bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CPHEN‐013: Comprehensive phenotyping of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the human fetal liver
Authors: Vanuytsel Kim , Yeung Anthony K. , Dowrey Todd W. , Murphy George J. , Belkina Anna C.
Published: March 2022

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside at the top of the hematopoietic hierarchy and can give rise to all the mature blood cell types in our body, while at the same time maintaining a pool of HSCs through self‐renewing divisions. This potential is reflected in their functional definition as cells that are capable of long‐term multi‐lineage engraftment upon transplantation. While all HSCs meet these criteria, subtle differences exist between developmentally different populations of these cells. Here we present a comprehensive overview of traditional and more recently described markers for phenotyping HSCs and their downstream progeny. To address the need to assess the growing number of surface molecules expressed in various HSC‐enriched fractions at different developmental stages, we have developed an extensive multi‐parameter spectral flow cytometry panel to phenotype hematopoietic stem and multipotent progenitor cells (HSC/MPPs) throughout development. In this study we then employ this panel to comprehensively profile the HSC compartment in the human fetal liver (FL), which is endowed with superior engraftment potential compared to postnatal sources. Spectral cytometry lends an improved resolution of marker expression to our comprehensive approach, allowing to extract combinatorial expression signatures of several relevant HSC/MPP markers to precisely characterize the HSC/MPP fraction in a variety of tissues.
Consider creating student ambassador positions to improve student experience
Authors: Hamblet Elizabeth C.
Published: March 2022

Research shows that the more connected students feel at college, the more likely they are to persist there. One way to create a sense of connection is hire students to serve as liaisons to others — to be “ambassadors.”
Stoichiometric mismatch causes a warming‐induced regime shift in experimental plankton communities
Authors: Diehl Sebastian , Berger Stella A. , Uszko Wojciech , Stibor Herwig
Published: March 2022

In many ecosystems, consumers respond to warming differently than their resources, sometimes leading to temporal mismatches between seasonal maxima in consumer demand and resource availability. A potentially equally pervasive, but less acknowledged threat to the temporal coherence of consumer‐resource interactions is mismatch in food quality. Many plant and algal communities respond to warming with shifts toward more carbon‐rich species and growth forms, thereby diluting essential elements in their biomass and intensifying the stoichiometric mismatch with herbivore nutrient requirements. Here we report on a mesocosm experiment on the spring succession of an assembled plankton community in which we manipulated temperature (ambient vs. +3.6°C) and presence versus absence of two types of grazers (ciliates and Daphnia), and where warming caused a dramatic regime shift that coincided with extreme stoichiometric mismatch. At ambient temperatures, a typical spring succession developed, where a moderate bloom of nutritionally adequate phytoplankton was grazed down to a clear‐water phase by a developing Daphnia population. While warming accelerated initial Daphnia population growth, it speeded up algal growth rates even more, triggering a massive phytoplankton bloom of poor food quality. Consistent with the predictions of a stoichiometric producer–grazer model, accelerated phytoplankton growth promoted the emergence of an alternative system attractor, where the extremely low phosphorus content of the abundant algal food eventually drove Daphnia to extinction. Where present, ciliates slowed down the phytoplankton bloom and the deterioration of its nutritional value, but this only delayed the regime shift. Eventually, phytoplankton also grew out of grazer control in the presence of ciliates, and the Daphnia population crashed. To our knowledge, the experiment is the first empirical demonstration of the “paradox of energy enrichment” (grazer starvation in an abundance of energy‐rich but nutritionally imbalanced food) in a multispecies phytoplankton community. More generally, our results support the notion that warming can exacerbate the stoichiometric mismatch at the plant–herbivore interface and limit energy transfer to higher trophic levels.
Competitive size asymmetry, not intensity, is linked to species loss and gain in a native grassland community
Authors: Brown Charlotte , Cahill James F.
Published: March 2022

Competition is often highlighted as a major force influencing plant species diversity. However, there are multiple facets of competition (e.g., strength, intransitivity, and size asymmetry) that may have independent and differential impacts on diversity, making understanding the degree to which competition structures communities difficult. Unfortunately, field‐based experiments that decouple multiple facets of competition are lacking, limiting our ability to test theoretical frameworks and reducing understanding of the actual linkages among competition and coexistence. Here, we experimentally manipulate the size structure of local grassland communities to examine the relative impacts of competitive size asymmetry (i.e., competitive advantage based on relative size) and intensity (i.e., mean effect of neighbors on plant growth) on species loss and gain. Increased competitive size asymmetry was associated with increased species loss and decreased species gain, while no relationship was found between competitive intensity and species loss and gain. Furthermore, the probability of loss was not dependent on a species initial size, suggesting that small species may not always be the losers of size‐asymmetric interactions. Instead, loss was dependent on species rarity, where loss was higher for rare species. Overall, these results suggest that competitive size asymmetry may be more important for species loss than intensity in some plant communities and demonstrates the importance of decoupling different aspects of competition to better understand their drivers and ecological consequences.
Confronting spatial capture–recapture models with realistic animal movement simulations
Authors: Theng Meryl , Milleret Cyril , Bracis Chloe , Cassey Phillip , Delean Steven
Published: March 2022

Spatial capture–recapture (SCR) models have emerged as a robust method to estimate the population density of mobile animals. However, model evaluation has generally been based on data simulated from simplified representations of animal space use. Here, we generated data from animal movement simulated from a mechanistic individual‐based model, in which movement emerges from the individual's response to a changing environment (i.e., from the bottom‐up), driven by key ecological processes (e.g., resource memory and territoriality). We drew individual detection data from simulated movement trajectories and fitted detection data sets to a basic, resource selection and transience SCR model, as well as their variants accounting for resource‐driven heterogeneity in density and detectability. Across all SCR models, abundance estimates were robust to multiple, but low‐degree violations of the specified movement processes (e.g., resource selection). SCR models also successfully captured the positive effect of resource quality on density. However, covariate models failed to capture the finer scale effect of resource quality on detectability and space use, which may be a consequence of the low temporal resolution of SCR data sets and/or model misspecification. We show that home‐range size is challenging to infer from the scale parameter alone, compounded by reliance on conventional measures of “true” home‐range size that are highly sensitive to sampling regime. Additionally, we found the transience model challenging to fit, probably due to data sparsity and violation of the assumption of normally distributed inter‐occasion movement of activity centers, suggesting that further development of the model is required for general applicability. Our results showed that further integration of complex movement into SCR models may not be necessary for population estimates of abundance when the level of individual heterogeneity induced by the underlying movement process is low, but appears warranted in terms of accurately revealing finer scale patterns of ecological and movement processes. Further investigation into whether this holds true in populations with other types of realistic movement characteristics is merited. Our study provides a framework to generate realistic SCR data sets to develop and evaluate more complex movement processes in SCR models.
Stabilization of resistive wall mode and improved plasma performance in a low‐aspect‐ratio reversed field pinch by a single mode control power supply system
Authors: Nagano Tomoyuki , Sanpei Akio , Masamune Sadao
Published: March 2022

Stabilization of resistive wall modes (RWMs) is one of the important issues in magnetic fusion research. In the reversed field pinch (RFP), the number of unstable RWMs becomes smaller by lowering the aspect ratio (A), the ratio of the minor to major radius of the device. In REversed field pinch of Low‐Aspect ratio eXperiment (RELAX), whose aspect ratio is 2, unstable m/n = 1/2 RWM was stabilized by a single mode control power supply system with improvements of discharge performance. In this paper we report new results with modified power supply system in which magnetic boundary condition near the poloidal gaps is controlled. The modified power supply system is designed to stabilize the most unstable m/n = 1/2 mode by use of the saddle coil array covering the whole torus with eight (8) power supplies. The results show that the discharge duration is improved from ~ 3.0 ms to ~ 4.0 ms, limited by the capability of the iron core in RELAX device. Stabilization of the dominant RWM with the resultant improved plasma performance by a single mode control power supply system shows one of the advantages of a low‐aspect‐ratio RFP concepts.
Energy and spectral efficient resource allocation in 5G HetNet using optimized deep bi‐BRLSTM model
Authors: Tejasvi T. R. , Manjaiah D. H.
Published: March 2022

The heterogeneous deployment of ultra‐dense femto cell dispenses an enhanced coverage and capacity for the users in the 5G wireless communication system. Due to the substantial growth in wireless data traffic and the inflation of energy consumption, the design of energy and spectrum efficient wireless network is seems to be an extreme concern. Therefore, there is a need to develop an energy and spectrum efficient resource allocation model. The joint contribution of the maximization of energy efficiency (EE) and spectral efficiency (SE) with its constraints is formulated as a multiobjective optimization problem. The resource allocation (RA) issue in the network is handled by the hybrid deep bidirectional battle royale long short term memory (Deep bi‐BRLSTM) model. The loss function in the network model is taken as a consideration to optimize the SE and EE. Fuzzy based energy efficient adaptive atom search optimizer (FEEAAS) is instigated to optimize the trade‐off of EE and SE consecutively. It is embedded with high convergence rate with maximum efficiency which is suitable for power optimization with maximum resource allocation. The performance of the proposed model is implemented in Matlab Simulink platform. The simulation result reveals that the presented model attains an optimal trade‐off between the EE and SE and also improves the overall throughput and delay when compared with existing solutions.
Recent advances in nanomaterial‐assisted electrochemical sensors for food safety analysis
Authors: Gu Ying , Li Yonghui , Ren Dabing , Sun Liping , Zhuang Yongliang , Yi Lunzhao , Wang Shuo
Published: March 2022

Food safety as a public health issue has aroused worldwide concern. Food safety risks caused by the existence of food safety hazards in food may occur in all stages of the food supply chain. Thus, great emphasis is placed on sensitive, selective, and convenient analytical methods of various food safety hazards in food. At present, nanomaterials are at the forefront of various electrochemical sensing applications. Given their unique physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, nanomaterials are considered perfect candidates for the design of electrode surface to construct electrochemical sensors with excellent analytical performance. With the assistance of nanomaterials, electrochemical sensors are a potential alternative to conventional methods of food safety analysis. This review focuses on current research achievements of nanomaterial‐assisted electrochemical sensors for food safety analysis reported in recent 5 years. It highlights the different detection mechanisms for analytes, flexible sensing strategies based on nanomaterials, and portable miniaturized electrochemical devices. Finally, the challenges and limitations in the design of electrochemical sensors for food safety analysis are also discussed.
Viral wheezing in early childhood as a risk factor for asthma in young adulthood: A prospective long‐term cohort study
Authors: Heikkilä Paula , Korppi Matti , Ruotsalainen Marja , Backman Katri
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

There is an increased risk of asthma after viral wheezing episodes in early childhood, but unfortunately, prospective longitudinal data until adulthood are mostly lacking. The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the risk of asthma in young adulthood after hospitalization for viral wheezing episodes in early childhood.

Methods

The original cohort comprised 100 individuals aged <24 months who were hospitalized for viral wheezing episodes in 1992–1993. After the index episode, data on a diagnosis of asthma 1 year later and at median ages of 4.0, 7.2, and 12.3 years were recorded in follow‐up visits. Forty‐nine individuals attended the latest follow‐up visit at the age of 17–20 years. Current asthma was diagnosed based on symptoms at the time of the last follow‐up, use of inhaled corticosteroids and peak expiratory flow monitoring.

Results

A total of 26 (53%) of the 49 cohort individuals had asthma at a mean age of 18.8 years. In multivariate analyses, a diagnosis of asthma 1 year after index hospitalization and at ages 4.0, 7.2, and 12.3 years were significant risk factors for current asthma (adjusted odds ratios [aORs] of 7.13, 8.86, 8.05, and 21.16, respectively). Atopic dermatitis in infancy (aOR: 4.20) and eosinophilia on admission (5.18) were also significant predictive factors for asthma.

Conclusion

Over half (26/49) of the participants who had been hospitalized for viral wheezing episodes in early childhood had asthma in young adulthood. An asthma diagnosis at any age during childhood, as well as eosinophilia in early childhood, were independent significant predictive factors for asthma.
Predicting the effectiveness of interventions on population‐level sodium reduction: A simulation modeling study
Authors: Zeng Yiping , Xu Zeshui , Rao Yu
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

Interventions that significantly reduce dietary sodium intake are anticipated to decrease gastric cancer (GCa) burden. However, the optimal restriction strategies remain unknown at present. This study aims to understand where and to what extent policies modifying sodium consumption change the distribution of GCa burden, and the effects of potential salt reduction strategies in China.

Methods

The synthetic population in this microscopic simulation study is close to reality. We incorporated estimates of dietary patterns and GCa risk into the model of excess salt consumption. These estimates and simulated population were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, Global Burden of Disease Project, and the sixth census of China's National Bureau of Statistics, respectively.

Results

In the no intervention scenario, we estimated that disease burdens due to excess sodium intake would be at 472.9 million disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) nationally between 2010 and 2030 (95% credible interval [CrI]: 371.1–567.7). The GCa burden caused by high sodium is projected to have a disproportionate impact on the central and southern provinces of China (9.2 and 4.5 million DALYs, respectively). Implementing a cooking salt substitute strategy would be expected to avoid a larger portion of GCa burden (about 67.2%, 95% CrI: 66.8%–67.6%) than the salt‐restriction spoon program (about 16.7%, 95% CrI: 16.1%–17.4%).

Conclusion

Dietary salt reduction policy is very powerfully effective in reducing the GCa burden overall. It is expected that proposed salt substitutes are more effective than traditional salt‐restriction spoons to avoid increased inequality.
Newspaper reporting of suicide in Nepal: Quality assessment against World Health Organization media guidelines
Authors: Singh Rakesh , Mahato Sharika , Khadka Seema , Basnet Pragyan , Bista Kalendra , Karki Ritika , Arafat S. M. Yasir
Published: March 2022

Background

Sensible media reporting of suicide is a population‐based suicide prevention strategy. However, the quality of media reporting of suicide has not been assessed in Nepal.

Objectives

We aimed to assess the newspaper reporting status of suicide in Nepal with reference to World Health Organization (WHO) media guidelines for suicide reporting.

Method

We retrospectively searched eight major newspapers in Nepal between January 2020 and May 2021 and assessed 167 news reports against WHO suicide reporting guidelines.

Results

Potentially harmful characteristics were found to be reported in both the title and main text of the reports. About half of them mentioned sex (48.5%) and 38.3% mentioned the location of suicide in the title. Of the 167 reports, 74.3%, 95.2%, 34.7%, 92.2%, 98.8%, and 52.7% mentioned the name, sex, occupation, method of suicide, the location of suicide, and life events, respectively, in their main content. On the other hand, only 6% and 2.4% of reports mentioned linkage of suicides with mental illness and substance abuse, respectively. While lesser than 1% of reports narrated educative information regarding suicide prevention, none mentioned contact information for help‐seeking for the vulnerable.

Conclusion

Newspaper reporting of suicide in Nepal poorly adheres to WHO guidelines, substantiated by the high presence of potentially harmful characteristics and negligible presence of potentially helpful characteristics.
The Effect of Hepatic Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics of Intravenously Administered Felcisetrag (TAK‐954)
Authors: Czerniak Richard , Cieslarová Blanka , Kupčová Viera , Rosario Maria , Lock Ruth , Dong Cheng , Dukes George
Published: March 2022

Felcisetrag (formerly known as TAK‐954) is a selective serotonin receptor agonist under investigation for use in patients with postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction. The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of intravenous (i.v.) felcisetrag have been studied, but little is known about the effect of hepatic impairment on the PK of the drug. This phase 1, non‐randomized, open‐label study compared the PK of a single 60‐minute i.v. infusion of felcisetrag between healthy individuals (n = 8) and patients with moderate (n = 10) or severe (n = 7) hepatic impairment. The primary study end points were the total and free maximum observed plasma concentration of felcisetrag at the end of infusion (Cmax), area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) from time 0 to the time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUClast), and AUC from time 0 to infinity (AUCinf). Concentration–time profiles of felcisetrag were similarly shaped between groups but revealed lower concentrations of total plasma felcisetrag with increasing severity of hepatic impairment, whereas concentrations of free felcisetrag increased. The ratios of AUClast and AUCinf for patients with severe hepatic impairment were up to 29.3% lower for total felcisetrag and up to 29.2% higher for free felcisetrag than found in healthy individuals (P < .05). Infusions were well tolerated with no discontinuations, severe adverse events, or deaths during the study. Overall, the effect of hepatic impairment on exposure to felcisetrag was minimal, suggesting that dose adjustment may be unnecessary in patients with hepatic impairment.
Myometrial wall thickness ratio—A nomogram reference for diagnosing myometrial wall asymmetry
Authors: Garcia Daniel , Ivanez Maria , Salazar Blanca , Ramirez Barbara , Olaso Fatima , Alcázar Juan Luis
Published: March 2022

Objective

Defining the normal range for the anterior/posterior myometrial wall thickness ratio in a cohort of women without adenomyosis or any other uterine wall anomaly on ultrasound examination.

Methods

Anterior and posterior miometrial wall thickness was measured in 555 women (mean age 34.6 years old, range: 20–50 years) without any ultrasound findings of adenomiosis or other uterine pathology. Measurements were performed in the longitudinal plane of a stored 3D volume. Two observers made all measurements. The myometrial wall thickness ratio was estimated and distribution by centiles obtained. Correlation of myometrial thickness ratio with patient's age and parity was also estimated, using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. Intra‐ and inter‐observer reproducibility were estimated using the intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

The mean ratio of the myometrial walls thickness (understood as anterior thickness/posterior thickness ratio) was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.96–1.01). The distribution of the ratio by centiles were as follows: 5%: 0.64, 10%: 0.70, 25%: 0.82, 50%: 0.96, 75%: 1.12, 90%: 1.30 and 95%: 1.45). The myometrial wall thickness ratio was not related to patient's age (Pearson's coefficient: 0.039, p = 0.371), neither to patient's parity (Pearson's coefficient: 0.004, p = 0.923). The ICC was 0.94 and 0.88 for observers 1 and 2, respectively. Inter‐observer reproducibility was high (ICC: 0.83).

Conclusions

Myometrial thickness ratio in women with normal uterus at ultrasound examination is about 1. However, centile distribution shows that values as low as 0.64 or as high as 1.45 could be considered as normal.
Toward the development of an antibiotic stewardship competency in dental education
Authors: Kyles Billy Jason , Spivakovsky Silvia
Published: March 2022

Antimicrobial resistance was recently described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “a clear and present danger to global health.” It is well documented that this resistance is significantly driven by the overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics. Impactful change can only come from the adoption of antibiotic stewardship practices in all aspects of health care. With dentistry responsible for approximately 10% of all prescribed antibiotics in the United States, there is a potential to be acutely impactful with adequate interventions. After extensively reviewing the most current national and international literature on the topic, we identified that predoctoral dental education provides a potentially impactful opportunity to introduce and support the development of responsible antibiotic practices. To that extent, we developed a detailed framework of antibiotic stewardship competencies to promote responsible best practices among dental students.
Microscopic characterization of five Artemisia crude herbs using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and microscopic quantitative analysis
Authors: Liu Zhihao , Li Xiaolin , Zhao Yuyang , Jin Yan , Zhou Junhui , Huang Luqi , Zha Liangping , Yuan Yuan
Published: March 2022

Artemisia annua, Artemisia argyi, Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia leucophylla and Artemisia lavandulaefolia are five herbal species of Artemisia usually misidentified, adulterated or substituted in commerce. Using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microscopic quantitative analysis, the transverse sections, morphological, powder and quantitative microscopic features of glandular trichome density and area were observed for correct authentication. The results indicated that microscopic characteristics such as the distribution of fiber bundles in the vascular bundle of the main vein, the shape of xylem, the density and type of non‐glandular trichomes, the morphology of T‐shaped non‐glandular trichomes, the type of calcium oxalate crystals, and the number and size of glandular trichomes can be used to authenticate the five Artemisia crude herbs. Differences in the morphology and density of glandular and non‐glandular trichomes are key features for the identification of five Artemisia species. Therefore, our study provides a more comprehensive microscopic identification diagram and additional microscopic evidence for the five Artemisia species.

Highlights

This study provides a more comprehensive microscopic identification diagram and statistical information on the glandular trichome density and area for accurate authentication of five Artemisia herbs using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microscopic quantitative analysis.
Factors and challenges influencing work‐related outcomes of the enforced work from home during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Preliminary evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Sutarto Auditya Purwandini , Wardaningsih Shanti , Putri Wika Harisa
Published: March 2022

This study investigates the socio‐demographic factors and work from home challenges associated with job satisfaction and work performance. Using a cross‐sectional survey design and convenience sampling, data from 482 Indonesian employees were gathered via a web‐based questionnaire. Bivariate analysis was used to assess job satisfaction and work performance differences across several socio‐demographic factors. Hierarchical linear regression was performed to identify the contribution of socio‐demographic factors and work from home challenges on job satisfaction and work performance. All work from home challenges, with the exception of social isolation, linked significantly to job satisfaction and work performance. However, no significant differences in job satisfaction and work performance were found across most socio‐demographic factors. Our final model suggests that, after controlling socio‐demographic and work from home challenges, the length of employment and job satisfaction were the most significant determinants of work performance. This study provides insights for organizations wishing to raise employees’ satisfaction, and maximize the benefits gained by addressing work from home challenges, by improving some of the less favorable work from home practices of the past.
Motives for substance use and 6‐month substance use outcomes among detoxification patients with a history of physical or sexual abuse or posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Froelich Jessilyn , Timko Christine , Woodhead Erin L.
Published: March 2022

Trauma‐exposed individuals with a history of physical or sexual abuse or documented posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis may use substances to address trauma‐related symptoms. However, the motives for using substances among adults with a trauma history or PTSD are unclear despite their informative role in treatment planning. Additionally, trauma is associated with poorer substance use outcomes, although this has not been examined among detoxification patients. The current study examined motives for substance use at baseline and substance use outcomes during 6 months postbaseline among 298 veteran detoxification patients (i.e., alcohol, opioids, or both) with and without (a) a history of physical or sexual abuse and (b) a PTSD diagnosis. At baseline, participants with a physical or sexual abuse history were more likely to report the use of substances to temporarily lower stress, forget problems, and avoid uncomfortable feelings than those without this history, ds = 0.25–0.40. Compared with participants without a PTSD diagnosis, participants with diagnosed PTSD were more likely to report using substances to temporarily lower stress, d = 0.25. Longitudinal analyses demonstrated that the baseline characteristics of physical abuse history, sexual abuse history, and diagnosed PTSD were all associated with higher scores on a measure of risk factors for relapse (e.g., cravings, family/social problems) as assessed during the postdetoxification period, φ = .13, .10, and .09, respectively. Detoxification patients with physical and/or sexual abuse histories or PTSD diagnoses may need treatments that better address trauma symptoms to help them sustain abstinence.
Survival of white‐tailed deer fawns on Marine Corps Base Quantico
Authors: Aubin Gisèle R. , Nye Christa C. , Rohm John H. , Stamps R. T. , Ford W. Mark , Cherry Michael J.
Published: March 2022

Some jurisdictions in the eastern United States have reduced harvest of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) because of perceived declines in recruitment and population size over the last decade. Although the restoration of American black bears (Ursus americanus) and the colonization of coyotes (Canis latrans) have increased fawn predation in some areas, limited information exists on how temporally dynamic resources and weather influence fawn survival. Therefore, we evaluated fawn survival probability, cause specific mortality, and if factors such as oak (Quercus spp.) mast abundance, winter severity, precipitation, and landscape composition influenced mortality risk on Marine Corps Base Quantico in northern Virginia, USA, from 2008 to 2019. We tracked 248 fawns outfitted with very high frequency radio‐collars and predation was the leading cause of mortality (n = 42; 45%). We estimated survival to 133 days and survival pooling all years (2008–2019) was 0.50 (95% CI = 0.42–0.60). Increased annual red oak (Quercus spp.) mast abundance from the previous fall reduced mortality hazard for fawns. The longevity of our study revealed a link between fawn survival and a specific maternal resource (red oak mast) only available during gestation. Our results highlight the importance of oak mast in eastern deciduous forests and, more broadly, overwinter maternal condition on white‐tailed deer recruitment.
LncRNA MIR17HG promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of retinoblastoma cells by up‐regulating HIF‐1α expression via sponging miR‐155‐5p
Authors: Yan Jian , Deng Yi‐Xuan , Cai Yu‐Lian , Cong Wen‐Dong
Published: March 2022

Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) miR‐17‐92a‐1 cluster host gene (MIR17HG) is oncogenic in several cancers. This study was aimed to probe into its expression characteristics and biological functions in retinoblastoma (RB) and to explore its role in regulating microRNA‐155‐5p (miR‐155‐5p) and hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α). In this study, paired RB samples were collected, and expression levels of MIR17HG, miR‐155‐5p, and HIF‐1α were examined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR); the proliferation, migration, and invasion of RB cells were detected by cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and transwell assays; qRT‐PCR and Western blot were used to analyze the changes of miR‐155‐5p expression and HIF‐1α expression. We found that MIR17HG expression was significantly up‐regulated in RB samples, which was negatively correlated with miR‐155‐5p expression. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of RB cells were promoted by MIR17HG overexpression but inhibited by MIR17HG knockdown. MiR‐155‐5p suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of RB cells. MIR17HG positively regulated the expression of HIF‐1α on both mRNA and protein levels in RB cells. Additionally, miR‐155‐5p was identified as a target of MIR17HG. The data in this study suggest that MIR17HG exerts oncogenic effects in RB via the miR‐155‐5p/HIF‐1α axis.
Seasonal and functional variation in the trophic base of intermittent Alpine streams
Authors: Siebers Andre R. , Paillex Amael , Robinson Christopher T.
Published: March 2022

In high‐altitude Alpine streams, seasonal cycles of snowmelt, glacial melt, and rainfall drive variation in the availability of algal food resources. Yet, high‐altitude streams also exhibit varying degrees of flow intermittency, ranging from solely winter‐drying streams to others that dry periodically throughout summer and autumn. These environmental drivers may interact in different ways to determine the functional trophic base of macroinvertebrates inhabiting high‐altitude streams. Here, we estimated the proportional contribution of autochthonous resources to the assimilated diets of benthic macroinvertebrates in 26 headwater streams of Val Roseg, a high Alpine glacial catchment, using stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of different macroinvertebrate families and their potential food sources. We compared dietary estimates along a gradient of flow intermittency and across three seasons (Alpine spring, summer, and autumn). Assimilation from autochthonous sources was highest for collector‐gatherers and filter feeders in spring, and for grazers in summer. Grazers had higher estimated assimilation from autochthonous sources in intermittent streams than in perennial streams, particularly in summer, while collector‐gatherers showed little effect of flow intermittency on dietary estimates. However, responses were highly taxon‐specific, with different responses to variation in flow intermittency and season across families within functional groups. Our results suggest that frequent summer‐drying events represent tradeoffs between greater access to algal food resources and a higher risk of desiccation, but that differing life history and functional feeding traits across macroinvertebrate taxa drive marked variation in the risks or benefits associated with inhabitants of drying streams.
Predicting dreissenid mussel abundance in nearshore waters using underwater imagery and deep learning
Authors: Galloway Angus , Brunet Dominique , Valipour Reza , McCusker Megan , Biberhofer Johann , Sobol Magdalena K. , Moussa Medhat , Taylor Graham W.
Published: March 2022

Accurate and cost‐effective dreissenid mussel abundance maps are vital to assess their ecological roles in aquatic systems. A deep neural network (DNN) modeling framework using semantic segmentation was developed to automatically assess the abundance distribution of two invasive mussel species: zebra and quagga. DNN models were trained on images captured in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario using an underwater color imaging technique. The accuracy of the method was assessed relative to manual laboratory counts of harvested mussels, their dry biomass, and percentage live coverage estimated from fixed‐size quadrats. Assessments performed on a test set collected from 2016 to 2018 show that DNN‐based mussel coverage predictions explain 79% of the variance in log biomass, and 71% for log abundance (N = 125). For reference, live coverage estimated by scuba divers was transformed and found to be a better predictor of biomass (93%) and abundance (91%) (N = 725), leaving room for improvement of our automated method. When identical images were presented to eight human analysts and the DNN, the agreement in live mussel coverage prediction was 85% (N = 189). Models generalize well to diverse underwater illuminations, camera orientations, and resolutions, but are adversely impacted by occluding vegetation and suspended sediment. DNN models are an efficient and accurate solution for mapping mussel abundances at a scale that was previously impossible. The method may be integrated with other studies to assess the mussels' impacts in a variety of aquatic ecosystems. Source code:https://github.com/AngusG/deep-learning-dreissenidand datahttps://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/MZEBOJfor reproducing our method are publicly available.
Preparation of Renewable Thiol‐Yne “Click” Networks Based on Fractionated Lignin for Anticorrosive Protective Film Applications
Authors: Jedrzejczyk Monika A. , Madelat Negin , Wouters Benny , Smeets Hans , Wolters Maartje , Stepanova Svetlana A. , Vangeel Thijs , Van Aelst Korneel , Van den Bosch Sander , Van Aelst Joost , Polizzi Viviana , Servaes Kelly , Vanbroekhoven Karolien , Lagrain Bert , Sels Bert F. , Terryn Herman , Bernaerts Katrien V.
Published: March 2022

The synthesis of novel, renewable lignin‐based protective films with anticorrosive properties is presented in this work. Thermosetting films are prepared by means of tandem UV‐initiated thiol‐yne “click” synthesis and Claisen rearrangement strategy. These films contain high lignin loading, 46–61%, originating from a nickel‐catalyzed birch wood reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) process. Lignin fractions with varying monomer content are compared before resins preparation, namely a mixture of monomers and oligomers without fractionation, or after fractionation via extraction and membrane separation. This study aims to determine if the separation of lignin monomers and oligomers is necessary for the application as a thermosetting resin. The resulting films exhibit remarkable adhesion to a metal surface and excellent solvent resistance, even after exposure to a corrosive environment. Moreover, those films show superior barrier properties, studied with odd random phase electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (ORP EIS). After 21 days of exposure, the examined films still show impressive high corrosion protection with the low‐frequency impedance ≈1010 Ω cm2 and capacitive behavior. This work demonstrates an interesting proof‐of‐concept where laborious, costly, and energy‐intensive separation of the depolymerized lignin mixture of monomers and oligomers is not necessary for the successful resin synthesis with excellent properties using the applied synthetic strategy.
A Glucose Biosensor Based on Phosphorescence Lifetime Sensing and a Thermoresponsive Membrane
Authors: Dong Ping , Ko Brian S. , Lomeli Kayllie A. , Clark Emily C. , McShane Michael J. , Grunlan Melissa A.
Published: March 2022

The adoption of existing continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) is limited by user burden. Herein, a design for a glucose biosensor with the potential for subcutaneous implantation, without the need for a transcutaneous probe or affixed transmitter, is presented. The design is based on the combination of an enzyme‐driven phosphorescence lifetime‐based glucose‐sensing assay and a thermoresponsive membrane anticipated to reduce biofouling. The metalloporphyrin, Pd meso‐tetra(sulfophenyl)‐tetrabenzoporphyrin ([PdPh4(SO3Na)4TBP]3, HULK) as well as glucose oxidase (GOx) are successfully incorporated into the UV‐cured double network (DN) membranes by leveraging electrostatic interactions and covalent conjugation, respectively. The oxygen‐sensitive metalloporphyrin is incorporated at different levels within the DN membranes. These HULK‐containing membranes retain the desired thermosensitivity, as well as glucose diffusivity and primary optical properties of the metalloporphyrin. After subsequently modifying the membranes with GOx, glucose‐sensing experiments reveal that membranes prepared with the lowest GOx level exhibit the expected increase in phosphorescent lifetime for glucose concentrations up to 200 mg dL−1. For membranes prepared with relatively higher GOx, oxygen‐limited behavior is considered the source of diminished sensitivity at higher glucose levels. This proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates the promising potential of a biosensor design integrating a specific optical biosensing chemistry into a thermoresponsive hydrogel membrane.
The interaction between iodinated X‐ray contrast agents and macrocyclic GBCAs provides a signal enhancement in T1‐weighted MR images: Insights into the renal excretion pathways of Gd‐HPDO3A and iodixanol in healthy mice
Authors: Di Gregorio Enza , Arena Francesca , Gianolio Eliana , Ferrauto Giuseppe , Aime Silvio
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This work aims to investigate the supramolecular binding interactions that occur between iodinated X‐ray contrast agents (CAs) and macrocyclic gadolinium (Gd)–based MRI contrast agents (GBCAs). This study provides some new insights in the renal excretion pathways of the two types of imaging probes.

Methods

The water‐proton relaxivities (r1) of clinically approved macrocyclic and linear GBCAs have been measured in the presence of different iodinated X‐ray contrast agents at different magnetic field strengths in buffer and in serum. The in vivo MRI and X‐ray CT of mice injected with either Gd‐HPDO3A or a Gd‐HPDO3A + iodixanol mixture were then acquired to assess the biodistribution of the two probes.

Results

A significant increase in r1 (up to approximately 200%) was observed for macrocyclic GBCAs when measured in the presence of an excess of iodinated X‐ray CAs (1:100 mol:mol) in serum. The co‐administration of Gd‐HPDO3A and iodixanol in vivo resulted in a marked increase in the signal intensity of the kidney regions in T1‐weighted MR images. Moreover, the co‐presence of the two agents resulted in the extended persistence of the MRI signal enhancement, suggesting that the Gd‐HPDO3A/iodixanol adduct was eliminated more slowly than the typical washing out of Gd‐HPDO3A.

Conclusions

The reported results show that it is possible to detect the co‐presence of iodinated agents and macrocyclic GBCAs in contrast‐enhanced MR images. The new information may be useful in the design of novel experiments toward improved diagnostic outcomes.
Hyperpolarized 129Xe imaging of the brain: Achievements and future challenges
Authors: Shepelytskyi Yurii , Grynko Vira , Rao Madhwesha R. , Li Tao , Agostino Martina , Wild Jim M. , Albert Mitchell S.
Published: March 2022

Hyperpolarized (HP) xenon‐129 (129Xe) brain MRI is a promising imaging modality currently under extensive development. HP 129Xe is nontoxic, capable of dissolving in pulmonary blood, and is extremely sensitive to the local environment. After dissolution in the pulmonary blood, HP 129Xe travels with the blood flow to the brain and can be used for functional imaging such as perfusion imaging, hemodynamic response detection, and blood–brain barrier permeability assessment. HP 129Xe MRI imaging of the brain has been performed in animals, healthy human subjects, and in patients with Alzheimer's disease and stroke. In this review, the overall progress in the field of HP 129Xe brain imaging is discussed, along with various imaging approaches and pulse sequences used to optimize HP 129Xe brain MRI. In addition, current challenges and limitations of HP 129Xe brain imaging are discussed, as well as possible methods for their mitigation. Finally, potential pathways for further development are also discussed. HP 129Xe MRI of the brain has the potential to become a valuable novel perfusion imaging technique and has the potential to be used in the clinical setting in the future.
Constitutive modeling of principal stress rotation associated with sand under simple shear loading
Authors: Park Sung‐Sik , Nong Zhen‐Zhen , Doan Nhat‐Phi
Published: March 2022

An elasto‐plastic constitutive model is proposed to account for the effect of principal stress rotation that commonly occurs and significantly influences soil behavior. The model is based on a concept of adding plastic strain increments obtained from two mobilized planes: a plane of maximum shear stress which swings as the principal stress rotates, and a horizontal plane which is spatially fixed. Models based on the plane of maximum shear stress alone are particularly sensitive to horizontal effective stress ratioK0(=σ′x/σ′y), whereas the proposed model gives a similar skeleton behavior for soils at the same density and mean effective stress, regardless of the value ofK0, as observed in laboratory tests. The model is firstly calibrated by data from drained and undrained monotonic and cyclic Direct Simple Shear (DSS) tests onK0‐consolidated specimens of Nakdong River sand in loose and dense states. The capability of the proposed model in modeling of the conventional liquefaction effects: initial shear stress conditionα(=τ′xy/σ′y) withKαcorrections, and initial confining stress conditionσ´ywithKσcorrections, is also emphasized in this paper.
Impact of starting BMI and degree of weight loss on changes in appetite‐regulating hormones during diet‐induced weight loss
Authors: Edwards Kira‐Ann L. , Prendergast Luke A. , Kalfas Stefanie , Sumithran Priya , Proietto Joseph
Published: March 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether the hormone changes following weight loss are proportional to the degree of weight loss and to starting BMI.

Methods

A very low‐energy diet was used to achieve 15% weight loss. Fasting and postprandial gut hormones and leptin were measured during a meal test at baseline and at 5% (1%), 10% (2%), and 15% (2.5%) weight loss. Linear mixed‐effects models were used to analyze hormone changes.

Results

From baseline to 5% weight loss, decreases were seen in fasting concentrations of leptin (−8.25 ng/mL; p < 0.001), amylin (−21.3 pg/mL; p < 0.001), and glucagon‐like peptide 1 (−59.55 pg/mL; p < 0.001). There was a small further reduction in leptin between 5% and 15% weight loss (−1.88 ng/mL; p = 0.019) but not in glucagon‐like peptide 1 and amylin. Fasting ghrelin showed a significant increase at 10% weight loss (41.64 pg/mL; p = 0.002), with a nonsignificant increase from 10% to 15% loss (26.03 pg/mL; p = 0.065). Postprandial changes in hormone levels were variable. There was no correlation between baseline weight and the degree of hormone changes.

Conclusions

The majority of changes in fasting gut hormones and leptin occurred in early weight loss, with minor further changes up to 15% weight loss. Starting weight did not affect the degree of hormone change.
Medical weight management protects against weight gain during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Barenbaum Sarah R. , Saunders Katherine H. , Chan Karina M. , Crowley William J. , Redmond Ilana P. , Casper Anthony J. , Hootman Katie C. , Ramakrishnan Rajasekhar , Aronne Louis J. , Shukla Alpana P.
Published: March 2022

Background

American adults have gained weight during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Little is known about how patients who are medically managed for overweight and obesity, including patients who are prescribed antiobesity pharmacotherapy, have fared.

Objective

To assess the COVID‐19 pandemic's effect on weight, food choices, and health behaviors in patients receiving medical treatment for overweight or obesity.

Methods

Adult patients treated at an urban academic weight management center between 1 May 2019 and 1 May 2020 were electronically surveyed between 23 February and 23 March 2021. The survey assessed changes in weight, eating, behaviors, and the use of antiobesity medications (AOMs) following issuance of social distancing/stay‐at‐home policies in March 2020.

Results

In 970 respondents, median percent weight change for those taking AOMs was −0.459% [interquartile range −5.46%–(+3.73%)] compared to +2.33% [IQR −1.92%–(+6.52%)] for those not taking AOMs (p < 0.001). More participants achieved ≥5% weight loss if they were taking AOMs compared to those who were not (26.7% vs. 15.8%, p = 0.004), and weight gain ≥5% was also lower in those taking AOMs (19.8% vs. 30.3%, p = 0.004). Patients with pre‐pandemic BMI ≥30 kg/m2 taking AOMs experienced the greatest weight reduction, and there was greater weight loss associated with increased physical activity.

Conclusions and Relevance

Medical weight management protected against weight gain during this period of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Increased physical activity, decreased alcohol intake, and use of AOMs were factors that contributed to this protective effect.