bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ENIGMA brain injury: Framework, challenges, and opportunities
Authors: Dennis Emily L. , Baron David , Bartnik‐Olson Brenda , Caeyenberghs Karen , Esopenko Carrie , Hillary Frank G. , Kenney Kimbra , Koerte Inga K. , Lin Alexander P. , Mayer Andrew R. , Mondello Stefania , Olsen Alexander , Thompson Paul M. , Tate David F. , Wilde Elisabeth A.
Published: June 2020

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability worldwide, but the heterogeneous nature of TBI with respect to injury severity and health comorbidities make patient outcome difficult to predict. Injury severity accounts for only some of this variance, and a wide range of preinjury, injury‐related, and postinjury factors may influence outcome, such as sex, socioeconomic status, injury mechanism, and social support. Neuroimaging research in this area has generally been limited by insufficient sample sizes. Additionally, development of reliable biomarkers of mild TBI or repeated subconcussive impacts has been slow, likely due, in part, to subtle effects of injury and the aforementioned variability. The ENIGMA Consortium has established a framework for global collaboration that has resulted in the largest‐ever neuroimaging studies of multiple psychiatric and neurological disorders. Here we describe the organization, recent progress, and future goals of the Brain Injury working group.
Employee overqualification and manager job insecurity: Implications for employee career outcomes
Authors: Erdogan Berrin , Karakitapoğlu‐Aygün Zahide , Caughlin David E. , Bauer Talya N. , Gumusluoglu Lale
Published: June 2020

In this study, we propose that manager job insecurity will moderate the nature of the relationship between perceived overqualification and employee career‐related outcomes (career satisfaction, promotability ratings, and voluntary turnover). We tested our hypotheses using a sample of 124 employees and 54 managers working in a large holding company in Ankara, Turkey, collected across five time periods. The results suggested that average perceived overqualification was more strongly, and negatively, related to career satisfaction of employees when managers reported higher job insecurity. Furthermore, employee perceived overqualification was positively related to voluntary turnover when manager job insecurity was high. No direct or moderated effects were found for promotability ratings. Implications for overqualification and job insecurity literatures were discussed.
Luteolin protects against testicular injury induced by lead acetate by activating the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway
Authors: AL‐Megrin Wafa A. , Alomar Suliman , Alkhuriji Afrah F. , Metwally Dina M. , Mohamed Shimaa K. , Kassab Rami B. , Abdel Moneim Ahmed E. , El‐Khadragy Manal F.
Published: June 2020

Lead (Pb) is a toxic heavy metal that is harmful to humans, especially male reproductive organs. Luteolin (LUT) is a naturally occurring flavonoid with numerous biological activities. Our aim was to investigate the possible reproprotective effect of LUT against testicular deficits induced by Pb intoxication. In the present study, 28 rats were distributed into 4 groups: control, LUT (50 mg/kg), lead acetate (PbAc, 20 mg/kg), and LUT + PbAc groups, in which rats were pre‐treated with LUT 3 hr before PbAc injection. All animals were treated for 7 days. Oxidative stress, inflammatory and apoptotic markers along with histopathological changes have been examined using spectrophotometric, ELISA, real‐time PCR, and histopathological methods. PbAc injection elevated Pb concentration in testicular tissue and decreased levels of sex hormones. PbAc intoxication exacerbated lipoperoxidation and nitric oxide formation, depleted superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities along with glutathione and its originated enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase). At the molecular level, PbAc deactivated nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 and heme oxygenase‐1 in the testicular tissue. In addition, PbAc toxicity induced inflammatory and apoptotic cascades in testicular tissue as evidenced by the increased tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin‐1 beta, inducible nitric oxide synthase, Bax, and caspase 3, while Bcl‐2 was declined. Histopathological examination of testicular tissue also revealed that PbAc caused degeneration alterations in spermatogenic cells, the spermatogenic epithelial cells were disconnected from the basement membrane, and the seminiferous tubules were vacuolated. Remarkably, pre‐treatment with LUT minimized significantly the testicular damage induced by PbAc. Therefore, we conclude that LUT may have a beneficial effect against PbAc‐induced testicular injury through preventing oxidative challenge, inflammation, and finally apoptosis.
Wish you were here: The Dutch, German, and English Yearning in Situations of Loss Short Form
Authors: Eisma Maarten C. , Stelzer Eva‐Maria , Lenferink Lonneke I. M. , Knowles Lindsey M. , Gastmeier Sarah K. , Angelopoulou Maria , Doering Bettina K. , O'Connor Mary‐Frances
Published: June 2020

Objective(s)

Yearning, a hallmark of grief disorders, relates to rumination and potentially to cognitive avoidance. We developed an 8‐item short form of the only existing validated yearning measure, the Yearning in Situations of Loss Scale (YSL), to improve its validity and administration ease.

Method

Cross‐sectional surveys were conducted among bereaved Dutch (N = 313) and German (N = 235) community samples and an American treatment‐seeking sample (N = 95). All samples completed the YSL, and community samples additionally measures of rumination, loss‐related avoidance, complicated grief (CG), and depression.

Results

A one‐factor model provided a good fit to the YSL Short Form (YSL‐SF) in the community samples. A two‐factor structure (cognitive and emotional yearning)best fitted the YSL‐SF in the treatment‐seeking sample. YSL‐SF scores correlated positively with rumination, loss‐related avoidance, and with CG symptoms whilst controlling for rumination and loss‐related avoidance.

Conclusion

The YSL‐SF appears an easy‐to‐administer and valid measure of yearning after bereavement.
3D‐quantum interferometer using silicon microring‐embedded gold grating circuit
Authors: Arumona Arumona Edward , Amiri Iraj Sandegh , Punthawanunt Suphanchai , Ray Kanad , Singh Ghanshyam , Bharti Gaurav Kumar , Yupapin Preecha
Published: May 2020

A 3D (three‐dimensional) quantum interferometer consisting of a silicon microring circuit proposed. The interferometer based on the electron spin cloud projections generated by microring‐embedded gold grating. The electron cloud oscillations result from the excitation of the gold grating at the center of the silicon microring by the dark soliton pulse of 1.50 μm center wavelength. The electron cloud spin‐down, spin‐up automatically formed in the two axes (x, y, respectively) and propagated along the z‐axis. In this proposal, the sensing mechanism of the circuit is manipulated by varying the reflector gold lengths of the sensing arm. The electron cloud spin coupled and changed by changing the gold lengths. The sensitivity measurement of the 3D quantum interferometer for three gold layer lengths of 100 nm, 500 nm, and 1,000 nm is (47.62 nm fs−1, ±0.4762 fs−1, ±0.01 nm−1), (238.10 nm fs−1, ±0.4762 fs−1, ±0.002 nm−1), (476.20 nm fs−1, ±0.4762 fs−1, ±0.001 nm−1), respectively. The used circuit parameters are the real ones that can be fabricated by the currently available technology. Moreover, the silicon micro ring circuit acts as a plasmonic antenna, which can apply for wireless quantum communication. The electron cloud spin projection space–time control can apply for quantum cellular automata.
The relationship of offending style to psychological and social risk factors in a sample of adolescent males
Authors: Ashton Sally‐Ann , Ioannou Maria , Hammond Laura , Synnott John
Published: June 2020

Research has indicated that life‐course persistent offenders typically vary their offending style, following a criminal career progression from co‐ to solo‐offending. Few studies have investigated the offenders who contemporaneously mix their style of offending. A sample of 1,047 male adolescent offenders from the Pathways to Desistance study was investigated over a 7‐year period. Participants were identified as solo, co or contemporaneous mixed style (CMS) offenders for each wave of data and one‐way between groups analysis of variance was conducted to examine variations between the different offending styles in terms of offending frequencies, exposure to violence, peer antisocial behaviour and influence, resistance to peer influence, impulse control and psychopathy. CMS offenders were found to consistently report significantly higher rates of offending and present significantly higher negative risk factors and lower protective risk factors than solo‐ and co‐offenders for the duration of the study. A multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate predictors of offending style with CMS as the reference category. Higher levels of exposure to violence and peer antisocial behaviour and lower levels of impulse control predicted membership of the CMS group for the first part of the study when compared with co‐offenders; and higher levels of exposure to violence and peer antisocial behaviour continued to predict CMS offending when compared to solo‐offenders until the end of the study.
Systematic reassessment of chemokine-receptor pairings confirms CCL20 but not CXCL13 and extends the spectrum of ACKR4 agonists to CCL22
Authors: Meyrath Max , Reynders Nathan , Uchański Tomasz , Chevigné Andy , Szpakowska Martyna
Published: June 2020

Atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs) have emerged as important regulators or scavengers of homeostatic and inflammatory chemokines. Among these atypical receptors, ACKR4 is reported to bind the homeostatic chemokines CCL19, CCL21, CCL25 and CXCL13. In a recent study by Matti et al., the authors show that ACKR4 is also a receptor for CCL20, previously established to bind to CCR6 only. They provide convincing evidence that, just as for its other chemokine ligands, ACKR4 rapidly internalizes CCL20 both in vitro and in vivo. Independently of this discovery, we undertook a screening program aiming at reassessing the activity of the 43 human chemokines toward ACKR4 using a highly sensitive β-arrestin recruitment assay. This systematic analysis confirmed CCL20 as a new agonist ligand for ACKR4 in addition to CCL19, CCL21, and CCL25. Furthermore, CCL22, which plays an important role in both homeostasis and inflammatory responses, and is known as a ligand for CCR4 and ACKR2 was found to also act as a potent partial agonist of ACKR4. In contrast, agonist activity of CXCL13 toward ACKR4 was disproved. This independent wide-range systematic study confirms the pairing of CCL20 with ACKR4 newly discovered by Matti and co-authors, and further refines the spectrum of chemokines activating ACKR4.
Hydrogen bonding influences collision‐induced dissociation of Na+‐bound guanine tetrads
Authors: Lee Chaewon , Choi Yoon Kyung , Lee Sanghun , Han Sang Yun
Published: May 2020

Na+‐bound guanine (G)–tetrads possess square planar structures formed solely by noncovalent interactions including multiple hydrogen bonds. Unlike G‐tetrads facilitated by other alkali metal ions, an intriguing behavior in collision‐induced dissociation (CID) has been observed in Na+‐bound G‐tetrads, which features a preferential, simultaneous loss of two G ligands in the low energy regime. To understand this unique behavior, we investigated the CID of Na+‐bound G‐tetrads with mixed ligands of G and 9‐methylguanine (9mG), [Na·Gm·9mGn]+ (m + n = 4), and [Li·9mG4]+ for comparison. In the CID experiments, the simultaneous losses of two ligands were by far more pronounced than the loss of a single ligand for all five Na+‐bound G‐tetrads. However, it appeared that the CID of [Li·9mG4]+ prefers to lose single ligands sequentially. An analysis of the fragment abundances suggested that the generation of Na+‐bound dimeric fragments might have occurred with two adjacent ligands. This theoretical study predicted for [Li·9mG4]+ that the loss of a single ligand is more energetically favorable than the production of neutral hydrogen‐bonded fragments by 35.5 kJ/mol (ΔG). This contradicts our previous calculations for [Na·9mG4]+ that a neutral loss of hydrogen‐bonded dimers provides the lowest energy product state of Na+‐bound dimeric fragments, which is lower than that of Na+‐bound trimeric fragments by 15.6 kJ/mol. From the results, this comparative study suggests that the pronounced generation of Na+‐bound dimeric fragments in CID of the G‐tetrads is likely promoted by the dissociation pathway associated with neutral loss of hydrogen‐bonded dimers. It thus demonstrates that multiple hydrogen bonding participating in formation of Na+‐bound G‐tetrads may also strongly influence the fate of dissociating complexes of G‐tetrads.
l‐Glutamate stimulates cholecystokinin secretion via the T1R1/T1R3 mediated PLC/TRPM5 transduction pathway
Authors: Kang Cuicui , Wang Lvyang , Feng Jiangyin , Zhu Weiyun , Hang Suqin
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

It is known that cholecystokinin (CCK) plays an essential role in reducing food intake and driving weight loss. Previous studies demonstrated that amino acids were capable of triggering CCK release through G protein‐coupled receptors, but the sensing mechanism remains obscure, especially the intracellular signaling pathway.

RESULTS

l‐Glu, rather than its d‐isomer, robustly stimulated CCK secretion in a porcine duodenal model, and the secretory response was augmented by incubation with the allosteric ligand of T1R1, while T1R3 antagonist attenuated it. Upon inhibiting phospholipase C (PLC) or transient receptor potential M5 (TRPM5) activity, l‐Glu failed to increase CCK release. Oral administration of monosodium glutamate in rats also suppressed food intake and increased plasma CCK levels, accompanied by elevated expression of T1R1, PLCβ2 and TRPM5 in the duodenum.

CONCLUSION

These data demonstrated that l‐Glu stimulated CCK secretion through the activation of T1R1/T1R3 in a PLC/TRPM5‐dependent manner. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Breast Tumor Diagnosis Using Finite‐Element Modeling Based on Clinical in vivo Elastographic Data
Authors: Sayed Ahmed M. , Naser Mohamed A. , Wahba Ashraf A. , Eldosoky Mohamed A. A.
Published: May 2020

Objectives

This study exploited finite‐element modeling (FEM) to simulate breast tissue multicompression during ultrasound elastography to classify breast tumors based on their nonlinear biomechanical properties.

Methods

Numeric simulations were first calculated by using 3‐dimensional (3D) virtual models with an assumed tumor's geometric dimensions but with actual material properties to test and validate the FEM. Further numeric simulations were used to construct 3D models based on in vivo experimental data to verify our models. The models were designed for each individual in vivo case, emphasizing the geometry, position, and biomechanical properties of the breast tissue. At different compression levels, tissue strains were analyzed between the tumors and the background normal tissues to explore their nonlinearity and classify the tumor type. Tumor classification parameters were deduced by using a power‐law relationship between the applied compressive forces and strain differences.

Results

Classification parameters were compared between benign and malignant tumors, for which they were found to be statistically significant in classifying the tumor types (P < .05) by both the validation and verification of FEM. We compared the classification parameters between the in vivo and FEM classifications, for which they were found to be strongly correlated (R = 0.875; P < .001), with no statistical differences between their outcomes (P = .909).

Conclusions

Good agreement between the model outcomes and the in vivo diagnostics was reported. The implemented models were validated and verified. The introduced 3D modeling method may augment elastographic methods to preliminary classify breast tumors at an early stage.
Ranging Behavior of an Arboreal Marsupial in a Plantation Landscape
Authors: Ashman Kita R. , Page Nina R. , Whisson Desley A.
Published: May 2020

Forests are becoming increasingly fragmented, primarily because of their conversion to production landscapes. Animals occupying modified landscapes may need to expand their ranges and move longer distances between remnant forest patches to find resources. The establishment of plantations in fragmented landscapes, however, may provide complementary habitat for wildlife and improve connectivity, reducing the amount of movement required. Our objective was to determine the influence of plantations on koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) habitat use and test 2 competing hypotheses on the relationship between plantations and range size. We deployed global positioning system and very high frequency collars on 40 koalas in 2 landscapes (plantation and non‐plantation) in Victoria, Australia. From 68,216 tracking points collected over an 8‐month period, we calculated and compared seasonal home range size and habitat use between landscapes. There was no difference in range size, the size and number of core use areas, or the distance between core use areas between plantation and non‐plantation landscapes. Plantations extend existing koala habitat and facilitate koala movement through a landscape; however, remnant native vegetation is still more frequently used. Consequently, native vegetation (even fragmented, linear roadside vegetation) is of high conservation importance for the persistence of koalas in modified landscapes. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Ambident electrophilicity of 4‐nitrobenzochalcogenadiazoles: Kinetic studies and structure‐reactivity relationships
Authors: Necibi Feriel , Salah Saida Ben , Roger Julien , Hierso Jean‐Cyrille , Boubaker Taoufik
Published: June 2020

The kinetics of the reactions of 4‐nitrobenzofurazane 1a, 4‐nitrobenzothiadiazole 1b, and 4‐nitrobenzoselenadiazole 1c with a series of 4‐Y‐substituted phenoxide anions 2a‐e (Y = OMe, Me, H, Cl, and CN) in aqueous solution at 20°C were investigated photometrically. The derived second‐order rate constants (k2) have been combined with the nucleophilicity parameters values of these series of anions 2a‐e to determine the electrophilicity parameters E of electrophiles 1a‐c according to the linear free‐energy relationship (log k2)/s versus N. General reactivity of these electrophiles 1a‐c is found to be fairly similar with E values ranging in −10.77 ± 0.61 < E < −7.53 ± 0.29. The comparison with structurally related neutral electron‐deficient heteroaromatic and aromatic compounds revealed that 1a‐c are more reactive than 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene, as benchmark aromatic electrophile used in nucleophilic addition or substitution processes. The rate constants for the reactions of 4‐nitrobenzochalcogenadiazoles 1a‐c with some other nucleophiles were measured and found to agree with those calculated from Mayr's equation. Finally, analysis of the rate data in terms of the Brønsted approach reveals that 1a‐c exhibits especially low intrinsic reactivity in σ‐adducts 3 forming reactions.
Pneumoperitoneum after transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach
Authors: Kwek James Wei Ming , Pang Maria Judith , Heah Harold H. W.
Published: May 2020

Background

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a relatively safe procedure with comparable safety profile as open thyroidectomy. While gas insufflation complications such as subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum have been reported postoperatively, there have been no reports of pneumoperitoneum.

Case report

Our patient underwent an uneventful TOETVA to remove her left thyroid lobe. Postoperatively, she developed subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumoperitoneum, which were confirmed on CT scan. She was managed conservatively and recovered uneventfully.

Conclusion

The authors report the first case of pneumoperitoneum following TOETVA. Surgeons performing TOETVA should be aware of pneumoperitoneum as a possible complication of this procedure after excluding other possible causes.
Whole‐exome sequencing and genome‐wide association studies identify novel sarcopenia risk genes in Han Chinese
Authors: Ran Shu , He Xiao , Jiang Zi‐Xuan , Liu Yu , Zhang Yu‐Xue , Zhang Lei , Gu Gui‐Shan , Pei Yufang , Liu Bao‐Lin , Tian Qing , Zhang Yong‐Hong , Wang Jing‐Yu , Deng Hong‐Wen
Published: June 2020

Sarcopenia is a complex polygenic disease, and its molecular mechanism is still unclear. Whole lean body mass (WLBM) is a heritable trait predicting sarcopenia. To identify genomic loci underlying, we performed a whole‐exome sequencing (WES) of WLBM variation with high sequencing depth (more than 40*) in 101 Chinese subjects. We then replicated in the major findings in the large‐scale UK Biobank (UKB) cohort (N = 217,822) for WLBM. The results of four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significant both in the discovery stage and replication stage: SNP rs740681 (discovery p = 1.66 × 10–6, replication p = .05), rs2272303 (discovery p = 3.20 × 10–4, replication p = 3.10 × 10–4), rs11170413 (discovery p = 3.99 × 10–4, replication p = 2.90 × 10–4), and rs2272302 (discovery p = 9.13 × 10–4, replication p = 3.10 × 10–4). We combined p values of the significant SNPs. Functional annotations highlighted two candidate genes, including FZR1 and SOAT2, that may exert pleiotropic effects to the development of body mass. Our findings provide useful insights that further enhance our understanding of genetic interplay in sarcopenia.
Narrow‐band bandpass filter with very wide upper stopband
Authors: Xu Kai‐Da , Li Donghao , Jiang Yannan
Published: June 2020

A narrow‐band bandpass filter (BPF) based on parallel coupled lines and shorted stubs with very wide upper stopband has been presented. The transmission coefficient and reflection coefficient of the proposed BPF are straightforwardly derived via the input impedances using odd‐ and even‐mode analysis method. The calculation results illustrate that two narrow passbands with very high frequency ratio of the upper‐band to lower‐band center frequencies can be realized, which is significantly suitable to design a narrow‐band BPF with very wide upper stopband. To verify the proposed design idea, a narrow‐band BPF example was designed and experimentally characterized, whose measured in‐band return loss is >30 dB with center frequency at 1.76 GHz. The measured upper stopband is up to 14.34 GHz with the rejection levels of over 20 dB.
A 1.0 to 1.58‐GHz tunable bandpass filter with switchable single‐/dual‐band responses
Authors: Cho Young‐Ho , Yun Sang‐Won , Park Cheolsoo
Published: May 2020

A tunable bandpass filter with switchable single‐/dual‐band responses is presented. The single‐band to dual‐band transformation is achieved by controlling frequencies of poles in a passband. The frequencies of poles are adjusting by using a coupled structure with two coupling capacitors. A filter with both 4‐pole single‐band and 2‐pole dual‐band characteristics is built on a Duroid substrate with εr = 3.0 and h = 30 mils. The tuning of the center frequency and the passband transformation are done using silicon varactor diodes. In the 4‐pole single‐passband mode, a center frequency tuning of 1.0 to 1.4 GHz is achieved with 1‐dB bandwidths of 150 to 198 MHz. The 2‐pole dual‐band bandpass filter mode has the center frequency tuning of 1.0 to 1.29 GHz (low‐band) and 1.4 to 1.58 GHz (high‐band). The application areas are in wideband cognitive radios.
Myopathies with finger flexor weakness: Not only inclusion‐body myositis
Authors: Nicolau Stefan , Liewluck Teerin , Milone Margherita
Published: June 2020

Muscle disorders are characterized by differential involvement of various muscle groups. Among these, weakness predominantly affecting finger flexors is an uncommon pattern, most frequently found in sporadic inclusion‐body myositis. This finding is particularly significant when the full range of histopathological findings of inclusion‐body myositis is not found on muscle biopsy. Prominent finger flexor weakness, however, is also observed in other myopathies. It occurs commonly in myotonic dystrophy types 1 and 2. In addition, individual reports and small case series have documented finger flexor weakness in sarcoid and amyloid myopathy, and in inherited myopathies caused by ACTA1, CRYAB, DMD, DYSF, FLNC, GAA, GNE, HNRNPDL, LAMA2, MYH7, and VCP mutations. Therefore, the finding of finger flexor weakness requires consideration of clinical, myopathological, genetic, electrodiagnostic, and sometimes muscle imaging findings to establish a diagnosis.
Subsidize farmers or bioenergy producer? The design of a government subsidy program for a bioenergy supply chain
Authors: Ye Fei , Cai Zigong , Chen Ying‐Ju , Li Yina , Hou Gang
Published: May 2020

The success of the bioenergy industry will depend, in part, on enough biomass feedstocks being grown. To increase the reliability of feedstocks supply, a government can offer two types of subsidy program: a farmer subsidy program (FSP) and a bioenergy producer subsidy program (PSP). We develop models to analyze the optimal subsidy program by capturing the interactions between the government, the bioenergy producer, and the farmers. The models incorporate the subsidy budget constraint, the environmental benefits from the use of bioenergy, the farmer's risk aversion and land capacity constraint, as well as the yield uncertainty of feedstocks. The findings reveal that both FSP and PSP are effective as long as the farmers' land capacity exceeds a threshold. If both the subsidy budget and the land capacity are sufficiently large, PSP outperforms FSP; if only the subsidy budget is limited, FSP is better; if only the land capacity is limited, FSP and PSP are equivalent. Counter‐intuitively, we find that PSP always favors farmers more, while FSP favors the bioenergy producer more under certain conditions. Also, we find that FSP can better mitigate risk than PSP when yield uncertainty is high. Lastly, insights for policy makers to promote bioenergy development are highlighted.
Factors related to spiritual health in Chinese haemodialysis patients: A multicentre cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zhang Yingjun , Xue Guifang , Chen Yunlan , An KeRun , Chen Lin
Published: June 2020

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the current situation of the spiritual health of maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) patients in China and analyse the influencing factors.

Methods

A total of 418 patients who underwent maintenance haemodialysis in three grade A tertiary hospitals were selected. The influencing factors were evaluated with demographic questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy‐Spiritual Well‐Being (FACIT‐Sp‐12), Family APGAR Index, Herth Hope Index (HHI) and Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS).

Results

Spiritual health was positively correlated with the HHI, Family APGAR and AIS scores. Nationality, HHI score, Family APGAR score and AIS score were independent influencing factors of spiritual health. MHD patients had a moderate level of spiritual health. Nationality, hope, family function and acceptance of illness were significant predictors of spiritual health. Patients who have higher hope levels, better family functioning and better illness acceptance may maintain better spiritual health.
The systemic influence of chronic smoking on skin structure and mechanical function
Authors: Langton Abigail K , Tsoureli‐Nikita Evridiki , Merrick Holly , Zhao Xuegen , Antoniou Christina , Stratigos Alexander , Akhtar Riaz , Derby Brian , Sherratt Michael J , Watson Rachel EB , Griffiths Christopher EM
Published: May 2020

One of the major functions of human skin is to provide protection from the environment. Although we cannot entirely avoid, for example, sun exposure, it is likely that exposure to other environmental factors could affect cutaneous function. A number of studies have identified smoking as one such factor that leads to both facial wrinkle formation and a decline in skin function. In addition to the direct physical effects of tobacco smoke on skin, its inhalation has additional profound systemic effects for the smoker. The adverse effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems from smoking are well known. Central to the pathological changes associated with smoking is the elastic fibre, a key component of the extracellular matrices of lungs. In this study we examined the systemic effect of chronic smoking (>40 cigarettes/day; >5 years) on the histology of the cutaneous elastic fibre system, the nanostructure and mechanics of one of its key components, the fibrillin‐rich microfibril, and the micromechanical stiffness of the dermis and epidermis. We show that photoprotected skin of chronic smokers exhibits significant remodelling of the elastic fibre network (both elastin and fibrillin‐rich microfibrils) as compared to the skin of age‐ and sex‐matched non‐smokers. This remodelling is not associated with increased gelatinase activity (as identified by in situ zymography). Histological remodelling is accompanied by significant ultrastructural changes to extracted fibrillin‐rich microfibrils. Finally, using scanning acoustic microscopy, we demonstrated that chronic smoking significantly increases the stiffness of both the dermis and the epidermis. Taken together, these data suggest an unappreciated systemic effect of chronic inhalation of tobacco smoke on the cutaneous elastic fibre network. Such changes may in part underlie the skin wrinkling and loss of skin elasticity associated with smoking. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Paraneoplastic opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome associated with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in a pediatric patient
Authors: Gerstle Karyn , Siddiqui Amir , Schulte Jefree J. , Cohn Susan L.
Published: May 2020

Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a rare neurological syndrome caused by a paraneoplastic autoimmune process that affects children with neuroblastic tumors. Treatment includes corticosteroids, intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG), rituximab, and other immunosuppressive therapies. Here, we describe a patient diagnosed with OMS associated with a localized inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. The patient has no evidence of tumor recurrence following surgical resection with 8‐month follow‐up. The neurologic symptoms resolved with corticosteroids and IVIG. This case demonstrates that in children, neoplasms other than neuroblastoma may be associated with this paraneoplastic syndrome, and highlights the importance of evaluating patients with OMS for underlying malignancies.
Quantification of cranberry proanthocyanidins by normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography using relative response factors
Authors: Sintara Marsha , Wang Yifei , Li Lin , Liu Haiyan , Cunningham David G. , Prior Ronald R. , Chen Pei , Chang Tony , Wu Xianli
Published: May 2020

Introduction

American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) contain primarily A‐type proanthocyanidins (PACs), which have been shown to prevent urinary tract infection. Currently, the accurate quantification of cranberry PACs is still lacking.

Objective

A normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (NP‐HPLC) method using relative response factors was developed and validated to quantify cranberry PAC oligomers and polymers.

Materials and Methods

PAC oligomers with degree of polymerisation (DP) 3–9 and total polymers were isolated from the cranberry juice concentrate. Characterisation of the isolated PAC oligomers was performed by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry. The relative response factors of oligomers from DP 2–9 and total polymers were determined against procyanidin A2. Method validation was conducted to assess limit of detection, limit of quantification, the linearity and working range, precision and accuracy. In addition, quantifications of PACs by NP‐HPLC using relative response factors and two other commonly used methods were conducted in three cranberry food products.

Results

Cranberries PACs oligomers contained both A‐type and B‐type linkage, with epicatechin and epigallocatechin as basic units. Method validation results suggested this method is reliable and reproducible. Quantifications of PACs by NP‐HPLC using relative response factors yielded higher values than that by the other two methods.

Conclusion

A NP‐HPLC method using the relative response factors was developed and validated. This method provides a more accurate approach in determining cranberry PACs. It can be used to quantify individual oligomers from DP 2–9, total polymers and total PACs in cranberries and cranberry products.
Association of GGH Promoter Methylation Levels with Methotrexate Concentrations in Chinese Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Wang Shu‐Mei , Kong Xiao‐Yan , Li Miao , Sun Lu‐Lu , Yan Dan
Published: June 2020

Background

It is known that γ‐glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) is involved in the disposition of methotrexate (MTX), and GGH activity is regulated by DNA methylation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. The present study explores the methylation status of the GGH promoter in peripheral blood and its association with MTX levels and toxicities in Chinese children with ALL.

Methods

Serum MTX concentrations were determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Methylation quantification and genotyping for GGH rs3758149 and rs11545078 was performed by Sequenom MassARRAY in 50 pediatric patients with ALL.

Results

Overall, the investigated region of the GGH promoter was in hypomethylated status. The methylation levels of cytosine phosphate guanine (CpG)_7, CpG_12, CpG_17, and CpG_20 were significantly higher in patients with B‐cell ALL than other immunotypes (p<0.05). The methylation levels of CpG_13.14, CpG_17, and CpG_19 showed a significant negative correlation with MTX C24 hr (p<0.05). The methylation level of CpG_8.9 correlated significantly with MTX C42 hrs (p<0.05). The methylation level of CpG_19 was significantly lower in patients with MTX toxicities (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The methylation levels of the GGH promoter might affect MTX exposure and toxicities. These findings provided reasonable explanations for the variability of MTX responses in patients with childhood ALL.
Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breasts: Over‐diagnosis, over‐treatment and a decade of lost direction
Authors: Co Michael
Published: June 2020

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is the earliest detectable form of breast cancer. Mainstay of treatment is complete surgical removal with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Incidence of DCIS has increased significantly over the last decade; however, increased surgical removal of DCIS has not resulted in the decreased incidence of invasive breast cancer. Whether or not we are over‐treating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with complete surgical removal of the tumor has been subjected to much debate.
Performance of an aerially applied liquid Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis formulation (strain AM65‐52) against mosquitoes in mixed saltmarsh–mangrove systems and fine‐scale mapping of mangrove canopy cover using affordable drone‐based imagery
Authors: Johnson Brian J , Manby Russell , Devine Gregor J
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

In the Australian southeast, the saltmarsh mosquito Aedes vigilax (Skuse) is the focus of area‐wide larviciding campaigns employing the biological agent Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti). Although generally effective, frequent inundating tides and considerable mangrove cover can make control challenging. Here, we describe the efficacy and persistence of an aqueous Bti suspension (potency: 1200 International Toxic Units; strain AM65‐52) within a mixed saltmarsh–mangrove system and the use of affordable unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to identify and map problematic levels of mangrove canopy cover.

RESULTS

High mangrove canopy density (>40% cover) reduced product deposition by 75.2% (0.01 ± 0.002 μL cm–2 versus 0.05 ± 0.006 μL cm–2), larval mortality by 27.7% (60.7 ± 4.1% versus 84.0 ± 2.4%), and ground level Bti concentrations by 32.03% (1144 ± 462.6 versus 1683 ± 447.8 spores mL−1) relative to open saltmarsh. Persistence of product post‐application was found to be low (80.6% loss at 6 h) resulting in negligible additional losses to tidal inundation 24 h post‐application. UAS surveys accurately identified areas of high mangrove cover using both standard and multispectral imagery, although derived index values for this vegetation class were only moderately correlated with ground measurements (R2 = 0.17–0.38) at their most informative scales.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the complex operational challenges that affect coastal mosquito control in heterogeneous environments. The problem is exacerbated by continued mangrove transgression into saltmarsh habitat in the region. Emerging UAS technology can help operators optimize treatments by accurately identifying and mapping challenging canopy cover using both standard and multispectral imaging. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Nanometric Fluctuations of Sound Velocity in Alkali Borate Glasses and Fragility of Respective Melts
Authors: Kojima Seiji , Novikov Vladimir N. , Kofu Maiko , Yamamuro Osamu
Published: May 2020

The network structure of borate glass is remarkably modified by the addition of alkali metals. The alkali metal dependences of the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) and the boson peak (BP) are investigated in alkali borate glasses by elastic and inelastic neutron scattering experiments. With an increase in ionic radius of alkali ions, both the width ΔQ of FSDP and the BP energy decrease. The comparison of the characteristic length of medium‐range order (MRO) predicted by the FSDP and the position of the BP allows us to find the mean‐square fluctuations of the transverse sound velocity within series of alkali borate glasses. It is shown that the fragility of the respective alkali borate melts inversely correlates with the mean‐square fluctuations of the transverse sound velocity in glassy state.
Optical Phonon Scattering Dominated Transport in Individual Suspended Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Yang Xinhe , Liu Peng , Wang Xinhe , Wang Jiangtao , Zhang Lina , Jin Xiang , Lv Shiwei , Wu Yang , Li Qunqing , Fan Shoushan , Jiang Kaili
Published: May 2020

The transport property of six types of individual carbon nanotubes (CNT) with specified chiral indices at high temperature is investigated on a home‐made apparatus. It is found that the resistivity of all individual CNTs increases with temperature monotonically, whereas the mobility decreases with temperature and follows different laws in different temperature ranges. The carrier concentration increases exponentially with −1/T. The mobility of CNT deviates from traditional trends with temperature, T−β, at high temperature (1070–1728 K). This deviation is attributed to scattering with optical phonons at high temperature. The data show that the electron‐optical phonon interaction becomes dominant in the temperature range of 1070–1362 K for all measured CNTs. Finally, result within a polaron model is discussed.
Pharmacological exploration of traditional plants for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Wahid Muqeet , Ali Anam , Saqib Fatima , Aleem Ambreen , Bibi Sumbal , Afzal Khurram , Ali Atif , Baig Ayesha , Khan Shujaat Ali , Bin Asad Muhammad Hassham Hassan
Published: June 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is clinically characterized as memory deficits, altered behavior and impaired cognitive functions. The most important risk factor for AD is aging and mounting. Evidences suggested in different studies that traditionally used plants in Asia, China, and Europe significantly affect aging and AD involved neurodegeneration pathways. Research into ethnobotanicals for impaired memory and cognition has been burgeoned in last decades. The inclusion and exclusion criteria for the plant selection were based on reputed herbs recommended for treatment of neurological disorders and their scientific validation to cure neurodegenerative disorders. A range of traditional plants imparts effects via acetylcholinesterase activity, β‐amyloid peptide formation in plaques, neurotrophic factors and through antioxidant activity. On one side preclinical investigations identified promising drug candidates for AD, on the other side, clinical evidences are still pending. Presently, according to WHO, around more than 80% world population relay on natural remedies to cure their health related issues. Plants contain rich source of primary and secondary metabolites for improving health problems. Pharmaceutical industry is facing intriguing challenges like elevated cost and unendurable risk management due to the high burden of neurodegenerative disorders. A significant shift of drug discovery is being witnessed from synthetic moieties to herbal formulation.
Hydrogen sulphide H2S and noble gases (Ng = He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn) complexes: A theoretical study of their dynamics, spectroscopy, and interactions
Authors: de Araujo Oliveira Alan Leone , de Abreu Silva Mônica , Pirani Fernando , de Macedo Luiz Guilherme Machado , Gargano Ricardo
Published: May 2020

In this work, some basic features of the intermolecular bond in gas phase H2S‐Ng complexes (Ng = He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, and Rn) have been investigated in detail, coupling information from scattering experiments with results of quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. Spectroscopic constants, rotovibrational energies, and lifetime as a function of temperature have been evaluated for the complete family of H2S‐Ng systems, and an extensive study of involved intermolecular interactions has been performed. In particular, their nature has been characterized by exploiting Atoms‐In‐Molecules (AIM), Non‐Covalent Interactions (NCI), Symmetry‐Adapted Perturbation Theory (SAPT), and Charge Displacement (CD) methods, and it was found that all complexes are bound essentially by near‐isotropic van der Waals forces, perturbed by weak‐stabilizing charge (electron) transfer contributions. Obtained results also show that these additional contributions increase from He up to Rn, providing an appreciable chemical‐stabilizing effect of the noncovalent intermolecular bond for H2S‐heavier Ng systems.
Cell-based therapy to reduce mortality from COVID-19: Systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies on acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Qu Wenchun , Wang Zhen , Hare Joshua M. , Bu Guojun , Mallea Jorge M. , Pascual Jorge M. , Caplan Arnold I. , Kurtzberg Joanne , Zubair Abba C. , Kubrova Eva , Engelberg-Cook Erica , Nayfeh Tarek , Shah Vishal P. , Hill James C. , Wolf Michael E. , Prokop Larry J. , Murad M. Hassan , Sanfilippo Fred P.
Published: May 2020

Severe cases of COVID-19 infection, often leading to death, have been associated with variants of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Cell therapy with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is a potential treatment for COVID-19 ARDS based on preclinical and clinical studies supporting the concept that MSCs modulate the inflammatory and remodeling processes and restore alveolo-capillary barriers. The authors performed a systematic literature review and random-effects meta-analysis to determine the potential value of MSC therapy for treating COVID-19-infected patients with ARDS. Publications in all languages from 1990 to March 31, 2020 were reviewed, yielding 2691 studies, of which nine were included. MSCs were intravenously or intratracheally administered in 117 participants, who were followed for 14 days to 5 years. All MSCs were allogeneic from bone marrow, umbilical cord, menstrual blood, adipose tissue, or unreported sources. Combined mortality showed a favorable trend but did not reach statistical significance. No related serious adverse events were reported and mild adverse events resolved spontaneously. A trend was found of improved radiographic findings, pulmonary function (lung compliance, tidal volumes, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, alveolo-capillary injury), and inflammatory biomarker levels. No comparisons were made between MSCs of different sources.

Significance statement The potential benefits of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome support the rapid commencement of clinical trials, as well as the compassionate use of MSCs that already have documented safety profiles from FDA-approved studies.
Alexithymia, infertility‐related stress and quality of life in women undergoing an assisted reproductive treatment
Authors: Renzi Alessia , Di Trani Michela , Solano Luigi , Minutolo Elisa , Tambelli Renata
Published: May 2020

The investigation of the association between alexithymia and quality of life in infertility is a relatively neglected area of research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between alexithymia and infertility‐related quality of life in women during Assisted Reproductive Treatment. Data were collected in a clinic in Rome, 93 infertile women completed the 20‐item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS‐20), the Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQoL) questionnaire and a socio‐demographic questionnaire. TAS‐20 total and two factors—Difficulty in Identifying Feelings (DIF) and Difficulty in Describing Feelings (DDF)—showed significant negative correlations with the overall questionnaire and with both Core and Treatment modules of FertiQoL. The regression model explained the 43% variance in FertiQol overall scores (R2 = 0.43; adjusted R2 = .38); a significant effect was reported for the number of previous attempts (beta = 0.20; p < .04), TAS‐20 DIF (beta = −0.47; p < .001) and TAS‐20 Externally Orientated Thinking (EOT) (beta = 0.20; p < .04); after applying Benjamini‐Hochberg correction procedure only TAS‐20 DIF maintained its significance. Alexithymia is associated with a worsened quality of life in infertile women; specifically, low difficulties in identifying feelings were associated to higher quality of life. Further investigations are needed also to develop specific therapeutic interventions aimed to promote emotional abilities in infertile people.
Timing isolation and improved scheduling of deep neural networks for real‐time systems
Authors: Casini Daniel , Biondi Alessandro , Buttazzo Giorgio
Published: June 2020

In recent years, the performance of deep neural networks (DNNs) is significantly improved, making them suitable for many application fields, such as autonomous driving, advanced robotics, and industrial control. Despite a lot of research being devoted to improving the accuracy of DNNs, only limited efforts have been spent to enhance their timing predictability, required in several real‐time applications. This paper proposes a software infrastructure based on the Linux operating system to integrate DNNs within a real‐time multicore system. It has been realized by modifying both the internal scheduler of the popular TensorFlow framework and the SCHED_DEADLINE scheduling class of Linux. The proposed infrastructure allows providing timing isolation of DNN inference tasks, hence improving the determinism of the temporal interference generated by TensorFlow. The proposal is finally evaluated with a case study derived from a state‐of‐the‐art benchmark inspired by an autonomous industrial system. Extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution and show a significant reduction of both average and longest‐observed response times of TensorFlow tasks.