bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Species pool size alters species–area relationships during experimental community assembly
Authors: Catano Christopher P. , Grman Emily , Behrens Eric , Brudvig Lars A.
Published: October 2020

The species pool concept has advanced our understanding for how biodiversity is coupled at local and regional scales. However, it remains unclear how species pool size, the number of species available to disperse to a site, influences community assembly across spatial scales. We provide one of the first studies that assesses diversity across scales after experimentally assembling grassland communities from species pools of different sizes. We show that species pool size causes scale‐dependent effects on diversity in grasslands undergoing restoration by altering the shape of the species–area relationship (SAR). Specifically, larger species pools increased the slope of the SAR, but not the intercept, suggesting that dispersal from a larger pool causes species to be more spatially aggregated. This increased aggregation appears to be caused by sampling effects due to fewer individuals arriving per species, rather than stronger species sorting across variation in soil moisture. These scale‐dependent effects suggest that studies evaluating species pools at a single, small scale may underestimate their effects, thereby contributing to uncertainty about the importance of regional processes for community assembly and their consequences for ecological restoration.
Some like it hot: Preference for temperature and pungency consumption is associated with sensitivity to noxious heat
Authors: Defrin Ruth , Dekel‐Steinkeller Michal , Urca Gideon
Published: October 2020

Background

Individuals vary in their temperature and pungency preferences; whereas some individuals prefer to bath in, or consume food and beverages at very high temperatures, others prefer lukewarm temperatures. Similarly, pungent food may be preferred by some, but not by others. The aim was to investigate, for the first time whether temperature and pungency preferences are associated with variations in thermal sensitivity or ethnic origin related to pungency consumption.

Methods

115 healthy volunteers participated. The thresholds for warm (WST) and heat‐pain (HPT) sensations were measured over the tongue and dorsal hand, and the participants’ preferred drinking and bath temperatures were measured. In addition, data on the participants’ ethnic background as well as temperature and pungency preferences and household habits regarding eating, drinking and bathing were collected.

Results

The reported drinking and bathing preferences correlated significantly with the measured drinking and bath temperatures, respectively, validating subjects’ reports. Tongue and hand HPT, but not WST, correlated with both the reported and the measured drinking and bathing preferences, as well as with pungency preferences. Neither ethnic origin nor gender affected HPT or temperature preferences; however, males preferred a greater level of spiciness than females.

Conclusions

The association of the reported and measured preferences with noxious heat sensitivity in both relevant and irrelevant body regions, and lack of an ethnicity effect may suggest that these qualities are innate. The association of HPT and spiciness preferences correspond with the mutual activation of the tongue vanilloid receptors by noxious heat and capsaicin.

Significance

People vary with regard to their temperature and spiciness preferences for reasons yet unknown. The study revealed that these preferences correlate with one another and were associated with the sensitivity to noxious heat but not with age, gender and cultural background, which suggests that they may be innate.
Characteristics of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in a general paediatric inpatient sample
Authors: Schöffel Hannah , Hiemisch Andreas , Kiess Wieland , Hilbert Anja , Schmidt Ricarda
Published: October 2020

Objective

Although patients with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) often consult general paediatric services initially, existing literature mostly concentrated on intensive eating disorder treatment settings. This cross‐sectional study sought to describe symptoms of ARFID and their associations with eating disorder psychopathology, quality of life, anthropometry, and physical comorbidities in a general paediatric sample.

Methods

In N = 111 patients (8–18 years) seeking treatment for physical diseases, prevalence of ARFID‐related restrictive eating behaviours was estimated by self‐report and compared to population‐based data (N = 799). Using self‐report and medical record data, further ARFID diagnostic criteria were evaluated. Patients with versus without symptoms of ARFID based on self‐report and medical records were compared in diverse clinical variables.

Results

The prevalence of self‐reported symptoms of ARFID was not higher in the inpatient than population‐based sample. Only picky eating and shape concern were more common in the inpatient than population‐based sample. Although 68% of the inpatient sample reported any restrictive eating behaviours, only 7% of patients showed symptoms of ARFID based on medical records in addition to self‐report, particularly those with underweight, without significant effects for age, sex, and medical diagnoses.

Discussion

The study revealed the importance of considering ARFID within the treatment of children and adolescents with physical diseases, especially for those with underweight. Further research is needed to replicate the findings with interview‐based measures and to investigate the direction of effects in ARFID and its physical correlates.
High Frequency of Lead Exposure in the Population of an Endangered Australian Top Predator, the Tasmanian Wedge-Tailed Eagle (Aquila audax fleayi)
Authors: Pay James M. , Katzner Todd E. , Hawkins Clare E. , Koch Amelia J. , Wiersma Jason M. , Brown William E. , Mooney Nick J. , Cameron Elissa Z.
Published: October 2020

Lead poisoning, mainly through incidental ingestion of lead ammunition in carcasses, is a threat to scavenging and predatory bird species worldwide. In Australia, shooting for animal control is widespread, and a range of native scavenging species are susceptible to lead exposure. However, the prevalence of lead exposure in Australia's scavenging and predatory birds is largely unknown. We evaluated the degree to which the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax fleayi), an endangered Australian raptor and facultative scavenger, showed evidence of lead exposure. We detected lead in 100% of femur and liver tissues of 109 eagle carcasses opportunistically collected throughout Tasmania between 1996 and 2018. Concentrations were elevated in 10% of 106 liver (>6 mg/kg dry wt) and 4% of 108 femur (>10 mg/kg dry wt) samples. We also detected lead in 96% of blood samples taken from 24 live nestlings, with 8% at elevated concentrations (>10 μg/dL). Of the liver samples with elevated lead, 73% had lead207/206 isotope ratios within the published range of lead-based bullets available in Tasmania. These first comprehensive data on lead exposure of an Australian raptor are comparable to those for raptor studies elsewhere that identify lead-based ammunition exposure as a conservation threat. Our findings highlight the importance of further research and efforts to address lead contamination throughout the Tasmanian ecosystem and in other Australian regions. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:219–230. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Rural livelihood diversity and its influence on the ecological intensification potential of smallholder farms in Kenya
Authors: Kansiime Monica K. , Girling Robbie D. , Mugambi Idah , Mulema Joseph , Oduor George , Chacha Duncan , Ouvrard David , Kinuthia Wanja , Garratt Michael P. D.
Published: October 2020

Smallholder farmers represent the majority of food producers around the world, yet they are often the most at risk of suffering yield gaps and not achieving their production potential. Ecological Intensification (EI) is a knowledge intensive approach to sustainable agricultural intensification which utilizes biodiversity‐based ecosystem services to support greater yield and reduce reliance on agrochemical inputs. Despite the potential benefit of EI based practices, uptake by smallholders is not as widespread as it could be. Here we test the hypothesis that application of EI on smallholder farms in Kenya is a viable approach that could be taken in order to enhance food security. Focusing on natural pest control and crop pollination, we used farmer surveys to explore the potential for EI in central Kenya. We identified to what extent farm typology and access to knowledge determine the incentives and barriers facing smallholder producers and how this influences optimal pathways for sharing knowledge and providing extension services. We found considerable potential for EI of smallholder farms in this region; most farmers grew insect pollinated crops and some farmers already employed EI practices, while others relied heavily on chemical pesticides. Based on physical, social, and economic factors, three farm typologies emerged including “semi‐commercial,” “market orientated,” and “subsistence.” These typologies influenced the appropriate EI practices available to farmers, as well as routes through which knowledge was shared, and the extent to which extension services were utilized. We propose that to support effective uptake of EI practices, smallholder farm heterogeneity should be acknowledged and characterized in order to target the needs and capabilities of farmers and identify appropriate knowledge sharing and support pathways. The approach we take here has the potential to be employed in other regions globally.
Investigation on Temperature Uniformity in a Gas‐liquid Two‐phase Mixing System Stirred by Top‐blown Air▴
Authors: Yang K. , Li Z. , Wang Q. , Hu X. , Zhu X. , Wang H.
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study is to introduce a new method for quantifying the uniformity of temperature fields. A top‐blown gas‐stirring gas‐liquid two‐phase mixing test bench was set up, combined with an infrared imager, to obtain the temperature distribution of the gas‐liquid two‐phase mixing process. Gas‐liquid two‐phase energy conversion occurs during the physical reaction. The top‐blown gas is in direct contact with liquids of different temperatures to take away some of the heat, causing a difference in the internal temperature distribution of the liquid. The gas is air and the liquid is synthetic heat transfer oil. Using image segmentation and mathematical analogy of local discrepancy functions, the temperature distribution difference and temperature field non‐uniformity coefficient (NUC) of the rectangular region in the actual temperature field are obtained. By calculating the standard deviation of the non‐uniformity coefficient of the temperature field in each working condition, the fluctuation of the uniformity of the temperature field with time is obtained.
New U–Pb zircon ages of Nyong Complex meta‐plutonites: Implications for the Eburnean/Trans‐Amazonian Orogeny in southwestern Cameroon (Central Africa)
Authors: Owona Sébastien , Ratschbacher Lothar , Afzal M Gulzar , Nsangou Ngapna Moussa , Mvondo Ondoa Joseph , Ekodeck Georges Emmanuel
Published: October 2020

New LA–ICP–MS U–Pb zircon ages from the Nyong Complex of southwestern Cameroon—a part of the West Central African Fold Belt—trace Late Mesoarchean (∼2,850 Ma), Middle Palaeoproterozoic (∼2,080 Ma), and Neoproterozoic (∼605 Ma) events: Two meta‐syenites and the protolith of an amphibolite are Late Mesoarchean; two meta‐granodiorites are Middle Palaeoproterozoic; the amphibolite may have recrystallized in the Middle Palaeoproterozoic; all rocks are overprinted by the Neoproterozoic event. Integration with published data shows that our amphibolite sample has one of the oldest amphibolite‐protolith ages (∼2,810 Ma) reported so far. It shares the Middle Palaeoproterozoic metamorphism/recrystallization with other, previously dated amphibolites. An earlier reported metamorphic zircon age (∼2,090 Ma) from eclogite is somewhat older than the regional Middle Palaeoproterozoic metamorphism/recrystallization ages (∼2,040 Ma) reported from amphibolites. Thus, the eclogite–amphibolite ages may date an exhumation process. A published charnockite age, interpreted as an Early Mesoarchean crystallization age, is older than the Late Mesoarchean meta‐syenite and amphibolite‐protolith dates; its Middle Palaeoproterozoic metamorphism/recrystallization age, however, is identical with the meta‐granodiorites and amphibolites. The Neoproterozoic ages demonstrate the regional overprint of the Nyong Complex during this period. Integration of the Nyong Complex ages with published ones from the entire West Central African Fold Belt, and comparison with those from West Africa and South America, support their common origin from the Palaeoproterozoic collision between the Archean Congo and São Francisco shields.
Evaluating a novel MR‐compatible foot pedal device for unipedal and bipedal motion: Test–retest reliability of evoked brain activity
Authors: Doolittle Jade D. , Downey Ryan J. , Imperatore Julia P. , Dowdle Logan T. , Lench Daniel H. , McLeod John , McCalley Daniel M. , Gregory Chris M. , Hanlon Colleen A.
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a new, open‐source MR‐compatible device capable of assessing unipedal and bipedal lower extremity movement with minimal head motion and high test–retest reliability. To evaluate the prototype, 20 healthy adults participated in two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visits, separated by 2–6 months, in which they performed a visually guided dorsiflexion/plantar flexion task with their left foot, right foot, and alternating feet. Dependent measures included: evoked blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) signal in the motor network, head movement associated with dorsiflexion/plantar flexion, the test–retest reliability of these measurements. Left and right unipedal movement led to a significant increase in BOLD signal compared to rest in the medial portion of the right and left primary motor cortex (respectively), and the ipsilateral cerebellum (FWE corrected, p < .001). Average head motion was 0.10 ± 0.02 mm. The test–retest reliability was high for the functional MRI data (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs]: >0.75) and the angular displacement of the ankle joint (ICC: 0.842). This bipedal device can robustly isolate activity in the motor network during alternating plantarflexion and dorsiflexion with minimal head movement, while providing high test–retest reliability. Ultimately, these data and open‐source building instructions will provide a new, economical tool for investigators interested in evaluating brain function resulting from lower extremity movement.
Estimated model of psychotropic polypharmacy for bipolar disorder: Analysis using patients' and practitioners' parameters in the MUSUBI study
Authors: Adachi Naoto , Azekawa Takaharu , Edagawa Kouji , Goto Eiichiro , Hongo Seiji , Kato Masaki , Katsumoto Eiichi , Kikuchi Toshiaki , Kubota Yukihisa , Miki Kazuhira , Nakagawa Atsuo , Tsuboi Takashi , Ueda Hitoshi , Watanabe Koichiro , Watanabe Yoichiro , Yasui‐Furukori Norio , Yoshimura Reiji
Published: October 2020

Objective

This study aims to clarify the relevant factors influencing practitioners' methods of prescribing medications for bipolar disorder, in a nation‐wide survey in Japan.

Methods

The clinical records of 3130 outpatients with bipolar disorder were consecutively reviewed from 176 psychiatric outpatient clinics. Fifteen parameters, that is, five patients' including five general characteristics (sex, age, education, occupation, and social adjustment), five patients' aspects of mental functioning (onset age, comorbid mental illness, rapid‐cycling, psychopathologic severity, and followed‐up years), and five practitioners' characteristics (sex, age, specialist experience, clinic standing years, and location), were evaluated. The number of psychotropic drugs (mood stabilizers, antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, anxiolytics, and hypnotics) was used as an index of pharmacotherapy. Converted data from each practitioner‐unit were analyzed.

Results

Seven factors (patient's social adjustment, patient's psychopathology, patient's comorbid mental disorders, patient's followed‐up years, doctor's age, clinic running years, and patient's education years) were correlated to the number of psychotropic drugs. Multiple regression analysis showed that the severity of illness (poor social adjustment, and comorbid mental illness) and an intractable disease course (long followed‐up years), were significantly associated with the number of psychotropic drugs.

Conclusion

Our findings indicated that patient‐related conditions affected psychotropic polypharmacy more strongly than did practitioner‐related conditions.
Circulating liver function markers and colorectal cancer risk: A prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank
Authors: He Ming‐ming , Fang Zhe , Hang Dong , Wang Feng , Polychronidis Georgios , Wang Liang , Lo Chun‐Han , Wang Kai , Zhong Rong , Knudsen Markus D. , Smith Scott G. , Xu Rui‐Hua , Song Mingyang
Published: October 2020

Evidence links the liver to development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it remains unknown how liver function may influence CRC risk in the general population. We conducted a prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank of 375 693 participants who provided blood samples in 2006 to 2010. Circulating levels of liver function markers (alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], total bilirubin [TBIL], gamma glutamyltransferase [GGT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], total protein [TP] and albumin [ALB]) were measured. Incident cancer cases were identified through linkage to the national cancer registry up to 2019. Repeated biomarker measurements were available from a subset of 11 320 participants who were re‐assessed in 2012 to 2013. After a median follow‐up of 10.0 years, we documented 2662 cases of CRC. Circulating levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, GGT, TP and ALB at baseline were inversely associated with CRC risk (P < .01), with multivariable hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) comparing decile 10 vs 1 of 0.62 (0.51‐0.75), 0.63 (0.53‐0.75), 0.85 (0.72‐1.02), 0.74 (0.61‐0.89), 0.70 (0.59‐0.84) and 0.66 (0.55‐0.79), respectively. Strengthened associations were found after recalibration for repeated measurements. The associations appeared stronger for proximal colon cancer than distal colon cancer and rectal cancer, but consistent for early‐, mid‐ and late‐onset CRC. In a large cohort of general population, the UK Biobank, higher circulating levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, GGT, TP and ALB, largely within the normal range, were associated with a lower risk of CRC. The findings support a link between liver function and CRC, and may spur future research on the gut‐microbiota‐liver axis.
Aqueous two‐phase systems and monolithic chromatography as alternative technological platforms for virus and virus‐like particle purification
Authors: Rocha João M
Published: October 2020

There is a rising interest in viral and non‐viral gene delivery vehicles for human gene therapy and vaccination applications, and these vehicles include nanoparticulate virus, virus‐like particles (VLP) and plasmids. This communication debates the importance of designing innovative platforms for virus and VLP concentration and purification, envisaging downstream process integration and intensification. Two alternative separation platforms are suggested and discussed: affinity‐aqueous two‐phase systems and monolithic chromatography. These can integrate clarification, concentration, and purification downstream unit operations, significantly decreasing industrial manufacturing costs. Additionally, high recovery yields are expected after process optimization,which is achieved through manipulation of the physicochemical parameters governing partition coefficients. Such cutting‐edge technologies encompass several advantages at industrial scale, particularly in continuous operations, for example ease of scalability, continuous operation potential, easy process integration, low toxicity, and high biocompatibility. Together with innovative processing conditions, they can effectively overcome the major bottlenecks of conventional virus and VLP downstream processing, contributing to more efficient, sustainable, and cost effective industrial systems. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Australian dental practitioner perspectives on academic careers
Authors: Hayes Melanie J. , Ingram Kelsey
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Due to forecasted faculty shortages and increasing student enrollments in dental education, there is a need to attract talented clinicians into academia. To address this growing concern, we need to explore dental practitioners’ perspectives on the academic career pathway, including enablers and barriers to entering the academic workforce.

Methods

A mixed‐methods electronic survey was disseminated through professional associations and dental groups on social media in 2018. Qualitative responses were examined using an inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Participants (n = 85) considered an academic career highly regarded (80%) but indicated there was not a clear pathway (79%) and could not recall it being discussed during their dental studies (85%). It was perceived that experience, further study, and networks all played a significant role in forging an academic career. Perceived benefits to an academic career included professional development opportunities, good employment conditions, and making a meaningful contribution. Barriers included the geographical location of universities, losing clinical skills and the lack of a clear career pathway.

Conclusion

Despite being a highly regarded career, clinicians admit the career pathway to academia is not clear. Improving awareness of academic career paths might be achieved by educating dental students and providing accessible resources to the wider profession.
Reactive oxygen species‐responsive silk sericin microcapsules used for antioxidative stress damage
Authors: Wang Guangshu , Wang Zhenyu , Sun Ning , Cai Yurong , Yang Xiaogang
Published: October 2020

Silk sericin microcapsules loaded with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) are prepared through protein self‐assembly in a green environment containing enzymes to protect liver cells from alcohol damage. Load content and release dynamics of HRP in sericin microcapsules are investigated. The role of HRP‐loaded microcapsules in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) degradation is demonstrated using electrochemical method. Furthermore, the effect of the HRP‐loaded microcapsules on cells and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level is evaluated using an alcohol damage model in vitro. Results show that HRP can be loaded effectively in the sericin microcapsules and can be released ROS‐responsively from microcapsules. Cell survival rate increases after suffering from alcohol damage due to the presence of HRP‐loaded microcapsule, and the active oxygen content in cells is maintained at a stable level even when it remained in an environment with high alcohol concentration. We believe that the internalized sericin microcapsules maintain HRP activity intracellularly, allow controlled HRP release within a host cell, and show excellent ability in antioxidative stress injury.
Tissue response to white mineral aggregate‐based cement containing barium sulfate as alternative radiopacifier: A randomized controlled animal study
Authors: Bortoluzzi Eduardo Antunes , da Silveira Teixeira Cleonice , Broon Norberto J. , Consolaro Alberto , Pinheiro Tiago Novaes , da Fonseca Roberti Garcia Lucas , Pashley David H. , Bramante Clovis Monteiro
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the tissue reaction stimulated by BaSO4‐ and Bi2O3‐containing White MTA Angelus, in comparison with Bi2O3‐containing white Portland cement, and white ProRoot MTA. Thirty‐six adult male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), weighing between 250 and 300 g, were distributed into three groups (n = 12) in accordance with the period of sacrifice (15, 30, and 60 days). Four polyethylene tubes filled with the tested cements were implanted into the dorsum of each rat. Lateral wall of the tubes served as the negative control. After the experimental periods, the animals were euthanized by overdose of pentobarbital anesthetic solution, and the specimens were prepared for microscopic analysis under ×50, ×100, and ×400 magnifications. Inflammatory scores (0–3) were used to grade the tissue reaction. Data were analyzed by the Kruskal‐Wallis test and Dunn's test for individual comparisons (p < .05). A mild to moderate inflammatory tissue reaction was observed at the 15‐day period, which decreased over the course of the periods for all cements, except for Portland cement. There was no significant difference among the tissue responses for ProRoot MTA, BaSO4‐ and Bi2O3‐containing White MTA Angelus at the 60‐day period (p > .05). The Portland group had moderate inflammatory reaction at the final period of analysis, which was statistically different when compared to the other groups (p < .05). The microscopic findings of this animal study suggest that the addition of BaSO4 to White MTA Angelus does not hampers the biocompatibility of the cement.
Acute liver injury secondary to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis triggered by Epstein–Barr virus infection
Authors: Hattori Aiji , Hamada Yasuhiko , Kawabata Hiroyuki , Tanaka Kyosuke
Published: October 2020

We present a 23‐year‐old man with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) triggered by Epstein–Bar virus (EBV) infection. This patient presented with persistent fever and acute liver injury 6 weeks after having an infectious mononucleosis associated with EBV infection. He had hypofibrinogenemia, hyperferritinemia, increased soluble interleukin‐2 receptor, elevated prothrombin time, and pancytopenia. Bone marrow examination for evaluation of pancytopenia revealed that macrophages had phagocytosed mature erythrocytes. Based on these findings, we suspected an HLH triggered by EBV infection (EBV‐HLH). To distinguish from HLH triggered by malignant lymphomas accompanying EBV infection, we performed a percutaneous liver biopsy, which revealed that atypical T‐lymphocytes had infiltrated the liver tissues. The T‐lymphocytes were positive for EBV‐encoded RNA in situ hybridization, and no distinct monoclonal T‐cell receptor chain gene rearrangement was detected. These findings indicated EBV hepatitis and, accordingly, malignant lymphoma was ruled out. We finally made a diagnosis of EBV‐HLH. The patient was treated with corticosteroid and etoposide, according to HLH‐2004 guideline recommendations, and the patient's symptoms and laboratory values improved. After that, he experienced no recurrence. Prompt recognition and initiation of treatment remains the key to the survival of patients with EBV‐HLH, and the liver biopsy was helpful in making the diagnosis.
Psychology qua psychoanalysis in Argentina: Some historical origins of a philosophical problem (1942–1964)
Authors: Fierro Catriel , Araujo Saulo de Freitas
Published: October 2020

Contemporary Argentinian psychology has a unique characteristic: it is identified with psychoanalysis. Nonpsychoanalytic theories and therapies are difficult to find. In addition, there is an overt antiscientific attitude within many psychology programs. How should this be explained? In this paper, we claim that a philosophical history of psychology can shed new light on the development of Argentinian psychology by showing that early Argentinian psychoanalysts held positions in the newborn psychology programs and a distinctive stance toward scientific research in general and psychology in particular. In the absence of an explicit and articulate philosophical position, psychoanalysts developed an implicit meta‐theory that helped shape the context that led to the institutionalization and professionalization of psychology in Argentina. Although we do not establish or even suggest a monocausal link between their ideas and the current state of Argentinian psychology, we do claim that their impact should be explored. Finally, we discuss some limitations of our study and suggest future complementary investigations.
Development and validation of a wart‐associated human papilloma virus genotyping assay for detection of HPV in cutaneous warts
Authors: Redzic Nina , Benoy Ina , Vanden Broeck Davy , Bogers Johannes P.
Published: October 2020

Cutaneous warts are infectious disorders caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). A recent study revealed that the HPV genotype influences the natural course and response to treatment for plantar warts, suggesting that HPV genotyping could potentially be used to optimize wart treatment schemes. For this purpose, a wart‐associated HPV genotyping assay was developed. The assay was subjected to an intensive validation process including, i.a., empiric determination of the annealing temperature, primer‐probe optimization, evaluation of the analytical specificity and sensitivity, viral load quantification, and qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of intra‐run repeatability and inter‐run reproducibility. The newly developed assay was employed in a small‐scale HPV genotyping study of wart biopsies (n = 50). The assay exhibited an analytical type‐specific sensitivity and specificity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 83.9%–100%). The limit of quantification of the tested sequences corresponded to less than 17 viral copies/µl, while the limit of detection was less than 5 copies/µl. Very good to excellent agreements were gained between intra‐ and inter‐run measurements (κ = 0.85–1.00) and coefficients of variation of the quantitative agreements were less then 3%. 22.5% (95% CI: 11%–39%) of the analyzed biopsies were negative for the tested HPV types, while 35% (95% CI: 21%–52%) contained multiple infections. The wart‐associated HPV quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was proven to be highly sensitive and specific. Multiple HPV infections were detected in 35% of lesions, contradicting the current literature claiming that in immunocompetent patients only 4%–16% of warts exhibit multiple HPV infections. This assay is qualified to be implemented in development of future genotype specific wart treatment strategies.
Changes in resting‐state functional brain connectivity associated with head impacts over one men’s semi‐professional soccer season
Authors: Cassoudesalle Hélène , Petit Adrien , Chanraud Sandra , Petit Hervé , Badaut Jérôme , Sibon Igor , Dehail Patrick
Published: October 2020

Soccer, as a contact sport, exposes players to repetitive head impacts, especially through heading the ball. The question of a long‐term brain cumulative effect remains. Our objective was to determine whether exposure to head impacts over one soccer season was associated with changes in functional brain connectivity at rest, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this prospective cohort study, 10 semi‐professional men soccer players, aged 18–25 years, and 20 age‐matched men athletes without a concussion history and who do not practice any contact sport were recruited in Bordeaux (France). Exposure to head impacts per soccer player during competitive games over one season was measured using video analysis. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired for both groups at two times, before and after the season. With a seed‐based analysis, resting‐state networks that have been intimately associated with aspects of cognitive functioning were investigated. The results showed a mean head impacts of 42 (±33) per soccer player over the season, mainly intentional head‐to‐ball impacts and no concussion. No head impact was found among the other athletes. The number of head impacts between the two MRI acquisitions before and after the season was associated with increased connectivity within the default mode network and the cortico‐cerebellar network. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the brain functioning changes over one soccer season in association with exposure to repetitive head impacts.
Families in the Shadow of Traumatic Experiences: Negative World Assumptions and Family Relationships
Authors: Bachem Rahel , Levin Yafit , Stein Jacob Y. , Solomon Zahava
Published: October 2020

World assumptions (WAs) are cognitive schemas concerning an individual's views of themselves, the world, and others. Although it is well established that WAs are negatively distorted by trauma exposure and strongly associated with posttraumatic psychopathology, the potential impact of WAs on close interpersonal relationships remains largely uninvestigated. The current study explored the implications of veterans’ and their spouses’ WAs on their marital and parental relationships. Male Israeli veterans (N = 213) from the 1973 Yom Kippur War and their wives were assessed for WAs, marital adjustment, and positive parenting 35–37 years postwar. Analyses included actor–partner interdependence modeling with mediators (APIMem) and were conducted separately for the three domains of WAs: world benevolence, world meaningfulness, and self‐worth. The results indicated that both husbands’ and wives’ lower scores for all domain‐specific WA scales were associated with lower scores on measures of marital adjustment and positive parenting. Lower scores for both spouses on scales measuring world benevolence and self‐worth were associated with a spillover from lower marital adjustment to lower positive parenting. Finally, associations between one spouse's lower WA scores and the other spouse's spillover from lower marital adjustment to lower positive parenting (i.e., cross–spillover effects) were identified for wives’ world benevolence ratings and husbands’ self‐worth, ds = 0.14–0.72. These results point to the detrimental ramifications of negative WAs on family relationships and the dynamics between the marital and parental family subsystems.
Astragaloside IV alleviates lipopolysaccharide‐induced preeclampsia‐like phenotypes via suppressing the inflammatory responses
Authors: Tuerxun Dilihuma , Aierken Remila , Zhang Yan‐Mei , Huang Ying , Sui Shuang , Li Xiao‐Ying , Abulikemu Zulifeiya , Dilixiati Nuerbiye
Published: October 2020

Preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity, which affects 2% to 8% of pregnancies in the world. The aberrant maternal inflammation and angiogenic imbalance have been demonstrated to contribute to the pathogenesis of PE. This research aimed to investigate the effect of Astragaloside IV (AsIV) in the treatment of PE and the underlying mechanisms. A rat PE‐like model was established by tail vein injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and different doses of AsIV (40 and 80 mg/kg) were treated at the same time. Systolic blood pressure, total urine protein and urine volume were observed. Serum and placenta inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The mRNA and protein expression of relative genes were analyzed by qRT‐PCR and Western blotting. In PE‐like rats, there were obvious increases in systolic blood pressure, total urine protein and urine volume, which were obviously alleviated by treatment with AsIV. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), IL‐6 and IL‐18, as well as IL‐4, IL‐10, PIGF, VEGF and sFlt‐1, were all reversed by treatment with AsIV. Meanwhile, AsIV treatment improved abnormal pregnancy outcomes, such as low litter size and low fetal weight. In addition, AsIV treatment downregulated the mRNA expression of inflammatory gene IL‐1β and IL‐6 in PE rats model, and AsIV treatment inhibited the activation of TLR‐4, NF‐κB, and sFlt‐1 in the placenta of PE rats. Our findings indicated the first evidence that AsIV alleviated PE‐like signs, and this improvement effect is possibly through inhibition of inflammation response via the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway.
Characteristics of patients with hepatitis C virus infection and antiviral treatment initiation in Taiwan: The MOSAIC study
Authors: Yu Ming‐Lung , Tsai Wei‐Lun , Chu Chi‐Jen , Kao Jia‐Horng
Published: October 2020

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. Monitoring its epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment patterns are important for the management of patients with chronic HCV infection from both individual and public health perspectives. The MOSAIC study was an observational study conducted in 20 countries, including Taiwan; its primary objective was to describe epidemiology and treatment initiation patterns in patients seeking HCV care. Of the 111 chronic HCV patients enrolled from Taiwan, 58 (52.3%) had not previously received treatment. HCV genotype 1 was reported in 58 (52.3%) patients, of whom the majority (n = 47; 81.0%) were identified as having subtype 1b. Sixty‐two (55.9%) patients had HCV RNA level > 800 000 IU/mL. Liver cirrhosis was found in 35 (29.3%) patients and was more prevalent in patients who previously received treatment (71.0%). Interferon (IFN)‐based treatment was started within 12 weeks from study inclusion in 12 (10.8%) patients, of whom 11 (91.7%) who had not previously received treatment. Anti‐HCV treatment was not recommended by physicians in 70 (71.4%) and was refused by 23 (23.5%) patients. The MOSAIC study provides data on the epidemiology of HCV infection and IFN‐based treatment decision patterns in Taiwan. Further studies are needed to observe the impact of IFN‐free treatment on the treatment selection pattern.
A highly independent and controllable dual‐band bandpass filter based on source‐load coupling with stub‐block isolation structure
Authors: Denny Yus Rama , Firmansyah Teguh
Published: October 2020

The main problem of dual‐band bandpass filter (BPF) structures is to control each passband performance individually, separately, and independently. This Letter is proposed a dual‐band BPF based on a source‐load coupling structure with stub‐block isolation to overcome the problem. The lower band resonator structure is placed on the top side, while the upper band resonator is placed at the bottom side, with the source‐load (SL) coupling structure in the middle. An additional stub‐block isolation structure is added to the center of the SL coupling structure. As a result, we have successfully designed an independent dual‐band bandpass filter with highly controllable working frequency/frequency center (fc), bandwidth (BW), reflection coefficient (S11), and isolation (ISO) between the passbands. The proposed dual‐band BPF was fabricated on an RT/Duroid 5880 substrate. Furthermore, this dual‐band BPF achieved an insertion loss/fractional bandwidth of 0.48 dB/7.71% and 0.35 dB/12.37% at 1.82 and 2.58 GHz, respectively. The good agreement between the simulated and measured results validates the proposed method.
Adaptive sparsity level and dictionary size estimation for image reconstruction in accelerated 2D radial cine MRI
Authors: Pali Marie‐Christine , Schaeffter Tobias , Kolbitsch Christoph , Kofler Andreas
Published: October 2020

Purpose

In the past, dictionary learning (DL) and sparse coding (SC) have been proposed for the regularization of image reconstruction problems. The regularization is given by a sparse approximation of all image patches using a learned dictionary, that is, an overcomplete set of basis functions learned from data. Despite its competitiveness, DL and SC require the tuning of two essential hyperparameters: the sparsity level S — the number of basis functions of the dictionary, called atoms, which are used to approximate each patch, and K — the overall number of such atoms in the dictionary. These two hyperparameters usually have to be chosen a priori and are determined by repetitive and computationally expensive experiments. Furthermore, the final reported values vary depending on the specific situation. As a result, the clinical application of the method is limited, as standardized reconstruction protocols have to be used.

Methods

In this work, we use adaptive DL and propose a novel adaptive sparse coding algorithm for two‐dimensional (2D) radial cine MR image reconstruction. Using adaptive DL and adaptive SC, the optimal dictionary size K as well as the optimal sparsity level S are chosen dependent on the considered data.

Results

Our three main results are the following: First, adaptive DL and adaptive SC deliver results which are comparable or better than the most widely used nonadaptive version of DL and SC. Second, the time needed for the regularization is accelerated due to the fact that the sparsity level S is never overestimated. Finally, the a priori choice of S and K is no longer needed but is optimally chosen dependent on the data under consideration.

Conclusions

Adaptive DL and adaptive SC can highly facilitate the application of DL‐ and SC‐based regularization methods. While in this work we focused on 2D radial cine MR image reconstruction, we expect the method to be applicable to different imaging modalities as well.
Visually cued fear conditioning test for memory impairment related to cortical function
Authors: Kuboyama Kazuya , Shirakawa Yuki , Kawada Koji , Fujii Naoki , Ojima Daiki , Kishimoto Yasushi , Yamamoto Tohru , Yamada Maki K.
Published: October 2020

Aim

Fear conditioning tests are intended to elucidate a subject's ability to associate a conditioned stimulus with an aversive, unconditioned stimulus, such as footshock. Among these tests, a paradigm related to precise cortical functions would be increasingly important in drug screening for disorders such as schizophrenia and dementia. Therefore, we established a new fear conditioning paradigm using a visual cue in mice. In addition, the validity of the test was evaluated using a genetically engineered mouse, heterozygous deficient in Mdga1 (Mdga1+/‐), which is related to schizophrenia.

Results

Mice were given footshocks associated with a visual cue of moving gratings at training in 25‐minute sessions. The mice showed the conditioned response of freezing behavior to the visual stimulus at testing 24 hours after the footshocks. In the test for validation, the Mdga1+/‐ deficient mice showed significantly less freezing than wild‐type mice.

Conclusion

The visually cued fear conditioning paradigm with moving gratings has been established, which is experimentally useful to evaluate animal cortical functions. The validity of the test was confirmed for Mdga1‐deficient mice with possible deficiency in cortical functions.
The association between leptin and inflammatory markers with obesity indices in Zanzibari children, adolescents, and adults
Authors: Nyangasa Maria Adam , Buck Christoph , Kelm Soerge , Sheikh Mohammed Ali , Günther Kathrin , Hebestreit Antje
Published: October 2020

Background

Research from Western populations describes abdominal obesity as a low‐grade inflammatory disease; less is known from tropical areas with high pathogen burden.

Objectives

This cross‐sectional study investigated whether obesity contributes to low‐grade inflammation in 587 individuals from randomly selected households in Zanzibar.

Materials and Methods

The Association between obesity indices (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], and percentage body fat [%BF]), leptin, and inflammatory markers (C‐reactive protein [CRP], interleukin‐6 [IL‐6] and tumor‐necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α]) was investigated using multinomial logistic regression analysis, accounting for ordinal outcome variables with four categories; 1st–4th quartile.

Results

Study participants were between 5 and 95 years; 49.6% were male. Mean serum levels were; leptin: 4.3 ± 5.2 ng/ml, CRP: 0.19 ± 0.42 µg/ml, IL‐6: 2.8 ± 5 pg/ml, and TNF‐α: 5.3 ± 5.2 pg/ml. Obesity indices were associated with leptin and CRP in the third and fourth quartiles in single models. In combined models, associations were observed between BMI (OR = 6.36 [95% CI, 1.09; 34.12]); WC (OR = 4.87 [95% CI, 1.59; 14.94]); and %BF (OR = 19.23 [95% CI, 4.70; 78.66]) and leptin in the fourth quartile; also between %BF and CRP in the third quartile (OR = 3.49 [95% CI 1.31; 9.31]).

Conclusion

Total body fat was associated with low‐grade inflammation in this tropical population rather than body fat distribution such as abdominal obesity. This may increase the risk of insulin resistance and other obesity‐related metabolic and cardiovascular health endpoints.
In vivo evaluation of the EZH2 inhibitor (EPZ011989) alone or in combination with standard of care cytotoxic agents against pediatric malignant rhabdoid tumor preclinical models—A report from the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Consortium
Authors: Kurmasheva Raushan T. , Erickson Stephen W. , Earley Eric , Smith Malcolm A. , Houghton Peter J.
Published: October 2020

The Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program (PPTP) previously reported the activity of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat (EPZ6438) against xenograft models of rhabdoid tumors. Here, we determined whether an inhibitor of EZH2 enhanced the effect of standard of care chemotherapeutic agents: irinotecan, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide. EPZ011989 significantly prolonged time to event in all the six rhabdoid models studied but did not induce tumor regression. The addition of EPZ011989 to standard of care agents significantly improved time to event in at least one model for each of the agents studied, although this effect was observed in only a minority of the combination testing experiments.
Treatment of central giant cell granuloma in children with denosumab
Authors: Choe Michelle , Smith Valeria , Okcu M. Fatih , Wulff Jade , Gruner Stephanie , Huisman Thierry A.G.M. , Venkatramani Rajkumar
Published: October 2020

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a benign but locally aggressive intraosseous lesion of the mandible. Historically, it is treated by curettage or resection. Medical therapy is indicated when surgery is associated with increased morbidity or in adjuvant setting to decrease recurrence. Treatment of CGCG with denosumab, a receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐beta (RANK) ligand inhibitor, is not well studied, especially in children. Here, we describe our experience with the use of denosumab in the treatment of six children with CGCG. All patients had a favorable response with manageable side effects, which suggests that denosumab is an effective treatment option without increased morbidity.
Perspective on scaling considerations for thin‐wall molding
Authors: Stokes Vijay K.
Published: October 2020

The perspective in this note explores rationally defined scaling parameters for injection molding to account for the length and thickness of parts, the melt temperature, the injection pressure, and the injection speed: Injection‐molding parameters, first empirically established for 4‐ to 5‐mm‐thick parts, were later experimentally optimized for 2‐ to 3‐mm thick parts. The push for even thinner parts required major adjustments in molding technology, including the use of lower‐viscosity materials. This shift from thicker to thinner parts was arbitrarily characterized by the length‐to‐thickness ratio of the part, which is shown to be incorrect.
Macromolecules of the cell: a polymer science viewpoint
Authors: Kozawa Susan K , Wnek Gary E
Published: October 2020

Polyelectrolytes are ubiquitous in biology, from the polynucleotide chain in our DNA, the hyaluronic acid in the vitreous body of the eye (Gao et al., Int J Ophthalmol, 8, 437–440, 2015) to the myosin and actin fibrils that make up our muscles. While synthetic polyelectrolytes are well studied, their correlation to biological polyelectrolytes is just beginning. This review will examine the polyelectrolytes that make up fundamental cell biology from a macromolecular perspective and the implications polyelectrolyte theory has on biological function. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry