bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between diabetes mellitus and risk of Parkinson's disease: A prisma‐compliant meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Wei , Tang Jianfeng
Published: July 2021

Background

Previous studies showed inconsistent results regarding associations between diabetes mellitus (DM) and risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). The study aimed to make a meta‐analysis to clarify whether DM is a risk factor for PD.

Methods

We searched for articles regarding the effect of DM on risk of PD and published before July 2020 with search terms as follows: (“diabetes mellitus” OR “diabetes”) AND (“Parkinson's disease” OR “PD”) in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. We used STATA 12.0 software to compute multivariate odds ratio (OR) or relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) regarding the association between DM and risk of PD.

Results

The present study finally included 7 case–control studies (including 26,654 PD patients) and 9 cohort studies (including 3,819,006 DM patients) exploring the association between DM and risk of PD. The meta‐analysis indicated that DM was related to elevated risk of PD (OR/RR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.03–1.28, I2 = 92.4%, p < .001). Subgroup study showed that DM was associated with higher risk of PD in cohort studies (RR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.15–1.45, I2 = 93.9%, p < .001), whereas no significant association was indicated between DM and risk of PD in case–control studies (OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.51–1.09, I2 = 82.3%, p < .001). Sensitivity analysis showed no changes in the direction of effect when any one study was excluded from all meta‐analyses. In addition, Begg's test, Egger's test, and funnel plot showed no significant risks of publication bias.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have tried to determine whether prior onset of DM may contribute to the risk of developing PD. More and more large‐scale prospective studies should be conducted to evaluate the relationship between DM and PD.
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats as an advanced treatment for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Mehmood Arshad , Ali Wajid , Din Zaheer Ud , Song Shuang , Sohail Muhammad , Shah Wahid , Guo Jiangyuan , Guo Ruo‐Yi , Ilahi Ikram , Shah Suleman , Al‐Shaebi Fadhl , Zeb Liaqat , Asiamah Ernest Amponsah , Al‐Dhamin Zaid , Bilal Hazrat , Li Bin
Published: July 2021

Recently, genome‐editing technology like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 has improved the translational gap in the treatments mediated through gene therapy. The advantages of the CRISPR system, such as, work in the living cells and tissues, candidate this technique for the employing in experiments and the therapy of central nervous system diseases. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a widespread, disabling, neurodegenerative disease induced by dopaminergic neuron loss and linked to progressive motor impairment. Pathophysiological basis knowledge of PD has modified the PD classification model and expresses in the sporadic and familial types. Analyses of the earliest genetic linkage have shown in PD the inclusion of synuclein alpha (SNCA) genomic duplication and SNCA mutations in the familial types of PD pathogenesis. This review analyzes the structure, development, and function in genome editing regulated through the CRISPR/Cas9. Also, it explains the genes associated with PD pathogenesis and the appropriate modifications to favor PD. This study follows the direction by understanding the PD linking analyses in which the CRISPR technique is applied. Finally, this study explains the limitations and future trends of CRISPR service in relation to the genome‐editing process in PD patients' induced pluripotent stem cells.
Wake‐up strokes are linked to obstructive sleep apnea and worse early functional outcome
Authors: Haula Tuuli‐Maria , Puustinen Juha , Takala Mari , Holm Anu
Published: July 2021

Background and Aims

Presence of sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) and especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a known risk factor for ischemic stroke. Additionally, SDB effects negatively on recovery after stroke. Up to one fourth of strokes are present on awakening. The link between OSA and wake‐up stroke (WUS) has been suggested. We aim to determine the association between OSA and WUS in a Finnish stroke unit cohort.

Material and Methods

An observational prospective longitudinal study consisted of 95 TIA (transient ischemic attack) and mild to moderate stroke patients referred to a Stroke Unit in Finland. Respiratory polygraphy was performed within 72 h of hospital admission. Patients were classified into WUS and non‐WUS, and functional outcome measures (mRS, rehabilitation, hospitalization time) were collected. Functional outcomes and prevalence of OSA were compared between non‐WUS and WUS.

Results

OSA (AHI > 15/h) was more frequent among WUS than non‐WUS (71% and 36%, respectively, p = 0.009). Functional outcome measured with mRS was worse in patients with WUS than non‐WUS on registration day and at hospital discharge (p = 0.001). Need for rehabilitation in WUS was 43% of cases compared to 23% of non‐WUS (p = 0.067). Hospitalization time was longer (5–15days) in 55% of WUS and 41% of non‐WUS patients (p = 0.261).

Conclusion

Moderate‐to‐severe OSA is related to WUS compared to non‐WUS. In addition, WUS have worse short‐term outcomes measured in mRS. Further studies are needed to determine if OSA is causally linked to WUS.
Extended conditional trend analysis: Predicting triple period buyer flows with a tri‐variate NBD model
Authors: Trinh Giang , Dawes John , Wright Malcolm J. , Danenberg Nick , Sharp Byron
Published: July 2021

Marketers are interested in the loyalty of their customer base. Increasingly this includes examining behavioural loyalty inferred from the frequency or weight of purchase. A typical approach is to divide the customer base into arbitrary segments based on weight of purchase and then attempt to move customers from lighter to heavier segments, rather than have them reduce purchasing or cease buying altogether. Effects can be monitored by examining how purchasing by groups of individuals evolves over successive periods. However, much of the flow between segments represents random fluctuations in period‐to‐period purchasing rather than true change to underlying loyalty. Accurate analysis requires true change to be separated from these stochastic changes, for example through benchmarks derived from conditional trend analysis (CTA). While CTA considers the two‐period case, it provides no guidance for changes seen across three‐periods. The three‐period case is nonetheless regularly reported by panel companies and relied on by managers. We therefore develop the three‐period CTA, using a tri‐variate NBD, to allow the analysis of buyer flow across three successive periods. We provide an empirical illustration and demonstrate fresh insights into the evolution of consumer loyalty. The findings allay oft‐raised concerns about supposedly ‘lost’ buyers, as perceived customer loss is often simply regression to the mean of the buying rates. Accordingly, the three‐period CTA shows predictable proportions of buyers who move between different buying‐weight segments, including first‐year buyers who were apparently ‘lost’ in the second year but return to buy the brand in the third year.
A review of carbon dots and their composite materials for electrochemical energy technologies
Authors: Liu Yiming , Roy Swagata , Sarkar Samrat , Xu Jiaqiang , Zhao Yufeng , Zhang Jiujun
Published: July 2021

Carbon dots (CDs) and their composites as energy storage materials and electrocatalysts have emerged as new types of quasi‐zero‐dimensional carbon materials. CDs can provide a large specific surface area, numerous electron–electron hole pairs, adjustable heteroatom doping, rich surface functional groups, and so on. However, the roles and functional mechanisms of CDs and their composite materials in the enhancement of electrochemical performance remain unclear and need to be understood in depth. Based on the most recent literature, this paper comprehensively reviews the synthesis methods and applications of various categories of CDs and their composites as electrode materials of supercapacitors, lithium‐ion batteries, sodium‐ion batteries, and potassium‐ion batteries, and as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and oxygen reduction reactions in metal–air batteries, fuel cells, and water electrolysis. To facilitate further research and development, several important aspects related to CDs and their composite materials are summarized with analysis of the technical challenges in practical applications and discussion of the possible development perspectives.
Determining the Diastereoselectivity of the Formation of Dipeptidonucleotides by NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Doppleb Olivia , Bremer Jennifer , Bechthold Maren , Sánchez Rico Carolina , Göhringer Daniela , Griesser Helmut , Richert Clemens
Published: July 2021

Proteins are composed of l‐amino acids, but nucleic acids and most oligosaccharides contain d‐sugars as building blocks. It is interesting to ask whether this is a coincidence or a consequence of the functional interplay of these biomolecules. One reaction that provides an opportunity to study this interplay is the formation of phosphoramidate‐linked peptido RNA from amino acids and ribonucleotides in aqueous condensation buffer. Here we report how the diastereoselectivity of the first peptide coupling of the peptido RNA pathway can be determined in situ by NMR spectroscopy. When a racemic mixture of an amino acid ester was allowed to react with an 5′‐aminoacidyl nucleotide, diastereomeric ratios of up to 72 : 28 of the resulting dipeptido nucleotides were found by integration of 31P‐ or 1H‐NMR peaks. The highest diastereomeric excess was found for the homochiral coupling product d‐Ser‐d‐Trp, phosphoramidate‐linked to adenosine 5′‐monophosphate with its d‐ribose ring. When control reactions with an N‐acetyl amino acid and valine methyl ester were run in organic solvent, the diastereoselectivity was found to be lower, with diastereomeric ratios≤62 : 38. The results from the exploratory study thus indicate that the ribonucleotide residue not only facilitates the coupling of lipophilic amino acids in aqueous medium but also the formation of a homochiral dipeptide. The methodology described here may be used to search for other stereoselective reactions that shed light on the origin of homochirality.
First Synthesis of the Inherently Chiral Trans‐4′ Bisadduct of C59N Azafullerene by Using Cyclo‐[2]‐dodecylmalonate as a Tether
Authors: Asad Karam , Stergiou Anastasios , Kourtellaris Andreas , Tagmatarchis Nikos , Chronakis Nikos
Published: July 2021

The multiaddition chemistry of azafullerene C59N has been scarcely explored, and the isolation of pure bisadducts is in its infancy. Encouraged by the recent regioselective synthesis of the inherently chiral equatorialface bisadduct of C59N, we focused on the isolation of the first trans‐4 bisadduct in a simple two‐step approach. The first regioselective synthesis of the trans‐4 bisadduct of C59N by using cyclo‐[2]‐dodecylmalonate as a tether is now reported. The newly synthesized bisadduct has C1 symmetry, as evidenced by 13C NMR, while X‐ray crystallography validated the trans‐4′ addition pattern. Furthermore, the inherently chiral trans‐4′ C59N bisadduct was enantiomerically resolved, and the mirror‐image relation of the two enantiomers was probed by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Finally, UV‐Vis and redox assays suggested that the addition pattern has a reflection in the light‐harvesting and redox properties of the bisadduct.
Compliance with sentinel lymph node biopsy guidelines for invasive melanomas treated with Mohs micrographic surgery
Authors: MacArthur Kelly M. , Baumann Brian C. , Sobanko Joseph F. , Etzkorn Jeremy R. , Shin Thuzar M. , Higgins H. William , Giordano Cerrene N. , McMurray Stacy L. , Krausz Aimee , Newman Jason G. , Rajasekaran Karthik , Cannady Steven B. , Brody Robert M. , Karakousis Giorgos C. , Miura John T. , Cohen Justine V. , Amaravadi Ravi K. , Mitchell Tara C. , Schuchter Lynn M. , Miller Christopher J.
Published: July 2021

Background

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has not been studied for invasive melanomas treated with Mohs micrographic surgery using frozen‐section MART‐1 immunohistochemical stains (MMS‐IHC). The primary objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and compliance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for SLNB in a cohort of patients who had invasive melanoma treated with MMS‐IHC.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included all patients who had primary, invasive, cutaneous melanomas treated with MMS‐IHC at a single academic center between March 2006 and April 2018. The primary outcomes were the rates of documenting discussion and performing SLNB in patients who were eligible based on NCCN guidelines. Secondary outcomes were the rate of identifying the sentinel lymph node and the percentage of positive lymph nodes.

Results

In total, 667 primary, invasive, cutaneous melanomas (American Joint Committee on Cancer T1a‐T4b) were treated with MMS‐IHC. The median patient age was 69 years (range, 25‐101 years). Ninety‐two percent of tumors were located on specialty sites (head and/or neck, hands and/or feet, pretibial leg). Discussion of SLNB was documented for 162 of 176 (92%) SLNB‐eligible patients, including 127 of 127 (100%) who had melanomas with a Breslow depth >1 mm. SLNB was performed in 109 of 176 (62%) SLNB‐eligible patients, including 102 of 158 melanomas (65%) that met NCCN criteria to discuss and offer SLNB and 7 of 18 melanomas (39%) that met criteria to discuss and consider SLNB. The sentinel lymph node was successfully identified in 98 of 109 patients (90%) and was positive in 6 of those 98 patients (6%).

Conclusions

Combining SLNB and MMS‐IHC allows full pathologic staging and confirmation of clear microscopic margins before reconstruction of specialty site invasive melanomas. SLNB can be performed accurately and in compliance with consensus guidelines in patients with melanoma using MMS‐IHC.
Personalized 0D‐1D multiscale hemodynamic modeling and wave dynamics analysis of cerebral circulation for an elderly patient with dementia
Authors: Zhang Xiancheng , Liu Jia , Cheng Zaiheng , Wu Bokai , Xie Jian , Zhang Lin , Zhang Zhijun , Liu Hao
Published: July 2021

Senile dementia is associated with pronounced alterations in cerebral circulation. A fundamental understanding of intracranial hemodynamics and wave dynamics is essential for assessing dementia risk. Recent findings suggest that higher carotid artery wave intensity (WI) can predict future cognitive impairments in the elderly. However, wave power (WP) is more advantageous for assessing the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia because of its conservative form, which allows quantification of detailed WP distribution among the entire cerebrovascular network. Unfortunately, intracranial hemodynamics and wave dynamics in elderly patients with dementia remain poorly understood due to ethical issues and technical challenges. In this paper, we proposed a novel and easily achievable personalized methodology for the 0D‐1D model of cerebral circulation using widely available clinical data on transcranial Doppler ultrasonography velocity, cerebral artery anatomy from magnetic resonance imaging, and brachial artery pressure. Using the proposed model, we simulated the cerebral blood flows and compared the wave dynamics between a healthy elderly subject and one living with dementia. Moreover, we performed a variance‐based global sensitivity analysis to quantify the model‐predicted WI and WP sensitivity to the uncertainties of model inputs. This provided more precise information for model personalization and further insights into the wave dynamics of cerebral circulation. In conclusion, the proposed personalized model framework provides a practical approach for patient‐specific modeling and WI/WP analysis of cerebral circulation through noninvasive clinical data. The wave dynamics features of higher WI and lower WP in cerebral arteries may be an invaluable biomarker for assessing dementia risk.
T‐cell replete haploidentical stem cell transplantation with low dose anti‐thymocyte globulin for relapsed/refractory Ewing sarcoma family tumors
Authors: Sano Hideki , Mochizuki Kazuhiro , Kobayashi Shogo , Ohara Yoshihiro , Takahashi Nobuhisa , Kudo Shingo , Ikeda Kazuhiko , Ohto Hitoshi , Kikuta Atsushi
Published: July 2021

Background

Despite intensive multimodal therapies, the prognosis of relapsed/ refractory Ewing sarcoma family tumors (RR‐ESFTs) is dismal. Some case reports using allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo SCT) for RR‐ESFTs have been reported, however, the efficacy of allo SCT is yet to be established.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response and toxicity of T‐cell replete haploidentical SCT (TCR‐haplo‐SCT) in RR‐ESFTs.

Methods and results

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed six patients with RR‐ESFTs who received TCR‐haplo‐SCT. Four patients had relapsed and two patients had refractory Ewing sarcoma. Before the TCR‐haplo‐SCT, all patients received a reduced intensity‐conditioning regimen containing fludarabine, melphalan, and low‐dose rabbit anti‐thymocyte globulin (2.5 mg/kg), as well as graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, which consisted of tacrolimus, methotrexate, and prednisolone. Primary neutrophil engraftment was achieved in all the patients. Four patients developed acute GVHD (aGVHD) (grade I, 1; grade II, 1; grade III, 2), and two patients developed chronic GVHD (cGVHD). Among the four that developed aGVHD, three survived for 14, 116, and 129 months without relapse, while one died due to a transplant‐related complication. In contrast, the two patients who did not develop aGVHD experienced relapse early after TCR‐haplo‐SCT.

Conclusions

In this study, three of the six patients with RR‐ESFTs survived for more than one year without relapse, and the treatment toxicity was considered acceptable even for patients who underwent high‐intensity pretreatment. TCR‐haplo‐SCT could be a potential therapeutic option for patients with RR‐ESFTs.
Discrimination of PHIP Signals Through their Evolution in Multipulse Sequences
Authors: Bussandri S. , Franzoni M. B. , Buljubasich L. , Acosta R. H.
Published: July 2021

The antiphase character of the PHIP associated signals after a hydrogenation reaction is particularly sensitive to line broadening introduced by magnetic field inhomogeneities and interferences by the presence of resonance lines steaming from a large amount of thermally polarized spins. These obstacles impose a limitation in the detection of reaction products as well as in the experimental setups. A simple way to overcome these impediments consists of acquiring the signal with a train of refocusing pulses instead of a single r.f. pulse. We present here a number of examples where this multipulse acquisition, denominated PhD‐PHIP, displays its potentiality in improving the information related to hyperpolarized spins performed in a sample, where the former parahydrogen nuclei are part of a complex J‐coupling network.
Interacting Quantum Atoms Analysis of the Reaction Force: A Tool to Analyze Driving and Retarding Forces in Chemical Reactions
Authors: Barrales‐Martínez César , Gutiérrez‐Oliva Soledad , Toro‐Labbé Alejandro , Pendás Ángel Martín
Published: July 2021

The analysis of the reaction force and its topology has provided a wide range of fruitful concepts in the theory of chemical reactivity over the years, allowing to identify chemically relevant regions along a reaction profile. The reaction force (RF), a projection of the Hellmann‐Feynman forces acting on the nuclei of a molecular system onto a suitable reaction coordinate, is partitioned using the interacting quantum atoms approach (IQA). The exact IQA molecular energy decomposition is now shown to open a unique window to identify and quantify the chemical entities that drive or retard a chemical reaction. The RF/IQA coupling offers an extraordinarily detailed view of the type and number of elementary processes that take reactants into products, as tested on two sets of simple reactions.
Assurance of corporate social responsibility reports: Examining the role of internal and external corporate governance mechanisms
Authors: García‐Sánchez Isabel‐María , Hussain Nazim , Khan Sana‐Akbar , Martínez‐Ferrero Jennifer
Published: July 2021

This article examines the effects of various internal (board independence, gender diversity, and specialized sustainability committee) and external (analysts' coverage and institutional ownership) corporate governance mechanisms on firms' decision to purchase external assurance for their corporate social responsibility (CSR) report. Using an international sample, we show that board diversity, the existence of a CSR committee, analysts' coverage, and institutional investors increase the probability of assuring a CSR report, while board independence decreases it. The findings further suggest that several configurations of these mechanisms complement each other in improving the credibility of nonfinancial disclosure through assurance. However, other configurations do not work in tandem, supporting the existence of substitution effects. Overall, bundling various governance mechanisms effectively could be more useful in formulating and implementing a corporate strategy than individual mechanisms.
Electrochemical Oxidative Syntheses of NH‐Sulfoximines, NH‐Sulfonimidamides and Dibenzothiazines via Anodically Generated Hypervalent Iodine Intermediates
Authors: Kong Xianqiang , Lin Long , Chen Xiaohui , Chen Yiyi , Wang Wei , Xu Bo
Published: July 2021

Herein, we report a general method for the synthesis of NH‐sulfoximines and NH‐sulfonimidamides through direct electrochemical oxidative catalysis involving an iodoarene(I)/iodoarene(III) redox couple. In addition, dibenzothiazines can be synthesized from [1,1′‐biaryl]‐2‐sulfides under standard conditions. Notably, only a catalytic amount of iodoarene is required for the generation in situ of an active hypervalent iodine catalyst, which avoids the need for an excess of a hypervalent iodine reagent relative to conventional approaches. Moreover, this protocol features broad substrate scope and wide functional group tolerance, delivering the target compounds with good‐to‐excellent yields even for a scale of more than 10 g.
RNA sequencing identifies global transcriptional changes in peripheral CD4+ cells during active oesophagitis and following epicutaneous immunotherapy in eosinophilic oesophagitis
Authors: Ruffner Melanie A , Zhang Zhe , Maurer Kelly , Muir Amanda B , Cianferoni Antonella , Sullivan Kathleen E , Spergel Jonathan M
Published: July 2021

Objective

There are no disease‐modifying therapies for the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), which is driven by non‐IgE‐mediated allergic inflammation. A recent clinical trial of milk epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) has shown initial promise, with 47% of treated EoE patients tolerating milk without recurrence of disease. Mechanisms of EPIT in EoE have not been studied in humans. Here, we identify transcriptional changes in the peripheral CD4+ T‐cell compartment during active EoE and following EPIT.

Methods

RNA isolation, sequencing and integrative data analysis were performed on peripheral CD4+ T cells isolated from 15 of 20 patients enrolled in a clinical trial of EPIT for EoE. Gene expression changes in peripheral CD4+ T cells were examined during diet therapy and following trial of milk antigen EPIT.

Results

We identify 244 differentially expressed genes in peripheral blood CD4+ cells of EoE patients consuming versus those eliminating milk, and 129 DEGs in CD4+ cells were isolated after EPIT versus after placebo (FDR ≤ 0.05). Gene set enrichment analysis identifies enrichment of hallmark interferon‐α and interferon‐γ response pathways in peripheral CD4+ T cells from EoE patients during active disease on a milk‐containing diet. We demonstrate overlap of this gene signature with the altered gene expression signature seen in EoE patient biopsy tissue. EPIT therapy response is associated with significant enrichment in pathways related to T‐cell receptor signalling (P = 1.16 × 10−14), antigen presentation and costimulation, and cytokine signalling (P = 1.11 × 10−16), as well as upregulation of genes associated with regulatory T‐cell function.

Conclusions

EoE is associated with distinct global transcriptional changes in CD4+ T cells, one feature of which is an IFN response signature. Clinically favorable response to EPIT is likely multifactorial but is associated with a distinct transcriptional profile in peripheral CD4+ cells supporting the hypothesis that EPIT alters peripheral CD4+ responses in EoE patients.
Impact of stress and parenting on respiratory sinus arrythmia trajectories in early adolescence
Authors: Lisitsa Ellie , Bolden China R. , Johnson Benjamin D. , Mezulis Amy H.
Published: July 2021

The effects of stress and parenting on 1‐year trajectories of physiological emotion regulation capacity among adolescents were examined. Consistent with the vulnerability‐stress and allostatic load models, stress (chronic family and marital) was hypothesized to be associated with less favorable trajectories of basal respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) over 1 year. This relationship was further hypothesized to be moderated by parenting practices (warmth, neglect, and rejection) and adolescent sex. Participants included 150 adolescents (51.3% female), 11–15 years of age (M = 13.04, SD = 0.89). Basal RSA and stress were assessed four times across 1 year. Results indicated a significant decrease in RSA over the course of 1 year (β = −0.15, p = .010). Warm parenting style was associated with lower RSA in environments of low marital stress and was also related with higher RSA in environments of high marital stress (β = 0.86, p = .021). Rejecting parenting styles were associated with higher RSA in environments of low family stress and lower RSA in environments of high family stress (β = −0.60, p = .014). These findings may be explained by the Yerkes–Dodson law of optimal stress, suggesting that sufficient environmental challenge is needed to catalyze regulatory development.
Environmental DNA‐derived pathogen gene sequences can expand surveillance when pathogen titers are decoupled in eDNA and hosts
Authors: Kaganer Alyssa W. , Nagel Leah D. , Youker‐Smith Tess E. , Bunting Elizabeth M. , Hare Matthew P.
Published: July 2021

Environmental DNA (eDNA) collection has emerged as a powerful and noninvasive wildlife population and pathogen‐monitoring tool. Ranavirus is an emerging pathogen linked to die‐offs in amphibian species. Applications of eDNA detection for ranavirus surveillance have shown promise, but it is unclear how reliably eDNA represents viral pressure on host populations. We evaluated the relationship of ranavirus titers in hosts and eDNA in four New York vernal pools from May to October 2016. We compared ranavirus titers in aquatic eDNA samples (n = 562) and liver samples (n = 362) of wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) and green frog (Lithobates clamitans) larvae from pools with past ranavirus die‐offs. We detected low‐quantity Ranavirus DNA (<Log10 0.7 copies) in larval liver samples from two pools but observed no signs of clinical disease or die‐offs in any frog population. Despite low ranavirus quantities in hosts, we observed sustained moderate titers of Ranavirus eDNA in all pools with peak titers (<Log10 3 copies/ml) occurring after observed host infections. We identified the viral strain in the pool network, compared viral populations between host and environment, and identified longitudinal genetic changes in the virus by assembling five complete viral gene sequences from host and eDNA samples collected in 2016 and archived host samples from a past outbreak. The Ranavirus at this site was closely related to both Frog Virus 3 (FV3) reference isolate and FV3—Spotted Salamander—Maine isolate. We identified polymorphisms in 2016 host‐derived Ranavirus sequences that were rare in 2016 eDNA‐derived gene sequences and absent from archived host sequences, suggesting that ranavirus in resident hosts has changed over time within our field site and is not the primary source of Ranavirus DNA detected in environmental samples. We therefore suggest that vernal pools may function as catchment basins of eDNA from surrounding uplands.
Lanthanopolyoxometalate‐Silica Core/Shell Nanoparticles as Potential MRI Contrast Agents
Authors: Carvalho Rui F. S. , Pereira Giovannia A. L. , Rocha João , Castro M. Margarida C. A. , Granadeiro Carlos M. , Nogueira Helena I. S. , Peters Joop A. , Geraldes Carlos F. G. C.
Published: July 2021

The NMR relaxivities of the decatungstolanthanoate core‐shell nanoparticles, prepared by encapsulating [Ln(W5O18)2]9− polyoxometalates (LnPOM) within amorphous silica shells (K9[Ln(W5O18)2]@SiO2), were studied along the Ln series. The relaxivity of GdPOM is slightly higher than for Gd‐DTPA due to second‐sphere relaxation effects, but the values for the other paramagnetic LnPOMs are much smaller due to the short T1e values of their Ln3+‐ions. The NPs have core‐shell spherical structures, with LnPOM‐containing cores with 9.5–28 nm diameters, and 4.0–11.0 nm thick amorphous silica shells. In water suspensions, the NPs have negative zeta potentials (−32.5 to −40.0 mV) and time‐dependent hydrodynamic diameters (31–195 nm) reflecting the formation of aggregates. The relaxivities of GdPOM@SiO2 NPs suspensions (r1=10.97 (mM Gd)−1 s−1, r2=12.02 (mM Gd)−1 s−1, 0.47 T, 25 °C) are considerably larger than for the GdPOM solutions, indicating that their silica shell is significantly porous to water. This increase is limited by the agglomeration of the complexes in the NPs core, limiting their access to water to those at the core surface. Replacing half of the Gd3+ ions by Eu3+ decreases the NPs r1 and r2 relaxivities at 0.47 T to 20 % and 35 % of their initial values, which are still considerable, but does not affect the efficient luminescence properties of the Eu3+ centers. This indicates that the mixed NPs have potential as dual modality MRI/optical imaging contrast agents.
Hydrolysis of Uranyl‐, Nd‐, Ce‐Ions and their Mixtures by Thermal Decomposition of Urea
Authors: Schreinemachers Christian , Bollen Olivier , Leinders Gregory , Tyrpekl Václav , Modolo Giuseppe , Verwerft Marc , Binnemans Koen , Cardinaels Thomas
Published: July 2021

The hydrolysis of uranyl‐, Nd‐ and Ce‐cations, induced by thermal decomposition of urea was investigated and the impact of the urea content and the experiment temperature on the reaction kinetics was evaluated. Uranyl precipitated as ammonium diuranate (ADU) with varying stoichiometry. Nd(III) and Ce(III) showed comparable pH evolutions and lanthanide carbonate hydroxide (LnCO3OH) products were identified, whereas Ce(IV) hydrolysed at lower pH and formed CeO2. The precipitation behaviour was confirmed for mixtures of uranyl and the lanthanides. Depending on the urea content, a partial co‐precipitation occurred in U/Nd mixtures. The phases formed with Ce(III) and Ce(IV) were also identified in the precipitates of binary U/Ce mixtures. In ternary U/Nd/Ce compositions, a simultaneous precipitation of Nd(III) and Ce(III) was observed and a partial incorporation of the lanthanides into the ADU phase, whereas the precipitation in the presence of Ce(IV)/CeO2 led to the formation of three individual phases.
A Mild Glycosylation Protocol with Glycosyl 1‐Methylimidazole‐2‐carboxylates as Donors
Authors: Chen Jianpeng , Tang Yu , Yu Biao
Published: July 2021

A mild glycosylation protocol is developed by using glycosyl 1‐methylimidazole‐2‐carboxylates. Such a glycosylation can be promoted by a series of metal triflates and triflimides, especially Cu(OTf)2. The reaction is initiated by activation of the glycosyl ester donor via coordination with the metal cation assisted by the adjacent 1‐methylimidazole chelating group.
Local intensity estimation of solar radiation with vision‐based3Dmodeling of local areas through unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Kim Sungkyum , Jang Seungsoo , Choi Chanho , Shin Sung Gyun , Lee Minjae , Cho Woosung , Lee Janghee , Han Sangsoo , Kim Jooyeon , Kim Song Hyun
Published: July 2021

The analysis of optimal locations for photovoltaic systems within urban regions has been raised as an important issue for increasing the relative efficiency of solar power generation in urban landscapes. This paper suggests a method that includes 3D modeling through unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight strategies, shadow generation, solar radiation estimation, and evaluation of optimal areas to estimate cost‐effective candidate locations for installing solar panels. For testing the proposed method, combining generated shadows with the intensities of solar radiation in Pohang, South Korea, which were from data collected for a year, the average intensities were calculated to estimate regions for installing solar panels in the targeted places. It is expected that the strategy proposed in this study can contribute to the popularization on local intensity estimations of the solar radiation in urban landscape with using conventional UAV, which has high accessibility as well as realizing low estimation cost.
Entwicklungsstufen und Attribuierung des Fachmodells Baugrund – Empfehlungen Nr. 2 des Arbeitskreises 2.14 der DGGT „Digitalisierung in der Geotechnik“
Authors: Molzahn Michael , Bauer Jörg , Henke Sascha , Tilger Klaus
Published: July 2021

Im Rahmen der zweiten Empfehlung des Arbeitskreises 2.14 der DGGT „Digitalisierung in der Geotechnik“ werden Entwicklungsstufen über den Lebenszyklus des Fachmodells Baugrund definiert sowie davon abhängig Mindestanforderungen an die Zuführung von geometrischen und semantischen Fachdaten (Attribuierung) in das Modell vorgeschlagen. Voraussetzung für eine durchgehende Anwendbarkeit des Fachmodells Baugrund im BIM‐Kontext ist die weitgehende Standardisierung der Fachdaten auf Modell‐ und Objektebene in Form von Eigenschaften. Die vorliegende Empfehlung zeigt die notwendigen Voraussetzungen für die noch zu entwickelnden, standardisierten, geotechnischen Eigenschaften auf und beschreibt die datentechnischen Anforderungen bei deren Erarbeitung sowie bei der Attribuierung des Fachmodells Baugrund durch den Anwender.
Thermal and thermoelastic problems in dry friction clutch: A comprehensive review
Authors: Jabbar Nasr A. , Hussain Ihsan Y. , Abdullah Oday I.
Published: July 2021

The friction clutch is considered a very important element of machines, as it plays a major role in transferring power from the driving part to the driven part. A common application of the friction clutch is in vehicles to connect between the gearbox and the engine. Fast wear occurs as a result of frictional heating that is generated when the clutch is starting to engage. This wear, in addition to the high thermal stresses, will lead to premature failure in the contacting surfaces. The present review highlights the most important studies of the thermal and thermoelastic problems of friction clutches during the last 10 years to show the challenges that were overcome and also the other challenges that needed to find solutions. The present paper will discuss in detail the influence of the frictional heat generated between contact surfaces during slipping and the main factors affecting the thermal behavior of dry friction clutches, such as sliding speed, friction materials, applied pressure, and so on. Furthermore, significant conclusions and remarks based on the available solutions to the thermal problem of the clutch are presented.
Delayed educational services during Covid‐19 and their relationships with the mental health of individuals with disabilities
Authors: Sakız Halis
Published: July 2021

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) pandemic, individuals with disabilities (IWD), like many others, have not been able to benefit effectively from educational and school‐based mental health services, which are vital to achieving mental good health. This study aimed to collect views of IWD about how their mental health was affected by the school closure during Covid‐19. Thirty‐one IWD were interviewed and data were analyzed thematically. Findings indicated that the educational delay, combined with the pressure of the preventive measures against Covid‐19 was associated with (i) difficulties in emotional well‐being, structured routines, learning, and socialization, (ii) enhanced feelings of isolation and pain, and (iii) negative perceptions of academic‐self‐efficacy and therapy‐related outcomes. The findings of the study highlight the importance of urgent short‐term and long‐term measures to provide safe and individually oriented educational services to compensate for the consequences of the pandemic.
Correlation between gastric residual volumes and markers of gastric emptying: A post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lew Charles Chin Han , Lee Zheng‐Yii , Day Andrew G. , Heyland Daren K.
Published: July 2021

Background

The correlation between gastric residual volumes (GRVs) and markers of gastric emptying (GE) in critically ill patients is unclear. This particularly applies to critically ill surgical patients, as they are underrepresented in previous studies.

Methods

We conducted a post hoc analysis of a multicenter trial that investigated the effectiveness of a promotility drug. Pharmacokinetic markers of GE (3‐O‐methylglucose [3‐OMG] and acetaminophen) were correlated with GRV measurements. High GRV was defined as one episode of >400 ml or two consecutive episodes of >250 ml, and delayed GE was defined as <20th percentile of the pharmacokinetic GE marker that had the strongest correlation with GE.

Results

Of 77 patients, 8 (10.4%) had high GRV, and 15 (19.5%) had delayed GE. The 3‐OMG concentration at 60 min had the strongest correlation with GRV (ρ = −0.631), and high GRV had low sensitivity (46.7%) but high specificity (98.4%) in discriminating delayed GE. The positive (87.5%) and negative (88.4%) predictive values were similar. Compared with medical patients, surgical patients (n = 14, 18.2%), had a significantly higher incidence of high GRV (29% vs 6%, P = .032) and a trend toward delayed GE (36% vs 16%, P = .132).

Conclusion

GRV reflects GE, and high GRV is an acceptable surrogate marker of delayed GE. From our preliminary observation, surgical patients may have a higher risk of high GRV and delayed GE. In summary, GRV should be monitored to determine whether complex investigations or therapeutic interventions are warranted.
Low phase angle is associated with 60‐day mortality in critically ill patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Osuna‐Padilla Iván Armando , Rodríguez‐Moguel Nadia Carolina , Rodríguez‐Llamazares Sebastián , Aguilar‐Vargas Adriana , Casas‐Aparicio Gustavo Alejandro , Ríos‐Ayala Martin Armando , Hernández‐Cardenas Carmen Margarita
Published: July 2021

Background

Malnutrition status, body composition indicators, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters have been associated with increased risk of death in several pathologies. The aim of this study was to describe the associations between phase angle (PhA) indicators obtained by BIA with length of hospital stay, days on mechanical ventilation, and 60‐day mortality in critically ill patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2).

Methods

This is a prospective cohort of mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We assessed nutrition risk and body composition with BIA within 48 h from intensive care unit admission. Logistic and linear regression models were used to analyze the association between variables and clinical outcomes. Survival analysis by PhA value was performed using Kaplan‐Meier curves.

Results

Sixty‐seven patients were included. PhA (odds ratio [OR], 0.36; P = .002), standardized PhA (SPA) (OR, 0.45; P = .001), and extracellular water/total body water ratio (OR, 3.25; P = .002) were significant predictors of 60‐day mortality. PhA <3.85° in females and <5.25° in males showed good and fair discrimination, respectively, for mortality prediction. Using cutoff values, low PhA was associated with a significantly increased risk of 60‐day mortality (hazard ratio, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.12–8.41; P = .02). No association was detected for SPA.

Conclusion

Low PhA values could be a predictor of 60‐day mortality in critically ill patients with COVID‐19. This biological marker could be incorporated as part of nutrition and mortality risk assessment in this population.
Risk factors for lymph node metastasis in rectal neuroendocrine tumors: A recursive partitioning analysis based on multicenter data
Authors: Wang Ye , Zhang Yiyi , Lin Hexin , Xu Meifang , Zhou Xin , Zhuang Jinfu , Yang Yuanfeng , Chen Bin , Liu Xing , Guan Guoxian
Published: July 2021

Background

The well‐differentiated rectal neuroendocrine tumors (RNETs) can also have lymph node metastasis (LNM). Large multicenter data were reviewed to explore the risk factors for LNM in RNETs. Further, we developed a model to predict the risk of LNM in RNETs.

Methods

In total, 223 patients with RNETs from the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University were retrospectively enrolled. Logistic regression analysis was performed to study the factors affecting LNM, and recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was performed to stratify the risk of LNM.

Results

Among the 223 patients diagnosed with RNETs, the incidence of LNM was 10.8%. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses revealed that tumor size, World Health Organization (WHO) grade, and depth of tumor invasion were independent risk factors for LNM (p < 0.05). The area under the curve was 0.948 (95% confidence interval: 0.890–1.000). Furthermore, the incidence of LNM in patients divided into low‐ and high‐risk groups according to RPA was 1.1% and 56.4%, respectively.

Conclusion

Compared with tumor size, the depth of tumor invasion and WHO grade are more important factors in predicting LNM. Then, we developed a model based on RPA to predict the risk of LNM in RNETs and identify patients who are suitable for local resection.
Surgical oncology operative experience at a high‐volume safety‐net hospital during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Kronenfeld Joshua P. , Collier Amber L. , Choi Seraphina , Perez‐Sanchez Dayana , Shah Ankit M. , Lee Christina , Goel Neha
Published: July 2021

Background

The coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic led to disruptions in operative and hospital capabilities as the country triaged resources and canceled elective procedures. This study details the operative experience of a safety‐net hospital for cancer‐related operations during a 3‐month period at the height of the pandemic.

Methods

Patients operated on for or diagnosed with malignancies of the abdomen, breast, skin, or soft‐tissue (September 3, 2020–September 6, 2020) were identified from operative/clinic schedules. Sociodemographics, tumor and treatment characteristics, and COVID‐19 information was identified through retrospective chart review of a prospectively maintained database. Descriptive statistics were calculated.

Results

Fifty patients evaluated within this window underwent oncologic surgery. Median age was 61 (interquartile range: 53–68), 56% were female, 86% were White, and 66% were Hispanic. The majority (28%) were for colon cancer. Only two patients tested positive for COVID‐19 preoperatively or within 30 days of their operation. There were no mortalities during the 1‐year study period.

Conclusion

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, many hospitals and operative centers limited interventions to preserve resources, but oncologic procedures continued at many large‐volume academic cancer centers. This study underscores the importance of continuing to offer surgery during the pandemic for surgical oncology cases at safety‐net hospitals to minimize delays in time‐sensitive oncologic treatment.
A strategy for efficient enrichment of steroidal alkaloids from Fritillaria based on fluorinated reversed‐phase stationary phase
Authors: Si Wei , Yu Dongping , Zhou Han , Guo Zhimou , Lu Shubin , Peng Ting , Liu Yanming , Shen Aijin , Liu Yanfang , Liang Xinmiao
Published: July 2021

Plant‐derived alkaloids are bioactive natural ingredients, but their contents are relatively low in plants. Therefore, the efficient enrichment of alkaloids is a prerequisite for purification and further pharmacological research. In this study, an efficient and simple strategy for enrichment of steroidal alkaloids in Fritillaria was developed for the first time based on the fluorinated reverse‐phase stationary phase (FC8HL). Superior selectivity between alkaloids and non‐alkaloids was achieved in a non‐aqueous system, and a simple solvent system containing low‐content additives was applied to elute alkaloids. Key parameters that affected the elution were investigated, including different types of buffer salts and optimized concentrations. The optimized elution system was then applied to selectively enrich alkaloids from five species of Fritillaria. Its practicability was further demonstrated by enrichment of alkaloids from Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don at a preparative level. This developed method has great potential for other types of hydrophobic alkaloids.
A dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI digital reference object for testing software with leakage correction: Effect of background simulation
Authors: Chen Henry Szu‐Meng , Jen Mu‐Lan , Hou Ping , Stafford R. Jason , Liu Ho‐Ling
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC)‐MRI is a perfusion imaging technique from which useful quantitative imaging biomarkers can be derived. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) is such a biomarker commonly used for evaluating brain tumors. To account for the extravasation of contrast agents in tumors, post‐processing leakage correction is often applied to improve rCBV accuracy. Digital reference objects (DRO) are ideal for testing the post‐processing software, because the biophysical model used to generate the DRO can be matched to the one that the software uses. This study aims to develop DROs to validate the leakage correction of software using Weisskoff model and to examine the effect of background signal time curves that are required by the model.

Methods

Three DROs were generated using the Weisskoff model, each composed of nine foreground lesion objects with combinations of different levels of rCBV and contrast leakage parameter (K2). Three types of background were implemented for these DROs: (1) a multi‐compartment brain‐like background, (2) a sphere background with a constant signal time curve, and (3) a sphere background with signal time curve identical to that of the brain‐like DRO’s white matter (WM). The DROs were then analyzed with an FDA‐cleared software with and without leakage correction. Leakage correction was tested with and without brain segmentation.

Results

Accuracy of leakage correction was able to be verified using the brain‐like phantom and the sphere phantom with WM background. The sphere with constant background did not perform well with leakage correction with or without brain segmentation. The DROs were able to verify that for the particular software tested, leakage correction with brain segmentation achieved the lowest error.

Conclusions

DSC‐MRI DROs with biophysical model matched to that of the post‐processing software can be well used for the software's validation, provided that the background signals are also properly simulated for generating the reference time curve required by the model. Care needs to be taken to consider the interaction of the design of the DRO with the software's implementation of brain segmentation to extract the reference time curve.