bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of processing bodies: From viruses to cancer epigenetic machinery
Authors: Kanakamani Sunmathy , Suresh Padmanaban S. , Venkatesh Thejaswini
Published: December 2020

Processing bodies (PBs) are 100–300 nm cytoplasmic messenger ribonucleoprotein particle (mRNP) granules that regulate eukaryotic gene expression. These cytoplasmic compartments harbor messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and several proteins involved in mRNA decay, microRNA silencing, nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay, and splicing. Though membrane‐less, PB structures are maintained by RNA‐protein and protein‐protein interactions. PB proteins have intrinsically disordered regions and low complexity domains, which account for its liquid to liquid phase separation. In addition to being dynamic and actively involved in the exchange of materials with other mRNPs and organelles, they undergo changes on various cellular cues and environmental stresses, including viral infections. Interestingly, several PB proteins are individually implicated in cancer development, and no study has addressed the effects on PB dynamics after epigenetic modifications of cancer‐associated PB genes. In the current review, we summarize modulations undergone by P bodies or P body components upon viral infections. Furthermore, we discuss the selective and widely investigated PB proteins that undergo methylation changes in cancer and their potential as biomarkers.
Functional damage of endothelial progenitor cells is attenuated by 14‐3‐3‐n through inhibition of mitochondrial injury and oxidative stress
Authors: Li Yunde , Sun Xinglan , Zhang Xuemei , Zhou Hui , Wang Dan , Xia Yi , Li Xiuli
Published: December 2020

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are precursor cells of vascular endothelial cells, which are widely involved in the pathological process of cardiovascular diseases. EPCs apoptosis could accelerate the process of cardiovascular diseases. 14‐3‐3‐η protein has been proved to be a potent antiapoptosis molecule. However, inhibition of EPCs apoptosis by 14‐3‐3‐η and further specific mechanism have not been investigated. EPCs were isolated from human cord blood, and identified using VEGFR2 and CD34. 14‐3‐3‐η overexpression model in vitro was established. Cell invasion, apoptosis, and proliferation were measured by transwell, flow cytometry, and Cell Counting Kit‐8, respectively. Expression of 14‐3‐3‐η, Bcl‐2, and voltage‐dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) were measured using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) intensity was measured using 2ʹ‐7ʹ dichlorofluorescin diacetate probe. Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected using JC‐1 dye. Overexpression of 14‐3‐3‐η significantly promoted invasion and proliferation, but suppressed apoptosis of EPCs. Overexpression of 14‐3‐3‐η remarkably inhibited ROS and promoted antioxidant enzyme levels in EPCs. 14‐3‐3‐η might inhibit apoptosis of EPCs through attenuating mitochondrial injury. This study might provide a new target, 14‐3‐3‐η, for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases through targeting EPCs.
X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP1) function in diseases
Authors: Xu Wenjing , Wang Congrong , Hua Jinlian
Published: December 2020

The accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), which is characteristic of cells with high levels of secretory activity and is involved in a variety of diseases. In response to ERS, cells initiate an adaptive process named the unfolding protein response (UPR) to maintain intracellular homeostasis and survival. However, long term and unresolved ERS can also induce apoptosis. As the most conserved signaling branch of UPR, the IRE1‐XBP1 pathway plays an important role in both physiological and pathological states, and its activity has a profound impact on disease progression and prognosis. Here, the latest research progress of IRE1‐XBP1 pathway in cancer, metabolic diseases, and other diseases was briefly introduced, and the relationship between several diseases and this pathway was analyzed. Besides, the new understanding and prospect of IRE1‐XBP1 pathway regulating male reproduction were reviewed.
Adverse impact of chronic kidney disease on clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Bloom Jason E , Dinh Diem T , Noaman Samer , Martin Catherine , Lim Michael , Batchelor Riley , Zheng Wayne , Reid Christopher , Brennan Angela , Lefkovits Jeffrey , Cox Nicholas , Duffy Stephen J , Chan William
Published: December 2020

Aims

We aimed to assess the impact of the severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with long‐term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We analyzed data on consecutive patients undergoing PCI enrolled in the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry (VCOR) from January 2014 to December 2018. Patients were stratified into tertiles of renal function; estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) ≥60, 30–59 and < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 (including dialysis). The primary outcome was long‐term all‐cause mortality obtained from linkage with the Australian National Death Index (NDI). The secondary endpoint was a composite of 30 day major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

Results

We identified a total of 51,480 patients (eGFR ≥60, n = 40,534; eGFR 30–59, n = 9,521; eGFR <30, n = 1,425). Compared with patients whose eGFR was ≥60, those with eGFR 30–59 and eGFR<30 were on average older (77 and 78 vs. 63 years) and had a greater burden of cardiovascular risk factors. Worsening CKD severity was independently associated with greater adjusted risk of long‐term NDI mortality: eGFR<30 hazard ratio 4.21 (CI 3.7–4.8) and eGFR 30–59; 1.8 (CI 1.7–2.0), when compared to eGFR ≥60, all p < .001.

Conclusion

In this large, multicentre PCI registry, severity of CKD was associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality underscoring the high‐risk nature of this patient cohort.
Exploring Aluminum‐Ion Insertion into Magnesium‐Doped Manjiroite (MnO2) Nanorods in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Joseph Jickson , Fernando Joseph F. S. , Sayeed Md Abu , Tang Cheng , Golberg Dmitri , Du Aijun , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , O'Mullane Anthony P.
Published: December 2020

Aqueous aluminum‐ion batteries are promising for sustainable energy storage given the abundance of aluminum and the ease of recycling. However, finding suitable electrode materials that can intercalate Al ions remains challenging. Here, we investigate Mg‐ion‐doped MnO2 nanorods in the manjiroite structure that allow Al‐ion insertion into the open tunnels of this material. The electrode material is characterized before and after Al‐ion insertion with X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the insertion process is studied via in situ transmission electron microscopy, which highlights a change in the length of the MnO2 nanorod. The results indicate that Al ions can be successfully inserted into the MnO2 nanorods, which has also been determined by density functional theory calculations to be an energetically favorable process. The electrochemical data indicate that diffusion‐controlled Al insertion as well as a surface pseudocapacitive effect occur. This indicates that MnO2 nanomaterials synthesized in the presence of metal cations is potentially a viable route for facilitating their use as electrode materials in aqueous Al‐ion batteries or supercapatteries.
Efficacy and safety of a modified combination regimen of phenothrin and ivermectin lotion in patients with head lice in Tsukuba, Japan
Authors: Sato Eiji , Umezawa Masakazu , Miyajima Atsushi , Koishi Noriko , Kanaya Arisa , Yamanaka Ayumi , Fujimoto Manabu , Ishii Yoshiyuki , Saito Aki , Inoue Sae , Mano Yasunari , Suzuki Tatsunori , Ozeki Rie , Ishii Norihisa , Komoda Masayo
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The combination therapy of phenothrin (PHT) and ivermectin (PI regimen) was effective for pyrethroid‐resistant head lice in Okinawa; however, further investigations have been required to improve the regimen. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the modified PI (mPI) regimen, which increased the maximum number of PHT treatments in the PI regimen by one, in Tsukuba, which has a low mutation rate compared to Okinawa.

Methods

An open‐label, uncontrolled, exploratory study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, University of Tsukuba Hospital to investigate the treatment effect of mPI regimen. Genotypes were investigated for the knockdown (kdr) mutations at voltage‐sensitive sodium channel (VSSC) and glutamate‐gated chloride receptor‐encoding loci to identify their correlation with drug resistance.

Results

All the 8 patients treated with the mPI regimen resulted in lice free on day 29. Compared to baseline, the number of bodies, eggs, and itching grade significantly decreased on day 29. Mild erythema appeared after the second application of PHT on day 8 in one patient, persisted for 2 days, and recovered on day 15. No other adverse events were reported. Mutation rates were more than double in head lice collected from one patient for whom PHT was ineffective compared to those in lice from patients who responded to PHT. Furthermore, we identified four new haplotypes of VSSC loci in head lice.

Conclusions

The mPI regimen is a potential effective treatment for economically combating both PHT‐sensitive and resistant head lice.
A Machine Learning‐Enabled Autonomous Flow Chemistry Platform for Process Optimization of Multiple Reaction Metrics
Authors: Jeraal Mohammed I. , Sung Simon , Lapkin Alexei A.
Published: December 2020

Self‐optimization of chemical reactions using machine learning multi‐objective algorithms has the potential to significantly shorten overall process development time, providing users with valuable information about economic and environmental factors. Using the Thompson Sampling Efficient Multi‐Objective (TS‐EMO) algorithm, the self‐optimization flow chemistry system in this report demonstrates the ability to identify optimum reaction conditions and trade‐offs (Pareto fronts) between conflicting optimization objectives, such as yield, cost, space‐time yield, and E‐factor, in a data efficient manner. Advantageously, the robust system consists of exclusively commercially available equipment and a user‐friendly MATLAB graphical user interface, and was shown to autonomously run 131 experiments over 69 hours uninterrupted.
Robustness D3LS beamforming algorithm against the uncertainties in a uniform linear array radar of dipole antenna
Authors: Zarezadeh Esmail , Ghorbani Ayaz
Published: December 2020

In practical terms, direct data domain least squares (D3LS) beamforming algorithm performance is severely decreased by the array steering vector uncertainty. In this paper, we investigate the performance of D3LS approach for beamforming. Uniform linear antenna array radar of dipole antenna is considered in the presence of mutual coupling between the elements of the array. The performance of D3LS beamforming algorithm is severely affected by uncertainty caused by mutual coupling. In order to test the robustness of the D3LS approach against uncertainty, a quadratic inequality constraint is considered to optimize weight vector of D3LS beamforming algorithm. The convex optimization method is used to calculate optimized weight vector. The proposed convex optimization problem is solved by barrier method. It is a subset of Interior‐point numerical analysis methods. Several different scenarios are used to evaluate the proposed algorithm in MATLAB.
How precisely can psychotherapists predict the long‐term outcome of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa at the end of inpatient treatment?
Authors: Fichter Manfred M. , Quadflieg Norbert
Published: December 2020

Objective

To assess the ability of psychotherapists to predict the future outcome for inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN).

Method

Psychotherapists rated the prognosis of the patient's eating disorder on a five point Likert scale on several dimensions at the end of inpatient treatment. Actual outcome was assessed about 10 years after treatment. The sample comprised 1,065 patients treated for AN, and 1,192 patients treated for BN.

Results

Psychotherapists' rating of their patient's prognosis was not better than chance for good outcome in AN and BN and for poor outcome in BN. Prediction of poor outcome in AN was somewhat better with approximately two thirds of correct predictions. In logistic regression analysis, psychotherapists' rating of the patients' prognosis for AN contributed to the explained variance of long‐term outcome, increasing the variance explained from 7% (by conventional predictors) to 8% after including psychotherapists' prognosis. In BN, there was no significant contribution of psychotherapists' prognosis to overall prediction.

Discussion

Our current knowledge of risk and protective factors for the course of eating disorders is unsatisfying. More specialized research is urgently needed.
Geographic range estimates and environmental requirements for the harpy eagle derived from spatial models of current and past distribution
Authors: Sutton Luke J. , Anderson David L. , Franco Miguel , McClure Christopher J. W. , Miranda Everton B. P. , Vargas F. Hernán , Vargas González José de J. , Puschendorf Robert
Published: December 2020

Understanding species–environment relationships is key to defining the spatial structure of species distributions and develop effective conservation plans. However, for many species, this baseline information does not exist. With reliable presence data, spatial models that predict geographic ranges and identify environmental processes regulating distribution are a cost‐effective and rapid method to achieve this. Yet these spatial models are lacking for many rare and threatened species, particularly in tropical regions. The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a Neotropical forest raptor of conservation concern with a continental distribution across lowland tropical forests in Central and South America. Currently, the harpy eagle faces threats from habitat loss and persecution and is categorized as Near‐Threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Within a point process modeling (PPM) framework, we use presence‐only occurrences with climatic and topographical predictors to estimate current and past distributions and define environmental requirements using Ecological Niche Factor Analysis. The current PPM prediction had high calibration accuracy (Continuous Boyce Index = 0.838) and was robust to null expectations (pROC ratio = 1.407). Three predictors contributed 96% to the PPM prediction, with Climatic Moisture Index the most important (72.1%), followed by minimum temperature of the warmest month (15.6%) and Terrain Roughness Index (8.3%). Assessing distribution in environmental space confirmed the same predictors explaining distribution, along with precipitation in the wettest month. Our reclassified binary model estimated a current range size 11% smaller than the current IUCN range polygon. Paleoclimatic projections combined with the current model predicted stable climatic refugia in the central Amazon, Guyana, eastern Colombia, and Panama. We propose a data‐driven geographic range to complement the current IUCN range estimate and that despite its continental distribution, this tropical forest raptor is highly specialized to specific environmental requirements.
Heart failure is independently associated with white matter lesions: insights from the population‐based LIFE‐Adult Study
Authors: Stegmann Tina , Chu Mai L. , Witte Veronica A. , Villringer Arno , Kumral Deniz , Riedel‐Heller Steffi G. , Roehr Susanne , Hagendorff Andreas , Laufs Ulrich , Loeffler Markus , Wachter Rolf , Zeynalova Samira
Published: December 2020

Aims

White matter lesions (WML) are common structural alterations in the white matter of the brain and their prevalence increases with age. They are associated with cerebral ischaemia and cognitive dysfunction. Patients with heart failure (HF) are at risk for cognitive decline. We hypothesized that the presence and duration of HF are associated with WML.

Methods and results

The LIFE‐Adult Study is a population‐based study of 10 000 residents of Leipzig, Germany. WML were quantitated in 2490 participants who additionally underwent cerebral MRI using the Fazekas score. Mean age was 64 years, and 46% were female; 2156 (86.6%) subjects had Fazekas score of 0–1, and 334 (13.4%) had Fazekas score of 2–3. Thirty participants had a medical history of HF, 1019 had hypertension, and 51 had a history of stroke. Median left ventricular ejection fraction of the participants with HF was 57% (interquartile ranges 54–62). Age, troponin T, NT‐proBNP, body mass index, history of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, HF, and diabetes were positively associated with WML in univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, age, hypertension, stroke, and HF were independently associated with WML. The odd's ratio for the association of WML (Fazekas 2–3) with HF was 2.8 (95% CI 1.2–6.5; P = 0.019). WML increased with longer duration of HF (P = 0.036 for trend).

Conclusions

In addition to age, hypertension, and stroke, the prevalence and duration of HF are independently associated with WML. This observation sets the stage to investigate the prognostic value of WML in HF and the impact of HF therapies on WML.
Convergent Domino Cyclization: Oxidative [3+1+1] Annulation for One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐Quinoline‐4,5‐diaryl‐oxazoles from Methyl Azaarenes, Benzoins and NH4OAc
Authors: Liang Fei‐Fei , Liu Kai‐Xuan , Zhao Cong , Shang Zhi‐Hao , Kong Hong‐Mei , Yin Ya‐Qing , Zhu Yan‐Ping , Sun Yuan‐Yuan , Yao Jian‐Wen
Published: December 2020

An oxidative [3+1+1] convergent domino cyclization is disclosed. This protocol enables to get quinoline, quinoxaline, quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one and benzo[d]thiazole attached 2,4,5‐trisubstituted oxazoles from methyl azaarenes, benzoins, and NH4OAc in the presence of iodine and molecular sieves without any metal catalyst. The reaction features wide substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, mild reaction conditions, and easily available substrates.
Optimization of fuzzy control energy management strategy for fuel cell vehicle power system using a multi‐islandgenetic algorithm
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Wang Tie , Li Meng , Wang Heng , Wang Yiquan
Published: December 2020

Energy storage system can be used to increase the fuel economy of fuel cell system (FCS). In this study, a new method was introduced for optimizing the energy management strategy (EMS) for fuel cell vehicle (FCV) to reduce fuel consumption. The membership function (MF) in fuzzy control is subjective; thus, 12 design variables in the input‐output MFs were selected using sensitivity analysis, and elliptical basis function neural network method was used to establish a high‐precision approximate model of FCV. Multi‐island genetic algorithm was used to optimize the MFs. The effectiveness of the optimized fuzzy control EMS and the proposed optimization method were demonstrated in simulations of two EMSs under four driving cycles. The simulation results confirmed that the optimized fuzzy control EMS provided smoother and more stable output power from FCS reducing hydrogen consumption by 8.4%, 1.1%, 5.1%, and 7.6%, respectively, compared to the original fuzzy control EMS; and hydrogen saved by the optimized EMS provided extra range of 9.15, 1.10, 5.37, and 8.25 km per 100 km in the four driving cycles, respectively. The optimized EMS can reduce hydrogen consumption to increase fuel economy and extend the life span of the fuel cell.
Design, optimization and safety assessment of energy storage: A case study of large‐scale solar in Malaysia
Authors: Khan Mohammed Abdul Mujeeb , Go Yun Ii
Published: December 2020

Malaysia signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 and committed to reduce the greenhouse gases emission up to 45% by 2030. Various large‐scale solar (LSS) projects are in operation and planned for the next decade to meet the national target of 20% renewable energy among energy mix by 2025. Major issues faced in LSS integration are the fluctuations in supply due to intermittency and inability to meet the demand during night hours. An optimized large energy storage system could overcome these challenges. In this project, a power system which includes a large‐scale energy storage system is developed based on the maturity of technology, levelized cost of electricity and efficiency and so on, to meet the demands of electricity generation in Malaysia. In addition, a financial analysis of the proposed storage system is carried out by comparing with a baseline study without energy storage. To develop a more realistic solution, the environmental aspect including safety and location dependency are taken into consideration. The proposed model for the LSS can be replicated in nations with similar geographical conditions and energy target.
Global adaptation complicates the interpretation of genome scans for local adaptation
Authors: Booker Tom R. , Yeaman Sam , Whitlock Michael C.
Published: December 2020

Spatially varying selection promotes variance in allele frequencies, increasing genetic differentiation between the demes of a metapopulation. For that reason, outliers in the genome-wide distribution of summary statistics measuring genetic differentiation, such as FST, are often interpreted as evidence for alleles that contribute to local adaptation. However, theoretical studies have shown that in spatially structured populations the spread of beneficial mutations with spatially uniform fitness effects can also induce transient genetic differentiation. In recent years, numerous empirical studies have suggested that such species-wide, or global, adaptation makes a substantial contribution to molecular evolution. In this perspective, we discuss how commonly such global adaptation may influence the genome-wide distribution of FST and generate genetic differentiation patterns, which could be mistaken for local adaptation. To illustrate this, we use forward-in-time population genetic simulations assuming parameters for the rate and strength of beneficial mutations consistent with estimates from natural populations. We demonstrate that the spread of globally beneficial mutations in parapatric populations may frequently generate FST outliers, which could be misinterpreted as evidence for local adaptation. The spread of beneficial mutations causes selective sweeps at flanking sites, so in some cases, the effects of global versus local adaptation may be distinguished by examining patterns of nucleotide diversity within and between populations in addition to FST. However, when local adaptation has been only recently established, it may be much more difficult to distinguish from global adaptation, due to less accumulation of linkage disequilibrium at flanking sites. Through our discussion, we conclude that a large fraction of FST outliers that are presumed to arise from local adaptation may instead be due to global adaptation.
Increased rate of recurrence and high rate of salvage in patients with human papillomavirus–associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with adverse features treated with primary surgery without recommended adjuvant therapy
Authors: Carey Ryan M. , Shimunov David , Weinstein Gregory S. , Cannady Steven B. , Lukens John N. , Lin Alexander , Swisher‐McClure Samuel , Bauml Joshua M. , Aggarwal Charu , Cohen Roger B. , Newman Jason G. , Chalian Ara A. , Rassekh Christopher H. , Basu Devraj , O'Malley Bert W. , Rajasekaran Karthik , Brody Robert M.
Published: December 2020

Background

Some patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)–associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) do not receive guideline‐recommended postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) following primary transoral robotic surgery (TORS).

Methods

Three‐hundred and sixty‐four patients with treatment‐naïve, HPV‐associated OPSCC were recommended to receive PORT based on clinicopathological features following TORS. Patients were stratified based on if they received PORT. Oncologic outcomes were compared.

Results

The 3‐year locoregional failure (LRF) was 32% in patients who did not receive PORT and 4% in patients who received PORT (P < .001). Despite increased LRF, avoiding PORT was not associated with increased 3‐year distant metastasis rates (8% vs 4%, P = .56) or worse 3‐year survival (95% vs 98%, P = .34). Recurrences in the surgery alone cohort varied between local and regional sites and were often successfully salvaged.

Conclusions

Patients with HPV‐associated OPSCC who do not receive indicated PORT have an increased risk of LRF but similar survival due to high salvage rates.
Resilience of children in disasters: A multisystem perspective
Authors: Masten Ann S.
Published: December 2020

Interest in resilience is surging in research, policy and practice as threats from disasters rise and humanity confronts a global pandemic. This commentary highlights the importance of defining resilience for portability across system levels and disciplines in order to integrate knowledge and prepare adequately for the challenges posed to children and youth by multisystem disasters. A scalable definition of resilience is recommended: The capacity of a dynamic system to adapt successfully to challenges that threaten the function, survival or development of the system. Major determinants of adaptation among young people in the context of disaster are highlighted, including variations in adversity exposure dose, developmental timing, individual differences and the socio‐ecological systems of children's lives that can be mobilised in response. Adaptation of children in disasters depends on the resilience of interconnected systems, including families, schools, communities and policy sectors. Implications of a multisystem perspective for disaster risk reduction and preparedness are discussed with a focus on nurturing the resilience of children and their societies for challenges in the near term and long into the future.
“They’re the Ones Who Hold the Answers”: Exploring Educators’ and Students’ Conceptions of Academic Conversation
Authors: Meston Heather M. , Phillips Galloway Emily , McClain Janna Brown
Published: December 2020

Purposeful academic conversation engages students as active agents in the process of making meaning from text, negotiating perspectives, and achieving mutual understanding. However, educators often report difficulties in engaging students in talk‐based pedagogies. This concern can be partially addressed by ensuring that students and teachers have similar understandings regarding the purposes of academic conversation. Here, we examine the conceptions of academic conversation held by middle‐school students and their teachers, revealing areas of convergence and divergence in the perspectives held by youth and their educators regarding the purposes of academic conversation and students’ roles in these discussions. With direct relevance to instructional practice, we provide suggestions for making these understandings visible and reconciling divergent views.
A review on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and kidney injury
Authors: Gu Ming , Mei Xiang‐Lin , Zhao Ya‐Nan
Published: December 2020

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is inevitable external life support in case of cardiac and respiratory failure since the 1970s. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and the requirement of renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a potential risk among these patients. This review aims to give an overview of the risk of AKI, RRT, and associated mortality among the patients who received ECMO for any of its indications. PubMed database was searched to find the relevant literature and the reference list of included studies was also searched for additional studies. The incidence of AKI ranged from 30% to 78% and RRT from 47% to 60% in ECMO patients. The pathophysiology of AKI in ECMO is multifactorial, and includes ischaemia, RBCs breakdown, comorbidity, conversion of zymogen form of pro‐inflammatory mediators, structural alteration of the kidney, coadministration of nephrotoxic drugs, coagulation abnormality, and oxidative stress. ECMO was associated with the higher incidence of renal abnormalities, AKI, requirement of RRT, and associated mortality. Patients who underwent RRT had improved renal function and reduced overall mortality compared to the non‐RRT group among the ECMO patients. Currently, there is no consensus evidence to support the superior use of the inline hemofilter system over continuous renal replacement therapy among patients who had AKI during ECMO.
Right renal angiomyolipoma with intracardiac extension and pulmonary embolism
Authors: Wang Dan , Liu Manwei , Li Yuman , Xie Mingxing
Published: December 2020

Angiomyolipoma is the most common benign mesenchymal neoplasm of the kidney. Despite its benign nature, it may, in rare instances, invade the inferior vena cava and right cardiac chambers. A tumor thrombus in the pulmonary artery is an extremely rare but potentially fatal complication. We report a rare case of 53‐year‐old woman showing a right renal angiomyolipoma with intracardiac extension and pulmonary embolism. The patient underwent open radical right nephrectomy and thrombectomy of the inferior vena cava and pulmonary artery. Our case highlights that close attention to these complications is important to determine the surgical plan.
A measles outbreak in Kansai International Airport, Japan, 2016: Analysis of the quantitative difference and infectivity of measles virus between patients who are immunologically naive versus those with secondary vaccine failure
Authors: Kurata Takako , Yamamoto Seiji P. , Nishimura Hiroshi , Yumisashi Takahiro , Motomura Kazushi , Kinoshita Masaru
Published: December 2020

Since the elimination of the measles virus, patients with vaccination records for the measles‐containing vaccine have increased in Japan. According to several studies, the transmission risk from previously immunized patients, especially those with secondary vaccine failure (SVF), is lower than that from those with primary measles infections. Immunological features of SVF were identified per specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) induction with high avidity and high plaque reduction neutralization antibody concentration. However, the virological features of SVF have not been well investigated. To examine not only immunological but also virological differences between SVF and immunologically naive patients, throat swabs and blood and urine specimens of 25 patients with confirmed measles infection after an outbreak at the Kansai International Airport in 2016 were analyzed. Patients were categorized as naive (n = 3) or with SVF (n = 22) based on measles‐specific IgG antibody concentrations and their avidity. Virus isolation and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction were performed to quantify the viral load in clinical specimens and estimate the infectivity in each specimen. The number of viral genome copies in the blood specimens of those with SVF was significantly different and approximately 1 out of 100 of that in immunologically naive patients. However, genome copy numbers in throat swabs and urine specimens were not significantly different between the groups. The virus was isolated only from those in the naive group. Our study indicated low transmission risk of the virus in patients with SVF.
Performance evaluation of antibody tests for detecting infant respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Jadhao Samadhan J. , Ha Binh , McCracken Courtney , Gebretsadik Tebeb , Rosas‐Salazar Christian , Chappell James , Das Suman , Hartert Tina , Anderson Larry J.
Published: December 2020

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a major cause of respiratory tract disease in young children and throughout life. Infant infection is also associated with later respiratory morbidity including asthma. With a prospective birth cohort study of RSV and asthma, we evaluated the performance of an RSV antibody enzyme‐linked immunoassay (EIA) for detecting prior infant RSV infection. Infant RSV infection was determined by biweekly respiratory illness surveillance plus RSV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in their first RSV season and serum RSV antibodies after the season at approximately 1 year of age. RSV antibodies were detected by RSV A and B lysate EIA. Antibody and PCR results on 1707 children included 327 RSV PCR positive (PCR+) and 1380 not RSV+. Of 327 PCR+ children, 314 (96%) were lysate EIA positive and 583 out of 1380 (42%) children not PCR+ were positive. We compared the lysate EIA to RSV F, group A G (Ga), and group B G (Gb) protein antibody EIAs in a subset of 226 sera, 118 PCR+ children (97 group A and 21 group B) and 108 not PCR+. In this subset, 117 out of 118 (99%) RSV PCR+ children were positive by both the F and lysate EIAs and 103 out of 118 (87%) were positive by the Ga and/or Gb EIAs. Comparison of the two G EIAs indicated the infecting group correctly in 100 out of 118 (86%) and incorrectly in 1 out of 118 (1%). The lysate and F EIAs are sensitive for detecting infant infection and the two G EIAs can indicate the group of an earlier primary infection.
Impact of low bone mass and antiresorptive therapy on antibiotic efficacy in a rat model of orthopedic device‐related infection
Authors: Thompson Keith , Freitag Linda , Styger Ursula , Camenisch Karin , Zeiter Stephan , Arens Daniel , Richards R. Geoff , Moriarty Thomas F. , Stadelmann Vincent A.
Published: December 2020

A significant proportion of orthopedic devices are implanted in osteoporotic patients, but it is currently unclear how estrogen deficiency and/or exposure to antiresorptive bisphosphonates (BPs) influence orthopedic device‐related infection (ODRI), or response to therapy. The aim of this study is to characterize the bone changes resulting from Staphylococcus epidermidis infection in a rodent ODRI model and to determine if ovariectomy (OVX) or BP treatment influences the infection or the success of antibiotic therapy. A sterile or S. epidermidis‐contaminated screw was implanted into the proximal tibia of skeletally mature female Wistar rats (n = 6–9 per group). Bone changes were monitored over 28 days using in vivo micro‐computed tomography scanning. OVX was performed 12 weeks before screw implantation. The BP zoledronic acid (ZOL) was administered 4 days before screw insertion. A combination antibiotic regimen (rifampin plus cefazolin) was administered from Days 7–21. In skeletally healthy animals, S. epidermidis induced marked changes in bone, with peak osteolysis occurring at Day 9 and woven bone deposition and periosteal mineralization from Day 14 onwards. Antibiotic therapy cleared the infection in the majority of animals (2/9 infected) but did not affect bone responses. OVX did not affect the pattern of infection‐induced changes in bone, nor bacterial load, but reduced antibiotic efficacy (5/9 infected). ZOL treatment did not protect from osteolysis in OVX animals, or further affect antibiotic efficacy (5/9 infected) but did significantly increase the bacterial load. This study suggests that both BPs and OVX can influence host responses to bone infections involving S. epidermidis.
Once‐weekly parathyroid hormone combined with ongoing long‐term alendronate treatment promotes osteoporotic fracture healing in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Zhang Chenggui , Zhu Junxiong , Jia Jialin , Guan Zhiyuan , Sun Tiantong , Zhang Wang , Yuan Wanqiong , Wang Hong , Leng Huijie , Song Chunli
Published: December 2020

This study examined the effect of once‐weekly parathyroid hormone (PTH) combined with alendronate upon osteoporotic fracture healing after long‐term alendronate anti‐osteoporosis therapy. Seventy‐six 12‐week‐old female Sprague–Dawley rats were either sham operated or bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX). Following confirmation of osteoporosis 3 months after OVX, the remaining 64 animals received alendronate therapy. After 3 months of alendronate treatment, all rats underwent unilateral transverse tibial osteotomy. Animals were immediately randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) alendronate followed by vehicle (ALN‐VEH), (2) continuation of alendronate (ALN‐ALN), (3) alendronate followed by once‐weekly PTH alone (ALN‐PTH), (4) continuation of alendronate combined with once‐weekly PTH (ALN‐ALN + PTH) until collection at 4 or 8 weeks after osteotomy. The fractured tibia was assessed using x‐ray, dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry, microcomputed tomography, biomechanical testing, histology, and sequential fluorescence labeling. The ALN‐ALN + PTH treatment significantly increased total callus volume, mineralized callus volume, mineralized callus volume/total callus volume, and biomechanical strength of the callus relative to ALN‐VEH and ALN‐PTH treatments at both 4 and 8 weeks and produced more mature trabecular bone compared with ALN‐ALN treatment at 8 weeks. RANKL/osteoprotegerin (OPG) are osteoclastogenesis markers, while cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) is an important marker of angiogenesis. Qualitative immunohistochemical analysis revealed that CD31 and OPG expression was was strong after ALN‐ALN + PTH compared with ALN‐ALN treatment, whereas RANKL expression was weak after ALN‐ALN + PTH versus ALN‐PTH treatment. Our study showed that once‐weekly PTH combined with alendronate was beneficial in promoting the healing of fractures acquired after long‐term alendronate therapy in OVX‐induced osteoporotic rats.
An evolutionary perspective of DNA methylation patterns in skeletal tissues using a baboon model of osteoarthritis
Authors: Housman Genevieve , Quillen Ellen E. , Stone Anne C.
Published: December 2020

Epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation, play an influential role in the development of the degenerative joint disease osteoarthritis (OA). These molecular mechanisms have been heavily studied in humans, and although OA affects several other animals in addition to humans, few efforts have taken an evolutionary perspective. This study explores the evolution of OA epigenetics by assessing the relationship between DNA methylation variation and knee OA development in baboons (Papio spp.) and by comparing these findings to human OA epigenetic associations. Genome‐wide DNA methylation patterns were identified in bone and cartilage of the right distal femora from 56 pedigreed, adult baboons (28 with and 28 without knee OA) using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Several significantly differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and regions were found between tissue types. Substantial OA‐related differential methylation was also identified in cartilage, but not in bone, suggesting that cartilage epigenetics may be more influential in OA than bone epigenetics. Additionally, some genes containing OA‐related DMPs overlap with and display methylation patterns similar to those previously identified in human OA, revealing a mixture of evolutionarily conserved and divergent OA‐related methylation patterns in primates. Overall, these findings reinforce the current etiological perspectives of OA and enhance our evolutionary understanding of epigenetic mechanisms associated with OA. This study further establishes baboons as a valuable nonhuman primate model of OA, and continued investigations in baboons will help to disentangle the molecular mechanisms contributing to OA and their evolutionary histories.
Friction‐Riveted Hybrid Joints of Short Glass Fiber‐Reinforced Polyamide 6 and 6056‐T6 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: de Proença Bruno Cordeiro , Blaga Lucian‐Attila , dos Santos Jorge Fernandes , Amancio‐Filho Sergio de Traglia , Canto Leonardo Bresciani
Published: December 2020

Hybrid joints of short glass fiber‐reinforced polyamide 6 and 6056‐T6 aluminum alloy (PA6‐30GF/AA6056‐T6) are produced by friction riveting under different processing conditions. A comprehensive study of the effects of the processing parameters on the temperature evolution, anchoring efficiency, degradation of the polymer composite, and tensile strength (pullout test) of the joints is performed. With higher values for the rotational speed, spindle displacement, and joining force, the heat input is increased and this results in greater deformation of the rivet tip and thus higher anchoring efficiency. Based on this finding, high‐strength joints with tensile strength (pullout test) of up to 93% of the metal rivet are obtained and failure occurred through the ductile fracture of the metal rivet outside the composite plate region. Process‐related degradation of the polymer composite is identified, with the formation of voids in the polymer thermo‐mechanically affected zone (PTMAZ) as well as PA6 chain scission and glass fiber breakage in the rubbing volume around the rivet. The recrystallization of the PA6 matrix in the PTMAZ is not affected by the processing. Degradation of the composite at the polymer‐metal interface does not reduce the quasi‐static tensile strength (pullout test), although it may affect the long‐term mechanical properties of the joint.
A New In‐line Optical System for Monitoring Residence Time during Polymer Processing Along a Twin‐Screw Extruder
Authors: Mandarino Bianca da R. , da Silva Ana Lúcia N. , Michel Ricardo C.
Published: December 2020

Residence time (RT) is an important factor in the processing of molten materials, since it strongly influences the quality of the final product. In this study, a simple and low cost optical system is developed to determine residence time of polypropylene (PP) during its processing in a TeckTrill co‐rotational twin screw extruder. The temperature profile is 90/160/180/190/190/195/195/200/200/210 °C with a screw speed of 300 rpm and a feed rate of 2.3 kg h‐1, using a commercial tracer and different screw profiles. Through the capture of images of the processed material, obtained by a webcam at the matrix output, the developed program is able to calculate the average RGB (red‐green‐blue) color of the analysis area and convert it to the HSV (hue‐saturation‐value), generating a curve of color saturation as a function of time. The results suggest that the developed optical system is a potential suitable tool for in‐line RT measurements.
Encapsulation of Magnetic Nanoparticles and Copaíba Oil in Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanoparticles via Miniemulsion Polymerization for Biomedical Application
Authors: Cordeiro Arthur P. , Feuser Paulo E. , Araújo Pedro H. H. , Sayer Claudia
Published: December 2020

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are used for drug delivery, mainly due to their ability to increase the selectivity and therapeutic efficacy of the encapsulated molecules. Alternative therapeutic compounds like magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and copaiba oil are alternatives for the development of more efficient and less aggressive therapeutic systems. The objective of the present work is to synthesize poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles containing MNPs and copaiba oil (CO) via miniemulsion polymerization. The nanoparticles presented a mean diameter of ≈98 ± 1 nm with narrow particle size dispersion (0.1) and high colloidal stability with zeta potential below −50 ± −3 mV. The miniemulsion polymerization process allowed to incorporate the MNPs and the copaiba oil into the polymer matrix and the nanoparticles presented a saturation magnetization higher than ≈49 emu/g of MNPs and superparamagnetic properties. The evaluated PMMA‐MNPs‐CO concentrations, up to 200 µg mL−1 of MNPs, did not affect fibroblast cells viability.
Production of Crosslinked Starch Microparticles through Inverse Suspension Polymerization using Statistical Experimental Design
Authors: de Souza e Castro Nathany Lisbôa , Nele Márcio , Pinto José Carlos
Published: December 2020

The use of natural polymers has attracted much interest in many different areas, especially in fields where biodegradability and biocompatibility constitute major requirements, as in the pharmaceutical and biomedical areas. For this reason, the present work explores the production of crosslinked starch microparticles in vegetable oil through inverse suspension polymerizations under different experimental conditions, using glucose as a crosslinking agent and manipulating the agitation speed, reaction temperature, starch concentration in the suspended phase, surfactant concentration and crosslinking agent concentration in accordance with a statistical experimental design. Analyzed response variables include morphological aspects, particle size distribution, swelling ratio and solubility in aqueous medium. It is observed that glucose can promote significant modification of the material properties and lead to changes in its solubility in water. Besides, the operation variables exert significant effects on the morphological properties of the obtained powders. For this reason, empirical models are proposed to describe the solubility of the material in water and particle sizes as function of the preparation variables. The results indicate that glucose and starch content are the most influential variables on the solubility of the microparticles in water and that glucose, stirring rate and temperature play the most influential effects on the particle size distributions.
Flexible, High‐Density and Water‐Resistant Polypropylene/Thermoplastic Elastomer/Inorganic Fillers Composites
Authors: Barbosa Rafael , Blanco Guilherme E. O. , Ambrósio José D.
Published: December 2020

This work is aimed at preparing composites from polypropylene (PP) and ethylene‐octene copolymer (thermoplastic elastomer ‐ TPE) blends with different fillers (talc, mica, and barium sulfate). Characterizations of ash content, melt flow index, density, flexural and tensile properties, impact resistance, hardness, moisture content, and water absorption are realized. The development of these composites intent to obtain materials with higher density and flexibility than PP, pursuing applications in outdoor, high humidity, or immersion in fluids. Interesting results are obtained, mainly with the use of barium sulfate, which increased the density of PP by 45% with the addition of 12 vol.%. Besides the fillers, the addition of TPE is effective in reducing the stiffness and improving the impact toughness, making possible the filler addition without flexibility losses. In this case, the barium sulfate composites showed flexural modulus close to PP/TPE modulus and impact strength superior to pure PP and PP/TPE blend. The composites moisture content and water absorption also show better results from barium sulfate samples, indicating this filler as a great component to composites that pursues high density, flexibility maintenance, and capable to work in the presence of water.
Evaluation of Printing Parameters on Porosity and Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed PLA/PBAT Blend Parts
Authors: Cardoso Paulo Henrique Machado , Coutinho Rafaella Rabello Teixeira Perdone , Drummond Flávia Rocha , da Conceição Marceli do Nascimento , Thiré Rossana Mara da Silva Moreira
Published: December 2020

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a rapidly growing additive manufacturing technology due to its ability to manufacture complex‐shaped parts in a simple process. FDM parts present inherent porosity due to the fabrication process. The mechanical performance of the built part depends on controlling several printing parameters of the specimen and the quantity of voids. PLA/PBAT [polylactic acid/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)] blend is a biodegradable polyester with bio‐based content that is used as a potential replacement for conventional petroleum‐based polymers. PBAT reduces the stiffness and improves the tear strength of PLA. There is a lack of research on PLA/PBAT 3D printed parts, especially the relationship between flexural mechanical properties and porosity of PLA/PBAT parts. The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of layer thickness (LT), deposition speed (DS), and printing direction (PD) on porosity and flexural properties of PLA/PBAT blend parts. Experimental design method is used to identify the set of parameters, which gives optimized results. Specimens fabricated with lower printing parameter values allowed obtaining parts with less porosity and consequently improved bending properties.