bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Incidence of Hydroureteronephrosis among Pregnant Women of a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Rithanya S. , Sivasankar M. , Griffin M. , Premanand P. S. , Kamaraj V. , Muthulatha N.
Published: November 2021

Background: Some degree of dilatation of the upper two-thirds of the ureter and the pelvicalyceal system is observed in physiological hydroureteronephrosis. It may be present in 90% of pregnancies and is more pronounced on the right side. It develops as early as 6-10 weeks of gestation and disappears a few weeks after birth. Smooth muscle-relaxant effects of progesterone and mechanical compression have been postulated as contributing factors. Ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice. Most of the cases resolve with conservative measures.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the incidence of hydroureteronephrosis in pregnancy using ultrasound, to assess the laterality of hydroureteronephrosis in pregnancy and to assess the proportion of subjects with hydroureteronephrosis in pregnancy requiring intervention.

Materials and Methodology: A prospective study was conducted among the pregnant women presenting to the department of obstetrics and gynecology in a tertiary health care hospital from January 2021 to April 2021. A simple random sampling technique was employed, 40 subjects were identified for the study. The relationship between hydroureteronephrosis and gestational age, urinary tract problems and parity were compared.

Results: Unilateral right-sided hydroureteronephrosis was present in 7 (36.8%) of the study subjects with hydroureteronephrosis. Hydroureteronephrosis was observed in 22.5% and 15% of the study subjects on the right and left side respectively during the second trimester. Hydroureteronephrosis was observed in 30% and 15% of the study subjects with urinary tract problems on the right and left side respectively. Hydroureteronephrosis was observed in 13 (52%) of the study subjects with no previous delivery.

Conclusion: The incidence of hydroureteronephrosis was found to be 47.5%. Differentiation of physiological and pathological hydroureteronephrosis is necessary. A coordinated approach between obstetricians and urologists is essential to provide the best care for the mother and the fetus.
Tobacco Harm Reduction Model Using SAST and ECM
Authors: Kholil . , Alifahmi Hifni , Bimo Ario
Published: November 2021

Cigarettes is related with culture and people's behavior.In almost all countries it has become a serious problem because of its negative impact on health, but the number of smokers increasing year by year. In fact, the community has considered it as a lifestyle, social intimacy (social behaviour), and some even have made it part of certain traditional ceremonies, So behavioral change is an important thing to stop smoking or reduce the danger of negative impact of smoking. The main problem is how to change community behavioral to reduce negative impact of cigaret?

This research aimed to identify and analyze the factors that caused a person to be active smoker, and what is the most appropriate strategy to reduce the negative impacts of smoking according to the real condition. The method used was the combination of inductive and deductive approaches. Data collection via questionnare and experts discussion. The analysis used were SAST and ECM . The analysis results showed there are three main factors to stop smoking : health, economic reasons, and family encouragement. While the best strategy to reduce negative impact of cigarette is government affirmative policy and building hexa helix collaboration involving business actors, academics, government, society, market and the media.
Evaluation of the Bacteriological and Physicochemical Qualities of Some Brands of Bottled Water Sold in Owerri, Imo State
Authors: Onyekachi Kingsley Kelechi , Dike-Ndudim Joy Nkeiruka , Anikwo Emeka Simon , Winners Ndubueze Chizaram
Published: November 2021

This work was carried out in order to detect the presence of bacterial agent in the bottled water samples, and to evaluate the physicochemical qualities of these bottled water. Twenty samples selected from four different brands of bottled water sold in Owerri, were examined to determine their bacteriological and physicochemical qualities. Bacteriological analyses using Membrane filtration technique was carried out to determine the heterotrophic bacteria, total coliform and fecal coliform counts. Physicochemical qualities were also determined using standard methods. The heterotrophic bacterial count ranged from 0.00 to 12.00 CFU/ml, total coliform count ranged from 0.00 to 7.50 coliform/100ml. There was absence of fecal coliform in the samples. The pH, Color, Turbidity and Conductivity of the samples ranged from 5.18 to 7.28, 0.00 to 18.00 PCU, 0.55 to 1.62 NTU and 16.00 to 262.00 µs/cm respectively.  The Chloride, Iron and Nitrite content of the samples ranged from 16.99 to 27.98 mg/L, 0.01 to 0.07 mg/L Fe, and 0.00 to 0.34 mg/L respectively. The bacterial species isolated belong to the genera Staphylococcus, Proteus, Klebsiella, Bacillus and Escherichia. Quality wise, most of the water samples met the XYZ standard for bacteriological and physicochemical quality for drinking water with the exception of few. It can be deduced from this study, that none of the bottled water is suitable for drinking with regards to the bacteriological and physicochemical parameters tested. Though some samples passed the bacteriological examination, most of them were acidic and therefore not safe for consumption.
Reduced Spin‐Orbit Torque Switching Current by Voltage‐Controlled Easy‐Cone States
Authors: Jeong Jimin , Kang Min‐Gu , Lee Soogil , Kang Jaimin , Lee Kyung‐Jin , Park Byong‐Guk
Published: November 2021

Spin‐orbit torque (SOT) promises fast and reliable switching of the perpendicular magnetization in spintronic devices, such as magnetic random‐access memory or spin logic devices. To apply the SOT technology to practical devices with low power consumption, it is necessary to reduce the switching current. To this end, most of the research to date in this area has focused on improving the charge‐to‐spin conversion efficiency in heavy metal/ferromagnet structures. In this study, it is reported that the SOT switching current is significantly reduced by modulating magnetic easy‐cone states through voltage‐controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA). The introduction of a thin Pt layer at the CoFeB/MgO interface enhances the VCMA effect, allowing a magnetic easy‐cone state of CoFeB to be formed and controlled by the gate voltage. As a result, the SOT switching current density is reduced by up to 50% when the easy‐cone angle is changed from 0° to 58°. Furthermore, the magnetic easy‐cone state is gradually modulated in a reversible and non‐volatile manner, facilitating multilevel spintronic devices.
A New Insight into Ultrastable Zn Metal Batteries Enabled by In Situ Built Multifunctional Metallic Interphase
Authors: Ouyang Kefeng , Ma Dingtao , Zhao Ning , Wang Yanyi , Yang Ming , Mi Hongwei , Sun Lingna , He Chuanxin , Zhang Peixin
Published: November 2021

Dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions are thorny issues that seriously damage the anode–electrolyte interface during Zn plating/stripping process, leading to uncontrollable Zn deposition and restraining application of aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs). Here, a unique facile strategy to in situ build indium (In) metal interphase on the Zn anode is first proposed. The combination of experimental and theoretical investigations demonstrate that such metallic interphase prevents the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and Zn corrosion, and guides preferential growth along the Zn(002) plane to achieve smooth Zn deposition. As a result, the modified Zn anodes achieve the ultrahigh cumulative capacities of 5600 and 5000 mAh cm−2 at the high current densities of 2 and 5 mA cm−2, respectively, demonstrating an ultrastable plating/stripping behavior. More encouragingly, the rate performance and cyclic stability of the Zn–V2O5 battery with the electrolyte additive can still deliver a specific capacity of 383.6 mAh g−1 after 5000 cycles at the high current density of 5 A g−1. The strategy presented here as well as the in‐depth understanding of modified mechanism can not only provide an effective solution to address the Zn anode concerns, but also deepen the understanding of AZIBs.
Magnetic Gold Nanoparticles with Idealized Coating for Enhanced Point‐Of‐Care Sensing
Authors: Gessner Isabel , Park Jin‐Ho , Lin Hsing‐Ying , Lee Hakho , Weissleder Ralph
Published: November 2021

Magnetic nanoparticles with hybrid sensing functions are in wide use for bioseparation, sensing, and in vivo imaging. Yet, nonspecific protein adsorption to the particle surface continues to present a technical challenge and diminishes the theoretical protein detection capabilities. Here, a magneto‐plasmonic nanoparticle synthesis is developed that minimizes nonspecific protein adsorption. Building on the success of zwitterionic polymers, a highly stable and anergic nanomaterial, magnetic gold nanoparticles with idealized coating (MAGIC) is obtained with significantly lower serum protein adsorption compared to control nanoparticles coated with commonly used polymers (polyethylene glycol, polyethylenimine, or polyallylamine hydrochloride). MAGIC nanoparticles are able to sense specific bladder cancer biomarkers at low levels and in the presence of other proteins. This strategy may find wide spread applications for in vitro and in vivo sensing as well as isolations.
Pore‐ and Heteroatom‐Controlled Superabsorbent‐Resin‐Derived Carbon Aerogels for Supercapacitors via Adjusting the Methylene Blue Concentration
Authors: Dai Zhong , Ren Peng‐Gang , Chen Zhengyan , Guo Zhengzheng , Hou Xin , He Wenwei , Jin Yanling , Ren Fang
Published: November 2021

The porous structure and heteroatom doping are crucial for the electrochemical performance of carbon materials for supercapacitors. However, designing carbon materials with appropriate pore sizes and heteroatom content is still facing daunting challenges. Herein, simultaneous regulation of porous structure and heteroatom doping in superabsorbent resin (SAR)‐based activated carbon aerogels (SACAs) is implemented by facilely immersing superabsorbent resin in methylene blue (MB) solution with different concentrations, and then followed by freeze‐drying and carbonization. The resulting SACAs possess variable oxygen/nitrogen/sulfur elements, adjustable high specific surface area, abundant micro–mesopores, and controllable porous structure. Hence, the assembled symmetric supercapacitors exhibit an excellent rate capacity of 83%, a superior energy density of 24.58 Wh kg−1 at the power density of 400 W kg−1, as well as a satisfactory energy density of 20.84 Wh kg−1 at the power density of 4000 W kg−1. Furthermore, outstanding cycling stability (94.59% retention) and high Coulombic efficiency (average value over 97%) are achieved for the supercapacitors after 10 000 cycles. This work broadens a new avenue to design the appropriate pore structure and heteroatom doping of carbon materials for high‐performance supercapacitors.
Ultrasound Mediated Cellular Deflection Results in Cellular Depolarization
Authors: Vasan Aditya , Orosco Jeremy , Magaram Uri , Duque Marc , Weiss Connor , Tufail Yusuf , Chalasani Sreekanth H , Friend James
Published: November 2021

Ultrasound has been used to manipulate cells in both humans and animal models. While intramembrane cavitation and lipid clustering have been suggested as likely mechanisms, they lack experimental evidence. Here, high‐speed digital holographic microscopy (kiloHertz order) is used to visualize the cellular membrane dynamics. It is shown that neuronal and fibroblast membranes deflect about 150 nm upon ultrasound stimulation. Next, a biomechanical model that predicts changes in membrane voltage after ultrasound exposure is developed. Finally, the model predictions are validated using whole‐cell patch clamp electrophysiology on primary neurons. Collectively, it is shown that ultrasound stimulation directly defects the neuronal membrane leading to a change in membrane voltage and subsequent depolarization. The model is consistent with existing data and provides a mechanism for both ultrasound‐evoked neurostimulation and sonogenetic control.
Epitope screening using Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX‐MS): An accelerated workflow for evaluation of lead monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Zhu Shaolong , Liuni Peter , Chen Tricia , Houy Camille , Wilson Derek J. , James D. Andrew
Published: November 2021

Background

Epitope mapping is an increasingly important aspect of biotherapeutic and vaccine development. Recent advances in therapeutic antibody design and production have enabled candidate mAbs to be identified at a rapidly increasing rate, resulting in a significant bottleneck in the characterization of “structural” epitopes, that are challenging to determine using existing high throughput epitope mapping tools. Here, a Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX‐MS) epitope screening workflow was introduced that is well suited for accelerated characterization of epitopes with a common antigen.

Main methods and major results

The method is demonstrated on set of six candidate mAbs targeting Pertactin (PRN). Using this approach, five of the six epitopes were unambiguously determined using two HDX mixing timepoints in 24 h total run time, which is equivalent to the instrument time required to map a single epitope using the conventional workflow.

Conclusion

An accelerated HDX‐MS epitope screening workflow was developed. The “screening” workflow successfully characterized five (out of six attempted) novel epitopes on the PRN antigen; information that can be used to support vaccine antigenicity assays.
Recent research trends in fluorescent reporters‐based lateral flow immunoassay for protein biomarkers specific to acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Supianto Mulya , Lee Hye Jin
Published: November 2021

A rapid and sensitive method is urgently required for the detection of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a major cause of death globally. As a user‐friendly diagnostic platform, the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) has been considered as a rapid and low‐cost tool for point‐of‐care testing. Among the available LFIAs, fluorescent nanoparticles have been widely used as reporters to improve the sensitivity of detection targets. This review describes the basic principle of fluorescence‐based LFIA and various fluorescent nanoparticles used as a signal readout. Recently, various studies on fluorescent reporters‐based LFIAs for diagnosing potential AMI have been outlined by determining the level of AMI‐specific protein biomarkers, including cardiac troponins I and T, heart‐type fatty acid‐binding protein, myoglobin, brain natriuretic peptide, suppression of tumorigenicity 2, creatine kinase‐MB, and C‐reactive protein. The challenges of the used fluorescent reporters in LFIA are discussed to achieve affordable and excellent performances for clinical applications.
Do nonalignable attributes count to consumers? How identity breadth affects diagnosticity of attributes alignability
Authors: Sun Jin , Yan Qin
Published: November 2021

How to gain consumers' attention to nonalignable attributes, which are difficult to process while representing a large amount of R&D investment by companies, has been the subject of much attention and research. To date, prior research has investigated some contextual and cognitive factors in the effect of attribute alignablity on consumer choice, while the impact of consumers' social identity on their willingness to process nonalignable attributes remains to be examined. We propose that individuals whose broad identity is activated are more innovative than those whose narrow identity is activated, which may lead them to rely more on nonalignable product attributes when making comparative decisions. Furthermore, consumers with lower confidence are uncertain about their decisions and are motivated to evaluate nonalignable product attributes. However, confident consumers feel more certain about their decisions and are less motivated to process complex product information. Our results suggest that broad‐identity‐activated consumers' preference for nonalignable attributes is attenuated when they are highly confident. Narrow‐identity‐activated individuals' preference for alignable attributes is decreased when they are in low confidence. The results help us understand whether confidence will enhance or decrease consumers' motivation to process product attributes information.
The effects of okadaic acid‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells on microglia activation and phagocytosis
Authors: Amonruttanapun Prateep , Chongthammakun Sukumal , Chamniansawat Siriporn
Published: November 2021

The activation of microglia is found to be associated with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several studies have shown that okadaic acid (OA) induced deposition of tau hyperphosphorylation, and subsequent neuronal degeneration, loss of synapses, and memory impairment, all of which resemble the pathology of AD. Although OA is a powerful tool available for mechanisms of the neurotoxicity associated with AD, the exact mechanism underlying the activation of microglial cells remains unrevealed. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of both OA and OA‐treated neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells on microglial HAPI cell viability, activation, and phagocytosis. The results showed that both OA and OA‐treated neurons did not induce any detectable cytotoxicity of microglial cells. Furthermore, incubation with OA‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells could increase the expression of ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) on microglial HAPI cells. This result indicated that OA may induce microglial activation through the toxicity of neurons. Moreover, we also demonstrated that OA‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells were engulfed by CD11b/c‐labeled microglial HAPI cells, which were abolished after treatment with 10 mM O‐phospho‐
l‐serine (
L‐SOP) for 30 min before co‐culture with OA‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells, indicating cells experiencing phagocytic activity. We also confirmed that OA treatment for 24 h significantly increased tau hyperphosphorylation at S396 in SH‐SY5Y cells. In conclusion, our findings indicate that OA is a potential toxic inducer underlying the role of microglia in AD pathogenesis.
Effect of orotic acid addition on hydrolysis conversion of α‐tricalcium phosphate to hydroxyapatite
Authors: Yamada Iori , Galindo Tania Guadalupe Peñaflor , Noda Daichi , Tagaya Motohiro
Published: November 2021

Alpha‐tricalcium phosphate (α‐TCP), which can be converted to calcium‐deficient hydroxyapatite (HA) by hydrolysis reaction, has been researched as a bone filling. Although the composites of α‐TCP with various organic molecules can exhibit a novel functionality, the reaction based on the addition of the interactive organic molecules has not been understood. Investigation of the hydrolysis conversion process under various conditions can lead to the elucidation of the biomineralization process. In this study, we investigated the hydrolysis conversion of α‐TCP to HA in the presence of orotic acid (Ort). As a result, the conversion rate from α‐TCP to HA at the reaction time of 3 h was improved to be more than five times as compared to that in the absence of Ort. Moreover, the addition of Ort promoted the crystal growth and suppressed the crystal growth in the m‐plane direction. Furthermore, the mechanism for promoting HA formation is assumed to be related to the molecular structure of Ort, which is capable of forming the interactions between carboxylate and Ca2+ ions.
CRISPR‐Cas9 Genome Editing of Primary Human Vascular Cells In Vitro
Authors: Atri Deepak S. , Lee‐Kim Vivian S. , Vellarikkal Shamsudheen K. , Sias‐Garcia Oscar , Yanamandala Mounica , Schniztler Gavin R. , Gupta Rajat M.
Published: November 2021

Genome editing of primary human cells with CRISPR‐Cas9 is a powerful tool to study gene function. For many cell types, there are efficient protocols for editing with optimized plasmids for Cas9 and sgRNA expression. Vascular cells, however, remain refractory to plasmid‐based delivery of CRISPR machinery for in vitro genome editing due to low transfection efficiency, poor expression of the Cas9 machinery, and toxic effects of the selection antibiotics. Here, we describe a method for high‐efficiency editing of primary human vascular cells in vitro using nucleofection for direct delivery of sgRNA:Cas9‐NLS ribonucleoprotein complexes. This method is more rapid and its high editing efficiency eliminates the need for additional selection steps. The edited cells can be employed in diverse applications, such as gene expression measurement or functional assays to assess various genetic perturbation effects in vitro. This method proves effective in vascular cells that are refractory to standard genome manipulation techniques using viral plasmid delivery. We anticipate that this technique will be applied to other non‐vascular cell types that face similar barriers to efficient genome editing. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: CRISPR‐Cas9 genome editing of primary human vascular cells in vitro
Longitudinal association of inflammatory markers with markers of glycaemia and insulin resistance in European children
Authors: Nagrani Rajini , Foraita Ronja , Wolters Maike , De Henauw Stefaan , Marild Staffan , Molnár Dénes , Moreno Luis A. , Russo Paola , Tornaritis Michael , Veidebaum Toomas , Ahrens Wolfgang , Marron Manuela ,   IDEFICS,   I.Family consortia
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Subclinical systemic inflammation may lead to development of type 2 diabetes, but there has been no investigation into its relationship with early progression of glycaemic deterioration and insulin resistance, especially in younger population. In this study we assessed longitudinal associations of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory markers with markers that evaluate glycaemia and insulin resistance.

Methods

This study includes 6537 initially nondiabetic children (mean age at baseline = 6.2 years) with repeated measurements from the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort study (mean follow‐up = 5.3 years) from eight European countries. Markers of inflammation were used as independent variables and markers of glycaemia/insulin resistance as dependent variables. Associations were examined using two‐level growth model. Models were adjusted for sex, age, major lifestyle, metabolic risk factors, early life markers, and other inflammatory markers in final model.

Results

Children with 6 years of follow‐up showed that a one‐unit increase in z‐score of leptin level was associated with 0.38 (95% CI = 0.32 to 0.44) unit increase in HOMA‐IR z‐scores. Leptin continued to be associated with HOMA‐IR even when analysis was limited to children with no overall obesity, no abdominal obesity, and low to normal triglyceride levels. An inverse association was observed between IL‐15 and HOMA‐IR (β = −0.11, 95% CI = −0.15 to −0.07).

Conclusions

IL‐15 should be evaluated further in the prevention or treatment of prediabetes whereas leptin may prove to be useful in early detection of prediabetes via their association with markers of insulin resistance in European children.
My partner looks, swims, and quacks like a duck: The need for cognitive closure in the interpersonal perception of romantic engagement in close relationships
Authors: Theodorou Annalisa , Livi Stefano
Published: November 2021

Individuals are motivated to have a reassuring vision of their partners' characteristics that are central to the relationship such as romantic engagement. This can be particularly true for individuals with high levels of need for closure (NFC). In order to preserve a comforting and stable view of the relationship, they might be motivated by greater assumed similarity and lesser accuracy in perceiving partners' romantic engagement. Three‐hundred‐fifteen heterosexual couples filled out a questionnaire with measures of NFC and self‐ and other‐reported romantic engagement (harmonious and obsessive). Results showed that, for both types of romantic engagement, assumed similarity and accuracy effects were positive and significant. Moreover, NFC had a moderating role in the assumed similarity and accuracy effects in harmonious romantic engagement. In particular, high NFC individuals showed greater assumed similarity and lower accuracy compared to low NFC individuals.
Does maternal inhibitory control mediate effects of a parenting intervention on maternal sensitive discipline? Evidence from a randomized‐controlled trial
Authors: Kolijn Laura , van den Bulk Bianca G. , van IJzendoorn Marinus H. , Bakermans‐Kranenburg Marian J. , Huffmeijer Rens
Published: November 2021

The quality of parenting greatly impacts child development, highlighting the importance of support programs that effectively improve parenting. Studies on successful intervention programs define their efficacy by gains in parenting and/or child development. However, much remains unknown about the internal processes that explain how parenting interventions bring about their effects. The aims of the current randomized‐controlled study were to test whether the Video‐feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP‐SD) improved maternal inhibitory control (1) and whether inhibitory control mediated any effects of VIPP‐SD on maternal sensitive discipline (2). In total, 66 mothers of whom a random 33% received the VIPP‐SD and the others a “dummy” intervention participated in pre‐ and post‐intervention assessments. Sensitive discipline was observed during a semi‐structured limit‐setting situation and inhibitory control was measured using a stop‐signal task. Contrary to expectations, inhibitory control improved over time in the control group and sensitive discipline did not show the expected increase in the intervention group. Results did not support mediation. We suggest that the intervention may have induced cognitive restructuring of parenting schemas, delaying improvements in post‐intervention inhibitory control and sensitive discipline. Factors that may be involved in parents’ susceptibility to interventions require attention in future work.
Cholecalciferol Supplementation Attenuates Bone Loss in Incident Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Prespecified Secondary Endpoint Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tsujita Makoto , Doi Yohei , Obi Yoshitsugu , Hamano Takayuki , Tomosugi Toshihide , Futamura Kenta , Okada Manabu , Hiramitsu Takahisa , Goto Norihiko , Isaka Yoshitaka , Takeda Asami , Narumi Shunji , Watarai Yoshihiko
Published: November 2021

Vitamin D deficiency, persistent hyperparathyroidism, and bone loss are common after kidney transplantation (KTx). However, limited evidence exists regarding the effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone loss after KTx. In this prespecified secondary endpoint analysis of a randomized controlled trial, we evaluated changes in PTH, bone metabolic markers, and bone mineral density (BMD). At 1 month post-transplant, we randomized 193 patients to an 11-month intervention with cholecalciferol (4000 IU/d) or placebo. The median baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level was 10 ng/mL and 44% of participants had osteopenia or osteoporosis. At the end of the study, the median 25(OH)D level was increased to 40 ng/mL in the cholecalciferol group and substantially unchanged in the placebo group. Compared with placebo, cholecalciferol significantly reduced whole PTH concentrations (between-group difference of −15%; 95% confidence interval [CI] −25 to −3), with greater treatment effects in subgroups with lower 25(OH)D, lower serum calcium, or higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (pint < 0.05). The percent change in lumbar spine (LS) BMD from before KTx to 12 months post-transplant was −0.2% (95% CI −1.4 to 0.9) in the cholecalciferol group and −1.9% (95% CI −3.0 to −0.8) in the placebo group, with a significant between-group difference (1.7%; 95% CI 0.1 to 3.3). The beneficial effect of cholecalciferol on LS BMD was prominent in patients with low bone mass pint < 0.05). Changes in serum calcium, phosphate, bone metabolic markers, and BMD at the distal radius were not different between groups. In mediation analyses, change in whole PTH levels explained 39% of treatment effects on BMD change. In conclusion, 4000 IU/d cholecalciferol significantly reduced PTH levels and attenuated LS BMD loss after KTx. This regimen has the potential to eliminate vitamin D deficiency and provides beneficial effects on bone health even under glucocorticoid treatment. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Evaluation of changes in prescription among Japanese elderly patients before and after transition to home care
Authors: Masumoto Shoichi , Sato Mikiya , Yamakawa Tomotsugu , Hamada Shuhei , Inaba Takashi , Kataoka Yoshihiro , Ozone Sachiko , Yokoya Shoji , Hamano Jun
Published: November 2021

Background

Most patients receiving home care have multimorbidity and tend to be prescribed multiple drugs with the complicated regimen. Family physicians (FPs) are responsible for patients' prescriptions after transition to home care. This study aimed to assess changes in medication regimen complexity and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) made by FPs before and after transition to home care.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in six home care clinics in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Data from patients aged 65 years and older taking any medication who initiated home care between April 2018 and March 2019 were collected using medical records. The medication regimen complexity index‐Japanese version (MRCI‐J) score and the presence of PIMs were assessed before and 3 months after transition to home care.

Results

The mean age of 169 patients was 84.0 years. MRCI‐J score and percentage of PIMs remained unchanged between before and 3 months after home care initiation. However, MRCI‐J score significantly decreased among patients with polypharmacy, but significantly increased among patients with nonpolypharmacy. In multiple regression analysis, a greater number of medications before home care initiation was associated with a decreasing MRCI‐J score, but pharmacist home visit services were not associated with changes in MRCI‐J score.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that FPs involved in home care are trying to adjust prescriptions by simplifying the medication regimen of patients with polypharmacy, and adding symptomatic drugs to those with nonpolypharmacy.
A comparative study of metatranscriptomic assessment methods to characterize Microcystis blooms
Authors: Pound Helena L. , Gann Eric R. , Wilhelm Steven W.
Published: November 2021

Harmful algal blooms are increasing in duration and severity globally, resulting in increased research interest. The use of genetic sequencing technologies has provided a wealth of opportunity to advance knowledge, but also poses a risk to that knowledge if handled incorrectly. The vast numbers of sequence processing tools and protocols provide a method to test nearly every hypothesis, but each method has inherent strengths and weaknesses. Here, we tested six methods to classify and quantify metatranscriptomic activity from a harmful algal bloom dominated by Microcystis spp. Three online tools were evaluated (Kaiju, MG‐RAST, and GhostKOALA) in addition to three local tools that included a command line BLASTx approach, recruitment of reads to individual Microcystis genomes, and recruitment to a combined Microcystis composite genome generated from sequenced isolates with complete, closed genomes. Based on the analysis of each tool presented in this study, two recommendations are made that are dependent on the hypothesis to be tested. For researchers only interested in the function and physiology of Microcystis spp., read recruitments to the composite genome, referred to as “Frankenstein's Microcystis,” provided high total estimates of transcript expression. However, for researchers interested in the entire bloom microbiome, the online GhostKOALA annotation tool, followed by subsequent read recruitments, provided functional and taxonomic characterization, in addition to transcript expression estimates. This study highlights the critical need for careful evaluation of methods before data analysis.
Genetic manipulation of trehalose‐6‐phosphate synthase results in changes in the soluble sugar profile in transgenic sugarcane stems
Authors: Gabriel Casey , Fernhout Jean‐Jacque , Fichtner Franziska , Feil Regina , Lunn John E. , Kossmann Jens , Lloyd James R. , van der Vyver Christell
Published: November 2021

Trehalose is a non‐reducing disaccharide widely distributed in nature. The trehalose biosynthetic intermediate, trehalose 6‐phosphate (Tre6P) is an essential regulatory and signaling molecule involved in both regulation of carbon metabolism and photosynthesis. To investigate the effect of altered trehalose synthesis on sucrose accumulation in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid), we independently overexpressed the Escherichia coli otsA (trehalose‐6‐phosphate synthase; TPS) and otsB (trehalose‐6‐phosphate phosphatase; TPP) genes and additionally partially silenced native TPS expression. In mature cane, sucrose levels in the otsA transgenic plants were lowered, whereas sucrose levels in the otsB transgenic plants were increased. Partial silencing of TPS expression in sugarcane transformed with a TPS‐targeted microRNA recombinant construct was confirmed in leaf and mature internode tissue of transgenic plants. Most of the silencing transgenic lines accumulated trehalose at lower levels than the wild‐type (WT) plants. The immature stalk tissue of these transgenic lines had lower levels of glucose and fructose, whereas the mature internode tissue had lower sucrose and glucose levels, when compared with the WT. Furthermore, various minor metabolites and sugars were detected in the sugarcane plants, which mostly decreased as the stalk tissue of the cane matured. The results demonstrate that manipulation of Tre6P/trehalose metabolism has the potential to modify the profile of soluble sugars accumulated in sugarcane stems.
Tomato and cotton G protein beta subunit mutants display constitutive autoimmune responses
Authors: Ninh Thi Thao , Gao Wei , Trusov Yuri , Zhao Jing‐Ruo , Long Lu , Song Chun‐Peng , Botella Jose Ramon
Published: November 2021

Heterotrimeric G protein Gβ‐deficient mutants in rice and maize display constitutive immune responses, whereas Arabidopsis Gβ mutants show impaired defense, suggesting the existence of functional differences between monocots and dicots. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we produced one hemizygous tomato line with a mutated SlGB1 Gβ gene. Homozygous slgb1 knockout mutants exhibit all the hallmarks of autoimmune mutants, including development of necrotic lesions, constitutive expression of defense‐related genes, and high endogenous levels of salicylic acid (SA) and reactive oxygen species, resulting in early seedling lethality. Virus‐induced silencing of Gβ in cotton reproduced the symptoms observed in tomato mutants, confirming that the autoimmune phenotype is not limited to monocot species but is also shared by dicots. Even though multiple genes involved in SA and ethylene signaling are highly induced by Gβ silencing in tomato and cotton, co‐silencing of SA or ethylene signaling components in cotton failed to suppress the lethal phenotype, whereas co‐silencing of the oxidative burst oxidase RbohD can repress lethality. Despite the autoimmune response observed in slgb1 mutants, we show that SlGB1 is a positive regulator of the pathogen‐associated molecular pattern (PAMP)‐triggered immunity (PTI) response in tomato. We speculate that the phenotypic differences observed between Arabidopsis and tomato/cotton/rice/maize Gβ knockouts do not necessarily reflect divergences in G protein‐mediated defense mechanisms.
Performance on the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation certifying examinations: Rural and urban physicians
Authors: Murphy Kevin P. , Raddatz Mikaela M. , Robinson Lawrence R.
Published: November 2021

Background

Over 60 million people in the United States live in a rural community making up approximately 20% of the population. Data are minimal about the physiatrists who serve this rural population, their performance on certification examinations and how the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPM&R) serves their ongoing educational, assessment, and practice needs.

Objective

To compare the performance of rural and urban physicians on the Part I, Part II, and maintenance of certification (MOC) examinations along with subspecialty preference and continuance of primary certification.

Design

Retrospective cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Board‐eligible PM&R physicians and certified diplomates of the ABPM&R.

Participants

Physicians who participated in an initial certification or maintenance of certification examination with the ABPM&R between 2010 and 2019.

Methods

Comparisons of physician pass rates, mean scaled scores (aggregates), and program pass rates on ABPM&R certifying examinations were completed. Cross‐reference to national database and ABPM&R practice site zip codes provided sociogeographic linkage.

Interventions

Not applicable

Main Outcome Measures

Physician mean scaled scores, pass rates, subspecialty preferences, and primary certification status.

Results

There were no meaningful differences in performance on the ABPM&R Part I, II, and MOC examinations between rural and urban physiatrists. Most common subspecialty is the pain medicine certification whose diplomates most frequently drop their primary certification. Pediatric rehabilitation medicine certification is rare in rural localities and a health care disparity.

Conclusion

The study found no meaningful differences in the performance of rural and urban physicians on the ABPM&R certifying examinations.
Normal variation of the gut microbiota affects hepatic cytochrome P450 activity in mice
Authors: Togao Masao , Tajima Shinnosuke , Kurakawa Takashi , Wagai Gaku , Otsuka Jun , Kado Shoichi , Kawakami Koji
Published: November 2021

Several studies revealed that substantial artificial changes in the gut microbiota resulted in modification of hepatic cytochrome P450 3a (Cyp3a) in mice. Consequently, we hypothesized that “normal” variation of the gut microbiota might also alter hepatic Cyp activity and lead to individual differences in drug metabolism. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of normal gut microbiota variation on hepatic Cyp activity under the same genetic and environmental conditions using ex‐germ‐free mice. Using the feces of three breeder BALB/c mice (Jcl, Slc, and Crj), germ‐free BALB/cYit mice were conventionalized (Yit‐Jcl, Yit‐Slc, and Yit‐Crj). The gut microbiota composition and hepatic Cyp activity of these donors and recipients were evaluated. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed clear differences of the gut microbiota among donors and among recipients. Cyp3a activity was significantly higher in Slc mice than in Jcl and Crj mice. Notably, among recipients, Cyp3a activity was significantly higher in Yit‐Slc and Yit‐Crj mice than in Yit‐Jcl mice. Cyp2b activity was significantly higher in Slc mice than in Jcl and Crj mice. Cyp2b activity was significantly higher in Yit‐Slc mice than in Yit‐Jcl mice. Additionally, in correlation analysis, some genera displayed significant positive or negative correlations with Cyp activity, particular the strong positive correlation between Clostridium sensu stricto 1 with Cyp3a activity. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that normal variation of the gut microbiota affected hepatic Cyp3a and Cyp2b activity, which might result in individual differences of drug metabolism.
SIL‐3, SIL‐2, and unicorns (there is a high probability your SIL 2 and SIL 3 SIFs have no better performance than SIL 1)
Authors: Dowell Arthur M. (Art) , Bridges William , Thomas Hal W. (Hal) , Massello Matias
Published: November 2021

Safety instrumented system (SIS) standards improved the definition of interlocks and introduced requirements for improved management systems to enforce independence from other independent protection layers (IPLs). SIS standards require verification that the performance of each safety instrumented function (SIF) will be met during its lifetime, where the performance criterion is documented as the target safety integrity level (SIL) or risk reduction factor for the SIF. The SIL is in turn tied to specific values of probability of failure on demand (PFD). The current SIS standards and the TR (Technical Reports, from ISA) that explain how to do SIL verification calculations do not include accounting for specific human error probabilities—this is a major deficiency as even the probability of a single human error can be much larger than the target PFD of 0.001 for a SIL 3 and oftentimes a little larger than the PFD of 0.01 for a SIL 2. The SIL verification methods outlined in the standards and technical reports like ANSI/ISA TR84.00.02 facilitate consistency for the component‐only failure rates. As user companies seek to obtain greater risk reduction from their SIS to satisfy their corporate risk criteria, failure to adequately address potential specific human failures can lead to overly optimistic results and a misallocation of resources intended to reduce risk.
Osmotic management of distributed complex systems: A declarative decentralised approach
Authors: Forti Stefano , Lera Isaac , Guerrero Carlos , Brogi Antonio
Published: November 2021

Osmotic computing encompasses emerging Cloud‐Internet of Things (IoT) computing paradigms, by featuring the possibility for application services to adapt into different functionally equivalent flavours, depending on the contextually available resources and on specific requirements of running applications. This article proposes a fully decentralised declarative framework that enables both application and infrastructure operators to declare management policies for the service instances and the nodes they manage, respectively. Policies are composed of a simple and well‐defined set of management operations, declared in Prolog, which trigger based on locally available contextual information on application requests and infrastructure resources. A prototype implementation of the framework is showcased and assessed via simulation over a lifelike Smart Campus use case with multiple applications, at increasing infrastructure sizes and number of mobile users. Experimental results show that the proposed management framework scales to large infrastructure sizes and suits the needs of multiflavoured Osmotic applications in dynamic deployment conditions, by improving the trade‐off between their response times and suitable service usage.
Zum Kriechen von Sandwichelementen unter axialer Belastung
Authors: Hörnel‐Metzger Beate , Naujoks Bernd
Published: November 2021

Bei der Berechnung von Sandwichelementen, die neben Flächenlasten senkrecht zur Ebene und einem Temperaturgradienten auch durch Drucknormalkräfte beansprucht werden, müssen die Effekte nach Theorie II. Ordnung beachtet werden. Die Verformungen aus der Ebene werden unter Berücksichtigung der Schubverformungen des Kernmaterials ermittelt. Dabei ist der Einfluss des Kriechens des Kernmaterials erheblich. Für rein auf Biegung beanspruchte Elemente werden vom jeweiligen Hersteller Kriechbeiwerte für unterschiedliche Belastungsdauern deklariert, da diese je nach Zusammensetzung des Kernmaterials stark variieren. Fraglich ist, auf welche Weise diese Werte für die Bemessung druckbeanspruchter Elemente verwendet werden können. Dazu wurden am Institut für Sandwichtechnik (iS‐mainz) der Hochschule Mainz axiale Kriechversuche durchgeführt. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen aus diesem Forschungsvorhaben sowie aus dem FP7‐Projekt EASIE unter Leitung des iS‐mainz wird ein Bemessungsvorschlag für axial belastete Sandwichelemente unter Berücksichtigung des Kriechverhaltens der Kernschicht vorgestellt, der im Entwurf der prEN 1993‐7 Design of steel structures – Sandwich Panels enthalten sein wird.
Dark moments for the Standard Model?
Authors: Rizzo Thomas G.
Published: November 2021

Abstract

If dark matter (DM) interacts with the Standard Model (SM) via the kinetic mixing (KM) portal, it necessitates the existence of portal matter (PM) particles which carry both dark and SM quantum numbers that will appear in vacuum polarization-like loop graphs. In addition to the familiar ∼ eϵQ strength, QED-like interaction for the dark photon (DP), in some setups different loop graphs of these PM states can also induce other coupling structures for the SM fermions that may come to dominate in at least some regions of parameter space regions and which can take the form of ‘dark’ moments, e.g., magnetic dipole-type interactions in the IR, associated with a large mass scale, Λ. In this paper, motivated by a simple toy model, we perform a phenomenological investigation of a possible loop-induced dark magnetic dipole moment for SM fermions, in particular, for the electron. We show that at the phenomenological level such a scenario can not only be made compatible with existing experimental constraints for a significant range of correlated values for Λ and the dark U(1)D gauge coupling, gD, but can also lead to quantitatively different signatures once the DP is discovered. In this setup, assuming complex scalar DM to satisfy CMB constraints, parameter space regions where the DP decays invisibly are found to be somewhat preferred if PM mass limits from direct searches at the LHC and our toy model setup are all taken seriously. High precision searches for, or measurements of, the e+e− → γ + DP process at Belle II are shown to provide some of the strongest future constraints on this scenario.
Optimal integrability threshold for Gibbs measures associated with focusing NLS on the torus
Authors: Oh Tadahiro , Sosoe Philippe , Tolomeo Leonardo
Published: November 2021

We study an optimal mass threshold for normalizability of the Gibbs measures associated with the focusing mass-critical nonlinear Schrödinger equation on the one-dimensional torus. In an influential paper, Lebowitz et al. (J Stat Phys 50(3–4):657–687, 1988) proposed a critical mass threshold given by the mass of the ground state on the real line. We provide a proof for the optimality of this critical mass threshold. The proof also applies to the two-dimensional radial problem posed on the unit disc. In this case, we answer a question posed by Bourgain and Bulut (Ann Inst H Poincaré Anal Non Linéaire 31(6):1267–1288, 2014) on the optimal mass threshold. Furthermore, in the one-dimensional case, we show that the Gibbs measure is indeed normalizable at the optimal mass threshold, thus answering an open question posed by Lebowitz et al. (1988). This normalizability at the optimal mass threshold is rather striking in view of the minimal mass blowup solution for the focusing quintic nonlinear Schrödinger equation on the one-dimensional torus.