bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of magnesium consumption with type 2 diabetes and glucose metabolism: A systematic review and pooled study with trial sequential analysis
Authors: Zhao Binghao , Deng Huan , Li Bo , Chen Lian , Zou Fang , Hu Lei , Wei Yiping , Zhang Wenxiong
Published: November 2019

Prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with diet or diet supplementation is challenging. This article aims to draw conclusive associations between magnesium intake and T2D incidence and evaluate the effect of magnesium supplementation on glucose metabolism. Databases were searched for related articles from inception to May 15, 2019. Prospective cohort studies investigating the relevant relationship as well as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of magnesium supplementation were eligible. We conducted trial sequential analysis (TSA) to prove the sufficiency of the current evidence. Twenty‐six publications involving 35 cohorts were included in the analysis. Compared to the lowest magnesium intake, the highest level was associated with a 22% lower risk for T2D; the risk was reduced by 6% for each 100 mg increment in daily magnesium intake. Additional analysis of 26 RCTs (1168 participants) was performed, revealing that magnesium supplementation significantly reduced the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level (SMD, −0.32 [95% CI, −0.59 to −0.05], 2‐hour oral glucose tolerance test (2‐h OGTT) result (SMD, −0.30 [−0.58 to −0.02]), fasting insulin level (SMD, −0.17 [−0.30 to −0.04]), homeostatic model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) score (SMD, −0.41 [−0.71 to −0.11]), triglyceride (TG) level, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). TSA showed an inverse association, with most benefits of magnesium supplementation on glucose metabolism being stable. In conclusion, magnesium intake has an inverse dose‐response association with T2D incidence, and supplementation appears to be advisable in terms of glucose parameters in T2D/high‐risk individuals.
Influence of fetal sex on perinatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Hu Jun , Ge Zhijuan , Xu Qianyue , Shen Shanmei , Wang Yanmei , Zhu Dalong , Bi Yan
Published: November 2019

Background

Fetal sex has recently been considered to be related to maternal glucose homeostasis and perinatal outcomes during pregnancy. Here, we investigated the effects of fetal sex on the perinatal outcomes of pregnancies with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 1292 women with NGT and 1155 women with GDM. Pregnant women were divided into four groups according to the maternal glucose level and fetal sex. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the risks for adverse perinatal outcomes among NGT‐males, NGT‐females, GDM‐males and GDM‐females.

Results

NGT‐males had higher risks for macrosomia and large for gestational age (LGA) than NGT‐females with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.9 (95% CI 1.2‐2.9). Additionally, GDM‐males had higher risks for neonatal infection (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.3‐6.9), acute respiratory disorders (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.1‐13.7) and abnormal neonatal central nervous system development (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1‐8.4) than GDM‐females. Furthermore, there was a significantly higher risk for newborn infection (OR, 8.5; 95% CI, 1.1‐66.8) in the GDM‐male group than in the GDM‐female group with a glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level ≥5.5% in the late trimester of pregnancy, which was not observed with an HbA1c level of <5.5%.

Conclusions

Male fetuses have worse perinatal outcomes than female fetuses, and the difference is more pronounced in GDM pregnancies. More postpartum care is needed for male fetuses, especially in GDM pregnancies with substandard glycemic control.
Suitable climatic habitat changes for Mexican conifers along altitudinal gradients under climatic change scenarios
Authors: Gómez‐Pineda Erika , Sáenz‐Romero Cuauhtémoc , Ortega‐Rodríguez Juan Manuel , Blanco‐García Arnulfo , Madrigal‐Sánchez Xavier , Lindig‐Cisneros Roberto , Lopez‐Toledo Leonel , Pedraza‐Santos Martha Elena , Rehfeldt Gerald E.
Published: November 2019

The high biodiversity of the Mexican montane forests is concentrated on the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt, where several Protected Natural Areas exist. Our study examines the projected changes in suitable climatic habitat for five conifer species that dominate these forests. The species are distributed sequentially in overlapping altitudinal bands:Pinus hartwegiiat the upper timberline, followed byAbies religiosa, the overwintering host of the Monarch butterfly at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve,P. pseudostrobus, the most important in economic terms, andP. devonianaandP. oocarpa, which are important for resin production and occupy low altitudes where montane conifers merge with tropical dry forests. We fit a bioclimatic model to presence–absence observations for each species using the Random Forests classification tree with ground plot data. The models are driven by normal climatic variables from 1961 to 1990, which represents the reference period for climate‐induced vegetation changes. Climate data from an ensemble of 17 general circulation models were run through the classification tree to project current distributions under climates described by theRCP6.0 watts/m2scenario for the decades centered on years 2030, 2060 and 2090. The results suggest that, by 2060, the climate niche of each species will occur at elevations that are between 300 to 500 m higher than at present. By 2060, habitat loss could amount to 46–77%, mostly affecting the lower limits of distribution. The two species at the highest elevation,P. hartwegiiandA. religiosa, would suffer the greatest losses while, at the lower elevations,P. oocarpawould gain the most niche space. Our results suggest that conifers will require human assistance to migrate altitudinally upward in order to recouple populations with the climates to which they are adapted. Traditional in situ conservation measures are likely to be equivalent to inaction and will therefore be incapable of maintaining current forest compositions.
Assessing the ecological impacts of biomass harvesting along a disturbance severity gradient
Authors: Kurth Valerie J. , D'Amato Anthony W. , Bradford John B. , Palik Brian J. , Looney Christopher E.
Published: November 2019

Disturbance is a central driver of forest development and ecosystem processes with variable effects within and across ecosystems. Despite the high levels of variation in disturbance severity often observed in forests following natural and anthropogenic disturbance, studies quantifying disturbance impacts often rely on categorical classifications, thus limiting opportunities to examine potential gradients in ecosystem response to a given disturbance or management regime. Given the potential increases in disturbance severity associated with global change, as well as shifts in management regimes related to procurement of biofuel feedstocks, there is an increasing need to quantitatively describe disturbance severity and associated responses of forest development, soil processes, and structural conditions. This study took advantage of two replicated large‐scale studies of forest biomass harvesting inPopulus tremuloidesandPinus bansksianaforests, respectively, to develop and test the utility of a continuous, quantitative, disturbance severity index (DSI) for describing postharvest response of plant communities and nutrient pools to different levels of biomass removal and legacy retention (i.e., live trees and coarse woody material). There was a high degree of variability in DSI within categorical treatments associated with different levels of legacy retention and regression models using DSI as a predictor explained a portion of the variation (>50%) for many of the ecosystem‐ and community‐level responses to biomass harvesting examined. Nutrient losses associated with biomass harvesting were positively related to disturbance severity, particularly inP. tremuloidesforests, with postharvest nutrient availability generally declining along the gradient of impacts. Consistent with expectations from ecological theory, species richness and diversity of woody plant communities were greatest at intermediate disturbance severities and regeneration densities of dominant trees species were most abundant at highest levels of disturbance. Although categorical benchmarks will continue to be the primary way through which management guidelines are conveyed to practitioners, evaluation of their effectiveness at sustaining ecosystem functioning should be through continuous analyses, such as the DSI approach used in this study, to allow for the more precise identification of thresholds that ensure a range of desirable outcomes exist across managed landscapes.
Human eutrophication drives biogeographic salt marsh productivity patterns in China
Authors: Xu Xiao , Liu Hao , Liu Yuanzhan , Zhou Chenhao , Pan Lianghao , Fang Changming , Nie Ming , Li Bo
Published: November 2019

Salt marshes are important natural carbon sinks with a large capacity to absorb exogenous nutrient inputs. The effects of nutrients on biogeographic productivity patterns, however, have been poorly explored in salt marshes. We conducted field surveys to examine how complex environments affect productivity of two common salt marsh plants, invasiveSpartina alternifloraand nativePhragmites australis, along an 18,000‐km latitudinal gradient on the Chinese coastline. We harvested peak aboveground biomass as a proxy for productivity, and measured leaf functional traits (e.g., leaf area, specific leaf area [SLA], leaf nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P]), soil nutrients (dissolved inorganic N [DIN] and available P [AP]), and salinity. We compiled data on mean annual temperature (MAT) and exogenous nutrients (both N and P). Then, we examined how these abiotic factors affect salt marsh productivity using both linear mixed effect models and structural equation modeling. Using a trait‐based approach, we also examined how salt marsh productivity responds to changing environments across latitude. Exogenous nutrients (both N and P), compared with temperature and other variables (e.g.,DIN,AP, salinity), were the dominant factors in explaining the biogeographic productivity patterns of bothS. alternifloraandP. australis. Leaf size‐related traits (e.g., leaf area), rather than leaf economic traits (e.g.,SLA, leaf N and P), can be used to indicate the positive effects of exogenous nutrients on the productivity of these two species. Our results demonstrated that human eutrophication surpassed temperature as the major driver of biogeographic salt marsh productivity pattern, challenging current models in which biogeographic productivity pattern is primarily controlled by temperature. Our findings have potential broad implications for the management ofS. alterniflora, which is a global invader, as it has benefited from coastal eutrophication. Furthermore, exogenous nutrient availability and leaf size need to be integrated into earth system models that are used to predict global plant productivity in salt marshes.
Modelling tree stem‐water dynamics over an Amazonian rainforest
Authors: Yan Binyan , Mao Jiafu , Dickinson Robert E. , Thornton Peter E. , Shi Xiaoying , Ricciuto Daniel M. , Warren Jeffrey M. , Hoffman Forrest M.
Published: November 2019

A novel tree stem‐water model was developed to capture the dynamics of stem‐water storage and its contribution to daily transpiration. The module was incorporated into the Community Land Model (CLM), where it was used to test model sensitivity to stem‐water content for an evergreen rainforest site in Amazonia, that is, the BR‐Sa3 eddy covariance site. With the inclusion of the stem‐water storage, CLM produced greater dry‐season latent heat flux that was closer to observations, facilitated by easier canopy access to a nearby stem‐water source, rather than solely dependent on soil water. The simulated stem‐water content also showed seasonal variations in magnitude, along with the seasonal variations in sap flow rate. Stored stem‐water of a single mature tree was estimated to contribute 20–80 kg/day of water to transpiration during the wet season and 90–110 kg/day during the dry season, thereby partially replacing soil water and maintaining plant transpiration during the dry season. Diurnally, stem‐water content declined as water was extracted for transpiration in the morning and then was refilled from soil water beginning in the afternoon and through the night. The dynamic discharge and recharge of stem storage was also shown to be regulated by multiple environmental drivers. Our study indicates that the inclusion of stem capacitance in CLM significantly improves model simulations of dry‐season water and heat fluxes, in terms of both magnitude and timing.
Bayesian inference for finite populations under spatial process settings
Authors: Chan‐Golston Alec M. , Banerjee Sudipto , Handcock Mark S.
Published: November 2019

We develop a Bayesian model–based approach to finite population estimation accounting for spatial dependence. Our innovation here is a framework that achieves inference for finite population quantities in spatial process settings. A key distinction from the small area estimation setting is that we analyze finite populations referenced by their geographic coordinates. Specifically, we consider a two‐stage sampling design in which the primary units are geographic regions, the secondary units are point‐referenced locations, and the measured values are assumed to be a partial realization of a spatial process. Estimation of finite population quantities from geostatistical models does not account for sampling designs, which can impair inferential performance, whereas design‐based estimates ignore the spatial dependence in the finite population. We demonstrate by using simulation experiments that process‐based finite population sampling models improve model fit and inference over models that fail to account for spatial correlation. Furthermore, the process‐based models offer richer inference with spatially interpolated maps over the entire region. We reinforce these improvements and demonstrate scalable inference for groundwater nitrate levels in the population of California Central Valley wells by offering estimates of mean nitrate levels and their spatially interpolated maps.
Recent advances toward efficient and stable tin‐based perovskite solar cells
Authors: Tai Qidong , Cao Jiupeng , Wang Tianyue , Yan Feng
Published: November 2019

Organic‐inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are emerging new generation cost‐effective photovoltaic technology. However, the public concern about the toxic lead contained in state‐of‐art PSCs has cast a shadow on their prospect for commercialization. Therefore, increasing attention has been paid to lead‐free tin‐based perovskites, which have the potential to achieve comparable photovoltaic performance to their lead‐based counterparts. However, the development of high‐performance tin‐based PSCs is seriously undermined by the intrinsic poor stability of divalent tin in the perovskites. With the efforts to overcome the stability issue, encouraging ~10% efficiencies have been currently achieved. In this review, we summarize the recent advances toward efficient and stable tin‐based PSCs and offer a perspective for future study.

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Identifying the crystal and electronic structure evolution in tri‐component transition metal oxide nanosheets for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution
Authors: Zhang Xiaoping , Dong Chung‐Li , Diao Zhidan , Lu Ying‐Rui , Shen Shaohua
Published: November 2019

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) nanosheets comprised of earth abundant Fe, Co, and Ni elements have been designed. Remarkably, the tri‐component NiCoFeOx/Ni foam (NF) electrode delivers a high current density of 100 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of only ≈383 mV for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), with prolonged electrochemical stability. The improved OER activity of NiCoFeOx/NF can be ascribed to the simultaneous incorporation of Ni and Co into FeOx/NF, boosting the intrinsic catalytic activities by altering the crystal and electronic structures. With electron redistribution happening in the tri‐component NiCoFeOx/NF, the electron transfer from Co to Ni through the Fe acting as the electron transfer bridge renders Co more acidic (Lewis acid) to activate H2O (Lewis base) molecules through Lewis acid‐base interaction. By identifying the interactions of Fe, Co, and Ni and electron redistribution in the tri‐component TMOs, this study provides new insights into the crystal and electronic structure evolution of tri‐component NiCoFeOx catalysts for active electrocatalysis.

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Wettability modification and its influence on methane adsorption/desorption: A case study in the Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Li Pei , Ma Dongmin , Zhang Jinchuan , Huo Zhipeng
Published: November 2019

Wettability modification of coal rock may cause serious change in the methane adsorption/desorption behaviors. Thus, the contact angle measurement and isothermal adsorption/desorption experiment of raw coal and samples treated with surfactants (STS) were conducted to investigate the wetting properties and methane adsorption/desorption characteristics. The results indicated that the long‐flame coal (LFC) has the good hydrophilicity itself, and there was no evident sign of saturated adsorption for different samples at relatively low‐pressure (<8 MPa) stage. The sample treated with the wettability reversal agent (G502) had the larger methane adsorption capacity than the wetted samples (LAS, JFC, and 6501), with the latter facilitating the methane desorption. Additionally, the adsorption capacity of the air‐dried samples was stronger than that of the water‐containing samples, including the moisture‐equilibrated, LAS, JFC, and 6501, reflecting that the better the hydrophilicity, the weaker the methane adsorption. Besides, the desorption hysteresis rate of the same sample was mainly controlled by pressure, i.e. the desorption hysteresis indicated a logarithmic decrease with the increasing pressure, but the STS clearly showed the desorption hysteresis to varying degree due to the wettability differences. The pressure drop in the low‐pressure stage was difficult to drive the adsorbed methane to immediately desorb from the matrix surface, whereas even caused further adsorption or re‐adsorption, meaning that the coal required a greater depressurization to enter the effective desorption stage. Finally, the positive implications of wettability modification including enhancing CBM recovery, as well as coal and methane outburst prevention and coal dust control in the mining industry were discussed.
Cortical sensitivity to natural scene structure
Authors: Kaiser Daniel , Häberle Greta , Cichy Radoslaw M.
Published: November 2019

Natural scenes are inherently structured, with meaningful objects appearing in predictable locations. Human vision is tuned to this structure: When scene structure is purposefully jumbled, perception is strongly impaired. Here, we tested how such perceptual effects are reflected in neural sensitivity to scene structure. During separate fMRI and EEG experiments, participants passively viewed scenes whose spatial structure (i.e., the position of scene parts) and categorical structure (i.e., the content of scene parts) could be intact or jumbled. Using multivariate decoding, we show that spatial (but not categorical) scene structure profoundly impacts on cortical processing: Scene‐selective responses in occipital and parahippocampal cortices (fMRI) and after 255 ms (EEG) accurately differentiated between spatially intact and jumbled scenes. Importantly, this differentiation was more pronounced for upright than for inverted scenes, indicating genuine sensitivity to spatial structure rather than sensitivity to low‐level attributes. Our findings suggest that visual scene analysis is tightly linked to the spatial structure of our natural environments. This link between cortical processing and scene structure may be crucial for rapidly parsing naturalistic visual inputs.
The earned income tax credit and infant health revisited
Authors: Dench Daniel , Joyce Theodore
Published: November 2019

Hoynes, Miller, and Simon (2015), henceforth HMS, report that the national expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is associated with decreases in low birth weight. We question their findings. HMS's difference‐in‐differences estimates are unidentified in some comparisons, while failed placebo tests undermine others. Their effects lack a plausible mechanism as the association between the EITC and prenatal smoking also fails placebo tests. We contend that the waning of the crack epidemic is a possible confound, but we show that any number of policies directed at poor women also eliminate the effect of the EITC when aggregated to the national level. Identifying small, causal effects of a national policy at a single point in time is exceedingly challenging.
Impact of Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment on Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Rogal Shari , Youk Ada , Zhang Hongwei , Gellad Walid F. , Fine Michael J. , Good Chester B. , Chartier Maggie , DiMartini Andrea , Morgan Timothy , Bataller Ramon , Kraemer Kevin L.
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims

Despite the significant medical and economic consequences of coexisting alcohol use disorder (AUD) in patients with cirrhosis, little is known about AUD treatment patterns and their impact on clinical outcomes in this population. We aimed to characterize the use of and outcomes associated with AUD treatment in patients with cirrhosis.

Approach and Results

This retrospective cohort study included Veterans with cirrhosis who received Veterans Health Administration care and had an index diagnosis of AUD between 2011 and 2015. We assessed the baseline factors associated with AUD treatment (pharmacotherapy or behavioral therapy) and clinical outcomes for 180 days following the first AUD diagnosis code within the study time frame. Among 93,612 Veterans with cirrhosis, we identified 35,682 with AUD, after excluding 2,671 who had prior diagnoses of AUD and recent treatment. Over 180 days following the index diagnosis of AUD, 5,088 (14%) received AUD treatment, including 4,461 (12%) who received behavioral therapy alone, 159 (0.4%) who received pharmacotherapy alone, and 468 (1%) who received both behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy. In adjusted analyses, behavioral and/or pharmacotherapy‐based AUD treatment was associated with a significant reduction in incident hepatic decompensation (6.5% vs. 11.6%, adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52, 0.76), a nonsignificant decrease in short‐term all‐cause mortality (2.6% vs. 3.9%, AOR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.57, 1.08), and a significant decrease in long‐term all‐cause mortality (51% vs. 58%, AOR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80, 0.96).

Conclusions

Most Veterans with cirrhosis and coexisting AUD did not receive behavioral therapy or pharmacotherapy treatment for AUD over a 6‐month follow‐up. The reductions in hepatic decompensation and mortality suggest that future studies should focus on delivering evidence‐based AUD treatments to patients with coexisting AUD and cirrhosis.
Major Vault Protein Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Targeting Interferon Regulatory Factor 2 and Decreasing p53 Activity
Authors: Yu Haisheng , Li Mengqi , He Rui , Fang Peining , Wang Qiming , Yi Yu , Wang Fubing , Zhou Li , Zhang Yi , Chen Aidong , Peng Nanfang , Liu Dan , Trilling Mirko , Broering Ruth , Wiemer Erik A.C. , Lu Mengji , Zhu Ying , Liu Shi
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims

Major vault protein (MVP) is up‐regulated during infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Here, we found that MVP deficiency inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development induced by diethylnitrosamine, hepatitis B X protein, and HCV core.

Approach and Results

Forced MVP expression was sufficient to induce HCC in mice. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that the ubiquitin ligase human double minute 2 (HDM2) forms mutual exclusive complexes either with interferon regulatory factor 2 (IRF2) or with p53. In the presence of MVP, HDM2 is liberated from IRF2, leading to the ubiquitination of the tumor suppressor p53. Mouse xenograft models showed that HBV and HCV promote carcinogenesis through MVP induction, resulting in a loss of p53 mediated by HDM2. Analyses of clinical samples from chronic hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis, and HCC revealed that MVP up‐regulation correlates with several hallmarks of malignancy and associates with poor overall survival.

Conclusions

Taken together, through the sequestration of IRF2, MVP promotes an HDM2‐dependent loss of p53 that promotes HCC development.
Comparison of subsequent pregnancy outcomes after surgery for adnexal masses performed in the first and second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Zou Gen , Xu Ping , Zhu Libo , Ding Shaojie , Zhang Xinmei
Published: November 2019

Objective

To determine whether surgery for adnexal masses in the first trimester of pregnancy affects subsequent pregnancy outcomes compared to surgery in the second trimester.

Methods

Data were retrospectively reviewed from women who underwent adnexal mass surgery before 26 weeks of gestation at a university hospital between July 2008 and June 2018. Women who underwent surgery in the first trimester were classified as group 1 (n=78) and those in the second trimester were classified as group 2 (n=48). Information on clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes was obtained from medical records and follow‐up interviews and compared between two groups.

Results

There were no differences in age, parity, mass size, laparoscopy, and operation time between the two groups. A total of 98 cases were confirmed as ovarian torsion, including 72 cases in group 1 and 26 cases in group 2. Accordingly, adnexectomy was performed more often in group 1 (P=0.002). No significant differences concerning the rate of abortion, preterm birth, or cesarean delivery were found.

Conclusion

Surgery for adnexal masses performed in the first trimester is almost as safe as that in the second trimester. Surgery should be performed for women with a complex adnexal mass in the first trimester to avoid unfavorable complications.
Histology and microscopic anatomy of the thyroid gland during the larval development of Pseudis platensis (Anura, Hylidae)
Authors: Cruz Julio César , Fabrezi Marissa
Published: November 2019

Several hormones regulate anuran larval development, most notably thyroid hormones (THs). In anurans, metamorphosis fails when the thyroid gland is absent or inactivated, resulting in giant tadpoles. Larval gigantism occurs naturally in neotropical frogs of the genus Pseudis as a result of a prolonged larval period. Its thyroid function is poorly investigated and the focus of this study. We describe qualitative and quantitative variations in larval development for field‐captured specimens of Pseudis platensis and compare those to the development of two sympatric species, Phyllomedusa sauvagii and Pithecopus azureus, which have small tadpoles and a shorter larval period. We describe morphological changes in the thyroid glands of larval and adult specimens. In contrast to other species with similar ecological requirements, P. platensis exhibits distinct glandular activity. During premetamorphosis, there was little or no thyroid activity, a period in which the tadpole reached 70% of its maximum size. Development and degree of activity of the thyroid gland determine the duration of the early stages of the larval period. Thyroid gland histology in tadpoles appears to correlate with the TH activity, and in turn with the diversity in anuran life history transitions.
Elucidation of artefacts in proton transfer reaction time‐of‐flight mass spectrometers
Authors: Salazar Gómez Jorge Iván , Klucken Christian , Sojka Martha , Masliuk Liudmyla , Lunkenbein Thomas , Schlögl Robert , Ruland Holger
Published: November 2019

We present an effective procedure to differentiate instrumental artefacts, such as parasitic ions, memory effects, and real trace impurities contained in inert gases. Three different proton transfer reaction mass spectrometers were used in order to identify instrument‐specific parasitic ions. The methodology reveals new nitrogen‐ and metal‐containing ions that up to date have not been reported. The parasitic ion signal was dominated by [N2]H+ and [NH3]H+ rather than by the common ions NO+ and O2+. Under dry conditions in a proton transfer reaction quadrupole interface time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (PTR‐QiTOF), the ion abundances of [N2]H+ were elevated compared with the signals in the presence of humidity. In contrast, the [NH3]H+ ion did not show a clear humidity dependency. On the other hand, two PTR‐TOF1000 instruments showed no significant contribution of the [N2]H+ ion, which supports the idea of [N2]H+ formation in the quadrupole interface of the PTR‐QiTOF. Many new nitrogen‐containing ions were identified, and three different reaction sequences showing a similar reaction mechanism were established. Additionally, several metal‐containing ions, their oxides, and hydroxides were formed in the three PTR instruments. However, their relative ion abundancies were below 0.03% in all cases. Within the series of metal‐containing ions, the highest contribution under dry conditions was assigned to the [Fe(OH)2]H+ ion. Only in one PTR‐TOF1000 the Fe+ ion appeared as dominant species compared with the [Fe(OH)2]H+ ion. The present analysis and the resulting database can be used as a tool for the elucidation of artefacts in mass spectra and, especially in cases, where dilution with inert gases play a significant role, preventing misinterpretations.
Parenchymal pericytes are not the major contributor of extracellular matrix in the fibrotic scar after stroke in male mice
Authors: Roth Michaela , Enström Andreas , Aghabeick Candice , Carlsson Robert , Genové Guillem , Paul Gesine
Published: November 2019

Scar formation after injury of the brain or spinal cord is a common event. While glial scar formation by astrocytes has been extensively studied, much less is known about the fibrotic scar, in particular after stroke. Platelet‐derived growth factor receptor ß‐expressing (PDGFRß+) pericytes have been suggested as a source of the fibrotic scar depositing fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins after detaching from the vessel wall. However, to what extent these parenchymal PDGFRß+ cells contribute to the fibrotic scar and whether targeting these cells affects fibrotic scar formation in stroke is still unclear. Here, we utilize male transgenic mice that after a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke model have a shift from a parenchymal to a perivascular location of PDGFRß+ cells due to the loss of regulator of G‐protein signaling 5 in pericytes. We find that only a small fraction of parenchymal PDGFRß+ cells co‐label with type I collagen and fibronectin. Consequently, a reduction in parenchymal PDGFRß+ cells by ca. 50% did not affect the overall type I collagen or fibronectin deposition after stroke. The redistribution of PDGFRß+ cells to a perivascular location, however, resulted in a reduced thickening of the vascular basement membrane and changed the temporal dynamics of glial scar maturation after stroke. We demonstrate that parenchymal PDGFRß+ cells are not the main contributor to the fibrotic ECM, and therefore targeting these cells might not impact on fibrotic scar formation after stroke.
Validity of self‐reported measures for periodontitis surveillance in a rural sample
Authors: Reiniger Ana Paula Pereira , Londero Ananda Barrachini , Ferreira Ticiane de Góes Mário , da Rocha José Mariano , Moreira Carlos Heitor Cunha , Kantorski Karla Zanini
Published: November 2019

Background

To evaluate the predictive performance of self‐reported questions for periodontitis screening in a representative sample of a rural population.

Methods

Nine questions were compared with gold standard clinical examinations (probing six sites/tooth, full‐mouth). Case definition for severe periodontitis was defined according to World Workshop (2017‐WW) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology (CDC/AAP). Diagnostic tests such as sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), positive and negative predictive values were performed for all questions alone and grouped into models. Binary logistic regression modeling was used to derive parameter estimates for all variables in a given model and the area under ROC curve was calculated.

Results

Clinical examinations showed a prevalence of periodontitis in the sample (n = 585) of 99.4% and 86.3%, being 40.3% and 33.8% of severe disease according to 2017‐WW and CDC/AAP case definitions, respectively. Individually, only the questions regarding the self‐perception of teeth/gum health and loose and lost teeth were valid to predict severe periodontitis. The best logistic regression models combined sociodemographic variables and risk‐factors with the self‐reported measures of self‐perception of gum disease, teeth/gum health, loose teeth and history of tooth loss.

Conclusion

Predictive performance of these self‐reported questions presented herein support its potential use for surveillance of severe periodontitis in rural populations with high periodontitis prevalence.
A portable driving system for high‐resolution active matrix electrowetting display based on FPGA
Authors: Yang Guisong , Liu Linwei , Zheng Zhiwen , Henzen Alex , Xi Kerui , Bai Pengfei , Zhou Guofu
Published: November 2019

How to display pictures and even videos on electrowetting displays (EWDs) still needs improvement. Therefore, we seek to develop a robust, portable and scalable system for the realization of high‐resolution EWDs. In this paper, a driving system for an 8 inch active matrix electrowetting display (AM‐EWD) based on a Field‐Programmable‐Gate‐Array (FPGA) is proposed, where the key components are an active matrix backplane, an FPGA driving waveform and driver integrated circuits (ICs). We successfully demonstrate an AM‐EWD with 1024×768 resolution and 16‐level gray‐scale realized by unique dynamic and asymmetric sub‐frame of FPGA. The whole system is just powered by a 3.7V 1100mAH lithium battery. Such a system has not been reported before, also well‐suited for transferring to a higher performance portable EWD in the future.
Venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis in mastectomy patients: A 5‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Vu T. N. Diem , Melik Razan El , Nehring Sharon , Bergquist Whitney , Hoskin Tanya , Day Courtney , Jakub James W.
Published: November 2019

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis in breast surgery remains controversial. In 2012, we instituted a practice change of routine chemoprophylaxis for patients with invasive cancer undergoing mastectomy. Herein, we report the effects of this on rates of VTE and hematoma.

Methods

Our 30‐day rates of VTE and hematoma requiring reoperation among patients with mastectomy since the practice change were retrospectively collected from National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). The subsequent 5‐year data (2012‐2017) was compared with historic NSQIP data (2006‐2010). We utilized information from our 30‐day follow‐up databank to assess patients not sampled by NSQIP.

Results

After the practice change, the heparin prophylaxis rate rose from 19.5% to 95.6% (P < .001) and the VTE rate fell from 0.8% to 0% (P = .30). There was no significant change in reoperative hematoma rate (P = .39). The majority of the current NSQIP patient population (93.1%) had a Caprini score of 5 or greater. Among 663 patients obtained from 30‐day postoperative follow‐up, there were 2 VTE (0.3%) and 7 (1.1%) reoperations for hematoma.

Conclusions

The practice change resulted in an increase of VTE chemoprophylaxis without significant change in hematoma incidence. Although not statistically significant, VTE incidence decreased. This supports the use of standardized VTE chemoprophylaxis in this population and warrants further study.
Association between patient age and the risk of mortality following local recurrence of a sacral chordoma
Authors: Houdek Matthew T. , Hevesi Mario , Schwab Joseph H. , Yaszemski Michael J. , Griffin Anthony M. , Healey John H. , Ferguson Peter C. , Hornicek Francis J. , Boland Patrick J. , Sim Franklin H. , Rose Peter S. , Wunder Jay S.
Published: November 2019

Background

Local recurrence (LR) of sacral chordoma is a difficult problem and the mortality risk associated with LR remains poorly described. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of mortality in patients with LR and determine if patient age is associated with mortality.

Methods

A total of 218 patients (144 male, 69 female; mean age 59 ± 15 years) with sacrococcygeal chordomas were reviewed. Cumulative incidence functions and competing risks for death due to disease and nondisease mortality were employed to analyze mortality trends following LR.

Results

The 10‐year overall survival (OS) was 55%. Patients with LR had 44% 10‐year OS, similar to patients without (59%; P = .38). The 10‐year OS between those less than 55 compared with ≥55 years were similar (69% vs 48%; P = .52). The 10‐year death due to disease was worse in patients with LR compared with those without (44% vs 84%; P < .001). In patients without LR, patients ≥55 years were 1.6‐fold more likely to experience death due to other causes.

Conclusions

Patients with an LR are more likely to die due to disease. Advanced patient age was associated with higher all‐cause mortality following resection of sacral chordoma. LR of chordoma was associated with increased disease‐specific mortality, regardless of age.
Simultaneous quantitative analysis of nine constituents in six Chinese medicinal materials from Citrus genus by high‐performance liquid chromatography and high‐resolution mass spectrometry combined with chemometric methods
Authors: Tian Fang , He Xiao‐Fang , Sun Jie , Liu Xin‐Dan , Zhang Ying , Cao Hui , Wu Meng‐Hua , Ma Zhi‐Guo
Published: November 2019

In this study, we aim to determine the chemical constituents of six Chinese medicinal materials from the Citrus genus using high‐performance liquid chromatography and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Eight flavonoids and one coumarin were identified and further quantified as marker substances by high‐performance liquid chromatography method. The separation was performed on an Agilent TC‐C18 column with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase under gradient elution. The analytical method was fully validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, intra‐ and inter‐day precision and repeatability, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, and recovery. It was subsequently applied to evaluate the quality of 103 batches of the Chinese medicinal materials from the Citrus genus. In addition, the principal constituent analysis was used to compare the samples of different species from the Citrus genus leading to successful classification of the samples in accordance with their origins. It was found that the contents of nine constituents varied greatly in different ripening stages and varieties of the samples from the Citrus genus. In addition, neoeriocitrin and 5,7‐dimethoxycoumarin were determined as two unique constituents of ‘Zhiqiao’ and ‘Foshou’, respectively. In conclusion, this study provides a chemical basis for quality control of Chinese medicinal materials from the Citrus genus.
Thirty‐Day Readmission and Prolonged Length of Stay in Malignant Otitis Externa
Authors: Schwam Zachary G. , Ferrandino Rocco , Kaul Vivian Z. , Wanna George B. , Cosetti Maura K.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To determine independent risk factors for 30‐day readmission, prolonged length of stay (PLOS), and discharge to a rehabilitation facility for those with malignant otitis externa.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with malignant otitis externa (International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, code 380.14) in the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2013–2014). Overall and disease‐specific complication and mortality data were analyzed using chi‐squared and multivariate analysis.

Results

There were 1267 cases of malignant otitis externa extracted. A PLOS of ≥8 days (90th percentile) was found in 14.2% (n = 180) of patients, and 13.7% (n = 174) were discharged to a facility. Patients were readmitted within 30 days at a rate of 12.5% (n = 159). The overall rates of uncomplicated and complicated diabetes were found to be 42.1% and 17.8%, respectively. Factors independently associated with PLOS included undergoing a surgical procedure (odds ratio [OR] 2.08, P < .001), and having central nervous system complications (OR 3.21, P < .001). Independent risk factors for disposition to a facility included nutritional deficiency (OR 1.91, P = .029), PLOS (OR 4.61, P < .001), and age 65–79 years (OR 6.57, P = .001). Readmission was independently linked to PLOS (OR 3.14, P < .001). Diabetes was not an independent risk factor for any outcome.

Conclusions

Thirty‐day readmission, PLOS, and ultimate discharge to a rehabilitation facility were common and closely intertwined. Despite the classic association between diabetes and malignant otitis externa, diabetes was not an independent risk factor for any of our outcomes.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:2220–2228, 2020
Implantation of the nyxoah bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulator for obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Lewis Richard , Pételle Boris , Campbell Matthew C. , MacKay Stuart , Palme Carsten , Raux Guillaume , Sommer J. Ulrich , Maurer Joachim T.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

This report describes the surgical implantation of a novel bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulator (Genio system®, Nyxoah S.A., Belgium) and the successful treatment of a patient with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Study Design

Surgical technique description and case study report.

Methods

The bilateral implantable stimulator (IS) simultaneously stimulates both genioglossus (GG) muscles to reduce airway obstruction. At night, patients wear an activation chip under their chin that wirelessly transmits energy to the implant and enables the nerve stimulation. Surgical implantation of the IS is performed under general anesthesia by making a small incision above the hyoid bone and dissecting through the platysma, mylohyoid, and geniohyoid muscles to the GG muscle. The hypoglossal nerve branches are then identified, followed by suturing the IS in place. The system was evaluated in an otherwise healthy, 60‐year‐old woman with moderate OSA (apnea hypopnea index (AHI): 25/hr, nadir O2 saturation: 78%). Appropriate stimulation settings were determined at 2‐, 3‐, and 6‐months post implantation during polysomnography (PSG) and changes in apnea and hypopnea events and oxygen desaturation recorded.

Results

The surgery was well tolerated by the patient with an uneventful recovery. The PSG at 6 months showed that AHI per hour, obstructive apnea events per hour, hypopnea events per hour, and oxygen desaturation index have been reduced by 88%, 92%, 88%, and 97%, respectively, and nadir O2 saturation improved to 91%.

Conclusions

The absence of complications and considerable reduction of apnea and hypopnea events in this case study help demonstrate the potential safety and efficacy of the bilateral hypoglossal nerve stimulator.

Level of Evidence

4
Survival benefits from concomitant chemoradiotherapy before radical surgery in stage IVA sinonasal mucosal melanoma?
Authors: Hafström Anna , Brun Eva , Persson Simon , Sjövall Johanna , Wahlberg Peter , Greiff Lennart
Published: November 2019

Background

The aim of the study was to review a local treatment protocol for sinonasal mucosal melanoma (SNMM) focusing on triple modality treatment (TMT), that is, neoadjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery.

Methods

In a retrospective design, data on clinical presentation, treatment, and survival were retrieved for 22 consecutive patients from a tertiary referral center.

Results

The mean overall survival (OS) for all patients (3 stage III, 16 stage IVA, and 3 stage IVB) was 62 months, and the 5‐year OS rate 50%. Four of the 22 patients received treatment with palliative intention. Of the 18 patients who received treatment with curative intention, patients with stage IVA disease who received TMT (n = 10) had a 5‐year OS of 70% and 10‐year OS of 20%. The median disease‐free survival for these patients was 51 months compared with 9 months for stage IVA not receiving TMT (n = 4).

Conclusion

A seemingly favorable survival outcome for a disease with characteristically poor prognosis was observed. The lead finding was a high survival rate (70% 5‐year OS) for stage IVA patients who received neoadjuvant TMT. The observations suggest the possibility that patients with advanced SNMM (stage IVA) might benefit from concomitant CRT before surgery by delaying the onset of local recurrences and distant metastases.

Level of Evidence

Level 4, case series (with or without comparison).
Reconstruction of segmental mandibular defects: Current procedures and perspectives
Authors: Paré Arnaud , Bossard Adeline , Laure Boris , Weiss Pierre , Gauthier Olivier , Corre Pierre
Published: November 2019

Background

The reconstruction of segmental mandibular defects remains a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon, from both a functional and an esthetic point of view.

Methods

This clinical review examines the different techniques currently in use for mandibular reconstruction as related to a range of etiologies, including the different bone donor sites, the alternatives to free flaps (FFs), as well as the contribution of computer‐assisted surgery. Recent progress and the perspectives in bone tissue engineering (BTE) are also discussed.

Results

Osseous FF allows reliable and satisfying outcomes. However, locoregional flap, distraction osteogenesis, or even induced membrane techniques are other potential options in less favorable cases. Obtaining an engineered bone with satisfactory mechanical properties and sufficient vascular supply requires further investigations.

Conclusions

Osseous FF procedure remains the gold standard for segmental mandible reconstruction. BTE strategies offer promising alternatives.
Millennials' use of online social networks for job search: The Ecuadorian case
Authors: Lucero‐Romero Giovanni , Arias‐Bolzmann Leopoldo G.
Published: November 2019

The study focuses on the way Ecuadorian Millennials use online social networks (OSN)—LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter—for job search (JS). This quantitative, descriptive and cross‐sectional research was based on Ajzen's theory of planned behavior (TPB). It was determined that Ecuadorian millennials, compared with millennials from developed countries, behave differently, and their attitude toward using OSN determines their actual use of OSN for JS. The main contribution of this research is that millennials' reflective attitudes need to be encouraged if they are to successfully accomplish any goal or initiative.
Prenatal hormones (2D:4D), intrasexual competition, and materialism in women
Authors: Nepomuceno Marcelo V. , de Aguiar Pastore Cristina M. , Stenstrom Eric
Published: November 2019

We explore the relationship between digit ratios (2D:4D) and materialism in women. Digit ratio is a sexually dimorphic trait that is indicative of prenatal testosterone and estrogen exposure. Across two studies, we found that masculinized digit ratios (i.e., exposure to a high testosterone‐to‐estrogen ratio) were associated with the happiness dimension of materialism. Furthermore, we show that women with feminized digit ratios (i.e., high estrogen‐to‐testosterone ratio) who were assigned to an intrasexually competitive condition scored higher on the success dimension of materialism. Overall, these findings suggest that prenatal testosterone exposure promotes stronger beliefs that possessions are an important source of happiness, while prenatal estrogen exposure promotes stronger beliefs that possessions are an important means of signaling success. Thus, prenatal hormone exposure not only influences masculinized and feminized behavior but also shapes consumers’ materialistic beliefs.