bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD56, HLA‐DR, and CD45 recognize a subtype of childhood AML harboring CBFA2T3‐GLIS2 fusion transcript
Authors: Zangrando Andrea , Cavagnero Francesca , Scarparo Pamela , Varotto Elena , Francescato Samuela , Tregnago Claudia , Cuccurullo Rosanna , Fagioli Franca , Nigro Luca Lo , Masetti Riccardo , Putti Maria Caterina , Rizzari Carmelo , Santoro Nicola , Pession Andrea , Pigazzi Martina , Locatelli Franco , Basso Giuseppe , Buldini Barbara
Published: April 2021

The presence of CBFA2T3‐GLIS2 fusion gene has been identified in childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). In view of the genomic studies indicating a distinct gene expression profile, we evaluated the role of immunophenotyping in characterizing a rare subtype of AML‐CBFA2T3‐GLIS2 rearranged. Immunophenotypic data were obtained by studying a cohort of 20 pediatric CBFA2T3‐GLIS2‐AML and 77 AML patients not carrying the fusion transcript. Enrolled cases were included in the Associazione Italiana di Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP) AML trials and immunophenotypes were compared using different statistical approaches. By multiple computational procedures, we identified two main core antigens responsible for the identification of the CBFA2T3‐GLIS2‐AML. CD56 showed the highest performance in single marker evaluation (AUC = 0.89) and granted the most accurate prediction when used in combination with HLA‐DR (AUC = 0.97) displaying a 93% sensitivity and 99% specificity. We also observed a weak‐to‐negative CD45 expression, being exceptional in AML. We here provide evidence that the combination of HLA‐DR negativity and intense bright CD56 expression detects a rare and aggressive pediatric AML genetic lesion improving the diagnosis performance.
Ultrasound‐guided core biopsy with on‐site cytology‐immediate diagnosis in pediatric oncology
Authors: Sokolovski Boris , Scolnik Michal , Malkin Leonid , Postovsky Sergey , Weyl Ben‐Arush Myriam , Ilivitzki Anat
Published: April 2021

Background

Accurate and swift tissue diagnosis is extremely important for the timely initiation of treatment in pediatric oncology. In our department, ultrasound‐guided core needle biopsy (US‐guided CNB) is used for tissue diagnosis. In 2016, we added on‐site cytology, allowing for an immediate primary diagnosis. We retrospectively reviewed our performance in terms of safety and accuracy for CNBs and on‐site cytology.

Methods

All pediatric biopsies performed in our hospital between February 2016 and December 2020, were included. Patient clinical, procedural and follow‐up data were collected. CNB pathology and cytology results were compared to the final pathologic diagnosis.

Results

We included 71 patients for which 72 biopsies with on‐site touch imprint (TI) cytology were performed; the average latency time to biopsy was 1 day. Altogether, we had 61 tumors, (58 malignant, 3 benign) and 11 other lesions. On‐site cytology diagnosed 58 malignant tumors, 3 benign tumors and 11 non‐tumor tissues. The cytologist correctly differentiated tumor from inflammation in all cases, and diagnosed the precise tumor type in 57 cases, with an accuracy of 94% for final diagnosis. We had no complications related to the procedure or sedation.

Conclusion

US‐guided CNB with on‐site TI cytology for suspected malignancy in the pediatric population is highly available, safe, and accurate, with real‐time diagnosis in most cases. This accelerated diagnostic route has a huge impact on patient care.
Current practice and perspectives of healthcare providers regarding preconception care for women with type 1 diabetes in China
Authors: Wang Chaofan , Luo Sihui , Yang Daizhi , Yan Jinhua , Ding Yu , Wang Siqi , Ling Ping , Yao Bin , Zheng Xueying , Weng Jianping
Published: April 2021

Aims

We aimed to investigate the current practice and perspectives of healthcare providers (HCPs) regarding preconception care (PCC) for women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in China.

Materials and Methods

A questionnaire based on in‐depth interviews with HCPs involved in PCC was released online and advertised via doctor unions in China. The data were categorical variables and were analysed by multivariable logistic regression, Chi‐square test, or Wilcoxon rank‐sum test.

Results

From November 2016 to January 2017, 992 responses from 31 provinces of China were received (77.3% doctors and 22.7% nurses). Regarding the current status of PCC for T1D, 62.5% of HCPs treated ≤1 woman with T1D monthly on average. Only 16.5% thought they provided proper PCC, and 29.6% reported having sufficient knowledge. Regarding attitudes towards pregnancy with T1D, 92.2% were in favour of women with T1D getting pregnant after proper glycaemic control, and 94.7% perceived their worries regarding pregnancy. Regarding doctor–patient communication, 56.6% spent <10 min per visit, while 58.3% thought ≥20 min was required for adequate communication. HCPs emphasised the importance of multidisciplinary PCC, professional training, and social support. PCC practice was associated with hospital level (OR = 2.450, 95%CI: 1.580–3.799,p < 0.001), HCPs' experience of treating women with T1D (OR = 2.196, 95%CI: 1.516–3.180,p < 0.001), and their communication sufficiency (OR = 3.706, 95%CI: 2.550–5.387,p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The current PCC practice for T1D in China was suboptimal and it was associated with hospital level, HCPs' experience and communication. It is necessary to reinforce professional training and appeal for social resources to improve PCC.
Immune cells enhance Zika virus‐mediated neurologic dysfunction in brain of mice with humanized immune systems
Authors: van den Pol Anthony N. , Zhang Xue , Maher Stephen E. , Bothwell Alfred L. M.
Published: April 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV) can generate a number of neurological dysfunctions in infected humans. Here, we tested the potential of human immune cells to protect against ZIKV infection in genetically humanized MISTRG mice. FACS analysis showed robust reconstitution of the mouse spleen with human T cells. Peripheral ZIKV inoculation resulted in infection within the brains of MISTRG mice. Mice that were reconstituted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) showed a more rapid lethal response to ZIKV than the control mice lacking these immune cells. Immunocytochemical analysis of T cell markers CD3, CD45, or CD8 showed strong T cell presence in the brain, together with robust infection by ZIKV particularly in the excitatory pyramidal and granule neurons of the hippocampus. Infection was also found in cortex, striatum, the dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra, and other brain loci. Infection was considerably less in other regions such as the septum and hypothalamus. These data support the perspective that, rather than exerting a protective function, T cells may underlie some ZIKV‐mediated neuropathology in the brain.
Gut microbiome of migratory shorebirds: Current status and future perspectives
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Yang Zhisong , Zhu Lifeng
Published: April 2021

Migratory shorebirds have many unique life history characteristics, such as long‐distance travel between breeding sites, stopover sites, and wintering sites. The physiological challenges for migrant energy requirement and immunity may affect their gut microbiome community. Here, we reviewed the specific features (e.g., relatively high proportion ofCorynebacteriumandFusobacterium) in the gut microbiome of 18 migratory shorebirds, and the factors (e.g., diet, migration, environment, and phylogeny) affecting the gut microbiome. We discussed possible future studies of the gut microbiome in migratory shorebirds, including the composition and function of the spatial‐temporal gut microbiome, and the potential contributions made by the gut microbiome to energy requirement during migration.
Niche theory‐based modeling of assembly processes of viral communities in bats
Authors: Nieto‐Rabiela Fabiola , Rico‐Chávez Oscar , Suzán Gerardo , Stephens Christopher R.
Published: April 2021

Understanding the assembly processes of symbiont communities, including viromes and microbiomes, is important for improving predictions on symbionts’ biogeography and disease ecology. Here, we use phylogenetic, functional, and geographic filters to predict the similarity between symbiont communities, using as a test case the assembly process in viral communities of Mexican bats. We construct generalized linear models to predict viral community similarity, as measured by the Jaccard index, as a function of differences in host phylogeny, host functionality, and spatial co‐occurrence, evaluating the models using the Akaike information criterion. Two model classes are constructed: a “known” model, where virus–host relationships are based only on data reported in Mexico, and a “potential” model, where viral reports of all the Americas are used, but then applied only to bat species that are distributed in Mexico. Although the “known” model shows only weak dependence on any of the filters, the “potential” model highlights the importance of all three filter types—phylogeny, functional traits, and co‐occurrence—in the assemblage of viral communities. The differences between the “known” and “potential” models highlight the utility of modeling at different “scales” so as to compare and contrast known information at one scale to another one, where, for example, virus information associated with bats is much scarcer.
Genome‐wide analysis of European sea bass provides insights into the evolution and functions of single‐exon genes
Authors: Tine Mbaye , Kuhl Heiner , Teske Peter R. , Reinhardt Richard
Published: April 2021

Several studies have attempted to understand the origin and evolution of single‐exon genes (SEGs) in eukaryotic organisms, including fishes, but few have examined the functional and evolutionary relationships between SEGs and multiple‐exon gene (MEG) paralogs, in particular the conservation of promoter regions. Given that SEGs originate via the reverse transcription of mRNA from a “parental” MEGs, such comparisons may enable identifying evolutionarily‐related SEG/MEG paralogs, which might fulfill equivalent physiological functions. Here, the relationship of SEG proportion with MEG count, gene density, intron count, and chromosome size was assessed for the genome of the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. Then, SEGs with an MEG parent were identified, and promoter sequences of SEG/MEG paralogs were compared, to identify highly conserved functional motifs. The results revealed a total count of 1,585 (8.3% of total genes) SEGs in the European sea bass genome, which was correlated with MEG count but not with gene density. The significant correlation of SEG content with the number of MEGs suggests that SEGs were continuously and independently generated over evolutionary time following species divergence through retrotranscription events, followed by tandem duplications. Functional annotation showed that the majority of SEGs are functional, as is evident from their expression in RNA‐seq data used to support homology‐based genome annotation. Differences in 5′UTR and 3′UTR lengths between SEG/MEG paralogs observed in this study may contribute to gene expression divergence between them and therefore lead to the emergence of new SEG functions. The comparison of nonsynonymous to synonymous changes (Ka/Ks) between SEG/MEG parents showed that 74 of them are under positive selection (Ka/Ks > 1; p = .0447). An additional fifteen SEGs with an MEG parent have a common promoter, which implies that they are under the influence of common regulatory networks.
TRIM10 binds to IFN‐α/β receptor 1 to negatively regulate type I IFN signal transduction
Authors: Guo Mengmeng , Cao Wenyan , Chen Shengwen , Tian Renyun , Wang Luoling , Liu Qian , Zhang Lini , Wang Zhenghao , Zhao Ming , Lu Qianjin , Zhu Haizhen
Published: April 2021

The type I interferon (IFN‐I) system is important for antiviral and anticancer immunity. Prolonged activation of IFN/JAK/STAT signaling is closely associated with autoimmune diseases. TRIM10 dysfunction may be associated closely with certain autoimmune disorders. Here, we observed that the serum TRIM10 protein level is lower in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus than in healthy control subjects. We speculated the possible involvement of TRIM10‐induced modulation of the IFN/JAK/STAT signaling pathway in systemic lupus erythematosus. In line with our hypothesis, TRIM10 inhibited the activation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway triggered by various stimuli. TRIM10 restricted the IFN‐I/JAK/STAT signaling pathway, which was independent of its E3 ligase activity. Mechanistically, TRIM10 interacted with the intracellular domain of IFNAR1 and blocked the association of IFNAR1 with TYK2. These data suggest the possible TRIM10 suppresses IFN/JAK/STAT signaling pathway through blocking the interaction between IFNAR1 and TYK2. Targeting TRIM10 is a potential strategy for treating autoimmune diseases.
Simul 6: A fast dynamic simulator of electromigration
Authors: Gaš Bohuslav , Bravenec Petr
Published: April 2021

Simul 6 is a 1D dynamic simulator of electromigration based on the mathematical model of electromigration in free solutions. The model consists of continuity equations for the movement of electrolytes in a separation channel, acid–base equilibria of weak electrolytes, and the electroneutrality condition. It accounts for any number of multivalent electrolytes or ampholytes and provides a complete picture about dynamics of electromigration and diffusion in the separation channel. The equations are solved numerically using software means which allow for parallelization and multithreaded computation. Simul 6 has a user‐friendly graphical interface. It is typically used for inspection of system peaks (zones) in electrophoresis, stacking and preconcentrating analytes, optimization of separation conditions, method development in either capillary zone electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, and isoelectric focusing. Simul 6 is the successor of Simul 5, and has been launched as a free software available for download at https://simul6.app/.
The development of miniSTRs as a method for high‐speed direct PCR
Authors: Boelens Dide , Fogliatto Mariot Roberta , Ghemrawi Mirna , Kloosterman Ate D. , McCord Bruce R.
Published: April 2021

There are situations in which it would be very valuable to have a DNA profile within a short time; for example, in mass disasters or airport security. In previous work, we have promoted reduced size STR amplicons for the analysis of degraded DNA. We also noticed that shorter amplicons are more robust during amplification, making them inhibition resistant, and potentially applicable to high‐speed direct PCR. Here, we describe a set of miniSTRs capable of rapid direct PCR amplification. The selected markers are a subset of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) loci modified to permit high‐speed amplification. Using the proposed protocol, the amplification of eight loci plus amelogenin directly from a saliva sample can be completed in 7 min and 38 s using a two‐step PCR with 30 cycles of 98°C for 2 s and 62°C for 7 s on a Streck Philisa thermocycler. Selection of DNA polymerase, optimization of the two‐step PCR cycling conditions, the primer concentrations, and the dilution of saliva is described. This method shows great potential as a quick screening method to obtain a presumptive DNA profile when time is limited, particularly when combined with high‐speed separation and detection methods.
Carbon black functionalized by grafting of Azo‐generated‐radicals as electrocatalyst support for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Matsutori Koji , Olu Pierre‐Yves , Matsuoka Miki , Nakazawa Taichi , Kinumoto Taro
Published: April 2021

Functionalization of the carbon support is a promising strategy for lowering platinum loadings at the cathode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Here, nitrogen‐containing moieties are introduced directly onto carbon black by a simple and easily tunable grafting method initiated by the thermal decomposition of azo compounds in water. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and elemental analysis confirm the successful functionalization. After deposition of Pt nanoparticles onto the carbon supports, the electrocatalysts are characterized in thin film rotating disk electrode (RDE) configuration towards the acidic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The grafting does not influence the Pt intrinsic ORR activity when the thin film does not include ionomer. However, the functionalization modifies the ionomer/carbon material interaction, leading to higher apparent ORR activity when the ionomer is included in the thin film. Moreover, accelerated stress testing shows durability enhancement as the result of grafting.
Unifying causal model of rate‐independent linear damping for effectively reducing seismic response in low‐frequency structures
Authors: Luo Hao , Ikago Kohju
Published: April 2021

Rate‐independent linear damping (RILD), which is also known as structural damping or hysteretic damping, refers to a type of damping having a constant imaginary part in its complex stiffness that generates damping forces independent of the excitation frequency. In contrast, linear viscous damping (LVD) is another type of damping with a frequency‐proportional imaginary part in its complex stiffness, resulting in damping forces proportional to frequency. RILD demonstrates similar performance to that of LVD for the same loss factor when incorporated in a structure to control seismic response displacement. Nevertheless, the damping force generated by the RILD is relatively low in frequency ranges higher than the natural frequency of the primary structure. This leads to efficient displacement control with low damping force when RILD is integrated with low‐frequency structures. However, the noncausality of RILD hinders its practical applications, and thus, causal models are widely studied to mimic the RILD behavior. This paper proposes a causal model of RILD using Maxwell elements whose damping force is generated according to the fractional derivative of displacement. The proposed model, further represented by a fractional‐order damping function, is found to be a unifying model that includes existing causal RILD models from the literature, thereby providing further insights to better understand the nature of RILD. Furthermore, numerical examples using linear as well as nonlinear structural models illustrate the benefit of physical realization of the proposed methods in improving the seismic performance of low‐frequency structures.
Software‐defined networking in vehicular networks: A survey
Authors: Mekki Tesnim , Jabri Issam , Rachedi Abderrezak , Chaari Lamia
Published: April 2021

Software‐defined networking (SDN) is a new paradigm that consists in decoupling the control plane from the data plane, which offers the flexibility of configuring and managing networks. Recently, an extension of SDN to vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), named software‐defined vehicular networks (SDVN), has been emerged to expand the capabilities of VANET in terms of the provided services and to overcome the VANET issues. Also, SDN has gained a lot of interest to be involved in the extensions of VANET, which are vehicular cloud and vehicular fog. In this paper, we overview the use of SDN in VANET. We survey its deployment in the classic vehicular networks, 5G‐VANET, vehicular cloud, and vehicular fog. Thereafter, we discuss some case studies of SDN in the vehicular context. Then, we present a taxonomy of the existing architectures followed by the major challenges in the implementation of SDN in the vehicular context. Next, we review the tools used to simulate SDN‐based VANET scenarios. Finally, we give some future research directions.
Artificial intelligence and blockchain: A review
Authors: Hussain Adedoyin A. , Al‐Turjman Fadi
Published: April 2021

It is irrefutable that blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) paradigms are spreading at an incredible rate. The two paradigms have distinctive level of innovative nature and multidimensional business propositions. Blockchain innovation can robotize instalments to grant a way for exchanging personal records, information, and logs in a secure, and decentralized manner and can be revealed digitally in the digital currency era. As of late, blockchain and AI are two of the most trending technologies. Blockchain can administer connections among members with no mediator via smart contracts. AI, then, offers insight and dynamic capacities for machines just like people. In this survey, we provide a comprehensive overview about the applications of AI in blockchain. We audit, and sum up the rise of blockchain applications, and stages explicitly focusing on the AI research area. We likewise recognize and summarize open challenges in using blockchain and AI techniques. We also classify the effect of the cloud with these two innovations with respect to the computerized economy, which includes Blockchain as a Cloud and Blockchain as a Service. We moreover survey difficulties and issues identified while provisioning these technologies. It has been found that the integration of AI and blockchain is trusted to make various prospects. Such techniques provide scientists and authorities with an accuracy of up to 90% when taken properly into consideration.
Systemic risk and macroeconomic forecasting: A globally applicable copula‐based approach
Authors: Ahmad Ghufran , Rizwan Muhammad Suhail , Ashraf Dawood
Published: April 2021

Financial markets are interconnected and fragile making them vulnerable to systemic contagion, and measuring this risk is crucial for regulatory responsiveness. This study introduces a new set of measures for systemic risk using a copula‐based (CB) estimation method with a focus on U.S. Bank Holding Companies. Unlike most of the prevailing systemic risk measures, CB methodology relies on balance sheet data, instead of market price data, which makes it globally applicable. We compared CB measures with three existing measures of systemic risk that rely on market data and find that CB measures provide competitive results, in both the short and medium term, for systemic risk forecasting. The forecasting evaluation shows that CB measures perform consistently better than historical unconditional quantile of macroeconomic indicators. By using out‐of‐sample predictive quantile regression, we ascertain that CB systemic risk measures can forecast the 10th and 20th percentile movements of different macroeconomic indicators up to 6 quarters in advance. Moreover, systemic risk measures, existing as well as CB, are better predictors of the 20th percentile shocks to sector‐specific indicator and 10th percentile shocks to broader macroeconomic indicators.
Transcriptome of microglia reveals a species‐specific expression profile in bovines with conserved and new signature genes
Authors: Tavares‐Gomes Leticia , Monney Camille , Neuhaus Géraldine , Francisco David , Solis Diana , Summerfield Artur , Erny Daniel , Jagannathan Vidhya , Oevermann Anna
Published: April 2021

Evidence is growing that microglia adopt different roles than monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDM) during CNS injury. However, knowledge about their function in the pathogenesis of neuroinfections is only rudimentary. Cattle are frequently affected by neuroinfections that are either zoonotic or related to diseases in humans, and, hence, studies of bovine neuroinfections as a natural disease model may generate fundamental data on their pathogenesis potentially translatable to humans. We investigated the transcriptomic landscape and lineage markers of bovine microglia and MDM. Although bovine microglia expressed most microglial signature genes known from humans and mice, they exhibited a species‐specific transcriptomic profile, including strikingly low expression of TMEM119 and enrichment of the two scavenger receptors MEGF10 and LY75. P2RY12 was amongst the most enriched genes in bovine microglia, and antibodies against P2RY12 labeled specifically resting microglia, but also reactive microglia within neuroinfection foci in‐situ. On the other hand, F13A1 was amongst the most enriched genes in bovine monocytes and MDM and, additionally, the encoded protein was expressed in‐situ in monocytes and MDM in the inflamed brain but not in microglia, making it a promising marker for infiltrating MDM in the brain. In culture, primary bovine microglia downregulated signature genes, expressed markers of activation, and converged their transcriptome to MDM. However, they retained several microglia signature genes that clearly distinguished them from bovine MDM, making them a promising in‐vitro tool to study mechanisms of microglia–pathogen interactions.
Mechanistic Rationales Guiding Combination Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapies Involving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Cheu Jacinth Wing‐Sum , Wong Carmen Chak‐Lui
Published: April 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers because of late symptom manifestation leading to delayed diagnosis, which limits patients with HCC in terms of receiving curative surgical treatment. There are only a few therapeutic options for patients with advanced HCC. The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) brings HCC treatment to a stage at which nivolumab, an anti–programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody, achieves a 20% response rate. However, the large proportion of unresponsive patients drives the exploration of therapeutic strategies to improve ICIs’ efficacy. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that ICIs, when used in combinations or when used with other cancer therapies, might elicit synergistic antitumor effects. However, the mechanistic rationales guiding different drug combinations to maximize this synergy remain largely ambiguous. In this review, we discuss different drug combinations used in HCC and the underlying mechanistic rationales, aiming to enhance the understanding of how these treatments can achieve synergy. This knowledge sets the foundation for the development of more effective and promising combination therapies for HCC.
Heterozygosity of the Alpha 1‐Antitrypsin Pi*Z Allele and Risk of Liver Disease
Authors: Hakim Aaron , Moll Matthew , Qiao Dandi , Liu Jiangyuan , Lasky‐Su Jessica A. , Silverman Edwin K. , Vilarinho Silvia , Jiang Z. Gordon , Hobbs Brian D. , Cho Michael H.
Published: April 2021

The serpin family A member 1 (SERPINA1) Z allele is present in approximately one in 25 individuals of European ancestry. Z allele homozygosity (Pi*ZZ) is the most common cause of alpha 1‐antitrypsin deficiency and is a proven risk factor for cirrhosis. We examined whether heterozygous Z allele (Pi*Z) carriers in United Kingdom (UK) Biobank, a population‐based cohort, are at increased risk of liver disease. We replicated findings in Massachusetts General Brigham Biobank, a hospital‐based cohort. We also examined variants associated with liver disease and assessed for gene–gene and gene–environment interactions. In UK Biobank, we identified 1,493 cases of cirrhosis, 12,603 Z allele heterozygotes, and 129 Z allele homozygotes among 312,671 unrelated white British participants. Heterozygous carriage of the Z allele was associated with cirrhosis compared to noncarriage (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; P = 1.1×10−04); homozygosity of the Z allele also increased the risk of cirrhosis (OR, 11.8; P = 1.8 × 10−09). The OR for cirrhosis of the Z allele was comparable to that of well‐established genetic variants, including patatin‐like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) I148M (OR, 1.48; P = 1.1 × 10−22) and transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) E167K (OR, 1.34; P = 2.6 × 10−06). In heterozygotes compared to noncarriers, the Z allele was associated with higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT; P = = 4.6 × 10−46), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; P = 2.2 × 10−27), alkaline phosphatase (P = 3.3 × 10−43), gamma‐glutamyltransferase (P = 1.2 × 10−05), and total bilirubin (P = 6.4 × 10−06); Z allele homozygotes had even greater elevations in liver biochemistries. Body mass index (BMI) amplified the association of the Z allele for ALT (P interaction = 0.021) and AST (P interaction = 0.0040), suggesting a gene–environment interaction. Finally, we demonstrated genetic interactions between variants in PNPLA3, TM6SF2, and hydroxysteroid 17‐beta dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13); there was no evidence of epistasis between the Z allele and these variants. Conclusion:
SERPINA1 Z allele heterozygosity is an important risk factor for liver disease; this risk is amplified by increasing BMI.
How soil texture, channel shape and cross‐sectional area affect moisture dynamics and water loss in irrigation channels
Authors: Mu Zhifan , Li Tianxiao , Liu Dong , Fu Qiang , Hou Renjie , Li Qinglin , Ji Yi , Cui Song , Li Mo
Published: April 2021

To enhance the utilization efficiency of farmland irrigation water and reduce the leakage of water conveyance channels, the leakage process of channels was simulated dynamically. The simulated results were compared with data measured in laboratory experiments, and the performance of the model was evaluated. The results indicated that the simulated values of the model were consistent with the observation values, and the R2 values varied between 0.91 and 0.99. In addition, based on the laboratory experiments, a water supply system (Mariotte bottles) and soil box were built using plexiglass. Three influencing factors, namely, the channel form, soil texture and channel cross‐sectional area, were varied to observe and calculate the resulting cumulative infiltration amount, infiltration rate and wetting front migration distance. HYDRUS‐3D software was used to solve the three‐dimensional soil water movement equation under different initial conditions. The results demonstrated that the U‐shaped channel was more effective than the trapezoidal channel in increasing the utilization efficiency of the water resources. A U‐shaped channel with a small channel cross‐sectional area should be adopted and the soil particle size should be prioritized in the construction of water conveyance channels for farmlands. The simulation results were in agreement with the observed results, which indicates that HYDRUS‐3D is a reliable tool that can accurately simulate the soil moisture movement in water conveyance channels. The research results can provide a reference for the design and operation of farmland irrigation systems.
Fine scale mapping of fractional tree canopy cover to support river basin management
Authors: Gao Sicong , Castellazzi Pascal , Vervoort R. Willem , Doody Tanya M.
Published: April 2021

Management of water, regionally, nationally and globally will continue to be a priority and complex undertaking. In riverine systems, biotic components like flora and fauna play critical roles in filtering water so it is available for human use and consumption. Preservation of ecosystems and associated ecosystem functions is therefore vital. In highly regulated large river basins, natural ecosystems are often supported through provision of environmental flows. Flow delivery, however, should be underpinned by rigorous monitoring to identify and prioritise biotic water requirements. Currently, large‐scale monitoring solutions are scaled from remote sensing data via measurement of field evapotranspiration for woody tree vegetation species. However, as there is generally a mismatch between field data collection area and remote sensing pixel size, new methods are required to proportion tree evapotranspiration based on tree fractional canopy area per pixel. We present a novel method to derive tree fractional canopy cover (FTCC) at 20 m resolution in semi‐arid and arid floodplain areas. The method employs LiDAR as a canopy area field measurement proxy (10 m resolution). We used Sentinel‐1 and Sentinel‐2 (radar and multispectral imagery) in a Random Forest analysis, undertaken to develop a predictive FTCC model trained using LiDAR for two regions in the Murray–Darling Basin. A predictor model combining the results of both regions was able to explain between 71%–85% of FTCC variation when compared to LiDAR FTCC when output in 10% increments. Development of this method underpins the advancement of woody vegetation monitoring to inform environmental flow management in the Murray–Darling Basin. The method and fine scale outputs will also be of value to other catchment management concerns such as altered catchment water yields related to bushfires and as such has application to water management worldwide.
Lutz Creek watershed, Barro Colorado Island, Republic of Panama
Authors: Larsen Matthew C. , Stallard Robert F. , Paton Steven
Published: April 2021

Lutz creek is a small (9.69 ha) catchment located on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), a 1500‐ha island in Lake Gatún, the principal freshwater reservoir (425 ha, 26 m above sea level) of the Panama Canal watershed in central Panama. In 1972, a concrete V‐notch weir was installed on the creek, located at 9°09′42.8358″N, 79°50′15.6699″W, and hydrological record keeping began. The island was first established as a research station in 1923 and precipitation data collection was initiated in 1925. A meteorological tower, installed in 1972 and located a few meters from the weir, is currently instrumented to collect air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, evapotranspiration and solar radiation. In addition, since 1972, gravimetric soil moisture has been measured at least biweekly at 10 sites located throughout the Lutz Catchment above the location of the weir. Data collection and the administration of BCI are the responsibility of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI; https://stri.si.edu) which funds the data collection and storage. Data are in the public domain, entitled ‘Lutz Watershed And Meteorological Tower’ and are available at the STRI Physical monitoring website https://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/physical_monitoring/.
Propagating uncertainty from catchment experiments to estimates of streamflow reduction by invasive alien plants in southwestern South Africa
Authors: Moncrieff Glenn R. , Slingsby Jasper A. , Le Maitre David C.
Published: April 2021

Long‐term catchment experiments from South Africa have demonstrated that afforestation of grasslands and shrublands significantly reduces surface‐water runoff. These results have guided the country's forestry policy and the implementation of a national Invasive Alien Plant (IAP) control programme for the past few decades. Unfortunately, woody IAP densities continue to increase, compounding existing threats to water security from population growth and climatic change. Decision makers need defensible estimates of the impacts of afforestation or invasions on runoff to weigh up alternative land use options, or guide investment of limited resources into ecosystem restoration through IAP clearing versus engineering‐based water‐augmentation schemes. Existing attempts to extrapolate the impacts observed in catchment afforestation experiments to broad‐scale IAP impacts give no indication of uncertainty. Globally, the uncertainty inherent in the results from paired‐catchment experiments is seldom propagated into subsequent analyses making use of these data. We present a fully reproducible Bayesian model that propagates uncertainty from input data to final estimates of changes in streamflow when extrapolating from catchment experiments to broader landscapes. We apply our model to South Africa's catchment experiment data, estimating streamflow losses to plantations and analogous plant invasions in the catchments of southwestern South Africa, including uncertainty. We estimate that regional streamflow is reduced by 304 million m3 or 4.14% annually as a result of IAPs, with an upper estimate of 408 million m3 (5.54%) and a lower estimate of 267 million m3 (3.63%). Our model quantifies uncertainty associated with all parameters and their contribution to overall uncertainty, helping guide future research needs. Acknowledging and quantifying inherent uncertainty enables more defensible decisions regarding water resource management.
Cotton canopy reflectance under variable solar zenith angles: Implications of use in evapotranspiration models
Authors: Neale Christopher M. U. , Gonzalez‐Dugo Maria P. , Serrano‐Perez Angelica , Campos Isidro , Mateos Luciano
Published: April 2021

Evapotranspiration (ET) is an important parameter in hydrologic processes and modelling. In agricultural watersheds with competing uses of fresh water including irrigated agriculture, estimating crop evapotranspiration (ETc) accurately is critical for improving irrigation system and basin water management. The use of remote sensing‐based basal crop coefficients is becoming a common method for estimating crop evapotranspiration for multiple crops over large areas. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), based on reflectance in the red and near‐infrared bands, are commonly used for this purpose. In this paper, we examine the effects of row crop orientation and soil background darkening due to shading and soil surface wetness on these two vegetation indices through modelling, coupled with a field experiment where canopy reflectance of a cotton crop at different solar zenith angles, was measured with a portable radiometer. The results show that the NDVI is significantly more affected than the SAVI by background shading and soil surface wetness, especially in north–south oriented rows at higher latitudes and could lead to a potential overestimation of crop evapotranspiration and irrigation water demand if used for basal crop coefficient estimation. Relationships between the analysed vegetation indices and canopy biophysical parameters such as crop height, fraction of cover and leaf area index also were developed for both indices.
Cervical lesion assessment using real‐time microendoscopy image analysis in Brazil: The CLARA study
Authors: Hunt Brady , Fregnani José Humberto Tavares Guerreiro , Brenes David , Schwarz Richard A. , Salcedo Mila P. , Possati‐Resende Júlio César , Antoniazzi Márcio , de Oliveira Fonseca Bruno , Santana Iara Viana Vidigal , de Macêdo Matsushita Graziela , Castle Philip E. , Schmeler Kathleen M. , Richards‐Kortum Rebecca
Published: April 2021

We conducted a prospective evaluation of the diagnostic performance of high‐resolution microendoscopy (HRME) to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in women with abnormal screening tests. Study participants underwent colposcopy, HRME and cervical biopsy. The prospective diagnostic performance of HRME using an automated morphologic image analysis algorithm was compared to that of colposcopy using histopathologic detection of CIN as the gold standard. To assess the potential to further improve performance of HRME image analysis, we also conducted a retrospective analysis assessing performance of a multi‐task convolutional neural network to segment and classify HRME images. One thousand four hundred eighty‐six subjects completed the study; 435 (29%) subjects had CIN Grade 2 or more severe (CIN2+) diagnosis. HRME with morphologic image analysis for detection of CIN Grade 3 or more severe diagnoses (CIN3+) was similarly sensitive (95.6% vs 96.2%, P = .81) and specific (56.6% vs 58.7%, P = .18) as colposcopy. HRME with morphologic image analysis for detection of CIN2+ was slightly less sensitive (91.7% vs 95.6%, P < .01) and specific (59.7% vs 63.4%, P = .02) than colposcopy. Images from 870 subjects were used to train a multi‐task convolutional neural network‐based algorithm and images from the remaining 616 were used to validate its performance. There were no significant differences in the sensitivity and specificity of HRME with neural network analysis vs colposcopy for detection of CIN2+ or CIN3+. Using a neural network‐based algorithm, HRME has comparable sensitivity and specificity to colposcopy for detection of CIN2+. HRME could provide a low‐cost, point‐of‐care alternative to colposcopy and biopsy in the prevention of cervical cancer.
The genomic landscape of young and old lung cancer patients highlights age‐dependent mutation frequencies and clinical actionability in young patients
Authors: Cai Lei , Chen Yong , Tong Xiaoling , Wu Xue , Bao Hua , Shao Yang , Luo Zhuang , Wang Xuming , Cao Yang
Published: April 2021

The aim of the study was to investigate age‐dependent tendency of genomic alterations in lung cancer, and also to examine mutational profiles and its association with clinical treatment outcomes in young adenocarcinoma patients. By studying 7858 lung cancer samples using targeted‐gene sequencing, we investigated genomic differences and clinical on‐treatment time (OTT) to different therapies between young (≤ 45 years) and old (> 45 years) patients. The age‐dependent trend test for genomic alterations in all patients revealed steady increases in tumor mutation burden and alterations in a number of genes with age, including KRAS, MET, CDKN2A, PIK3CA and MDM2, while the frequencies of ALK, ROS1 and RET fusions and ERBB2 mutations were decreasing. The highest rate of EGFR alterations was observed in the 45 ~ 50 years age group. Comparisons of young and old adenocarcinoma patients found that young patients were characterized by a higher prevalence of ALK, ROS1 and RET fusions, and ERBB2 exon‐20 insertions and EGFR exon‐19 deletions. Actionable mutations were highly prevalent in young adenocarcinoma patients, with 88% of patients harboring at least one actionable genetic alteration. First‐line therapies in EGFR‐positive patients (n = 979) by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors or chemotherapy resulted in similar OTT between young and old patients. Somatic interaction analyses implied that young EGFR‐positive patients were more likely to also have PIK3CA, MET, TP53 and RB1 mutations than old patients. Lung cancer in young patients, and especially those with adenocarcinoma, exhibited different clinical features and genomic attributes compared to old patients, which should be considered for therapeutic decision‐making purposes.
Measures of longitudinal adherence to fecal‐based colorectal cancer screening: Literature review and recommended approaches
Authors: Doria‐Rose V. Paul , Lansdorp‐Vogelaar Iris , McCarthy Sharon , Puricelli‐Perin Douglas M. , Butera Vicent , Segnan Nereo , Taplin Stephen H. , Senore Carlo
Published: April 2021

The success of fecal occult blood‐based colorectal cancer screening programs is dependent on repeating screening at short intervals (ie, every 1‐2 years). We conducted a literature review to assess measures that have been used to assess longitudinal adherence to fecal‐based screening. Among 46 citations identified and included in this review, six broad classifications of longitudinal adherence were identified: (a) stratified single‐round attendance, (b) all possible adherence permutations, (c) consistent/inconsistent/never attendance, (d) number of times attended, (e) program adherence and (f) proportion of time covered. Advantages and disadvantages of these measures are described, and recommendations on which measures to use based on data availability and scientific question are also given. Stratified single round attendance is particularly useful for describing the yield of screening, while programmatic adherence measures are best suited to evaluating screening efficacy. We recommend that screening programs collect detailed longitudinal, individual‐level data, not only for the screening tests themselves but additionally for diagnostic follow‐up and surveillance exams, to allow for maximum flexibility in reporting adherence patterns using the measure of choice.
Methods used to measure maternal mortality in Sub‐Saharan Africa from 1980 to 2020: A systematic literature review
Authors: Musarandega Reuben , Machekano Rhoderick , Munjanja Stephen Peter , Pattinson Robert
Published: April 2021

Background

Gobally, Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) has the largest maternal mortality burden, but the region lacks accurate data.

Objective

To review methods historically used to measure maternal mortality in SSA to inform future study methods.

Search strategy

We searched databases: PubMed, Medline, WorldCat and CINHAL, using keywords "maternal mortality," "pregnancy‐related death," "reproductive age mortality," "ratio," "rate," and "risk," using Boolean operators "OR" and "AND" to combine the search terms.

Selection criteria

We searched for empirical and analytical studies that: (1) measured maternal mortality levels, (2) were in SSA, (3) reported original results, and (4) were not duplicate studies. We included studies published in English since 1980.

Data collection and analysis

We screened the studies using titles and abstracts, reading the full text of selected studies. We analyzed the estimates and strengths, and limitations of the methods.

Main results

We identified 96 studies that used nine methods: demographic surveillance (n = 4), health record reviews (n = 18), confidential enquiries and maternal death surveillance and response (n = 7), prospective cohort (n = 9), reproductive age mortality survey (RAMOS) (n = 6), sisterhood method (n = 35), mixed methods (n = 4), and mathematical modeling (n = 13).

Conclusion

Sisterhood method studies and RAMOS studies that combined institutional records and community data produced maternal mortality ratios more comparable with WHO estimates.
Postpartum retained products of conception: Is it possible to avoid postpartum curettage?
Authors: Nir Arava , Mor Matan , Yekutiel Matar , Eisenberg Neta , Smorgick Noam
Published: April 2021

Objective

Removal of retained products of conception (RPOC) by suction curettage or hysteroscopy may be required in the postpartum period, possibly causing intrauterine adhesions. We investigated whether rates of suction curettage, hysteroscopy, and postoperative intrauterine adhesions have changed over time.

Methods

Parturients considered at risk for RPOC were followed in a specialized postpartum clinic with sequential ultrasound scans. We compared the rates of women requiring surgical procedures for RPOC removal and rates of postoperative intrauterine adhesions between two 2‐year periods: 2011–2012 (“early period”) and 2016–2017 (“late period”).

Results

The overall rates of women requiring a surgical procedure for removal of RPOC did not differ between the early and late periods (38/762 [5.0%] vs 41/732 [5.6%], respectively, P = 0.595). However, removal of RPOC by suction curettage decreased significantly over time whereas removal by hysteroscopy increased (P = 0.022). Intrauterine adhesions were diagnosed in 7 of 38 women (18.4%) who underwent a surgical procedure for RPOC removal in the early period, but none of the patients operated on in the late period developed intrauterine adhesions (P = 0.004).

Conclusion

Removal of RPOC in postpartum women may be completed by hysteroscopy in most cases, significantly reducing the need for postpartum curettage and the rates of postoperative intrauterine adhesions.
Pedagogical Practices for Teaching Addiction Counseling Courses in CACREP‐Accredited Programs
Authors: Golubovic Nedeljko , Dew Brian , Rumsey Amanda , Murphy Thomas , Dispenza Franco , Tabet Saundra , Lebensohn‐Chialvo Florencia
Published: April 2021

We used a grounded theory approach to investigate educational strategies for teaching master's‐level addiction counseling courses. An emergent model of pedagogical practices, factors that influence development and implementation, and suggestions for counselor education programs are presented.
Female Offenders Under Community Supervision: A Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Rivas Michele , Killian Thomas , Rinke Carol , Cole Rebecca
Published: April 2021

In this phenomenological study, we examined the lived experiences of 10 female offenders under community supervision. Findings include five essential themes. We propose clinical implications and actionable service recommendations for clinical mental health counselors working with this population.
A Content Analysis of the Offender Population in Counseling Journals
Authors: Rio Jennifer , Heckman Lindsay , Tippett Hannah
Published: April 2021

We discuss the findings of an exploratory content analysis related to the offender population by examining literature from 2008 to 2018 in 23 American Counseling Association (ACA) and ACA‐affiliated counseling journals. The findings and implications of the analysis are discussed.