bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doege–Potter syndrome due to endothoracic solitary hypoglycemic fibrous tumor
Authors: Lopez‐Hinostroza Madaleine , Moya‐Salazar Jeel , Dávila Juan , Absencio Angélica Y. , Contreras‐Pulache Hans
Published: April 2022

Doege–Potter syndrome leads to severe and sustained symptomatic hypoglycemia and is associated with the solitary fibrous tumor. It is a rare cause, and its diagnosis requires a clinical suspicion and other markers such as insulin‐like growth factor II. Here, we describe a case of a patient with intrathoracic tumor and hypoglycemia.
Consolidative opacity in a patient with acute leukemia
Authors: Banala Chaitra , Brasher William P. , Kanagal Shamanna Rashmi , Bashoura Lara , Faiz Saadia A.
Published: April 2022

27 year old man with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia presents with new parenchymal consolidation. Although biopsy was precluded, diagnostic studies support myeloid sarcoma. Resolution of consolidation occurred with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Delignification of Corn Straw Using the Ionic Liquid Triethylammonium Hydrogen Sulfate
Authors: Rauf Abdul , Shafeeq Amir , Shahzad Khurram
Published: April 2022

Biomass mainly consists of three major components, i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Before conversion of biomass into useful products, its pretreatment is required in order to minimize the lignin contents as much as possible because lignin is the major component that obstructs the conversion of biomass into useful products. There are many technologies like, e.g., acid/alkali pretreatment and organosolv pretreatment available for the said purpose. In this study, the low‐cost ionic liquid, triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate, is used for the pretreatment of biomass. The ionic liquid was synthesized in the laboratory. About 80 % of the lignin was removed from the given biomass (corn straw) at a temperature of 78 °C, i.e. the boiling point of ethanol, and atmospheric pressure, whereas the ionic liquid was regenerated at the end of the process, making the process green and environment friendly.
Optimization of Dry Reforming of Methane over a Ni/MgO Catalyst Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Gendy Tahani S. , El-Salamony Radwa A. , El-Temtamy Seham A. , Ghoneim Salwa A. , El-Hafiz Dalia R. Abd , Ebiad Mohamed A. , Naggar Ahmed M. A. El
Published: April 2022

The Box‐Behnken experimental design method was applied to study optimization of dry reforming of methane over a magnesia‐supported nickel catalyst (Ni/MgO). The catalyst was prepared by impregnation method and characterized using Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller analysis, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. Response surface methodology (RSM) modified by the Box‐Cox method was applied to investigate the effect of different operating parameters on conversion and formation of the different components of the reaction system. The RSM‐generated predictive models verified by analysis of variance were used to simulate the responses of the operating variables. This study revealed that the reaction temperature has the most pronounced effect followed by the CO2/CH4 mole ratio while the gas hourly space velocity had a negligible impact.
A Simple and Rapid Method of Forming Double‐Sided TiO2 Nanotube Arrays
Authors: Conrad Christian L. , Elias Welman C. , Garcia‐Segura Sergi , Reynolds Michael A. , Wong Michael S.
Published: April 2022

Highly ordered TiO2 nanostructures, known as nanotube arrays (NTAs), exhibit potential in various energy, chemical sensing, and biomedical applications. Owing to its simplicity and high degree of control, titanium anodization serves as the prevailing NTA synthesis method. However, the practicality of this approach is marred by sluggish and inconsistent growth rates, on the order of 10 nm min−1. Growth rates strongly depend on the electrolyte conductivity, yet most reports neglect to consider this property as a measured and controllable parameter. Here, we have systematically determined a broad set of conditions (at 60 V applied potential, elevated temperatures) that allow researchers to fabricate NTAs quickly and simply. By modulating conductivity through variation of bulk electrolyte temperature and the controlled addition of several hydroxy acid species, we achieve consistent accelerated growth up to 10 times faster than traditional methods. We find that regulating the solution conductivity within a desired region (e. g., ∼800–1000 μS cm−1) enabled the fabrication of double‐sided NTA layers of around 10 μm and 90 μm NTA in 10 and 180 min, respectively.
Hybrid deep‐Q Elman neural network for crop prediction and recommendation based on environmental changes
Authors: Shingade Sachin Dattatraya , Mudhalwadkar Rohini Prashant
Published: April 2022

Crop recommendation is a potential research topic that relies on environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, and soil pH to identify suitable crops for cultivation. There are diverse models available in the literature for crop recommendation. Still, those models are not accurate enough to predict the appropriate crop when there is a sudden change in the environmental factors. The models cannot map the raw data exactly with the prediction values, and the output relies on the quality of the input features used. To resolve these issues, the concept of Q‐learning is hybridized with deep learning to enable exact mapping of the raw data with the prediction values. In this article, Q‐learning is combined with the Elman neural network, trained with the input parameters selected by the improved Archimedes optimization algorithm from the dataset. The model evaluations are carried out with the user dataset constructed using the sensor information collected from the regions of Maharashtra. The overall accuracy provided by the proposed crop recommendation model is 99.44%, and the average inference time of the model is 0.0117 s.
Caregiver maltreatment history and treatment response following an intensive Emotion Focused Family Therapy workshop
Authors: Cordeiro Kristina , Wyers Cassandra , Oliver Meghan , Foroughe Mirisse , Muller Robert T.
Published: April 2022

This single‐arm, repeated measures study investigated the impact caregiver trauma history may have on treatment response following an intensive, 2‐day Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) caregiver workshop. Caregivers (n = 243) completed questionnaires regarding their child's emotion regulation and clinical symptoms, as well as their own childhood trauma history (i.e., exposure to various forms of child maltreatment), caregiver self‐efficacy and caregiver blocks (e.g., fears) to support their child's treatment and recovery. Questionnaires were administered prior to and immediately following the workshop and again 4, 8 and 12 months later. At baseline, caregivers who reported experiences of childhood maltreatment demonstrated more blocks compared with caregivers who did not (B = 6.35, SE = 2.62, p < 0.05). Results indicated that caregivers with and without maltreatment histories reported similar, significant gains in their child's total difficulties (B = 0.64, SE = 0.41, p = 0.12) and emotional negativity and lability (B = 0.51, SE = 0.48, p = 0.29) at 12‐month post‐workshop. Caregivers with maltreatment histories reported greater improvements in caregiver blocks (B = 5.15, SE = 1.34, p < 0.001) and child emotion regulation (B = 0.90, SE = 0.18, p < 0.001) than caregivers without maltreatment histories. They also report less, but still significant, improvement in parental self‐efficacy (B = −0.68, SE = 0.26, p < 0.01) when compared with caregivers without maltreatment histories. Findings suggest that EFFT workshops may be an acceptable and effective trans‐diagnostic intervention for families presenting with complex histories, including caregiver exposure to childhood maltreatment.
Impedance modeling and analysis of voltage‐source converter‐based high‐voltage direct current system for grid‐connected wind farm
Authors: Cao Zequan , Dong Xiaoliang , Hu Sile , Yu Sam S. , Liu Bin , Li Zhen , Liu Xiangdong
Published: April 2022

Oscillation issues of the gird‐connected offshore wind farm through the voltage‐source converter‐based high‐voltage direct current (VSC‐HVDC) have serios influence on the grid stability. However, in the previous modeling and analysis for the VSC‐HVDC system, the receiving‐end inverter station is usually considered as a constant voltage source, neglecting the impact of the inverter and AC grid. In addition, the commonly used mitigation method by modifying control parameters usually does not consider its influence on the controller's control performance. To analyze the system stability more rigorously and suppress the oscillation effectively, in this work, we firstly establish a detailed impedance model of VSC‐HVDC considering the inverter station and DC transmission line, based on which the stability analysis is also presented. Furthermore, an oscillation suppression method based on intelligent impedance optimization is proposed, which is solved by Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The proposed impedance optimization method can achieve the maximum stability margin while the transient dynamic performance is still guaranteed, thereby suppressing the oscillation of the system. Simulations are conducted in PSCAD/EMTDC to validate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed modeling and suppression method.
Predictors of relapse, death or heart transplantation in myocarditis before the introduction of immunosuppression: negative prognostic impact of female gender, fulminant onset, lower ejection fraction and serum autoantibodies
Authors: Baritussio Anna , Schiavo Alessandro , Basso Cristina , Giordani Andrea Silvio , Cheng Chun‐yan , Pontara Elena , Cattini Maria Grazia , Bison Elisa , Gallo Nicoletta , De Gaspari Monica , Carturan Elisa , Thiene Gaetano , Tarantini Giuseppe , Plebani Mario , Rizzo Stefania , Gregori Dario , Iliceto Sabino , Marcolongo Renzo , Caforio Alida Linda Patrizia
Published: April 2022

Aims

Outcome predictors in myocarditis are not well defined; we aimed at identifying predictors of death, heart transplantation (HTx) and relapse before the introduction of immunosuppression.

Methods and results

From 1992 to 2012, 466 consecutive patients (68% male, mean age 37 ± 17 years, single centre recruitment, median follow‐up 50 months) were included, of whom 216 had clinically suspected and 250 biopsy‐proven myocarditis. Serum anti‐heart (AHA) and anti‐intercalated disk (AIDA) autoantibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence. Univariable and multivariable analyses of clinical and diagnostic features at diagnosis were performed. Survival free from death or HTx at 10 years was 83% in the whole study population and was lower in biopsy‐proven versus clinically suspected myocarditis (76% vs. 94%, p < 0.001). Female gender (hazard ratio [HR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–6.5), fulminant presentation (HR 13.77, 95% CI 9.7–261.73), high‐titre organ‐specific AHA (HR 4.2, 95% CI 1.2–14.7) and anti‐nuclear antibodies (ANA) (HR 5.2, 95% CI 2.1–12.8) were independent predictors of death or HTx; higher echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at diagnosis was protective, with a 0.93‐fold risk reduction for each 1% LVEF increase (95% CI 0.89–0.96). History of myocarditis at diagnosis (HR 8.5, 95% CI 3.5–20.7) was an independent predictor of myocarditis relapse at follow‐up; older age was protective (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91–0.99). Predictors of death, HTx and relapse did not differ in biopsy‐proven versus clinically suspected myocarditis.

Conclusions

Young age and a previous myocarditis were independent relapse predictors; female gender, fulminant onset, lower LVEF at presentation and high‐titre organ‐specific AHA and ANA were independent predictors of death and HTx, suggesting that autoimmune features predict worse prognosis.
Highly Sensitive, Fast Response and Selective Glucose Detection Based on CuO/Nitrogen‐doped Carbon Non‐enzymatic Sensor
Authors: Figiela Monika , Wysokowski Marcin , Stanisz Ewa , Hao Derek , Ni Bing‐Jie
Published: April 2022

This work presents development of an innovative CuO/nitrogen‐doped carbon composite (CuO−C) that may be effectively applied for the modification of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and creation of a non‐enzymatic sensor for glucose detection. The structure of the CuO−C nanostructured material was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The prepared electroactive material, based on CuO including carbon structures derived from chitosan, showed excellent performance in terms of electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose. Under optimal conditions, the modified electrode displays high sensitivity (1546 μA mM−1 cm−2), a low detection limit (1.95 μM) and short response time (4 s).
Urinary pCO2 Monitoring System with a Planar Severinghaus Type Sensor
Authors: Atherton James G. , Pendley Bradford D. , Guzinski Marcin , Bissler John J. , Lindner Ernő
Published: April 2022

A urinary pCO2 measurement system with a miniature planar CO2 probe has been developed for monitoring pCO2 levels in the urine (U‐pCO2) of catheterized septic shock patients. U‐pCO2 may provide timely recognition of changes in the microcirculatory status of patients and used as an “early” warning of metabolic‐cellular dysfunction. The utility of the U‐pCO2 sensor has been demonstrated in monitoring experiments in a model bladder. The agreement between U‐pCO2 values measured with the planar pCO2 probe and a commercial pCO2 probe in pooled urine samples projects the possibility of the implementation of the U‐pCO2 measurement system for bedside monitoring.
Thermal performance and mold discoloration of thermally modified wood containing bio‐based phase change material for heat storage
Authors: Nazari Meysam , Jebrane Mohamed , Gao Jie , Terziev Nasko
Published: April 2022

The work presents the results of thermal performance and mold discoloration of thermally modified wood‐based composites incorporating multicomponent fatty acids as a bio‐based phase change materials (BPCM). Thermally modified Scots pine (TMP), beech (TMB), and spruce (TMS) sapwood were impregnated with a multicomponent mixture of linoleic acid and coconut oil fatty acids at a ratio of 20:80. Samples with different BPCM uptakes were analyzed in the temperature range typical for building indoor conditions. Leakage tests were conducted and revealed that the maximum leakage for all the samples is 3% to 5%. T‐history and heat flowmeter methods were used to evaluate the thermal characteristic of the composites. The incorporation of BPCM into thermally modified woods (TMWs) resulted in significant thermal mass improvements, expressed by the ability of the composites to store excessive energy in terms of latent heat and keep the temperature constant for long time. The specific heat capacity of the TMWs was around 2 J/g K, which increased to 4 to 8 J/g K after impregnation with BPCM, depending on the impregnation uptake. Results showed also that TMB has higher thermal conductivity than TMP and TMS, while incorporating of BPCM into these materials resulted in even improved thermal conductivity. Results showed that the thermal conductivity of TMP increased after incorporation of BPCM from 0.06 W/m K to 0.1 and 0.14 W/m K for TMP/BPCM with 48% and 95% uptake respectively. Mold tests showed that BPCM encapsulated in TMWs is less susceptible to mold discoloration compared to untreated wood.
Prenatal findings and associated survival rates in fetal ventriculomegaly: A prospective observational study
Authors: Ryan Gillian A. , Start Alexander O. , Cathcart Barbara , Hughes Heather , Denona Branko , Higgins Shane , Corcoran Siobhan , Walsh Jennifer , Carroll Stephen , Mahony Rhona , Crimmins Darach , Caird John , Robinson Ian , Colleran Gabrielle , McParland Peter , McAuliffe Fionnuala M.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Fetal ventriculomegaly is associated with varying degrees of genetic and structural abnormalities. The objective was to present the experience of fetal ventriculomegaly in a large European center in relation to: 1. grade of ventriculomegaly; 2. additional chromosomal/structural abnormalities; and 3. perinatal survival rates.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of patients referred with fetal ventriculomegaly from January 2011 to July 2020. Data were obtained from the hospital database and analyzed to determine the rate of isolated ventriculomegaly, associated structural abnormalities, chromosomal/genetic abnormalities, and survival rates. Data were stratified into three groups; mild (Vp = 10–12 mm), moderate (Vp = 13–15 mm) and severe (Vp > 15 mm) ventriculomegaly.

Results

There were 213 fetuses included for analysis. Of these 42.7% had mild ventriculomegaly, 44.6% severe and 12.7% had moderate ventriculomegaly. Initial ultrasound assessment reported isolated ventriculomegaly in 45.5% fetuses, with additional structural abnormalities in 54.5%. The rate of chromosomal/genetic abnormalities was high,16.4%. After all investigations, the true rate of isolated VM was 36.1%. The overall survival was 85.6%. Survival was higher for those with isolated VM across all groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Ventriculomegaly is a complex condition and patients should be counselled that even with apparently isolated VM, there remains the possibility of additional genetic and/or structural problems being diagnosed in up to 10% of fetuses.
Endometrial polyp is associated with a higher prevalence of chronic endometritis in infertile women
Authors: Peng Jintao , Guo Jiayi , Zeng Zhi , Liang Xiaoyan , Zeng Haitao , Li Manchao
Published: April 2022

Objective

To assess the prevalence of chronic endometritis (CE) among infertile women with endometrial polyps (EP).

Methods

From June 2017 to October 2021, 583 patients in the polyp group (group A—group A1: single‐polyp group, 322 patients; group A2: multiple‐polyp group, 261 patients) and 4534 patients in the non‐polyp group (group B) were included in this retrospective study. Hysteroscopic polypectomy was performed in group A. Endometrial biopsy and CD138 immunohistochemistry staining for specimens was carried out in all groups.

Results

Prevalence of CE was significantly higher in group A than in group B (45.28% vs. 27.94%, P < 0.001). A significantly higher prevalence of CE was found in group A1 and group A2 compared with group B (42.24% vs. 27.94%, P < 0.001; 49.04% vs. 27.94%, P < 0.001; respectively). No significant difference in the comparison of CE prevalence was found between group A1 and group A2. Similar results were achieved in the subgroup analysis among patients aged 40 years or older and patients younger than 40 years.

Conclusion

EP, either single EP or multiple EP, positively correlates with CE. The prevalence of CE was similar between the single‐polyp group and the multiple‐polyp group.
Comparison of modern light‐curing hybrid resin‐based composites to the tooth structure: Static and dynamic mechanical parameters
Authors: Ilie Nicoleta
Published: April 2022

The study aims to compare the way modern resin‐based composites (RBCs) respond to mechanical stress related to the tooth structure they are designed to replace. Eight representative light‐cured RBCs, including ormocers, giomers, RBCs with nano and agglomerated nanoparticles, prepolymerized, or compact fillers, were selected. Flexural strength, FS and modulus/E, were measured in a three‐point bending test. A fractographic analysis determined the origin of fracture. The quasi‐static (indentation hardness/HIT, indentation modulus/EIT) and viscoelastic (storage modulus/E′, loss modulus/E″, loss factor/tan δ) behavior was assessed by a depth‐sensing indentation test equipped with a dynamic‐mechanical analysis module. One and multiple‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) post‐hoc tests (α = 0.05), and Weibull statistics were applied. Parameter material exhibited the highest effect on E (p < .001, ηP2 = .857), followed by FS (ηP2 = .729), and the strain (ηP2 = .553). Highest material reliability was identified in the RBCs with nano and agglomerated nanoparticles. The most frequent type of failure originated from volume (81.3%), followed by edge (10.6%), and corner (8.1%) flaws. Enamel evidenced three times higher HIT, EIT, and E′ values as RBCs and dentin, and the smallest deviation from ideal elasticity. Ormocers exhibited the highest damping capacity, followed by the RBCs with prepolymerized fillers. Damping capacity and static mechanical properties are mutually exclusive. Analyzed RBCs and the tooth structure are better adapted to the relevant frequency for chewing than for higher frequencies. RBCs are comparable to dentin in terms of their mechanical performance, but apart from the damping behavior, they are far inferior to enamel. Damping ability of analyzed material could be exploited for correlation with the clinical behavior.
An Osteoporosis Susceptibility Allele at 11p15 Regulates SOX6 Expression by Modulating TCF4 Chromatin Binding
Authors: Zhu Dong-Li , Chen Xiao-Feng , Zhou Xiao-Rong , Hu Shou-Ye , Tuo Xiao-Mei , Hao Ruo-Han , Dong Shan-Shan , Jiang Feng , Rong Yu , Yang Tie-Lin , Yang Zhi , Guo Yan
Published: April 2022

Osteoporosis is an age-related complex disease clinically diagnosed with bone mineral density (BMD). Although several genomewide association studies (GWASs) have discovered multiple noncoding genetic variants at 11p15 influencing osteoporosis risk, the functional mechanisms of these variants remain unknown. Through integrating bioinformatics and functional experiments, a potential functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs1440702) located in an enhancer element was identified and the A allele of rs1440702 acted as an allelic specificities enhancer to increase its distal target gene SOX6 (~600 Kb upstream) expression, which plays a key role in bone formation. We also validated this long-range regulation via conducting chromosome conformation capture (3C) assay. Furthermore, we demonstrated that SNP rs1440702 with a risk allele (rs1440702-A) could increase the activity of the enhancer element by altering the binding affinity of the transcription factor TCF4, resulting in the upregulation expression of SOX6 gene. Collectively, our integrated analyses revealed how the noncoding genetic variants (rs1440702) affect osteoporosis predisposition via long-range gene regulatory mechanisms and identified its target gene SOX6 for downstream biomarker and drug development. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Abstract

Graphic representation of our model of the regulatory relationships between TCF4, rs1440702 and SOX6 for risk prediction in osteoporosis. The osteoporosis risk A allele of rs1440702 increased TCF4 binding and upregulates SOX6 expression, which may lead to increased risk of osteoporosis.
Evaluation of tripartite motif 59 and its diagnostic utility in benign bowel diseases and colorectal cancer
Authors: Dahpy Marwa A. , Salama Ragaa H. M. , Kamal Asmaa A. , El‐Deek Heba E. , AbdelMotaleb Ali A. , Abd‐El‐Rehim Abeer S. , Hassan Elham A. , Alsanory Aya A. , Saad Mahmoud M. , Ali Maha
Published: April 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer‐related mortality in developing countries. Tripartite motif‐59 (TRIM59) a member of the TRIM ubiquitin ligase family, is a surface molecule that regulates biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. Previous studies reported that TRIM59 expression was upregulated in human CRC, however, the expression pattern and role of TRIM59 in benign colorectal lesions remain unclear. Sixty patients diagnosed with CRC and 60 patients with benign lesions (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, adenoma, and familial adenomatous polyposis) were recruited to the present study. TRIM59 gene expression was assessed by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Expression of TRIM59 protein and p‐AKT were determined using, enzyme‐linked immunoassay while p53 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Antioxidant/oxidant role of glutathione (GSH)/malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated by colorimetric methods in all of the studied groups. Our results showed upregulated expressions of TRIM59 gene and protein levels in CRC tissues and benign colonic lesions compared to nontumor tissues. Their levels were higher in inflammatory compared to noninflammatory bowel lesions. There were significant interrelations among TRIM59 gene expression, protein levels, tumor, node, metastasis staging, and the presence of metastasis (p < 0.0001). Receiver–operator characteristic curve analyses showed that at the cutoff point of 2.5 TRIM59 mRNA expression can discriminate between CRC cases and benign bowel group (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.639, sensitivity: 86.7%, specificity: 41.7%), and between CRC and controls (AUC: 0.962, sensitivity: 90%, specificity: 91.7%). TRIM59 could be a potential biomarker in the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of benign colonic lesions and CRC.
Light and scanning electron microscopic imaging of leaf transverse sections of indigenous fodder grasses of central Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Harun Nidaa , Shaheen Shabnum , Ahmad Mushtaq , Bibi Fozia , Fatima Kaneez , Ramzan Sehrish , Bashir Hira
Published: April 2022

The significance of grasses as fodder is enormous. However, it has been observed that different fodder grasses are identified locally with the similar vernacular names. Even same species recognized with different names. This happened due to their reduced and overlapped morphological characters. Hence comprehensive taxonomic keys were required to provide authentic identification of this grass flora. Current study established microscopic identification tools on the basis of leaf transverse anatomical features. Results demonstrated a great diversity in ribs and furrows arrangement among all studied grass members. Lolium temulentum, Phalaris minor, Poa annua, Arundo donax, Aristida adscensionis, Desmostachya bipinnata, Cenchrus biflorus and Digitaria ciliaris possessed ribs and furrows only at adaxial surfaces whereas all other species possessed this feature abaxially. Generally all the species contain three types of vascular bundles i.e. small, medium and large. Therefore, this qualitative feature is valuable only at family level, however, it found insignificant in taxa identification. Diversity was observed in bundle sheath type which could be taxonomically significant. Generally bundle sheath was found complete in most of species but in Bromus japonicus Thunb., Dactylis glomerata L., Acrachne racemosa (Heyne ex Roth) Ohwi, Chrysopogon aucheri (Boiss.) Stapf, Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf, Heteropogon contortus (L.) P Beauv. Ex. Roem & Schult. Eragrostis minor Host. and in Agrostis gigantea Roth. had incomplete type of sheath. Results reported great diversity in characters which could be taxonomically viable.

Research Highlights

This research highlighted the significance of microscopic examination of leaf transverse anatomical features in field of taxonomy. Established anatomical tools would be of great importance for the identification of studied species.
Analysis of extracellular vesicle DNA at the single‐vesicle level by nano‐flow cytometry
Authors: Liu Haisheng , Tian Ye , Xue Chengfeng , Niu Qian , Chen Chen , Yan Xiaomei
Published: April 2022

It has been demonstrated recently that extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry DNA; however, many fundamental features of DNA in EVs (EV‐DNA) remain elusive. In this study, a laboratory‐built nano‐flow cytometer (nFCM) that can detect single EVs as small as 40 nm in diameter and single DNA fragments of 200 bp upon SYTO 16 staining was used to study EV‐DNA at the single‐vesicle level. Through simultaneous side‐scatter and fluorescence (FL) detection of single particles and with the combination of enzymatic treatment, present study revealed that: (1) naked DNA or DNA associated with non‐vesicular entities is abundantly presented in EV samples prepared from cell culture medium by ultracentrifugation; (2) the quantity of EV‐DNA in individual EVs exhibits large heterogeneity and the population of DNA positive (DNA+) EVs varies from 30% to 80% depending on the cell type; (3) external EV‐DNA is mainly localized on relatively small size EVs (e.g. <100 nm for HCT‐15 cell line) and the secretion of external DNA+ EVs can be significantly reduced by exosome secretion pathway inhibition; (4) internal EV‐DNA is mainly packaged inside the lumen of relatively large EVs (e.g. 80–200 nm for HCT‐15 cell line); (5) double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) is the predominant form of both the external and internal EV‐DNA; (6) histones (H3) are not found in EVs, and EV‐DNA is not associated with histone proteins and (7) genotoxic drug induces an enhanced release of DNA+ EVs, and the number of both external DNA+ EVs and internal DNA+ EVs as well as the DNA content in single EVs increase significantly. This study provides direct and conclusive experimental evidence for an in‐depth understanding of how DNA is associated with EVs.
New holistic approach for the management of biofilm‐associated infections by myco‐metabolites
Authors: Ghosh Sreejita , Nag Moupriya , Lahiri Dibyajit , Sarkar Tanmay , Pati Siddhartha , Joshi Sanket , Ray Rina R.
Published: April 2022

Biofilm‐associated infections have increased excessively over the recent years due to the increased population having impaired immune systems or as a result of certain medical conditions like transplantation, cancer, and any other chronic ailments. The abrupt enhancement of antibiotic resistance and enhanced utilization of biomedical devices offer new opportunities for microbial colonization leading to the development of microbial biofilms. Total eradication of recalcitrant microbial biofilms demands the adoption of a holistic approach and since the fungal metabolites enriched with bioactive compounds show efficacy in inhibiting the multiple factors behind biofilm formation, the anti‐biofilm activities of fungal metabolites need to be appraised. Being effective in preventing various steps of biofilm formation, including inhibition of surface adhesion and cell‐to‐cell communication through quorum quenching, blocking of quorum sensing receptors, and enzymes involved in microbial cell wall biosynthesis, targeting the virulence factors and finally killing of biofilm bound individual cells; myco‐metabolites are found effective as a potent holistic anti‐biofilm agent. The wide spectrum of bioactive substances of fungi and their anti‐biofilm activities against different pathogens and their multitarget characteristics are very promising in the field of treating biofilm infections.
Characterization of the response of Escherichia coli tol‐fucose in bacterial swimming motility
Authors: Li Jingyun , Chen Juan , Wang Lu , Lin Yan , Zhang Xian , Liu Jian , Wang Fangbin
Published: April 2022

l‐Fucose, as a monosaccharide in nature, plays a crucial role in bacteria colonization. Escherichia coli (E. coli), as a common microorganism in environment, utilize bacterial flagellar motor to drive the rotation of flagella, which is regulated by chemotactic signal transduction signals. Yet the effect of
l‐fucose to bacterial motility remains unclear. The effect of
l‐fucose on the swimming motility of bacteria was investigated from the level of single flagellar motor to individual cell and cell population by employing a bead assay, a high‐throughput 2D tracking assay and a high‐throughput dark‐field flicker microscopy. The results showed that the swimming motility of the bacteria cultured with
l‐fucose was decreased, while the tumble frequency increased. Furthermore, the behavioral alterations of bacteria affected by
l‐fucose were directly reveled by measuring the cell distribution of bacteria swimming near surfaces and bacterial surface adhesion, suggesting that
l‐fucose promotes bacterial surface aggregation and surface adhesion. The effect of
l‐fucose on bacterial swimming motility characterized in this study are consistent with the key role that
l‐fucose plays in bacterial colonization.
The moderating influence of supplier culture on the relationship between buyer power and supplier shirking
Authors: Skowronski Keith , Benton W. C. , Handley Sean
Published: April 2022

Globalization has added a layer of complexity to the challenge of mitigating opportunism in buyer–supplier relationships. When engaging with suppliers in different countries, buyers must manage relationships across various cultures. Prior empirical research has shown that inter‐firm power affects opportunism in exchange relationships, and conceptual studies suggest that national culture is a location characteristic that could influence inter‐firm power. However, no research has empirically examined the efficacy of inter‐firm power in controlling opportunism, or other exchange outcomes, across different cultural contexts. To study this relevant issue, we investigate how a supplier's national culture influences the effectiveness of two bases of inter‐firm power, coercive and expert power, on a form of opportunism that has been anecdotally observed in practice—supplier shirking. We utilize primary dyadic data on 109 outsourcing relationships and secondary data of supply chain location characteristics to examine this phenomenon. We find that the effects of inter‐firm power on shirking vary across suppliers in different cultures and that, in certain cultures, coercive power may reduce the effectiveness of expert power. Our results show that manufacturers must explicitly consider suppliers' national culture when managing a globally dispersed supply base or risk encountering supplier shirking.
Impact of a personal history of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in the overall survival of cutaneous melanoma patients
Authors: Moro Ruggero , Campos Eva , González‐Cuevas Rubén , Aguerralde‐Martin Maider , Requena Celia , Manrique‐Silva Esperanza , Traves Victor , Virós Amaya , Kumar Rajiv , Nagore Eduardo
Published: April 2022

Background

There have been previous studies on the association between cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and cutaneous melanoma (CM) survival, and also the association between skin cancers and relative telomere length (RTL). In this study we analysed the overall survival (OS) of patients with CM and a positive history of cSCC to evaluate the impact of this history on survival and any possible association with RTL.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective cohort study on 1613 patients with CM diagnosed between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2015 at the Instituto Valenciano de Oncología. Contingency tables were used to analyze the association between a positive history of cSCC and other covariates. OS was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curves and log‐rank test. Cox regression was used to determine the prognostic role of each covariate.

Results

Patients with a positive history of cSCC had a shorter OS (p < 0.001), but this was not significant at multivariate analysis. The covariates that resulted in independent predictors of shorter OS were gender, localisation, and lymphovascular invasion. Age and Breslow thickness were independent predictors only after 15 months of follow‐up; mitotic rate only between 15 and 65 months; disease stage only below 65 months, and RTL only after 65 months of follow‐up. A positive history of cSCC was not associated with RTL.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that CM patients with a positive history of cSCC have a worse OS because it is related to other independent prognostic factors such as male gender and older age.
Broadband Model‐Based Optoacoustic Mesoscopy Enables Deep‐Tissue Imaging beyond the Acoustic Diffraction Limit
Authors: Li Weiye , Hofmann Urs A. T. , Rebling Johannes , Zhou Quanyu , Chen Zhenyue , Ozbek Ali , Gong Yuxiang , Subochev Pavel , Razansky Daniel , Deán‐Ben Xosé Luís
Published: April 2022

Optoacoustic mesoscopy (OAM) retrieves anatomical and functional contrast in vivo at depths not resolvable with optical microscopy. Recent progress on reconstruction algorithms have further advanced its imaging performance to provide high lateral resolution ultimately limited by acoustic diffraction. In this work, a new broadband model‐based OAM (MB‐OAM) framework efficiently exploiting scanning symmetries for an enhanced performance is presented. By capitalizing on the large detection bandwidth of a spherical polyvinylidene difluoride film while accurately accounting for its spatial impulse response, the new approach significantly outperforms standard OAM implementations in terms of contrast and resolution, as validated by functional in vivo experiments in mice and human volunteers. Furthermore, L1‐norm regularization enables resolving structures separated by less than the theoretical diffraction‐limited resolution. This unique label‐free angiographic performance demonstrates the general applicability of MB‐OAM as a super‐resolution deep‐tissue imaging method capable of breaking through the limits imposed by acoustic diffraction.
Skin of color representation in cosmetic clinical trials: A literature review
Authors: Akintilo Lisa , Pulavarty Akshay , Onwudiwe Oge , Garibyan Lilit , Lee Kachiu
Published: April 2022

Despite cosmetic procedures being on the rise in the US in all demographics, cosmetic procedures remain heavily skewed towards non‐skin of color patients. Cosmetic clinical trials in the United States must be representative of the ever‐increasing diversity of the US population. We sought to analyze published cosmetic randomized controlled trials, both industry‐sponsored and investigator‐initiated, to characterize and assess representation of skin of color participants over the past three decades. Our study shows that industry sponsorship correlates with poor study participant ethnic/racial diversity in aesthetic randomized controlled trials, and should serve as a call to action for industries to increase the inclusion of skin of color participants in their studies.
Synthesis of a Degradable Hydrogel Based on a Graft Copolymer with Unexpected Thermoresponsiveness
Authors: Xu Jingcong , Abetz Volker
Published: April 2022

Incorporating multiple pyridyl disulfide (PDS) moieties into polymer chains allows the fabrication of a chemically cross‐linked hydrogel through the rapid thiol–disulfide exchange reaction. By aminolysis in the presence of 2,2′‐dithiodipyridine (DTP), the end groups of polymers synthesized via reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization can readily be converted into PDS‐groups. In this contribution, a RAFT‐synthesized graft copolymer with thermoresponsive poly[di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] forming the backbone and hydrophilic poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) as the side chains is presented. The copolymer chains exhibit surprisingly a two‐step lower critical solution temperature transition in aqueous solutions. After modification of the end groups of the backbone and side chains, the PDS‐terminated chains can react with a dithiol cross‐linker to form a thermoresponsive hydrogel. In a reducing environment, the cleavable disulfide linkages lead to on‐demand dissolution of the hydrogel. The resulting thiol‐terminated chains undergo a reversible sol–gel transition in response to redox variations, expanding the potential application areas of such a polymer system.
A periodic averaging method for impulsive stochastic age‐structured population model in a polluted environment
Authors: Li Wenrui , Ye Ming , Zhang Qimin , Anke Meyer‐Baese , Li Yan
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we present a periodic averaging (PA) method for impulsive stochastic age‐structured population model (ISASPM) in a polluted environment. By using Young's inequality and Gronwall's lemma and under the stochastic Lipschitz condition, we reveal that both the standard ISASPM and the averaged ISASPM have a unique solution. We also study the mean‐square convergence criteria of the numerical solutions produced by the PA method. Finally, asimulation example is given to demonstrate that the PA method is efficient for our results.
Motion‐corrected 23Na MRI of the human brain using interleaved 1H 3D navigator images
Authors: Wilferth Tobias , Müller Max , Gast Lena V. , Ruck Laurent , Meyerspeer Martin , Lopez Kolkovsky Alfredo L. , Uder Michael , Dörfler Arnd , Nagel Armin M.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of motion correction for sodium (23Na) MRI based on interleaved acquired 3D proton (1H) navigator images.

Methods

A 3D radial density‐adapted sequence for interleaved 23Na/1H MRI was implemented on a 7 Tesla whole‐body MRI system. The 1H data obtained during the 23Na acquisition were used to reconstruct 140 navigator image volumes with a nominal spatial resolution of (2.5 mm)3 and a temporal resolution of 6 s. The motion information received from co‐registration was then used to correct the 23Na image dataset, which also had a nominal spatial resolution of (2.5 mm)3. The approach was evaluated on six healthy volunteers, whose motion during the scans had different intensities and characteristics.

Results

Interleaved acquisition of two nuclei did not show any relevant influence on image quality (SNR of 13.0 for interleaved versus 13.2 for standard 23Na MRI and 176.4 for interleaved versus 178.0 for standard 1H MRI). The applied motion correction increased the consistency between two consecutive scans for all examined volunteers and improved the image quality for all kinds of motion. The SD of the differences ranged between 2.30% and 6.96% for the uncorrected and between 2.13% and 2.67% for the corrected images.

Conclusion

The feasibility of interleaved acquired 1H navigator images to be used for retrospective motion correction of 23Na images was successfully demonstrated. The approach neither affected the 23Na image quality nor elongated the scan time and can therefore be an important tool to improve the accuracy of quantitative 23Na MRI.
High fidelity deep learning‐based MRI reconstruction with instance‐wise discriminative feature matching loss
Authors: Wang Ke , Tamir Jonathan I. , De Goyeneche Alfredo , Wollner Uri , Brada Rafi , Yu Stella X. , Lustig Michael
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To improve reconstruction fidelity of fine structures and textures in deep learning‐ (DL) based reconstructions.

Methods

A novel patch‐based Unsupervised Feature Loss (UFLoss) is proposed and incorporated into the training of DL‐based reconstruction frameworks in order to preserve perceptual similarity and high‐order statistics. The UFLoss provides instance‐level discrimination by mapping similar instances to similar low‐dimensional feature vectors and is trained without any human annotation. By adding an additional loss function on the low‐dimensional feature space during training, the reconstruction frameworks from under‐sampled or corrupted data can reproduce more realistic images that are closer to the original with finer textures, sharper edges, and improved overall image quality. The performance of the proposed UFLoss is demonstrated on unrolled networks for accelerated two‐ (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) knee MRI reconstruction with retrospective under‐sampling. Quantitative metrics including normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE), structural similarity index (SSIM), and our proposed UFLoss were used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method and compare it with others.

Results

In vivo experiments indicate that adding the UFLoss encourages sharper edges and more faithful contrasts compared to traditional and learning‐based methods with pure loss. More detailed textures can be seen in both 2D and 3D knee MR images. Quantitative results indicate that reconstruction with UFLoss can provide comparable NRMSE and a higher SSIM while achieving a much lower UFLoss value.

Conclusion

We present UFLoss, a patch‐based unsupervised learned feature loss, which allows the training of DL‐based reconstruction to obtain more detailed texture, finer features, and sharper edges with higher overall image quality under DL‐based reconstruction frameworks. (Code available at:
https://github.com/mikgroup/UFLoss)
Effects of Ethanol Preservation on Larval and Fingerling Walleye and Gizzard Shad Body Size
Authors: Cristan Erik T. , Hansen Adam G. , Lepak Jesse M.
Published: April 2022

Characterizing larval fish dynamics helps identify factors contributing to poor or strong recruitment events and informs stocking practices. Growth is fundamental to fish ontogeny and survival, especially during critical early life stages, which can depend heavily on access to prey. However, obtaining accurate body size measurements of larval fish in the field can be challenging and often means samples must be preserved for later analysis. Importantly, this process can affect fish size. Here, we examined the effects of preservation in 95% ethanol on the total lengths (mm) and wet weights (mg) of larval and fingerling Walleye Sander vitreus and Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum collected from the field using pushed ichthyoplankton nets. We also estimated the time required for preservation effects to stabilize. Responses to preservation were similar between species, with consistent decreases in wet weights of ~40–70% depending on fish size, which took ~2 months to stabilize. Conversely, the response of total length was variable in direction, with lengths increasing or decreasing up to 5–10%. As a result, the average effect of preservation on total length was minimal (<2.5% decreases). Walleye and Gizzard Shad body size play an important role in understanding their dynamics early in life, and the effects of preservation should be considered to accurately and precisely characterize size metrics.
The efficacy and safety of mirabegron for adult and child patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yuanzhuo Chen , Liao Peng , Chi Zhang , Boya Li , Deyi Luo
Published: April 2022

Aims

We aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of mirabegron for adult and child patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD).

Methods

A comprehensive search for articles about mirabegron treatment of NLUTD patients was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Medicine, and clinicaltrials.gov databases. Retrospective studies and randomized‐controlled studies were included if they met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated by different quality evaluation methods according to study types. Mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed‐effects models or random models depending on heterogeneity. Clinical and urodynamic parameters were pooled to evaluate the efficacy, and safety was measured by adverse events rate.

Results

A total of 10 studies with 314 participants were finally included. Four retrospective and six prospective studies containing two randomized‐control trials met the inclusion criteria with moderate and high evidence levels. Compared to the baseline date, the pooled results suggested that patients who underwent mirabegron treatment presented less urinary frequency (MD = −0.70; 95% CI: −1.08 to −0.32; p < 0.01) and less incontinence (MD = −1.62; 95% CI: −2.20 to −1.03; p < 0.01), showed conspicuous improvements in adult and child patients' urodynamic parameters, while the incidence of adverse events (10.0% on average, 0%–31.25%) also demonstrated the safety of mirabegron.

Conclusion

Mirabegron can significantly improve urodynamic parameters and quality of life in adult and child patients with NLUTD, and increase patient compliance with a smaller complication rate.