bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orthophthaldehyde as a fluorescent probe for the feasible and sensitive assay of heptaminol: application to dosage forms and real human plasma
Authors: Derayea Sayed M. , Khashaba Pakinaz Y. , Abdelgaleel Mahmoud , Nagy Dalia M.
Published: November 2021

The antihypotensive drug heptaminol was determined using a spectrofluorimetric method and ortho‐phthaladehyde as a fluorescence probe. The drug was mixed with the reagent in the presence of 2‐mercaptoethanol and the reaction was carried out in slightly alkaline aqueous solution containing 0.1 M sodium hydroxide. The resulting product exhibited high fluorescence activity that was measured at 451 nm after excitation at 334 nm. The linearity range of the method was 5–100 ng ml−1 with a lower detection limit of 1.8 ng ml−1. The procedure was evaluated according to the International Council of Harmonization guidelines. The proposed method was applied to analyze the drug in pharmaceutical tablets and oral drops. In addition, the present study represents the first spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of the cited drug in real human plasma. The method provided high recovery percentages without any interference from coexisting pharmaceutical excipients or the components of human plasma.
Ultrasound assisted in situ separation of sophorolipids in multi‐phase fermentation system to achieve efficient production by Candida bombicola
Authors: Chen Yang , Tang Xu , Li Ya , Liu Chang , Zhuang Yingping , Tian Xiwei , Chu Ju
Published: November 2021

Background

Sophorolipids (SLs) are regarded as one of the most promising biosurfactants. However, high production costs are the main obstacle to extended SLs application. Semi‐continuous fermentation, which is based on in situ separation, is a promising technology for achieving high SLs productivity.

Methods and Results

In this study, the sedimentation mechanism of SLs was analyzed. The formation of a hydrophobic mixture of SLs and rapeseed oil was a key factor in sedimentation. And the hydrophobicity and density of the mixture determined SLs sedimentation rate. On this basis, ultrasonic enhanced sedimentation technology (UEST) was introduced, by which the sedimentation rates were increased by 46.9%–485.4% with different ratio of rapeseed oil to SLs. UEST‐assisted real‐time in situ separation and semi‐continuous fermentation were performed. SLs productivity and yield were 2.15 g L−1 h−1 and 0.58 g g−1, respectively, simultaneously the loss ratio of cells, glucose, and rapeseed oil were significantly reduced.

Conclusions

This study provides a new horizon for optimization of the SLs fermentation process.
Hair cortisol, social support, personality traits, and clinical course: differences in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors: Yang Fuzhong , Hong Xiangfei , Tao Jing , Chen Yupeng , Zhang Yanbo , Xiao Hua
Published: November 2021

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the differences in the relationship between hair cortisol concentration (HCC) and psychosocial stress, social support, clinical features, clinical course, and outcome in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Methods

A total of 109 schizophrenia patients, 93 bipolar disorder patients and 86 healthy controls between 18 and 60 years old were enrolled in the study. Linear regression and factor analysis were employed to examine and compare the relationship between HCC and childhood trauma, the number of stressful life events, the amount of social support in the three months before the hair cortisol assessment, clinical fearures, clinical course, and outcome in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Results

HCC is significantly associated with clinical syndromes, including depression–anxiety factor of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale in schizophrenia patients, and thought disorder in bipolar disorder patients. However, HCC is positively related to social support and personality traits only in schizophrenia patients but not in bipolar disorder patients. Factor analysis indicates schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share a very similar but somewhat different structure in terms of HCC, psychosocial stress, social support, clinical features, clinical course, and outcome.

Conclusion

Findings support that schizophrenia and bipolar disoder have a significant overlap in both clinical characteristics and enviromental risk factors. Aberrant HCC contributes to the complexity of clinical characteristics mainly in schizophrenia.
Osteopenia is associated with wasting in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and predicts survival after surgery
Authors: Cameron Miles E. , Underwood Patrick W. , Williams Iverson E. , George Thomas J. , Judge Sarah M. , Yarrow Joshua F. , Trevino Jose G. , Judge Andrew R.
Published: November 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the deadliest of all common malignancies. Treatment is difficult and often complicated by the presence of cachexia. The clinical portrait of cachexia contributes to the poor prognosis experienced by PDAC patients and worsens therapeutic outcomes. We propose that low bone mineral density is a component of cachexia, which we explore herein through a retrospective review of all patients at our facility that underwent surgery for PDAC between 2011 and 2018 and compared to sex‐, age‐ and comorbidity‐matched control individuals. Data were abstracted from the medical record and pre‐operative computed tomography scans. Muscle mass and quality were measured at the L3 level and bone mineral density was measured as the radiation attenuation of the lumbar vertebral bodies. Patients with PDAC displayed typical signs of cachexia such as weight loss and radiologically appreciable deterioration of skeletal muscle. Critically, PDAC patients had significantly lower bone mineral density than controls, with 61.2% of PDAC patients categorized as osteopenic compared to 36.8% of controls. PDAC patients classified as osteopenic had significantly reduced survival (1.01 years) compared to patients without osteopenia (2.77 years). The presence of osteopenia was the strongest clinical predictor of 1‐ and 2‐year disease‐specific mortality, increasing the risk of death by 107% and 80%, respectively. Osteopenia serves as a test of 2‐year mortality with sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 58%. These data therefore identify impaired bone mineral density as a key component of cachexia and predictor of postoperative survival in patients with PDAC. The mechanisms that lead to bone wasting in tumor‐bearing hosts deserve further study.
The impact of learning‐curve‐experience on transcatheter aortic valve replacement outcomes: Insights from the United Kingdom and Ireland all‐comers second‐generation ACURATE neo™ transcatheter aortic heart valve registry
Authors: Gunarathne Ashan , Tan Joon , Varcoe Richard , Bhandari Sanjay , Faour Amir , Tanseco Kristoffer , Mylotte Darren , Mitchell Andrew , Armario Xavier , Owens Colum , Spence Mark , Cunnington Michael , Casserly Ivan , Kovac Jan , Hildick‐Smith David , Baig Kamran
Published: November 2021

Background

The ACURATE neo™ is a novel, second‐generation self‐expanding supra‐annular transcatheter heart valve (THV). The objective of this multi‐centre registry is to assess the safety, clinical utility, and impact of ‘learning‐curve‐experience’ (LCE) on transcatheter aortic valve replacement outcomes in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland.

Methods

We prospectively collected data from seven ACURATE neo™ THV implanting centres (n = 484) between February 2016 and November 2020. We compared mortality rates and outcomes in the LCE group (n = 120) compared to next successive 120 cases.

Results

The mean age of the cohort was 81.9(SD: 6.1) years and the majority were in the moderate risk category (EuroSCORE‐II):3.3(SD: 3). The 97.5% of cases were performed under local anesthetic. The valve was successfully deployed in 98.8% of cases. The survival rate at 30 days was 97.9%. The incidence of stroke was 2.5%. Life threatening bleeding occurred in 0.6% of cases and vascular access complications occurred in 21 (4.3%) patients. Implantation‐related conduction abnormalities occurred in 8.3% but only 5.6% required a PPM. The successful valve deployment occurred in 96% of the patients in the LCE group compared to 100% in the other group (p = 0.04; OR‐2[CI 1.7–2.3]). The mortality rates at 30 days (1.7% vs. 1.7%) and 1 year (1.9% vs. 2.7%) were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions

This study represents the largest published UK and Ireland real‐world experience of the ACURATE neo™ valve. The procedural success rates and safety outcomes were excellent and endorse its utility in clinical practice. The LCE appears to have an impact on the successful valve deployment but without translating into short‐term or long‐term outcomes.
A prospective trial of a novel low‐dose paclitaxel‐coated balloon therapy in patients with restenosis in drug‐eluting coronary stents Intracoronary Stenting and Angiographic Results: Optimizing Treatment of Drug Eluting Stent In‐stent REstenosis 3A (ISAR‐DESIRE 3A)
Authors: Kufner Sebastian , Rai Himanshu , Wiebe Jens , Altevogt Felix , Pyxaras Stylianos , Joner Michael , Xhepa Erion , Cassese Salvatore , Colleran Roisin , Schunkert Heribert , Zrenner Bernhard , Kastrati Adnan , Byrne Robert A. ,   for the Intracoronary Stenting and Angiographic Results: Optimizing Treatment of Drug Eluting Stent In‐Stent Restenosis 3A (ISAR‐DESIRE 3A) Investigators
Published: November 2021

Objectives

We investigated the clinical efficacy of a paclitaxel‐coated balloon (PCB) with a novel matrix coating and reduced drug concentration in comparison with a widely used PCB with iopromide excipient.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled patients with restenosis in drug‐eluting stents. All patients were treated with a novel low‐dose PCB with citrate‐based excipient (Agent PCB). Angiographic follow‐up was scheduled at 6–8 months. Outcomes were compared against those of patients treated with iopromide excipient PCB (SeQuent Please PCB) enrolled in a trial with identical inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary endpoint was percent diameter stenosis (%DS) at follow‐up angiography. The primary hypothesis was that the investigational device would be non‐inferior to the control device (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02367495).

Results

One hundred twenty‐five patients with 151 lesions were enrolled. Mean age was 68.1 ± 10.2 years, 40.8% had diabetes mellitus and 80.1% had focal morphology in‐stent restenosis. Follow‐up angiography data at 6–8 months was available for 102 (81.6%) patients. The Agent PCB was non‐inferior to the SeQuent Please PCB in terms of the primary endpoint (38.9 ± 17.5 vs. 38.1 ± 21.5%; p non‐inferiority = 0.0056). Late lumen loss was also comparable between the groups (0.35 ± 0.55 vs. 0.37 ± 0.59; p = 0.71). There was no difference between the groups in the incidence of TLR (27.7% vs. 22.1%; p = 0.31), death or myocardial infarction (4.2% vs. 4.4%; p = 0.92) or target lesion thrombosis (1.0% vs. 0.7%; p = 0.93).

Conclusion

In patients with DES restenosis, angioplasty with a novel PCB with citrate‐based excipient was non‐inferior to PCB with iopromide excipient in terms of angiographic outcome.
Afterglow Implant for Arterial Embolization and Intraoperative Imaging
Authors: Zhang Fuying , Xu Ming , Su Xianlong , Yuan Wei , Feng Wei , Su Qianqian , Li Fuyou
Published: November 2021

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is wildly used in clinical treatments. However, the online monitoring of the thrombosis formation is limited due to the challenges of the direct visualization of embolic agents and the real‐time monitoring of dynamic blood flow. Thus, we developed a photochemical afterglow implant with strong afterglow intensity and a long lifetime for embolization and imaging. The liquid pre‐implant injected into the abdominal aorta of mice was rapidly transformed into a hydrogel in situ to embolize the blood vessel. The vascular embolism position can be observed by the enhanced afterglow of the fixed implant, and the long lifetime of afterglow can also be used to monitor the effect of embolization. This provides an excellent candidate in bio‐imaging to avoid the autofluorescence interference from continuous light excitation. The study suggests the potential usefulness of the implant as an embolic agent in TAE and artery imaging during a surgical procedure.
3D‐Druck miniaturisierter und mikrofluidischer Systeme
Authors: Enders Anton , Bahnemann Janina
Published: November 2021

Mit Hilfe der 3D‐Drucktechnologie lassen sich innerhalb kürzester Zeit verschiedenste Prototypen fertigen, die im Bereich der Biotechnologie zum Einsatz kommen. Durch die hohe Präzision und die hochautomatisierte Drucktechnik können heute miniaturisierte und mikrofluidische Systeme mittels 3D‐Druck hergestellt werden. Dies Vereinfacht die Entwicklung und die Integration verschiedener mikrofluidischer Einheiten wie Mikromischer, was den Aufbau funktioneller mikrofluidischer Plattformen und Lab‐on‐a‐Chip‐Systemen fördert. Durch Verwendung biokompatibler Druckmaterialien lassen sich zudem individuelle Kultivierungssysteme und Durchflusszellen fertigen, die für die Kultivierung von Säugerzellen oder die Analyse biologischer Proben Anwendung finden.
Hyaluronsäure in der Hautpflege
Authors: Lautenschläger Hans
Published: November 2021

Sie kommt in Augen, Haut und Gelenken vor und ist generell in vielen Geweben des menschlichen Körpers zu finden. Insgesamt enthält jeder von uns etwa 15 g dieses Disaccharidpolymers, das ein Vielfaches seines Eigengewichts an Wasser binden kann: Hyaluronsäure – sie ist vor allem in der Kosmetikindustrie unentbehrlich.
Solubility of carbon dioxide and ethane in Lloydminster heavy oil: Experimental study and modelling
Authors: Ganapathi Rajkumar , Henni Amr , Shirif Ezeddin
Published: November 2021

Heavy oil reserves in the world represent 5.5 trillion barrels, which are equivalent to five times the conventional crude oil reserves. Heavy oil reserves will be the main petroleum source for the world's future demand for energy. To enhance the recovery of heavy oil/bitumen, solvent‐based recovery seems to be one of the most promising alternatives to costly thermal methods. Phase behaviour studies of light gases in heavy oil are therefore very important when designing surface facilities and for enhanced oil recovery operations. In this study, we present solubility data for carbon dioxide and ethane in Lloydminster heavy oil. Measurements were carried out using a microbalance at 290.2, 298.2, and 313.2 K and at pressures varying from 200–2000 kPa. Experimental data were regressed with the Peng‐Robinson (PR) equation of state. We also report results of the fractionation of the heavy oil and its characterization in terms of SARA (saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes) fractions. Henry's law constants for gaseous solvents were also regressed and reported. As expected, ethane had a higher solubility than CO2 in the heavy oil at all temperatures.
Testing normality in any dimension by Fourier methods in a multivariate Stein equation
Authors: Ebner Bruno , Henze Norbert , Strieder David
Published: November 2021

We study a novel class of affine‐invariant and consistent tests for multivariate normality. The tests are based on a characterization of the standardd‐variate normal distribution by way of the unique solution of an initial value problem connected to a partial differential equation, which is motivated by a multivariate Stein equation. The test criterion is a suitably weightedL2‐statistic. We derive the limit distribution of the test statistic under the null hypothesis as well as under contiguous and fixed alternatives to normality. A consistent estimator of the limiting variance under fixed alternatives, as well as an asymptotic confidence interval of the distance of an underlying alternative with respect to the multivariate normal law, is derived. In simulation studies, we show that the tests are strong in comparison with prominent competitors and that the empirical coverage rate of the asymptotic confidence interval converges to the nominal level. We present a real data example and also outline topics for further research.
Disease characteristics and mortality among Asian women with breast cancer
Authors: Yu Alice Yunzi L. , Thomas Samantha M. , DiLalla Gayle D. , Greenup Rachel A. , Hwang E. Shelley , Hyslop Terry , Menendez Carolyn S. , Plichta Jennifer K. , Tolnitch Lisa A. , Fayanju Oluwadamilola M.
Published: November 2021

Background

Asian women with breast cancer are often studied in aggregate, belying significant intragroup diversity. The authors sought to examine differences in breast cancer characteristics and outcomes among Asian women.

Methods

Asian, non‐Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and non‐Hispanic White women aged 18 years and older who were diagnosed with breast cancer from 1990 to 2016 were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database. Asian patients were subclassified as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, South Asian (Asian Indian or Pakistani), Southeast Asian (SEA, i.e., Cambodian, Laotian, Hmong, or Thai), or other Asian. Unadjusted overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted OS and CSS.

Results

In total, 910,415 women were included (Asian, n = 63,405; Black, n = 92,226; Hispanic, n = 84,451; White, n = 670,333). Asian women had higher rates of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive disease compared with White women (18.7% vs 13.8%) and had the highest 10‐year unadjusted OS and CSS among all racial/ethnic groups (all P < .001). SEA women had the highest rates of stage IV disease at presentation, whereas Japanese women had the lowest rates (5.9% vs 2.7%; P < .001). Japanese women had the highest 10‐year unadjusted CSS (89.4%; 95% confidence interval, 88.7%‐90.1%) of any distinct Asian group, whereas SEA women had the worst unadjusted CSS (78%; 95% confidence interval, 74.1%‐81.3%; P < .001). After adjustment, SEA women had the worst OS of any Asian group and were the only Asian group without improved OS compared with White women (reference category; P = .08).

Conclusions

Breast cancer characteristics and outcomes vary significantly among Asian women. Future research should consider disaggregation by country or region of origin to identify subgroups that are at risk for worse outcomes than aggregated data may suggest.

Lay Summary

Asian women with breast cancer are frequently studied as a single entity.

However, Asian ethnic groups differ greatly by country of origin, genetic ancestry, disease frequency, socioeconomic status, patterns of immigration, as well as dietary and cultural practices.

Women of different Asian ethnicities vary significantly with regard to cancer characteristics, such as mortality and tumor subtype.

Future research should disaggregate these populations to better understand, treat, and counsel Asian patients with breast cancer.
Premature termination of the unified protocol for the transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders: The role of ambivalence towards change
Authors: Oliveira João Tiago , Sousa Inês , Ribeiro António P. , Gonçalves Miguel M.
Published: November 2021

Ambivalence towards change is an expected, recurrent process in psychological change. However, the prolonged experience of ambivalence in psychotherapy contributes to client disengagement, which could result in treatment dropout. Considering the negative effects of premature termination of therapy and the convenience of the identification of clients who are at risk of dropping out before achieving good‐outcome, the current study explored the predictive power of ambivalence for premature therapy termination using a multilevel time‐backwards model (i.e., considering the session of the dropout as session zero and then modelling what occurred from the dropout until session 1). Participants included a total of 96 psychotherapy clients (38 dropouts) treated in a university‐based clinic following the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders. Multilevel modelling using a time‐backwards model to analyse dropout data provided evidence of the predictive power of ambivalence evolution throughout treatment on the decision to prematurely discontinue treatment (p < .0001;R2adj = .29). Specifically, good‐outcome dropouts presented a decreasing ambivalence trend throughout treatment, whereas poor‐outcome dropouts tended to experience the same levels of ambivalence before deciding to drop out (time × dropout;β11 = .64,p = .014). Additionally, poor‐outcome dropouts presented higher levels of ambivalence (β01 = 9.92,p < .0001) in the last session. The results suggest that the pattern of client ambivalence towards change is a predictor of premature termination of therapy. Implications for clinical and research contexts are discussed.
2‐Quinolyl Benzodiazaborine: A Tunable Platform for Aggregation‐Induced Emission Luminogens via Formation of Dimeric Borate Crystals with Acid Additives
Authors: Shimo Shunsuke , Nakamura Takumu , Takahashi Kohei , Toriumi Naoyuki , Iwasawa Nobuharu
Published: November 2021

2‐Quinolyl benzodiazaborine (DAB) was synthesized and its conversion to a borate species was investigated. Addition of carboxylic acids and hydrogen fluoride led to facile formation of a stable borate derivative, whose structure was unambiguously characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The borates show intense aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) in crystals, which is thought to be derived from a rigid dimeric structure with intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
Proteome‐Scale Drug‐Target Interaction Predictions: Approaches and Applications
Authors: MacKinnon Stephen Scott , Madani Tonekaboni S. A. , Windemuth Andreas
Published: November 2021

Drug‐Target interaction predictions are an important cornerstone of computer‐aided drug discovery. While predictive methods around individual targets have a long history, the application of proteome‐scale models is relatively recent. In this overview, we will provide the context required to understand advances in this emerging field within computational drug discovery, evaluate emerging technologies for suitability to given tasks, and provide guidelines for the design and implementation of new drug‐target interaction prediction models. We will discuss the validation approaches used, and propose a set of key criteria that should be applied to evaluate their validity. We note that we find widespread deficiencies in the existing literature, making it difficult to judge the practical effectiveness of some of the techniques proposed from their publications alone. We hope that this review may help remedy this situation and increase awareness of several sources of bias that may enter into commonly used cross‐validation methods. © 2021 Cyclica Inc. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Synthesis and Purification of N3‐Methylcytidine (m3C) Modified RNA Oligonucleotides
Authors: Mathivanan Johnsi , Du Jinxi , Mao Song , Zheng Ya Ying , Sheng Jia
Published: November 2021

This protocol describes a step‐by‐step chemical synthesis approach to prepare N3‐methylcytidine (m3C) and its phosphoramidite. The method for synthesizing m3C starts from commercially available cytidine, and proceeds via N3‐methylation in the presence of MeI, which generates the N3‐methylcytidine (m3C) nucleoside, followed by the installation of several protecting groups at sites that include the 5'‐hydroxyl group (4,4'‐dimethoxytrityl protection), the 4‐amino group (benzoyl protection), and the 2'‐hydroxyl group (tert‐butyldimethylsilyl, TBDMS, protection). Standard phosphoramidite chemistry is applied to prepare the final m3C phosphoramidite for solid‐phase synthesis of a series of RNA oligonucleotides. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Synthesis of N3‐methylcytidine (m3C) and its phosphoramidite

Basic Protocol 2: Automated synthesis of m3C modified RNA oligonucleotides
Whole transcriptome analysis of high and low IFN‐α producers reveals differential response patterns following rhinovirus stimulation
Authors: Murray Liisa M , Thillaiyampalam Gayathri , Xi Yang , Cristino Alexandre S , Upham John W
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Viral respiratory infections cause considerable morbidity and economic loss. While rhinoviruses (RV) typically cause little more than the common cold, they can produce severe infections and disease exacerbations in susceptible individuals, such as those with asthma. Variations in the regulation of key antiviral cytokines, particularly type I interferon (IFN‐α and IFN‐β), may contribute to RV susceptibility. To understand this variability, we compared the transcriptomes of high and low type I IFN producers.

Methods

Blood mononuclear cells from 238 individuals with or without asthma were cultured in the presence or absence of RV. Those samples demonstrating high or low RV‐stimulated IFN‐α production (N = 75) underwent RNA‐sequencing.

Results

Gene expression patterns were similar in samples from healthy participants and those with asthma. At baseline, the high IFN‐α producer group showed higher expression of genes associated with plasmacytoid dendritic cells, the innate immune response and vitamin D activation, but lower expression of oxidative stress pathways than the low IFN‐α producer group. After RV stimulation, the high IFN‐α producer group showed higher expression of genes found in immune response biological pathways and lower expression of genes linked to developmental and catabolic processes when compared to the low IFN‐α producer group.

Conclusions

These differences suggest that the high IFN‐α group has a higher level of immune system readiness, resulting in a more intense and perhaps more focussed pathogen‐specific immune response. These results contribute to a better understanding of the variability in type I IFN production between individuals.
Incentivizing immunity: Workplace COVID‐19 vaccine incentives and the ADA
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: November 2021

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released guidance at the beginning of this summer that addressed mandatory workplace vaccinations, vaccine incentives, and confidentiality requirements for vaccination information (see Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, What You Should Know About Covid‐19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws (May 28, 2021)). Most notably, the guidance, which updated the EEOC's end‐of‐the‐year guidance from 2020, sanctions mandatory employer vaccine policies — with limited exceptions for employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of disability or religious reasons. Equally of note, the guidance maintains that employers may lawfully offer vaccine incentives without running afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Genetic Information Non‐discrimination Act.
Always communicate a message of positivity
Authors: Enos Gary A.
Published: November 2021

Optimism in the face of the challenges a small private liberal arts institution can encounter characterizes the leadership at Emory & Henry College, located in the highlands of southwest Virginia. Jennifer Pearce, Vice President for Enrollment and External Affairs, considers the can‐do attitude a cornerstone of her leadership style, mirroring the approach she has seen from the college's president, John W. Wells.
Projected impacts of climate change on snow leopard habitat in Qinghai Province, China
Authors: Li Jia , Xue Yadong , Hacker Charlotte E. , Zhang Yu , Li Ye , Cong Wei , Jin Lixiao , Li Gang , Wu Bo , Li Diqiang , Zhang Yuguang
Published: November 2021

Assessing species’ vulnerability to climate change is a prerequisite for developing effective strategies to reduce emerging climate‐related threats. We used the maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt model) to assess potential changes in suitable snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habitat in Qinghai Province, China, under a mild climate change scenario. Our results showed that the area of suitable snow leopard habitat in Qinghai Province was 302,821 km2 under current conditions and 228,997 km2 under the 2050s climatic scenario, with a mean upward shift in elevation of 90 m. At present, nature reserves protect 38.78% of currently suitable habitat and will protect 42.56% of future suitable habitat. Current areas of climate refugia amounted to 212,341 km2 and are mainly distributed in the Sanjiangyuan region, Qilian mountains, and surrounding areas. Our results provide valuable information for formulating strategies to meet future conservation challenges brought on by climate stress. We suggest that conservation efforts in Qinghai Province should focus on protecting areas of climate refugia and on maintaining or building corridors when planning for future species management.
Association of self‐reported financial burden with quality of life and oncologic outcomes in head and neck cancer
Authors: Lenze Nicholas R. , Bensen Jeannette T. , Farnan Laura , Sheth Siddharth , Zevallos Jose P. , Yarbrough Wendell G. , Zanation Adam M.
Published: November 2021

Background

There is a paucity of data on financial toxicity among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Materials

This was a retrospective, cross‐sectional study of patients with HNSCC surveyed at an outpatient oncology clinic.

Results

The sample included 202 patients with HNSCC with a mean age of 59.6 years (SD 10.0). There were 53 patients (26%) with self‐reported financial burden. Education of high school or less was a significant predictor of self‐reported financial burden (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.03–6.14, p = 0.042). Patients reporting financial burden had significantly worse physical (p = 0.003), mental (p = 0.003), and functional (p = 0.036) health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients reporting financial burden appeared to have lower 5‐year overall survival (74.3% vs. 83.9%, p = 0.165), but this association did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

Financial burden or toxicity may affect approximately a quarter of patients with HNSCC and appears to be associated with worse HRQOL outcomes.
Controlled release of ciliary neurotrophic factor from bioactive nerve grafts promotes nerve regeneration in rats with facial nerve injuries
Authors: Ma Fukai , Wang Hanming , Yang Xiaosheng , Wu Yiwei , Liao Chenlong , Xie Bingran , Li Yi , Zhang Wenchuan
Published: November 2021

It is critical to repair severed facial nerves, as lack of treatment may cause long‐term motor and sensory impairments. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) plays an important role in terms of enhancing nerve axon regrowth and maturation during peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. However, simple application of CNTF to the transected nerve site does not afford functional recovery, because it is rapidly flushed away by bodily fluids. The aim of the present study was the construction of a new, bioactive composite nerve graft facilitating persistent CNTF delivery to aid the reconstruction of facial nerve defects. The in vitro study showed that the bioactive nerve graft generated sustainable CNTF release for more than 25 days. The bioactive nerve graft was then transplanted into the injury sites of rat facial nerves. At 6 and 12 weeks post‐transplantation, functional and histological analyses showed that the bioactive nerve graft featuring immobilized CNTF significantly enhanced nerve regeneration in terms of both axonal outgrowth and Schwann cell proliferation in the rat facial nerve gap model, compared to a collagen tube with adsorbed CNTF that initially released high levels of CNTF. The bioactive nerve graft may serve as novel, controlled bioactive release therapy for facial nerve regeneration.
Modulating response of Zea mays to induced salinity stress through application of nitrate mediated silver nanoparticles and indole acetic acid
Authors: Ullah Sami , Ali Sara , Binte Abid Afroz , Nafees Muhammad
Published: November 2021

Nanotechnology has been amplified in different areas of science as well as agriculture in the present era. So, the present work was designed to evaluate the result of nitrate mediated silver nanoparticles (Nit‐AgNPs) and indole acetic acid (IAA) on physio‐biochemical features of the selected maize variety (Pahari white) under 40 and 80 mM salinity induction. Seeds were propagated in triplicates in earthen pots (18 cm inferior and superior inside diameter, 20 cm stature, and 2 cm breadth) filled with silt and soil (1:2) having 3.09–5.12 Electrical conductivity (EC), 6.8–7.3 pH, and 4–16% moisture contents. Scanning electron microscopy results showed the average particle size around 90 nm indicating a high surface area suitable for adsorption properties, agglomerated, roughly spherical, and were uniformly dispersed. Elemental quantification of biosynthesized AgNPs analyzed via energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy showed a strong peak at 3.0 KeV along with the presence of elements K, N, O, and C. Results of Thermo‐gravimetric Analysis (TGA)/Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) showed endothermic major decline at 150–300°C, while exothermic peak at 300–400°C. The growth responses at 40 mM salinity concentration have been reduced representing from the least boundary of chlorophyll “a,” “b,” and peroxidase content, whereas; this adverse effect has been reduced by operation of Nit‐AgNPs as separate treatment and in combination with IAA. From the current study, it has been concluded that salinity concentration at 80 mM adversely affected the values of osmolytes, protein, and superoxide dismutase whereas the maximum amplitude of proline reduced by the application of Nit‐AgNPs as distinct treatment indicating that the plant behaves normal with the combined application of nanoparticles and IAA.
Iron (III)‐catalyzed one‐pot synthesis of fused 4H‐pyran derivatives via Knoevenagel‐Michael‐cyclization reaction
Authors: Yang Hongchen , Xiong Dongdong , Peng Yanqing , Shao Xusheng , Xu Xiaoyong , Li Zhong
Published: November 2021

A facile and efficient protocol has been developed for the synthesis of fused 4H‐pyran derivatives via one‐pot three components combination of aldehydes, 1,1‐bis(methylthio)‐2‐nitroethylene (BMTNE), and enolketone/dimedone derivatives under the catalysis of FeCl3. The target products could be obtained in moderate to good yields.
Low donor chimerism may be sufficient to prevent demyelination in adrenoleukodystrophy
Authors: Ikeda Takahiro , Kawahara Yuta , Miyauchi Akihiko , Niijima Hitomi , Furukawa Rieko , Shimozawa Nobuyuki , Morimoto Akira , Osaka Hitoshi , Yamagata Takanori
Published: November 2021

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a peroxisomal disorder characterized by white matter degeneration caused by adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette subfamily D member 1 (ABCD1) gene mutations, which lead to an accumulation of very‐long‐chain fatty acids (VLCFA). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the most effective treatment; however, the ratio of donor‐to‐recipient cells required to prevent the progression of demyelination is unclear. The proband was diagnosed with the childhood cerebral form of ALD at 5 years of age based on the clinical phenotype, elevated plasma VLCFA levels, and pathogenic ABCD1 mutation c.293C>T (p.Ser98Leu). Soon after the diagnosis, he became bedridden. At 1 year of age, his younger brother was found to carry the same ABCD1 mutation; despite being asymptomatic, at 1 year and 9 months, head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high‐signal‐intensity lesions in the cerebral white matter. The patient underwent unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) with a reduced conditioning regimen, which resulted in mixed chimerism. For 7 years after UCBT, the donor chimerism remained low (<10%) in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid. However, even though a second HSCT was not performed, his neurological symptoms and brain MRI findings did not deteriorate. Our case suggests that even a small number of donor cells may prevent demyelination in ALD. This is an important case when considering the timing of a second HSCT.
Segmentation of the Aorta and Pulmonary Arteries Based on 4D Flow MRI in the Pediatric Setting Using Fully Automated Multi‐Site, Multi‐Vendor, and Multi‐Label Dense U‐Net
Authors: Fujiwara Takashi , Berhane Haben , Scott Michael B. , Englund Erin K. , Schäfer Michal , Fonseca Brian , Berthusen Alexander , Robinson Joshua D. , Rigsby Cynthia K. , Browne Lorna P. , Markl Michael , Barker Alex J.
Published: November 2021

Background

Automated segmentation using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been developed using four‐dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To broaden usability for congenital heart disease (CHD), training with multi‐institution data is necessary. However, the performance impact of heterogeneous multi‐site and multi‐vendor data on CNNs is unclear.

Purpose

To investigate multi‐site CNN segmentation of 4D flow MRI for pediatric blood flow measurement.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

A total of 174 subjects across two sites (female: 46%; N = 38 healthy controls, N = 136 CHD patients). Participants from site 1 (N = 100), site 2 (N = 74), and both sites (N = 174) were divided into subgroups to conduct 10‐fold cross validation (10% for testing, 90% for training).

Field Strength/Sequence

3 T/1.5 T; retrospectively gated gradient recalled echo‐based 4D flow MRI.

Assessment

Accuracy of the 3D CNN segmentations trained on data from single site (single‐site CNNs) and data across both sites (multi‐site CNN) were evaluated by geometrical similarity (Dice score, human segmentation as ground truth) and net flow quantification at the ascending aorta (Qs), main pulmonary artery (Qp), and their balance (Qp/Qs), between human observers, single‐site and multi‐site CNNs.

Statistical Tests

Kruskal–Wallis test, Wilcoxon rank‐sum test, and Bland–Altman analysis. A P‐value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

No difference existed between single‐site and multi‐site CNNs for geometrical similarity in the aorta by Dice score (site 1: 0.916 vs. 0.915, P = 0.55; site 2: 0.906 vs. 0.904, P = 0.69) and for the pulmonary arteries (site 1: 0.894 vs. 0.895, P = 0.64; site 2: 0.870 vs. 0.869, P = 0.96). Qs site‐1 medians were 51.0–51.3 mL/cycle (P = 0.81) and site‐2 medians were 66.7–69.4 mL/cycle (P = 0.84). Qp site‐1 medians were 46.8–48.0 mL/cycle (P = 0.97) and site‐2 medians were 76.0–77.4 mL/cycle (P = 0.98). Qp/Qs site‐1 medians were 0.87–0.88 (P = 0.97) and site‐2 medians were 1.01–1.03 (P = 0.43). Bland–Altman analysis for flow quantification found equivalent performance.

Data Conclusion

Multi‐site CNN‐based segmentation and blood flow measurement are feasible for pediatric 4D flow MRI and maintain performance of single‐site CNNs.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Variations in relative humidity across Poland and its possible impacts on outdoor thermal comfort: An analysis based on hourly data from 1995 to 2020
Authors: Sachindra D. A. , Nowosad M.
Published: November 2021

This study investigated the variations in relative humidity (RH) and its impacts on outdoor thermal comfort in Poland. The study considered hourly RH data from 44 stations over the period 1995–2020. A countrywide declining trend in average RH was seen over the above period. This trend was more pronounced at stations in central and northwestern Poland. In the majority of the stations, in spring and summer, a statistically significant decline in the average RH was seen in the period 2008–2020 (second half of data) in comparison to that in the period 1995–2007 (first half of data). In all seasons, during the period 1995–2020, frequency distributions of RH corresponding to all stations were heavily left‐skewed and the peak occurred at an RH around about 90–95% or even higher. This indicated that high RH values are frequent in Poland. In the majority of the stations, an increase in the average number of hours per year above high percentiles of RH (95, 96th, 97th, 98th, 99th and 99.5th) and an increase in the average number of hours per year below low percentiles of RH (0.5th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th) were seen in the period 2008–2020 compared to that in the period 1995–2007. The above findings lead to the conclusion that occurrences of low and high extremes of RH have increased though the average of RH shows a decline. Also, in the majority of the stations, the number of hot–humid hours and the number of cold–dry hours have increased in the period 2008–2020 compared to those in the period 1995–2007. According to the Discomfort Index, over the period 1995–2020, the outdoor warm thermal comfort in Poland has declined due to high temperature and high humidity.
Maturation‐ and degeneration‐dependent articular cartilage metabolism via optical redox ratio imaging
Authors: Walsh Shannon K. , Soni Rikin , Arendt Lisa M. , Skala Melissa C. , Henak Corinne R.
Published: November 2021

From the two metabolic processes in healthy cartilage, glycolysis has been associated with proliferation and oxidative phosphorylation (oxphos) with matrix synthesis. Recently, metabolic dysregulation was significantly correlated with cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis progression. While these findings suggest maturation predisposes cartilage to metabolic instability with consequences for tissue maintenance, these links have not been shown. Therefore, this study sought to address three hypotheses (a) chondrocytes exhibit differential metabolic activity between immaturity (0–4 months), adolescence (5–18 months), and maturity (>18 months); (b) perturbation of metabolic activity has consequences on expression of genes pertinent to cartilage tissue maintenance; and (c) severity of cartilage damage is positively correlated with glycolysis and oxphos activity as well as optical redox ratio in postadolescent cartilage. Porcine femoral cartilage samples from pigs (3 days to 6 years) underwent optical redox ratio imaging, which measures autofluorescence of NAD(P)H and FAD. Gene expression analysis and histological scoring was conducted for comparison against imaging metrics. NAD(P)H and FAD autofluorescence both demonstrated increasing intensity with age, while optical redox ratio was lowest in adolescent samples compared to immature or mature samples. Inhibition of glycolysis suppressed expression of Col2, Col1, ADAMTS4, and ADAMTS5, while oxphos inhibition had no effect. FAD fluorescence and optical redox ratio were positively correlated with histological degeneration. This study demonstrates maturation‐ and degeneration‐dependent metabolic activity in cartilage and explores the consequences of this differential activity on gene expression. This study aids our basic understanding of cartilage biology and highlights opportunity for potential diagnostic applications.
Maternal oxidized soybean oil exposure in rats during lactation damages offspring kidneys via Nrf2/HO‐1 and NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Gao Feng , Guo Zhiqiang , Gao Yanan , Wang Chuanqi , Wang Huiting , Yao Xinxin , Shi Baoming
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Cooking oil is an indispensable component of the human diet. However, oils usually undergo thermal oxidation. Oxidized soybean oil (OSO) has been shown to have detrimental effects on humans and has emerged as a root cause of many chronic diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of puerpera exposure to OSO on kidney damage in the mother and offspring using lactating rats as an experimental model.

RESULTS

Pathological sections and ultrastructure showed that OSO exposure resulted in various levels of damage to lactating rats and their offspring. OSO induced oxidative stress in the kidneys of lactating rats, as evidenced by increased levels of hydrogen peroxide, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐8. OSO increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. OSO upregulated the expression of apoptosis‐related genes, nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), and nuclear factor κB‐related inflammatory factor genes. In the offspring of the OSO‐exposed mothers, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha contents were increased. Furthermore, OSO enhanced the levels of Nrf2, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1, heme oxygenase 1, and p65 and decreased B‐cell lymphoma 2.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated that the kidneys of two generations of rats were compromised by oxidative damage when fed OSO during lactation. This study provides evidence for increasing the genes expression of the Nrf2/heme oxygenase 1 pathway to alleviate the kidney damage caused by OSO in the mother and offspring. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Low temperature sensitivity of picophytoplankton P : B ratios and growth rates across a natural 10°C temperature gradient in the oligotrophic Indian Ocean
Authors: Landry Michael R. , Selph Karen E. , Hood Raleigh R. , Davies Claire H. , Beckley Lynnath E.
Published: November 2021

We investigated temperature sensitivities of picophytoplankton growth along a natural 10°C (18–28°C) temperature gradient in the eastern Indian Ocean characterized by deep mixing and consistently low dissolved nitrogen. Population biomass (B), cell carbon, and chlorophyll were measured by flow cytometry. Instantaneous growth (μ) and production (P) were calculated from dilution incubations at four light levels. Contrary to most empirical and theoretical predictions, Prochlorococcus, the biomass dominant, showed insignificant temperature sensitivity, with nominal Q10 values of 1.06 and 1.18 for P : B and μ, respectively, and activation energies (Ea) of 0.05 and 0.12 eV. Q10 and Ea values for Synechococcus (1.36–1.42 and 0.23–0.27 eV) were also below prediction, and picoeukaryotes showed high variability, including negative rates suggesting lytic cycles, at high temperature. We emphasize the importance of using adapted communities in natural environmental gradients to test climate predictions and hypothesize that mortality defenses are a significant selection criterion in balanced oligotrophic systems.
Asymmetric Mass Transport through Dense Heterogeneous Polymer Membranes: Fundamental Principles, Lessons from Nature, and Artificial Systems
Authors: Kamtsikakis Aristotelis , Weder Christoph
Published: November 2021

Many organisms rely on directional water transport schemes for the purpose of water retention and collection. Directional transport of water and other fluids is also technologically relevant, for example to harvest water, in separation processes, packaging solutions, functional clothing, and many other applications. One strategy to promote mass transport along a preferential direction is to create compositionally asymmetric, multi‐layered, or compositionally graded architectures. In recent years, the investigation of natural and artificial membranes based on this design has attracted growing interest and allowed researchers to develop a good understanding of how the properties of such membranes can be tailored to meet the demands of particular applications. Here a summary of theoretical works on mass transport through dense asymmetric membranes, comprehensive reviews of biological and artificial membranes featuring this design, and a discussion of applications, remaining questions, and opportunities are provided.
On the solvability of a Dirichlet‐type problem for one equation with variable coefficients
Authors: Irgashev Bakhrom Yu
Published: November 2021

The paper investigates a boundary value problem in a rectangular domain for a high even order equation with discontinuous coefficients. A criterion for the uniqueness of a solution is obtained using the spectral method. The solution is built in the form of a Fourier series. When justifying the convergence of the series, the problem of small denominators arises. We obtain sufficient conditions for the convergence of the series.