bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Change in eating‐disorder psychopathology network structure in patients with anorexia nervosa treated with intensive cognitive behavior therapy
Authors: Calugi Simona , Dametti Laura , Chimini Mirko , Dalle Grave Anna , Dalle Grave Riccardo
Published: July 2021

Objective

This study was designed to compare the change in eating‐disorder feature networks in patients with anorexia nervosa after treatment with intensive enhanced cognitive behavior therapy (CBT‐E).

Methods

Patients seeking treatment for anorexia nervosa were consecutively recruited from January 2016 to September 2020. All patients aged ≥16 years who completed a 20‐week intensive CBT‐E program (13 weeks of inpatient followed by 7 weeks of day‐hospital treatment) were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI) was measured, and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire completed for each patient, both at baseline and the end of treatment.

Results

The sample comprised 214 patients with anorexia nervosa. Treated patients showed significant improvements in BMI and eating‐disorder psychopathology. Network analysis revealed a significant reduction in the network global and connection strengths at the end of treatment. The most central and highly interconnected nodes in the network at baseline were related to the drive for thinness, but at the end of treatment to body image concerns. Some edge connections were significantly stronger at baseline than at the end of treatment, while others were significantly stronger at the end of treatment than at baseline.

Discussion

CBT‐E reduces the psychopathology network connectivity over time in patients with anorexia nervosa. The differences in central nodes and edge connections between baseline and end of treatment, not detected by classical inferential analysis, may be informative for understanding the centrality of symptoms in the psychopathology network, and how a specific treatment may act to reduce symptoms and change their connections over time.
Establishing conservation units to promote recovery of two threatened freshwater mussel species (Bivalvia: Unionida: Potamilus)
Authors: Smith Chase H. , Johnson Nathan A. , Robertson Clinton R. , Doyle Robert D. , Randklev Charles R.
Published: July 2021

Population genomics has significantly increased our ability to make inferences about microevolutionary processes and demographic histories, which have the potential to improve protection and recovery of imperiled species. Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) represent one of the most imperiled groups of organisms globally. Despite systemic decline of mussel abundance and diversity, studies evaluating spatiotemporal changes in distribution, demographic histories, and ecological factors that threaten long‐term persistence of imperiled species remain lacking. In this study, we use genotype‐by‐sequencing (GBS) and mitochondrial sequence data (mtDNA) to define conservation units (CUs) for two highly imperiled freshwater mussel species, Potamilus amphichaenus and Potamilus streckersoni. We then synthesize our molecular findings with details from field collections spanning from 1901 to 2019 to further elucidate distributional trends, contemporary status, and other factors that may be contributing to population declines for our focal species. We collected GBS and mtDNA data for individuals of P. amphichaenus and P. streckersoni from freshwater mussel collections in the Brazos, Neches, Sabine, and Trinity drainages ranging from 2012 to 2019. Molecular analyses resolved disputing number of genetic clusters within P. amphichaenus and P. streckersoni; however, we find defensible support for four CUs, each corresponding to an independent river basin. Evaluations of historical and recent occurrence data illuminated a generally increasing trend of occurrence in each of the four CUs, which were correlated with recent increases in sampling effort. Taken together, these findings suggest that P. amphichaenus and P. streckersoni are likely rare throughout their respective ranges. Because of this, the establishment of CUs will facilitate evidence‐based recovery planning and ensure potential captive propagation and translocation efforts are beneficial. Our synthesis represents a case study for conservation genomic assessments in freshwater mussels and provides a model for future studies aimed at recovery planning for these highly imperiled organisms.
Closely related parasitic plants have similar host requirements and related effects on hosts
Authors: Matthies Diethart
Published: July 2021

The performance of root hemiparasites depends strongly on host species identity, but it remains unknown whether there exist general patterns in the quality of species as hosts for hemiparasites and in their sensitivity to parasitism. In a comparative approach, the model root hemiparasites Rhinanthus minor and R. alectorolophus were grown with 25 host species (grasses, forbs, and legumes) at two nutrient levels. Hosts grown without parasites served as a control. Host species identity strongly influenced parasite biomass and other traits, and both parasites grew better with legumes and grasses than with forbs. The biomass of R. alectorolophus was much higher than that of R. minor with all host plants and R. alectorolophus responded much more strongly to higher nutrient availability than R. minor. The performance of the two species of Rhinanthus with individual hosts was strongly correlated, and it was also correlated with that of R. alectorolophus and the related Odontites vulgaris in previous experiments with many of the same hosts, but only weakly with that of the less closely related Melampyrum arvense. The negative effect of R. minor on host biomass was less strong than that of R. alectorolophus, but stronger relative to its own biomass, suggesting that it is more parasitic. The impact of the two parasites on individual hosts did not depend on nutrient level and was correlated. Several legumes and grasses were tolerant of parasitism. While R. minor slightly reduced mean overall productivity, R. alectorolophus increased it with several species, indicating that the loss of host biomass was more than compensated by that of the parasite. The results show that closely related parasites have similar host requirements and correlated negative effects on individual hosts, but that there are also specific interactions between pairs of parasitic plants and their hosts.
Upland grassland management influences organo‐mineral soil properties and their hydrological function
Authors: Bond Stephanie , Kirkby Mike J. , Holden Joseph
Published: July 2021

Land‐use change acts as a potential moderator of flood risk, affecting vegetation and soil properties and thus influencing the storage and flow of water across landscapes. This study, conducted in northwest England, investigated physical soil properties and their hydrological function using overland flow and soil moisture sensors, for five upland grassland habitats each created through management action. Overland flow was common, occurring up to 60% of the time with longer durations in grassland excluded from grazing with higher density vegetation. Soil moisture varied significantly between grassland habitats, but there was no clear soil moisture threshold for overland flow. Surface soil properties to 5‐cm depth varied significantly between grassland types, with saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) ranging across several orders of magnitude from 1.3 × 10−3to 1.5 × 102 m day−1. With shallow soils and a medianKsof 2.4 m day−1, saturation‐excess overland flow was determined as the main driver of flood risk. Landscape management was found to be a significant driver of soil physical and hydrological properties in upland grasslands and therefore should be strongly considered as part of flood management.
Bulky and Electron‐Deficient α‐Iminocarboxamidato‐Nickel(II) Complexes: A Study of the Steric and Electronic Effects on Ethylene Activation
Authors: Skarjan Leon , Villegas‐Escobar Nery , Correa Sebastián A. , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Matute Ricardo A. , Rojas René S.
Published: July 2021

Two α‐iminocarboxamidato‐nickel(II) complexes containing ligands with several CF3 groups were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Surprisingly, the prepared complexes were inactive toward ethylene oligo/polymerization reactions upon activation attempts with common lewis acid co‐catalysts such as B(C6F5)3 and BF3. Quantum chemistry calculations were employed to reveal that adduct formation is thermodynamically favored for small Lewis acids such as BF3 due to the sterically demanding ligand environment of the complex, confirming the experimental findings. DFT results associate the lack of polymerization activity with a highly unfavorable steric environment, undesirable London dispersion interactions between the ligands, and a strong electrostatic stabilization caused by the employed ligands. Our findings should help future researchers to identify necessary electronic and steric requirements for the compounds to generate active Ni(II) catalysts for ethylene oligo/polymerization activated by suitable boron Lewis acids.
Lewis‐Acid‐Catalyzed (3+2)‐Cycloadditions of Donor‐Acceptor Cyclopropanes with Thioketenes
Authors: Mlostoń Grzegorz , Kowalczyk Mateusz , Augustin André U. , Jones Peter G. , Werz Daniel B.
Published: July 2021

The reactivity of donor‐acceptor (D‐A) cyclopropanes towards thioketenes was investigated. In a (3+2)‐cycloaddition using Sc(OTf)3 as a Lewis acidic catalyst, the corresponding exocyclic thioenol ethers (2‐methylidene tetrahydrothiophenes) were formed in moderate to good yields. Unsymmetrical thioketenes provided E/Z mixtures at the double bond, with the Z isomer being preferred.
Technoeconomic Analysis of a Fixed Bed System for Single/Two–Stage Chemical Looping Combustion
Authors: Tregambi Claudio , Bareschino Piero , Hanak Dawid P. , Mancusi Erasmo , Pepe Francesco
Published: July 2021

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a promising carbon capture technology allowing integration with high‐efficiency Brayton cycles for energy production and yielding a concentrated CO2 stream without requiring air separation units. Recently, dynamically operated fixed bed reactors have been proposed and investigated for CLC. This study deals with the technoeconomic assessment of a CLC process performed in packed beds. Following a previously published work on the topic, two different configurations are considered: one relying on a single oxygen carrier (Cu/CuO based) and the other on two in–series oxygen carriers (Cu/CuO based first, Ni/NiO based later). For both configurations, relevant process schemes are devised to obtain continuous power generation. Despite slightly larger capital costs, two‐stage CLC performs better in terms of efficiency, levelized cost of electricity, and avoided CO2 costs. Fuel price and high–temperature valves costs are identified as the main variables influencing the economic performance. The use of two in–parallel packed bed reactors (2.0 m length, 0.7 m internal diameter) enables a power output of 386 kWe, a net electric efficiency of 37.2%, a levelized cost of electricity of 91 € MWhe
−1, and avoided CO2 costs of 55 € tonCO2
−1 with respect to a reference pulverized coal power plant.
Comprehensive mechanics‐based virtual model of NHERI@UCSD shake table—Uniaxial configuration and bare table condition
Authors: Ozcelik Ozgur , Conte Joel P. , Luco J. Enrique
Published: July 2021

A mechanics‐based virtual model of the NHERI@UCSD large high‐performance outdoor shake table (LHPOST) in its uniaxial configuration and under bare table condition is presented. The virtual model includes: (i) a reprogrammed version (i.e., virtual replica) of the actual controller, (ii) a servovalve model including servovalve spool dynamics and two independent servovalve flow nonlinearities for each of the four servovalves of the system, (iii) an actuator model for each of the two single‐ended actuators, (iv) two accumulators modeling the average supply pressure drop at the entrance of the servovalves, and (v) a one‐degree‐of‐freedom mechanical subsystem model. Based on forced vibration test results for the foundation block, it was found that the soil‐foundation compliance effects do not need to be included in the virtual model of the LHPOST. The virtual model presented is able to predict accurately the actual shake table platen response under narrow and broadband inputs with the controller gains set to the same values as on the actual shake table. Moreover, the fourth stage spool displacements and actuator driving force from actual tests are reproduced accurately by the virtual model. The mechanics‐based virtual model presented in this article can be coupled with FE models of specimens to be tested on the LHPOST and can be used to improve the signal reproduction fidelity of the LHPOST and to develop more advanced model‐based shake table controllers.
Hydrocarbon gas leakage from high‐pressure system in the Yanan Sag, Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea
Authors: Su Ao , Chen Honghan , Yang Wei , Feng Yue‐xing , Zhao Jian‐xin , Lei Mingzhu
Published: July 2021

Despite high pressure being ubiquitous in the Yanan Sag of the Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea, its potential effect on gas migration‐accumulation remains unclear. In this study, a series of geochemical indicators combined with the origin of high pressure were used to elucidate the cause of gas accumulation failure in the overpressured YC19‐1 structure. Drill‐stem tests, mud weights, and well‐loggings reveal two vertical overpressure systems. Pore pressure in the deep Lingshui and Yacheng formations almost reaches a lithostatic magnitude, which was interpreted as a result of gas generation and disequilibrium compaction triggered by the Pliocene‐Quaternary rapid subsidence. A thermal anomaly above the high‐pressure system was evidenced by high homogenization temperature (Th) of fluid inclusion, abnormally high vitrinite reflectance, and a rapid transformation from kaolinite to illite. The high thermal field likely resulted from a cross‐stratal fluid migration from the deep high‐pressure system. Both methane‐bearing inclusions in sandstones and abnormal Rock‐Eval data of mudstones above the high‐pressure surface suggest an influx of external hydrocarbons. Based on primary aqueous inclusion Th and salinity, carbon and oxygen isotope compositions, and petrographic observations, widespread silica and carbonate cements near the overpressure surface were interpreted to be derived from extraformational materials carried by deep‐seated basinal fluids. Fluid inclusion Th coupled with burial model suggests that the gas leakage took place at circa 1.6 Ma, coinciding well with the stages of both gas generation and overpressure. These observations suggest an upward leakage of gas‐bearing fluids induced by pressure release, thus leading to the existence of only non‐commercial gas‐bearing aquifers in the overpressured YC19‐1 structure.
Dynamic brain connectome and high risk of mental problem in clinical nurses
Authors: Bai Ling , JI Gong‐Jun , Song Yongxia , Sun Jinmei , Wei Junjie , Xue Fang , Zhu Lu , Li Rui , Han Yanfang , Zhang Liu , Yang Jinying , Qiu Bensheng , Wu Guo‐Rong , Zhang Jing , Hong Jingfang , Wang Kai , Zhu Chunyan
Published: July 2021

With the growing population and rapid change in the social environment, nurses in China are suffering from high rates of stress; however, the neural mechanism underlying this occupation related stress is largely unknown. In this study, mental status was determined for 81 nurses and 61 controls using the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL‐90) scale. A subgroup (n = 57) was further scanned by resting‐state functional MRI with two sessions. Based on the SCL‐90 scale, “somatic complaints” and “diet/sleeping” exhibited the most prominent difference between nurses and controls. This mental health change in nurses was further supported by the spatial independent component analysis on functional MRI data. First, dynamic functional connectome analysis identified two discrete connectivity configurations (States I and II). Controls had more time in the State I than II, while the nurses had more time in the State II than I. Second, nurses showed a similar static network topology as controls, but altered dynamic properties. Third, the symptom‐imaging correlation analysis suggested the functional alterations in nurses as potential imaging biomarkers indicating a high risk for “diet/sleeping” problems. In summary, this study emphasized the high risk of mental deficits in nurses and explored the underlying neural mechanism using dynamic brain connectome, which provided valuable information for future psychological intervention.
Distributional consequences of including survivor costs in economic evaluations
Authors: Kellerborg Klas , Brouwer Werner , Versteegh Matthijs , Wouterse Bram , van Baal Pieter
Published: July 2021

Medical interventions that increase life expectancy of patients result in additional consumption of non‐medical goods and services in ‘added life years’. This paper focuses on the distributional consequences across socio‐economic groups of including these costs in cost effectiveness analysis. In that context, it also highlights the role of remaining quality of life and household economies of scale. Data from a Dutch household spending survey was used to estimate non‐medical consumption and household size by age and educational attainment. Estimates of non‐medical consumption and household size were combined with life tables to estimate what the impact of including non‐medical survivor costs would be on the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of preventing a death at a certain age. Results show that including non‐medical survivor costs increases estimated ICERs most strongly when interventions are targeted at the higher educated. Adjusting for household size (lower educated people less often live additional life years in multi‐person households) and quality of life (lower educated people on average spend added life years in poorer health) mitigates this difference. Ignoring costs of non‐medical consumption in economic evaluations implicitly favors interventions targeted at the higher educated and thus potentially amplifies socio‐economic inequalities in health.
Extracapsular extension, pathologic node status, and adjuvant treatment in primary surgery patients with human papillomavirus‐mediated oropharyngeal cancer: National hospital‐based retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Day Andrew T. , Yang Alex M. , Tanamal Priscilla , Blackwell James‐Michael , Wang Ellen , Sumer Baran D. , Bishop Justin A. , Hughes Randall S. , Khan Saad A. , Sher David J.
Published: July 2021

Background

The significance of extracapsular extension (ECE) and adjuvant treatment paradigm in patients with surgically managed human papillomavirus‐positive (HPV+) oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is debated.

Methods

National, hospital‐based, retrospective cohort study of 2663 patients pN+ HPV+ OPC who underwent primary surgery.

Results

Patients with ECE had a 1.74‐times risk of death (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26–2.40, p = 0.001) compared to patients without ECE. Among patients with pN1, ECE‐positive disease, risk of overall mortality was similar across treatment paradigms (surgery alone: ref; adjuvant radiation therapy [RT]: aHR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.36–1.85; p = 0.62; adjuvant CRT: aHR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.34–1.32; p = 0.24). Patients with pN2 ECE‐positive disease treated with adjuvant RT alone exhibited similar risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.24–4.47, p = 0.96) compared to adjuvant chemoradiation (CRT). In patients with advanced, ECE‐positive disease (e.g., pT3‐T4pN2), adjuvant CRT did not reduce the risk of overall mortality relative to adjuvant RT.

Conclusion

Although pathologic ECE negatively predicts for survival in patients with HPV+ OPC, our analyses support expansion of postoperative de‐intensification clinical trial eligibility criteria in patients with ECE‐positive disease.
Implication of immune cell signature of tumor microenvironment in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Yu Hao , Fu Di , Xu Peng‐Peng , Cheng Shu , Wang Li , Zhang Yun‐Zeng , Zhao Wei‐Li
Published: July 2021

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a genetically heterogeneous disease with complex tumor microenvironment (TME) alterations. However, immune cell signatures of TME and their prognostic value remain unclear in DLBCL. We aimed to identify high‐risk DLBCL with specific immune cell signatures in TME. Clinical and gene expression data of DLBCL patients were obtained from previously reported retrospective datasets in Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE108466 and GSE5378616) and a multi‐center prospective clinical trial NHL001 (NCT01852435). Patients treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) regimen (n = 159) from GSE10846 were referred as training cohort for CHOP regimen, while patients treated with rituximab‐CHOP (R‐CHOP) regimen (n = 192) from GSE10846 as training cohort for R‐CHOP regimen. Patients from NHL001 (n = 68) and GSE53786 (n = 57) were referred as validation cohorts for R‐CHOP regimen. CIBERSORT was applied to estimate the relative proportions of 22 subtype of immune cells. We established a prognostic model for model for R‐CHOP regimen included Age, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase, T cells follicular helper and macrophages M0, defining a low‐risk group with 2‐years OS of 92.9% and a high‐risk group with 2‐years OS of 52.5% (HR 6.57 [3.27–13.18], p < 0.0001). Immune cell signatures could be used as prognostic markers and provided further insights for individualized immunotherapeutic strategies in DLBCL.
Spatial modeling framework for aquatic exposure assessments of chemicals disposed down the drain: Case studies for China and Japan
Authors: McDonough Kathleen , Csiszar Susan A. , Fan Ming , Kapo Katherine , Menzies Jennifer , Vamshi Raghu
Published: July 2021

A modeling framework was created for the development of spatially explicit aquatic exposure models for any region or country of interest for chemicals disposed of down the drain. The framework relies on globally available data sets for river flow and population, and locally available data sets for wastewater treatment infrastructure and domestic water use, and leverages the iSTREEM® chemical routing algorithm. The framework was applied to China and Japan as case study countries. Spatially explicit population data were obtained from WorldPop. River flows covering the spatial extent of the two countries were derived from a high-resolution surface runoff gridded data set that was based on the Curve Number approach and combined with the hydrology network for catchments and rivers from HydroBASINS and HydroSHEDS data sets. Publicly available data from government sources were used for estimating per capita water use and wastewater treatment infrastructure. To demonstrate the framework, the China model was used to predict the levels of the antifungal agent climbazole in rivers across the country, and the Japan model was used to predict river concentrations of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate. For both chemicals, the comparison of measured to modeled values showed good agreement, using linear regression analysis (R2 ≥ 0.96). The framework presented in this study provides a systematic and robust approach to develop spatially resolved exposure models that can be extrapolated to any country or region, allowing more accurate risk assessment of chemicals disposed down the drain by leveraging concentration distributions generated by the model. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:722–733. © 2021 SETAC

KEY POINTS

Modeling framework created for the development of spatially explicit aquatic exposure models for any region or country of interest for chemicals disposed of down the drain. Framework relies on the use of a high-resolution global flow dataset developed as part of this research. Framework also relies on globally available datasets for population and locally available datasets for wastewater treatment infrastructure and domestic water use. Model framework was successfully applied to two case study countries, China and Japan, which differ significantly in population density, river flow (due to climate and geography), and wastewater treatment infrastructure.
Early detection of duodenal cancer by upper gastrointestinal‐endoscopy in Lynch syndrome
Authors: Vangala Deepak B. , Ladigan‐Badura Swetlana , Engel Christoph , Hüneburg Robert , Perne Claudia , Bucksch Karolin , Nattermann Jacob , Steinke‐Lange Verena , Rahner Nils , Weitz Jürgen , Kloor Matthias , Tomann Judith , Canbay Ali , Nguyen Huu‐Phuc , Strassburg Christian , Möslein Gabriele , Morak Monika , Holinski‐Feder Elke , Büttner Reinhard , Aretz Stefan , Löffler Markus , Schmiegel Wolff , Pox Christian , Schulmann Karsten ,   German Consortium for Familial Intestinal Cancer
Published: July 2021

Small bowel cancer (SBC) is the malignancy with the highest standardized incidence ratio in Lynch syndrome (LS) patients. Of all SBCs, about 50% are duodenal cancers (DCs), therefore being accessible by esophago‐gastro‐duodenoscopy (EGD) for surveillance. We asked whether early detection of DC is possible for LS patients undergoing surveillance by EGD and if surveillance should be limited to specific subgroups. Data for LS patients with DC were retrieved from the registry of the German Consortium for Familial Intestinal Cancer. Patients undergoing active surveillance by EGDs (surveillance group) were compared to those who did not (nonsurveillance group) regarding tumor stage at diagnosis. Union for International Cancer Control stages I‐IIA were defined as early stage disease and IIB‐IV as advanced stage disease. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. Among 2015 patients with pathogenic variants in any mismatch‐repair‐gene, 47 patients with 49 DCs were identified. In 10% of cases, patients were under 35 years at diagnosis; family and personal tumor history did not correlate with DC diagnosis. Pathogenic germline variants in MSH6, PMS2 or EPCAM were present in 10% of patients. Statistical analysis could be performed on 13 DC patients in the surveillance group and 14 in the nonsurveillance group. Early detection was possible for 71% of patients in the surveillance group and 29% of patients in the nonsurveillance group (P = .021). Early detection of DC by EGD in LS patients is feasible regardless of family history, mutational status and should start no later than 25 years of age.
Definitive evidence for Club cells as progenitors for mutant Kras/Trp53‐deficient lung cancer
Authors: Rosigkeit Sebastian , Kruchem Marie , Thies Dorothe , Kreft Andreas , Eichler Emma , Boegel Sebastian , Jansky Sandrine , Siegl Dominik , Kaps Leonard , Pickert Geethanjali , Haehnel Patricia , Kindler Thomas , Hartwig Udo F. , Guerra Carmen , Barbacid Mariano , Schuppan Detlef , Bockamp Ernesto
Published: July 2021

Accumulating evidence suggests that both the nature of oncogenic lesions and the cell‐of‐origin can strongly influence cancer histopathology, tumor aggressiveness and response to therapy. Although oncogenic Kras expression and loss of Trp53 tumor suppressor gene function have been demonstrated to initiate murine lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs) in alveolar type II (AT2) cells, clear evidence that Club cells, representing the second major subset of lung epithelial cells, can also act as cells‐of‐origin for LUAD is lacking. Equally, the exact anatomic location of Club cells that are susceptible to Kras transformation and the resulting tumor histotype remains to be established. Here, we provide definitive evidence for Club cells as progenitors for LUAD. Using in vivo lineage tracing, we find that a subset of Kras12V‐expressing and Trp53‐deficient Club cells act as precursors for LUAD and we define the stepwise trajectory of Club cell‐initiated tumors leading to lineage marker conversion and aggressive LUAD. Our results establish Club cells as cells‐of‐origin for LUAD and demonstrate that Club cell‐initiated tumors have the potential to develop aggressive LUAD.
Reducing risk for gestational diabetes among American Indian and Alaska Native teenagers: Tribal leaders' recommendations
Authors: Moore Kelly R. , Stotz Sarah , Abujaradeh Hiba , Marshall Gale , Terry Martha A. , Charron‐Prochownik Denise ,   for the Stopping GDM Study Group
Published: July 2021

Objective

To elicit feedback from tribal leaders and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) health system administrators as a national stakeholder perspective to inform the development of a gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk reduction and preconception counseling intervention for AI/AN teenagers at high risk for GDM.

Methods

A semi‐structured focus group interview guide was developed by both principal investigators and qualitative methods experts. Using open‐ended questions about the Reproductive‐health Education and Awareness of Diabetes in Youth for Girls (READY‐Girls) booklet and video clips, AI/AN health care system administrators and elected tribal leaders attending the 2015 National Indian Health Board Conference in Washington, DC, made recommendations on adaptation for an AI/AN audience. The focus group was recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by two researchers using an inductive coding technique with constant comparison method as supported by the grounded theory approach.

Results

Recommendations from the 12 participants included: (1) the best ways to communicate with AI/AN teenagers, (2) the importance of parental, family, and community education and engagement to support AI/AN teenagers in GDM risk reduction, and (3) building on traditional AI/AN cultural values and practices, while accommodating differences between tribes and regions.

Conclusion

Findings from this focus group were used to inform the iterative development of a GDM risk reduction and preconception counseling intervention for AI/AN teenagers.
Nonlocal convolutional block attention module VNet for gliomas automatic segmentation
Authors: Fang Ying , Huang He , Yang Weiji , Xu Xiaomei , Jiang Weiwei , Lai Xiaobo
Published: July 2021

Glioma is the most common primary tumor in the skull, but it has no obvious boundary with normal brain tissue and is difficult to completely remove. Currently, manual segmentation of the lesion regions has been widely used in the clinical practice of magnetic resonance (MR) images of gliomas, but the implementation process has disadvantages such as time‐consuming and poor repeatability. It is because of the shortcomings of traditional segmentation methods that we must seek other efficient technical means, which promote the development of automatic image segmentation technology. In this study, we propose a glioma automatic segmentation method called NLCA‐VNet. The framework is based on VNet, adding nonlocal and convolutional block attention modules, which can maintain more information, and can carry out attention in the channel and spatial dimensions, so that improve the segmentation effect. We employ the extended glioma MR image data set by the Brain Tumor Segmentation Challenge database (BraTS 2020, 2019, 2018), and finally obtained the effect image after tumor segmentation and achieved average Dice scores of 0.6702, 0.876, 0.7687, sensitivity of 0.7494, 0.9209, 0.7702, specificity of 0.0.9994, 0.9985, 0.9995, and Hausdorff95 of 50.8613, 9.3667, 12.4573 for enhancing tumor core, whole tumor, and tumor core in BraTS 2020, respectively. The results fully show that our method can fully adapt to the segmentation of glioma. To a certain extent, it improves the efficiency and accuracy of the doctor's diagnosis, which is of great significance to the scientific research and clinical aspects of glioma.
Dephosphorylation of annexin A2 by protein phosphatase 1 regulates endothelial cell barrier
Authors: Király Nikolett , Thalwieser Zsófia , Fonódi Márton , Csortos Csilla , Boratkó Anita
Published: July 2021

Annexin A2 (ANXA2) is a multifunctional protein expressed in nearly all human tissues and cell types, playing a role in various signaling pathways. It is subjected to phosphorylation, but no specific protein phosphatase has been identified in its posttranslational regulation yet. Using pull‐down assay followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis we found that ANXA2 interacts with TIMAP (TGF‐beta‐inhibited membrane‐associated protein) in pulmonary artery endothelial cells. TIMAP is highly expressed in endothelial cells, where it acts as a regulatory and targeting subunit of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). TIMAP plays an important role in the regulation of the endothelial barrier maintenance through the dephosphorylation of its several substrate proteins. In the present work, phosphorylation of Ser25 side chain in ANXA2 by protein kinase C (PKC) was shown both in vivo and in vitro. Phosphorylation level of ANXA2 at Ser25 increased greatly by inhibition of PP1 and by depletion of its regulatory subunit, TIMAP, implying a role of this PP1 holoenzyme in the dephosphorylation of ANXA2. Immunofluorescence staining and subcellular fractionations revealed a diffuse subcellular localization for the endogenous ANXA2, but phospho‐Ser25 ANXA2 was mainly detected in the membrane. ANXA2 depletion lowered the basal endothelial barrier and inhibited cell migration, but had no significant effect on cell proliferation or viability. ANXA2 depleted cells failed to respond to PMA treatment, indicating an intimately involvement of phospho‐ANXA2 in PKC signaling. Moreover, phosphorylation of ANXA2 disrupted its interaction with S100A10 suggesting a phosphorylation dependent multiple regulatory role of ANXA2 in endothelial cells. Our results demonstrate the pivotal role of PKC‐ANXA2‐PP1 pathway in endothelial cell signaling, especially in barrier function and cell migration.
Near‐infrared emissive polymer‐coated IR‐820 nanoparticles assisted photothermal therapy for cervical cancer cells
Authors: Zhu Lijun , Chen Jianjun , Yan Ting , Alimu Gulinigaer , Zhang Xueliang , Chen Shuang , Aimaiti Mutalifu , Ma Rong , Alifu Nuernisha
Published: July 2021

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted wide attention due to its noninvasiveness and its thermal ablation ability. As photothermal agents are crucial factor in PTT, those with the characteristics of biocompatibility, non‐toxicity and high photothermal stability have attracted great interest. In this work, new indocyanine green (IR‐820) was utilized as a photothermal agent and near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging nanoprobe. To improve the biocompatibility, poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) (PSMA) was utilized to encapsulate the IR‐820 molecules to form novel IR‐820@PSMA nanoparticles (NPs). Then, the optical and thermal properties of IR‐820@PSMA NPs were studied in detail. The IR‐820@PSMA NPs showed excellent photothermal stability and biocompatibility. The cellular uptaking ability of the IR‐820@PSMA NPs was further confirmed in HeLa cells by the NIR fluorescent confocal microscopic imaging technique. The IR‐820@PSMA NPs assisted PTT of living HeLa cells was conducted under 793 nm laser excitation, and a high PTT efficiency of 73.3% was obtained.
Chitosan/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite scaffolds to modulate osteogenic and inflammatory response
Authors: Soriente Alessandra , Fasolino Ines , Gomez‐Sánchez Alejandro , Prokhorov Evgen , Buonocore Giovanna Giuliana , Luna‐Barcenas Gabriel , Ambrosio Luigi , Raucci Maria Grazia
Published: July 2021

Considerable attention has been given to the use of chitosan (CS)‐based materials reinforced with inorganic bioactive signals such as hydroxyapatite (HA) to treat bone defects and tissue loss. It is well known that CS/HA based materials possess minimal foreign body reactions, good biocompatibility, controlled biodegradability and antibacterial property. Herein, the bioactivity of these composite systems was analyzed on in vitro bone cell models for their applications in the field of bone tissue engineering (BTE). The combination of sol–gel approach and freeze‐drying technology was used to obtain CS/HA scaffolds with three‐dimensional (3D) porous structure suitable for cell in‐growth. Specifically, our aim was to investigate the influence of bioactive composite scaffolds on cellular behavior in terms of osteoinductivity and anti‐inflammatory effects for treating bone defects. The results obtained have demonstrated that by increasing inorganic component concentration, CS/HA (60 and 70% v/v) scaffolds induced a good biological response in terms of osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) towards osteoblast phenotype. Furthermore, the scaffolds with higher concentration of inorganic fillers are able to modulate the production of pro‐inflammatory (TGF‐β) and anti‐inflammatory (IL‐4, IL‐10) cytokines. Our results highlight the possibility of achieving smart CS/HA based composites able to promote a great osteogenic differentiation of hMSC by increasing the amount of HA nanoparticles used as bioactive inorganic signal. Contemporarily, these materials allow avoiding the induction of a pro‐inflammatory response in bone implant site.
Pooled analysis of LAMP assay for the diagnosis of norovirus infection
Authors: Qian Xi‐Feng , Duan Ai‐Ling , Huang Rong‐Xian , Li Nan‐Xi , Li Ya‐Ping , Guo Xu‐Guang
Published: July 2021

Background

Rapid laboratory detection is essential to diagnose norovirus infection. LAMP has many advantages compared with RT‐PCR for detecting norovirus, including high sensitivity, high specificity, rapidity, low cost, and intuitive results, which can be easily read with the naked eye with the help of color‐based reporters. In this study, we intend to analyze the accuracy of LAMP methods for the diagnosis of norovirus infection.

Methods

Two researchers independently retrieved relevant literature up to January 2021 (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wan Fang, and VIP). The researchers screened all articles and extracted their research data for meta‐analysis. QUADAS‐2 tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies by Review Manager 5.3. Forest plots were performed by Meta‐DiSc 1.4 to evaluate the accuracy of the test. Deeks’ funnel plot symmetry tests were conducted by Stata 15.0 to check the potential publication bias.

Results

Eleven sets of data extracted from the eight included studies were included for meta‐analysis. For the detection of norovirus, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive LR, negative LR, diagnostic OR, and their 95% CI were 0.96 (0.95–0.97), 0.99 (0.99–1.00), 91.14 (31.88–260.56), 0.06 (0.04–0.09), and 1473.68 (562.96–3857.70), respectively. Besides, AUC in the SROC curve was 0.9920.

Conclusion

LAMP had high sensitivity and specificity in terms of the diagnosis of norovirus infection. However, further extension of this approach should be researched to ensure the accuracy and practicability of this hopeful test in the future.
CircRNAs as promising biomarker in diagnosis of breast cancer: An updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Chu Mingyu , Fang Yaqun , Jin Yucui
Published: July 2021

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified to be involved in onset and progression of multiple malignant tumors. The present study aimed to systematically evaluate the diagnostic values of circRNAs in breast cancer.

Methods

The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang online databases were searched for the relevant studies before December 31, 2020. Statistical analysis of the diagnostic tests was performed based on STATA 16.0, Meta‐DiSc 1.4, and RevMan 5.3 software. The threshold effect and publication bias were measured by the Spearman correlation and Deeks’ funnel plot asymmetry test, respectively.

Results

Twenty‐one studies from 13 articles were included in this meta‐analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.77 and 0.71, respectively. The pooled positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and overall diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were 2.6, 0.33, and 8, respectively. Furthermore, the area under the summary receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.80. In addition, down‐regulated circRNAs achieved a diagnostic performance higher than up‐regulated circRNAs, with area under curve (AUC) values of 0.81 and 0.74, respectively. Studies based on tissue samples presented better diagnostic accuracy than those based on plasma samples, with AUC values of 0.80 and 0.67. In addition, two circRNAs, including circ_0001073 and circTADA2A‐E5/E6, showed higher diagnostic values, with AUC value of 0.990 and 0.937, respectively. According to the results of meta‐regression, the case size (p<0.05) might be the source of the heterogeneity.

Conclusion

CircRNAs exhibited a high diagnostic value for breast cancer and may function as potential diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer.
Characterization of anatomical foliar epidermal features of herbaceous flora of Tilla Jogian, Pakistan by using light microscopy techniques
Authors: Shahzad Kanwal , Zafar Muhammad , Khan Amir Muhammad , Mahmood Tariq , Abbas Qamar , Ozdemir Fethi Ahmet , Ahmad Mushtaq , Sultana Shazia
Published: July 2021

In current study, 22 herbaceous plant specimens have been examined with the help of light microscope to carry out leaf epidermal anatomy. Foliar micro‐morphology of herbaceous plants from Tilla Jogian, Jhelum Pakistan was held first time. The plants were collected from different parts of Tilla Jogian at different elevations. The main objective of the study is to use this information as an aid in plant taxonomy. Significant variations were observed in both qualitative and quantitative features. With the help of microscopy significant variations in characters like stomata size, number, epidermal cell size, shape and number, guard cell size, trichomes, and subsidiary cells were recorded. On the basis of these findings, light microscopy of leaf epidermal anatomical features holds great interest for taxonomists to identify complete taxa. Foliar epidermal anatomy of herbaceous flora serves as baseline data along with taxonomical data and can be helpful in demarcation and limitation of nearly associated taxa to gain better use of anatomical characters.
Ultrastructural and pathogenicity of Brevibacillus laterosporus against sinantropic muscoid dipterans
Authors: de Andrade Pereira Lorrane , de Carvalho Queiroz Margareth Maria , Faria Suzana Côrte‐Real , Zahner Viviane
Published: July 2021

Brevibacillus laterosporus has entomopathogenic potential against several orders of insects and its wide bioactivity is associated with a variety of strain‐specific molecules. In order to avoid the use of synthetic insecticides, along with the need to control insect pests, microbial control has been widely used. Muscoid dipterans are known for their medical‐veterinary and sanitary importance, and synanthropy. The enormous biotechnological potential of B. laterosporus has been demonstrated, but there are still few studies with muscoid dipterans. The aim of the study was to verify the mortality of B. laterosporus NRS590 on synanthropic flies and to characterize its different cell stages ultrastructurally. The flies were collected from garbage bins and the colonies were adapted to the laboratory conditions. Bioassays with neo larvae were carried out from the bacterial growth in the phases: vegetative (6 hr), sporangium (20 hr), and free spores (44 hr). An aliquot of each phase was collected for Transmission (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The effectiveness of NRS590 was observed in the sporulation phase, where the corrected mortality was 83.3, 85.1, and 99% for Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya putoria, and Musca domestica, respectively. The parasporal body was observed in detail on the entire spore surface. Although our knowledge of this bacterium is growing, it remains to be determined the real virulence factors responsible for the wide entomopathogenic activity observed on muscoid dipterans. Therefore, this study can provide subsidies for the improvement of efficient and safe microbial control techniques for the environment and living beings.
Simulation of the electron ionization mass spectra of the Novichok nerve agent
Authors: Chernicharo Francisco C. S. , Modesto‐Costa Lucas , Borges Itamar
Published: July 2021

Novichok is one of the most feared and controversial nerve agents, which existence was confirmed only after the Salisbury attack in 2018. A new attack on August 2020, in Russia, was confirmed. After the 2018 attack, the agent was included in the list of the most dangerous chemicals of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). However, information related to its electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI/MS), essential for unambiguous identification, is scarce. Therefore, investigations about Novichok EI/MS are urgent. In this work, we employed Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics through the Quantum Chemistry Electron Ionization Mass Spectrometry (QCEIMS) method to simulate and rationalize the EI/MS spectra and fragmentation pathways of 32 Novichok molecules recently incorporated into the CWC. The comparison of additional simulations with the measured EI spectrum of another Novichok analog is very favorable. A general scheme of the fragmentation pathways derived from simulation results was presented. The present results will be useful for elucidation and prediction of the EI spectra and fragmentation pathways of the dangerous Novichok nerve agent.
Evaluation of a SARS‐CoV‐2 antigen‐detecting rapid diagnostic test as a self‐test: Diagnostic performance and usability
Authors: Cassuto Nino Guy , Gravier Anne , Colin Mathilda , Theillay Aurelie , Pires‐Roteira Daniela , Pallay Sandra , Serreau Raphael , Hocqueloux Laurent , Prazuck Thierry
Published: July 2021

To control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) epidemics, it is necessary to have easy‐to‐use, reliable diagnostic tests available. The nasopharyngeal sampling method being often uncomfortable, nasal sampling could prove to be a viable alternative to the reference sampling method. We performed a multicentre, prospective validation study of the COVID‐VIRO® test, using a nasal swab sampling method, in a point‐of‐care setting. In addition, we performed a multicentre, prospective, and usability study to validate the use of the rapid antigen nasal diagnostic test by laypersons. In March 2021, 239 asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were included in the validation study. Compared with reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal samples, the sensitivity and specificity of the COVID‐VIRO® Antigen test combined with a nasal sampling method were evaluated as 96.88% and 100%, respectively. A total of 101 individuals were included in the usability study. Among these, 99% of the participants rated the instructions material as good, 98% of the subjects executed the test procedure well, and 98% of the participants were able to correctly interpret the test results. This study validates the relevance of COVID‐VIRO® as a diagnostic tool from nasal specimens as well as its usability in the general population. COVID‐VIRO® diagnostic performances and ease of use make it suitable for widespread utilization.