bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of 3D printed head phantom using plaster mixed with polylactic acid powder for patient-specific QA in intensity-modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Kim Sung Yeop , Park Jae Won , Park Jaehyeon , Yea Ji Woon , Oh Se An
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to fabricate a heterogeneous phantom replicating the commercial Rando phantom by mixing plaster powder and polylactic acid (PLA) powder. Producing a heterogeneous phantom using Plaster and PLA is cheaper because it can be easily obtained in the commercial market. Additionally, patient-specific Quality Assurance can be easily performed because the phantom can be produced based on the patient’s CT image. PLA has been well studied in the field of radiation therapy and was found to be safe and effective. To match the mean Hounsfield unit (HU) values of the Rando phantom, the bone tissue was changed using plaster and 0–35% PLA powder until an appropriate HU value was obtained, and soft tissue was changed using the PLA infill value until an appropriate HU value was obtained. Bone tissue (200 HU or higher), soft issue (− 500 to 200 HU), and air cavity (less than − 500 HU) were modeled based on the HU values on the computed tomography (CT) image. The bone tissue was modeled as a cavity, and after three-dimensional (3D) printing, a solution containing a mixture of plaster and PLA powder was poured. To evaluate the bone implementation of the phantom obtained by the mixture of plaster and PLA powder, the HU profile of the CT images of the 3D-printed phantom using only PLA and the Rando phantom printed using only PLA was evaluated. The mean HU value for soft tissue in the Rando phantom (− 22.5 HU) showed the greatest similarity to the result obtained with an infill value of 82% (− 20 HU). The mean HU value for bone tissue (669 HU) showed the greatest similarity to the value obtained with 15% PLA powder (680 HU). Thus, for the phantom composed of plaster mixed with PLA powder, soft tissue was fabricated using a 3D printer with an infill value of 82%, and bone tissue was fabricated with a mixture containing 15% PLA powder. In the HU profile, this phantom showed a mean difference of 61 HU for soft tissue and 109 HU for bone tissue in comparison with the Rando phantom. The ratio of PLA powder and plaster can be adjusted to achieve an HU value similar to bone tissue. A simple combination of PLA powder and plaster enabled the creation of a custom phantom that showed similarities to the Rando phantom in both soft tissue and bone tissue.
Automated photo-aligned liquid crystal elastomer film fabrication with a low-tech, home-built robotic workstation
Authors: Grabowski Przemysław , Fabjanowicz Bartosz , Podgórska Magdalena , Rogóż Mikołaj , Wasylczyk Piotr
Published: October 2022

Laboratory procedures are often considered so unique that automating them is not economically justified – time and resources invested in designing, building and calibrating the machines are unlikely to pay off. This is particularly true if cheap labour force (technicians or students) is available. Yet, with increasing availability and dropping prices of many off-the-shelf components such as motorised stages, grippers, light sources (LEDs and lasers), detectors (high resolution, fast cameras), as well as user-friendly programmable microprocessors, many of the repeatable tasks may soon be within reach of either custom-built or universal lab robots. Building on our previous work on fabrication, characterization and applications of light-responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) in micro-robotics and micro-mechanics, in this paper we present a robotic workstation that can make LCE films with arbitrary molecular orientation. Based on a commercial 3D printer, the RoboLEC (Robot for LCE fabrication) performs precision component handling, structured light illumination, liquid dispensing and UV-triggered polymerization, within a four-hour-long procedure. Thus fabricated films with patterned molecular orientation are compared to the same, but handmade, structures.
Tree species matter for forest microclimate regulation during the drought year 2018: disentangling environmental drivers and biotic drivers
Authors: Richter Ronny , Ballasus Helen , Engelmann Rolf A. , Zielhofer Christoph , Sanaei Anvar , Wirth Christian
Published: October 2022

Tree canopies are considered to effectively buffer climate extremes and to mitigate climate change effects. Droughts, which are predicted to become more frequent in the course of climate change, might alter the microclimatic cooling potential of trees. However, our understanding of how microclimate at the tree canopy level is modulated by environmental and tree characteristics and their interactions is still limited. Here, we investigated canopy temperature regulation for five mature co-occurring tree species for two contrasting hydrological situations during the severe drought in 2018. Even though we observed a significant drought-induced decline in canopy cover and transpiration across tree species, we found evidence that differences in the water use strategies of trees affected cooling mechanisms differently. Although a large share of the variations in the cooling potential of trees was explained by direct and indirect effects of meteorological factors, we identified a gradual shift in importance from latent heat flux to components defining the magnitude of sensible heat flux on the energy budget of tree as the drought gained severity. The decrease in latent heat fluxes, approximated by sap flow rates, furthermore resulted in a reduced cooling potential and an equalization of tree species canopy temperatures.
Salinity effects on the strength and morphological indices of soft marine clay
Authors: Geng Weijuan , Han Wenxia , Yin Jie , Lu Zhijun
Published: October 2022

This study evaluates the strength behaviors and morphological characteristics of Lianyungang marine clay under the effect of porewater salinity. Soil at higher salinity was found to have increased internal friction angle and undrained shear strength. The difference in undrained shear strength enlarges as the confining pressure increases. Different stress paths were exhibited with soil at different salinities. Soil morphology analysis including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Image-Pro Plus (IPP) were employed to investigate the underlying mechanism of the enhanced strength behaviors of soft marine clay with increased salinity. Aggregated soil fabric was observed at higher salinity and contributed to enhanced strength. The results demonstrate that the aggregated soil structure is the primary mechanism responding to the enhanced strength behavior of marine clay under relatively high salinity (6%). Quantitative relationships were developed between the strength parameters and morphological characteristics of soil, i.e., area of particles, roundness of particles, area of pores, pore orientation, and fractal dimension of pore distribution, in the forms of empirical equations, and are expected to serve as the references for prediction in undrained behaviors of soft marine clays with known soil index.
The real-world selection of first-line systemic therapy regimen for metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm in Japan
Authors: Yamamoto Shun , Sakakibara Naoki , Hirano Hidekazu , Morizane Chigusa , Honma Yoshitaka , Hijioka Susumu , Okusaka Takuji , Higashi Takahiro , Kawai Akira
Published: October 2022

In November 2013, the first edition of evidence-based guidelines for treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (GEP-NEN) was published in Japan. However, whether medical practitioners have adopted the first-line regimens recommended for metastatic GEP-NEN in clinical practice is not yet known. The purpose of this study was to identify which first-line systemic therapy regimens have been selected and the proportion of cases that are adherent to the guidelines (i.e., number of patients receiving recommended therapy/total number of patients). We combined hospital-based cancer registry data and insurance claims-equivalent data for patients with GEP-NEN treated between January 2013 and December 2014 and extracted those with metastatic GEP-NEN who received systemic therapy. The proportions that were adherent with the guideline were calculated according to tumor classification (neuroendocrine tumor [NET] or neuroendocrine carcinoma [NEC]), primary site (gastrointestinal or pancreatic), and hospital volume (high, medium, or low). The study included 109 patients with GEP-NET and 424 with GEP-NEC. Overall, guideline-adherent treatment was provided in only 54.8% of cases (58.1% for gastrointestinal NET, 63.6% for pancreatic NET, 56.6% for gastrointestinal NEC, and 44.9% for pancreatic NEC). The recommended therapy for GEP-NET was used in 16.5% of patients with GEP-NEC, and 21.5% received fluoropyrimidine-containing chemotherapy. This report is the first to describe real-world selection of first-line regimens for metastatic GEP-NEN. About half of all these patients received systemic therapy that was not recommended in the guidelines.
Stepwise photothermal therapy and chemotherapy by composite scaffolds of gold nanoparticles, BP nanosheets and gelatin immobilized with doxorubicin-loaded thermosensitive liposomes
Authors: Chen Huajian , Sun Rui , Zeng Tianjiao , Zheng Jing , Yoshitomi Toru , Kawazoe Naoki , Yang Yingnan , Chen Guoping
Published: October 2022

The incorporation of AuNRs and biodegradable BP nanosheets in scaffolds containing Dox-encapsulated thermosensitive liposomes enables synergistic PTT and chemotherapy or mild-hyperthermia-induced chemotherapy before and after BP degradation.
Native functional group directed distal C(sp3)–H activation of aliphatic systems
Authors: Saha Saghnik , Das Jayabrata , Al-Thabaiti Shaeel Ahmed , Albukhari Soha M. , Alsulami Qana A. , Maiti Debabrata
Published: October 2022

Native functional group assisted distal C–H functionalization.
Hypoallergenic derivatives of Scylla paramamosain heat-stable allergens alleviated food allergy symptoms in Balb/c mice
Authors: Li Meng-Si , Xia Fei , Liu Qing-Mei , Chen Yi-Yu , Yun Xiao , Liu Meng , Chen Gui-Xia , Wang Li , Cao Min-Jie , Liu Guang-Ming
Published: October 2022

Derivatives of Scylla paramamosain heat-stable allergens TM and MLC could alleviate food allergy symptoms in mice, also ability to induce blocking IgG antibodies, which offer a promising new strategy in immunotherapy for crab-allergic subjects.
Chemical composite of indigenous whole grain scented joha rice varietal prevents type 2 diabetes in rats through ameliorating insulin sensitization by the IRS-1/AKT/PI3K signalling cascade
Authors: Choudhury Paramita , Samanta Suman Kumar , Bhattacharjee Swarnali , Sarma Himangshu , Devi Rajlakshmi
Published: October 2022

Preventive measures to lower the prevalence of type-2 diabetes development using the chemical composite of scented-joha rice variety.
Luteolin can ameliorate renal interstitial fibrosis-induced renal anaemia through the SIRT1/FOXO3 pathway
Authors: Li Fei , Wei Ribao , Huang Mengjie , Chen Jianwen , Li Ping , Ma Yue , Chen Xiangmei
Published: October 2022

Luteolin is a natural flavonoid exhibiting multiple pharmacological activities.
Cascade strategy for triggered radical release by magnetic nanoparticles grafted with thermosensitive alkoxyamine
Authors: Bouvet Basile , Sene Saad , Félix Gautier , Havot Jeffrey , Audran Gerard , Marque Sylvain R. A. , Larionova Joulia , Guari Yannick
Published: October 2022

New magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles covalently grafted with a thermosensitive alkoxyamine molecule are able to provide a localised and direct release of radicals through a cascade action remotely triggered by an ac magnetic field.
Structural design enabled a hypotoxic Na3.36FeV(PO4)3 cathode with ultra-fast and ultra-long sodium storage
Authors: Zhang Li-Ming , Cao Kuo , Wang Shuo , Chen Fei , Dong Jie-Min , Ren Nai-Qing , Li Yi-Xuan , Wen Zhao-Yin , Chen Chun-Hua
Published: October 2022

Carbon-coated Na3.36FeV(PO4)3 with a Na superionic conductor structure. The sample exhibits excellent rate properties and ultra-stable cycle performance.
Two-dimensional natural hyperbolic materials: from polaritons modulation to applications
Authors: Jia Guangyi , Luo Jinxuan , Wang Huaiwen , Ma Qiaoyun , Liu Qinggang , Dai Haitao , Asgari Reza
Published: October 2022

Schematic illustration of four types of polariton in 2D materials.
Porous materials for future energy
Authors: Qin Zhengxing , Liu Xinmei , Yan Zifeng
Published: October 2022

Zhengxing Qin, Xinmei Liu and Zifeng Yan introduce this Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers themed collection on Porous Materials for Future Energy.
Benzothiazole appended 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)diacetonitrile for the colorimetric and fluorescence detection of cyanide ions
Authors: Jothi Dhanapal , Munusamy Sathishkumar , Manickam Saravanakumar , Enbanathan Saravanan , Manojkumar Selin , Iyer Sathiyanarayanan Kulathu
Published: October 2022

(2Z,2′Z)-2,2′-(1,4-Phenylene)bis(3-(3-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylonitrile) (PDBT) has been synthesized and investigated as a novel PDBT, capable of showing high selectivity and sensitivity towards CN− over a wide range of other interfering anions.
A label-free aptasensor for the detection of ATP based on turn-on fluorescence DNA-templated silver nanoclusters
Authors: Zhang Baozhu , Yang Ziyao , Li Yuxia , Ma Ling , Li Fenfang , Lv Xiuqing , Wen Guangming
Published: October 2022

A label-free aptasensor has been fabricated in order to detect adenosine triphosphate (ATP) using turn-on fluorescence DNA-Ag NCs.
Colorimetric and fluorescent detection of synthetic cathinones in oral fluid with meso-aryl BODIPYs and Cu(ii)
Authors: Hernández-Contreras Jordi , Parra Margarita , Gil Salvador , Costero Ana M. , Arroyo Pau , Sancenón Félix , Martínez-Máñez Ramón , Sáez José A. , Gaviña Pablo
Published: October 2022

Colorimetric and fluorescent detection of synthetic cathinones in oral fluid by a 1 : 1 mixture of a BODIPY dye and Cu(ii).
Directed molecular structure design of coordination polymers with different ligands for regulating output performance of triboelectric nanogenerators
Authors: Xiong Jiabin , Wang Wenjie , Du Huijun , Zhou Ziqing , Zhao Aiwei , Mi Liwei , Chen Siru
Published: October 2022

Co-based CPs composed of different organic ligands are used as electrode materials to manufacture TENG devices, revealing their impact on output performance.
Spin-state crossover in photo-catalyzed nitrile dihydroboration via Mn-thiolate cooperation
Authors: Elsby Matthew R. , Oh Changjin , Son Mina , Kim Scott Y. H. , Baik Mu-Hyun , Baker R. Tom
Published: October 2022

The role of a phosphine-free SNS-pincer ligand in metal–ligand cooperative hydroboration catalysis was investigated. The bifunctional thiolate donor and spin-state change to high-spin Mn are crucial to accessing low-energy activation barriers.
A high-performance Na-storage cathode enabled by layered P2-type KxMnO2 with enlarged interlayer spacing and fast diffusion channels for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Ningbo , Zhao Xiaoying , Qin Bin , Zhao Dongdong , Dong Huanhuan , Qiu Mande , Wang Liubin
Published: October 2022

The K+-pre-intercalated Mn-based layered oxides with enlarged interlayer spacing ensure the expansion of diffusion channels enabling fast and stable Na+ diffusion and show good electrochemical performance for SIBs.
Theoretical screening of lead-free hybrid organic–inorganic halide double perovskites for solar cells
Authors: Ni Xing , Liu Yuyan , Ji Yujin , Hu Chunhua , Li Youyong
Published: October 2022

Three lead-free organic–inorganic halide double perovskites are predicted with FAPbI3-comparable performance based on first-principles screening.
A Scoping Review on the Effects of Emotional Stimuli on Language Processing in People With Aphasia
Authors: Schwen Blackett Deena , Harnish Stacy M.
Published: October 2022

Purpose:

Emotional stimuli have been shown to influence language processing (both language comprehension and production) in people with aphasia (PWA); however, this finding is not universally reported. Effects of emotional stimuli on language performance in PWA could have clinical and theoretical implications, yet the sparsity of studies and variability among them make it difficult to appraise the significance of this effect. The purpose of this scoping review was to (a) determine the extent and range of research examining the effect of emotional stimuli on language processing in PWA, (b) summarize and evaluate research findings, and (c) identify gaps in the literature that may warrant future study.

Method:

PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were systematically searched for articles that compared performance in response to emotional and nonemotional stimuli on at least one language measure in one or more adults with aphasia. Data related to methods and results were extracted from each article and charted in Excel.

Results:

Five hundred forty unique articles were found, and 18 articles, consisting of 19 studies, met inclusion/exclusion criteria for this review. Of the 19 studies included, 11 studies reported enhanced performance on a language task for emotional compared to nonemotional stimuli, seven reported no difference, and one reported worse performance for emotional compared to nonemotional stimuli. Possible modulating variables such as task type, measurement, stimulus characteristics, and sample characteristics are discussed along with gaps in the literature.

Conclusion:

The extent of research in this area is sparse; however, there does appear to be some early evidence for better performance in response to emotional over nonemotional stimuli in PWA for some, but not all, language processes investigated.
Comparing Complications of Biologic and Synthetic Mesh in Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Choi Young-Soo , You Hi-Jin , Lee Tae-Yul , Kim Deok-Woo
Published: October 2022

Background In breast reconstruction, synthetic meshes are frequently used to replace acellular dermal matrix (ADM), since ADM is expensive and often leads to complications. However, there is limited evidence that compares the types of substitutes. This study aimed to compare complications between materials via a network meta-analysis.

Methods We systematically reviewed studies reporting any type of complication from 2010 to 2021. The primary outcomes were the proportion of infection, seroma, major complications, or contracture. We classified the intervention into four categories: ADM, absorbable mesh, nonabsorbable mesh, and nothing used. We then performed a network meta-analysis between these categories and estimated the odds ratio with random-effect models.

Results Of 603 searched studies through the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases, following their review by two independent reviewers, 61 studies were included for full-text reading, of which 17 studies were finally included. There was a low risk of bias in the included studies, but only an indirect comparison between absorbable and non-absorbable mesh was possible. Infection was more frequent in ADM but not in the two synthetic mesh groups, namely the absorbable or nonabsorbable types, compared with the nonmesh group. The proportion of seroma in the synthetic mesh group was lower (odds ratio was 0.2 for the absorbable and 0.1 for the nonabsorbable mesh group) than in the ADM group. Proportions of major complications and contractures did not significantly differ between groups.

Conclusion Compared with ADM, synthetic meshes have low infection and seroma rates. However, more studies concerning aesthetic outcomes and direct comparisons are needed.
Pulmonary Aspergillosis Silently Presenting as Pneumothorax in Children with Leukemia: A Report of Three Cases.
Authors: Shah Krunal , Kumar Abhishek , Kumar Arun , Kumar Nuthan , Kaushik Prakruthi , Thumallapalli Avinash , Kumari Bandagadde Srinivas Aruna , Appaji Lingegowda
Published: October 2022

Aspergillosis causes invasive pulmonary disease in patients with hematological malignancies. Children with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) usually have nonspecific radiographic findings unlike cavitary lesions commonly seen in adults. Pneumothorax due to rupture of peripheral fungal lesion may be a severe complication in patients with neutropenia. Here, we describe three children during induction chemotherapy for B-lymphoblastic leukemia with pneumothorax as a presenting feature of pulmonary aspergillosis.
Prospective Observational Study of Evaluating Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in Patients
Authors: Halani Pooja D. , Gupta Rajdeep J. , Shah Akash M. , Alurkar Shirish S.
Published: October 2022

Introduction Platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents cisplatin and carboplatin are two of the most widely used drugs in cancer today. They display wide range of adverse reactions; among them, ototoxicity is an important cumulative toxicity that more commonly observed with cisplatin. At a later stage, it can affect speech of individual and lead to communication problem with decreased cognitive function and depression in cancer survivors. Periodic monitoring of hearing loss with pure-tone audiometry (PTA) provides early evidence of ototoxicity which may decrease debilitating effect of the same in a patient.

Objective The primary objective of this study was to assess cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. We also investigated its severity, reversibility, and other modifying risk factors.

Materials and Methods We conducted a prospective observational descriptive type of epidemiological study. The study was conducted over 80 randomly selected cancer patients (for estimation of sample size, the following formula was used n = [Zα
2
PQ] / d
2), who were starting with their first cycle of cisplatin from August 2018 to July 2020. This study was conducted at tertiary cancer care center in western Gujarat which caters patients from all over India. We performed PTA in all randomized patients at baseline and periodically. We classified hearing loss according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.

Results A total of 30% (n = 24) patients developed cisplatin-induced ototoxicity according to WHO criteria at end of 3 months after starting the first cycle of cisplatin. It was sensory neuronal, affecting both the ears equally, and was seen predominantly at high frequency. We observed hearing loss at 3 months to be significantly more common in the 301 to 400 mg/m2 cumulative dose group (47%), as compared with the other two groups (0–200 mg/m2 and 201–300 mg/m2; p < 0.05). It showed dose dependency with cisplatin. In the multivariate step-wise regression model, baseline hearing loss (odds ratio [OR] = 17.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.57–118.91, p < 0.05) and cumulative cisplatin dose of more than 300 mg/m2 were significantly associated with hearing loss at 3 months (OR = 6.62, 95% CI: 2.33–18.74, p < 0.05).

Conclusion Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity manifests as a bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Cumulative dose of cisplatin is an important predictor of development of ototoxicity. Baseline and periodic audiometric monitoring could detect ototoxicity early which leads to possible limitation on the severity of ototoxicity.
A Longitudinal Study to Reexamine the Mental Health Impact on Radiation Oncology Health Care Workers with the Launch of COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies in India
Authors: Wadasadawala Tabassum , Kumar Anuj , Laskar Sarbani G. , Mokal Smruti , Kapoor Rakesh , Das Abhijit , Pradhan Satyajit , Pujari Lincoln , Mahantshetty Umesh , Vadgaonkar Rohit , Agarwal Jai P.
Published: October 2022

Introduction The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) catastrophe caused significant mental threats to health care workers (HCW), especially during the first wave of the pandemic. India successfully implemented vaccination strategies in January 2021 that is likely to ameliorate the mental health impact of HCWs. The current survey aims to identify the change in impact following vaccination and address the issues affecting mental health.

Objective The primary objective is to reevaluate the stress levels of radiation oncology HCWs with vaccine implementation and compare it with the mental health status at the onset of the pandemic. The secondary objective is to identify the current causative factors influencing mental health.

Materials and Methods Health care workers who participated in the initial mental health impact survey at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic from May to July 2020 were included in this study. Two hundred eligible HCWs were reassessed of the total 363 initial assessments. The 7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and 22-item Impact of Events Scale-revised (IES-R) was again served for assessing anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Mc Nemar test was used to evaluate the change and significance of the mental health impact. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to identify the causative factors affecting mental health.

Results The cohort's median age was 30 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 27–33). The incidence of moderate-to-severe level anxiety, depression, and stress significantly declined to 6.5% (p = 0.031), 9% (p = 0.01), and 19% (p < 0.001) compared with 39.5, 40.5, and 30.5% during the pandemic onset. On further analysis, HCWs with affected family members had higher levels of stress (p = 0.002). The rest of the parameters did not have significant impact on mental health outcomes.

Conclusion With public education, awareness, and vaccination strategies, the second follow-up survey conducted after vaccine implementation demonstrated a significant number of HCWs in the radiation oncology community, exhibiting a decline in the incidence of anxiety, depression, and stress levels compared with the initial wave of the pandemic.
Diagnostic Performance of Multiplex PCR for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Presumptive Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients and Its Utility in Smear Negative Specimens
Authors: Lodha Lonika , Mudliar Shivkumar Rashmi , Singh Jitendra , Maurya Anand , Khurana Alkesh Kumar , Khadanga Sagar , Singh Sarman
Published: October 2022

Objective The primary objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in presumptive pulmonary TB patients, in the setting of a tertiary level teaching hospital in central India, in comparison to liquid culture using BACTEC mycobacteria growth indicator tubes (MGIT) 960 TB system as the gold standard. The secondary objective was to assess the performance of mPCR for Ziehl Neelsen smear negative samples and ascertain the utility of this assay in smear negative samples.

Materials and Methods Sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage samples were collected from patients who were adults, aged 18 years or older, presenting with presumptive pulmonary TB, and subjected to three microbiological investigations, that is, Ziehl Neelsen staining, mycobacterial culture using mycobacterial growth indicator tubes in the BD BACTEC MGIT 960 instrument, and the mPCR.

Statistical Analysis For statistical analysis, 2 × 2 contingency tables were prepared and analyzed separately for all samples and for smear-negative samples using GraphPad and MedCalc tools. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) of mPCR were calculated by taking MGIT culture as the reference standard.

Results For all samples (n = 114), sensitivity of mPCR for the detection of (MTBC) was 93.48% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 82.10–98.63%), specificity was 95.59% (95% CI: 87.64–99.08%), positive predictive value (PPV) was 93.48% (95% CI: 82.54–97.75%), and NPV was 95.59% (95% CI: 87.87–98.48%). For smear negative samples (n = 80), sensitivity was 80.00% (95% CI: 51.91–95.67%), specificity was 98.46% (95% CI: 91.72–99.96%), PPV was 92.31% (95% CI: 62.80–98.84%), and NPV was 95.52% (95% CI: 88.57–98.33%).

Conclusion In this study, we were able to demonstrate the good performance characteristics of the mPCR for the detection of MTBC from clinical samples of patients with presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis, with MGIT liquid culture as the reference standard. It may be concluded that mPCR can be considered equivalent to MGIT culture in terms of clinical decision making and yield of positivity, owing to the good sensitivity and specificity for the detection of MTBC.
A Comparative Review of ICMR, WHO, and EMA Guidelines for Good Clinical Laboratory Practices
Authors: Joshi Rajat Kumar , Sarangi Sudhir Chandra , Mohapatra Sarita , Mallick Saumyaranjan , Datta Sudip Kumar
Published: October 2022

With the advancement of clinical research and the increased burden on laboratory services, there is an unmet need for guidelines regarding proper laboratory functioning and reliable data generation. Several organizations from all over the world have published guidelines for these clinical and research laboratories. Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP) are stepwise procedures aimed at strengthening the quality of test results produced by all clinical laboratories engaged in human sample analysis. In this article, we attempt a comparison of the GCLP guidelines recently issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research with the guidelines released by the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency. Also, we have included and discussed several suggestions that, if included, will lead to the strengthening of the laboratory practices used for both research and patient care for overall improvement in the Indian healthcare system.
Exploring the Novelty in Lipid Profiling of Patients: A Non-fasting Approach from Eastern India
Authors: Saharia Gautom Kumar , Nayak Saurav , Mahajan Preetam B. , Mangaraj Manaswini
Published: October 2022

Objective To date, no reference interval is available for lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, etc., in a non-fasting state. Hence, the study was taken up with the objective of exploring the possibility of establishing a reference interval for non-fasting lipid profile consisting of serum TC, TG, LDL, HDL, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol.

Materials and Methods A total of 1,350 apparently healthy subjects, including 636 healthy men and 714 healthy women of 18 years and beyond of age, were enrolled in the study. Reference individuals were recruited using cluster sampling method from various villages and semi-urban regions irrespective of their sex, religion, socioeconomic status, or any other demographic profile, and samples were analyzed in Beckman Coulter AU480 analyzer.

Results The mean age of 1,350 participants was 38.23 ± 15.94 years. We found that all the test parameters require a different reference interval than the established fasting reference range, except for HDL cholesterol in females. The data were subdivided into subjects below 40 years, between 40 and 60 years, and older than 60 years of age. All five parameters in the lipid profile were individually analyzed and were compared age group-wise and gender-wise with the total study population. Significant differences in the various dataset were found.

Conclusion A shift toward non-fasting lipid interval measurement is, thus, a piece of evidence-driven mechanism. Even from a patient's perspective, it sets in ease and convenience in lipid-profile testing, subsequently leading to a more compliant cardiovascular management and monitoring.
Infection Trends, Susceptibility Pattern, and Treatment Options for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Infections in Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Srivastava Smriti , Singh Parul , Sharad Neha , Kiro Vandana Vijayeta , Malhotra Rajesh , Mathur Purva
Published: October 2022

Introduction Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging environmental, gram-negative, multidrug-resistant organism, associated with risk factors such as prolonged hospitalization, invasive procedures, admission to the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, use of indwelling catheters, administration of immunosuppressants or corticosteroids, human immunodeficiency virus infection, underlying malignancy, and organ transplantation. The organism, despite being of low invasiveness in immune-competent individuals, is difficult to treat because of intrinsic resistance to several antimicrobial agents.

Materials and Methods This study focuses on commonly encountered resistance from among the isolates over a duration of 7 years from 2012 to 2018, analyzed retrospectively. Identification and susceptibility testing were performed using Vitek 2 (BioMérieux, Marcy-l'Etoile, France).

Results Bloodstream infections were found to be most common (52.02%), followed by respiratory infections (35.83%). The median age of the patients was 36 years, and male to female ratio was 143:27. The median duration of hospital stay was 18 days, and mortality was seen in 18.82% of patients. Susceptibility to cotrimoxazole and levofloxacin was seen in 97.1% of isolates (168 out of 173) and 90.1% of isolates (156 out of 173), respectively.

Conclusion Despite being effective in a majority of S. maltophilia isolates, both cotrimoxazole and levofloxacin have their shortcomings. Cotrimoxazole is bacteriostatic and can cause bone marrow suppression and resistance to levofloxacin sometimes develops during therapy. Thus, the therapy should be decided considering the characteristics of both of these drugs.
Histoplasmosis of Adrenal Gland: A 5 Years' Review from a Multispecialty Diagnostic Centre
Authors: Bhattacharyya Kumkum , Pal Suranjan , Dutta Ashis , Bhattachryya Pinak Pani , Laskar Saurabh
Published: October 2022

Objective Histoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Histoplasmosis is considered to be endemic to India, especially the Gangetic belt. Disseminated histoplasmosis may affect almost all systems. Disseminated histoplasmosis with asymptomatic adrenal involvement has been described in immunocompromised patients, whereas isolated adrenal involvement as the presenting manifestation in immunocompetent is uncommon. We aimed to determine the clinicopathological and radiological findings of adrenal histoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients attending a multispecialty diagnostic center referred from different clinics and hospitals.

Materials and Methods All tissue samples were initially examined microscopically by performing potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet mounts, followed by culture on two tubes of Sabouraud dextrose agar and phase conversion. Histopathological correlation was done using tissue stains, hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid–Schiff, and Gomori methenamine silver.

Results We evaluated 84 clinically suspected cases radiologically for adrenal mass. The pathological and microbiological work-up was done from these suspected cases. A total of 19 cases were evident from the tissue stain and fungal culture methods. The affected population were mostly above 45 years and male. Seven patients had bilateral adrenal involvement. All these patients received amphotericin B and/or itraconazole treatment, which led to symptomatic improvement in most cases.

Conclusion Diagnosis of invasive fungal infection requires a high index of suspicion, especially in immunocompetent patients presenting with nonspecific symptoms, clinical signs, and laboratory and radiological features that often resemble adrenal neoplasms. Clinical specimens, together with fungal culture, must be sent for cytopathology/histopathology for a definite diagnosis and appropriate management.
Effect of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Glycated Albumin Levels: A Comparative Study in Nondiabetic Subjects with Iron Deficiency Anemia
Authors: Jyothsna Pralayakaveri , Suchitra Musturu M. , Kusuma Kumari Medooru , Chandrasekhar C. , Rukmangadha Nandyala , Alok Sachan , Siddhartha Kumar Bhattaram
Published: October 2022

Objective Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), used for monitoring glycemia control, is altered in iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Glycated albumin (GA) is considered an alternate biomarker to HbA1c. However, effect of IDA on GA needs to be studied.

Materials and Methods Thirty nondiabetic cases with IDA and 30 healthy controls were included. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), creatinine, urea, albumin, total protein, ferritin, iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity, hemoglobin (Hb), HbA1c, complete hemogram, and GA were estimated. Transferrin saturation and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were calculated. Statistical analysis was done using unpaired two-tailed t-test/Mann–Whitney U-test and Pearson's correlation/Spearman-rank correlation, as appropriate.

Results Total protein, albumin, Hb, iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation were significantly lower while FPG, GA, TIBC, and HbA1c were significantly higher in cases compared to controls. HbA1C and GA have a significant negative correlation with iron, transferrin saturation, and ferritin. Significant negative correlations of GA with albumin (r = –0.754; p < 0.001) and Hb (r = –0.435; p = 0.001) and that of HbA1c with albumin (r = –0.271; p = 0.03) and Hb (r = –0.629; p  < 0.001) while significant positive correlation of Hb with albumin (r = 0.395; p = 0.002) and HbA1c with FPG (r = 0.415; p = 0.001) were observed.

Conclusion Low albumin levels increase plasma protein glycation, including albumin. Hence, elevated GA levels indicate false elevation of GA in scenario of lowered albumin observed in IDA, similar to HbA1c. Thus, using GA in diabetes mellitus with IDA should be avoided or used with caution to prevent potentially inappropriate treatment intensification and risk of hypoglycemia.
A phylogenetic investigation of the taxonomically problematic
Authors: Fahey Patrick S. , Udovicic Frank , Cantrill David J , Nicolle Dean , McLay Todd G. B. , Bayly Michael J.
Published: October 2022

To investigate the relationships among species in the taxonomically problematic Eucalyptus odorata species complex, we generated molecular data using double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) and Diversity Arrays Technology sequencing (DArTseq). These data were analysed utilising principal-component analysis (PCA), phylogenetic networks, phylogeny reconstruction and hybridisation tests. Twelve species that are variously recognised in the complex were sampled from across their ranges, along with co-occurring members of E. section Adnataria, to allow for patterns of hybridisation and gene flow to be identified. Despite the large genetic datasets generated, many relationships within the E. odorata complex were poorly resolved, and few species were monophyletic, likely owing to both biological factors including recent speciation and extensive hybridisation and introgression, and potential over-splitting of taxa. We show that multiple taxa with limited distributions are the result of reticulate evolutionary events and that typical Eucalyptus viridis R.T.Baker and the possibly con-specific E. aenea K.D.Hill are sister to the rest of the complex. The remaining species appeared to represent a discontinuous crescent-shaped cline running from the Flinders Ranges to the south-western slopes region of New South Wales, with limited support for an east–west split in this cline across the Murray River Basin. Eucalytpus viridis var. latiuscula Blakely, which is not closely related to the typical variety of this species in our data, may represent a northern extension to this cline.
Grazing intensity in grassland ecosystems: implications for carbon storage and functional properties
Authors: Aryal Deb Raj
Published: October 2022

Grazing lands cover more than one-third of the terrestrial land surface and are still expanding. The intensity of grazing is also growing with time due to the increase in the number of animals per unit of land or the duration of herbivory. Changes in grazing intensity exert strong pressure on ecosystem functioning, including carbon (C) sequestration. Grazing response to ecosystem C retention can be explained by the changes in biogeochemical processes that regulate C fluxes. Here, we summarized the ecosystem functional properties that affect C storage in grasslands as a result of changing grazing intensities. We synthesized 151 published studies globally and discussed the changes in different ecosystem functional property responses to grazing. High-intensity grazing mostly decreased C storage while light- to moderate-intensity grazing optimized the trade-offs between C sequestration and animal production. The synthesis showed that 86% of the studies reported either an increase or no change in SOC stocks under light grazing while under heavy grazing, 74% of the studies reported a significant decrease in SOC stocks. We also discussed the changes in ecosystem functional properties whereby grazing affects C sequestration. Some of them include: the changes in net primary productivity, soil organisms, enzymatic activity, soil respiration, and the complex interactions of these processes with climate change. Grassland management practices should be ecosystem-specific to ensure optimum production and enhance C sequestration. It is also important to understand the time factor (hysteresis), especially on how long it takes to sequester a certain amount of C from grassland management practices.
The EssenCES Measure of Ward Atmosphere: Mokken Scaling, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Investigating Patient-Level Characteristics
Authors: Tomlin Jack , Tonkin Matthew
Published: October 2022

Ward atmosphere is an important aspect of forensic mental health care. Positive perceptions have been linked to satisfaction during treatment, quality of life, autonomy, involvement in care, emotional expression and lower rates of aggression. The EssenCES is one of the most widely used measures of ward atmosphere. This study sought to add to the psychometric evidence base for the EssenCES and improve our understanding of how perceptions of ward atmosphere are associated with patient-level factors. N = 233 patients in English low, medium and high security hospitals completed the EssenCES, and data were collected on patient age, length of stay in current institution, level of security, ethnicity, Mental Health Act 1983 section, and mental health diagnosis. We used Mokken scaling, confirmatory factor analysis and multiple linear regression. Our analysis supports the three-factor structure of the EssenCES but signposts areas for improvement, specifically, revising and retesting items 10, 13 and 16. We found that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic patients report lower Experienced Safety domain scores and that patients with a personality disorder diagnosis report lower Therapeutic Hold domain and EssenCES total scores, when controlling for other variables. We suggest future lines of research and situate our findings in the wider literature.
Corrigendum: Effects of boron doping on the fabrication of dense 6H-SiC ceramics by high-temperature physical vapor transport (2021 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 2045 012001)
Authors: Liu B B , Huang J , Yang J F
Published: October 2022

Please see Article PDF for corrigendum text.
Lower bounds on the F-pure threshold and extremal singularities
Authors: Kadyrsizova Zhibek , Kenkel Jennifer , Page Janet , Singh Jyoti , Smith Karen , Vraciu Adela , Witt Emily
Published: October 2022

We prove that if

f
f

is a reduced homogeneous polynomial of degree

d
d

, then its

F
F

-pure threshold at the unique homogeneous maximal ideal is at least

1

d
−
1

\frac {1}{d-1}

. We show, furthermore, that its

F
F

-pure threshold equals

1

d
−
1

\frac {1}{d-1}

if and only if

f
∈

m

[
q
]

f\in \mathfrak m^{[q]}

and

d
=
q
+
1

d=q+1

, where

q
q

is a power of

p
p

. Up to linear changes of coordinates (over a fixed algebraically closed field), we classify such “extremal singularities”, and show that there is at most one with isolated singularity. Finally, we indicate several ways in which the projective hypersurfaces defined by such forms are “extremal”, for example, in terms of the configurations of lines they can contain.
What are viruses?
Authors: Crawford Dorothy H.
Published: October 2022

This chapter describes viruses as particles that consist of a protein coat, the capsid, which surrounds and protects a piece of genetic material. Capsids come in various shapes and sizes, each characteristic of the family to which a virus belongs. It mentions capsomeres, which are protein subunits that build up capsids. The chapter mentions some viruses that have an outer layer surrounding the capsid called an envelope, which they acquire when budding through the cell surface membrane. Inside the virus capsid is the genetic material, or genome, which is either RNA or DNA depending on the type of virus.
Emerging virus infections: vertebrate-transmitted viruses
Authors: Crawford Dorothy H.
Published: October 2022

This chapter defines emerging infections as those in which the incidence in humans has increased in the past two decades. It covers viral infections that emerge without warning from an unknown source for the first time and engender fear sometimes verging on panic as they kill people indiscriminately. These newly discovered viruses that cause well-established diseases are also sometimes referred to as emerging infections. The chapter talks about how a virus that jumps to a new host species for the first time has a series of hurdles to overcome before it can become established in the population. It mentions zoonotic viruses that spread directly from their animal host to humans.
Virus acquisition and eradication
Authors: Crawford Dorothy H.
Published: October 2022

This chapter explores how an acute emerging virus is successfully established in a population, generally settling into a mode of cyclical epidemics during which many susceptible people are infected. When herd immunity is reached, the virus moves on, only returning when a new susceptible population has emerged. It talks about young children who suffered from a series of well-recognized infectious diseases, collectively known as the ‘childhood infections’. The chapter describes different ways that viruses spread between hosts and cause acute epidemics that generally utilize fast and efficient methods, such as airborne or faecal–oral routes. Viruses are capable of causing human epidemics, but only a few cause distinctive childhood diseases.
Tumour viruses
Authors: Crawford Dorothy H.
Published: October 2022

This chapter begins with the history of tumour virology that began in earnest in 1911 when US scientist Peyton Rous transmitted a solid tumour from a tumour-bearing chicken to other healthy chickens. This indicated that a filterable agent was involved in tumour development. It considers the discovery in the 1980s of viral oncogenes that have counterparts in the normal cellular genome called proto-oncogenes. The chapter describes healthy cells as subject to many complex chemical checks and balances that ensure that they grow and divide, age, and die. The development of a cancer cell involves mutations that alter the function of the genes that regulate vital cellular controls.
Deity
Authors: Leeming David A.
Published: October 2022

This chapter considers the concept of deity itself, concentrating on the types of high deity, for example, the deity as head of a polytheistic pantheon (“Holy Families”) such as the Egyptian and Greek or Norse; types of deity such as the war god, the storm god, the creator god, the great goddess (e.g., Inanna, Spider Woman); the monotheistic concepts such as the Abrahamic god; and the all-encompassing spirit such as the Native American Great Spirit or the Indian Brahman. The chapter also considers animistic deities such as the kami of Japan and the various nature spirits of Africa. This chapter helps to explain why we have gods. Why do we need them? Why do they need us?