bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep-sea water displacement from a turbidity current induced by the Super Typhoon Hagibis
Authors: Kawagucci Shinsuke , Miwa Tetsuya , Lindsay Dhugal J. , Ogura Eri , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Nishibayashi Kenichiro , Yokooka Hiroyuki , Nishi Shotaro , Takahashi Ayu , Lee Sangkyun
Published: December 2020

Turbidity currents are the main drivers behind the transportation of terrestrial sediments to the deep sea, and turbidite deposits from such currents have been widely used in geological studies. Nevertheless, the contribution of turbidity currents to vertical displacement of seawater has rarely been discussed. This is partly because until recently, deep-sea turbidity currents have rarely been observed due to their unpredictable nature, being usually triggered by meteorological or geological events such as typhoons and earthquakes. Here, we report a direct observation of a deep-sea turbidity current using the recently developed Edokko Mark 1 monitoring system deployed in 2019 at a depth of 1,370 m in Suruga Bay, central Japan. A turbidity current occurred two days after its probable cause, the Super Typhoon Hagibis (2019), passed through Suruga Bay causing devastating damage. Over aperiod of 40 hours, we observed increased turbidity with turbulent conditions confirmed by a video camera. The turbidity exhibited two sharp peaks around 3:00 and 11:00 on October 14 (Japan Standard Time). The temperature and salinity characteristics during these high turbidity events agreed with independent measurements for shallow water layers in Suruga Bay at the same time, strongly suggesting that the turbidity current caused vertical displacement in the bay’s water column by transporting warmer and shallower waters downslope of the canyon. Our results add to the previous few examples that show meteorological and geological events may have significant contributions in the transportation of shallower seawater to the deep sea. Recent technological developments pertaining to the Edokko Mark 1 and similar devices enable straightforward, long-term monitoring of the deep-seafloor and will contribute to the understanding of similar spontaneous events in the deep ocean.
A REVIEW ON BUCCO-ADHESIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR ORAL SUB-MUCOUS FIBROSIS: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Bhardwaj Khushboo , Tripathi Ankita , B P Mallikarjuna , Chaudhar Sapna , Mehta Bhawna
Published: December 2020

Oral sub-mucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic, insidious disease which might affect the oral cavity (oral mucosa) including pharynx and larynx. Numerous approaches and anticancer molecules have been explored in the literature to treat OSF with different modes of action. However, complete cure for OSF is limited due to the lack of an ideal carrier for safe and effective delivery of potent drug moieties. There are several challenges such as anatomical or histological barriers and appropriate animal model need to be explored and optimized to develop the efficient treatment for oral sub-mucous fibrosis. Constant progression in the development of new formulations has led to the effective management of the disease associated with the mucosa using mucosal or muco-adhesive drug delivery systems. Muco-adhesive drug delivery systems (such as gel and patches) have gained unique position as drug cargoes. Therefore, present review is an attempt to contemplate on OSF in terms of pathogenesis, currently available treatment shaving their mode of action, major challenges encountered during treatment, usefulness/feasibility of muco-adhesive dosage forms, opportunities/future scope of muco-adhesive drug delivery in OSF and recent developments in the delivery of various anti-cancer drugs in the treatment of OSF.
IR SPECTRUMS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF Na-CMC FOUND IN SEVERAL TYPES OF PLANTS: A REVIEW
Authors: Junio Febri , Yetti Rina Desni , Asra Ridho
Published: December 2020

Natrium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) is a cellulose derivative that is produced commercially in greater amounts than other cellulose derivatives. Natrium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) is a linear cellulose polymer and is an anion compound that is biodegradable, odourless, colourless, non-toxic, tasteless, flexible and transparent. Natrium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) is usually found in the form of granules or powders which are soluble in water but cannot dissolve in organic solutions. Natrium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) has a pH range of 6.5-8 and is stable in a pH range of 2-10. Na-CMC is found in several types of plants, such as water hyacinth, durian, elephant grass, rice, peanuts, pineapple, corn, oranges, baobab and sugar cane. Na-CMC is obtained from these plants. Na-CMC is widely used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, paper, textile, lithography and tobacco industries. Na-CMC sourced from natural materials is characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The functional groups of cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose were investigated using infrared spectroscopy spectra. The pellets were made with CMC with potassium bromide (KBr). The absorbance level was measured for the wave number 3800-400 cm-1. The results of the extraction of cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose were characterized using the Fourier Transform IR (FTIR) instrument. To obtain the spectrum, the pellets made from the sample were grounded with KBr. Transmission was measured in the wave number range 4000-4400cm-1. Infrared spectroscopy is one of the most versatile techniques used in chemistry and certainly one of the most important analytical methods available. It is a versatile experimental technique and it is relatively easy to obtain a reliable spectrum from a sample in almost any situation. In general, the infrared spectrum is used to determine the functional group of an organic compound and to find out the structural information of an organic compound.
A REVIEW ON WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF DIETARY FLAVONOID NARINGENIN
Authors: Tripathi Ankita , Chaudhar Sapna , Chauhan Vivek , Rana Lalit , Mehta Bhawna , Bharadwaj Khushboo
Published: December 2020

Wound is known as disruption in the integrity of a tissue. The mechanisms of regeneration and tissue repair consist of a series of molecular and cellular events that occur after the onset of a tissue lesion to rebuild the damaged tissue. The remodelling phases of the exudative, proliferative, and extracellular matrix are concurrent events that occur through the interaction of complex processes involving soluble mediators, blood cells and parenchymal cells. Exudative phenomena that occur after injury, lead to tissue edema growth. The proliferative stage aims to minimize the area of tissue damage by myofibroblasts and fibroplasia contracting. Angiogenesis and reepithelialisation processes can still be observed at this point. Endothelial cells are capable of differentiating into mesenchymal components and this distinction seems to be finely coordinated by a series of signalling proteins. Many of the medicines available today is derived from natural sources. Flavonoids are essential components of the human diet apart from their physiological functions in plants, even though they are not considered as nutrients. In this review, naturally occurring flavonoid is discussed which occur in citrus fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine, and also in medical herbs. They exhibit different pharmacological actions, like antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-cancer activity. One of the flavanones is Naringenin which is the ordinary dietary poly-phenolic constituent of the citrus fruits (grapefruit and oranges) and vegetables. It is beneficial in various neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, rheumatological, metabolic, malignant disorders, and functionally, this ameliorative effect of naringenin is primarily attributed to its anti-inflammatory (via inhibiting staffing of cytokines and inflammatory transcription factors) and anti-oxidant (via scavenging of free radicals, bolstering of endogenous antioxidant defence system and metal ion chelation) effects
EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF AYURVEDIC ANTIMICROBIAL FORMULATIONS USING IN VIVO ANIMAL EXCISION AND INCISION METHODS
Authors: Gupta Mradu , Majumdar Sushmita , Banerjee Suchetana , Dey Anumita , Sengupta Sabari
Published: December 2020

Wound healing comprises of four phases, namely inflammation, proliferation, re-epithelialization and remodelling which re-establish integrity of damaged tissue. This experimental study evaluates wound healing action of two Ayurvedic stem bark formulations, RFNA (containing Neem & Ashoka) and RFUL (containing Udumber & Lodhra) using 5% & 10% aqueous extract concentrations for preparation of ointment for external wound application using excision and incision methods. Phytochemical screening of extracts indicated presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and carbohydrates while total flavonoid content was 54.76 and 59.14 µg QE/mg and total phenol content was 205.00 and 225.67 µg GAE/mg for RFNA and RFUL. This 14-day study used Swiss albino rats divided into six groups, each group having six animals. While Group A was control group, Group B used Framycetin Sulphate IP as standard drug. Groups C, D, E and F were administered ointment containing 5% and 10% RFNA and RFUL respectively. While excision wound model study evaluated the percentage of wound contraction and amount of pus formation, the incision wound model assessed reduction in wound length and histopathological microscopic examination of wound skin, on the 4th, 7th and 14th day. During this study, 10% RFNA and RFUL exhibited similar therapeutic efficacy as standard drug while 5% concentrations showed a little lower but highly significant properties, possibly due to high concentration of phenolic and flavonoidic compounds. The results showed that highest therapeutic efficacy was shown by 10% RFNA followed by 10% RFUL, 5% RFNA and 5% RFUL groups respectively in both excision and incision models.
Nutrient Status of Sugarcane Growing Soils of Nizamabad District of Telangana State
Authors: Kamalakar J. , Reddy T. Prabhakar , Reddy K. Pavan Chandra , Lakshmi D. Vijaya , Sahana Firdoz , Ravinder J.
Published: December 2020

Sugarcane is a commercial crop predominantly grown in Nizamabad district. Investigating the fertility status of sugarcane growing soil is required to underpin future land use planning. A field soil survey was carried out in major sugar cane growing soils (5 mandals/taluk) of Nizamabad district of Telangana state. A total number of 94 samples were collected from 0-15 cm (surface soil) and 15-30 cm (subsurface soil) depths using global positioning system (GPS) co-ordinates. Collected soil samples were chemically analyzed for the important soil attributes viz., pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) using standard analytical procedures. Correlation analysis was performed to study the relationship between the different soil properties. The soil reaction (pH) showed wide variation at surface and subsurface depths showing that soils are slightly acidic to strongly alkaline in nature. Organic carbon content varied from low to high (0.25 to 1.41% and 0.22 to 0.75% at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths respectively). Whereas available N content were low to high (136 to 310 kg ha-1 and 23 to 166 kg ha-1 at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths respectively), medium to high in available P (12.05 to 103.6 kg ha-1 and 3.6 to 27.90 kg ha-1 at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths respectively), high in available K (242 to 715 kg ha-1 and 108 to 466 kg ha-1 at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths respectively). Further, the soils are deficient to sufficient in available S and Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu were sufficient. Nitrogen was positively correlated with the organic carbon (r=0.883, p<0.05) at surface soil and negatively related at subsurface soil. All the major nutrients viz., N, P, and K correlated positively with OC (r=0.883*, 0.768, and 0.267 respectively) at surface soil. Conclusively, the results of the study area showed in all the sugarcane growing mandals of Nizamabad district necessitating the need for refinement of fertilizer scheduling to sugarcane crop yield and productivity.
Economics and Profitability of Blackgram Production in Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Sunandini G. P. , Devi Irugu Shakuntala
Published: December 2020

Blackgram is one of the important pulse crops grown throughout India, resistant to adverse climatic conditions. It is good source of vegetable protein which is three times more than the cereals. It plays an important role in Indian diet. Andhra Pradesh is one of the major blackgram producing states in India. The present study was taken up with an objective to find out the economics and profitability of blackgram in Andhra Pradesh. The data regarding cost of cultivation for combined Andhra Pradesh for different years were obtained from the Directorate of Economics and statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The results revealed that blackgram cultivation is profitable and rice fallow pulses cropping pattern can be encouraged in the state. The comparison of the gross returns and cost of cultivation revealed positive returns indicating that blackgram cultivation is profitable.
Revisiting the Optical Dispersion of Aluminum‐Doped Zinc Oxide: New Perspectives for Plasmonics and Metamaterials
Authors: Shabani Alireza , Nezhad Mehdi Khazaei , Rahmani Neda , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Sanyal Biplab , Adam Jost
Published: December 2020

Due to the high rate of optical losses and the extensive usage of noble metals, alternative plasmonic materials with maximum tunability and low loss are desired for future plasmonic and metamaterial devices and applications. Herein, the potential of aluminum‐doped zinc oxide (AZO), one of the most prominent members of the transparent conducting oxide family, is demonstrated, for its applicability in plasmonic metamaterials. Using first‐principles density functional theory, combined with optical calculations, AZO‐based, plasmonic split‐ring resonators (SRRs) as model examples are showcased. The results match with experimental reports for the optical dielectric functions of pure and 2.08% Al‐doped zinc oxide (ZnO), if the Hubbard model to the local density approximation is applied. The broadband optical dispersion data for varying dopant concentrations (0%, 2.08%, and 6.25%) are extracted and provided. The subsequent optical response analyses show the existence of pronounced plasmons and inductor–capacitor modes in Al‐doped ZnO SRRs and an enhancement in metallic characteristics and plasmonic performance of AZO upon increasing Al concentration. The findings predict AZO as a low‐loss plasmonic material with promising capability for enhancing future optoelectronics applications. The method introduces a new, versatile approach to design future optical materials of arbitrary geometry.
Engineered Sortases in Peptide and Protein Chemistry
Authors: Freund Christian , Schwarzer Dirk
Published: December 2020

The transpeptidase sortase A of Staphylococcus aureus (Sa‐SrtA) is a valuable tool in protein chemistry. The native enzyme anchors surface proteins containing a highly conserved LPxTG sorting motif to a terminal glycine residue of the peptidoglycan layer in Gram‐positive bacteria. This reaction is exploited for sortase‐mediated ligation (SML), allowing the site‐specific linkage of synthetic peptides and recombinant proteins by a native peptide bond. However, the moderate catalytic efficiency and specificity of Sa‐SrtA fueled the development of new biocatalysts for SML, including the screening of sortase A variants form microorganisms other than S. aureus and the directed protein evolution of the Sa‐SrtA enzyme itself. Novel display platforms and screening formats were developed to isolate sortases with altered properties from mutant libraries. This yielded sortases with strongly enhanced catalytic activity and enzymes recognizing new sorting motifs as substrates. This minireview focuses on recent advances in the field of directed sortase evolution and applications of these tailor‐made enzymes in biochemistry.
Role of cancer survivor health and health service use in spouses' use of mental health–related care
Authors: Litzelman Kristin , Choi Hyojin , Maher Molly E. , Harnish Autumn
Published: December 2020

Background

Spouses of cancer survivors are at an increased risk of poor mental health outcomes but are known to underuse supportive services. The objective of the current study was to determine how the health and health care use of cancer survivors were associated with depression and anxiety‐related health care use in their spouses.

Methods

The current observational study used data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to identify married individuals with a cancer‐related medical event or disability (“cancer survivors”), and linked health and health care use data across spousal dyads. Spouses reporting a prescription for an antidepressant or antianxiety medication or any psychotherapy were flagged as having used mental health care. Correlates of use were assessed, with a focus on the health and health care use of the cancer survivor.

Results

Greater than 25% of the spouses of cancer survivors used mental health care over the approximately 2.5 years of follow‐up. Controlling for their own predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics, spouses were found to be less likely to use mental health care if the cancer survivor reported more health conditions or elevated depressed mood compared with dyads in which the survivor reported low distress and depression. Spouses were nearly 3 times more likely to use mental health care if the cancer survivor themselves had used mental health care (odds ratio, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 2.17‐4.09).

Conclusions

The findings of the current study enhance understanding of how health outcomes are intertwined in families with cancer, and reinforce the importance of a family‐centered approach to cancer care that facilitates psychosocial care.

LAY SUMMARY

The health and well‐being of cancer survivors and their spouses are intertwined. The results of the current study demonstrated that this interrelationship extends to mental health care related to depression and anxiety.

Spouses of cancer survivors were found to be less likely to receive mental health care when the survivor had more health care needs. Spouses were nearly 3 times more likely to receive care if the survivor also was receiving mental health care.

Caregiving spouses may face more challenges finding the time, money, or energy to engage in their own self‐care. However, providing supportive care to one partner may help the other partner access care as well.
Putting nonverbal communication under a lens: An examination of the dynamic interplay of patient–provider interactions between Black patients and non‐Black physicians
Authors: Ibilibor Christine , Moses Kelvin A.
Published: December 2020

Patient–physician communication, both verbal and nonverbal, can be negatively impacted by discordant dyads. Improvement in nonverbal cues and recognition of implicit biases may help mitigate suboptimal outcomes due to poor communication.
Phase 2 study of copanlisib in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in advanced biliary tract cancers
Authors: Tan Elaine S. , Cao Biwei , Kim Jongphil , Al‐Toubah Taymeyah E. , Mehta Rutika , Centeno Barbara A. , Kim Richard D.
Published: December 2020

Background

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) has a poor prognosis despite treatment with first‐line gemcitabine and cisplatin. In BTC, PI3K/AKT pathway activation has been shown to increase resistance to chemotherapy, which may be overcome with PI3K inhibition. This phase 2 study evaluated the safety and efficacy of copanlisib, a PI3K inhibitor, with gemcitabine and cisplatin in advanced BTCs. The role of PTEN expression in outcomes was also explored.

Methods

Patients with advanced/unresectable BTC received gemcitabine, cisplatin, and copanlisib as their first‐line treatment. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS) at 6 months. Secondary endpoints were the response rate (RR), median overall survival (OS)/PFS, and safety profile. An assessment of PTEN expression by immunohistochemistry was also performed along with molecular profiling.

Results

Twenty‐four patients received at least 1 dose of the study drug. The PFS rate at 6 months was 51%; the median OS was 13.7 months (95% CI, 6.8‐18.0 months), and the median PFS was 6.2 months (95% CI, 2.9‐10.1 months). Nineteen patients were evaluable for RR: 6 patients achieved a partial response (31.6%), and 11 (57.9%) had stable disease. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were a decreased neutrophil count (45.83%), anemia (25%), increased lipase (25%), and hypertension (20.8%). Twenty patients had tissue evaluable for the PTEN status. The PFS for low (n = 9) and high PTEN expression (n = 11) was 8.5 and 4.6 months, respectively (P = .19). The median OS for low and high PTEN expression groups was 17.9 and 7.0 months, respectively (P = .19).

Conclusions

The addition of copanlisib to gemcitabine and cisplatin does not improve PFS at 6 months. However, future studies using PTEN as a potential biomarker should be considered.

Lay Summary

The addition of copanlisib, a PI3K inhibitor, to standard chemotherapy for advanced biliary tract cancers was assessed for efficacy and safety. Twenty‐four patients with advanced biliary tract cancer received treatment in this study.

There was no difference in survival with the addition of copanlisib in comparison with standard chemotherapy.

Copanlisib may be more effective and increase survival in patients with low PTEN expression levels. Further studies are needed to confirm this. No unexpected adverse events occurred.
Is restorative justice punishment?
Authors: Gade Christian B. N.
Published: December 2020

This article has two objectives, both of which are new. First, it presents a new framework of punishment in nine dimensions, which makes it possible to distinguish systematically between different conceptualizations of the nature of punishment. Second, using the framework, it discusses the relationship between restorative justice and punishment, showing that some cases of restorative justice constitute punishment from the perspectives of some of the punishment positions in the framework but not for others. Thus, according to some positions, restorative justice (mediation, conferences, circles, etc.) is punishment.
Unveiling the Synergistic Effect between Graphitic Carbon Nitride and Cu2O toward CO2Electroreduction to C2H4
Authors: Zhang Jiguang , Guo Yuting , Shang Bin , Fan Tingting , Lian Xinyi , Huang Pingping , Dong Yunyun , Chen Zhou , Yi Xiaodong
Published: December 2020

Electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide (CO2RR) to ethylene is one of the most promising strategies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and simultaneously produce high value‐added chemicals. However, the lack of catalysts with excellent activity and stability limits the large‐scale application of this technology. In this work, a graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4)‐supported Cu2O composite was fabricated, which exhibited a 32.2 % faradaic efficiency of C2H4with a partial current density of −4.3 mA cm−2at −1.1 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.1 mKHCO3electrolyte. The introduction of g‐C3N4support not only enhanced the uniform dispersion of Cu2O nanocubes, but also stabilized the important *CO intermediates. Moreover, the g‐C3N4itself had a good activity of reducing CO2to form *CO, which enriched the key intermediates of C−C coupling around cuprous oxide. The findings highlight the importance of the g‐C3N4support, a unique two‐dimensional material, including not only the strong CO2adsorption and activation capacity but also its synergistic effect with the cuprous oxide in CO2RR selectivity.
Ketamine and Norketamine: Enantioresolution and Enantioselective Aquatic Ecotoxicity Studies
Authors: Pérez-Pereira Ariana , Ribeiro Cláudia , Teles Filomena , Gonçalves Ricardo , M.F. Gonçalves Virgínia , Pereira José Augusto , Carrola João Soares , Pires Carlos , Tiritan Maria Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Ketamine is a chiral drug used for various clinical purposes but often misused. It is metabolized to norketamine, an active chiral metabolite. Both substances have been detected in environmental matrices, but studies about their enantioselective toxic effects are scarce. In the present study, the enantiomers of ketamine and norketamine were separated by a semipreparative enantioselective liquid chromatography method, and their toxicity was investigated in different aquatic organisms. The enantioseparation was achieved using a homemade semipreparative chiral column. Optimized conditions allowed the recovery of compounds with enantiomeric purity higher than 99%, except for (R)-ketamine (97%). The absolute configuration of the enantiomers was achieved by experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The ecotoxicity assays were performed with the microcrustacean Daphnia magna and the protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila using Toxkit MicroBioTests. Different concentrations were tested (0.1–10 000 µg/L) to include environmental levels (~0.5–~100 µg/L), for racemates (R,S) and the isolated enantiomers (R or S) of ketamine and norketamine. No toxicity was observed in either organism at environmental levels. However, at greater concentrations, (R,S)-ketamine presented higher mortality for D. magna compared with its metabolite (R,S)-norketamine (85 and 20%, respectively), and the (S)-ketamine enantiomer showed higher toxicity than the (R)-ketamine enantiomer. In addition, (S)-ketamine also presented higher growth inhibition than (R)-ketamine for T. thermophila at the highest concentrations (5000 and 10 000 µg/L). Contrary to D. magna, growth inhibition was observed for both enantiomers of norketamine and in the same magnitude order of the (S)-ketamine enantiomer. The results showed that the 2 organisms had different susceptibilities to norketamine and that the toxicity of ketamine at high concentrations is enantioselective for both organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:569–579. © 2020 SETAC
Short-Term Aging of Pod-Derived Biochar Reduces Soil Cadmium Mobility and Ameliorates Cadmium Toxicity to Soil Enzymes and Tomato
Authors: Ogunkunle Clement Oluseye , Falade Fayoke Oluwaseun , Oyedeji Bosede Jumoke , Akande Funmi Ojuolape , Vishwakarma Vinita , Alagarsamy Karthik , Ramachandran D. , Fatoba Paul Ojo
Published: December 2020

Contamination of agricultural soil with cadmium (Cd) has become a global concern because of its adverse effects on ecohealth and food safety. Soil amendment with biochar has become one of the phytotechnologies to reduce soil metal phyto-availability and its potential risks along the food chain. Biochar, derived from cocoa pod, was evaluated in soil Cd fractions (exchangeable, reducible, oxidizable, and residual) by modified Commission of the European Communities Bureau of Reference sequential extraction and its efficacy to ameliorate Cd toxicity to soil enzymes and leaf bioactive compounds. A pot experiment was conducted using Cd-spiked soil at 10 mg/kg with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at a biochar application rate of 1 and 3% (w/w) for 6 wk. The addition of biochar significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the exchangeable, reducible, and residual fractions by at least approximately 23%, with a consequential decrease in Cd root uptake and transport within tomato tissues. The activity of soil enzymes (catalase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and urease) was affected by Cd toxicity. However, with the exception of dehydrogenase, biochar application significantly enhanced the activity of these enzymes, especially at the 3% (w/w) rate. As for the secondary metabolites we studied, Cd toxicity was observed for glutathione, terpenoids, and total phenols. However, the biochar application rate of 1% (w/w) significantly ameliorated the effects of toxicity on the secondary metabolites. In conclusion, biochar demonstrated the potential to act as a soil amendment for Cd immobilization and thereby reduce the bioavailability of Cd in soil, mitigating food security risks. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3306–3316. © 2020 SETAC
White matter integrity and structural brain network topology in cerebral small vessel disease: The Hamburg city health study
Authors: Frey Benedikt M. , Petersen Marvin , Schlemm Eckhard , Mayer Carola , Hanning Uta , Engelke Kristin , Fiehler Jens , Borof Katrin , Jagodzinski Annika , Gerloff Christian , Thomalla Götz , Cheng Bastian
Published: December 2020

Cerebral small vessel disease is a common finding in the elderly and associated with various clinical sequelae. Previous studies suggest disturbances in the integration capabilities of structural brain networks as a mediating link between imaging and clinical presentations. To what extent cerebral small vessel disease might interfere with other measures of global network topology is not well understood. Connectomes were reconstructed via diffusion weighted imaging in a sample of 930 participants from a population based epidemiologic study. Linear models were fitted testing for an association of graph‐theoretical measures reflecting integration and segregation with both the Peak width of Skeletonized Mean Diffusivity (PSMD) and the load of white matter hyperintensities of presumed vascular origin (WMH). The latter were subdivided in periventricular and deep for an analysis of localisation‐dependent correlations of cerebral small vessel disease. The median WMH volume was 0.6 mL (1.4) and the median PSMD 2.18 mm2/s x 10−4 (0.5). The connectomes showed a median density of 0.880 (0.030), the median values for normalised global efficiency, normalised clustering coefficient, modularity Q and small‐world propensity were 0.780 (0.045), 1.182 (0.034), 0.593 (0.026) and 0.876 (0.040) respectively. An increasing burden of cerebral small vessel disease was significantly associated with a decreased integration and increased segregation and thus decreased small‐worldness of structural brain networks. Even in rather healthy subjects increased cerebral small vessel disease burden is accompanied by topological brain network disturbances. Segregation parameters and small‐worldness might as well contribute to the understanding of the known clinical sequelae of cerebral small vessel disease.
Cost‐effectiveness of endoscopic endonasal vs transcranial approaches for olfactory groove meningioma
Authors: Fu Terence S. , Yao Christopher M. K. L. , Ziai Hedyeh , Monteiro Eric , Almeida Joao Paulo , Zadeh Gelareh , Gentili Fred , de Almeida John R.
Published: December 2020

Background

Endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) have been adopted as an alternative to standard transcranial approaches for olfactory groove meningiomas (OGMs). However, the relative cost‐effectiveness remains controversial.

Methods

Cost‐utility analysis from a societal perspective comparing EEA vs transcranial approaches for OGM was used in this study. Surgical treatment was modeled using decision analysis, and a Markov model was adopted over a 20‐year horizon. Parameters were obtained from literature review. Costs were expressed in 2017 Canadian dollars.

Results

In the base case, EEA was cost‐effective compared with transcranial surgery with an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of $33 523 ($30 475 USD)/QALY. There was a 55% likelihood that EEA was cost‐effective at a willingness‐to‐pay of $50 000/QALY. EEA remained cost‐effective at a cerebrospinal fluid leak rate below 60%, gross total resection rate above 25%, and base cost less than $66 174 ($60 158 USD).

Conclusion

EEA may be a cost‐effective alternative to transcranial approaches for selected OGM.
The effectiveness of radiotherapy in the treatment of head and neck mucosal melanoma: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Grant‐Freemantle Marc C. , Lane O'Neill Billy , Clover Anthony James P.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare condition with a poor prognosis. Surgery is the corner stone of treatment, however, radiotherapy has been commonly employed as a treatment strategy and recent studies suggesting that survival outcomes may be improving are emerging.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis comparing risk ratios of radiotherapy and surgery and radiotherapy (SRT) with surgery for 5‐year overall survival, local recurrence and distant metastasis in head and neck mucosal melanoma (HNMM).

Results

SRT has a lower risk of death compared to surgery [RR 0.93 [95% CI = 0.87, 0.98] (P = .01)] and a reduced risk of local recurrence [RR 0.63 [95% CI = 0.48, 0.82] (P = .005)]. SRT has no effect on distant metastasis. Radiotherapy has worse survival when compared to surgery [RR 1.2 [95% CI = 1.03, 1.33] (P = .0006)].

Conclusions

SRT confers a moderate survival advantage in HNMM compared to surgery. This is most likely secondary to reduced local recurrence.
Clinical features and therapeutic responses to proton pump inhibitor in patients with severe reflux esophagitis: A multicenter prospective observational study
Authors: Isshi Kimio , Matsuhashi Nobuyuki , Joh Takashi , Higuchi Kazuhide , Iwakiri Katsuhiko , Kamiya Takeshi , Manabe Noriaki , Nakada Tatsuya , Ogawa Maiko , Arihiro Seiji , Haruma Ken , Nakada Koji
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim

In patients with severe erosive reflux disease (ERD; Los Angeles classification grade C/D) who do not undergo endoscopic examination, insufficient strength and duration of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy may lead to complications such as esophageal bleeding and stenosis. Therefore, to provide a safe and effective treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), we investigated the clinical features of patients with severe ERD and their responses to PPI therapy.

Methods

Patients with GERD symptoms received PPI therapy for 4 weeks after endoscopic examination. The patients completed the Gastroesophageal reflux and dyspepsia therapeutic efficacy and satisfaction test questionnaire before and 2 or 4 weeks after PPI treatment. Patient characteristics, presence/absence of coexisting atrophic gastritis (AG) and hiatus hernia (HH), and responses to PPI therapy were compared in patients with GERD among three groups (nonerosive reflux disease, mild ERD [grade A/B], and severe ERD).

Results

The severe ERD group had a significantly higher proportion of males, higher body mass index, and longer duration of GERD morbidity. Furthermore, the severe ERD group also had a significantly lower incidence of coexisting AG and higher incidence of HH. There was no difference in the severity of GERD before PPI treatment among the three groups. Unexpectedly, the response to PPI therapy was the best in the severe ERD group.

Conclusion

Sufficient strength and period of PPI therapy are required, even if the symptoms show early improvement, when treating GERD patients without performing endoscopy, considering the possibility of severe ERD.
External auditory canal reconstruction with inferior pedicled square screw flap from the preauricular area after resection of external auditory canal cancer
Authors: Anazawa Utaro , Omura Kazuhiro , Nishijima Yoshikata , Aoki Kensuke , Kojima Hiromi , Tanaka Yasuhiro
Published: December 2020

Background

The postoperative reconstruction of ear canal cancer with a local flap such as the snail flap technique has been reported for cases with few tissue defects. The snail flap technique requires a large skin incision and is at risk of facial neuropathy. We have devised a new flap that addresses these problems.

Methods

An 80‐year‐old woman underwent total right ear canal resection for cancer of the right ear canal, and the defect of the ear canal was reconstructed using a local flap. The local flap was used by making a rectangular incision in front of the auricle and rolling it into a cylindrical shape. We named this flap a square screw flap.

Results

The patient was discharged 1 week after surgery without complications.

Conclusions

This method is considered to be useful for reconstruction of the ear canal with a small defect.
Pexidartinib Long-Term Hepatic Safety Profile in Patients with Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumors
Authors: Lewis James H. , Gelderblom Hans , Sande Michiel , Stacchiotti Silvia , Healey John H. , Tap William D. , Wagner Andrew J. , Pousa Antonio Lopez , Druta Mihaela , Lin Chia-Chi , Baba Hideo A. , Choi Youngsook , Wang Qiang , Shuster Dale E. , Bauer Sebastian
Published: December 2020

Background

Pexidartinib is approved in the U.S. for tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCTs). Herein, we assessed the hepatic safety profile of pexidartinib across patients with TGCTs receiving pexidartinib.

Materials, and Methods

Hepatic adverse reactions (ARs) were assessed by type and magnitude of liver test abnormalities, classified as (a) isolated aminotransferase elevations (alanine [ALT] or aspartate [AST], without significant alkaline phosphatase [ALP] or bilirubin elevations), or (b) mixed or cholestatic hepatotoxicity (increase in ALP with or without ALT/AST and bilirubin elevations, based on adjudication). Median follow-up from initial pexidartinib treatment was 39 months (range, 32–82) in 140 patients with TGCTs across clinical studies NCT01004861, NCT02371369, NCT02734433, and NCT03291288.

Results

In total, 95% of patients with TGCTs (133/140) treated with pexidartinib (median duration of exposure, 19 months [range, 1–76]), experienced a hepatic AR. A total of 128 patients (91%) had reversible, low-grade dose-dependent isolated AST/ALT elevations without significant ALP elevations. Five patients (4%) experienced serious mixed or cholestatic injury. No case met Hy's law criteria. Onset of hepatic ARs was predominantly in the first 2 months. All five serious hepatic AR cases recovered 1–7 months following pexidartinib discontinuation. Five patients from the non-TGCT population (N = 658) experienced serious hepatic ARs, two irreversible cases.

Conclusion

This pooled analysis provides information to help form the basis for the treating physician's risk assessment for patients with TCGTs, a locally aggressive but typically nonmetastatic tumor. In particular, long-term treatment with pexidartinib has a predictable effect on hepatic aminotransferases and unpredictable risk of serious cholestatic or mixed liver injury.

Implications for Practice

This is the first long-term pooled analysis to report on the long-term hepatic safety of pexidartinib in patients with tenosynovial giant cell tumors associated with severe morbidity or functional limitations and not amenable to improvement with surgery. These findings extend beyond what has been previously published, describing the observed instances of hepatic toxicity following pexidartinib treatment across the clinical development program. This information is highly relevant for medical oncologists and orthopedic oncologists and provides guidance for its proper use for appropriate patients within the Pexidartinib Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Safety program.
Imbert–Fedorov Effects of Polarized Laser Beams Reflected from Dove Prism/Indium Tin Oxide Interface under Electric and Thermal Fields
Authors: Jiao Xinbing , Li Lumeng , Sun Fengning , Qian Chengyuan
Published: December 2020

Imbert–Fedorov (IF) effects of a polarized laser beam reflected from a dove prism/indium tin oxide (ITO) interface in the presence of electric and thermal fields are studied using a slit‐beam profiler and Stokes polarimeters. The IF effects of the polarized laser beams are primarily influenced by an electric field when the external direct current (DC) voltage is below 1.0 V, and it is mainly influenced by the thermal field when the external DC voltage changes from 1.0 to 4.0 V. The results exhibit a high resolution of 3 × 10−3 °C, due to the variation of the right‐ and left‐circular polarization properties of the reflected linearly polarized laser beams. In view of this influence of electric and thermal fields on IF effects, the results can be applied in polarization optics, temperature sensing, and light manipulation.
Single Si‐doped fullerene as a catalyst in the oxygen reduction reaction: A quantum chemical insight
Authors: Vashchenko Alexander V. , Kuzmin Anton V. , Shainyan Bagrat A.
Published: December 2020

The ability of the Si‐doped fullerene C59Si to catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acidic and alkaline media has been studied by density functional theory calculations. The active sites for oxygen adsorption were determined from the distribution of the charge density difference analysis. The Si‐doped fullerene C59Si has the global minimum at the structure HO*O*C59Si generated by only one hydrogen transfer [H+ + e−] at the equilibrium potential, but shifts to the structure HO*C59Si at overpotentials higher 0.8 V or below 0 V in acidic or alkaline media, respectively. The comparison of the free energy plots for the 2e and 4e pathways of ORR showed the preference of the latter over the former due to the formation of stable intermediates suffering the OO bond breaking.
Dual Defect‐Passivation Using Phthalocyanine for Enhanced Efficiency and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Hu Qikun , Rezaee Ehsan , Xu Wangping , Ramachandran Rajendran , Chen Qian , Xu Hu , EL‐Assaad Tarek , McGrath Dominic V. , Xu Zong‐Xiang
Published: December 2020

Semiconducting molecules have been employed to passivate traps extant in the perovskite film for enhancement of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) efficiency and stability. A molecular design strategy to passivate the defects both on the surface and interior of the CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite layer, using two phthalocyanine (Pc) molecules (NP‐SC6‐ZnPc and NP‐SC6‐TiOPc) is demonstrated. The presence of lone electron pairs on S, N, and O atoms of the Pc molecular structures provides the opportunity for Lewis acid–base interactions with under‐coordinated Pb2+ sites, leading to efficient defect passivation of the perovskite layer. The tendency of both NP‐SC6‐ZnPc and NP‐SC6‐TiOPc to relax on the PbI2 terminated surface of the perovskite layer is also studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The morphology of the perovskite layer is improved due to employing the Pc passivation strategy, resulting in high‐quality thin films with a dense and compact structure and lower surface roughness. Using NP‐SC6‐ZnPc and NP‐SC6‐TiOPc as passivating agents, it is observed considerably enhanced power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), from 17.67% for the PSCs based on the pristine perovskite film to 19.39% for NP‐SC6‐TiOPc passivated devices. Moreover, PSCs fabricated based on the Pc passivation method present a remarkable stability under conditions of high moisture and temperature levels.
Adhesives used in herbaria: Current practice with regard to what we know from written sources on mounting herbarium specimens and conservation
Authors: Grenda‐Kurmanow Magdalena
Published: December 2020

Herbaria are important sources of information concerning biodiversity, climate change and ecology, migration and evolution of plants, and extinct or invasive species. The development of genetic sampling enables retrieval of genetic material even from historical records, extending potential uses of herbarium collections. However, the use of adhesives might be detrimental to dried plant specimens, contributing to their degradation on many levels. The use of the appropriate adhesive has always been the subject of discussion and one of the important issues concerning herbarium making. This paper discusses current practices of the use of adhesives in herbaria collections, regarding their long‐term quality in terms of aging behaviour and appropriateness for the use with herbarium material. Health and safety of herbarium staff are also addressed. Results of a survey consisting of open‐ended questions are presented, showing various approaches to the mounting of specimens and differences in assessing particular adhesives. The goal of the enquiry was to gather information about the most popular current practices of herbarium conservators. A list of adhesives extracted from an extensive review of herbarium‐related literature is also provided, including conservation treatment reports.
113 in 1928? Validation of Delina Filkins as the First “Second-Century Teenager”
Authors: Young Robert Douglas
Published: December 2020

Delina Filkins was born May 4, 1815 in Stark, Herkimer County, New York, a small village of less than 2000 persons in the Hudson River Valley, Upstate New York. Her father, William Ecker, and mother, Susanna Herwick, were descended from Dutch and German settlers that came to the Mohawk Valley, New York, in the 1700s. Living her entire life in the same area within a ten-mile radius, her life spanned over 113 years. With the exception of her great age and her generally good health, Delina’s life was rather ordinary: she lived most of it on the family farm, helping with family tasks such as spinning yarn and making clothes. Delina married John Filkins, a local farmer, at age 18 and they had six (possibly seven) children together, two of whom outlived her. Delina was noted for her age in very late life, with local coverage from about 1916, then reaching national attention in the 1920s. With the understanding that Delina’s age was generally considered to be reliable by the press at the time, her case is a candidate for the earliest validated person to reach age 113+. This chapter takes a closer look at the case and the documents available and concludes that the amount and consistency of the available documentation suggest that Delina Filkins did indeed reach age 113 in 1928.
Mortality of Supercentenarians: Estimates from the Updated IDL
Authors: Gampe Jutta
Published: December 2020

Mortality after age 110 has been estimated to be flat at a level corresponding to an annual probability of death of 50% (Gampe, Supercentenarians. Springer, Berlin, 2010). Since the publication of these results, the IDL has been substantially updated, and the number of supercentenarians in the database has roughly doubled. Here we report the results obtained from the updated database (N = 1219 supercentenarians). The broad conclusions regarding human mortality at the highest ages still hold.
Causes of Death at Very Old Ages, Including for Supercentenarians
Authors: Meslé France , Vallin Jacques
Published: December 2020

The causes of death reported on the death certificates of the oldest old are generally seen as unreliable, and as thus providing little useful information on the process leading to death. However, in advanced countries, a majority of the people who die each year are relatively old, and the level of detail provided on medical certificates about the causes of death among this older population is improving. At the same time, scholars are becoming increasingly interested in studying not just the initial cause of death, but multiple causes of death, thereby taking all of the information reported on the certificate into account. This study demonstrates that in a country like France, the cause-of-death pattern evolves regularly until around age 105. The share of people dying of circulatory diseases tends to be quite stable over the age range, while the share of individuals dying of cancer is declining, and the share of people dying of respiratory/infectious diseases is rising. Furthermore, among people who die at very old ages, a typology of multiple causes of death highlights the growing importance of ill-defined causes, while opening the door to an interesting discussion about the concept of cause of death in the supercentenarian population. Instead of representing an ill-defined cause, senility could be considered an actual cause of death. This suggests that daily care is more crucial to the survival of the oldest old than any conventional medical care or treatment. Supercentenarians tend to be so frail that any minor health event or brief lapse of attention on the part of their caregivers can be lethal.