bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Effect of Solvent Environment on the Interaction of Hydronium Ion with Biomass Derived Species: A Molecular Dynamics and Metadynamics Investigation
Authors: Velasco Calderón José Carlos , Jiang Shang , Mushrif Samir H.
Published: August 2021

The addition of aprotic solvents results in higher reactivities and selectivities in many key aqueous phase biomass reactions, including the acid‐catalyzed conversion of fructose to 5‐hydroxyl methyl furfural (HMF). The addition of certain co‐solvents inhibits the formation of humins via preferential solvation of key functional groups and can alter reaction kinetics. An important factor in this context is the relative stability of the hydronium ion (the catalyst) in the vicinity of the biomass moiety as compared to that in bulk, as it could determine its efficacy in the protonation step. Hence, in the present work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of HMF (the model product) and fructose (the model reactant) in acidic water and water‐DMSO mixtures are performed to analyze their interaction with the hydronium ions. We show that the presence of DMSO favors the interaction of the hydronium ion with fructose, whereas it has a detrimental effect on the interaction of hydronium ion with HMF. Well‐tempered metadynamics (WT‐MTD) simulations are performed to determine the relative stability of the hydronium ion in the immediate vicinity of fructose and HMF, as compared to that in the bulk solvent phase, as a function of solvent composition. We find that DMSO improves the stabilization of the hydronium ions in the first solvation shell of fructose compared to that in the bulk solvent. On the other hand, hydronium ions become less stable in the immediate vicinity of HMF, as the concentration of DMSO increases.
PharmGKB, an Integrated Resource of Pharmacogenomic Knowledge
Authors: Gong Li , Whirl‐Carrillo Michelle , Klein Teri E.
Published: August 2021

The Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB) is an integrated online knowledge resource for the understanding of how genetic variation contributes to variation in drug response. Our focus includes not only pharmacogenomic information useful for clinical implementation (e.g., drug dosing guidelines and annotated drug labels), but also information to catalyze scientific research and drug discovery (e.g., variant‐drug annotations and drug‐centered pathways). As of April 2021, the annotated content of PharmGKB spans 715 drugs, 1761 genes, 227 diseases, 165 clinical guidelines, and 784 drug labels. We have manually curated data from more than 9000 published papers to generate the content of PharmGKB. Recently, we have also implemented an automated natural language processing (NLP) tool to broaden our coverage of the pharmacogenomic literature. This article contains a basic protocol describing how to navigate the PharmGKB website to retrieve information on how genes and genetic variations affect drug efficacy and toxicity. It also includes a protocol on how to use PharmGKB to facilitate interpretation of findings for a pharmacogenomic variant genotype or metabolizer phenotype. PharmGKB is freely available at http://www.pharmgkb.org. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Navigating the homepage of PharmGKB and searching by drug

Basic Protocol 2: Using PharmGKB to facilitate interpretation of pharmacogenomic variant genotypes or metabolizer phenotypes
State‐of‐art design aspects of wearable, mobile, and flexible antennas for modern communication wireless systems
Authors: Gharode Dakshata , Nella Anveshkumar , Rajagopal Maheswar
Published: August 2021

In this present contemporary epoch, wireless communication appliances exemplified meteoric progression in technology. These systems entail an antenna in every strand of communication. Depending upon the recent expansions in generations, the antennas become more compact, lightweight, portable, wearable, cost‐effective, and conformal while maintaining essential performance characteristics like impedance bandwidth, efficiency, gain, SAR, etc. This review is envisioned to unveil state‐of‐art in conventional and unconventional antenna technologies in recent times and offers knowledge to readers about a large regime of antenna designs suitable for different wireless communication system applications like GSM, GPS, Wi‐Fi, WLAN, bluetooth, 4G, and 5G under a single head. It is unambiguously worth stating that recent 5G antenna designs will unleash new breaks in leapfrogging all outmoded blockades in developments. Intended wireless communication systems take in mobiles, laptops, smart wears, tablets, etc., while antenna technologies cover wearable models, conformal structures, MIMO configurations, microstrip and planar monopole antennas. This study draws attention towards multi‐band and wide‐band accomplishment techniques, SAR analysis, bending and twisting effects of conformal or wearable antennas, effect of human body and wireless appliances on antenna performance. As per the study, FCC set a standard value of SAR as equal or below to 1.6 W/kg for 1 g of body tissue. IEC standards regulated a limit on SAR value as 2 W/kg, which is average value over 10 g of body tissue. Also, envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) of below 0.05, diversity gain of less than 10 dB and a maximum channel capacity of 0.4 bit/s/Hz are necessary for MIMO systems.
Differential spatial responses of rodents to masting on forest sites with differing disturbance history
Authors: Sachser Frederik , Pesendorfer Mario , Gratzer Georg , Nopp‐Mayr Ursula
Published: August 2021

Mast seeding, the synchronized interannual variation in seed production of trees, is a well‐known bottom‐up driver for population densities of granivorous forest rodents. Such demographic effects also affect habitat preferences of the animals: After large seed production events, reduced habitat selectivity can lead to spillover from forest patches into adjacent alpine meadows or clear‐cuts, as has been reported for human‐impacted forests. In unmanaged, primeval forests, however, gaps created by natural disturbances are typical elements, yet it is unclear whether the same spillover dynamics occur under natural conditions. To determine whether annual variation in seed production drives spillover effects in naturally formed gaps, we used 14 years of small mammal trapping data combined with seed trap data to estimate population densities of Apodemus spp. mice and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) on 5 forest sites with differing disturbance history. The study sites, located in a forest dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies), and silver fir (Abies alba), consisted of two primeval forest sites with small canopy gaps, two sites with larger gaps (after an avalanche event and a windthrow event), and a managed forest stand with closed canopy as a control. Hierarchical Bayesian N‐mixture models revealed a strong influence of seed rain on small rodent abundance, which were site‐specific for M. glareolus but not for Apodemus spp. Following years of moderate or low seed crop, M. glareolus avoided open habitat patches but colonized those habitats in large numbers after full mast events, suggesting that spillover events also occur in unmanaged forests, but not in all small rodents. The species‐ and site‐specific characteristics of local density responding to food availability have potentially long‐lasting effects on forest gap regeneration dynamics and should be addressed in future studies.
Alkylation of Electron‐Deficient Olefins through Conjugate Addition of Organozinc Reagents: An Update
Authors: Baruah Biswajita , Deb Mohit L.
Published: August 2021

This review focuses on the applications of organozinc reagents in conjugate addition reactions. Organozinc compounds are a class of organometallic reagent used in various reactions such as addition, substitution, and coupling reactions. The conjugate addition or 1, 4‐addition is one of the most useful bond forming strategies used in organic synthesis since broad range of nucleophiles can be employed in the reaction. Addition of organozinc to electron‐deficient olefins attracts synthetic chemists as it preferably undergoes conjugate addition over 1,2‐addition unlike other organometallic reagents, such as Grignard reagent or organolithium. Many natural products were also synthesized by applying the conjugate addition reaction of organozinc. Moreover, organozinc reagents have superior functional group compatibility and can be easily prepared relative to other organometallic compounds. Consequently, conjugate additions of organozinc reagents were highly studied and having a review on it is very important at present. Though a few reviews are available, they either do not focus directly on the organozinc reagents or not on the conjugate addition. We hope that this review article will be of great use to organic researchers.
Evolutionary perspectives on African North American genetic diversity: Origins and prospects for future investigations
Authors: Caldwell Jennifer , Jackson Fatimah L. C.
Published: August 2021

African‐descended peoples of the Americas represent an amalgamation of West, Central, and Southeast African regional and ethnic groups with modest gene flow from specific non‐African populations. Despite 16+ generations of residence in the Americas, there is a deficit of evolutionary knowledge about these populations. Focusing on Legacy African American, the African North American descendants of survivors of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, we report on emic evolutionary perspectives of their self‐identity gleaned from our interviews of 600 individuals collected over 2 years. Gullah‐Geechee peoples of Carolina Coastal regions are a model case study due to their historical antiquity, substantial African retentions, relative geospatial isolation, and proposed progenitor status to other Legacy African American microethnic groups. We identify salient research questions for future studies that will begin to bridge the evolutionary gaps in our knowledge of these diverse peoples and the historical evidence for specific evolutionary processes.
The functional ingredients of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and physiological effects of consuming quinoa: A review
Authors: Ng Chong Yi , Wang Mingfu
Published: August 2021

The seed of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a pseudocereal well known for its high nutritive value. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the potential for it to be used as a functional food. The nutritional composition, phytochemicals, and experimental evidence on its bioactivities are introduced to evaluate the physiological effects of consuming quinoa, including its antioxidant, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, weight‐regulating, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, probiotic, antitumor, and hormone‐regulating effects. The antinutrients, allergenicity, and toxicity of quinoa are then discussed. Overall, many studies and evidences have suggested the functional properties of quinoa, with most of them focusing on the antioxidant and hypolipidemic ability. Compared with the potential benefits, the risk of consuming quinoa is relatively low and easy to be managed. Therefore, quinoa can be considered to have great potential to be promoted as a healthy/functional food. More investigations are needed to confirm the effective intake of quinoa for achieving certain health effects.
Forecasting volatilities of oil and gas assets: A comparison of GAS, GARCH, and EGARCH models
Authors: Xu Yingying , Lien Donald
Published: August 2021

This paper compares Generalized Autoregressive Score (GAS) models and GARCH‐type models on their forecasting abilities for crude oil and natural gas spot and futures returns from developing and developed markets over multiple horizons. The out‐of‐sample forecasting results based on two loss functions and the Diebold–Mariano predictive accuracy test for multiple models show that the GAS framework outperforms GARCH and EGARCH models, particularly for crude oil assets. For natural gas, no specific model retains an advantage over the other two models as the predictive accuracy changes over forecasting horizons and varies across markets. Meanwhile, the GAS model performs well in both developed and developing markets. The cumulated sum of squared forecast error differential (CSSFED) graphically monitors the evolution of the relative forecasting performance of different models and shows that the superiority of GARCH is vulnerable to extraordinary event shocks. Over the short‐term forecasting (less than or equal to 1 month ahead), the GAS framework shows a prominent advantage over GARCH and EGARCH models for crude oil assets.
Elucidating regulators of astrocytic Ca2+ signaling via multi‐threshold event detection (MTED)
Authors: Müller Franziska E. , Cherkas Volodymyr , Stopper Gebhard , Caudal Laura C. , Stopper Laura , Kirchhoff Frank , Henneberger Christian , Ponimaskin Evgeni G. , Zeug Andre
Published: August 2021

Recent achievements in indicator optimization and imaging techniques promote the advancement of functional imaging to decipher complex signaling processes in living cells, such as Ca2+ activity patterns. Astrocytes are important regulators of the brain network and well known for their highly complex morphology and spontaneous Ca2+ activity. However, the astrocyte community is lacking standardized methods to analyze and interpret Ca2+ activity recordings, hindering global comparisons. Here, we present a biophysically‐based analytical concept for deciphering the complex spatio‐temporal changes of Ca2+ biosensor fluorescence for understanding the underlying signaling mechanisms. We developed a pixel‐based multi‐threshold event detection (MTED) analysis of multidimensional data, which accounts for signal strength as an additional signaling dimension and provides the experimenter with a comprehensive toolbox for a differentiated and in‐depth characterization of fluorescence signals. MTED was validated by analyzing astrocytic Ca2+ activity across Ca2+ indicators, imaging setups, and model systems from primary cell culture to awake, head‐fixed mice. We identified extended Ca2+ activity at 25°C compared to 37°C physiological body temperature and dissected how neuronal activity shapes long‐lasting astrocytic Ca2+ activity. Our MTED strategy, as a parameter‐free approach, is easily transferrable to other fluorescent indicators and biosensors and embraces the additional dimensionality of signaling activity strength. It will also advance the definition of standardized procedures and parameters to improve comparability of research data and reports.
Accounting for symptom heterogeneity can improve neuroimaging models of antidepressant response after electroconvulsive therapy
Authors: Wade Benjamin S. C. , Hellemann Gerhard , Espinoza Randall T. , Woods Roger P. , Joshi Shantanu H. , Redlich Ronny , Dannlowski Udo , Jorgensen Anders , Abbott Christopher C. , Oltedal Leif , Narr Katherine L.
Published: August 2021

Depression symptom heterogeneity limits the identifiability of treatment‐response biomarkers. Whether improvement along dimensions of depressive symptoms relates to separable neural networks remains poorly understood. We build on work describing three latent symptom dimensions within the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and use data‐driven methods to relate multivariate patterns of patient clinical, demographic, and brain structural changes over electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to dimensional changes in depressive symptoms. We included 110 ECT patients from Global ECT‐MRI Research Collaboration (GEMRIC) sites who underwent structural MRI and HDRS assessments before and after treatment. Cross validated random forest regression models predicted change along symptom dimensions. HDRS symptoms clustered into dimensions of somatic disturbances (SoD), core mood and anhedonia (CMA), and insomnia. The coefficient of determination between predicted and actual changes were 22%, 39%, and 39% (all p < .01) for SoD, CMA, and insomnia, respectively. CMA and insomnia change were predicted more accurately than HDRS‐6 and HDRS‐17 changes (p < .05). Pretreatment symptoms, body‐mass index, and age were important predictors. Important imaging predictors included the right transverse temporal gyrus and left frontal pole for the SoD dimension; right transverse temporal gyrus and right rostral middle frontal gyrus for the CMA dimension; and right superior parietal lobule and left accumbens for the insomnia dimension. Our findings support that recovery along depressive symptom dimensions is predicted more accurately than HDRS total scores and are related to unique and overlapping patterns of clinical and demographic data and volumetric changes in brain regions related to depression and near ECT electrodes.
Racial/ethnic disparities in wait‐list outcomes are only partly explained by socioeconomic deprivation among children awaiting liver transplantation
Authors: Wadhwani Sharad I. , Ge Jin , Gottlieb Laura , Lyles Courtney , Beck Andrew F. , Bucuvalas John , Neuhaus John , Kotagal Uma , Lai Jennifer C.
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

Racial/ethnic minority children have worse liver transplant (LT) outcomes. We evaluated whether neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation affected associations between race/ethnicity and wait‐list mortality.

Approach and Results

We included children (age <18) listed 2005–2015 in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We categorized patients as non‐Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic, and other. We matched patient ZIP codes to a neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation index (range, 0–1; higher values indicate worse deprivation). Primary outcomes were wait‐list mortality, defined as death/delisting for too sick, and receipt of living donor liver transplant (LDLT). Competing risk analyses modeled the association between race/ethnicity and wait‐list mortality, with deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT) and LDLT as competing risks, and race/ethnicity and LDLT, with wait‐list mortality and DDLT as competing risks. Of 7716 children, 17% and 24% identified as Black and Hispanic, respectively. Compared to White children, Black and Hispanic children had increased unadjusted hazard of wait‐list mortality (subhazard ratio [sHR], 1.44; 95% CI, 1.18, 1.75 and sHR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.25, 1.76, respectively). After adjusting for neighborhood deprivation, insurance, and listing laboratory Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease/Pediatric End‐Stage Liver Disease, Black and Hispanic children did not have increased hazard of wait‐list mortality (sHR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.91, 1.39 and sHR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.00, 1.47, respectively). Similarly, Black and Hispanic children had a decreased likelihood of LDLT (sHR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.45, 0.75 and sHR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.49, 0.75, respectively). Adjustment attenuated the effect of Black and Hispanic race/ethnicity on likelihood of LDLT (sHR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.60, 1.02 and sHR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.70, 1.11, respectively).

Conclusions

Household and neighborhood socioeconomic factors and disease severity at wait‐list entry help explain racial/ethnic disparities for children awaiting transplant. A nuanced understanding of how social adversity contributes to wait‐list outcomes may inform strategies to improve outcomes.
Recovery and outcomes of patients denied early liver transplantation for severe alcohol‐associated hepatitis
Authors: Musto Jessica , Stanfield Dylan , Ley Dana , Lucey Michael R. , Eickhoff Jens , Rice John P.
Published: August 2021

Background and aims

Liver transplantation (LT) in alcohol‐associated hepatitis (AH) remains controversial, in part because spontaneous recovery (SR) can occur. There is a paucity of data on SR in patients with severe AH who undergo LT evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with SR and survival in patients with severe AH who undergo LT evaluation.

Approach and results

This is a retrospective study of ALD patients with Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) >25 and <90 days abstinence who underwent LT evaluation at a single center between 2012 and 2018. One hundred forty‐four patients (median age, 45.5 years; 68.1% male) were included. Forty‐nine (34%) underwent LT and 95 (66%) patients did not undergo LT, and of those, 34 (23.6%) experienced SR. Factors associated with recovery were younger age (OR, 0.92; p = 0.004), lower index international normalized ratio (INR; 0.31; p = 0.03), and lower peak MELD (OR, 0.83; p = 0.02). Only 7 patients (20.6%) achieved a compensated state with a MELD <15 and absence of therapy for ascites or HE. Survival was improved in patients who underwent early LT when compared to SR. Survival was impaired in SR following relapse to alcohol use when compared to SR patients who abstained and LT recipients. Among all 6‐month survivors of AH, alcohol use trended toward an association with mortality (HR, 2.05; p = 0.17), but only LT was associated with decreased mortality risk (HR, 0.20; p = 0.005).

Conclusions

SR from AH after LT evaluation is associated with age, index INR, and lower peak MELD. Most recovered patients continue to experience end‐stage complications. LT is the only factor associated with lower mortality.
Genome‐wide association of individual vulnerability with alcohol‐associated liver disease: A Korean genome and epidemiology study
Authors: Kim Kwang Yoon , Kim Jung Oh , Kim Young‐Sang , Choi Ja‐Eun , Park Jae‐Min , Han Kunhee , Park Da‐Hyun , Park Yon Chul , Kim Bom Taeck , Hong Kyung‐Won
Published: August 2021

Background and aims

The quantity of alcohol leading to alcohol‐associated liver disease (ALD) varies individually. Genetic backgrounds contributing to the divergence in individual susceptibility to alcohol‐induced liver damage have not been elucidated in detail.

Approach and results

Based on the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Health Examination (KoGES_HEXA) cohort data, 21,919 participants (40‐79 years old) were included and divided into cases and controls based on the ALD diagnostic criteria proposed by the American College of Gastroenterology. Data generated by a genome wide‐association study were analyzed using logistic regression to assess the risk of ALD development in nondrinkers, light drinkers, and heavy drinkers. We detected three loci, gamma‐glutamyltransferase 1 (GGT1), zinc protein finger 827 (ZNF827) and HNF1 homeobox A (HNF1A), which were significantly associated with ALD risk. The GGT1 rs2006227 minor allele was strongly associated with all groups. Among the minor alleles of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HNF1A, rs1183910 had the strongest association with a protective effect from ALD in light drinkers. However, this association was not observed in heavy drinkers. Five SNPs on chromosome 11 showed suggestive significance in protective effects against ALD.

Conclusions

SNPs, including HNF1A rs1183910 minor allele, are the most promising genetic candidates for protection against ALD. The expression of genes contributing to ALD development may be altered by the amount of alcohol consumed.
Nonlinear usual convection flow of couple stress micropolar nanofluids over isothermal sphere with non‐Fourier's heat and non‐Fick's mass fluxes under high classify slip states
Authors: Zemedu Chaluma , Ibrahim Wubshet
Published: August 2021

The goal of this study is to examine the influences of couple stress, the ratio of buoyancy forces, and thermal and solutal relaxation time constraints on two state line sheet flow of nonlinear movement flow of couple stress micropolar nanofluid past the isothermal ball. The mathematical modeling for the flow problem has been made with appropriate likeness change with nondimensional variables. The goal of nonlinear state line value problems were implied in combined high classifies nonlinear ordinary degree of difference equations. The equations were calculated by using the technique bvp4c from Matlab software for numerous quantities of main constraints. Influences of constraints on velocities, thermal, and solutal profiles are displayed from side to side of the charts. The junction test has been continued; for spots larger than apposite web spots, the meticulousness is not affected. Moreover, a comparison with previous papers reachable in the literature has been reported as well as an excellent agreement is presented. The results show that enhancing thermal relaxation time parameter Fo agree to reduce micro‐inertia density that improve velocity profile f'(η), temperature distribution , Nusselt number −θ'(η) and Sherwood number −, and reduce concentration distribution , coefficient of skin friction and wall couple stress and respectively.
A mathematical simulation of unsteady MHD Casson nanofluid flow subject to the influence of chemical reaction over a stretching surface: Buongiorno's model
Authors: Makkar Vinita , Hayat Tasawar , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: August 2021

In this study, unsteady boundary layer flow with Casson nanofluid within the sight of chemical reaction toward a stretching sheet has been analyzed mathematically. The fundamental motivation behind the present examination is to research the influence of different fluid parameters, in particular, Casson fluid , thermophoresis , magnetohydrodynamic , Brownian movement , Prandtl numberty, unsteadiness parameter , chemical reaction parameter , and Schmidt number on nanoparticle concentration, temperature, and velocity distribution. The shooting procedure has been adopted to solve transformed equations with the assistance of Runge–Kutta Fehlberg technique. The impact of different controlling fluid parameters on flow, heat, and mass transportation are depicted in tabular form and are shown graphically. Additionally, values of skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are depicted via tables. Present consequences of the investigation for Nusselt number are related with existing results in writing by taking and where results are finding by utilization of MATLAB programming. Findings of current research help in controlling the rate of heat and mass aspects to make the desired quality of final product aiding manufacturing companies and industrial areas.
Scrutinization of entropy on MHD Eyring–Powell C71500–Ti6Al4V nanoparticles suspended in a C2H6O2−H2O hybrid base fluid with heat generation
Authors: Roja A.
Published: August 2021

Microporous channels are extensively elaborated technologies in a variety of engineering, and scientific applications, for example, microelectromechanical systems that are useful in developing the heat exchangers in miniaturized products such as heat sinks of the microchannel, micromixtures, and fuel cells of miniaturized products. Hybrid nanofluids have a better thermal performance as compared to the nanofluid. Based on this, the present study aims to concentrate on the magnetohydrodynamics Powell–Eyring hybrid nanofluid flow in a vertical porous channel with the aspects of porous medium, magnetism, convective condition, dissipation energy, heat generation, and radiation. A nondimensional technique is applied to alter the governing equations into a nonlinear system of ordinary differential ones that contain the convective boundary condition. The RKF 4–5th order method coupled with the shooting method has been utilized to find the numerical solution. From the perspective of numerical results, it is clear that the entropy generation boosts up for Grashof number, Biot number, and radiation parameter and it is the minimum for magnetism, Darcy number, and Eyring–Powell parameters. The comparison of results has been performed and it provides an excellent agreement.
Management of persistent occiput posterior position: The added value of manual rotation
Authors: Bertholdt Charline , Piffer Alexandre , Pol Hélène , Morel Olivier , Guerby Paul
Published: August 2021

Objective

To evaluate the delivery rate in the occiput posterior position according to the result of manual rotation performed in the case of persistent occiput posterior position. Secondary objectives were perinatal outcomes.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study conducted in two French tertiary care units. All women with a singleton pregnancy after 37 weeks of gestation with a fetus in persistent occiput posterior position and an attempt of manual rotation were included. The main outcome was the occiput position at delivery. The secondary outcomes were duration of labor, mode of delivery, and perineal tears. Two groups were compared according to the result of manual rotation.

Results

In total, 460 women were included, with a manual rotation success of 62.4%. The success was significantly associated with a decrease in occiput posterior position at vaginal delivery (1.4% vs 57.2%, P < 0.0001), cesarean (0.7% vs 17.9%, P < 0.0001), operative vaginal delivery (40.1% vs 78%, P < 0.0001), episiotomy (40.1% vs 54.9%, P < 0.0001), and obstetric anal sphincter injury (3.1% vs 8.7%, P = 0.008) compared with a failure.

Conclusion

An attempt of manual rotation in the case of persistent occiput posterior position is associated with decreased rates of occiput posterior position at delivery, operative delivery, and anal sphincter injuries.
Generation of bone grafts using cryopreserved mesenchymal stromal cells and macroporous collagen‐nanohydroxyapatite cryogels
Authors: Rogulska Olena Y. , Trufanova Nataliya A. , Petrenko Yuriy A. , Repin Nikolay V. , Grischuk Victor P. , Ashukina Nataliya O. , Bondarenko Stanislav Y. , Ivanov Gennadiy V. , Podorozhko Elena A. , Lozinsky Vladimir I. , Petrenko Alexander Y.
Published: August 2021

Bone tissue engineering strategy involves the 3D scaffolds and appropriate cell types promoting the replacement of the damaged area. In this work, we aimed to develop a fast and reliable clinically relevant protocol for engineering viable bone grafts, using cryopreserved adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and composite 3D collagen‐nano‐hydroxyapatite (nanoHA) scaffolds. Xeno‐ and DMSO‐free cryopreserved MSCs were perfusion‐seeded into the biomimetic collagen/nanoHA scaffolds manufactured by cryotropic gelation and their osteoregenerative potential was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Cryopreserved MSCs retained the ability to homogenously repopulate the whole volume of the scaffolds during 7 days of post‐thaw culture. Moreover, the scaffold provided a suitable microenvironment for induced osteogenic differentiation of cells, confirmed by alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization. Implantation of collagen‐nanoHA cryogels with cryopreserved MSCs accelerated woven bone tissue formation, maturation of bone trabeculae, and vascularization of femur defects in immunosuppressed rats compared to cell‐free collagen‐nanoHA scaffolds. The established combination of xeno‐free cell culture and cryopreservation techniques together with an appropriate scaffold design and cell repopulation approach accelerated the generation of viable bone grafts.
Edaravone mitigates hemorrhagic cystitis by modulating Nrf2, TLR‐4/NF‐κB, and JAK1/STAT3 signaling in cyclophosphamide‐intoxicated rats
Authors: Hassanein Emad H. M. , Ahmed Marwa A. , Sayed Ahmed M. , Rashwan Eman K. , Abd El‐Ghafar Omnia A. M. , Mahmoud Ayman M.
Published: August 2021

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a potentially deadly complication associated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. This study explored the protective effect of edaravone (ED) on cyclophosphamide (CP)‐induced hemorrhagic cystitis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in rats. The animals received 20 mg/kg ED for 10 days and a single injection of 200 mg/kg CP on day 7. CP induced tissue injury manifested by the diffuse necrotic changes, disorganization of lining mucosa, focal hemorrhagic patches, mucosal/submucosal inflammatory cells infiltrates, and edema. CP increased malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, and interleukin 6 (IL‐6), decreased IL‐10, and upregulated toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4), nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) p65, Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the urinary bladder of rats. ED effectively prevented the histopathological alterations, decreased MDA, NO, and inflammatory mediators, and downregulated TLR‐4, NF‐κB, JAK1, and STAT3 in CP‐induced rats. Treatment with ED upregulated ikβ kinase β, IL‐10, nuclear factor‐erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), and cytoglobin, and boosted glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S‐transferase. Molecular docking simulations revealed the ability of ED to bind TLR‐4, NF‐κB, JAK1, and STAT3. In vitro, ED increased the cytotoxic activity of CP against HeLa, Caco‐2, and K562 cell lines. In conclusion, ED prevented CP‐induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rats by attenuating oxidative stress, suppressing TLR‐4/NF‐κB, and JAK1/STAT3 signaling and boosted Nrf2, cytoglobin, and antioxidants.
Effectiveness of an E‐module at teaching novice learners critical thinking skills related to dentistry
Authors: Koth Allie J. , Focken Alivia G. , Lyden Elizabeth R. , Yoachim Shayla D.
Published: August 2021

Background

Technological advances and pedagogical shifts toward active learning have led dental academics to explore alternatives to traditional didactic lectures, yet questions remain regarding the effectiveness of new modalities at both relaying foundational knowledge and inspiring critical thinking. Here, we developed an integrative e‐learning module on the subject of bone growth and recruited novice learners from undergraduate institutions to participate. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of learning modality on novice learners’ ability to apply newly acquired knowledge to critical thinking exercises related to dentistry.

Methods

In the fall of 2019, 42 undergraduate students from University of Nebraska and Nebraska Wesleyan University campuses voluntarily participated in the study involving a pretest, intervention, posttest, and retention test with survey and results were analyzed.

Results

Our data reveal a significant difference in mean pre‐ and posttest scores within delivery group of both traditional lecture and e‐module cohorts (p < 0.0001) and no statistically significant difference between cohorts in posttest scores. Similarly, there was no significant difference in student performance on higher‐level cognitive skill questions between cohorts, indicating that students learning via e‐module were able to apply foundational knowledge to clinical scenarios similarly to students learning via content‐expert lecture discussions.

Conclusion

The authors shed light on an opportunity to integrate e‐learning into dental education, relieving time constraints for faculty and meeting the needs of our tech‐savvy students, without compromising the fostering of critical thinking skills in future dentists.
Comparing nerve‐mediated FGF signalling in the early initiation phase of organ regeneration across mutliple amphibian species
Authors: Yamamoto Sakiya , Kashimoto Rena , Furukawa Saya , Sakamoto Hirotaka , Satoh Akira
Published: August 2021

Amphibians have a very high capacity for regeneration among tetrapods. This superior regeneration capability in amphibians can be observed in limbs, the tail, teeth, external gills, the heart, and some internal organs. The mechanisms underlying the superior organ regeneration capability have been studied for a long time. Limb regeneration has been investigated as the representative phenomenon for organ‐level regeneration. In limb regeneration, a prominent difference between regenerative and nonregenerative animals after limb amputation is blastema formation. A regeneration blastema requires the presence of nerves in the stump region. Thus, nerve regulation is responsible for blastema induction, and it has received much attention. Nerve regulation in regeneration has been investigated using the limb regeneration model and newly established alternative experimental model called the accessory limb model. Previous studies have identified some candidate genes that act as neural factors in limb regeneration, and these studies also clarified related events in early limb regeneration. Consistent with the nervous regulation and related events in limb regeneration, similar regeneration mechanisms in other organs have been discovered. This review especially focuses on the role of nerve‐mediated fibroblast growth factor in the initiation phase of organ regeneration. Comparison of the initiation mechanisms for regeneration in various amphibian organs allows speculation about a fundamental regenerative process.
Comprehensive nodal breast VMAT: solving the low‐dose wash dilemma using an iterative knowledge‐based radiotherapy planning solution
Authors: Stanton Cameron , Bell Linda J. , Le Andrew , Griffiths Brooke , Wu Kenny , Adams Jessica , Ambrose Leigh , Andree‐Evarts Denise , Porter Brian , Bromley Regina , van Gysen Kirsten , Morgia Marita , Lamoury Gillian , Eade Thomas , Booth Jeremy T. , Carroll Susan
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Aimed to develop a simple and robust volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) solution for comprehensive lymph node (CLN) breast cancer without increase in low‐dose wash.

Methods

Forty CLN‐breast patient data sets were utilised to develop a knowledge‐based planning (KBP) VMAT model, which limits low‐dose wash using iterative learning and base‐tangential methods as benchmark. Another twenty data sets were employed to validate the model comparing KBP‐generated ipsilateral VMAT (ipsi‐VMAT) plans against the benchmarked hybrid (h)‐VMAT (departmental standard) and bowtie‐VMAT (published best practice) methods. Planning target volume (PTV), conformity/homogeneity index (CI/HI), organ‐at‐risk (OAR), remaining‐volume‐at‐risk (RVR) and blinded radiation oncologist (RO) plan preference were evaluated.

Results

Ipsi‐ and bowtie‐VMAT plans were dosimetrically equivalent, achieving greater nodal target coverage (P < 0.05) compared to h‐VMAT with minor reduction in breast coverage. CI was enhanced for a small reduction in breast HI with improved dose sparing to ipsilateral‐lung and humeral head (P < 0.05) at immaterial expense to spinal cord. Significantly, low‐dose wash to OARs and RVR were comparable between all plan types demonstrating a simple VMAT class solution robust to patient‐specific anatomic variation can be applied to CLN breast without need for complex beam modification (hybrid plans, avoidance sectors or other). This result was supported by blinded RO review.

Conclusions

A simple and robust ipsilateral VMAT class solution for CLN breast generated using iterative KBP modelling can achieve clinically acceptable target coverage and OAR sparing without unwanted increase in low‐dose wash associated with increased second malignancy risk.
Training sample selection: Impact on screening automation in diagnostic test accuracy reviews
Authors: van Altena Allard J. , Spijker René , Leeflang Mariska M. G. , Olabarriaga Sílvia Delgado
Published: August 2021

When performing a systematic review, researchers screen the articles retrieved after a broad search strategy one by one, which is time‐consuming. Computerised support of this screening process has been applied with varying success. This is partly due to the dependency on large amounts of data to develop models that predict inclusion. In this paper, we present an approach to choose which data to use in model training and compare it with established approaches. We used a dataset of 50 Cochrane diagnostic test accuracy reviews, and each was used as a target review. From the remaining 49 reviews, we selected those that most closely resembled the target review's clinical topic using the cosine similarity metric. Included and excluded studies from these selected reviews were then used to develop our prediction models. The performance of models trained on the selected reviews was compared against models trained on studies from all available reviews. The prediction models performed best with a larger number of reviews in the training set and on target reviews that had a research subject similar to other reviews in the dataset. Our approach using cosine similarity may reduce computational costs for model training and the duration of the screening process.
Application of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound in the Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Subpleural Pulmonary Lesions
Authors: Shen MengJun , Bi Ke , Cong Yang , Chen HongWei , Zhang Yi , Zhu HuiMing , Wang Yin
Published: August 2021

Objective

To explore the clinical value of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant subpleural pulmonary lesions (SPLs).

Methods

Among 959 patients with SPLs who were scheduled to undergo ultrasound‐guided puncture in our department between January 2019 and June 2019, 506 patients were included and their B‐mode ultrasound and CEUS features, including the lesion's location, size, margin, echo, perfusion pattern of ultrasound contrast agent, degree of enhancement, homogeneity, vascular signs, and necrosis, were retrospectively investigated. All malignant cases were diagnosed by pathology, while benign cases were diagnosed by two respiratory physicians after comprehensive analysis of pathology, etiology, imaging, and clinical symptoms. Statistical differences in these features between the benign and malignant groups were then analyzed.

Results

There were 506 cases in this study, including 219 benign cases and 287 malignant cases. Among them, 351 were males and 155 were females, with an average age of 59 ± 16 years. There were statistically significant differences between benign and malignant groups in the perfusion pattern, the degree of enhancement, and vascular signs. The features of the malignant group included local‐to‐whole perfusion pattern, hypo‐enhancement, and curly hair sign, while those of the benign group included a centrifugal perfusion pattern, iso‐enhancement and hyper‐enhancement, and dendritic sign. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in homogeneity and necrosis.

Conclusions

CEUS enhancement mode is different between benign and malignant SPLs, which can provide supplementary information for the differential diagnosis of SPLs in the existing imaging diagnosis.
Biochemical constituents indicate carbon mineralization under a long‐term integrated nutrient‐supplied Typic Kandiustalf
Authors: Prashanth Dornal Vijaya Kumar , Krishnamurthy Rangaiah , Kumar Chitranjan
Published: August 2021

We investigate the long‐term impact of integrated nutrient management to study the influence of fertilizer and manure on different biochemical constituents and carbon mineralization of roots and stubble of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) at the Experimental Farm, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India. The farm continuously received uniform treatments for 40‐years during 1978–2018 under a groundnut + finger millet cropping system. Cellulose, hemicellulose, and ash contents for roots and stubble were recorded higher with the treatment T5 [farmyard manure (FYM) at 10 t ha−1 + 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF)] while the control treatment showed their lowest values. The treatment T5 caused a higher cumulative rate of CO2 evolution from roots (49.68 mg CO2 g‐1 C) and stubble (58.48 mg CO2 g‐1 C) at the 98th day of incubation following a sigmoid curve pattern for the carbon mineralization. The correlation was highly significant between the rate of decomposition and cellulose content for roots (r = 0.892**) and stubble (r = 0.947**). Unlikely, the correlation was negatively significant between the decomposition rate and the lignin content in roots (r = −0.745*) and stubble (r = −0.720*). We conclude that the combined application of FYM at 10 t ha−1 and 100% RDF is the most efficient treatment to increase saccharification, reduce lignification, and sequester a higher rate of carbon mineralization capable of preserving the soil organic carbon (SOC) and facilitating alluviation of more resistant carbon in a Typic Kandiustalf soil.
Accelerated sediment phosphorus release in Lake Erie's central basin during seasonal anoxia
Authors: Anderson Hanna S. , Johengen Thomas H. , Miller Russ , Godwin Casey M.
Published: August 2021

Eutrophication remains a serious threat to Lake Erie and has accelerated over past decades due to human activity in the watershed. Internal phosphorus (P) loading from lake sediment contributes to eutrophication, but our understanding of this process in Lake Erie is more uncertain than for its riverine P inputs. Past study has focused on incubating sediment cores in oxic or anoxic conditions, meaning we know little about sediment flux during state transitions. We used 56 controlled sediment core incubation experiments to quantify rates and onset of P release in Lake Erie's central basin as a function of depositional environment, season (spring, summer, and fall), temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration. P flux under oxic or hypoxic (> 0 to ≤ 2 mg L−1 DO) conditions was slow (0.31–0.50 mg m−2 d−1) compared to anoxic P flux (5.19–30.7 mg m−2 d−1). The transition between slow and fast flux occurred within 24 h of anoxia (0 mg L−1 DO). Oxic or anoxic P flux was generally similar across seasons and incubation temperatures (8°C and 14°C). In 14°C incubated cores anoxic P flux onset was earliest in fall, when sediments had already been exposed to anoxic conditions in the lake. Re‐oxygenation of experimental cores that temporarily developed anoxia reversed the direction of P flux, but P release resumed at similar rates once the water returned to anoxia. Understanding the effects of hypolimnion oxygen conditions on internal P loading allows us to better constrain nutrients sources and implications for P budget management.
Evaluation of the moderate DI13C isotope enrichment method for measuring photochemical mineralization of marine dissolved organic carbon
Authors: Lu Xi , Beaupré Steven
Published: August 2021

The moderate DI13C isotope enrichment (MoDIE) method by Powers et al. (2017) is a promising method to precisely measure the photochemical mineralization of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in water samples without dramatically altering a sample's pH or organic carbon pool. Here, we evaluated the analytical uncertainties of the MoDIE method and used Monte Carlo simulations to optimize the experimental design for the most precise measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) that is produced photochemically (DIChν). Analytically, we recommend calculating yields of DIChv with an exact expression of conservation of mass that intrinsically reduces error and uncertainty. Methodologically, the overall uncertainty and detection limit of the MoDIE method can be significantly reduced by partially stripping away the original DIC pool, enriching the residual DIC with more DI13C, and increasing the yields of DIChv via longer irradiation. Instrumentally, more precise measurements of enriched δ13C values before and after irradiation are needed to further improve the precision of DIChν concentration determinations. Higher precision DIChv measurements via the optimized MoDIE method can improve our understanding of the photochemical mineralization of DOC and thus the budget of marine DOC. The optimizations and detection limits reported here will become more refined as measurements and associated uncertainties from future MoDIE experiments become available.