bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toxicity of Wildland Fire-Fighting Chemicals in Pulsed Exposures to Rainbow Trout and Fathead Minnows
Authors: Puglis Holly J. , Iacchetta Michael , Mackey Christina M.
Published: April 2022

Intrusions of fire-fighting chemicals in streams can result from containment and suppression of wildfires and may be harmful to native biota. We investigated the toxicity of seven current-use fire-fighting chemicals to juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) by simulating chemical intrusions under variable field conditions to provide insights into the potential damage these chemicals may cause in waterways. In three separate attenuated exsposure assays in which chemical concentration decreased throughout the 96-h exposure period, we varied water flow rate, water hardness, and initial concentration of test chemical. In an additional series of four pulsed exposure assays in which fish encounter chemical for up to 1 h followed by an observation period in control water, we altered concentration of test chemical, water temperature, duration of chemical exposure, and number of exposures to determine delayed toxicity or recovery. Mortality of rainbow trout was higher across treatments at a warmer temperature and also increased with increasing concentration rate, increasing exposure duration, and sequential exposures across assays. For fathead minnows, mortality increased with increasing concentration of fire retardant and longer exposure durations. Because the ratio of toxic un-ionized ammonia to ionized ammonia is greater with increasing temperature and pH, future studies could investigate the effects of water temperature and pH on native fishes under environmentally relevant concentrations of fire-fighting chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1711–1720. Published 2022. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Testimonialistas’ Self‐Determination: Boricua Mothers and Colonial Schooling
Authors: Colón Melissa , Vaught Sabina
Published: April 2022

This article highlights the Testimonios of Boricua (Puerto Rican) women in their twenties who were pregnant and parenting in their high school‐age years and whose gender and familial self‐determination and freedom were severely regulated by a suffocating network of colonial state institutions. At the center of this network was school. Mechanized to uphold gendered ideologies and materialities in the repressive campaign against Boricua women, US schooling was the site and the story of state intrusion into the self‐determined life of Testimonialistas. Their Testimonios offer a narrative theorization of the ways in which Boricua women and mothers experienced and resisted the network of colonial schooling, and struggled toward self‐determination for themselves, their children, and their communities.
Antimicrobial potential of probiotic cell‐free and Carum copticum L. seed extracts co‐nanoencapsulated in cellulose acetate fibers
Authors: Azizkhani Maryam , Karbakhsh Ravari Rafat
Published: April 2022

The aim of this work was to co‐nanoencapsulate Lactobacillus acidophilus (LCFE) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (BCFE) cell‐free extract and zenyan (Carum copticum L.) seed water (ZWE) and ethanolic (ZEE) extract in electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibers and evaluate antimicrobial potential. The zeta potential, SEM image, antibacterial (MIC and MBC), and antifungal (MIC and MFC) activities were evaluated. TPC (total phenol content) of water and ethanol extract of zenyan seed were 14.05 and 136.44 mg GAE/g, respectively. A zeta potential of −40.25, −45.80, −43.71, 48.55, 35.50, 47.93, 31.50, 44.69, and −29.61 mV was found for nanofibers of pure CA (cellulose acetate), CA/LCFE, CA/BCFE, CA/ZWE, CA/ZEE, CA/LCFE/ZWE, CA/LCFE/ZEE, CA/BCFE/ZWE, and CA/LCFE/ZEE, respectively. CA electrospun nanofiber loaded with different extracts showed nanosized diameter and uniform structure. Nanoencapsulated extracts showed considerably higher antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to free extracts. Antibacterial activity of lactobacilli cell‐free extract was higher than bifidobacteria, which indicated the presence of the higher amount of antibacterial compounds in lactobacilli extract. Gram‐positive bacteria (S. aureus and L. monocytogenes) had the lowest MIC and MBC of free and nanoencapsulated extracts while Gram‐negatives (E. coli, S. dysenteriae, and S. enteritidis) had higher MIC and MBC. CA‐coated zenyan extracts (water and ethanolic) inhibited the growth of the assayed fungi at the MIC ranging 0.25 to 0.95%. These concentrations were 1.5–2 times lower than those obtained for pure extracts. For nanoencapsulated cell‐free extracts of both probiotics, the MIC values were about five times lower than the free extracts. The highest antimicrobial activity obtained for CA nanofibers contained zenyan ethanolic extract and cell‐free extract of lactobacilli or bifidobacteria.
Quality improvement of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) during refrigerated storage by application of Maillard peptides/water‐soluble chitosan coating
Authors: Liu Yu , Zhu Yanling , Yang Yang , Hu Shiwei , Jiang Wei
Published: April 2022

We investigated the effect of squid Maillard peptides (SMPs) on the shelf life and quality of shrimp for 20 days. Water‐soluble chitosan coatings incorporated with SMPs (SMPs + chitosan) were applied to shrimp under chilled conditions. Untreated samples were used as control, along with samples treated with water‐soluble chitosan and SMPs alone. The pH increase was observed in all samples, as well as increased total plate count, total volatile basic nitrogen, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid index. However, these indexes in the SMPs + chitosan group were lower than the other three groups, which suggested SMPs + chitosan might play a role in retarding quality loss of shrimp, and there might be a combined effect between water‐soluble chitosan and SMPs. Based on hardness, springiness, and sensory evaluation, shrimp coated with SMPs + chitosan was the best preserved, with a shelf life of 16 days but only 8–12 days for other samples. The present work demonstrates the effectiveness of SMPs + chitosan, offering a promising alternative to inhibit microbial growth and lipid oxidation on shrimps during refrigerated storage.
Predictive value of metastatic lateral lymph node ratio for recurrence in pathologically lateral lymph node‐positive papillary thyroid cancer patients with palpable lymph nodes
Authors: Dong Wenwu , Horiuchi Kiyomi , Noguchi Eiichiro , Okamoto Takahiro
Published: April 2022

Background

This study aimed to identify the predictive value of the extent of metastatic lymph nodes in the central and lateral neck compartment for recurrence in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients with pathologically lateral lymph node metastasis (pN1b).

Methods

This study enrolled 252 patients with pN1b from PTC.

Results

During a mean follow‐up of 17.6 years, 55 (21.8%) patients experienced recurrence. Patients with palpable lymph nodes were more likely to have a recurrence than those with nonpalpable lymph nodes (30.1% vs. 17.8%, relative risk 1.7, 95%CI: 1.1–2.7). For patients with palpable metastatic lymph nodes, lymph node ratio of lateral lymph nodes ≥0.5 (aHR = 2.906, 95%CI: 1.29–6.54) and age ≥55 years (aHR = 2.508, 95%CI: 1.12–5.63) were independent prognostic factors. For those without palpable nodes, age ≥55 years (aHR = 2.224, 95%CI: 1.08–4.60) and tumor size >4 cm (aHR = 2.168, 95%CI: 1.01–4.66) were independently predictive of worse RFS.

Conclusions

Palpable lymph nodes were approximately twice as likely to recur as nonpalpable nodes. Metastatic lateral lymph node ratio predicts recurrence in pN1b PTC patients with palpable lymph nodes, but not those without ones.
High inter‐follicular spatial co‐localization of CD8+FOXP3+ with CD4+CD8+ cells predicts favorable outcome in follicular lymphoma
Authors: Hagos Yeman B. , Akarca Ayse U. , Ramsay Alan , Rossi Riccardo L. , Pomplun Sabine , Ngai Victoria , Moioli Alessia , Gianatti Andrea , Mcnamara Christopher , Rambaldi Alessandro , Quezada Sergio A. , Linch David , Gritti Giuseppe , Yuan Yinyin , Marafioti Teresa
Published: April 2022

The spatial architecture of the lymphoid tissue in follicular lymphoma (FL) presents unique challenges to studying its immune microenvironment. We investigated the spatial interplay of T cells, macrophages, myeloid cells and natural killer T cells using multispectral immunofluorescence images of diagnostic biopsies of 32 patients. A deep learning‐based image analysis pipeline was tailored to the needs of follicular lymphoma spatial histology research, enabling the identification of different immune cells within and outside neoplastic follicles. We analyzed the density and spatial co‐localization of immune cells in the inter‐follicular and intra‐follicular regions of follicular lymphoma. Low inter‐follicular density of CD8+FOXP3+ cells and co‐localization of CD8+FOXP3+ with CD4+CD8+ cells were significantly associated with relapse (p = 0.0057 and p = 0.0019, respectively) and shorter time to progression after first‐line treatment (Logrank p = 0.0097 and log‐rank p = 0.0093, respectively). A low inter‐follicular density of CD8+FOXP3+ cells is associated with increased risk of relapse independent of follicular lymphoma international prognostic index (FLIPI) (p = 0.038, Hazard ratio (HR) = 0.42 [0.19, 0.95], but not independent of co‐localization of CD8+FOXP3+ with CD4+CD8+ cells (p = 0.43). Co‐localization of CD8+FOXP3+ with CD4+CD8+ cells is predictors of time to relapse independent of the FLIPI score and density of CD8+FOXP3+ cells (p = 0.027, HR = 0.0019 [7.19 × 10−6, 0.49], This suggests a potential role of inter‐follicular CD8+FOXP3+ and CD4+CD8+ cells in the disease progression of FL, warranting further validation on larger patient cohorts.
“Her Voice is Proud”: Exploring the Intersections of Writing, Gender, and Mental Health
Authors: Schreuder Mary‐Celeste
Published: April 2022

In the wake of the Covid‐19 pandemic, challenges with adolescent mental health are on the rise, making the need for spaces where teens share their emotions and experiences all the more vital. This single‐case study explores the impact of writing on one young woman's (Celia) mental health during Girl Power, a gender empowerment poetry writing workshop for adolescent girls. Celia's poems, interviews, and discussions illustrate the complexity of the intersections of mental health with friendship, body image, and identity as a girl, revealing the benefits of a supportive community for writing for self and catharsis. This article concludes with practical implications for the healing power of writing both in and out of the classroom.
Strigea robusta(Digenea: Strigeidae) infection effects on the gonadal structure and limb malformation in toad early development
Authors: Svinin Anton O. , Matushkina Kseniya A. , Dedukh Dmitry V. , Bashinskiy Ivan V. , Ermakov Oleg A. , Litvinchuk Spartak N.
Published: April 2022

The anomaly P is a mass morphological anomaly reported in some water frog populations across Europe. It was found that polydactyly is only a mild attenuated form of heavy cases of the anomaly P syndrome, which have strong deformations of the hindlimbs and, partly, forelimbs. It was shown that the anomaly P is caused by the trematodeStrigea robustaand this syndrome can be considered as a special case of strigeosis in amphibians. The anomaly P for a long time considered to be specific for water frogs of the genusPelophylax. Herein, we describe polydactyly and heavy forms of the anomaly P syndrome in toads of the generaBufoandBufotes, as a result of exposure toS. robustacercariae. A total of 150 tadpoles ofBufo bufo, 60 tadpoles ofBufotes viridis, and 60 tadpoles ofBufotes baturaewere divided into five experimental and four control groups (30 tadpoles in each group). All anomalies in the toads were similar to those observed in water frogs. The survival of tadpoles in the experimental groups was 76%. The anomaly P was observed in 57.9% of toad tadpoles (51.8% of mild forms and 6.1% of heavy forms). The occurrence of the anomaly P varied among groups from 19% to 78%. Heavy forms of the anomaly P were found in all experimental groups. We described rare asymmetrical cases of the anomaly P. According to severe modification of limb morphology, we supposed changes of gonadal morphology (any modifications of the germ and somatic cells). The gonadal development of infected tadpoles was however the same as in uninfected toad tadpoles, and heterochromatin distribution within gonocytes had no differences as well. It seems like the parasite doesn't have any effect on the gonadal development of the toads. The lack of heavy forms in natural populations of toads, as well as a development of gonads were discussed.
Winter madness: Melatonin as a neuroendocrine regulator of seasonal aggression
Authors: Munley Kathleen M. , Han Yuqi , Lansing Matt X. , Demas Gregory E.
Published: April 2022

Individuals of virtually all vertebrate species are exposed to annual fluctuations in the deterioration and renewal of their environments. As such, organisms have evolved to restrict energetically expensive processes and activities to a specific time of the year. Thus, the precise timing of physiology and behavior is critical for individual reproductive success and subsequent fitness. Although the majority of research on seasonality has focused on seasonal reproduction, pronounced fluctuations in other non‐reproductive social behaviors, including agonistic behaviors (e.g., aggression), also occur. To date, most studies that have investigated the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying seasonal aggression have focused on the role of photoperiod (i.e., day length); prior findings have demonstrated that some seasonally breeding species housed in short “winter‐like” photoperiods display increased aggression compared with those housed in long “summer‐like” photoperiods, despite inhibited reproduction and low gonadal steroid levels. While fewer studies have examined how the hormonal correlates of environmental cues regulate seasonal aggression, our previous work suggests that the pineal hormone melatonin acts to increase non‐breeding aggression in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) by altering steroid hormone secretion. This review addresses the physiological and cellular mechanisms underlying seasonal plasticity in aggressive and non‐aggressive social behaviors, including a key role for melatonin in facilitating a “neuroendocrine switch” to alternative physiological mechanisms of aggression across the annual cycle. Collectively, these studies highlight novel and important mechanisms by which melatonin regulates aggressive behavior in vertebrates and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the neuroendocrine bases of seasonal social behaviors broadly.
Future evolution of global land surface air temperature trend based on Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 models
Authors: Wu Wen , Ji Fei , Hu Shujuan , He Yongli , Wei Yun , Xu Zhenhao , Yu Haipeng
Published: April 2022

In recent decades, global warming has been an indisputable fact. The increase in extreme events accompanied by the rise in temperature has huge influences on many aspects of the society and economy globally. As a result, forecasting how global temperatures will change and evolve in the future is crucial, but it is restricted by the accuracy and uncertainty of model simulations. Based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method, this study first evaluates the performance of the CMIP6 models in simulating different timescale components including high‐frequency components (HFC), low‐frequency components (LFC), and secular trend (ST) of surface air temperature (SAT). The results show that the performance of the CMIP6 models in simulating the ST is better. Following the observation constraint method's correction of CMIP6 model simulations, we investigate the evolution characteristics of future temperature secular trends under different Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios. The results show that under SSP245 scenario, the rise of SAT first appeared in northwest and east North America and eastern Europe. The spatial distribution of evolution characteristic under the SSP585 scenario is similar to that of the SSP245 scenario but with a larger magnitude. However, more pronounced differences appear in warming rate, which shows a downward trend over time under the SSP245 scenario and an upward trend with time under the SSP585 scenario.
Biases in the thermodynamic structure over the Southern Ocean in ERA5 and their radiative implications
Authors: Truong Son C. H. , Huang Yi , Siems Steven T. , Manton Michael J. , Lang Francisco
Published: April 2022

The thermodynamic structure of the lower troposphere in the 37 standard levels ERA5 reanalysis has been evaluated against 2,186 high‐resolution upper air soundings collected over the Southern Ocean (SO). The reanalysis, which incorporated these soundings, was found to be skilled in depicting the general synoptic meteorology and thermodynamic structure as defined by the cluster analysis of Truong et al. (2020) Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 125, e2020JD033214. Using dew‐point depression as a proxy for cloud, however, we found a significant reduction in the number of inferred cloud layers, which is inherited from a bias in the specific humidity in the ERA5 reanalysis, most notably over the high latitudes of the SO, where a multilayer cloud structure is frequently observed. The reanalysis was also found to have thinner inferred cloud geometric layer and shallower cloud top heights. Further analysis showed that the reanalysis displays a greater percentage of soundings having no inversion with this bias being more pronounced at high latitudes that tends to be associated with the colder sea surface temperature. While the statistics of the main inversion height are largely consistent, the average inversion strength in the ERA5 reanalysis is found to be weaker than the observations. We anticipate the 137‐level ERA5 reanalysis simulation yields a smoothed vertical structure, from which the 37 standard levels ERA5 reanalysis is linearly interpolated. An examination of the sensitivity of the radiative transfer to cloud macrophysics suggests that the correct representation of thin multiple cloud layers can help reduce the amount of downward shortwave surface radiation over the SO.
A2M inhibits inflammatory mediators of chondrocytes by blocking IL‐1β/NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Sun Changqi , Cao Can , Zhao Ting , Guo Hailing , Fleming Braden C. , Owens Brett , Beveridge Jillian , McAllister Scott , Wei Lei
Published: April 2022

A hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA) is cartilage degeneration, which has been previously correlated with dramatic increases in inflammatory enzymes. Specifically, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and subsequent upregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) is implicated as an important player in the development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Alpha 2‐macroglobulin (A2M) can inhibit this inflammatory pathway, making it a promising therapy for PTOA. Herein, we demonstrate that A2M binds and neutralizes IL‐1β, blocking downstream NF‐κB‐induced catabolism seen in in vitro. Human chondrocytes (cell line C28) were incubated with A2M protein and then treated with IL‐1β. A2M was labeled with VivoTag™ 680 to localize the protein postincubation. The degree of binding between A2M and IL‐1β was evaluated through immunoprecipitation (IP). Catabolic proteins, including IL‐1β and NF‐kB, were detected by Western blot. Pro‐inflammatory and chondrocyte‐related gene expression was examined by qRT‐PCR. VivoTag™ 680‐labeled A2M was observed in the cytoplasm of C28 human chondrocytes by fluorescence microscopy. IP experiments demonstrated that A2M could bind IL‐1β. Additionally, western blot analysis revealed that A2M neutralized IL‐1β and NF‐κB in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, A2M decreased levels of MMPs and TNF‐α and increased the expression of cartilage protective genes Col2, Type2, Smad4, and aggrecan. Mostly importantly, A2M was shown to directly neutralize IL‐1β to downregulate the pro‐inflammatory responses mediated by the NF‐kB pathway. These results demonstrate a mechanism by which A2M reduces inflammatory catabolic activity and protects cartilage after joint injury. Further in vivo studies are needed to fully understand the potential of A2M as a novel PTOA therapy.
Evaluation of acoustic changes in and the healing outcomes of rat eardrums with pars tensa and pars flaccida perforations
Authors: Liu Yaoqian , Wu Cuiping , Chen Tingting , Shen Qiyue , Xiong Yuanping , Chen Zhengnong , Li Chunyan
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To systematically explore the differences in acoustic changes and healing outcomes of tympanic membranes (TMs) with pars flaccida perforation (PFP) and pars tensa perforation (PTP).

Methods

We created PFPs and PTPs of various sizes in Sprague–Dawley rats, and evaluated TM umbo velocity and hearing function using laser Doppler vibrometry and auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurement before and immediately after perforation. Two weeks later, hearing was reevaluated and TMs were investigated by immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Small PFPs and PTPs did not significantly affect umbo velocity and hearing function. Large PFPs increased umbo velocity loss at low frequency (1.5 kHz) and elevated ABR thresholds within 1–2 kHz. Large PTP caused significant velocity loss at low frequencies from 1.5 to 3.5 kHz and threshold elevations at full frequencies (1–2 kHz). Two weeks after the perforation, the hearing function of rats with healed PFPs recovered completely. However, high‐frequency hearing loss (16–32 kHz) persisted in rats with healed PTPs. Morphological staining revealed that no increase in the thickness and obvious increase in collagen I level of regenerated par flaccida; regenerated pars tensa exhibited obvious increase in thickness and increased collagen I, while the collagen II regeneration was limited with discontinuous and disordered structure in regenerated pars tensa.

Conclusion

The hearing loss caused by large PFP limits at low frequencies while large PTP can lead to hearing loss at wide range frequencies. PFP and PTP have different functional outcomes after spontaneous healing, which is determined by the discrepant structure reconstruction and collagen regeneration.
Utility of reflux finding score and reflux symptom index in diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease
Authors: Abraham Zephania Saitabau , Kahinga Aveline Aloyce
Published: April 2022

Objective

The study aimed to determine the utility of reflux finding score (RFS) and reflux symptom index (RSI) in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods

A prospective hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted at a private hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. Relationship between independent and dependent variables was established using chi‐square test, a variable with p‐value of equal or less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

In this study, a total of 2500 patients were recruited, out of which 800 (32.0%) were males and 1700 (68.0%) were female. Out of the 2500, 1520 (60.8%) patients were found to have a RSI of >13. Out of the 1520 patients subjected to 70‐degree laryngoscopy, 1425 patients (95.0%) were found to have a RFS > 7. Of the 1425 patients with RFS > 7, 260 were males (18.2%) and 1165 were females (81.8%).

Conclusion

RFS and RSI have demonstrated their role in establishing the diagnosis of LPRD.

Level of Evidence

4
Self‐Adhesive Hyaluronic Acid/Antimicrobial Peptide Composite Hydrogel with Antioxidant Capability and Photothermal Activity for Infected Wound Healing
Authors: Xiong Jingyi , Yang Zhuo‐Ran , Lv Niannian , Du Kehan , Suo Huinan , Du Shuo , Tao Juan , Jiang Hao , Zhu Jintao
Published: April 2022

Bacterial infection can delay wound healing, causing wounds to deteriorate and even threaten the patient's life. Recently, although many composite hydrogels as wound dressing have been developed, it is still highly desired to construct photothermal hydrogels with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties to accelerate the infected wound healing. In this work, a hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based composite hydrogel consisting of a dopamine‐substituted antimicrobial peptide (DAP) and Iron (III) ions is developed, which exhibits photothermal‐assisted promotion and acceleration of healing process of bacteria‐infected wounds. DAP, serving as both antimicrobial agent and ROS‐scavenger, forms Schiff's base bonds with aldehyde hyaluronic acid (AHA) and iron‐catechol coordination bonds to reinforce the composite hydrogel. The presence of Fe3+ can also promote covalent polymerization of dopamine, which endows the hydrogel with photothermal capacity. The in vitro and in vivo experiments prove that the composite hydrogel can effectively accelerate the infected wound healing process, including antibacterial, accelerated collagen deposition, and re‐epithelization. This study suggests that the multifunctional composite hydrogel possesses remarkable potential for bacteria‐infected wound healing by combining inherent antimicrobial activity, antioxidant capability, and photothermal effect.
SIRT1 inhibition‐induced senescence as a strategy to prevent prostate cancer progression
Authors: Huang Shih‐Bo , Rivas Paul , Yang Xiaoyu , Lai Zhao , Chen Yidong , Schadler Keri L. , Hu Ming , Reddick Robert L. , Ghosh Rita , Kumar Addanki P.
Published: April 2022

Emerging evidence suggests an important role for SIRT1, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)‐dependent deacetylase in cancer development, progression and therapeutic resistance; making it a viable therapeutic target. Here, we examined the impact of resveratrol‐mediated pharmacological activation of SIRT1 on the progression of HGPIN lesions (using the Pten−/− mouse model) and on prostate tumor development (using an orthotopic model of prostate cancer cells stably silenced for SIRT1). We show that precise SIRT1 modulation could benefit both cancer prevention and treatment. Positive effect of SIRT1 activation can prevent Pten deletion‐driven development of HGPIN lesions in mice if resveratrol is administered early (pre‐cancer stage) with little to no benefit after the establishment of HGPIN lesions or tumor cell implantation. Mechanistically, our results show that under androgen deprivation conditions, SIRT1 inhibition induces senescence as evidenced by decreased gene signature associated with negative regulators of senescence and increased senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of SIRT1 potentiated growth inhibitory effects of clinical androgen receptor blockade agents and radiation. Taken together, our findings provide an explanation for the discrepancy regarding the role of SIRT1 in prostate tumorigenesis. Our results reveal that the bifurcated roles for SIRT1 may occur in stage and context‐dependent fashion by functioning in an antitumor role in prevention of early‐stage prostate lesion development while promoting tumor development and disease progression post‐lesion development. Clinically, these data highlight the importance of precise SIRT1 modulation to provide benefits for cancer prevention and treatment including sensitization to conventional therapeutic approaches.
Quality incentive contract design in government procurement for innovation
Authors: Su Congli , Wang Mingxi
Published: April 2022

Recently, as supply‐side innovation incentive policies do not work well in China, demand‐side instruments, like the government procurement for innovation, are emphasized. However, as the enterprise may be better informed than the government about its initial technology level and effort, the government faces the dual information asymmetry of adverse selection and moral hazard in the process of procurement. Thus, in this paper, series of quality incentive contract models are proposed to illustrate how the government can identify the initial technology type of the enterprise and motivate it to exert effort to improve the innovation quality.
Doubly nonlinear parabolic equations with Robin boundary conditions
Authors: Kömbe Ismail , Balekoğlu Reyhan Tellioğlu
Published: April 2022

In this article, we consider the nonlinear problem

where
is the doubly nonlinear operator. Here,
is a bounded domain with smooth boundary,
and
. We establish some sufficient conditions on the functions
, and the exponents
and
, so that the above problem has no positive solutions. Furthermore, various concrete potentials
are taken into account to demonstrate applications of our main result.
Feeding the modern sow to sustain high productivity
Authors: Theil Peter K. , Krogh Uffe , Bruun Thomas S. , Feyera Takele
Published: April 2022

Selection for hyper‐prolific sows has increased the litter size by more than 50% during the last three decades, and proper nutrition of the female pigs has concomitantly changed due to improved prolificacy and productivity of gilts and sows. This review summarizes the physiological characteristics and nutritional challenges associated with feeding modern hyper‐prolific sows during the gilt rearing period and during gestation, transition, and lactation periods. The review presents up‐to‐date knowledge of the energy and lysine requirements of female pigs and focuses on how nutrition may increase fat gain and limit protein and weight gain in the gilt rearing period and in early and mid‐gestation. In late gestation, fetal and mammary growth should be considered and during the transition, colostrum yield and farrowing performance need to be optimized. Finally, milk production should be optimized and body mobilization should be minimized in the lactation period to achieve high feed efficiency in hyper‐prolific sows.
Rat Brain Global Ischemia–Induced Diffusion Changes Revisited: Biophysical Modeling of the Water and NAA MR “Diffusion Signal”
Authors: Spees William M. , Sukstanskii Alex L. , Bretthorst G. Larry , Neil Jeffrey J. , Ackerman Joseph J.H.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To assess changes in intracellular diffusion as a mechanism for the reduction in water ADC that accompanies brain injury. Using NAA as a marker of neuronal cytoplasmic diffusion, NAA diffusion was measured before and after global ischemia (immediately postmortem) in the female Sprague–Dawley rat.

Methods

Diffusion‐weighted PRESS spectra, with diffusion encoding in a single direction, were acquired from large voxels of rat brain gray matter in vivo and postischemia employing either pairs of pulsed half‐sine–shaped gradients (in vivo and postischemia, bmax = 19 ms/μm2) or sinusoidal oscillating gradients (in vivo only) with frequencies of 99.2–250 Hz. A 2D randomly oriented cylinder (neurite) model gave estimates of longitudinal and transverse diffusivities (DL and DT, respectively). In this model, DL represents the “free” diffusivity of NAA, whereas DT reflects highly restricted diffusion. Using oscillating gradients, the frequency dependence of DT [DT(ω)] gave estimates of the cylinder (axon/dendrite) radius.

Results

A 10% decrease in DL,NAA followed global ischemia, dropping from 0.391 ± 0.012 μm2/ms to 0.350 ± 0.009 μm2/ms. Modeling DT,NAA(ω) provided an estimate of the neurite radius of 1.0 ± 0.6 μm.

Conclusion

Whereas the increase in apparent intraneuronal viscosity suggested by changes in DL,NAA may contribute to the overall reduction in water ADC associated with brain injury, it is not sufficient to be the sole explanation. Estimates of neurite radius based on DT(ω) were consistent with literature values.
Localized MFS for three‐dimensional acoustic inverse problems on complicated domains
Authors: Chen Zengtao , Wang Fajie , Cheng Suifu , Wu Guozheng
Published: April 2022

This paper proposes a semi‐analytical and local meshless collocation method, the localized method of fundamental solutions (LMFS), to address three‐dimensional (3D) acoustic inverse problems in complex domains. The proposed approach is a recently developed numerical scheme with the potential of being mathematically simple, numerically accurate, and requiring less computational time and storage. In  LMFS, an overdetermined sparse linear system is constructed by using the known data at the nodes on the accessible boundary and by making the remaining nodes satisfy the governing equation. In the numerical procedure, the pseudoinverse of a matrix is solved via the truncated singular value decomposition, and thus the regularization techniques are not needed in solving the resulting linear system with a well‐conditioned matrix. Numerical experiments, involving complicated geometry and the high noise level, confirm the effectiveness and performance of the LMFS for solving 3D acoustic inverse problems.
Subsequent malignant neoplasms in the pediatric age in retinoblastoma survivors in Argentina
Authors: Villanueva Gabriela , Sampor Claudia , Moreno Florencia , Alderete Daniel , Moresco Angelica , Pinto Natalia , Szijan Irene , Schaiquevich Paula , Felice María Sara , Rose Adriana , Zubizarreta Pedro , Sgroi Mariana , Fandiño Adriana , Chantada Guillermo
Published: April 2022

Background

Retinoblastoma survivors in low‐ and middle‐income countries are exposed to high‐intensity treatments that potentially place them at higher risk of early subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs).

Methods

We followed 714 (403 [56.4%] nonhereditary and 311 [43.5%] hereditary) retinoblastoma survivors diagnosed from August 1987 to December 2016, up to the age of 16 years. We quantified risk of SMNs with cumulative incidence (CI) and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) analysis. Multivariate regression Cox model was used to determine the association of treatments and risk of SMNs.

Results

Median follow‐up was of 9 years (range: 0.18–16.9) and 24 survivors (3.36%) developed 25 SMNs (n = 22 hereditary, n = 2 nonhereditary). SMNs included sarcomas (osteosarcomas, Ewing sarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas; n = 12), leukemias (n = 5), and central nervous system tumors (CNS; n = 3). All cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and most of Ewing sarcomas occurred within 5 years of retinoblastoma diagnosis. The type of SMN was the main indicator of mortality (five of five patients with leukemias, six of 12 with sarcomas, and zero of three with CNS tumors died). Compared to the general population, radiation increased the risk of Ewing sarcoma in hereditary survivors by 700‐fold (95% CI = 252–2422.6) and chemotherapy increased the risk of AML by 140‐fold (95% CI = 45.3–436). The CI of SMNs for hereditary survivors was 13.7% (95% CI = 8.4–22.1) at 15 years.

Conclusion

Retinoblastoma survivors from Argentina are at higher risk of developing SMNs early in life compared to the general Argentinean population, especially those treated with radiation plus chemotherapy. AML and Ewing sarcoma presented within 5 years of retinoblastoma diagnosis are associated with chemotherapy and radiation exposure.
Non‐isothermal DSC curing kinetics study of silicone‐modified epoxy/ABS/GO nanocomposite
Authors: Gholinezhad Farhad , Golhosseini Reza , Moini Jazani Omid
Published: April 2022

In this study, non‐isothermal curing kinetics of the prepared samples was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to evaluate the effect of methyl phenyl silicone resin (MPS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and graphene oxide (GO) on the cure reaction of epoxy resin. Chemical and microscopic structure of prepared nanocomposites was investigated using Fourier‐transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Izod impact strength of modified epoxy resin with 5 phr MPS, 2 phr ABS, and 0.1 phr GO was about 53% higher than pure epoxy resin. Evaluation of activation energy (Ea) by Kissinger, Ozawa, FWO and Friedman methods showed that the presence of GO facilitates the curing reaction by reducing Ea about 30% which is due to the catalytic effect of hydroxyl groups presented on the surface of GO for epoxy ring opening. According to Friedman's plots, curing reaction remained autocatalytic for all of samples. The presence of GO increased the autocatalytic term of the reaction (n) from 0.26 to 0.32. Non‐isothermal DSC diagrams obtained from experimental data fitted well with data obtained from theoretical relations.
Recognizing pulmonary hypertension following pulmonary thromboendarterectomy: A practical guide for clinicians
Authors: Forfia Paul , Ferraro Bruce , Vaidya Anjali
Published: April 2022

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a form of pulmonary hypertension (PH) arising from pulmonary vascular obstruction at varying levels within the pulmonary vascular bed, due to chronic pulmonary emboli. The cornerstone of treatment for CTEPH is pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE), a specialized surgery to remove the chronic vascular obstruction. At experienced centers, PTE leads to marked hemodynamic improvement and, in many cases, normalization of cardiopulmonary hemodynamics. However, increasing evidence supports the fact that a significant percentage of patients will have persistent PH after PTE. No consensus exists on the optimal approach to post‐PTE patient assessment, and often the most experienced CTEPH centers have little experience in the direct follow‐up care of the CTEPH patient post PTE. In this article, we will discuss a practical approach to patient assessment after PTE to help guide clinicians on how to recognize significant PH following PTE. In doing so, we identify the true phenotype of persistent PH post PTE so that appropriate patients can be further helped with the evolving therapies for the management of CTEPH.
Cyclodextrin‐Derived ROS‐Generating Nanomedicine with pH‐Modulated Degradability to Enhance Tumor Ferroptosis Therapy and Chemotherapy
Authors: Xu Meng , Zha Haidong , Han Run , Cheng Yaxin , Chen Jiamao , Yue Ludan , Wang Ruibing , Zheng Ying
Published: April 2022

Nowadays, destruction of redox homeostasis to induce cancer cell death is an emerging anti‐cancer strategy. Here, the authors utilized pH‐sensitive acetalated β‐cyclodextrin (Ac‐β‐CD) to efficiently deliver dihydroartemisinin (DHA) for tumor ferroptosis therapy and chemodynamic therapy in a synergistic manner. The Ac‐β‐CD‐DHA based nanoparticles are coated by an iron‐containing polyphenol network. In response to the tumor microenvironment, Fe2+/Fe3+ can consume glutathione (GSH) and trigger the Fenton reaction in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), leading to the generation of lethal reactive oxygen species (ROS). Meanwhile, the OO bridge bonds of DHA are also disintegrated to enable ferroptosis of cancer cells. Their results demonstrate that these nanoparticles acted as a ROS generator to break the redox balance of cancer cells, showing an effective anticancer efficacy, which is different from traditional approaches.
Microindentation of Fluid‐Filled Cellular Domes Reveals the Contribution of RhoA‐ROCK Signaling to Multicellular Mechanics
Authors: DeOre Brandon J. , Baldwin‐LeClair Abigail , Tran Kiet A. , DaSilva Angelica , Byfield Fitzroy J. , Janmey Paul A. , Galie Peter A.
Published: April 2022

Cellular mechanics encompass both mechanical properties that resist forces applied by the external environment and internally generated forces applied at the location of cell–cell and cell–matrix junctions. Here, the authors demonstrate that microindentation of cellular domes formed by cell monolayers that locally lift off the substrate provides insight into both aspects of cellular mechanics in multicellular structures. Using a modified Hertz contact equation, the force–displacement curves generated by a micro‐tensiometer are used to measure an effective dome stiffness. The results indicate the domes are consistent with the Laplace–Young relationship for elastic membranes, regardless of biochemical modulation of the RhoA‐ROCK signaling axis. In contrast, activating RhoA, and inhibiting ROCK both alter the relaxation dynamics of the domes deformed by the micro‐tensiometer, revealing an approach to interrogate the role of RhoA‐ROCK signaling in multicellular mechanics. A finite element model incorporating a Mooney–Rivlin hyperelastic constitutive equation to describe monolayer mechanics predicts effective stiffness values that are consistent with the micro‐tensiometer measurements, verifying previous measurements of the response of cell monolayers to tension. Overall, these studies establish microindentation of fluid‐filled domes as an avenue to investigate the contribution of cell‐generated forces to the mechanics of multicellular structures.
Surface‐Engineered Ti3C2Tx with Tunable Work Functions for Highly Efficient Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Hou Chunli , Huang Chengwen , Yu Huangzhong , Shi Shengwei
Published: April 2022

Ti3C2Tx, as a newly investigated 2D material, has gained great attention owing to its metallic conductivity, tunable work function (WF), and unique electrical property. However, its WF can be further adjusted to meet the needs of optoelectronic devices. Here, surface‐engineered Ti3C2Tx is fabricated with tunable WF by treating with ethanolamine and rhodium chloride (RhCl3). Ethanolamine treated Ti3C2Tx can induce the chemical adsorption of NH2 on Ti3C2Tx with hydrogen‐bonding, which causes the decreased WF, while chemical doping with RhCl3 leads to the improvement of WF, which is achieved by the downshift of Femi level of Ti3C2Tx. Moreover, the ethanolamine and RhCl3 can effectively passivate the vacancies of Ti. As such, the surface‐engineered Ti3C2Tx is more suitable as buffer layer for polymer solar cells (PSCs) by enhancing the interfacing characteristics of the Ti3C2Tx/active layer. The PSCs with engineered Ti3C2Tx for electron or hole transport layers can exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 15.88% or 15.54%. These efficiencies can be compared with those of devices with a conventional transport layer. This work provides a facile strategy to realize the work function tunability of Ti3C2Tx, and also shows that the tuned Ti3C2Tx has a certain application prospect in photovoltaic devices.
Self‐compressing object sequence for consistency maintenance in co‐editors
Authors: Cai Weiwei , He Fazhi , Yang Shangxu , Lv Xiao , Cheng Yuan
Published: April 2022

Co‐editors are a class of human‐centered collaborative systems that allow multiple geographically dispersed people to freely and concurrently edit shared documents at the same time over networks. The most important building co‐editors technique is consistency maintenance. Even though OT (operational transformation) is a widely adopted consistency maintenance technique, researchers and practitioners have persistently explored alternative techniques to OT. One of the representative techniques is AST (Address Space Transformation), which replaces OT's transformation components with basic manipulation on an additional object sequence. However, the additional object sequence causes an unbounded metadata overhead problem. To solve the problem, this work proposes an optimized AST algorithm called ASTO, which is equipped with a specially designed self‐compressing object sequence. ASTO can automatically compress the object sequence and keep the metadata overhead under control. The effectiveness and feasibility of ASTO are verified by simulation experiments and a publicly accessible prototype system.
Trauma‐informed education for wholeness: Strategies for faculty & advisors
Authors: Imad Mays
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this article is to reflect upon how a trauma‐informed education is intimately connected with equity and justice. I will briefly describe the impacts of trauma on students, specifically on their sense of safety and belonging, and by extension, their ability to engage and learn. I will then offer suggestions for how we, as educators, can help mitigate the effects of such traumatic stress. I will use trauma‐informed principles to guide my recommendations.
Deepening crisis response: Addressing institutional trauma in student affairs and beyond
Authors: Shaw Bonds Mahauganee D. , Callier Durell M.
Published: April 2022

What does it mean for the community to really recover when the (campus) community is built upon systemic racism and other forms of domination? How would the response look differently if these factors and histories were taken into consideration? Responding to campus disasters involves more than merely returning to daily operations; communities are vital to recovery. This article posits institutional policies and (in)actions as facilitators of trauma within minoritized subpopulations of the broader campus community, and offers guidance for an equity‐minded approach to campus crisis management.
The cost of professional helping in higher education
Authors: Lynch R. Jason
Published: April 2022

It is estimated that over half of college student affairs practitioners support students through traumatic life events on at least a monthly basis. This level of trauma exposure leaves professionals at risk of experiencing secondary traumatic stress (STS), or the distress that results from helping, or wanting to help, a person experiencing trauma. Unfortunately, little is known about the impact of this phenomenon within the context of student affairs work. This article seeks to shed light on the nature and impact of STS within the context of college student affairs work, as well as explore ways to identify and address the negative impacts of professional helping. The article ends with practical recommendations for individual practitioners, supervisors, organizational leaders, and the profession at‐large.
Phylogenetic and genetic characterization of influenza A H9N2 viruses isolated from backyard poultry in selected farms in Ghana
Authors: Kotey Erasmus Nikoi , Asante Ivy Asantewaa , Adusei‐Poku Mildred , Arjarquah Augustina , Ampadu Richard , Rodgers David , Nyarko Edward Owusu , Asiedu William , Dafeamekpor Courage , Wiley Michael R. , Mawuli Gifty , Obeng Richard Asomadu , Nyarko Stephen Ofori , Magnusen Vanessa , Kodua Emmanuel , Attram Naiki , Nimo‐Paintsil Shirley Cameron , Pratt Catherine , Fox Anne T. , Letizia Andrew , Ampofo William Kwabena
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Avian influenza viruses (AIV) cause significant economic losses to poultry farmers worldwide. These viruses have the ability to spread rapidly, infect entire poultry flocks, and can pose a threat to human health. The National Influenza Centre (NIC) at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in collaboration with the Ghana Armed forces (GAF) and the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Ghana Detachment (NAMRU‐3) performs biannual surveillance for influenza viruses among poultry at military barracks throughout Ghana. This study presents poultry surveillance data from the years 2017 to 2019.

Methodology

Tracheal and cloacal swabs from sick and healthy poultry were collected from the backyards of GAF personnel living quarters and transported at 4°C to the NIC. Viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) was isolated and analyzed for the presence of influenza viruses using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Viral nucleic acids extracted from influenza A‐positive specimens were sequenced using universal influenza A‐specific primers.

Results

Influenza A H9N2 virus was detected in 11 avian species out of 2000 samples tested. Phylogenetic analysis of viral haemagglutinin (HA) protein confirms the possibility of importation of viruses from North Africa and Burkina Faso. Although the detected viruses possess molecular markers of virulence and mammalian host adaptation, the HA cleavage site anlaysis confirmed low pathogenicity of the viruses.

Conclusions

These findings confirm the ongoing spread of H9 viruses among poultry in Ghana. Poultry farmers need to be vigilant for sick birds and take the appropriate public health steps to limit the spread to other animals and spillover to humans.