bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sangerbox: A comprehensive, interaction‐friendly clinical bioinformatics analysis platform
Authors: Shen Weitao , Song Ziguang , Zhong Xiao , Huang Mei , Shen Danting , Gao Pingping , Qian Xiaoqian , Wang Mengmeng , He Xiubin , Wang Tonglian , Li Shuang , Song Xiang
Published: July 2022

In recent decades, with the continuous development of high‐throughput sequencing technology, data volume in medical research has increased, at the same time, almost all clinical researchers have their own independent omics data, which provided a better condition for data mining and a deeper understanding of gene functions. However, for these large amounts of data, many common and cutting‐edge effective bioinformatics research methods still cannot be widely used. This has encouraged the establishment of many analytical platforms, a portion of databases or platforms were designed to solve the special analysis needs of users, for instance, MG RAST, IMG/M, Qiita, BIGSdb, and TRAPR were developed for specific omics research, and some databases or servers provide solutions for special problems solutions. Metascape was designed to only provide functional annotations of genes as well as function enrichment analysis; BioNumerics and RidomSeqSphere+ perform multilocus sequence typing; CARD provides only antimicrobial resistance annotations. Additionally, some web services are outdated, and inefficient interaction often fails to meet the needs of researchers, such as our previous versions of the platform. Therefore, the demand to complete massive data processing tasks urgently requires a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis platform. Hence, we have developed a website platform, Sangerbox 3.0 (http://vip.sangerbox.com/), a web‐based tool platform. On a user‐friendly interface that also supports differential analysis, the platform provides interactive customizable analysis tools, including various kinds of correlation analyses, pathway enrichment analysis, weighted correlation network analysis, and other common tools and functions, users only need to upload their own corresponding data into Sangerbox 3.0, select required parameters, submit, and wait for the results after the task has been completed. We have also established a new interactive plotting system that allows users to adjust the parameters in the image; moreover, optimized plotting performance enables users to adjust large‐capacity vector maps on the web site. At the same time, we have integrated GEO, TCGA, ICGC, and other databases and processed data in batches, greatly reducing the difficulty to obtain data and improving the efficiency of bioimformatics study for users. Finally, we also provide users with rich sources of bioinformatics analysis courses, offering a platform for researchers to share and exchange knowledge.
An empirical study of public debt sustainability based on fiscal fatigue and fiscal space in CEMAC countries
Authors: Ekouala Makala Ulrich
Published: July 2022

This paper seeks first to test whether there is evidence of fiscal fatigue in the Central Africa Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) countries. On the contrary, we want to investigate the impact of fiscal rules on fiscal space to see if the implementation of fiscal rules enhances fiscal space in the region. The findings show evidence of fiscal fatigue for the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon while Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Chad exhibit no fiscal fatigue behavior. For our second objective, while analyzing the determinants of fiscal space we found that the two fiscal rules (the balanced budget rule and debt rule) implemented in CEMAC Zone do not improve fiscal space. Therefore, there is a need for the fiscal policy stance to supervise the conduct of fiscal rules in the CEMAC region as fiscal rules themselves do not enhance the available fiscal space. Besides, we suggest CEMAC's fiscal policy authorities to integrate the expenditure rule in their fiscal policy framework to mitigate the government expenditure bias.
Intensive Surveillance of Midazolam Use in Hospitalized Patients and the Occurrence of Cardiorespiratory Arrest
Authors: Classen David C. , Pestotnik Stanley L. , Evans R. Scott , Burke John P.
Published: July 2022

Midazolam, a benzodiazepine used extensively as a sedative and a hypnotic for patients undergoing inpatient and outpatient medical procedures, has been associated with several side effects, the most serious of which are cardiac and respiratory arrest. We studied the use of midazolam and its association with cardiac and respiratory arrest among hospital patients at our institution. From 1988 through 1990 we identified 5439 patients exposed to midazolam, representing 8% of ail patients admitted; 3031 (55.7%) received midazoiam while not on mechanical ventilation. In the majority of patients the drug was given as a one‐time dose, and the total dose was less than or equal to 5 mg in more than 70%. Three patients (0.099%) experienced respiratory arrest. All three events occurred within 2 hours after the last dose of midazolam had been given. All patients were elderly and all survived. The rate of respiratory arrest appears low at our institution and was associated with high doses of midazolam, concurrent use of opiates, and use in elderly patients.
Oral Administration of Micronized Progesterone: A Review and More Experience
Authors: McAuley James W. , Kroboth Frank J. , Kroboth Patricia D.
Published: July 2022

Historically, oral progesterone has been regarded clinically ineffective because of its poor absorption and rapid clearance. Recent evidence suggests that an oral micronized form of natural progesterone is readily absorbed, produces luteal phase serum concentrations, provokes an end‐organ response, and has no detrimental effect on the lipoprotein profile. Thus it is considered by many to be an attractive alternative to synthetic progestin. We evaluated the effects of a single oral dose of micronized progesterone 300 mg in eight healthy postmenopausal women. The maximum serum concentration ranged from 15.72–625.98 ng/ml. The extent of absorption increased with increasing age. The reviewed literature and our data indicate considerable intersubject variability in the extent of progesterone absorbed after administration of oral micronized progesterone.
Update: Clinically Significant Cytochrome P‐450 Drug Interactions
Authors: Michalets Elizabeth Landrum
Published: July 2022

Recent technologies have resulted in an explosion of information concerning the cytochrome P‐450 isoenzymes and increased awareness of life‐threatening interactions' with such commonly prescribed drugs as cisapride and some antihistamines. Knowledge of the substrates, inhibitors, and inducers of these enzymes assists in predicting clinically significant drug interactions. In addition to inhibition and induction, microsomal drug metabolism is affected by genetic polymorphisms, age, nutrition, hepatic disease, and endogenous chemicals. Of the more than 30 human isoenzymes identified to date, the major ones responsible for drug metabolism include CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP1A2, and the CYP2C subfamily.
Laser‐induced heating of polydimethylsiloxane‐magnetite nanocomposites for hyperthermic inhibition of triple‐negative breast cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Onyekanne Chinyerem E. , Salifu Ali A. , Obayemi John D. , Ani Chukwuemeka J. , Ashouri Choshali Habibeh , Nwazojie Chukwudalu C. , Onwudiwe Killian C. , Oparah Josephine C. , Ezenwafor Theresa C. , Ezeala Chukwudi C. , Odusanya Olushola S. , Rahbar Nima , Soboyejo Winston O.
Published: July 2022

This paper presents the results of an experimental and computational study of the effects of laser‐induced heating provided by magnetite nanocomposite structures that are being developed for the localized hyperthermic treatment of triple‐negative breast cancer. Magnetite nanoparticle‐reinforced polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposites were fabricated with weight percentages of 1%, 5%, and 10% magnetite nanoparticles. The nanocomposites were exposed to incident Near Infrared (NIR) laser beams with well‐controlled powers. The laser‐induced heating is explored in: (i) heating liquid media (deionized water and cell growth media [Leibovitz L15+]) to characterize the photothermal properties of the nanocomposites, (ii) in vitro experiments that explore the effects of localized heating on triple‐negative breast cancer cells, and (iii) experiments in which the laser beams penetrate through chicken tissue to heat up nanocomposite samples embedded at different depths beneath the chicken skin. The resulting plasmonic laser‐induced heating is explained using composite theories and heat transport models. The results show that the laser/nanocomposite interactions decrease the viability of triple‐negative breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231) at temperatures in the hyperthermia domain between 41 and 44°C. Laser irradiation did not cause any observed physical damage to the chicken tissue. The potential in vivo performance of the PDMS nanocomposites was also investigated using computational finite element models of the effects of laser/magnetite nanocomposite interactions on the temperatures and thermal doses experienced by tissues that surround the nanocomposite devices. The implications of the results are then discussed for the development of implantable nanocomposite devices for localized treatment of triple‐negative breast cancer tissue via hyperthermia.
Spinal cord decellularized matrix scaffold loaded with engineered basic fibroblast growth factor‐overexpressed human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells promoted the recovery of spinal cord injury
Authors: He Wenli , Shi Chunying , Yin Jia , Huang Feifei , Yan Wenjing , Deng Jin , Zhang Bing , Wang Bin , Wang Haiping
Published: July 2022

Spinal cord injury (SCI) will lead to irreversible damage of sensory and motor function of central nervous system, which seriously affects patient's quality of life. A variety of nerve engineering materials carrying various stem cells and cell growth factors had used to promote the repair of SCI, but they could not mimic the actual matric niche at spinal cord to promote cell proliferation and differentiation. Thus, developing novel biomaterial providing better niche of spinal cord is a new strategy to treat the severe SCI. In this study, we constructed porcine spinal cord decellularized matrix scaffold (SC‐DM) with biocompatibility to load engineered basic fibroblast growth factor‐overexpressing human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (bFGF‐HUCMSCs) for treating SCI. The continuously released bioactive bFGF factors from grafted bFGF‐HUCMSCs and three‐dimensional niche by SC‐DM promoted the differentiation of endogenous stem cells into neurons with nerve conduction function, leading a markedly motor function recovery of SCI. These results indicated that the functional bFGF‐HUCMSCs/SC‐DM scaffold provided more suitable matric niche for nerve cells, that would be a promising strategy for the clinical application of SCI.
Correlated driving‐and‐dissipation equation for non‐Condon spectroscopy with the Herzberg–Teller vibronic coupling
Authors: Fang Jie , Chen Zi‐Hao , Wang Yao , Xu Rui‐Xue , Yan YiJing
Published: July 2022

Correlated driving‐and‐dissipation equation (CODDE) is an optimized complete second‐order quantum dissipation approach, which is originally concerned with the reduced system dynamics only. However, one can actually extract the hybridized bath dynamics from CODDE with the aid of dissipaton‐equation‐of‐motion theory, a statistical quasi‐particle quantum dissipation formalism. Treated as a one–dissipaton theory, CODDE is successfully extended to deal with the Herzberg–Teller vibronic couplings in dipole–field interactions. Demonstrations will be carried out on the non‐Condon spectroscopies of a model dimer system.
The role of free fatty acid receptor pathways in a selective regulation of TRPA1 and TRPV1 by resolvins in primary sensory neurons
Authors: Pyo Hyun‐jeong , An Xue , Cho Hana
Published: July 2022

Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 and vanilloid 1 (TRPA1 and TRPV1, respectively) channels contribute to inflammatory and neuropathic pain, indicating that their pharmacological inhibition could be a novel strategy for treating painful diseases. However, the mechanisms of TRPA1/V1 channel modulation have been mostly characterized to be upregulation and sensitization via variety of exogenous stimuli, endogenous inflammatory mediators, and metabolites of oxidative stress. Here we used calcium imaging of dorsal root ganglion neurons to identify an inhibitor signaling pathway for TRPA1 and TRPV1 regulated by resolvins (RvD1 and RvE1), which are endogenous anti‐inflammatory lipid mediators. TRPA1 and TRPV1 channel activations were evoked by the TRPA1 agonist allyl isothiocyanate and the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin. Our results show that RvD1‐induced selective inhibition of TRPA1 activity was mediated by free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4)‐protein kinase C (PKC) signaling. Experiments assessing RvE1‐induced TRPV1 inhibition showed that RvE1 actions required both FFAR1 and FFAR4. Combined stimulation of FFAR1/FFAR4 or FFAR1/PKC mimicked TRPV1 inhibition by RvE1, and these effects were blocked by a protein kinase D (PKD) inhibitor, implying that PKD is an effector of the FFAR/PKC signaling axis in RvE1‐induced TRPV1 inhibition. Despite selective inhibition of TRPV1 in the nanomolar range of RvE1, higher concentrations of RvE1 also inhibited TRPA1, possibly through PKC. Collectively, our findings reveal FFAR1 and FFAR4 as key signaling pathways mediating the selective targeting of resolvins to regulate TRPA1 and TRPV1, elucidating endogenous analgesic mechanisms that could be exploited as potential therapeutic targets.
An uncommon case of synchronous gastric and colonic metastases from breast cancer
Authors: Ben Kridis Wala , Lajnef Mayssa , Fki Ameni , Belaid Laila , Khanfir Afef
Published: July 2022

Invasive lobular carcinoma is the second‐most‐common subtype of breast cancer. It is characterized by a different metastatic pattern with a propensity to metastasize to pleura, peritoneum, gastrointestinal tract, and ovary. We report a woman with known metastatic disease outside the gastrointestinal tract who had endoscopy and colonoscopy for gastrointestinal symptoms. Extensive metastases were found in the stomach and colon with a diffuse infiltration of signet ring‐like cells at histology and immunohistochemical findings consistent with breast carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case from Africa.
Examining the help‐seeking intentions of Chinese individuals in the United States
Authors: Yee Terence , Ceballos Peggy
Published: July 2022

The underutilization of mental health services by Chinese individuals in the United States is concerning. In this study, we examined Chinese individuals’ help‐seeking intentions utilizing the theory of planned behavior. Two hundred fifty‐one participants were recruited for this study. The results revealed that help‐seeking attitudes (β = 0.28, p < 0.001), perceived behavioral control (β = 0.21, p < 0.001), and subjective norms (β = 0.13, p < 0.001) were found to be significant predictors of help‐seeking intentions. The implications of the results are discussed.
Ending the COVID‐19 pandemic: We still have a long way to go
Authors: Zeng Guangting , Wang Xia
Published: July 2022

Spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant, which led to increased global hospitalizations for coronavirus disease 2019, generated concern about immune evasion and the duration of protection from vaccines, and undermined humanity's confidence in ending the epidemic. The sudden mutation and origin of Omicron is even more of a mystery. The article highlights the virological characteristics and possible origins of Omicron and the global threats and challenges it poses, as well as strategies to deal with it.
Projecting spatiotemporal changes of precipitation and temperature in Iraq for different shared socioeconomic pathways with selected Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6
Authors: Salman Saleem A. , Hamed Mohammed Magdy , Shahid Shamsuddin , Ahmed Kamal , Sharafati Ahmad , Asaduzzaman Md. , Ziarh Ghaith Falah , Ismail Tarmizi , Chung ‪Eun‐Sung , Wang Xiao‐Jun , Dewan Ashraf
Published: July 2022

Changes in precipitation and temperature have crucial implications in the arid region due to their fragile environment. This study was an attempt to estimate possible spatiotemporal alteration of annual and seasonal precipitation and temperature in Iraq. Statistical downscaling of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) global climate model (GCM) simulations for different shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP) was utilized. The GCMs were ranked according to their skills in simulating climate research unit (CRU) precipitation and temperature climatology along with their seasonality. Nonlocal model output statistics (MOS) models were implemented using a support vector machine (SVM) for downscaling and projection of selected GCM precipitation and temperature. Results revealed ACCESS‐CM2, BCC‐CSM2‐MR, GISS‐E2‐1‐G and MRI‐ESM2‐0 GCMs are most suitable for Iraq. The spatiotemporal changes in precipitation indicated a substantial decrease to north (up to −7.8%·mm−1) while an increase (around 3.0%) to south for different SSPs. Far future (2060–2099) showed both increase and decrease in precipitation than near future (2020–2059). The precipitation was projected to reduce in winter and increase in summer for all climate zones during both periods. The maximum temperature was projected to increase by 4.5°C to the north and 0.9–2°C to the south. In contrast, the minimum temperature was projected to rise by 1.0–3.5°C to both north and south. Both maximum and minimum temperatures may increase; however, more increases might be in winter and less in summer. The minimum temperature increase will be higher than the maximum temperature in the cold northern region and vice versa. Uncertainty in precipitation and temperature projections was higher for the far‐future period with higher SSPs than for the near‐future period with lower SSPs. The results of this study can guide the development of strategic policies for climate resiliency development in Iraq.
Comparing oncoplastic breast reduction with immediate symmetry surgery to standard breast reduction surgery: Are postoperative complications worse?
Authors: Pawlak Natalie , Karamchandani Manish , Wareham Carly , Gaffney Kerry , Zaccardelli Alessandra , Nardello Salvatore , Persing Sarah , Chatterjee Abhishek , Homsy Christopher
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Oncoplastic breast reduction mammoplasty (ORM) is an excellent treatment option for women with breast cancer and macromastia undergoing breast conservation therapy. Here, we aim to better understand the risks associated with ORM compared to standard reduction mammoplasty (SRM).

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed of patients undergoing ORM or SRM from 2015 to 2021. Primary outcomes included the occurrence of major or minor postoperative complications in the two groups and delays to adjuvant therapy (>90 days) among the women undergoing ORM.

Results

Women in the ORM group (n = 198) were significantly older (p < 0.001) with a higher prevalence of smoking (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p < 0.01), and a Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 3 (p < 0.001) compared to women undergoing SRM (n = 177). After controlling for potential confounders, there were no significant between‐group differences in the odds of developing postoperative complications (odds ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval: 0.36–1.69). Only 3% (n = 4) of the 150 women undergoing adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy experienced delays related to postoperative complications.

Conclusion

ORM has a similar safety profile as SRM, despite the older age and higher number of comorbidities often seen in patients undergoing ORM, and is a safe option for achieving contralateral symmetry at the time of partial mastectomy without delays to adjuvant therapy.
Breast Ultrasound Volume Sweep Imaging: A New Horizon in Expanding Imaging Access for Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Marini Thomas J. , Castaneda Benjamin , Iyer Radha , Baran Timothy M. , Nemer Omar , Dozier Ann M. , Parker Kevin J. , Zhao Yu , Serratelli William , Matos Gregory , Ali Shania , Ghobryal Bishoy , Visca Adam , O'Connell Avice
Published: July 2022

Objective

The majority of people in the world lack basic access to breast diagnostic imaging resulting in delay to diagnosis of breast cancer. In this study, we tested a volume sweep imaging (VSI) ultrasound protocol for evaluation of palpable breast lumps that can be performed by operators after minimal training without prior ultrasound experience as a means to increase accessibility to breast ultrasound.

Methods

Medical students without prior ultrasound experience were trained for less than 2 hours on the VSI breast ultrasound protocol. Patients presenting with palpable breast lumps for standard of care ultrasound examination were scanned by a trained medical student with the VSI protocol using a Butterfly iQ handheld ultrasound probe. Video clips of the VSI scan imaging were later interpreted by an attending breast imager. Results of VSI scan interpretation were compared to the same‐day standard of care ultrasound examination.

Results

Medical students scanned 170 palpable lumps with the VSI protocol. There was 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity for a breast mass on VSI corresponding to 97.6% agreement with standard of care (Cohen's κ = 0.95, P < .0001). There was a detection rate of 100% for all cancer presenting as a sonographic mass. High agreement for mass characteristics between VSI and standard of care was observed, including 87% agreement on Breast Imaging‐Reporting and Data System assessments (Cohen's κ = 0.82, P < .0001).

Conclusions

Breast ultrasound VSI for palpable lumps offers a promising means to increase access to diagnostic imaging in underserved areas. This approach could decrease delay to diagnosis for breast cancer, potentially improving morbidity and mortality.
The [13C]octanoic acid breath test for gastric emptying quantification: A focus on nutrition and modeling
Authors: von Gerichten Johanna , Elnesr Marwan H. , Prollins Joe E. , De Mel Ishanki A. , Flanagan Alan , Johnston Jonathan D. , Fielding Barbara A. , Short Michael
Published: July 2022

Gastric emptying (GE) is the process of food being processed by the stomach and delivered to the small intestine where nutrients such as lipids are absorbed into the blood circulation. The combination of an easy and inexpensive method to measure GE such as the CO2 breath test using the stable isotope [13C]octanoic acid with semi‐mechanistic modeling could foster a wider application in nutritional studies to further understand the metabolic response to food. Here, we discuss the use of the [13C]octanoic acid breath test to label the solid phase of a meal, and the factors that influence GE to support mechanistic studies. Furthermore, we give an overview of existing mathematical models for the interpretation of the breath test data and how much nutritional studies could benefit from a physiological based pharmacokinetic model approach.
When sustainability backfires: A review on the unintended negative side‐effects of product and service sustainability on consumer behavior
Authors: Acuti Diletta , Pizzetti Marta , Dolnicar Sara
Published: July 2022

The existential need for more sustainable production and consumption has attracted substantial scholarly interest, which has focused on the positive outcomes of corporate sustainability. Negative side‐effects have been largely neglected. This study contributes (1) by synthesizing past research into such negative side‐effects from a diverse set of business disciplines; (2) by conceptualizing—for the first time—unintended negative side‐effects of product and service sustainability; and (3) by developing a research agenda guiding researchers in addressing the most important knowledge gaps. The synthesis of 94 articles identifies three main cognitive mechanisms (information elaboration, product perception bias, and self‐perception) and several emotionally aversive states (anxiety, shame, guilt, regret, distress, reduced enjoyment, frustration, discomfort, stress, and embarrassment) that are responsible for unintended negative side‐effects resulting from product and service sustainability. Immediate managerial implications from this study include the critical importance of simple corporate sustainable communication that does not require consumers to dedicate substantial cognitive resources. Important future research directions include the investigation of the effects of green hushing and the development and testing of practical ways to help companies to avoid the sustainability liability trap, which leads to reduced demand because of sustainable features of products or services.
Modeling and analysis of grain morphology effects on deformation response based on crystal plasticity finite element method
Authors: Gu S. , Zhao J. , Ma T. , Xu T. , Yu B.
Published: July 2022

In order to investigate the grain morphology effects on deformation response at macro‐ and micro‐scale in polycrystalline metal, a method considering grain size and shape effects is proposed based on the classical crystal plasticity finite element method in this paper. A grain morphology controlled polycrystalline geometry model consisting of grain shape models and grain size transition models is developed based on Voronoi diagram. Grain size effect is introduced into the classical crystal plasticity constitutive model quantitatively on the basis of Hall‐Petch type relationship. With the aid of the method, grain aggregate finite element meshes with different mean grain sizes are established to simulate the deformation response of polycrystalline pure copper. The predicted values of flow stresses show good agreement with experimental ones. Finally, a set of grain aggregate finite element meshes with same mean grain size but different grain distributions are developed to simulate the uniaxial tension processes of polycrystalline pure copper. The results shown that the effects of grain morphology on the macro‐scale deformation response are insignificant under a large number of grains with random morphology and orientation. When the grain distributions changes regularly along the x direction, the maximum decrease of flow stress data is 10 MPa.
Supreme Court reversal signals mental health implications yet to be assessed
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2022

The Supreme Court's June 24 reverse decision on abortion rights has generated much concern in the field that women not only are having their rights to reproductive care taken away, but resulting mental health implications could occur as a result.
Nevada to equip officers with iPads to respond to MH crises
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2022

Nevada officials are implementing a virtual mental health care program for residents in the state's most rural areas courtesy of a charitable trust of more than $3 million. The new initiative will ensure that the state's most remote residents in seven counties receive 24/7 access to behavioral health professionals with the aid of law enforcement via telehealth.
Minority Mental Health Awareness Month: Closing the care gap
Authors: de Quevedo João Luciano
Published: July 2022

Mental illness affects 20% of U.S. adults each year. Minority communities in the United States face similar statistics — 18.4% of Hispanics/Latinos; 17.3% of African Americans; and 13.9% of Asians, for example. But, the similarities begin to fade when it comes to accessing treatment for mental illness. While nearly half (46.2%) of U.S. adults with mental illness receive treatment each year, only one‐third of minorities seek mental health support. It is time to treat mental illness, specifically depression, differently, especially within minority communities. We must expose the numerous imbalances diverse ethnic and racial groups face when it comes to accessing treatment for depression and collectively work toward solutions, including the following.
Characterization of histone lysine β‐hydroxybutyrylation in bovine tissues, cells, and cumulus–oocyte complexes
Authors: Sangalli Juliano R. , Nociti Ricardo Perecin , del Collado Maite , Sampaio Rafael Vilar , da Silveira Juliano C. , Perecin Felipe , Smith Lawrence Charles , Ross Pablo J. , Meirelles Flávio V.
Published: July 2022

Besides their canonical roles as energy sources, short‐chain fatty acids act as metabolic regulators of gene expression through histone posttranslational modifications. Ketone body β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB) causes a novel epigenetic modification, histone lysine β‐hydroxybutyrylation (Kbhb), which is associated with genes upregulated in starvation‐responsive metabolic pathways. Dairy cows increase BHB in early lactation, and the effects of this increase on cellular epigenomes are unknown. We searched for and identified that Kbhb is present in bovine tissues in vivo and confirmed that this epigenetic mark is responsive to BHB in bovine and human fibroblasts cultured in vitro in a dose‐dependent manner. Maturation of cumulus–oocyte complexes with high concentrations of BHB did not affect the competence to complete meiotic maturation or to develop until the blastocyst stage. BHB treatment strongly induced H3K9bhb in cumulus cells, but faintly in oocytes. RNA‐seq analysis in cumulus cells indicated that BHB treatment altered the expression of 345 genes. The downregulated genes were mainly involved in glycolysis and ribosome assembly pathways, while the upregulated genes were involved in mitochondrial metabolism and oocyte development. The genes and pathways altered by BHB will provide entry points to carry out functional experiments aiming to mitigate metabolic disorders and improve fertility in cattle.
Find Gold in Your Pump Stations
Authors: Walski Tom
Published: July 2022

If you talk with any water utility general manager or executive director, they'll tell you that saving energy is a top priority. Saving energy saves money and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Who wouldn't love it? Yet most pump stations still have significant room for improvement in pumping energy. Why does that happen?
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions: Consider Find‐and‐Fix Assessments
Authors: Salo‐Zieman Virpi , Brown Richard , Baribeau Hélène , Schwer Patrick , Friedman Melinda
Published: July 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper Rule Revisions introduced new requirements involving find‐and‐fix assessments, with a heightened focus on addressing the presence of lead in residences and public water systems. Just as important as monitoring lead levels is following through with remediation.
Welded Steel Tanks Have Improved Over Time
Authors: O'toole Tim
Published: July 2022

Water storage tanks have evolved, along with related AWWA standards and improved coating technologies, as design advances extend tank service life and lower life‐cycle cost.
Fabrication, characterization, and selection using FAHP‐TOPSIS technique of zirconia, titanium oxide, and marble dust powder filled dental restorative composite materials
Authors: Yadav Ramkumar , Lee Hae‐Hyoung
Published: July 2022

The article aimed to develop and characterize the nano‐micro ceramic particle‐filled polymer‐based composite as dental materials. The current study also deals with the ranking of dental composites using a hybrid fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP)‐fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (FTOPSIS) methodology. Dental composites were fabricated from resin matrix and ceramic particulates. Two different series were fabricated. Zirconia, titanium oxide, and marble dust powder were used as ceramic particles in the dental composite. Bis‐GMA, TEGDMA, CQ, and DMAEMA were employed for the resin matrix of dental composite. The physical and mechanical properties were investigated for both dental formulations. The maximum and minimum compressive strengths were recorded in DM‐6 (321 MPa) and DT‐0 (190 MPa). Polymerization shrinkage was gradually decreased in both hybrid nZr‐TiO2 and hybrid nZr‐MDP formulations. The FTOPSIS was used to determine the rank of alternatives as DT‐6 > DM‐6 > DM‐4 > DT‐4 > DM‐2 > DM‐0 > DT‐0 > DT‐2.
Influence of LPRE on the size‐dependent phase velocity of sandwich beam including FG porous and smart nanocomposite layers
Authors: Al‐Furjan M. S. H. , Kong X. S. , Shan L. , Soleimani Jafari Gholamreza , Farrokhian A. , Shen X. , Kolahchi R. , Rajak Dipen Kumar
Published: July 2022

This article evaluates the wave velocity of a leptadenia pyrotechnica rheological elastomer (LPRE) microbeam surrounded by micro piezoelectric and porosity of functionally graded materials' (FGMs) layers. Different models of graphene nano plates (GPLs) for reinforcing the face sheet are assumed by adopting Halpin–Tsai modified micromechanics theory to obtain the Poisson's ratio and Young modulus of the smart layer. The material properties of the whole system as a viscoelastic state are hypothesized using the Kelvin–Voigt theory. The motion final equations are gained by utilizing the theory of Timoshenko and the couple stress model. An analytical solution method is adopted for computing the velocity of wave, cutoff frequency, and escape frequency from the motion final equations. The influences of different distribution and volume percent of GPLs, FGM properties as well as gradient index, the numeral parameter of any layer, damping of structure, and exerted voltage on the velocity of wave microbeam are studied. Moreover, it has been seen that a rise in the FGM index leads to reduced phase velocity, cutoff, and escape frequencies. Meanwhile, enhancing the volume percent of GPLs increases the wave velocity of the microstructure beam.
Influence of process parameters on mechanical strength, build time, and material consumption of3Dprinted polylactic acid parts
Authors: Singh Jatinder , Goyal Kapil Kumar , Kumar Rakesh , Gupta Vishal
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the study is to examine and analyze the effect of different process parameters of fused deposition modeling process, namely, nozzle diameter, build orientation, infill density, raster pattern, layer height, and print speed on the response variables, namely, tensile strength, build time, and material consumption. Taguchi L27orthogonal array experimental design has been adopted to print the PLA samples for experimental investigation. The optimum values of process parameters are obtained from the signal‐to‐noise ratio values of responses. The performed confirmation tests revealed that optimum process parameters combination determined through Taguchi method improves the tensile strength, reduce the build time, and material consumption significantly. Confirmation from analysis of variance (ANOVA) results revealed that the build orientation and nozzle diameter are the most influential process parameters for all the considered responses. The infill density is found to be an influential process parameter for material consumption. Further, the developed regression models for prediction of response characteristics and normal probability plots show significance of coefficients for predicted models. Results from the confirmation test revealed that the PLA part printed with optimum settings ((Nd)3‐(Bo)3‐(Id)3‐(Rp)1‐(Lh)2‐(Ps)1)) for tensile strength shows maximum tensile strength of 61.24 MPa with an improvement of 6.26%. Similarly, the part printed with the optimum settings ((Nd)3‐(Bo)1‐(Id)2‐(Rp)1‐(Lh)3‐(Ps)3) for build time takes 0.32 h of time with a reduction of 8.57%. The part printed with the optimum settings ((Nd)1‐(Bo)1‐(Id)1‐(Rp)2‐(Lh)1‐(Ps)2) for material consumption consumes material of 7.6 g with a reduction of 2.56%. Fracture mechanics results depict that variation of process parameters during the fabrication of samples has significant influence on the tensile strength.
A case of cervical schwannoma with upper tracheal stenosis followed up as asthma for 4 years
Authors: Naomi Akira , Hujiwara Hideyuki , Koizumi Tatsuhiko , Sakurai Yukari , Kohashi Yasuo , Yoneda Yukiko , Kitamura Yuka , Hattori Yoshinobu , Saitou Yuji
Published: July 2022

Cases of upper tracheal stenosis due to cervical schwannoma are fairly rare; therefore, no treatment has been determined. In this case, our patient had been treated for asthma for 4 years and was admitted to our hospital because of exacerbation. Computed tomography showed a tracheal stenosis lesion just below the vocal cords, and a biopsy revealed schwannoma. Conservative therapy was preferred rather than tumour resection by surgery. Follow‐up for 5 years showed no changes on imaging. Conservative treatment is considered as an option if the extratracheal tumour does not grow.
CAPITAL: Optimal subgroup identification via constrained policy tree search
Authors: Cai Hengrui , Lu Wenbin , Marceau West Rachel , Mehrotra Devan V. , Huang Lingkang
Published: July 2022

Personalized medicine, a paradigm of medicine tailored to a patient's characteristics, is an increasingly attractive field in health care. An important goal of personalized medicine is to identify a subgroup of patients, based on baseline covariates, that benefits more from the targeted treatment than other comparative treatments. Most of the current subgroup identification methods only focus on obtaining a subgroup with an enhanced treatment effect without paying attention to subgroup size. Yet, a clinically meaningful subgroup learning approach should identify the maximum number of patients who can benefit from the better treatment. In this article, we present an optimal subgroup selection rule (SSR) that maximizes the number of selected patients, and in the meantime, achieves the pre‐specified clinically meaningful mean outcome, such as the average treatment effect. We derive two equivalent theoretical forms of the optimal SSR based on the contrast function that describes the treatment‐covariates interaction in the outcome. We further propose a constrained policy tree search algorithm (CAPITAL) to find the optimal SSR within the interpretable decision tree class. The proposed method is flexible to handle multiple constraints that penalize the inclusion of patients with negative treatment effects, and to address time to event data using the restricted mean survival time as the clinically interesting mean outcome. Extensive simulations, comparison studies, and real data applications are conducted to demonstrate the validity and utility of our method.
Defining R‐squared measures for mixed‐effects location scale models
Authors: Zhang Xingruo , Hedeker Donald
Published: July 2022

Ecological momentary assessment and other modern data collection technologies facilitate research on both within‐subject and between‐subject variability of health outcomes and behaviors. For such intensively measured longitudinal data, Hedeker et al extended the usual two‐level mixed‐effects model to a two‐level mixed‐effects location scale (MELS) model to accommodate covariates' influence as well as random subject effects on both mean (location) and variability (scale) of the outcome. However, there is a lack of existing standardized effect size measures for the MELS model. To fill this gap, our study extends Rights and Sterba's framework of measures for multilevel models, which is based on model‐implied variances, to MELS models. Our proposed framework applies to two different specifications of the random location effects, namely, through covariate‐influenced random intercepts and through random intercepts combined with random slopes of observation‐level covariates. We also provide an R function, R2MELS, that outputs summary tables and visualization for values of our measures. This framework is validated through a simulation study, and data from a health behaviors study and a depression study are used as examples to demonstrate this framework. These measures can help researchers provide greater interpretation of their findings using MELS models.
Synthesis, Molecular Modelling and In Vitro Anti‐inflammatory Activity of Novel 1,2,4‐Triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxaline Derivatives
Authors: Doğan Inci Selin , Kahveci Bahittin , Sari Suat , Kolci Kübra , Reis Rengin , SIPAHI Hande
Published: July 2022

In this study, a series of 12 new 1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalines (3 a‐l) were synthesized to investigate their anti‐inflammatory activities. An efficient method for synthesis of 1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxaline compounds (3 a‐l) rendered a cyclo‐condensation between iminoester derivatives (Compounds 1 a‐l) and 1‐(quinoxalin‐2‐yl)hydrazine (Compound 2). The synthesized compound's structural elucidation was carried out using 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, Mass analysis. Cytotoxicity profiles of the title compounds were assessed by MTT assay, and anti‐inflammatory activities were investigated by determining nitrite levels in LPS‐induced RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. In addition, the ability of the compounds to reduce nitrite levels was modelled using molecular docking method. Compound 3 a‐l showed good anti‐inflammatory activities. Compound 3 f exhibited the most remarkable nitrite‐reducing effect (65.12±1.62 %), which was similar to the nitrite inhibition seen with IND (63.83±4.20 %) compared to LPS‐induced control. Besides, 3 f was followed by 3 i and 3 g, causing a significant decline in nitrite levels (51.56±8.68 % and 51.13±8.29 %, respectively). Molecular docking studies predicted that the compounds showed high affinity and formed key interactions with the active site of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a key enzyme responsible for elevated nitrite levels. Thus, the current study explored a new series of 1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxaline analogs with promising nitrite‐reducing effects, most probably due to iNOS inhibition.
Specific‐Tuning Band Structure in Hetero‐Semiconductor Nanorods to Match with Reduction of Oxygen Molecules for Low‐Intensity Yet Highly Effective Sonodynamic/Hole Therapy of Tumors
Authors: Bian Kexin , Yang Weitao , Xu Yan , Zeng Weiwei , Wang Hui , Liang Hongying , Cui Tianming , Wang Zhuo , Zhang Bingbo
Published: July 2022

Sonosensitizers‐assisted sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has been emerging as a promising treatment for cancers, and yet few specific regulations of band structure of sonosensitizers have been reported in relation to oxygen in tissues. Herein, by a gradient doping technique to modulate the band structure of hetero‐semiconductor nanorods, it is found that the reduction potential of band‐edge is very critical to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production under low‐intensity ultrasound (US) irradiation and particularly, when aligned with the reduction of oxygen, ROS generation is found to be most significantly enhanced. Withal, US‐generated oxidation holes are found to be effective in consuming overexpressed glutathione in tumor lesions, which amplifies cellular oxidative stress and finally induces tumor cell death. Moreover, the intrinsic fluorescence property of semiconductors provides imaging capability to illumine tumor area and guide the SDT process. This study demonstrates that the reduction potential state of sonosensitizers is of crucial importance in ROS generation and the proposed reduction potential‐tailored hetero‐semiconductor nanorods materialize low‐intensity US irradiation yet highly effective SDT and synergetic hole therapy of tumors with imaging guidance and reduced radiation injury.
Short‐Term Wind Speed and Direction Forecasting by3DCNNand Deep ConvolutionalLSTM
Authors: Sari Anggraini Puspita , Suzuki Hiroshi , Kitajima Takahiro , Yasuno Takashi , Prasetya Dwi Arman , Arifuddin Rahman
Published: July 2022

This paper investigates a deep learning‐based wind‐forecasting model to establish an accurate forecasting model which can support the increasing growth of wind power generation. The wind forecasting means wind speed and direction forecasting at the same time. Proposed forecasting model consists of three‐dimensional convolutional neural network and deep convolutional long short‐term memory (3DCNN‐DConvLSTM), and forecasts the wind vector which expressed as time‐sequential images. DConvLSTM model learns spatiotemporal features from time‐series image data that represent a spatial and temporal change of wind speed and direction. The forecasting model combined of 3DCNN and DConvLSTM is effective to decrease training time, and forecasting error in comparison to the DConvLSTM model. Input of the forecasting model is wind speed and direction that is expressed as an image on 2D coordinate and uses the measured data by the Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System (AMeDAS), Japan. Forecasting accuracy with one‐hour ahead and its usefulness of the proposed forecasting model is evaluated with simulation results for four seasons that is typical of Japan climate, and demonstrated by comparison with fully connected‐LSTM (FC‐LSTM), encoder‐decoder based 3DCNN (ED‐3DCNN), DConvLSTM, and persistent models. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Malcolm John MacVicar
Authors: MacPherson Alasdair M.
Published: July 2022

A Gaelic speaker, he spent much of his career working for the State Veterinary Service in Scotland.
The new CHS portal is live – register your vet practice today
Authors: McNamara Clare
Published: July 2022

Most vet practices now make their hip and elbow dysplasia submissions using the new Canine Health Schemes' online portal as Clare McNamara, CHS head of operations, explains.
Celebrating Rabbit Awareness Week
Authors: Austen‐Hardy Charlotte
Published: July 2022

The last week of June saw Rabbit Awareness Week return for 2022. BVA media officer Charlotte Austen‐Hardy makes no apologies for ‘rabbiting on’ as BVA helped to spread the word about the importance of rabbit owners making sure they have enough #RoomForRabbits.
Pediatric patient with a bilateral Salter-Harris II fracture and slipped capital femoral epiphysis secondary to autosomal recessive osteopetrosis
Authors: Jaber Ayham , Schwarze Martin , Steinle Verena , Götze Marco , Hagmann Sébastien
Published: July 2022

Treatment of femoral neck fractures secondary to osteopetrosis is an uncertain and puzzled decision. Experience in the treatment, especially in the pediatric population, is scarcely reported. The duration of conservative treatment is prolonged and poses the risks of non-union and development of coxa vara deformity. The recommended treatment is closed reduction and internal fixation; however, surgery on osteopetrotic bone is challenging due to defective bone marrow function, delayed consolidation and higher risk of intraoperative fractures. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis secondary to osteopetrosis is very rarely reported. This article presents the case of a 5-year-old female patient with rapidly deteriorating physical function due to bilateral proximal femoral Salter-Harris type II fractures with associated slippage of the growth plates secondary to confirmed autosomal recessive osteopetrosis. Operative treatment was performed in a tertiary level orthopedic center with closed reduction and internal fixation with cannulated screws. A loss of fixation with coxa vara deformity was seen on the left side 7 months postoperatively with increasing pain. A revision surgery with reosteosynthesis and a valgus osteotomy was thus performed which showed good subjective and objective results 1 year postoperatively with complete bony union.