluorescence fraction of VDAC1 overlapping LC3B, increased LC3B‐II/I protein expression ratio, and p62 accumulation. The inhibition of mitophagosomes degradation by CQ aggravated mitochondrial dysfunction, including increased oxidative damage, reduced mitochondrial function, and further led to loss of oocyte viability and developmental potentiality. In conclusion, mitophagy is involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function during porcine oocyte vitrification.
Optimal hierarchical clustering on a graph
Authors: Kahvecioğlu Gökçe , Morton David P.
Published: May 2021

Given an undirected graph with positive weights on the edges we study a parametric biobjective graph clustering problem. We remove a subset of edges to break the graph into smaller pieces, that is, connected components, or clusters. We seek to maximize the number of clusters while minimizing the weight of the removed edges. We identify nested solutions that lie on the concave envelope of the efficient frontier, yielding a hierarchical family of clusters, in strongly polynomial time. We demonstrate the performance of our approach on a graph defined by the schedule of football teams within the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which has a known hierarchical structure, and on a set of synthetic graphs generated from a stochastic block model with embedded hierarchical structure.
Polymorphisms and haplotypes of IL2RA, IL10, IFNG, IRF5, and CCR2 are associated with Epstein–Barr virus‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in children
Authors: Tang Nannan , Huang Junbin , Chen Chun , Wu Xiaojun , Xu Honggui , Chen Guohua , Xue Hongman
Published: May 2021

Objective

Cytokine storms are central to the development of Epstein–Barr virus‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV‐HLH). Previous studies have shown that single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cytokine genes may be associated with the development of EBV‐HLH in children. As such, we investigated the association between susceptibility to EBV‐HLH in children and SNPs and haplotypes of genes encoding interleukin‐2 receptor subunit alpha (IL2RA), interleukin‐10 (IL10), interferon gamma (IFNG), interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5), and C–C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2).

Methods

Sixty‐six children with EBV‐HLH and 58 healthy EBV‐seropositive controls were enrolled in this study. SNPs of IL2RA rs2104286, rs12722489, and rs11594656; IL10 rs1800896, rs1800871, and rs1800872; IFNG rs2430561, IRF5 rs2004640, and CCR2 rs1799864 were assayed and genotyped using the SNaPshot technique.

Results

Frequencies of the A allele of IL2RA rs2104286 and IL10 rs1800896, and C allele of IL‐10 rs1800872 were significantly higher in the EBV‐HLH group than in the control group. The AA genotype of IL2RA rs2104286 and IL10 rs1800896, and the CC genotype of IL10 rs1800872 might be associated with a significantly high risk of EBV‐HLH. However, the frequencies of genotypes and alleles of IL2RA rs2104286, IL10 rs1800871, IFNG rs2430561, IRF5 rs2004640, and CCR2 rs1799864 were similar in both groups. Additionally, IL2RA AGT (rs2104286–rs12722489–rs11594656) and IL10 ACC (rs1800896–rs1800871–rs1800872) haplotypes were also associated with an increased risk of EBV‐HLH.

Conclusions

SNPs of IL2RA rs2104286, IL10 rs1800896 and rs1800872 and the haplotypes of IL2RA AGT and IL10 ACC were highly associated with susceptibility to EBV‐HLH in children.