bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using ecological trajectories to track long‐term taxonomic and functional changes in benthic shallow soft‐bottom communities (Bay of Saint‐Brieuc, English Channel)
Authors: Sturbois Anthony , Cormy Gaëtan , Le Moal Alexandre , Schaal Gauthier , Broudin Caroline , Thiébaut Eric , Ponsero Alain , Le Mao Patrick , Jones Auriane , Riera Pascal , Gauthier Olivier , Desroy Nicolas
Published: September 2021

Taxonomic and functional trajectories of benthic assemblages were studied in shallow soft‐bottom sediments in the bay of Saint‐Brieuc (Western English Channel). Changes were assessed at different spatial and temporal scales using a macrobenthic dataset based on 38 stations sampled in 1987 and 2019, coupled with data from one station sampled annually between 2005 and 2019 as part of the European Water Framework Directive monitoring programme.

Taxonomic trajectories indicated 1) changes in the structure and distribution of benthic assemblages, 2) an homogenization of the assemblages, and 3) significant functional shifts.

Fishing activities and nutrient enrichment are probably strong drivers of the observed changes, as suggested by the higher mortality rate of fragile, flexible, tubiculous and burrowing species, and the increase in the abundance of opportunistic species in the assemblages. Certain populations of macroinvertebrates seem jointly controlled by climate change and by the aforementioned local factors of disturbance.

The Community Trajectory Analysis framework appears as a new and interesting method to track ecological changes in marine ecosystems by measuring change with respect to a baseline state, to help define ecological recovery (station returning to the initial ecological state) and departure (station presenting increased changes over time), and to analyse trajectory similarity.

According to the degradation of habitat over time, we identify the need for the implementation of knowledge‐based conservation strategies, especially within Natura 2000 sites.
Definition and Validation of the American College of Rheumatology 2021 Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score Cutoffs for Disease Activity States in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Trincianti Chiara , Van Dijkhuizen Evert Hendrik Pieter , Alongi Alessandra , Mazzoni Marta , Swart Joost F. , Nikishina Irina , Lahdenne Pekka , Rutkowska‐Sak Lidia , Avcin Tadej , Quartier Pierre , Panaviene Violeta , Uziel Yosef , Pruunsild Chris , Vargova Veronika , Vilaiyuk Soamarat , Dolezalova Pavla , Ringold Sarah , Garrone Marco , Ruperto Nicolino , Ravelli Angelo , Consolaro Alessandro ,   for the Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation
Published: September 2021

Objective

To develop and validate new Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 10 (JADAS10) and clinical JADAS10 (cJADAS10) cutoffs to separate the states of inactive disease (ID), minimal disease activity (MiDA), moderate disease activity (MoDA), and high disease activity (HDA) in children with oligoarthritis and with rheumatoid factor–negative polyarthritis, based on subjective disease assessment by the treating pediatric rheumatologist.

Methods

The cutoffs definition cohort was composed of 1,936 patients included in the multinational Epidemiology, Treatment and Outcome of Childhood Arthritis (EPOCA) study. Using the subjective physician rating as an external criterion, 4 methods were applied to identify the cutoffs: mapping, Youden index, 90% specificity, and maximum agreement. The validation cohort included 4,014 EPOCA patients, patients from 2 randomized trials, and 88 patients from the PharmaChild registry. Cutoff validation was conducted by assessing discriminative and predictive ability.

Results

The JADAS10 cutoffs were 1.4, 4, and 13, respectively, for oligoarthritis and 2.7, 6, and 17, respectively, for polyarthritis. The cJADAS10 cutoffs were 1.1, 4, and 12, respectively, for oligoarthritis and 2.5, 5, and 16, respectively, for polyarthritis. The cutoffs discriminated strongly among different levels of pain and morning stiffness, between patients who were and those who were not prescribed a new medication, and between different levels of improvement in clinical trials. Achievement of ID and MiDA according to the new JADAS cutoffs at least twice in the first year of disease predicted better outcome at 2 years.

Conclusion

The 2021 JADAS and cJADAS cutoffs revealed good metrologic properties in both definition and validation samples, and are therefore suitable for use in clinical trials and routine practice.
Resveratrol‐β‐Lactoglobulin Composite Nanocoating by Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly with Fe(III)‐Tannic Acid Complex
Authors: Cho Yeon Seo , Kim Seulbi , Kim Young‐Kwan , Jin Sung Giu , Park Ji Hun
Published: September 2021

Resveratrol (3,4’,5‐trihydroxystilbene) is beneficial to human health due to its diverse biological activities including its anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative effects as confirmed by pharmacokinetic tests. Despite these clinical merits, resveratrol's limited hydrosolubility and chemical vulnerability remain challenging with regard to developing a controlled delivery system with enhanced bioavailability. In this work, we report a resveratrol‐β‐lactoglobulin (R‐BLG) composite nanocoating through a layer‐by‐layer assembly with Fe(III)‐tannic acid nanofilms. The R‐BLG composite nanocoating can be formed in planar and particulate substrates, showing excellent film stability under a broad range of pH values and against enzymatic digestion during a weeklong incubation. We envision that the proteinaceous nanocoating herein could be combined with existing pharmaceutical carrier materials (e. g., microcapsules and nanoparticles) to realize advanced drug delivery systems with an expanded repertoire of hydrophobic drugs.
Prodigiosin production from Serratia marcescens strain CSK and their antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic effect and in silico study of caspase‐3 apoptotic protein
Authors: Sudhakar C. , Shobana C. , Selvankumar T. , Selvam K.
Published: September 2021

The present study emphasizes the production and optimization of prodigiosin (PG) pigment from Serratia marcescens strain CSK, which was isolated from Shevaroy Hills, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. The response surface methodology analysis was applied for the optimization process of PG production. The maximum production of PG (2950 mg/L) was obtained at pH 7.0 with the addition of tryptophan (4.0 g/L) and sucrose (3.0 g/L) with 60 h of incubation. Further, the PG was characterized using high‐performance liquid chromatography, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The purified PG exhibited strong antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Also, PG's cytotoxic effects against human breast cancer (MCF‐7) cells were observed through acridine orange‐ethidium bromide (AO‐EB) and Hoechst staining. Molecular dockingstudies revealed that PG could bind positively to the caspase‐3 (breast cancer protein 1RE1) binding site with a binding energy score of 17.37 kcal/mol. Overall, the novel PG was found to be an anticancer drug for potential applications in the pharmaceutical industry.
Increased body mass index is associated with operative difficulty during robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Shapiro Daniel D. , Davis John W. , Williams Wendell H. , Chapin Brian F. , Ward John F. , Pettaway Curtis A. , Gregg Justin R.
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study aimed to identify factors associated with surgeon perception of robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) difficulty.

Patients and Methods

This study surveyed surgeons performing RARP between 2017 and 2018 and asked them to rate operative conditions and difficulty as optimal, good, acceptable, or poor. These answers were stratified as optimal or suboptimal for this study. Associations between surgeon responses and variables hypothesized to affect surgical difficulty, including anatomic factors such as pelvic diameter and prostate volume:pelvic diameter ratio, were assessed.

Results

Between November 2017 and September 2018, a total of 100 patients were prospectively enrolled in the study of which 58 cases were rated as optimal and 42 were rated as suboptimal. Of the evaluated variables, only increasing clinical T stage (odds ratio [OR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–2.15, p = 0.03) and increasing body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.26, p = 0.01) were associated with increased difficulty; 90‐day complication rates were similar between the optimal and suboptimal cohorts (17.3% vs. 23.8%, respectively; p = 0.5). The number of patients with previous surgery, pelvic diameter, and prostate size:pelvic diameter ratio were not significantly different between cohorts (p > 0.05 for all). Operative time (ρ = 0.23, p = 0.02) and estimated blood loss (EBL) (ρ = 0.38, p = 0.0001) were correlated with suboptimal difficulty.

Conclusion

The factors associated with surgeon‐reported RARP difficulty were patient BMI and clinical T stage among surgeons with significant RARP experience. These data should be incorporated into surgical decision making and patient counseling prior to performing a RARP.
Evaluation of prognostic factors in patients with Bell's palsy
Authors: Kafle Dilli Ram , Thakur Sanjeev Kumar
Published: September 2021

Background

Bell's palsy is a common neurological problem that leads to peripheral palsy of the facial nerve. Most patients have a favorable response with or without treatment while some are left with significant facial deformity. Identification of factors which influence the outcome in patients with Bell's palsy may help clinicians counsel better.

Methods

A prospective cross‐sectional study was carried out in the Department of Neurology Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar, between February 2020 and February 2021 after obtaining ethical clearance from the institutional review committee. Patients were assessed at the time of presentation to hospital and followed up at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the onset of illness to evaluate for recovery.

Results

Sixty‐two (61.4%) of 101 patients had a favorable outcome at the follow up on the third month, achieving H‐B grade 2 or lower, while 33 (32.7%) had moderate dysfunction and 6 (5.9%) had severe dysfunction. The following factors were associated with favorable outcome: younger age of onset (p < .001), lower initial H‐B grade of III or IV (p = .001), lesser degree of amplitude reduction on affected side as compared to unaffected side (p = .001) and absence of hypertension and diabetes. The following factors did not influence outcome at three months: duration of Bell's palsy (p = 0.142), side of face affected, and gender (p = .09).

Conclusions

Most of the patients with Bell's palsy have favorable outcomes. Age, hypertension, initial H‐B grade, and extent of facial nerve degeneration as recorded by nerve conduction studies are important predictors of outcome.
Circular economy‐based new products and company performance: The role of stakeholders and Industry 4.0 technologies
Authors: Pinheiro Marco Antonio Paula , Jugend Daniel , Lopes de Sousa Jabbour Ana Beatriz , Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel Jose , Latan Hengky
Published: September 2021

While the circular economy (CE) attracts attention from scholars and practitioners, the concept has been challenged by claims that the CE may be seen as a vague concept, or a new label for old green management practices. We propose a new approach to study the effects of the CE on company performance: circular product design (CPD). Consequently, this work investigates how Industry 4.0 technologies and stakeholder pressure influence CPD and, in turn, impact on company performance. Data were obtained from firms which develop products in the electric–electronic and equipment (EEE) sectors in Brazil. Our research results indicate that (i) the application of Industry 4.0 technologies favors CPD, in particular artificial intelligence and big data analytics; (ii) pressure from stakeholders can encourage the adoption of circular strategies, specially from suppliers because they are responsible for developing and delivering smart components; and (iii) although the literature may be seen as controversial, there is a positive relationship with regard to the impacts of CE adoption on market performance. Among its main implications, the article also suggests a set of design strategies oriented towards the development of products for the CE.
Life dissatisfaction in Canadians aged 40 and above with cancer and mental health disorders: A cross‐sectional study using the Canadian Community Health Survey
Authors: Roy Danielle Carole , Lun Ronda , Wang Tzu‐Fei , Chen Yue , Wells Philip
Published: September 2021

Background

Life dissatisfaction varies with different factors––particularly in the presence of chronic conditions, such as cancer. The combination of cancer and mental health disorders may increase life dissatisfaction due to lowered resilience against stress. We sought to determine if life dissatisfaction is higher in Canadians aged 40 and above with cancer compared to the cancer‐free population and if there is a synergistic effect between cancer and mental health disorder on life dissatisfaction.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study using the 2015–2016 Canadian Community Health Survey. We included 67,294 subjects aged 40+, and evaluated the association between cancer, mental health disorders, and life dissatisfaction using logistic regression and odds ratios (ORs) while adjusting for age, sex, marital status, education level, and chronic conditions. Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributional proportion due to interaction (AP), and Synergy index (S‐index), were calculated to determine the significance of additive interaction.

Results

Compared to the cancer‐free population, life dissatisfaction was higher in patients with cancer (OR 2.44, 95% CI: 1.88–3.16) and mental health disorders (OR 5.17, 95% CI: 4.56–5.85). The adjusted ORs for life dissatisfaction were 2.45 (95% CI: 1.74–3.43) and 5.17 (95% CI: 4.55–5.87) for cancer and mental health disorders, respectively, but when both conditions were present, the OR increased to 12.50 (95% CI: 8.40–18.62). The results suggested a synergistic interaction (RERI: 5.89 [95% CI: 0.91–10.87]; AP: 0.47 [95% CI: 0.25–0.69]; and S‐index: 2.05 [95% CI: 1.30–3.23]).

Conclusion

This study showed higher life dissatisfaction in cancer and mental health disorder patients. A synergistic effect was detected between cancer and mental health disorder on life dissatisfaction. These results suggest cancer patients with mental health disorders require additional support and psychological resources to improve their quality of life.
The beneficial effect of Escalated‐R‐CHOP‐21 for the treatment of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in elderly male patients: A propensity‐matched cohort study
Authors: He Hai‐Xia , Gao Yan , Bai Bing , Wang Xiao‐Xiao , Li Ji‐Bin , Huang Cheng , Mao Jia‐Ying , Ping Li‐Qin , Rong Qi‐Xiang , He Yan‐Xia , Huang He , Cai Qing‐Qing , Li Zhi‐Ming , Jiang Wen‐Qi , Huang Hui‐Qiang
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Some studies have indicated that using 500 mg/m2 rituximab combined with CHOP‐14 may be beneficial for elderly men but not women with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential benefit of escalated doses of rituximab with CHOP‐21 as the first‐line treatment in male patients with DLBCL.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study to analyze the survival benefit of rituximab 500 mg/m2 plus the CHOP‐21 regimen (Escalated‐R‐CHOP‐21) as the first‐line treatment compared with using rituximab 375 mg/m2 plus the CHOP‐21 regimen (Standard‐R‐CHOP‐21) in men with DLBCL. We used propensity score matching to maximize the balance of the observed covariables. The primary endpoints of this study were the progression‐free survival (PFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate at 3 years.

Results

After a median follow‐up of 47 months (IQR 31–65), no significant difference in PFS and OS was found for men treated with Escalated‐R‐CHOP‐21 compared with Standard‐R‐CHOP‐21 [3‐year PFS: 69.7% versus 71.9%, p = 0.867; 3‐year OS: 83.0% versus 82.4%, p = 0.660]. After 1:1 propensity score matching, we found that the patients using Escalated‐R‐CHOP‐21 had statistically significant survival benefits relative to Standard‐R‐CHOP‐21 among the 96 matched elderly male patients for 3‐year PFS [75.5% (95% CI 62.8–88.2) versus 58.2% (95% CI 44.3–72.1); p = 0.019] and 3‐year OS [86.6% (95% CI 76.4–96.8) versus 65.8% (95% CI 52.1–79.5); p = 0.017]. However, no differences in survival were observed for younger male patients. Furthermore, the dose effect in PFS of Escalated‐R‐CHOP‐21 was more obvious for elderly male patients with no high‐risk extranodal sites (p = 0.005 and interaction p = 0.030).

Conclusion

Escalated‐R‐CHOP‐21 could be a safe and effective option for treating elderly male patients with DLBCL. This study provides new insight into optimizing the standard treatment regimen, which may have important therapeutic implications in elderly male patients with DLBCL.
Ressourcenschonung und Kreislaufführung in der Prozessindustrie
Authors: Saulich Katja
Published: September 2021

Ein effizienter Umgang mit Stoff‐ und Energieströmen stärkt die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von produzierenden Unternehmen und schont gleichzeitig die Umwelt. Um den Einsatz nicht erneuerbarer Rohstoffe und Energien deutlich zu senken, ist ein Wechsel von einer linearen zu einer kreislaufgeführten Produktionsweise notwendig. In den letzten Jahren wurden verschiedene Kreislaufführungsstrategien entwickelt, bereits umgesetzt oder befinden sich in der Umsetzung. In diesem Beitrag wird ein kurzer Überblick zu Ansätzen für eine zirkuläre Wirtschaftsweise in der Prozessindustrie gegeben.
Inhibition of JMJD6 by 2‐Oxoglutarate Mimics
Authors: Islam Md. Sailful , Thinnes Cyrille C. , Holt‐Martyn James P. , Chowdhury Rasheduzzaman , McDonough Michael A. , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: September 2021

Studies on the inhibition of the human 2‐oxoglutarate dependent oxygenase JMJD6, which is a cancer target, by 2‐oxoglutarate mimics / competitors, including human drugs, drug candidates, and metabolites relevant to cancer are described. JMJD6 assays employed NMR to monitor inhibitor binding and use of mass spectrometry to monitor JMJD6‐catalysed lysine hydroxylation. Notably, some clinically applied prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors also inhibit JMJD6. The results will help enable the development of inhibitors selective for human oxygenases, including JMJD6.
Team functioning across different tumour types: Insights from a Swiss cancer center using qualitative and quantitative methods
Authors: Hitz Felicitas , Ribi Karin , Grote Gudela , Kolbe Michaela , Schmitz Christof , Lamb Benjamin W. , Ruhstaller Thomas , Berchtold Peter , Sevdalis Nick
Published: September 2021

Background

Multidisciplinary care is pivotal in cancer centres and the interaction of all cancer disease specialists in decision making processes is state‐of‐the‐art.

Aim

To describe differences of MDTMs by tumour type.

Methods

Twelve multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs) with participation of different cancer disease specialists at a tertiary hospital were assessed by an exploratory sequential mixed method approach with interviews, observations and a survey to address the following five topics: organisational structure and supporting technology; leadership; teamwork; decision‐making, perceived value and motivation. Thirteen persons with different tumour specialities and levels of seniority were interviewed. The 12 MDTMs were observed twice by uninvolved persons and evaluated by the participating physicians with a survey.

Results

There were no systematic differences between MDTMs for different tumour types with the exception of the non‐disease specific type MDTM, which was the only one for which the organisational structure was not driven by an electronic tool. However, several factors could be identified that generally influenced the functioning of the MDTMs. In particular, the quality of decision‐making was highly dependent on the availability of case‐based information and the presence of relevant cancer disease specialists. Leadership and teamwork were rated as important and were comparable across the MDTM. Team participants' motivation and perceived value of MDTMs was high across all meetings.

Conclusion

MDTM at a single institution did not demonstrate disease specific characteristics. An effective MDTM, irrespective of the tumour type, can be successfully structured by technical means and a chairperson coordinating the interaction of cancer disease specialists to improve the decision‐making process.
Endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided tissue acquisition for small solid pancreatic lesions: Does the size matter?
Authors: Nakai Yousuke , Hamada Tsuyoshi , Hakuta Ryunosuke , Ishigaki Kazunaga , Saito Kei , Saito Tomotaka , Takahara Naminatsu , Mizuno Suguru , Kogure Hirofumi , Koike Kazuhiko , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro
Published: September 2021

Endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided tissue acquisition (EUS‐TA) is now an established technique to obtain the pathological diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions (SPLs), but the diagnosis of small SPLS by EUS‐TA can still be difficult. We conducted a literature review and a meta‐analysis on the diagnostic yield of EUS‐TA according to the tumor size. In a meta‐analysis of 33 studies with 6883 cases, a pooled odds ratio (OR) of sensitivity was significantly higher in SPLs of >20 mm (OR 1.64, p = 0.02) and in SPLs of >10 mm (OR 3.05, p = 0.01), but not in SPLs of >30 mm (OR 1.18, p = 0.46). The meta‐analysis of accuracy also showed a similar trend: OR of 1.59 in SPLs of >20 mm (p < 0.01) and OR of 3.27 in SPLs of >10 mm (p < 0.01) and OR of 1.03 in SPLs of >30 mm (p = 0.87). The use of a 25‐gauge needle tended to improve sensitivity in small SPLs, though not statistically significant: OR of 1.25 and 2.82 in studies with and without a 25‐gauge needle (p = 0.08). The use of fine needle biopsy needles, slow pull method, and rapid on‐site evaluation did not significantly improve sensitivity in small SPLs. EUS‐TA for small SPLs, especially neuroendocrine neoplasms, is reported to have a high risk of adverse events. In summary, the diagnostic yield and safety of EUS‐TA for small (<20 mm) SPLs still needs improvement, and the best needle and technique for small SPLs should be further investigated.
Diagnosis of histological type of early gastric cancer by magnifying narrow‐band imaging: A multicenter prospective study
Authors: Kanesaka Takashi , Uedo Noriya , Doyama Hisashi , Yoshida Naohiro , Nagahama Takashi , Ohtsu Kensei , Uchita Kunihisa , Kojima Koji , Ueo Tetsuya , Takahashi Haruhiko , Ueyama Hiroya , Akazawa Yoichi , Shimokawa Toshio , Yao Kenshi
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Distinguishing undifferentiated‐type from differentiated‐type early gastric cancers (EGC) is crucial for determining the indication of endoscopic resection. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of white‐light endoscopy (WLE) and magnifying narrow‐band imaging (M‐NBI) for the histological type of EGC.

Methods

In this multicenter prospective study, patients with histologically proven cT1 EGC, macroscopically depressed or flat type, size ≥5 mm, and without erosion/ulcer, were recruited. The diagnostic criterion of WLE for undifferentiated‐type EGC was pale color. The M‐NBI algorithm was created based on microsurface and microvascular patterns, and lesions with absent microsurface pattern and opened‐loop microvascular patterns were diagnosed as undifferentiated‐type. The center of the lesion was defined as the evaluation point and was initially evaluated by WLE, then by M‐NBI, and a biopsy specimen was taken as a reference standard. The primary and key secondary endpoints were overall diagnostic accuracy and specificity, respectively.

Results

In total, 167 lesions (122 differentiated‐type and 45 undifferentiated‐type EGCs) in 167 patients were analyzed. The overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio of WLE for undifferentiated‐type cancer were 80%, 69%, 84%, and 4.4, respectively, and those of M‐NBI were 82%, 53%, 93%, and 7.2, respectively. There was no significant difference in overall accuracy (p = 0.755), but specificity was significantly higher in M‐NBI (p = 0.041).

Conclusions

The use of M‐NBI did not improve the accuracy of WLE for the diagnosis of depressed/flat undifferentiated‐type EGCs but improved the specificity. It may reduce surgical overtreatment by preventing misdiagnosis of differentiated‐type EGC as undifferentiated‐type.
Mudflat geomorphology determines invasive macroalgal effect on invertebrate prey and shorebird predators
Authors: Besterman Alice F. , Pace Michael L.
Published: September 2021

Impacts of invasive species are often context specific due to varying ecological interactions. Physical structure of environments hosting invaders is also potentially important but has received limited attention. An invasive macroalga, Agarophyton vermiculophyllum, has spread across the northern hemisphere with mixed positive, neutral and negative effects on resident species. Agarophyton colonizes mudflats that vary in topography due to interactions of sediments with hydrodynamic forces. We tested the hypothesis that mudflat geomorphology moderates the effect of Agarophyton on shorebirds and invertebrates. We surveyed 30 mudflats in the Virginia Coast Reserve quantifying elevation and topography. Invertebrate and bird abundances were also quantified. Mudflat geomorphology ranged from smooth to hummocky and was correlated with invertebrate and shorebird abundance and interactions based on piecewise structural equation models. After accounting for geomorphology, Agarophyton had little effect on invertebrate abundance. Shorebird numbers were differentially influenced by mudflat topography, with positive correlations to invertebrates (worms) on smooth mudflats, and to macroalgae on hummocky mudflats. These differences are likely to be due to sediment properties in interaction with structural changes induced by Agarophyton mats that affect prey accessibility for birds. Even on apparently simple mudflats, geomorphic structure emerged as important, modifying invasive species impacts and differentially influencing consumers.
Linking the state of environmental DNA to its application for biomonitoring and stock assessment: Targeting mitochondrial/nuclear genes, and different DNA fragment lengths and particle sizes
Authors: Jo Toshiaki , Takao Kenta , Minamoto Toshifumi
Published: September 2021

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a revolutionary tool for non‐invasive, cost‐effective, and highly sensitive monitoring of species distribution and abundance; however, there remain some uncertainties related to eDNA detection and quantification, as well as limitations in terms of its ecological interpretation. Although these may be elucidated by better understanding the characteristics and dynamics of eDNA, insight into such basic eDNA information has been limited in this decade, contrary to the advancements in eDNA applications targeting various taxa and environments. This review compiled previous findings regarding the characteristics and dynamics of macrobial eDNA and provides insights into how the basic knowledge of eDNA can contribute to the refinement and development of eDNA analysis for biomonitoring and stock assessment. A literature survey revealed that studies on the cellular and molecular state of eDNA were particularly lacking (18/728 papers from 2008 to 2020), resulting in a limited understanding regarding the process of eDNA transport and degradation. This review highlighted a number of studies targeting various types of eDNA beyond short mitochondrial DNA fragments (nuclear eDNA, longer eDNA fragments, and larger eDNA particles) to show how information on the state of eDNA improves the reliability of species detection and accuracy of abundance estimation, as well as provide more detailed information on individuals other than their presence and abundance. Linking the state of eDNA to its application will advance the analysis of eDNA and improve its application as a tool for monitoring biodiversity, ecosystem function, and fisheries resources.
Response of the gravel–sand transition in the Yangtze River to hydrological and sediment regime changes after upstream damming
Authors: He Zican , Sun Zhaohua , Li Yitian , Zhao Qianyi , Hu Yong , Chen Zhenghao
Published: September 2021

In the Yangtze River, the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) has altered the flow‐sediment regimes, resulting in channel degradation and bed surface coarsening, which have been reported in recent years. However, there has been no systematic study on the impacts of the TGD on the downstream gravel–sand transition (GST). Based on detailed field observations and numerical modelling, this study fills this gap and reveals significant adjustments in the GST and the leading causes. The results show that after operation of the TGD began, the GST migrated 49.5 km downstream during 2003–2010 due to a reduction in the suspended‐load supply (grain size < 0.5 mm) and then remained stable from 2010 to 2015 under the control of a braided river morphology. In addition, as channel degradation continued, the steepening bed profile upstream of Chenjiawan and the lowering of the downstream water level caused some gravel within the GST to become more frequently mobile during low‐flow periods (discharge <15,000 m3/s). Combined with the effects of the TGD‐induced prolonged low‐flow season and reduced frequency of large floods (discharge ≥ 40,000 m3/s), the GST exhibited a poorly understood phenomenon in which gravel was mainly transported downstream during low‐flow periods. However, these processes affected only localized sediment movement, contributing little to overall GST migration in the Yangtze River. The results also show that when a low sediment supply persists long term, additional GST migration after transient downstream migration depends primarily on the river morphology. This article has implications for the channel regulation and evolutionary processes of GSTs below dams.
Nonlinear time‐domain wave‐structure interaction: A parallel fast integral equation approach
Authors: Harris Jeffrey C. , Dombre Emmanuel , Benoit Michel , Grilli Stephan T. , Kuznetsov Konstantin I.
Published: September 2021

We report on the development and validation of a new numerical wave tank (NWT) solving fully nonlinear potential flow (FNPF) equations, as a more efficient variation of Grilli et al.'s NWT [Grilli et al., A fully nonlinear model for three‐dimensional overturning waves over arbitrary bottom.Int J Numer Methods Fluids. 2001; 35:829‐867], which was successful at modeling many wave phenomena, including landslide‐generated tsunamis, rogue waves, and the initiation of wave breaking over slopes. This earlier NWT combined a three dimensional MII (mid‐interval interpolation) boundary element method (BEM) to an explicit mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian time integration. The latter was based on second‐order Taylor series expansions for the mesh geometry and Dirichlet free surface boundary condition for the potential, requiring high‐order derivatives to be computed in space and time. Here, to be able to solve large scale wave‐structure interaction problems for surface‐piercing bodies of complex geometry, of interest for ocean engineering and naval hydrodynamics applications, the NWT is reformulated to use cubic B‐spline meshes and the BEM solution is accelerated with a parallelized fast multipole method (FMM) based on ExaFMM, one of the fastest open source FMM to date. The NWT accuracy, convergence, and scaling are first assessed for simple cases, by comparing results with those of the earlier MII‐NWT as a function of mesh size and other model parameters. The relevance of the new NWT for solving the targeted applications is then demonstrated for surface piercing fixed cylinders, for which we show that results agree well with theoretical and experimental data for wave elevation and hydrodynamic forces.
Modified incompressible smooth particle hydrodynamics in porous media method for modeling the damping of a waves train on an inclined porous structure
Authors: Ramos Ortega Melissa , Beaudoin Anthony
Published: September 2021

In this work, the ISPHP method proposed by Akbari and Namin in 2013 has been modified by implementing the Taylor expansion of a classical smoothing function. The modified ISPHP method with the Taylor expansion of the smoothing function, the optimization of the solving of Poisson's equation and the wave maker, has been used to simulate the damping of a waves train on an inclined porous structure. The comparison between the numerical results obtained with the modified ISPHP method and the experimental data obtained by Carrasco et al. in 2020 has shown on the one hand that the modified ISPHP method could be used to study the damping of a waves train on an inclined porous structure and on the other hand that the dimensionless number could be used to characterize the energy transformations of the interaction of a waves train and an inclined porous structure.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes HBV production by enhancing use of the autophagosome/multivesicular body axis
Authors: Wang Xueyu , Wei Zhiqiang , Cheng Bin , Li Jia , He Yulin , Lan Tingyu , Kemper Thekla , Lin Yong , Jiang Bin , Jiang Yongfang , Meng Zhongji , Lu Mengji
Published: September 2021

Background and Aims

HBV infection has been reported to trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and initiate autophagy. However, how ER stress and autophagy influence HBV production remains elusive. Here, we studied the effect of tunicamycin (TM), an N‐glycosylation inhibitor and ER stress inducer, on HBV replication and secretion and examined the underlying mechanisms.

Approach and Results

Protein disulfide isomerase (an ER marker), microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (an autophagosome [AP] marker), and sequestosome‐1 (a typical cargo for autophagic degradation) expression were tested in liver tissues of patients with chronic HBV infection and hepatoma cell lines. The role of TM treatment in HBV production and trafficking was examined in hepatoma cell lines. TM treatment that mimics HBV infection triggered ER stress and increased AP formation, resulting in enhanced HBV replication and secretion of subviral particles (SVPs) and naked capsids. Additionally, TM reduced the number of early endosomes and HBsAg localization in this compartment, causing HBsAg/SVPs to accumulate in the ER. Thus, TM‐induced AP formation serves as an alternative pathway for HBsAg/SVP trafficking. Importantly, TM inhibited AP‐lysosome fusion, accompanied by enhanced AP/late endosome (LE)/multivesicular body fusion, to release HBsAg/SVPs through, or along with, exosome release. Notably, TM treatment inhibited HBsAg glycosylation, resulting in impairment of HBV virions’ envelopment and secretion, but it was not critical for HBsAg/SVP trafficking in our cell systems.

Conclusions

TM‐induced ER stress and autophagic flux promoted HBV replication and the release of SVPs and naked capsids through the AP‐LE/MVB axis.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Molybdenum and Tungsten Alkyne Complexes Containing 6‐Methylpyridine‐2‐thiolate Ligands
Authors: Ehweiner Madeleine A. , Ćorović Miljan Z. , Belaj Ferdinand , Mösch‐Zanetti Nadia C.
Published: September 2021

A series of M(II) and M(IV) (M=Mo, W) alkyne adducts employing two 6‐methylpyridine‐2‐thiolate (6‐MePyS) ligands was synthesized and investigated towards the nucleophilic attack of PMe3 on the coordinated alkynes. For this approach, 2‐butyne (C2Me2), phenylacetylene (HC2Ph), and diphenylacetylene (C2Ph2) were used. For the exploration of an intramolecular attack, but‐3‐yn‐1‐ol (HCCCH2CH2OH) was coordinated to the metal centers. A nucleophilic attack of PMe3 was observed in [W(CO)(HC2Ph)(6‐MePyS)2] yielding an η2‐vinyl compound. Reaction of [W(CO)(C2Ph2)(6‐MePyS)2] with excess PMe3 resulted in the selective coordination of one molecule of PMe3 concomitant with decoordination of the nitrogen atom of one 6‐MePyS ligand. In contrast, the W(IV) complexes did not react with PMe3. While no selectivity was observed in the reaction of the Mo(II) compounds with PMe3, alkynes in the Mo(IV) compounds were replaced by PMe3. Addition of Et3N to the but‐3‐yn‐1‐ol complexes did not lead to the anticipated formation of 2,3‐dihydrofuran.
Regulating electronic structure of two‐dimensional porous Ni/Ni3N nanosheets architecture by Co atomic incorporation boosts alkaline water splitting
Authors: Wang Kaixi , Guo Yingying , Chen Zhonghui , Wu Donghai , Zhang Shouren , Yang Baocheng , Zhang Jianan
Published: September 2021

Interfacial engineering is a powerful method to improve the bifunctional electrocatalytic performance of pure phase catalysts. While it is expected to further optimize the electronic configuration of heterojunctions to boost the reaction kinetics in hydrogen/oxygen evolution reaction (HER/OER), but remains a challenge. Herein, a novel in situ hybrid heterojunction strategy is developed to construct 2D porous Co‐doped Ni/Ni3N heterostructure nanosheets (Co–Ni/Ni3N) by pyrolysis of partially cobalt substituted nickel‐zeolitic imidazolate framework (CoNi‐ZIF) nanosheets under NH3 atmosphere. A combined experimental and theoretical studies manifest that the hybrid heterostructures can display regulative electronic states and downshift d‐band center from the Fermi level, as well as optimize the adsorption energy of reaction intermediates, thus reducing the thermodynamic energy barriers and accelerating the catalytic kinetics. Consequently, benefitting from the optimized electronic configuration, hierarchical hollow nanosheets architecture, and abundant doped heterojunctions, the hybrid Co–Ni/Ni3N heterostructure catalyst exhibits efficient catalytic activity for both HER (60 mV) and OER (322 mV) at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, which is 105 and 47 mV lower than that of pure Ni3N, respectively. The electrochemically active surface area of Co–Ni/Ni3N is two times higher than that of Ni3N. Furthermore, the coupled practical water electrolyzer requires a low voltage of 1.575 V to reach 10 mA cm−2, and it can be driven by a 1.5 V battery. This work highlights the interface engineering guidance for the rational establishment of hybrid interfaces by electronic modulation of interfacial effect for alkaline water splitting.

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Osteogenic potential and properties of injectable silk fibroin/tetracalcium phosphate/monetite composite powder biocement systems
Authors: Medvecky Lubomir , Giretova Maria , Stulajterova Radoslava , Luptakova Lenka , Sopcak Tibor , Girman Vladimir
Published: September 2021

The powdered cement tetracalcium phosphate/monetite/silk fibroin composite (CFIB) was prepared by simple mechanical milling of tetracalcium phosphate/monetite powder mixture with fibrous soluble silk fibroin (SF). The powder composite cement mixtures contained 5 and 10 wt % of SF and 2% NaH2PO4 solution with 0.1% genipin was used as a liquid component. The setting time of CFIB cement increased with addition of SF from 5 to 25 min in fully injectable cement with 10 wt % of SF. The compressive strength of hardened composites was reduced to 14 MPa which is close to strength of cancellous bone. The 8% of SF from origin amount in CFIB composites was only desorbed from cements after 7 days soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF). It was found almost full transformation of calcium phosphate components in composite to rod‐like nanohydroxyapatite after hardening of CFIB cements in SBF. The SF in hardened cements was present in fine globular form after dissolution, actively affected the fluidity of pastes, morphology of hydroxyapatite particles, and microstructure. The excellent cell proliferation and a high over expression of osteogenic gene markers in MSCs were confirmed after the long‐time cultivation in CFIB10 cement extract. Injectable CFIB10 cements have appropriate properties for utilization in bone defect treatments with possible positive effect on healing process.
Theoretical studies on new family of bridged difurazan derivatives with excellent heat of formation
Authors: Zeng Lian , Li Junyan , Qiao Chen , Jiang Yuhe , Wu Jinting , Li Hongbo , Zhang Jianguo
Published: September 2021

The optimized structure, HOMO‐LUMO orbital, molecular surface electrostatic potential (ESP), and thermal stability (BDE) of 30 bridged bifurazan derivatives (BDFD) were investigated by B3LYP/6–311+G* method. And we also evaluated some energy parameters including heat of formation (HOF), density (ρ), detonation velocity (D), detonation pressure (P), and impact sensitivity (h50%) in detail. In terms of the compounds in this series: Coordination oxygen is beneficial for obtaining good density and oxygen balance. Substituent C(NO2)3 can improve the density, HOF, and detonation properties. Both the bridge group N═N and the substitution group NHNO2 can promote HOF well. While NH has a negative effect on HOF and detonation performance. A4, B1, B2, B4, C4, D4, F4, H1, and H2 were eventually screened out as promising nitrogen‐rich high‐energy compounds because of their good positive heat of formation HOF (687–1,410 kJ/mol), excellent ρ (1.89–1.93 g/cm3), extraordinary Q (1702–1933 cal/g), outstanding D (9.15–9.74 km/s), impressive P (38.31–43.67 GPa), and acceptable sensitivity.
A molecular biomimetic sensor of tris(2‐benzimidazolylmethyl)amine‐based iron(III) complex for acrylamide detection: Electrochemical study and DFT calculations
Authors: Mersal Gaber A. M. , Hessien Mahmoud M. , Al Jouaid Rema , El‐Hendawy Morad M. , Alminderej Fahad M. , Ibrahim Mohamed M.
Published: September 2021

A new biomimetic sensor (BS) has been prepared by modifying the carbon paste electrode (CPE) based on [Fe(NTB)Cl2]Cl·EtOH (FeC) {NTB = tris(2‐benzimidazolylmethyl)amine} for the electrochemical detection of acrylamide (AA). The development of the reported BS was focused on the creation of an AA with α‐NH2 group of N‐terminal valine of hemoglobin (HG), which reduces the peak current of HG‐Fe+3 reduction. The fabricated BS was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV), as well as square wave voltammetry (SWV) for studying the electrochemical properties of AA on its surface. Under optimized conditions, the BS was applied for the direct determination of AA in two linear concentration ranges: 1.0 × 10−6 and 1.0 × 10−4 M. The first linear was observed from 1.0 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−5 M with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.465 × 10−7 M, while the second linear part was detected from 1.0 × 10−5 to 1 × 10−4 M with LOD of 5.67 × 10−6 M. Finally, the constructed BS was successfully applied for the evaluation of AA in various potato chips, and the results were comparable to those obtained from other electrochemical methods. The density functional theory (DFT) could successfully explain the recognition process of acrylamide, that is, the hydroamination of the alkene group of acrylamide by imidazole moiety of the iron complex.
Prenatal genetic testing in 19 fetuses with corpus callosum abnormality
Authors: She Qin , Tang Erfang , Peng Cui , Wang Li , Wang Dandan , Tan Weihe
Published: September 2021

Background

Corpus callosum abnormality (CCA) can lead to epilepsy, moderate severe neurologic or mental retardation. The prognosis of CCA is closely related to genetic etiology. However, copy number variations (CNVs) associated with fetal CCA are still limited and need to be further identified. Only a few scattered cases have been reported to diagnose CCA by whole exome sequencing (WES).

Methods

Karyotyping analysis, copy number variation sequencing (CNV‐seq), chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and WES were parallelly performed for prenatal diagnosis of 19 CCA cases.

Results

The total detection rate of karyotyping analysis, CMA (or CNV‐seq) and WES were 15.79% (3/19), 21.05% (4/19) and 40.00% (2/5), respectively. Two cases (case 11 and case 15) were diagnosed as aneuploidy (47, XY, + 13 and 47, XX, + 21) by karyotyping analysis and CNV‐seq. Karyotyping analysis revealed an unknown origin fragment (46,XY,add(13)(p11.2)) in case 3, which was further confirmed to originate from p13.3p11.2 of chromosome 17 by CNV‐seq. CMA revealed arr1q43q44 (238923617–246964774) × 1(8.04 Mb) in case 8 with a negative result of chromosome karyotype. WES revealed that 2 of 5 cases with negative results of karyotyping and CNV‐seq or CMA carried pathogenic genes ALDH7A1 and ARID1B.

Conclusion

Parallel genetic tests showed that CNV‐seq and CMA are able to identify additional, clinically significant cytogenetic information of CCA compared to karyotyping; WES significantly improves the detection rate of genetic etiology of CCA. For the patients with a negative results of CNV‐seq or CMA, further WES test is recommended.
Obesity and long‐term outcomes after incident stroke: a prospective population‐based cohort study
Authors: Akyea Ralph K. , Doehner Wolfram , Iyen Barbara , Weng Stephen F. , Qureshi Nadeem , Ntaios George
Published: September 2021

Background

The association between obesity, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and mortality in patients with incident stroke is not well established. We assessed the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and MACE in patients with incident stroke.

Methods

The population‐based cohort study identified 30 702 individuals from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD GOLD) and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) databases from the United Kingdom. Individuals were aged ≥18 years with incident stroke between 1‐1‐1998 and 31‐12‐2017, a BMI recorded within 24 months before incident stroke, and no prior history of MACE. BMI was categorized as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), obesity class I (30.0–34.9 kg/m2), class II (35.0–39.9 kg/m2) and class III (≥40 kg/m2). MACE was defined as a composite of incident coronary heart disease, recurrent stroke, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), heart failure, and cardiovascular‐related mortality. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess differences in MACE risk between BMI categories.

Results

At baseline, 1217 (4.0%) were underweight, 10 783 (35.1%) had a normal BMI, 10 979 (35.8%) had overweight, 5206 (17.0%) had obesity Class I, 1749 (5.7%) Class II, and 768 (2.5%) Class III. In multivariable analysis, higher BMI were associated with lower risk of subsequent MACE [overweight: HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.99)]; PVD [overweight: 0.65 (0.49–0.85); obesity Class III: 0.19 (0.50–0.77)]; cardiovascular‐related death [overweight: 0.80 (0.74–0.86); obesity Class I: 0.79 (0.71–0.88); Class II: 0.80 (0.67–0.96)]; and all‐cause mortality [overweight: 0.75 (0.71–0.79); obesity Class I: 0.75 (0.70–0.81); Class II: 0.77 (0.68–0.86)] when compared to those with normal BMI. The results were similar irrespective of sex, diabetes mellitus, smoking or cancer at time of incident stroke.

Conclusions

In patients with incident stroke, overweight or obesity were associated with a more favourable prognosis for subsequent MACE, PVD, and mortality, irrespective of sex, diabetes mellitus, smoking, or cancer at baseline. As with other cohort studies, our study demonstrates an association. Randomized control trials should be considered to robustly evaluate the impact of weight management recommendations on subsequent cardiovascular outcomes in stroke survivors.