bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes to the status of birds in the Tapitallee region on the south coast of New South Wales from 1928 to 2020
Authors: Daly Garry
Published: July 2021

Aubrey Elliott (1910–1943), a passionate ‘bird-man’, lived in the suburb of Tapitallee on the south coast of New South Wales until 1940. During that period he and his brother, Arthur kept notes on the birds in the local area and devised a hide that was mounted on a utility that enabled them to take close-up photographs. To augment his observations Elliott interviewed local residents and collated information on the status of the area’s birds. In 1985 I purchased the property next to where Elliott lived and was given access to his notes. This paper presents a comparison of avifauna in the Tapitallee area between 1926–40 and 1985–2020. During that time there have been changes in the distribution and abundance of many birds. Fourteen species have become locally extinct while 28 have colonised/recolonised the area. Combining Aubrey’s and our data a total of 194 species of bird have been recorded in the area. Dams have been constructed and native vegetation has regrown on the steeper slopes. These actions have expanded the habitat for aquatic and forest dependant species but disadvantaged those that occupy grasslands. The Red Fox Vulpes vulpes colonised the area in 1907 and is implicated in the local extinction of the Bush Stone Curlew Burhinus grallarius. Wildfire in January 2020 burnt a relatively small portion of the Tapitallee area but these fires burnt an extensive area of southern NSW and Victoria. These fires were likely to be responsible for the decline in the numbers of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters Caligavis chrysops and White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus migrating north in the autumn of that year.
The Risk of Nosocomial Infection Transmission in the Paediatric Outpatient Clinic in a Developing Country
Authors: Amadi Ogechukwu F. , Chinawa Awoere T. , Asinobi Isaac N. , Ekwochi Uchenna , Nduagubam Obinna C. , Iheji Chukwunonso C. , Okamkpa Chikezie J. , Ndu Ikenna K.
Published: July 2021

Objective: As more care is provided for children in outpatient facilities, it is increasingly important to understand the potential for disease transmission and this is particularly so for nosocomial infections which are infections originating in hospitals. Knowledge of the profile of bacterial isolates of surfaces in outpatient facilities and their sensitivity patterns serves as a guide for prevention of nosocomial infection transmission.

Material and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Children's Outpatient Clinic (CHOP) of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria (ESUT-TH). Samples for culture were collected from equipment and hospital surfaces. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined for each isolate by the Agar diffusion method using Standard Nutrient Agar 1 discs.

Results: Out of 122 samples collected from various sites, bacterial growth was observed in 55 (45.0%) specimens. Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus were the most common isolates cultured from 23 different locations. Among the Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 17.4% (4/23) were MRSA. Levofloxacin and Imipenem showed the best sensitivity pattern for Staphylococcus aureus

Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus were the commonest isolates.

There is need to develop specific protocols that will ensure hand hygiene, judicious use of antimicrobials, active surveillance, and enhanced cleaning/disinfection of surfaces in outpatient clinics as essential components of prevention and control of nosocomial infections.
Analysis of Patients Undergoing Splenectomy for Spleen Masses
Authors: Erdogan Osman , Parlakgumus Alper , Topal Ugur , Daban Ugras , Tas Zeynel Abidin , Irkorucu Oktay
Published: July 2021

Aims: Spleen masses, which are discovered on imaging studies, usually create difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. Except for lymphomas involving the spleen, primary and secondary neoplasms are rare and discovered by chance. This study analyses a series of splenectomies in a surgical clinic to evaluate the management of incidentally diagnosed splenic masses.

Study Design: This retrospective study included patients operated for spleen masses between 2010 and 2021. Patients with a history of lymphoproliferative disease and splenectomy performed as part of a larger resection were excluded.

Methodology: The patients were divided into three groups, i.e. cystic, benign and malignant, based on the results of pathological examinations. The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, tumor size, and previous history of malignancy.

Results: Splenectomy was performed in 512 patients in 11 years, 62 of whom had solid and cystic lesions detected on imaging. Thirty-five patients (56,5%) were female and the median age was 40 years (range: 18-80 years). Forty-four patients (71%) had distinct symptoms. Radiological evaluations of all the patients were made. Diagnostic biopsy could not be performed in any of the patients. The final pathological examination showed cysts in 38 patients (61,3%), benign lesions in nine patients (14,5%) and malignant lesions in 15 patients (24,2%). Out of 15 patients with malignant lesions, one patient had Hodgkin’s lymphoma, four patients had diffuse large B cell lymphoma and ten patients had metastatic tumors. There was a significant difference in age between the groups and the malignant group was older (p = 0.017). The size of the lesions also significantly differed and the malignant lesions had a significantly smaller diameter (p = 0.014). A significantly higher rate of the malignant group had a previous history of cancer (p˂0,001).

Conclusion: Spleen neoplasms are masses that are difficult to diagnose. Most of them are asymptomatic and are found after splenectomies by coincidence. Splenectomy can be utilized as both a diagnostic and curative method. It should be kept in mind that the lesions detected in the spleen in patients with a history of malignancy can be metastatic.
IDH Mutation Subgroup Status Associates with Intratumor Heterogeneity and the Tumor Microenvironment in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Xiang Xiao , Liu Ziyang , Zhang Chong , Li Zhao , Gao Jie , Zhang Changkun , Cao Qi , Cheng Jinghui , Liu Hengkang , Chen Dingbao , Cheng Qian , Zhang Ning , Xue Ruidong , Bai Fan , Zhu Jiye
Published: July 2021

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is highly heterogeneous. Here, the authors perform exome sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing on 73 tumor regions from 14 ICC patients to portray the multi‐faceted intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) landscape of ICC. The authors show that ITH is highly concordant across genomic, transcriptomic, and immune levels. Comparison of these data to 8 published datasets reveals significantly higher degrees of ITH in ICC than hepatocellular carcinoma. Remarkably, the authors find that high‐ITH tumors highly overlap with the IDH (isocitrate dehydrogenase)‐mutant subgroup (IDH‐SG), comprising of IDH‐mutated tumors and IDH‐like tumors, that is, those IDH‐wildtype tumors that exhibit similar molecular profiles to the IDH‐mutated ones. Furthermore, IDH‐SG exhibits less T cell infiltration and lower T cell cytotoxicity, indicating a colder tumor microenvironment (TME). The higher ITH and colder TME of IDH‐SG are successfully validated by single‐cell RNA sequencing on 17 503 cells from 4 patients. Collectively, the study shows that IDH mutant subgroup status, rather than IDH mutation alone, is associated with ITH and the TME of ICC tumors. The results highlight that IDH‐like patients may also benefit from IDH targeted therapies and provide important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of ICC.
Root decomposition in silvopastures is influenced by grazing, fertility, and grass species
Authors: Ashworth Amanda J. , Adams Taylor , Kharel Tulsi , Philipp Dirk , Owens Phillip , Sauer Thomas
Published: July 2021

Grass root production and decomposition is a major source of C entering soils, although rates are largely unknown based on edaphic and management factors. Therefore, study objectives were to evaluate four explanatory variables including forage species (native and nonnative), fertility (poultry litter and a control), soil moisture (udic and aquic), and pasture management (grazed and an ungrazed control) in order to evaluate driving factors for root turnover and subsequent soil organic matter formation in silvopastoral systems using the root litter bag technique. Native grass root decomposition was accelerated relative to the nonnative forage based on root mass balance, as well as the exponential decay function, likely owing to greater five‐ and six‐C sugars and more digestible root tissues of native grasses. These physiochemical results suggest more favorable microbial food sources, which culminate in faster decomposition and greater microbially derived organic matter. Overall, there was greater root sloughing and subsequent soil organic matter formation potential with native grass species and poultry litter applications, with soil moisture affecting decomposition to a lesser extent. This study contributes to the understanding of complex interactions of grass species, soil moisture, nutrients, and grazing, which controls primary productivity, as well as nutrient cycling and C sequestration in silvopastures.
A social media analytics perspective for human‐oriented smart city planning and management
Authors: Miah Shah Jahan , Vu Huy Quan , Alahakoon Damminda
Published: July 2021

Understanding how people engage in daily activities within a region can provide valuable information for smart city planners and strategic partners to use to assist in their decision‐making processes. Such insights may relate to economic activities, sustainable city design, environmental impacts, and responses to climate change, contributing to the improvement in the quality of human life. Considerable attention is recently directed towards smart city initiatives that benefit majority of people, rather than projects that cater to the political, architectural, or vanity needs of a minority. However, understanding citizen requirements, behaviors, and opinions is difficult, and requires the use of technology and appropriate information sources. While social‐media big data have provided opportunities to develop evidence‐based insights into human daily activities, effective analytical methods to harness these opportunities remain in development. We propose a new analytical method to provide a deeper understanding of citizen activities by constructing building blocks in their activity storylines, with analysis of these storylines providing evidence‐based insights into their activities. Results demonstrate the usefulness of our method to smart city planners and strategic partners, providing invaluable insights to assist them in making decisions regarding sustainable smart city development.
Analysis of the effects of different nitrogen sources and calcium on the production of amphotericin by Streptomyces nodosus based on comparative transcriptome
Authors: Huang Kai , Zhang Bo , Chen Yu , Wu Zhe‐Ming , Liu Zhi‐Qiang , Zheng Yu‐Guo
Published: July 2021

Streptomyces nodosus is known as the main manufacturer of amphotericin B (AmB), which is an effective antifungal drug. It is verified that the optimization of fermentation conditions and key growth factors have a great impact on the yield of AmB. The AmB production of S. nodosus in cotton‐seed meal (CM) medium was 1.6 times than that of beef‐paste medium. The transcriptome analysis was used to analyze the effects of different nitrogen media and calcium on S. nodosus. Related genes of the EMP and TCA pathways, such as phosphofructokinase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, and citrate synthase, were upregulated in CM medium. The expression level of the PKS modules of the amphotericin synthesis gene cluster in beef‐paste medium was higher. Other functional genes, such as amphGH and amphRIV, have the advantage of expressing in CM medium. Ca2+ promoted the upregulation of genes in metabolic pathways such as EMP pathway (pyruvate dehydrogenase), TCA pathway (citrate synthase), and amphotericin synthesis genes (PKS modules). The expression of WhiB family genes SNOD_RS 13310 and SNOD_RS 17625 was positively correlated with Ca2+ concentration. In addition, in the presence of calcium, the expression level of Sec transport system genes of S. nodosus was lower.
Design and Operation of an Operando Synchrotron Diffraction Cell Enabling Fast Cycling of Battery Materials
Authors: Gustafsson Olof , Schökel Alexander , Brant William R.
Published: July 2021

Operation of a battery typically involves dynamic and non‐equilibrium processes, making real time operando techniques crucial for understanding their nature. Operando X‐ray diffraction is an important technique for investigating metastable intermediates and non‐equilibrium phase transitions in crystalline electrode materials. Currently employed experimental setups often apply a disruptive approach to cell design, whereby the integrity of standard electrochemical cells is compromised to facilitate collection of high‐quality diffraction data. Here, we present a non‐disruptive approach to adapting the use of a standard pouch cell that enables fast and long‐term cell cycling. Suitability of the setup is demonstrated on the well‐studied cathode material LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4. While exhibiting comparable electrochemical behavior to a standard pouch cell up to a current rate of 8 C (∼6.6 mA cm−2), phase transitions could be monitored accurately. Thus, the cell provides a new alternative to investigating non‐equilibrium transitions and long‐term aging effects in battery materials.
Non‐Biofouling Performance and Binding Capabilities of Amylose Film Coated on Glass Surface
Authors: Kim Jae Chang , Lee Jungkyu K.
Published: July 2021

We demonstrated the non‐biofouling performances and binding capabilities of amylose film coated on a glass surface using fluorescence analysis. The amylose film was simply prepared using a drop‐casting method and then functionalized with amine‐terminated biotin through surface organic reactions such as periodate oxidation, amide bond formation, and reduction. The biotin, spatially patterned on the film, selectively interacted with streptavidin labeled with a dye, which enabled the evaluation of the binding capabilities and non‐biofouling efficacy of 0.2 and 0.4 wt% amylose film. These films exhibited similar results, such as excellent non‐biofouling properties and slightly low binding capabilities (minimum concentration of biotin: 10 μM).
Antibiotic use influences outcomes in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Mohindroo Chirayu , Hasanov Merve , Rogers Jane E. , Dong Wenli , Prakash Laura R. , Baydogan Seyda , Mizrahi Jonathan D. , Overman Michael J. , Varadhachary Gauri R. , Wolff Robert A. , Javle Milind M. , Fogelman David R. , Lotze Michael T. , Kim Michael P. , Katz Matthew H.G. , Pant Shubham , Tzeng Ching‐Wei D. , McAllister Florencia
Published: July 2021

Recent studies defined a potentially important role of the microbiome in modulating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and responses to therapies. We hypothesized that antibiotic usage may predict outcomes in patients with PDAC.

We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of patients with resectable or metastatic PDAC seen at MD Anderson Cancer from 2003 to 2017. Demographic, chemotherapy regimen and antibiotic use, duration, type, and reason for indication were recorded.

A total of 580 patients with PDAC were studied, 342 resected and 238 metastatic patients, selected retrospectively from our database. Antibiotic use, for longer than 48 hrs, was detected in 209 resected patients (61%) and 195 metastatic ones (62%). On resectable patients, we did not find differences in overall survival (OS) or progression‐free survival (PFS), based on antibiotic intake. However, in the metastatic cohort, antibiotic consumption was associated with a significantly longer OS (13.3 months vs. 9.0 months, HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34–0.7, p = 0.0001) and PFS (4.4 months vs. 2 months, HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34–0.68, p = <0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the impact of ATB remained significant for PFS (HR 0.59, p = 0.005) and borderline statistically significant for OS (HR 0.69, p = 0.06). When we analyzed by chemotherapy regimen, we found that patients who received gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy as first‐line therapy (n = 118) had significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.4, p 0.0013) and PFS (HR 0.55, p 0.02) if they received antibiotics, while those receiving 5FU‐based chemotherapy (n = 98) had only prolonged PFS (HR 0.54, p = 0.03).

Antibiotics‐associated modulation of the microbiome is associated with better outcomes in patients with metastatic PDAC.
Patients with relapsed/refractory hairy‐cell leukemia
Authors: Paillassa Jérôme , Troussard Xavier
Published: July 2021

Background

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare chronic B‐cell neoplasm with good long‐term prognosis. First and second‐line therapies include purine nucleoside analogues (PNAs) and rituximab, but until recently, limited alternative options were available for patients with two or more relapses.

Aim

The aim of this study is to describe our real‐life experience with HCL patients in third and fourth‐line therapies.

Methods and Results

Data from 49 HCL patients with two or more relapses, including 16 patients with three or more relapses, were collected from the French retrospective HCL cohort covering the period from 1980 until 2011. They were analyzed to assess hematological response, relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after third (L3) and fourth line (L4). The median age at diagnosis was 53 years. PNAs were the most frequently used treatments. As L3 therapy, 29 patients received PNAs (66%) and 15 (34%) other treatments (rituximab [11%] or interferon [7%] alone or in combination [16%]). The distribution of L4 treatments was similar. The overall hematological response rate (OHRR) after L3 was 97% (complete hematological response 86%) with a 40% five‐year cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), a median RFS of 104 months, and a median OS of 235 months. After L4, the OHRR was 94% with a two‐year CIR of fourth relapse of 27%. Eleven secondary cancers (5‐year cumulative incidence of 12%) were diagnosed in 10 patients. Patients with ≥2 relapses experience frequent further relapses, with increasingly shorter time to next treatment as the number of treatment lines increases. Furthermore, treatment strategies are associated with substantial toxicities.

Conclusion

All these points lead to the need for novel treatments.
Analysis of the Oxygen Passivation Effects on MAPbI3and MAPbBr3in Fresh and Aged Solar Cells by the Transient Photovoltage Technique
Authors: Su Lijun , Méndez Maria , Jiménez‐López Jesús , Zhu Miaoli , Xiao Yaoming , Gil Emilio José Palomares
Published: July 2021

Previous studies have revealed that for some perovskite compositions, power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) improved after storing the devices in different ambient conditions. With the aim of better understanding such improvements, we focus our attention on the carrier/ionic dynamic kinetics of fresh and aged PSCs with different perovskite compositions (MAPbI3and MAPbBr3) and using spiro‐OMeTAD as HTM. For that, we use transient photovoltage (TPV), a technique used to analyse the different recombination kinetics at equilibrium and at different illumination times. We observe that the aging treatment causes significant changes on the kinetics behaviour for bromide‐based devices, resulting in a positive influence on the cell performance (from 3.5 % to 6.1 % PCE, in reverse scan). However, the kinetics for those iodide‐based perovskite solar cells remains unchangeable (from 16.3 % to 15.0 % PCE, in reverse scan).
Evaluation of the mental health of care home staff in the Covid‐19 era. What price did care home workers pay for standing by their patients?
Authors: Martín Josune , Padierna Ángel , Villanueva Ane , Quintana José M.
Published: July 2021

Background

The characteristics of this pandemic increase the potential psychological impact on care homes workers (CHWs). The aims of this study were to analyse the mental health and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of a broad sample of CHWs in Spain and to identify potential factors that have a significant effect on their mental health and HRQoL.

Method

This descriptive study comprised 210 CHWs who completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7‐item Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9, the Impact Event Scale‐Revised, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Health‐related Quality of Life Questionnaire. Sociodemographic and clinical data in relation to COVID‐19 were also recorded. Descriptive statistics, univariable analysis and multivariable linear regression models were applied to identify factors associated with mental health and HRQoL.

Results

Of total, 86.19% of participants were female; 86.67% were aged under 55 years; 11% were physicians and 64.19% were nurses or auxiliaries; 77.62% have themselves tested positive for Covid‐19; and 67.94% of CHWs have directly treated patients with Covid‐19. 49.28% had clinical depression; over half (58.57%) had clinical anxiety; 70.95% had clinical stress; and 28.57% had clinical insomnia. Increased use of tranquilizers/sedatives appears to be an explanatory variable of suffering greater anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia, and of having a worse HRQoL amongst our CHWs.

Conclusions

Our study confirms that symptomatology of anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and HRQoL were affected amongst CHWs during the Covid‐19 pandemic.
The curse of modernization? Western fast food and Chinese children's weight
Authors: Kong Nancy , Zhou Weina
Published: July 2021

The income‐adjusted price of fast food in China is five times more than in the United States, yet we show that the introduction of Western fast‐food restaurants to China still leads to significant weight gain in children. Using the community‐year‐level presence of Western fast‐food outlets, difference‐in‐differences estimations find a 4.8‐percentage‐point increase in the prevalence of overweight/obese children after controlling for child and year fixed effects. The effect decreases at a distance of 3–4 km from a fast‐food restaurant, and we find no further weight gain 2 years after the restaurant's introduction. The underweight rate is not affected by fast‐food introduction. The increase in fat share of energy intake serves as the channel for weight gain. Children in high‐income families, younger than 11 years, and girls are more affected than other Chinese children.
Have Dutch Hospitals Saved Lives and Reduced Costs? A longitudinal patient‐level analysis over the years 2013–2017
Authors: Sülz Sandra , Wagenaar Holger , van de Klundert Joris
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the ongoing Dutch health system reforms and identify whether hospital costs and hospital outcomes have changed over time. We present an empirical analysis that is based on granular micro‐costing data and focuses on conditions for which mortality is indicative of outcome quality, that is, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), chronic heart failure (CHF), and pneumonia (PNE). We deploy a dataset of more than 80,000 inpatient episodes over 5 years (2013–2017) to estimate regression models that control for variation between patients and hospitals. We have three main findings. First, our results do not indicate significant outcome improvements over the years; that is, there is no time trend for mortality. Second, there is heterogeneity in cost developments: for patients who survive their inpatient stay, our data indicate that costs increase significantly by 0.9% per year for AMI patients, while costs decrease significantly by 1.7% per year for CHF patients and by 1.9% per year for PNE patients. For patients who pass away during their inpatient stay, our data do not indicate significant time trends. Third and finally, our results suggest the existence of substantial cost variation between hospitals.
A case report of compassion‐focused therapy for distressing voice‐hearing experiences
Authors: Heriot‐Maitland Charles , Levey Valerie
Published: July 2021

This paper describes a 6‐month period of compassion‐focused therapy (CFT) for a client who has a 35‐year history of hearing voices that are threatening, derogatory, and abusive. In this intervention, the client is encouraged to develop compassionate motives toward herself and to her voices, recognizing that her voices may have been functional in the context of difficult early experiences. The client develops a compassionate self‐identity, which becomes the vehicle through which she approaches therapeutic tasks, such as listening and talking to voices, engaging with traumatic childhood pain, and resolving emotional conflicts. The client is an author on this study, so is able to provide valuable first‐hand insights into the experience of working compassionately with her voices, and of experiencing CFT techniques for the first time.
Human monocytes respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in a sex‐dependent manner
Authors: Campesi Ilaria , Montella Andrea , Franconi Flavia
Published: July 2021

Monocytes play a critical role in inflammation and immune response, their activity being sex‐dependent. However, the basis of sex differences is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) effects on tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) release, autophagy, and chemotaxis in freshly isolated monocytes from healthy young men and women. In basal conditions, male and female monocytes had similar TNF‐α release, chemotaxis, and estrogen receptors (ER‐α) and ER‐β expression, while the LC3II/I ratio was significantly higher in males. LPS treatment induced qualitative and quantitative sex differences. It reduced autophagy and increased TNF‐α release only in male monocytes, while, chemotaxis was significantly influenced only in female cells. Moreover, it reduced the expression of ER‐α only in female cells, while ER‐β expression was reduced in both sexes, but more markedly in female cells. Finally, the interplay between LPS treatment and 17‐β‐estradiol (E2) was present only in female cells. Globally, these findings expand the concept that sex plays a role in regulating monocytes' functions, being sex differences cell‐ and parameter‐specific.
Anatomical characterization of 18 commercially important varieties of Phoenix dactylifera L. by using microscopy
Authors: Hussain Amir , Zafar Muhammad , Mahmood Tariq , Khan Amir Muhammad , Arfan Muhammad , Ozdemir Fethi Ahmet , Ahmad Mushtaq , Yaseen Ghulam , Fatima Anam , Sultana Shazia , Asif Amna
Published: July 2021

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an important traditional crop having socioeconomic values. To best of literature review and our knowledge, there is a gap of taxonomic study on the role of morpho‐anatomical features of date palm for correct identification of its varieties. With the advancement in the field of microscopy, anatomical features are considered very effective taxonomical markers. The present study was aimed to analyze the taxonomic variations using leaf epidermal anatomy and to highlight the importance of leaf epidermis to resolve identification ambiguities among the different varieties of date palms. The study includes analysis of leaf epidermal anatomy of 18 different commercial varieties of date palm collected from different areas of Pakistan. A diverse range of shape and size of epidermal cells, subsidiary cells, guard cells, stomata, stomatal pore was observed on abaxial as well as adaxial among studied date palm varieties via LM and found to be very helpful tool in discrimination of varieties. The shape of epidermal cells on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces varies including elongated, irregular, polygonal, curved, and spherical or sometime mixed of these. The values of stomatal indices on both surfaces showed wide variations.
Altered Complexity of Spontaneous Brain Activity in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Patients
Authors: Zhang Nan , Niu Yan , Sun Jie , An Weichao , Li Dandan , Wei Jing , Yan Ting , Xiang Jie , Wang Bin
Published: July 2021

Slice images of the brain regions with significant difference Slice images showed the differences of (a) the effect of group and (b) the effect of interaction between the control and patient groups after adjusting for age, sex, and education (P < 0.05, GRF corrected). CAL.L: Calcarine fissure, DCG.L: Median Cingulate, LING.L: Lingual Gyrus, PCUN.L: Precuneus, IOG.R: Inferior Occipital Gyrus, MTG.R: Middle Temporal Gyrus, HIP.R: Hippocampus, THA.R: Thalamus, MFG.R: Middle Frontal Gyrus, MTG.L: Middle Temporal Gyrus by N. Zhang et al (586–595)

image
Cross‐linking reactions in food proteins and proteomic approaches for their detection
Authors: Renzone Giovanni , Arena Simona , Scaloni Andrea
Published: July 2021

Various protein cross‐linking reactions leading to molecular polymerization and covalent aggregates have been described in processed foods. They are an undesired side effect of processes designed to reduce bacterial load, extend shelf life, and modify technological properties, as well as being an expected result of treatments designed to modify raw material texture and function. Although the formation of these products is known to affect the sensory and technological properties of foods, the corresponding cross‐linking reactions and resulting protein polymers have not yet undergone detailed molecular characterization. This is essential for describing how their generation can be related to food processing conditions and quality parameters. Due to the complex structure of cross‐linked species, bottom‐up proteomic procedures developed to characterize various amino acid modifications associated with food processing conditions currently offer a limited molecular description of bridged peptide structures. Recent progress in cross‐linking mass spectrometry for the topological characterization of protein complexes has facilitated the development of various proteomic methods and bioinformatic tools for unveiling bridged species, which can now also be used for the detailed molecular characterization of polymeric cross‐linked products in processed foods. We here examine their benefits and limitations in terms of evaluating cross‐linked food proteins and propose future scenarios for application in foodomics. They offer potential for understanding the protein cross‐linking formation mechanisms in processed foods, and how the inherent beneficial properties of treated foodstuffs can be preserved or enhanced.
Urodynamic Evaluation in Multiple System Atrophy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Eschlböck Sabine , Kiss Gustav , Krismer Florian , Fanciulli Alessandra , Kaindlstorfer Christine , Raccagni Cecilia , Seppi Klaus , Kiechl Stefan , Panicker Jalesh N. , Wenning Gregor K.
Published: July 2021

Background

Urological dysfunction in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) is one of the main manifestations of autonomic failure. Urodynamic examination is clinically relevant since underlying pathophysiology of lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction can be variable.

Objective

Evaluation of the pathophysiology of urological symptoms and exploration of differences in urodynamic patterns of LUT dysfunction between MSA‐P and MSA‐C.

Methods

Retrospective study of patients with possible and probable MSA who were referred for urodynamic studies between 2004 and 2019. Demographic data, medical history, physical examination and urodynamic studies assessing storage and voiding dysfunction were obtained.

Results

Seventy‐four patients were included in this study (MSA‐P 64.9% n = 48; median age 62.5 (IQR 56.8–70) years). Detrusor overactivity during filling phase was noted in 58.1% (n = 43) of the patients. In the voiding phase, detrusor sphincter dyssynergia and detrusor underactivity were observed in 24.6% (n = 17) and in 62.1% (n = 41) of the patients, respectively. A postmicturition residual volume of over 100 ml was present in 71.4% (n = 50) of the patients. Comparison of MSA subtypes showed weaker detrusor contractility in MSA‐P compared to MSA‐C [pdetQmax 26.2 vs. 34.4 cmH20, P = 0.04]. In 56.2% (n = 41) of patients pathophysiology of LUT dysfunction was deemed to be neurogenic and consistent with the diagnosis of MSA. In 35.6% (n = 26) urodynamic pattern suggested other urological co‐morbidities.

Conclusion

Urodynamic evaluation is an important tool to analyze the pattern of LUT dysfunction in MSA. Impaired detrusor contractility was seen more in MSA‐P which needs to be investigated in further studies.
Residency training for diagnostic imaging physicists should be expanded to include nuclear medicine physics
Authors: Fahey Frederic H. , Lofton Brad K. , White Gerald A.
Published: July 2021

Overview

The American Board of Radiology offers certification in three specialties of medical physics: Therapeutic Medical Physics, Diagnostic Medical Physics, and Nuclear Medical Physics. Of these specialties, medical nuclear physics has the fewest active diplomates, only a few hundred. The diagnostic medical physics specialty certification incudes a variety of modalities (ultrasound, radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging) yet does not address nuclear medicine imaging or therapy. This separation dates to the beginning of the ABR certification process for medical physicists in 1947; originally there were three certificates available: X‐ray and Radium Physics, Medical Nuclear Physics and, as combination of these two, Radiological Physics. Over the span of 75 years since the Medical Nuclear Physics certification was created, much has changed in the scope and proliferation of the nuclear medicine endeavor and the question arises as to the need for change in the preparation process for medical physicists in the field.

I offer thanks to our contributors and note that they are writing in the classic style of a debate, the opinions that they argue may or may not reflect their personal views.
Motion artifacts assessment and correction using optical tracking in synchrotron radiation breast CT
Authors: Brombal Luca , Arana Peña Lucia Mariel , Arfelli Fulvia , Longo Renata , Brun Francesco , Contillo Adriano , Di Lillo Francesca , Tromba Giuliana , Di Trapani Vittorio , Donato Sandro , Menk Ralf Hendrik , Rigon Luigi
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The SYRMA‐3D collaboration is setting up a breast computed tomography (bCT) clinical program at the Elettra synchrotron radiation facility in Trieste, Italy. Unlike the few dedicated scanners available at hospitals, synchrotron radiation bCT requires the patient's rotation, which in turn implies a long scan duration (from tens of seconds to few minutes). At the same time, it allows the achievement of high spatial resolution. These features make synchrotron radiation bCT prone to motion artifacts. This article aims at assessing and compensating for motion artifacts through an optical tracking approach.

Methods

In this study, patients’ movements due to breathing have been first assessed on seven volunteers and then simulated during the CT scans of a breast phantom and a surgical specimen, by adding a periodic oscillatory motion (constant speed, 1 mm amplitude, 12 cycles/minute). CT scans were carried out at 28 keV with a mean glandular dose of 5 mGy. Motion artifacts were evaluated and a correction algorithm based on the optical tracking of fiducial marks was introduced. A quantitative analysis based on the structural similarity (SSIM) index and the normalized mean square error (nMSE) was performed on the reconstructed CT images.

Results

CT images reconstructed through the optical tracking procedure were found to be as good as the motionless reference image. Moreover, the analysis of SSIM and nMSE demonstrated that an uncorrected motion of the order of the system's point spread function (around 0.1 mm in the present case) can be tolerated.

Conclusions

Results suggest that a motion correction procedure based on an optical tracking system would be beneficial in synchrotron radiation bCT.
Technical Note: Performance evaluation of a small‐animal PET/CT system based on NEMA NU 4–2008 standards
Authors: Liu Qiong , Li Chaofan , Liu Jiguo , Krish Kishore , Fu Xinlei , Zhao Jie , Chen Jyh‐Cheng
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The MetisTM PET/CT is a self‐developed, silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detector‐based, rodent PET/CT system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the system using the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU 4–2008 standard protocol.

Methods

Energy resolution, spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction (SF), noise‐equivalent count rate (NECR), and image quality (IQ) characteristics were measured. A micro Derenzo phantom experiment was performed to evaluate the spatial resolution using three‐dimensional ordered‐subsets expectation maximization (3D‐OSEM) and maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) reconstructed images. In addition, the CT imaging agent Ioverol 350 was mixed with fluorine‐18 (18F)‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and then injected into the micro Derenzo phantom to evaluate the PET/CT imaging. In vivo PET/CT imaging studies were also conducted in a healthy mouse and rat using 18F‐FDG.

Results

The mean energy resolution of the system was 15.3%. The tangential resolution was 0.82 mm full‐width half‐maximum (FWHM) at the center of the field of the view (FOV), and the radial and axial resolution were generally lower than 2.0 mm FWHM. The spatial resolution was significantly improved when using 3D‐OSEM, especially the axial FWHM could be improved by up to about 57%. The system absolute sensitivity was 7.7% and 6.8% for an energy window of 200–750 and 350–750 keV respectively. The scatter fraction was 8.2% and 12.1% for the mouse‐ and rat‐like phantom respectively. The peak NECR was 1343.72 kcps at 69 MBq and 640.32 kcps at 53 MBq for the mouse‐ and rat‐like phantom respectively. The 1‐mm fillable rod in the IQ phantom can be clearly observed. We can identify the 0.6‐mm aperture of the micro Derenzo phantom image clearly using 3D‐OSEM (10 subsets, 5 iterations). We also performed the fusion of the PET and CT images of the mouse and the brain imaging of the rat.

Conclusions

The results show that the system has the characteristics of high‐resolution, high‐sensitivity, and excellent IQ and is suitable for rodent imaging‐based research.
Synthesis, isolation and characterisation of fluorinated‐benzimidazoisoquinoline regioisomers
Authors: Lim Ting Xiang , Pierens Gregory K. , Bernhardt Paul V. , Ahamed Muneer , Reutens David C.
Published: July 2021

A pair of novel fluorinated‐benzimidazoisoquinoline regioisomers was synthesised and isolated. Initial structural characterisation and identification employed 1D proton, 1D carbon, correlated spectroscopy (COSY), heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC), and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. However, the fluorinated regioisomers could not be differentiated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) alone. Density functional theory calculations and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction experiments were used to completely characterise and identify the compounds.
Double spectral attenuated inversion recovery (DSPAIR)—an efficient fat suppression technique for late gadolinium enhancement at 3 tesla
Authors: Jenista Elizabeth R. , Jensen Christoph J. , Wendell David , Spatz Deneen , Darty Stephen , Kim Han W. , Parker Michele , Klem Igor , Chen Enn‐Ling , Kim Raymond J. , Rehwald Wolfgang G.
Published: July 2021

Despite clinical use of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) for two decades, an efficient, robust fat suppression (FS) technique still does not exist for this CMR mainstay. In ischemic and non‐ischemic heart disease, differentiating fibrotic tissue from infiltrating and adjacent fat is crucial. Multiple groups have independently developed an FS technique for LGE, double spectral attenuated inversion recovery (DSPAIR), but no comprehensive evaluation was performed. This study aims to fill this gap. DSPAIR uses two SPAIR pulses and one non‐selective IR pulse to enable FS LGE, including compatibility with phase sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR). We implemented a magnitude (MAGN) and a PSIR variant and compared them with LGE without FS (CONTROL) and with spectral presaturation with inversion recovery (SPIR) in simulations, phantoms, and patients. Fat magnetization by SPIR, MAGN DSPAIR, and PSIR DSPAIR was simulated as a function of pulse B1, readout (RO) pulse number, and fat TI. A phantom with fat, fibrosis, and myocardium compartments was imaged using all FS methods and modifying pulse B1, RO pulse number, and heart rate. Signal was measured in SNR units. Fat, myocardium, and fibrosis SNR and fibrosis‐to‐fat CNR were obtained. Patient images were acquired with all FS techniques. Fat, myocardium, and fibrosis SNR, fibrosis‐to‐fat CNR, and image and FS quality were assessed. In the phantom, both DSPAIR variants provided superior FS compared with SPIR, independent of heart rate and RO pulse number. MAGN DSPAIR reduced fat signal by 99% compared with CONTROL, PSIR DSPAIR by 116%, and SPIR by 67% (25 RO pulses). In patients, both DSPAIR variants substantially reduced fat signal (MAGN DSPAIR by 87.1% ± 10.0%, PSIR DSPAIR by 130.5% ± 36.3%), but SPIR did not (35.8% ± 25.5%). FS quality was good to excellent for MAGN and PSIR DSPAIR, and moderate to poor for SPIR. DSPAIR provided highly effective FS across a wide range of parameters. PSIR DSPAIR performed best.
Designing interview guides on stress and coping related to parenting pre‐teen children: an example from a hermeneutic phenomenological study
Authors: Oerther Sarah
Published: July 2021

Aims

To develop a semi‐structured interview guide on stress and coping related to parenting pre‐teen children for a hermeneutic phenomenological research study.

Design

Hermeneutic phenomenological research approach which describes the development of an interview guide with semi‐structured questions.

Methods

Ovid MEDLINE, CIHAHL, ERIC, SCOPUS, Web of Science, JSTOR, Education Source, PsyINFO and ProQuest were searched to identify possible interview guides with questions related to stress and coping. The literature was searched in 2019 and included manuscripts from 1970–2019. An initial interview guide was constructed. Mock interviews were used to confirm the rigour of the guide.

Results

The final outcome was a semi‐structured interview guide on stress and coping related to parenting pre‐teen children.

Conclusion

The development of this semi‐structured interview guide is relevant to hermeneutic phenomenological researchers who are interested in discovering how personal background meanings and interpersonal concerns shape parents’ day‐to‐day stress appraisals and coping with parenting pre‐teen children.
Prescriptions of analgesics during chronic cancer disease trajectories: A complete national cohort study
Authors: Fredheim Olav Magnus , Skurtveit Svetlana , Sjøgren Per , Aljabri Belal , Hjellvik Vidar
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Pain management principles vary considerably between chronic noncancer, acute and cancer pain. Cancer patients responding to oncological treatment may live with low tumor burden for years. Opioid treatment should reflect that the ratio between benefits and risks in these patients is different from patients with a rapidly progressive disease. Our study investigated the prescription patterns of analgesics in patients who died 6 to 9 years after cancer diagnosis.

Patients and methods

A pharmaco‐epidemiological study based on the Norwegian Prescription Database and Cancer Registry of Norway. The 1‐year periodic prevalence of receiving different analgesics and of persistent opioid use were analyzed. Persistent opioid use was defined as >365 Defined Daily Doses or >9000 mg Oral Morphine Equivalents during 365 days with prescriptions in all quarters of the 365 days period.

Data were reported for the first 7 years for patients who lived 8–9 years after cancer diagnosis (N = 1502), while for patients who lived 6–7 years (N = 3817) data was reported for the first 5 years after diagnosis.

Results

Compared to age‐ and gender adjusted general population, the 1‐year periodic prevalence of opioid prescription was doubled the first year after diagnosis and remained raised with approximately 50%. The prevalence of persistent opioid use was threefold of the general population. Approximately 55% of patients with persistent opioid use 4 years after a cancer diagnosis were co‐medicated with high doses of benzodiazepines and/or benzodiazepine‐related hypnotics.

Conclusion

The findings of increased opioid use raise concerns regarding whether the benefits outweigh risks and side effects in this population.
Precisely controlled delivery of plant hormone using poly(vinyl alcohol)/zeolite A hydrofilm composite
Authors: Viboonratanasri Duangkamon , Thongdee Paptawan , Prajuabsuk Malee , Pungpo Pornpan , Vayachuta Lapporn , Prompinit Panida
Published: July 2021

Programmable release of a plant hormone, 1‐naphthylacetic acid (NAA), could be achieved by using a novel zeolite–hydrofilm (ZHF) composite. The ZHF was prepared using poly(vinyl alcohol) and glutaraldehyde as a cross‐linking agent with the addition of different amounts of zeolite A (0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 wt%). This reveals that ZHF was formed as a phase‐separated microcomposite with chemical interactions between zeolite A and polymer matrix. We found that the composite film with 2.5 wt% zeolite A had the largest pore size, which exhibited the highest water absorbency and the longest water retention time of over 7 h with high thermal and mechanical stabilities. Release profile displayed rapid desorption of NAA from the film at the initial stage, followed by sustained release thereafter. This behavior was explained by the Korsmeyer–Peppas model with a predominant mechanism of simple Fickian diffusion. Additionally, ZHF with NAA could effectively enhance adventitious root formation of Ocimum basilicum Linn. (sweet basil) cuttings due to accurate releasing NAA and time duration for releasing plant hormone. Finally, the NAA released at the film surface could be in a controlled manner with less negative impact on plant and environment.