bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological and microstructural characteristics of scales in longnose goby Awaous jayakari (Teleostei: Gobiidae): Light and scanning electron microscopy approaches
Authors: Al Jufaili Saud M. , Masoumi Amir Hassan , Esmaeili Hamid Reza , Jawad Laith , Teimori Azad
Published: July 2021

The scale morphology of a native goby, Awaous jayakari (Gobiidae) was studied using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. The morphological descriptions were based on the scale's type, shape, and features of the anterior, posterior, and lateral fields. Further characteristics of the focus, circuli, radii, lepidonts, and cteni, were investigated. Morphometric indices were calculated for some scales. Shape variability of scales was high in different regions. However, the majority of scales displayed a polygonal shape (hexagonal and pentagonal). Both ctenoid and cycloid scales were observed in the studied fishes. The ctenoid scale of A. jayakari was peripheral and characterized by the presence of one row of marginally located spines in two completed and uncompleted subtypes. The focus was positioned posteriorly or postero‐centrally. The microscopic examinations revealed the presence of lepidonts of different sizes being very tiny, small, or prominent performing flat, blunt, pointed, short, or truncated shapes. The rostral margin of the scales was convex to moderately flattened and represented striate, scalloped, or waved types. Lateral fields were often flattened in all regions, while convex in the lateral fields of the scales of some individuals. The posterior field showed variations in different regions, for example, tapered and flattened ends. The anterior–posterior axis presented a laterally expanded or an elongated extension. The considerable morphological variation in the scales of various body regions makes it difficult to nominate a typical scale to be used in taxonomic studies. However, the key scales can be used for the comparison of different Awaous species.
Soil carbon response to long‐term biosolids application
Authors: Villa Yocelyn B. , Ryals Rebecca
Published: July 2021

Astudy was conducted in three agroecosystems in California (Sacramento, Solano, and Merced counties) that received biosolids applications for 20 yr. Management varied in application rates and frequencies, resulting in average cumulative amount of biosolids applied of 74 (Solano), 105 (Merced), and 359 (Sacramento) Mg biosolidsdryha–1, resulting in the addition of 26 (Solano), 36 (Merced), and 125 (Sacramento) Mg biosolids‐C ha–1. Measurements included soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N) concentrations from 0 to 100 cm and microbial biomass C (MBC) and microbial biomass N (MBN) from 0 to 30 cm in biosolids‐amended and control sites. Biosolids treatments had greater amounts of SOC and total N at all sites, and MBC and MBN were greatest at Sacramento and Solano. The largest increases in SOC were at the site that received the lowest cumulative loading rate of biosolids (Solano), where SOC content to 100 cm was 50% greater in amended soils (p < .001). Net changes in soil C stocks to 30 cm were 0.4 ± 0.1 (Solano), −0.04 ± 0.1 (Merced), and 0.3 ± 0.2 (Sacramento) Mg C ha–1yr–1. These values change when considering deeper soil depths (0–100 cm) to 0.5 ± 0.1 (Solano), 0.2 ± 0.2 (Merced), and 0.216 ± 0.2 (Sacramento) Mg C ha–1yr–1, reflecting differences in C stocks changes in surface and subsurface soils across sites. Rates of C storage per dry Mg of biosolids per year applied were 1 ± 0.2 (Solano), 0.5 ± 0.4 (Merced), and 0.04 ± 0.1 (Sacramento). Our results suggest that local controls on soil C stabilization are more important than amendment application amount at predicting climate benefits and that accounting for soil C changes below 30 cm can provide insight for sequestering C in agroecosystems.
Leukocytes count and profile during early postnatal ontogenesis in domestic cats: Effect of litter size and multiple paternity
Authors: Soboleva Alena S. , Alekseeva Galina S. , Erofeeva Mariya N. , Klyuchnikova Polina S. , Sorokin Pavel A. , Naidenko Sergey V.
Published: July 2021

Since blood cells count is the most important indicator of animals’ physiological status, we investigated the effects of age, litter size, and multiple paternity on the total number of white blood cells, the number of their individual types (lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes), and the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes in domestic cat during early postnatal ontogenesis. The study was conducted on kittens living in outdoor conditions, aged from birth to 6 months. The number of white blood cells was evaluated using a hemoanalyzer, the leukocyte formula and the proportion of cell types were determined manually from blood smears. Age significantly affected the number of leukocytes in the first 3 months of kittens’ age. The number and proportion of neutrophils were the highest after birth and gradually decreased during the first month. Lymphocytes number, on the contrary, increased during this period. Monocytes and eosinophils increased in number in the first 2 months. The litter size affected the number of leukocytes and neutrophils in the first 2 months of life, their number being significantly higher in kittens from the small litters than from the large ones. In kittens from the litters with multiple paternity, the number of leukocytes and the proportion of neutrophils was higher than in litters from a single male. Thus, age, litter size and type of paternity may affect the hematological indices in domestic cats, which must be taken into account during the estimation of the health status of kittens in domestic and wild cats.
Pure laparoscopic versus robotic liver resections: Multicentric propensity score‐based analysis with stratification according to difficulty scores
Authors: Cipriani Federica , Fiorentini Guido , Magistri Paolo , Fontani Andrea , Menonna Francesca , Annecchiarico Mario , Lauterio Andrea , De Carlis Luciano , Coratti Andrea , Boggi Ugo , Ceccarelli Graziano , Di Benedetto Fabrizio , Aldrighetti Luca
Published: July 2021

Background

The benefits of pure laparoscopic and robot‐assisted liver resections (LLR and RALR) are known in comparison to open surgery. The aim of the present retrospective comparative study is to investigate the role of RALR and LLR according to different levels of difficulty.

Methods

The institutional databases of six high‐volume hepatobiliary centers were retrospectively reviewed. The study population was divided in two groups: LLR and RALR. The procedures were stratified for difficulty levels accordingly to three classifications. A propensity score matching was implemented to mitigate selection bias. Short‐term outcomes were the object of comparison.

Results

Nine hundred and thirty‐six LLR and 403 RALR were collected. RALR exhibited fewer cases of intraoperative blood loss, lower transfusion and conversion rates (especially for oncological radicality) than LLR in the setting of highly difficult operations, whereas LLR had lower postoperative morbidity and fewer low‐grade complications. For intermediate and low‐difficulty resections, the intraoperative advantages of RALR gradually decreased to nonsignificant results and LLR remained associated with lower postoperative morbidity.

Conclusion

Robot‐assisted liver resections do not show operative nor clinically significant benefits over LLR for low‐ and intermediate‐difficulty resections. By reducing conversion rates, RALR can favour the operative feasibility of difficult resections possibly extending the indications of minimally invasive approaches for liver resection.
Abnormal N‐glycan fucosylation, galactosylation, and sialylation of IgG in adults with classical galactosemia, influence of dietary galactose intake
Authors: Treacy Eileen P. , Vencken Sebastian , Bosch Annet M. , Gautschi Matthias , Rubio‐Gozalbo Estela , Dawson Charlotte , Nerney Darragh , Colhoun Hugh Owen , Shakerdi Loai , Pastores Gregory M. , O'Flaherty Roisin , Saldova Radka
Published: July 2021

Background

Classical galactosemia (CG) (OMIM #230400) is a rare disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, due to deficiency of galactose‐1‐phosphate uridyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.12). The pathophysiology of the long‐term complications, mainly cognitive, neurological, and female infertility remains poorly understood.

Objectives

This study investigated (a) the association between specific IgG N‐glycosylation biomarkers (glycan peaks and grouped traits) and CG patients (n = 95) identified from the GalNet Network, using hydrophilic interaction ultraperformance liquid chromatography and (b) a further analysis of a GALT c.563A‐G/p.Gln188Arg homozygous cohort (n = 49) with correlation with glycan features with patient Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ), and (c) with galactose intake.

Results

A very significant decrease in galactosylation and sialylation and an increase in core fucosylation was noted in CG patients vs controls (P < .005). Bisected glycans were decreased in the severe GALT c.563A‐G/p.Gln188Arg homozygous cohort (n = 49) (P < .05). Logistic regression models incorporating IgG glycan traits distinguished CG patients from controls. Incremental dietary galactose intake correlated positively with FSIQ for the p.Gln188Arg homozygous CG cohort (P < .005) for a dietary galactose intake of 500 to 1000 mg/d. Significant improvements in profiles with increased galactose intake were noted for monosialylated, monogalactosylated, and monoantennary glycans.

Conclusion

These results suggest that N‐glycosylation abnormalities persist in CG patients on dietary galactose restriction which may be modifiable to a degree by dietary galactose intake.
Glutamate Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Imaging and Functional Alterations of Hippocampus in Rat Depression Model: A Pilot Study
Authors: Luo Xunrong , Ren Qingfa , Luo Mingfang , Li Tianping , Lv Yijie , Liu Yan , Rong Kang , Zhang Wei , Li Xianglin
Published: July 2021

Background

Adjusting abnormal glutamate neurotransmission is a crucial mechanism in the treatment of depression. However, few non‐invasive techniques could effectively detect changes in glutamate neurotransmitters, and no consensus exists on whether glutamate could affect resting‐state function changes in depression.

Purpose

To study the changes in glutamate chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) value in the hippocampus of rat model exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and to explore the effect of this change on the activity of hippocampal glutamatergic neurons.

Study Type

Prospective animal study.

Animal Model

Twenty male Sprague–Dawley rats (200–300 g).

Field Strength/Sequence

7.0 T scanner. Fat rapid acquisition relaxation enhancement sequence for GluCEST, and echo planner imaging sequence for resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs_fMRI).

Assessment

Rats were divided into two groups: CUMS group (N = 10) and control group (CTRL, N = 10). The magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry analysis was used to quantify the GluCEST data, and evaluate the rs_fMRI data through the amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis.

Statistical Tests

A t‐test was used to compare the difference in GluCEST or rs_fMRI between CUMS and CTRL groups. Spearman's correlation was applied to explore the correlation between GluCEST values and abnormal fMRI values in hippocampus. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

The GluCEST value in the left hippocampus has changed significantly (3.3 ± 0.3 [CUMS] vs. 3.9 ± 0.4 [CTRL], P < 0.05). In addition, the GluCEST value was significantly positively correlated with the ALFF values (r = 0.5, P < 0. 05, df = 7) and negatively correlated with the ReHo values (r = −0.6, P < 0.05, df = 7).

Data Conclusion

GluCEST technique has the feasibility of mapping glutamate changes in rat depression. Glutamate neurotransmitters are important factors affecting the abnormal function of neural activity.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Magnetic Resonance Imaging‐Based Structural Covariance Changes of the Striatum in Lifelong Premature Ejaculation Patients
Authors: Wu Jiayu , Gao Ming , Piao Ruiqing , Feng Nana , Geng Bowen , Liu Peng
Published: July 2021

Background

The striatum has been reported to be implicated in various neurological diseases, including lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE). Altered striatum‐related functional connectivity was investigated in LPE patients in previous studies; however, structural abnormalities in the striatum have been less studied in LPE.

Purpose

To identify the gray matter volume (GMV) and structural covariance patterns of the striatum between LPE patients and healthy controls (HCs).

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Forty‐three LPE patients and 31 male HCs.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner; T1‐weighted imaging using a spoiled gradient recalled echo sequence.

Assessment

Preprocessing of structural MRI data and the striatum‐seeded GMV computation were conducted using SPM12.

Statistical Tests

Two sample t‐test was used to compare differences in GMV of the striatum between patients and HCs. Regions showing altered between‐group GMV were considered as seeds for structural covariance analysis in two groups. Additionally, correlations between GMV findings and clinical features were assessed with age and total intracranial volume (TIV) as covariates and with age, TIV, anxiety, and depression scores as covariates in the patient group, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Compared to HCs, LPE patients had significantly decreased GMV in four regions located in the bilateral caudate and putamen. Distinct striatum‐based structural covariance patterns in the two groups were mainly related to the thalamus, amygdala, insula, anterior cingulate cortex, middle cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, primary motor cortex, and precuneus/cuneus. LPE patients showed that GMV in the bilateral caudate negatively correlated with the premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT) scores (r = −0.369, r = −0.377, respectively).

Data Conclusion

Our findings indicated that LPE patients had altered GMV and structural covariance patterns in the striatum compared to HCs. The correlations between abnormal GMV and PEDT were also shown in the present findings. These findings may contribute to enhancing the understanding of the pathophysiology of LPE.

Level of Evidence

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3
Fish oil–based lipid emulsion alleviates parenteral nutrition–associated liver diseases and intestinal injury in piglets
Authors: Chen Shanshan , Xiao Yongtao , Liu Yang , Tian Xinbei , Wang Weipeng , Jiang Lu , Wu Wenjie , Zhang Tian , Cai Wei , Wang Ying
Published: July 2021

Background

Thisstudy aimed to investigate the impact of fish oil–based lipid emulsion (FO) on enterohepatic injuries and intestinal microbiota in piglets of parenteral nutrition (PN).

Methods

Newborn piglets were divided into three groups, including enteral diet (the controls), PN with 100% FO and PN with medium‐chain triglyceride/long‐chain triglyceride–based lipid emulsion (MCT/LCT) for 14 days. Serum biochemical indicators, hepatic and intestinal histology, and expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism were measured. The bile acid (BA) profiles in serum and the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome in different intestinal segments were analyzed.

Results

Compared with MCT/LCT–piglets, FO reduced inflammation, promoted fatty acid oxidation, and decreased oxidative stress in the liver. In the intestine, FO decreased intestinal inflammation and intestinal permeability, leading to reduced lipopolysaccharide entry into the blood circulation relative to MCT/LCT–piglets. PN groups have dominant contents of Proteobacteria and Bacteroides, whereas the control group have Firmicutes at the phylum level. FO altered the taxonomic compositions of the gut microbiome in different segments, increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae in ileum, and Rikenellaceae and Ruminococcaceae in the colon. FO treatment shifted BA composition ratio in serum and had a lower ratio of secondary BAs to primary BAs.

Conclusion

FO alleviates PNLAD and intestinal injury by regulating the homeostasis of BAs’ enterohepatic circulation and altering microbiota composition in different intestinal segments.
Shame as a Mediator in the Association Between Emotion Dysregulation and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Reductions Among Combat Veterans in a Residential Treatment Program
Authors: Puhalla Alexander , Flynn Aidan , Vaught Amanda
Published: July 2021

Emotion dysregulation (ED) can be defined as one's inability to effectively respond to and manage internal experiences and the expression of emotion. ED has been linked to the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with recent research suggesting that reductions in ED may predict improved treatment outcomes among both civilian and veteran populations. However, few studies have examined how changes in ED may predict treatment outcomes among veterans with PTSD and whether certain core features of PTSD, such as shame, may act as potential mediators in the association between ED and PTSD symptom reductions. The present study sought to explore facets of ED, feelings of shame, and PTSD symptoms among 43 combat veterans upon their admission and discharge to a residential PTSD program. The results demonstrated that all variables of interest significantly decreased from admission to discharge, ds = 0.75–1.84. Correlations indicated that reductions in ED, R2 = .184, and shame, R2 = .228, were associated with reductions in PTSD symptoms. However, the association between reductions in ED and PTSD was significantly mediated by reductions in shame. Overall, these results suggest that higher levels of emotion regulation may partially affect PTSD symptoms through reductions in shame. This may explain the efficacy of frontline PTSD treatments, as they explicitly focus on the processing of one's traumatic experience by reducing PTSD symptoms through regulation techniques that target emotional–behavioral cycles, which may include the shame–withdraw cycle.
Performance of Lung Ultrasound for Monitoring Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Pitsidianakis Georgios , Vassalou Evangelia E. , Vasarmidi Eirini , Bolaki Maria , Klontzas Michail E. , Xirouchaki Nektaria , Georgopoulos Dimitrios , Karantanas Apostolos H. , Tzanakis Nikolaos , Antoniou Katerina M.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

In this study, we sought to assess the validity of lung ultrasound (LUS) during the follow‐up of patients with a wide spectrum of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs).

Methods

Twenty‐four patients (13 males, 11 females; mean age ± SD, 65.4 ± 14.3 years; age range, 40–84 years) with a diagnosis of ILDs who were admitted to the Interstitial Lung Disease Unit were prospectively enrolled. Patients were examined with a 56‐lung intercostal space LUS protocol in lateral decubitus position, at baseline, 6‐months, and 1‐year. The LUS score was defined as the sum of B‐lines counted in each intercostal space. All patients underwent complete pulmonary function tests at baseline and follow‐up time‐points. High‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was performed at baseline and during follow‐up, according to personalized patients' needs. All HRCT studies were graded according to the Warrick scoring system (WS).

Results

Pooled data analysis showed a significant correlation between WS and LUS scores (P < .001). For separate time‐point analysis, a significant correlation between LUS scores and WS was found at baseline (P < .001) and 1 year (P = .005). LUS scores negatively correlated with alveolar volume (VA) (P < .046) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (P < .001) at 6 months and with transfer coefficient of the lung for carbon monoxide (KCO) (P < .031) and DLCO (P = .002) at 12‐months. A multivariate regression model showed DLCO to be an independent predictor of LUS score at 1 year (P = .026).

Conclusions

Our results highlight the validity and potential applicability of LUS for disease monitoring in a wide spectrum of ILDs.
Circ_0000317/microRNA‐520g/HOXD10 axis affects the biological characteristics of colorectal cancer
Authors: Lai Fu‐Ji , Yu Hua , Xie Yang‐Yang , He Ning
Published: July 2021

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that are widely expressed in cancer tissues and play a pro‐ or anticancer role in modulating cancer progression. This work is aimed to probe the biological role of circ_0000317 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its underlying mechanism. Circ_0000317 was selected from the circRNA microarray datasets (GSE121895). Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to examine circ_0000317, microRNA (miR)‐520g, and homeobox D10 (HOXD10) mRNA expression in CRC. Cell Counting Kit‐8 and Transwell experiments were conducted to examine the effects of circ_0000317 on proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells. Bioinformatic analysis and dual‐luciferase reporter gene experiments were implemented to predict and validate the targeting relationship between circ_0000317 and miR‐520g, miR‐520g, and HOXD10. Western blot was employed to examine HOXD10 expression at protein level in CRC cells. Circ_0000317 and HOXD10 mRNA expression were unveiled to be down‐modulated and miR‐520g expression was up‐modulated in CRC. Functionally, circ_0000317 overexpression repressed CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, miR‐520g was a direct target of circ_0000317 and miR‐520g specifically modulated HOXD10 expression. Furthermore, miR‐520g mimics partially counteracted the suppressing effect of circ_0000317 on malignant phenotype of CRC cells. Circ_0000317 represses CRC progression by targeting miR‐520g and modulating HOXD10 expression. Hence, circ_0000317 may be a promising diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for CRC.
miR‐671‐5p repressed progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma via TRIM14
Authors: Wang Wan‐Ju , Yuan Yuan , Zhang Dong , Liu Piao , Liu Fang
Published: July 2021

The pivotal role of dysregulated miRNAs in development of papillary thyroid carcinoma has been emphasized in recent research. miR‐671‐5p was previously documented to function as a tumor suppressor. However, the role and mechanism of miR‐671‐5p in progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma remain to be further studied. Data from functional assays indicated that forced expression of miR‐671‐5p decreased cell viability, repressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells. In vivo study showed that miR‐671‐5p overexpression inhibited tumor growth, downregulated Ki67, and decreased tumor volume and weight. Tripartite motif containing 14 (TRIM14) was verified as downstream target of miR‐671‐5p. The expression of TRIM14 was suppressed by miR‐671‐5p in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Overexpression of TRIM14 increased cell viability, and promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Moreover, TRIM14 counteracted the suppressive effect of miR‐671‐5p overexpression on papillary thyroid carcinoma cell growth. In conclusion, miR‐671‐5p repressed progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma through downregulation of TRIM14, providing a promising target for therapy of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Prevalence of Hyperacusis and Its Relation to Health: The Busselton Healthy Ageing Study
Authors: Smit Adriana L. , Stegeman Inge , Eikelboom Robert H. , Baguley David M. , Bennett Rebecca J. , Tegg‐Quinn Susan , Bucks Romola S. , Stokroos Robert J. , Hunter Michael , Atlas Marcus D.
Published: July 2021

Importance

The prevalence of hyperacusis and its relationship with mental and general health is unknown in a nonclinical sample. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperacusis and its relation with hearing, general and mental health in a population‐based study.

Study Design

Prospective population‐based study.

Material and Methods

This study uses data from the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study (BHAS). A sample of 5,107 eligible inhabitants aged 45 to 70 years completed a detailed questionnaire and a clinical assessment. A positive answer to “Do you consider yourself sensitive or intolerant to everyday sounds” was used to indicate hyperacusis. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between hearing, mental and general health factors, and hyperacusis.

Results

Of 5,107 participants, 775 (15.2%) reported hyperacusis. The majority of participants with hyperacusis reported an occasional effect on daily life (72.0%). Being female, older in age, having a lower income, physical or mental health difficulties, more severe hearing loss, and tinnitus were all associated with the presence of hyperacusis. Individuals who experience hearing impairment, poorer general or mental health have a higher possibility of hyperacusis having an effect on their daily life.

Conclusions

In this community population‐based cohort study, we found a prevalence of hyperacusis of 15.2%. Individuals with hearing loss, mental health problems, and lower physical health have a higher possibility of experiencing effects on their daily life associated with their hyperacusis. Unravelling the relationship between hyperacusis hearing, general and mental health can be of major importance for a better understanding of the condition and its consequences.

Level of Evidence

2 Laryngoscope, 131:E2887–E2896, 2021
Dynamic evaluation of facial muscles: 3D skin displacement vector analysis using a facial painting model
Authors: Moon Hyoung‐Jin , Lee Won , Choi Ji Yun
Published: July 2021

Background

Botulinum toxin A can be used to eliminate dynamic wrinkles by relaxing the muscles involved in facial expressions. Therefore, it is essential to know the location, origin, insertion, function, and changes of the facial expression muscles according to their contraction.

Methods

After drawing the muscles on the face of a model, pictures were taken at rest. The model was then asked to make facial expressions that cause facial wrinkles. All images were taken with the Vectra H1 camera system (Canfield Scientific, Inc., Fairfield, New Jersey). Each expression image was aligned to its respective static image to compute the differences in skin position, so as to calculate the skin displacement vectors. The values for local changes in skin displacement were calculated by applying the automated algorithms of the Vectra Software Mirror Suite and visualized using the color and size of the arrow.

Results

Face painting and 3D skin vector displacement analyses enabled visualization of all the facial muscles involved in facial expressions working dynamically, allowing us to visualize the effect of each muscle in the creation of hyperkinetic wrinkles. Face painting and 3D skin vector displacement analyses can be combined to determine the location of the wrinkles, extent of the muscle, part of the muscle that contracts, presence of asymmetry, direction in which the muscle contracts, and correlation between the antagonists and synergistic muscles.

Conclusion

The botulinum toxin A injection educational model using body painting and 3D skin vector displacement analyses can provide a deeper understanding of actual moving muscle anatomy.

Level of Evidence

4.
Accelerated Redox Reaction of Hydrogen Peroxide by Employing Locally Concentrated State of Copper Catalysts on Polymer Chain
Authors: Osawa Shigehito , Kitanishi Kenichi , Kiuchi Maho , Shimonaka Motoyuki , Otsuka Hidenori
Published: July 2021

Copper complexes act as catalysts for redox reactions to generate reactive oxygen species that destroy biomolecules and, therefore, are utilized to design drugs including antitumor and antibacterial medicines. Especially, catalytic reaction for hydrogen peroxide decomposition is important because it includes the process for generating highly toxic hydroxyl radical, i.e., Fenton‐like reaction. Considering that multicoppers/hydrogen peroxide species are the important intermediates for the redox reaction, herein a polymer having copper complexes in the side chains is designed to facilitate the formation of the intermediates by building locally concentrated state of the copper complexes. The polymer increases their catalytic activities for hydrogen peroxide decomposition and promotes reactive oxygen species’ generation, eventually leading to higher antibacterial activity. This reveals the virtue of building a locally concentrated state of catalysts on polymers toward drug design with low amounts of transition metals.
An electromagnetic actuator for brain magnetic resonance elastography with high frequency accuracy
Authors: Qiu Suhao , He Zhao , Wang Runke , Li Ruokun , Zhang Aili , Yan Fuhua , Feng Yuan
Published: July 2021

Our goal is to design, test and verify an electromagnetic actuator for brain magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). We proposed a grappler‐shaped design that can transmit stable vibrations into the brain. To validate its performance, simulations were carried out to ensure the electromagnetic field generated by the actuator did not interfere with theB0field. The actuation vibration spectrum was analyzed to verify the actuation accuracy. Phantom and volunteer experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance of the actuator. Simulation of the magnetic field showed that the proposed actuator has a fringe field of less than 3 G in the imaging region. The phantom experiments showed that the proposed actuator did not interfere with the routine imaging sequences. The measured vibration spectra demonstrated that the frequency offset was about one third that of a pneumatic device and the transmission efficiency was three times higher. The shear moduli estimated from brain MRE were consistent with those from the literature. The actuation frequency of the proposed actuator has less frequency offset and off‐center frequency components compared with the pneumatic counterpart. The whole actuator weighted only 980 g. The actuator can carry out multifrequency MRE on the brain with high accuracy. It is easy to use, comfortable for the patient and portable.
Professional quality of life, sleep disturbance and health among nurses: A mediation analysis
Authors: Lee Lena J. , Wehrlen Leslie , Ding Ya , Ross Alyson
Published: July 2021

Aims

This study aimed to examine sleep disturbance as a mediator of the relationship between professional quality of life (compassion satisfaction, burnout, secondary traumatic stress) and health (physical and mental health) in nurses.

Design

Descriptive, cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Three hundred eighteen Registered Nurses completed a web‐based survey at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in the United States. Mediation analyses were conducted to test hypothesized relationships.

Results

Nurses with higher levels of compassion satisfaction reported lower levels of sleep disturbance and better physical/mental health. Burnout and secondary traumatic stress were negatively associated with physical/mental health and positively associated with sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbance fully or partially mediated the relationships between professional quality of life and physical/mental health among nurses.
The lived experiences of young people living with type 1 diabetes: A hermeneutic study
Authors: Rising Holmström Malin , Söderberg Siv
Published: July 2021

Aims

The aim of this hermeneutic study was to explore and elucidate the lived experiences of young people living with type 1 diabetes in terms of their everyday life and school in Sweden.

Design

A qualitative interview study with a hermeneutic approach inspired by Gadamer's thinking.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of seven girls and three boys with type 1 diabetes between January and September 2017 and analysed with a hermeneutic method.

Results

Young peoples' everyday lives were transformed and re‐organized by their illness and they parodically live a double‐edged everyday life. To support young people's healthcare personnel, headmasters and teachers must understand this double‐edged situation.
Best practices for recruiting, retaining diverse adult students at community colleges
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: July 2021

A new report points out the disparity in earning a bachelor's degree between white Americans and Americans of color, and offers solutions for campuses looking to close equity gaps in degree attainment in higher education.
Infiltration behavior of liquid thermosets in thermoplastic powders for additive manufacturing of polymer composite parts in a combined powder bed fusion process
Authors: Setter Robert , Riedel Florentin , Peukert Wolfgang , Schmidt Jochen , Wudy Katrin
Published: July 2021

Polymer‐based multimaterial additive manufacturing (AM) has developed into one of the most promising technologies of recent times. A processing concept was developed in previous studies, which targets the implementation of reactive liquids in a thermoplastic powder‐bed for the creation of multimaterial polymer composite parts. This process aims to be the first AM process of its kind to fully utilize the potentials of both thermoplastic and thermoset polymers simultaneously. A highly important aspect for this process is the investigation of the infiltration behavior of the reactive liquids within the powder bed, since premature or delayed curing of the liquids could lead to deviations from the intended geometry as well as process errors due to material protrusions. This investigation presents an experimental and a mathematical approach to describe and predict the time which a droplet needs to completely infiltrate the powder bed. The results showed, that the experimental setup is viable to observe the droplet height over time at temperatures of up to 105°C and infiltration times below 500 ms. The mathematical model proved to be a powerful approximation to describe the infiltration behavior of a reactive liquid within a thermoplastic powder bed once a material‐specific form factor is determined for each powder material. Through the process of elimination, the independence of the form factor was demonstrated for different powder parameters like the particle size. A theory is presented, which correlates the form factor to the microstructural shape and surface condition of the particles based on SEM images.
Theoretical investigation on the buckling behavior of smart composite sandwich panels with viscoelastic core and shape memory alloy included skins
Authors: Karimiasl Mahsa , Ahmadi Hamed
Published: July 2021

Today, due to the undeniable importance of smart materials such as shape memory alloys (SMAs), their application in engineering structures has become widespread. So, investigating their various properties is the subject of many studies. According to Reddy's higher‐order shear deformation theory and von Kármán nonlinearity, this research presented the buckling characteristics of SMA composite sandwich panel with a viscoelastic core. The governing equations of the panel are derived by implementing Hamilton's principle. For investigating the accuracy, this article is validated with other previous researches, and a good correlation is observed between the results. Finally, different parameters such as volume fraction of SMA, the thickness of the viscoelastic core, geometry ratios, and magnetic fields are considered in this article. The results show that the critical buckling response decreased by increasing the magnitude of magnetic potential. But it has a small influence on the real part of the critical buckling load of sandwich composite panel.
Extraction of nanocellulose from sugarcane bagasse and its characterization for potential applications
Authors: Gond R. K. , Gupta M. K. , Jawaid Mohammad
Published: July 2021

The development of food packaging films from nanocellulose has received attention from researchers. In this study, the chemo‐mechanical method has been used to obtain nanocellulose from sugarcane bagasse. The shape and size of the nanocellulose were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) using ImageJ software, and the result was found to be in good agreement with that of dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. Various characterizations such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA), and ultraviolet visible (UV–Vis) spectrometer for the analysis of crystallinity, chemical structure, thermal stability, and optical properties were performed for fibers and nanocelluloses. Moreover, antibacterial evaluation was also carried out using the disc diffusion method with Bacillus and Escherichia coli bacteria. The removal of noncellulosic elements from fibers after treatment and grinding was revealed by FTIR analysis. Furthermore, nanocellulose exhibited not only higher thermal stability and crystallinity but also acceptable antibacterial properties. Based on the results of this study, polymeric films and composites of the presented nanocellulose might be utilized in food packaging, plastic packaging, and container fabrication.
Random copolymerization of macromonomers as a versatile strategy to synthesize mixed‐graft block copolymers
Authors: Le An N. , Liang Ruiqi , Ji Xiaoyu , Fu Xiaowei , Zhong Mingjiang
Published: July 2021

The random copolymerization of norbornene‐functionalized macromonomers was explored as a method of synthesizing mixed‐graft block copolymers (mGBCPs). The copolymerization kinetics of a model system of polystyrene (PS) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) macromonomers was first analyzed, revealing a gradient composition of side chains along the mGBCP backbone. The phase separation behavior of mGBCPs with PS and PLA side chains of various backbone lengths and side chain molar ratios was investigated, and increasing the backbone length was found to stabilize the phase‐separated nanostructures. The graft architecture was also demonstrated to improve the processability of the mGBCP, compared to a linear counterpart. Investigations of mGBCPs comprised of polydimethylsiloxane and poly(ethylene oxide) side chains exemplified the diverse self‐assembled morphologies, including a Frank‐Kasper A15 phase, that can be obtained with mGBCPs synthesized by random copolymerization of macromonomers. Lastly, a ternary mGBCP was synthesized by the copolymerization of three macromonomers.
Synthesis of ionic polybenzimidazoles with broad ion exchange capacity range for anion exchange membrane fuel cell application
Authors: Abdi Zelalem Gudeta , Chen Jyh‐Chien , Chiu Tse‐Han , Yang Hsiharng , Yu Hsuan‐Hung
Published: July 2021

In this study, new anion exchange membranes (AEM) based on crosslinked polybenzimidazole (m‐PBI) with quaternary ammonium groups, crosslinkable allyl groups, and hydrophobic ethyl groups as side chains are synthesized and characterized. The AEMs are crosslinked by thermal thiol‐ene reaction using a dithiol crosslinker. The ion exchange capacity (IEC) values and crosslinking density were controlled by the number of quaternary ammonium groups and allyl groups, respectively. The introduction of ethyl groups improved the solubility of ionic PBIs even at very low IEC values by eliminating the hydrogen bonding interaction of imidazole rings. This method allows ionic PBIs with broad IEC values, from 0.75 to 2.55 mmol/g, to be prepared. The broad IEC values were achieved by independently controlling the numbers of quaternary ammonium groups, allyl groups, and hydrophobic ethyl groups during preparation. The crosslinked ionic PBIs revealed hydroxide conductivity from 16 to 86 mS/cm at 80°C. The wet membranes also showed excellent mechanical strength with tensile strength of 12.2 to 20.1 MPa and Young's Modulus of 0.67 to 1.45 GPa. The hydroxide conductivity of a crosslinked membrane (0.40Q0.60Et1.00Pr, IEC = 0.95 mmol/g) decreased only 7.9% after the membranes was immersed in a 1.0 M sodium hydroxide solution at 80°C for 720 h. A single fuel cell based on this membrane showed a maximum peak power density of 136 mW/cm2 with a current density of 377 mA /cm2 at 60°C.
Improving protein tertiary structure prediction by deep learning and distance prediction in CASP14
Authors: Liu Jian , Wu Tianqi , Guo Zhiye , Hou Jie , Cheng Jianlin
Published: July 2021

Substantial progresses in protein structure prediction have been made by utilizing deep‐learning and residue‐residue distance prediction since CASP13. Inspired by the advances, we improve our CASP14 MULTICOM protein structure prediction system by incorporating three new components: (a) a new deep learning‐based protein inter‐residue distance predictor to improve template‐free (ab initio) tertiary structure prediction, (b) an enhanced template‐based tertiary structure prediction method, and (c) distance‐based model quality assessment methods empowered by deep learning. In the 2020 CASP14 experiment, MULTICOM predictor was ranked seventh out of 146 predictors in tertiary structure prediction and ranked third out of 136 predictors in inter‐domain structure prediction. The results demonstrate that the template‐free modeling based on deep learning and residue‐residue distance prediction can predict the correct topology for almost all template‐based modeling targets and a majority of hard targets (template‐free targets or targets whose templates cannot be recognized), which is a significant improvement over the CASP13 MULTICOM predictor. Moreover, the template‐free modeling performs better than the template‐based modeling on not only hard targets but also the targets that have homologous templates. The performance of the template‐free modeling largely depends on the accuracy of distance prediction closely related to the quality of multiple sequence alignments. The structural model quality assessment works well on targets for which enough good models can be predicted, but it may perform poorly when only a few good models are predicted for a hard target and the distribution of model quality scores is highly skewed. MULTICOM is available at https://github.com/jianlin-cheng/MULTICOM_Human_CASP14/tree/CASP14_DeepRank3 and https://github.com/multicom-toolbox/multicom/tree/multicom_v2.0.
Inequality as a driver of migration: A social network analysis
Authors: Plotnikova Maria , Ulceluse Magdalena
Published: July 2021

In this study, we analyse the relationship between migration and inequality, within a network setting. Specifically, we employ social network analysis to investigate whether migration flows move between countries with similar or dissimilar levels of income and inequality, across 41 European countries. We observe that emigration flows move between more unequal to less unequal countries and find indications of two migration regimes: one reflecting the movement predominantly between EU‐15 member states and another propelled by per‐capita income differences for the migrants from other countries in Europe. As the first study to investigate the relationship between inequality and migration flows within a network, rather than considering the flows as unrelated to each other, it significantly contributes to our understanding of the complex relationship between inequality and migration.
Population pharmacokinetic analysis of ulotaront in subjects with schizophrenia
Authors: Galluppi Gerald R. , Polhamus Daniel G. , Fisher Jeannine M. , Hopkins Seth C. , Koblan Kenneth S.
Published: July 2021

Ulotaront (SEP‐363856) is a trace amine–associated receptor 1 agonist with 5‐HT1A agonist activity in phase III development for the treatment of schizophrenia. The efficacy of ulotaront is not mediated by blockade of D2 or 5‐HT2A receptors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the population pharmacokinetics (PopPKs) of ulotaront in adult subjects using pooled data from seven phase I studies, one phase II acute study, and one 6‐month extension study. Single and multiple (up to 7 days) oral doses (5–150 mg/day) were studied in both healthy adult subjects (with intensive serial plasma sampling) and adult patients with schizophrenia (some with intensive and some with sparse plasma sampling). Ulotaront was well‐absorbed and exhibited dose‐proportionality in doses ranging from 10 to 100 mg, in mean maximum concentration, area under the concentration‐time curve, and minimum concentration. Moderate interindividual variability was observed in concentration‐time profiles. The estimated median time to maximal concentration was 2.8 h and the median effective half‐life was 7 h, corresponding to an exposure accumulation ratio of 1.10 at steady‐state with daily dosing. There was no indication of time‐dependent changes in PKs after up to 12 weeks of daily dose administration. No clinically meaningful effects on ulotaront PK parameters were observed based on race, age, sex, formulation (capsule or tablet), or clinical status (healthy volunteer vs. patient with schizophrenia); body weight was the only meaningful covariate.
Type‐I censored data monitoring using different conditional statistics
Authors: Ahmed Nabeel , Ali Sajid , Shah Ismail
Published: July 2021

Monitoring censored data is a challenging task and for this purpose, many control charts have been proposed in the literature using different methodologies. In particular, conditional expected value (CEV) and conditional median (CM) are commonly used to replace the censored observations for efficient monitoring. These central tendency measures do not take into account the variation of the data. Thus, the main aim of the article is to propose control charts for type‐I censored data monitoring using conditional standard deviation (CSD) and compare it with the existing censored data charts. To this end, exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) and double EWMA (DEWMA) charts are proposed and studied assuming CSD, CEV, and CM statistics for Weibull data. Different size of shifts as well as smoothing parameters are considered to evaluate the effectiveness of the CSD based charts compared to the existing charts. The performance of the charts is assessed using average run length and standard deviation of run length. Based on simulations as well as two real data examples, the results indicated that the new measure CSD perform better than the CEV and CM statistics.
A boronic acid–modified C60 derivatization reagent for the rapid detection of 3‐monochloropropane‐1,2‐diol using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Qin Zhang‐Na , Ding Jun , Yu Qiong‐Wei , Zhou Ping , Feng Yu‐Qi
Published: July 2021

Rationale

3‐Monochloropropane‐1,2‐diol (3‐MCPD) is a well‐known contaminant formed in food thermal processing, which could be found in a variety of foodstuffs. Due to its potential carcinogenicity, it was essential to quickly develop a rapid and high‐throughput analytical method to monitor 3‐MCPD in foodstuffs, which is described in this study.

Methods

3‐MCPD was extracted from foodstuffs and then was derivatized with a boronic acid–modified C60 (B‐C60) through the boronic acid‐diol reaction. Microwave heating was used to accelerate the derivatization reaction. Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis was conducted using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐MS (MALDI‐MS). The application of the method was validated using various smoked food samples.

Results

The chemical derivatization of 3‐MCPD with B‐C60 enabled the addition of a C60‐tag to 3‐MCPD. High‐throughput analysis of the sample within 0.5 h was realized. A good linear range from 0.02 to 1.5 μg mL−1 for 3‐MCPD was obtained, with a detection limit of 0.005 μg mL−1. The recoveries in spiked foodstuffs ranged from 85.4% to 115.1% with relative standard deviations of 2.0%–14.2%. This method was successfully applied to detect 3‐MCPD in smoked foodstuffs.

Conclusions

A quantitative method was developed for the detection of 3‐MCPD in foodstuffs using B‐C60 derivatization combined with MALDI‐MS strategy. This proposed method may serve as a potential platform for the rapid and high‐throughput analysis of 3‐MCPD in foodstuffs for the purpose of food safety control.