bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Halfway Independent”: Experiences of formerly homeless adults living in permanent supportive housing
Authors: Pilla David , Park‐Taylor Jennie
Published: September 2021

Permanent supportive housing (PSH), which combines affordable public housing with social services, has become the dominant model in the United States for providing housing to formerly homeless people. PSH has been effective in reducing re‐entry to homelessness, yet has shown limited evidence of improving formerly homeless individuals' mental health and quality of life. This study aimed to understand the lived experiences of formerly homeless adults' adjustment to tenancy in PSH, with a focus on how living in PSH has affected their meaningful activity and social engagement. Based on a phenomenological approach, a thematic analysis was conducted using semi‐structured interviews with 17 individuals living in three PSH buildings in New York City. Results suggested that PSH was beneficial in fulfilling formerly homeless individual's basic needs and facilitating lifestyle improvements, yet many were dissatisfied with their living conditions and lacked meaningful activity, social integration, and community belongingness. These issues were found to develop in large part as a result of formerly homeless individuals' disharmonious relationships within the social context of PSH, consisting of staff members, other residents, and people in the surrounding community. The effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic and implications for PSH social services are discussed.
Muscle mitochondrial catalase expression prevents neuromuscular junction disruption, atrophy, and weakness in a mouse model of accelerated sarcopenia
Authors: Xu Hongyang , Ranjit Rojina , Richardson Arlan , Van Remmen Holly
Published: September 2021

Background

Oxidative stress and damage are associated with a number of ageing phenotypes, including age‐related loss of muscle mass and reduced contractile function (sarcopenia). Our group and others have reported loss of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) integrity and increased denervation as initiating factors in sarcopenia, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, generation of reactive oxygen species and peroxides, and loss of muscle mass and weakness. Previous studies from our laboratory show that denervation‐induced skeletal muscle mitochondrial peroxide generation is highly correlated to muscle atrophy. Here, we directly test the impact of scavenging muscle mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide on the structure and function of the NMJ and muscle mass and function in a mouse model of denervation‐induced muscle atrophy CuZnSOD (Sod1−/− mice, Sod1KO).

Methods

Whole‐body Sod1KO mice were crossed to mice with increased expression of human catalase (MCAT) targeted specifically to mitochondria in skeletal muscle (mMCAT mice) to determine the impact of reduced hydrogen peroxide levels on key targets of sarcopenia, including mitochondrial function, NMJ structure and function, and indices of muscle mass and function.

Results

Female adult (~12‐month‐old) Sod1KO mice show a number of sarcopenia‐related phenotypes in skeletal muscle including reduced mitochondrial oxygen consumption and elevated reactive oxygen species generation, fragmentation, and loss of innervated NMJs (P < 0.05), a 30% reduction in muscle mass (P < 0.05), a 36% loss of force generation (P < 0.05), and a loss of exercise capacity (305 vs. 709 m in wild‐type mice, P < 0.05). Muscle from Sod1KO mice also shows a 35% reduction in sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum ATPase activity (P < 0.05), changes in the amount of calcium‐regulating proteins, and altered fibre‐type composition. In contrast, increased catalase expression in the mMCAT × Sod1KO mice completely prevents the mitochondrial and NMJ‐related phenotypes and maintains muscle mass and force generation. The reduction in exercise capacity is also partially inhibited (~35%, P < 0.05), and the loss of fibre cross‐sectional area is inhibited by ~50% (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Together, these striking findings suggest that scavenging of mitochondrial peroxide generation by mMCAT expression efficiently prevents mitochondrial dysfunction and NMJ disruption associated with denervation‐induced atrophy and weakness, supporting mitochondrial H2O2 as an important effector of NMJ alterations that lead to phenotypes associated with sarcopenia.
Lawsone assisted preparation of carbon nanofibers for the selective detection of miRNA molecules
Authors: Sahtani Karima , Aykut Yakup , Tanik Nilay A
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

microRNA (miRNA) molecules are considered as biomarkers and have promising future for early‐stage cancer diagnosis. Lawsone (Law) enriched carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were prepared via electrospinning process for the selective miRNA detection. Anti‐miRNA molecules were attached on the CNFs immobilized screen printed electrodes (SPE) and used for the detection of miRNA molecules by observing guanine oxidation signal via differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method. Three different miRNA molecules including the target (miRNA), single‐base mismatched (SM.miRNA) and non‐complementary (NC.miRNA) were hybridized with the previously attached anti‐miRNA molecules (with guanine [PolyT(G)] and without guanine [PolyT(I)]) on the CNFs immobilized SPE surfaces.

RESULTS

Guanine oxidation signal decreased after the hybridization of miRNA with anti‐miRNA molecules on CNF immobilized SPE surfaces. Guanine oxidation signal was not detected on the PolyT(I) attached samples, but the existence of guanine oxidation signal was clear detected after the addition of miRNA molecules on the previously attached PolyT(I). Because no hybridization of anti‐miRNA molecules with the non‐complementary miRNA (NC.miRNA) molecules occurred, the guanine oxidation signal was not significantly decreased after the interaction of NC.miRNA with the attached PolyT(G). Since there was no hybridization between the NC.miRNA molecules with the attached PolyT(I) on the SPEs, weak guanine peaks were detected at PolyT(I)‐NC.miRNA samples as a result of the existence of residual NC.miRNA molecules on SPE after washing.

CONCLUSIONS

The measurement results confirm the enhanced selectivity of the miRNA molecules by using CNFs with SPEs and the developed biosensory system could be used to detect the specific RNA molecules. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Genetic counseling in the time of COVID‐19: The Philippine experience with telegenetics
Authors: Tumulak Ma‐Am Joy R. , Pascua Angela V. , Jover Edbert Jasper M. , Guerbo Romer J. , Canoy Graciel Mae R. , Laurino Mercy Y.
Published: September 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic poses a significant challenge to healthcare professionals and health systems around the world, most notably the disruption of its service delivery. The typical work setting for most genetic counselors (GCs) is in a clinic or hospital. However, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, to help prevent the further spread of the virus, clinics and hospitals have restricted non‐urgent in‐person delivery of healthcare services, including genetic counseling. Patients’ access to genetic counseling services has thus been limited, which prompted GCs in the country to utilize an alternative way to provide counseling through telegenetics. With the expansion of genetic services in the country, including the full implementation of expanded newborn screening, there is an increasing demand for genetic counseling and a growing need for telegenetics.
Design and synthesis of highly oxygenated furo[3,2‐c]pyran‐4‐ones and furo[3,2‐c]chromen‐4‐ones scaffold as anticancer and antimicrobial agents
Authors: Rani Suman , Kumar Devinder , Kamra Nisha , Thakral Sumit , Singh Ajeet , Sangwan Payare L. , Singh Shashank K.
Published: September 2021

Synthesis of a number of highly oxygenated furo[3,2‐c]pyran/chromen‐4‐one has been accomplished by one‐pot reaction from easily available dehydroacetic acid/3‐acetyl‐4‐hydroxycoumarin or their chalcones and α‐bromoketones. All the synthesized molecules were characterized utilizing various spectroscopic techniques and screened for anticancer activity (in vitro) against three colon (HCT‐116, SW‐620, HT‐24), lung (A‐549), prostate‐(PC‐3), breast (MCF‐7) cell lines. Compounds 5a, 9d, 9f showed good activity against breast MCF‐7 cancer cell line having IC50 values 6.9, 2.8, 5.3 μM, respectively. Of these compounds, 9d showed better activity against prostate PC‐3 cell line with IC50 value 3.8 μM. The synthesized compounds were also studied for antibacterial activity (in vitro) using different strains of bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus – Gram‐positive and Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa – Gram negative) as well as fungal strains (Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans) using Norfloxacin and Fluconazole as antibacterial and antifungal standard drugs, respectively. The antimicrobial screening study showed that compound 9f exhibited promising activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis, while 5h showed excellent and 5i and 9b showed better activity against E. coli. Compounds 5d and 5e showed promising activity against P. aeruginosa. The compounds 5c–5e displayed excellent activity against C. albicans and A. niger than Fluconazole.
Noncontrast Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predictors of Heart Failure Hospitalization in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Kucukseymen Selcuk , Arafati Arghavan , Al‐Otaibi Talal , El‐Rewaidy Hossam , Fahmy Ahmed S. , Ngo Long H. , Nezafat Reza
Published: September 2021

Background

Heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are at increased risk of future hospitalization. Contrast agents are often contra‐indicated in HFpEF patients due to the high prevalence of concomitant kidney disease. Therefore, the prognostic value of a noncontrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for HF‐hospitalization is important.

Purpose

To develop and test an explainable machine learning (ML) model to investigate incremental value of noncontrast cardiac MRI for predicting HF‐hospitalization.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

A total of 203 HFpEF patients (mean, 64 ± 12 years, 48% women) referred for cardiac MRI were randomly split into training validation (143 patients, ~70%) and test sets (60 patients, ~30%).

Field strength

A 1.5 T, balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) sequence.

Assessment

Two ML models were built based on the tree boosting technique and the eXtreme Gradient Boosting model (XGBoost): 1) basic clinical ML model using clinical and echocardiographic data and 2) cardiac MRI‐based ML model that included noncontrast cardiac MRI markers in addition to the basic model. The primary end point was defined as HF‐hospitalization.

Statistical Tests

ML tool was used for advanced statistics, and the Elastic Net method for feature selection. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was compared between models using DeLong's test. To gain insight into the ML model, the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method was leveraged. A P‐value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

During follow‐up (mean, 50 ± 39 months), 85 patients (42%) reached the end point. The cardiac MRI‐based ML model using the XGBoost algorithm provided a significantly superior prediction of HF‐hospitalization (AUC: 0.81) compared to the basic model (AUC: 0.64). The SHAP analysis revealed left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RV) strains as top imaging markers contributing to its performance with cutoff values of 17.5% and −15%, respectively.

Data Conclusions

Using an ML model, RV and LA strains measured in noncontrast cardiac MRI provide incremental value in predicting future hospitalization in HFpEF.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
The role of psychological distance in organizational responses to modern slavery risk in supply chains
Authors: Simpson Dayna , Segrave Marie , Quarshie Anne , Kach Andrew , Handfield Robert , Panas George , Moore Heather
Published: September 2021

Modern slavery is used to describe forms of coercive labor exploitation that affect more than 40 million persons globally. Such practices are difficult to identify given they exist in the informal economy, and involve vulnerable individuals. Addressing modern slavery by organizations requires awareness of its context and complexities. While corporations have increasingly sought to manage modern slavery risk in their supply chains, their understanding of what modern slavery is and what should be managed remains limited. We argue a key problem with firms’ efforts to manage modern slavery risk is that it is a psychologically distant concept for them. We apply construal level theory to explore how organizations’ psychological distance from modern slavery risk affects their management of risk. We interviewed purchasing executives at 41 global organizations in Australia, Finland, and the U.S and identified four approaches to managing modern slavery risk at different levels of psychological distance. We also identified that conflicts between organizations' approaches to risk and what they identify in their operating environment, precedes important construal shifts that help to improve organizational understanding of labor‐related risk. We highlight ways that organizations' understanding of modern slavery risk plays a role in their governance of such risk in supply chains.
Facile synthesis of noble metal decorated carbon nanostructure for SERS detection
Authors: Lai Kui , Xu Yinghao , Chen Jiahui , Gu Chenjie , Chen Da , Jiang Tao , Duan Tianli , Zhou Jun
Published: September 2021

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a highly sensitive spectral analysis technique for ultra‐low trace molecule detection. Conventionally, noble metals like silver (Ag) and gold (Au) are used to prepare the SERS substrates; however, it usually requires careful experiment design and accurate process control, which defers their wide applications in practice. In this paper, a one‐step and low‐cost approach to prepare silver decorated porous carbon (Ag NPs/PCN) films for SERS application is reported. Experimentally, gelatin‐silver nitrate mixed solution was first spin‐coated on the Si substrates to form the thin films, and then, the substrates were carbonized at the different temperatures to obtain the Ag NPs/PCN films. The SERS performance of the Ag NPs/PCN films was evaluated by using the R6G as Raman reporter. Results reveal that the SERS activity is closely related to the spin‐coating rate and carbonization temperature. And detection limit of 10−8 M with the Raman enhancement factor of 1.64 × 106 (10−4‐M R6G) can be obtained on the most optimal substrate. Moreover, large‐scale mapping measurement further evidences that excellent Raman signal uniformity with the RSD of 6.93% also can be achieved.
Atmospheric cold plasma: a new approach to modify protein and lipid properties of myofibrillar protein isolate from hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) fish
Authors: Hatab Shaimaa , Koddy John K , Miao Wenhua , Tang Lingling , Xu Huiqian , Deng Shanggui , Zheng Bin
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Quite recently, considerable attention has been paid to atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) as an eco‐friendly and highly efficient technology to modify the functional properties of foods. This study focuses on the effect of ACP on the myofibril protein and lipid quality of hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) fish. In achieving this, the samples were treated with ACP at 50 kV for different times (30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 s).

RESULTS

The findings indicated slight changes in peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the samples treated with ACP. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in the surface hydrophobicity (from 131.71 ± 0.81 μg to 146. 34 ± 0.81 μg), turbidity (from 0.13 ± 0.001 to 0.27 ± 0.01), and water‐holding capacity (from 61.63% ± 5.7% to 64.86% ± 1.5%) were detected with treated samples.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that ACP treatment induces marked changes in the protein and lipid properties of myofibril protein isolated from hairtail fish, which strengthen the gel formation of hairtail fish. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Electromembrane extraction in microfluidic formats
Authors: Hansen Frederik André , Petersen Nickolaj Jacob , Kutter Jörg P. , Pedersen‐Bjergaard Stig
Published: September 2021

Electromembrane extraction is a microextraction technique where charged analytes are extracted across a supported liquid membrane and selectively isolated from the sample based on an electrical field. Since the introduction in 2006, there has been continuously increasing interest in electromembrane extraction, and currently close to 50 new articles are published per year. Electromembrane extraction can be performed in different technical configurations, based on standard laboratory glass vials or 96‐well plate systems, and applications are typically related to pharmaceutical, environmental, and food and beverages analysis. In addition to this, conceptual research has developed electromembrane extraction into different milli‐ and microfluidic formats. These are much more early‐stage activities, but applications among others related to organ‐on‐chip systems and smartphone detection indicate unique perspectives. To stimulate more research in this direction, the current article reviews the scientific literature on electromembrane extraction in milli‐ and microfluidic formats. About 20 original research articles have been published on this subject so far, and these are discussed critically in the following. Based on this and the authors own experiences with the topic, we discuss perspectives, challenges, and future research.
A New Insight on Exophytic Serous Borderline Adnexal Tumors: Specific Sonographic Features
Authors: Haddad Leila , Kugelman Nir , Shapiro Israel , Bakry Hasan , Weizman Boris , Korobochka Roman , Sagie Shlomi , Said‐Idris Suraya , Bejar Jacob , Leibovitz Zvi
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To characterize and compare the sonographic features of exophytic serous borderline ovarian tumors (ESBOT) with those of high‐grade serous carcinoma of the ovary (HGSC).

Methods

Seven patients with histological diagnosis of ESBOT diagnosed between 2011 and 2019 and 10 consecutive cases of HGSC detected during 2019, both depicting an exophytic growth pattern, were identified retrospectively. The sonographic imaging of the masses was reassessed and characterized according to the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis terms.

Results

A unilateral irregular solid adnexal mass was demonstrated in all patients with ESBOT. The mass typically wrapped an apparently normal ovary, with a clear demarcation line depicted between them and it contained tiny cystic inclusions and calcifications. On color Doppler study of all the ESBOT cases, a unique vascular pattern could be demonstrated: an intratumoral vascular bundle originating from the ovarian vessels and supplying a rich radial blood flow to the tumor periphery. These characteristic morphological and color Doppler features could not be observed in any of the HGSC cases (P < .001). In 42.8% of the patients with ESBOT, additional unilocular‐solid components (ipsilateral or contralateral) could be detected, whereas all the HGSC patients presented with a multilocular‐solid tumor morphology (P < .001). The interface of the external mass border with the adjacent pelvic walls was regular in all the cases with ESBOT, whereas in 80% of HGSC patients, it was irregular, suggesting invasiveness (P = .002).

Conclusions

ESBOT can mimic HGSC. Our results suggest that ESBOT has specific B‐mode and color Doppler features, enabling differentiation from HGSC and planning appropriate intervention.
Optimization of tillage rotation and fertilization increased the soil organic carbon pool and crop yield in a semiarid region
Authors: Zhang Xia , Lu Sixu , Wang Chenguang , Zhang Afeng , Wang Xudong
Published: September 2021

Tillage and mineral fertilization are important strategies for maintaining crop production, but their effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) and labile fractions in semiarid regions are controversial. A 10‐year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of fertilization and tillage on SOC stock, labile fractions, soil quality and crop yields in a wheat–maize cropping system at the Loess Plateau. Results showed that balanced fertilization could provide comprehensive nutrition for crops and increase the crop residue input carbon, thereby increasing the SOC, readily oxidizable carbon, particulate organic carbon and dissolved organic carbon contents. In 0–50 cm layers, the SOC stock was increased by 3% under balanced fertilization compared to conventional fertilization. For tillage, no‐tillage (zero tillage) and subsoiling rotation with less soil disturbance and higher stabilization rate of input carbon was the most effective tillage practice for increasing SOC stock. This tillage technique increased the labile carbon contents by 41%–63%, 5%–19% and 26%–67% compared to ploughing in 0–10 cm, 20–35 cm and 35–50 cm layers, respectively. Balanced fertilization combined with no‐tillage and subsoiling rotation (BF + NS) increased carbon pool management index due to higher SOC and labile carbon contents, which contributed to the improvement of soil quality and the promotion of crop growth. Among all treatments, BF + NS treatment produced the highest SOC stock as well as wheat and maize yields. Therefore, BF + NS is the best strategy to increase SOC sequestration and to improve soil quality and productivity in semiarid regions.
Plants use rhizosphere metabolites to regulate soil microbial diversity
Authors: Bi Boyuan , Wang Kun , Zhang He , Wang Yu , Fei Hongyan , Pan Ruopeng , Han Fengpeng
Published: September 2021

Specific metabolites and secondary metabolites produced by plants and soil microbes play key roles in regulating organismal behaviour. At present, the variations in soil microbial communities mediated by plant rhizosphere metabolism in arid environments are still poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the rhizosphere soil (RS) and bulk soil (BS) associated with five plant species adapted to the climate in the Mu Us Sandy Land and analysed the chemical composition of soil metabolites, microbial community composition and diversity, edaphic factors, and their relationships. Some metabolites with ecological functions (such as fatty acids, monoacylglycerides and diterpenoids) were detected in the RS and BS of the five plants. Correlation analysis results show that fatty acids and diterpenoids were significantly negatively correlated with drought‐adapted bacterial (Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi) and fungal taxa (class Glomeromycetes and family Nectriaceae), and the bacterial class Rubrobacteria and two fungal phyla Ascomycota and Glomeromycota were significantly negatively correlated with fatty acids and diterpenoids, respectively. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and Monte Carlo permutation results confirm that fatty acids and diterpenoids played critical roles in the variation in the soil microbial communities. Although soil edaphic factors (such as microbial biomass carbon and basal respiration) played important roles in shaping the microbial community, the results of partial least squares path modelling (PLS‐PM) show that plant‐mediated rhizosphere metabolism was the primary factor that affected microbial alpha and beta diversities. We conclude that plants under drought stress regulate microbial community structures by releasing certain fatty acids and secondary metabolites (such as diterpenoids). In addition, the bioactive metabolites released from the rhizosphere affect the soil microbial community more significantly and directly than edaphic factors. Overall, our study provides insight into the underground ecological processes mediated by plant rhizosphere metabolism.
The cell phone vibration test: A telemedicine substitute for the tuning fork test
Authors: Yang Alex , Lewis Robert J. , Watson Nora , Riley Charles A. , Tolisano Anthony M.
Published: September 2021

Objective

An at home‐test for differentiating between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss remains elusive. Our goal was to validate the novel cell‐phone vibration test (CPVT) against the Weber tuning fork test (WTFT) and to assess if the CPVT can be self‐administered by patients reliably.

Study design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

The CPVT involves placement of a vibrating cellphone on the center of the forehead to determine which ear perceives the sound louder. 40 consecutive adult patients with an audiogram within 6 months and no report of recent hearing changes were recruited. Group 1 consisted of 20 patients who were examined by the provider with the CPVT and WTFT using various tuning forks (256, 512, and 1024 Hz). Group 2 consisted of an additional 20 patients who received instructions on self‐administering the CPVT. Kappa statistics were calculated to assess the strength of concordance between the CPVT, WTFT, and audiometric findings for group 1 and between patient self‐administered and provider administered CPVT and WTFT for group 2.

Results

Concordance between CPVT and WTFT in the entire cohort was substantial (Kappa coefficient: 0.81 for 256 Hz, 0.73 for 512 Hz, and 0.62 for 1024 Hz) with similar concordances between actual and expected results based on audiogram (Kappa coefficient: 0.52 for CPVT and 0.52 for WTFT). Concordance between patient‐administered and provider‐administered CPVT showed almost perfect agreement (Kappa coefficient: 0.92).

Conclusions

The CPVT provides consistent results when compared to a formal WTFT and can be reliably self‐administered by patients with appropriate instructions.

Level of evidence: 4
Dissolved and particulate carbon export from a tropical mangrove‐dominated riverine system
Authors: Ray Raghab , Miyajima Toshihiro , Watanabe Atsushi , Yoshikai Masaya , Ferrera Charissa M. , Orizar Iris , Nakamura Takashi , San Diego‐McGlone Maria Lourdes , Herrera Eugene C. , Nadaoka Kazuo
Published: September 2021

Despite being a major component in the mangrove carbon (blue carbon) budget, “outwelling” flux (or export to the sea) has gained little attention relative to other biogeochemical fluxes and reservoir carbon stock estimations. This study aims to estimate lateral exchange fluxes of dissolved and particulate organic carbon (DOC, POC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) from the watershed through a microtidal mangrove‐dominated estuary to the coastal sea in Panay Island, Philippines. Along the estuarine transect, consistent addition of DOC, DIC, and POC at higher salinities were attributed to mangrove organic matter input. Upstream groundwater input (carbonate weathering) and downstream mangrove organic matter decomposition (possibly sulfate reduction) were the main controls on DIC. DOC corresponded to relatively pure mangrove sources in creek water, while POC was a mixture of detrital and algal organic matter. The mangrove system acted as net exporter of carbon to the sea in both dry and wet seasons. From short‐term observations, outwelling fluxes of mangrove‐derived DOC, DIC, and POC contributed 27–53%, 8–31%, and 42%, respectively, to their estuarine outflow. Unlike other studies, such low percentage for DIC might result from other external nonmangrove input (e.g., watershed carbonate weathering). Overall estuarine carbon flux was dominated by DIC (90–95%) with only minor contribution from DOC. The approach utilized in this study to estimate lateral carbon flux specific to a small mangrove setting can be useful in delineating blue carbon budgets that avoid geographical and methodological biases.
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of methane ebullition in lowland headwater streams and the impact on sampling design
Authors: Robison Andrew L. , Wollheim Wilfred M. , Turek Bonnie , Bova Cynthia , Snay Carter , Varner Ruth K.
Published: September 2021

Headwater streams are known sources of methane (CH4) to the atmosphere, but their contribution to global scale budgets remains poorly constrained. While efforts have been made to better understand diffusive fluxes of CH4 in streams, much less attention has been paid to ebullitive fluxes. We examine the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of CH4 ebullition from four lowland headwater streams in the temperate northeastern United States over a 2‐yr period. Ebullition was observed in all monitored streams with an overall mean rate of 1.00 ± 0.23 mmol CH4 m−2 d−1, ranging from 0.01 to 1.79 to mmol CH4 m−2 d−1 across streams. At biweekly timescales, rates of ebullition tended to increase with temperature. We observed a high degree of spatial heterogeneity in CH4 ebullition within and across streams. Yet, catchment land use was not a simple predictor of this heterogeneity, and instead patches scale variability weakly explained by water depth and sediment organic matter content and quality. Overall, our results support the prevalence of CH4 ebullition from streams and high levels of variability characteristic of this process. Our findings also highlight the need for robust temporal and spatial sampling of ebullition in lotic ecosystems to account for this high level of heterogeneity, where multiple sampling locations and times are necessary to accurately represent the mean rate of flux in a stream. The heterogeneity observed likely indicates a complex set of drivers affect CH4 ebullition from streams which must be considered when upscaling site measurements to larger spatial scales.
Cell Adhesion on UV‐Crosslinked Polyurethane Gels with Adjustable Mechanical Strength and Thermoresponsiveness
Authors: Breul Katharina , Stengelin Elena , Urschbach Moritz , Mondeshki Mihail , Wüst Laura , Sirleaf Jason , Seitel Sebastian , Emt Theresa , Pschierer Sarah , Besenius Pol , Seiffert Sebastian
Published: September 2021

Temperature‐responsive polyurethane (PU) hydrogels represent a versatile material platform for modern tissue engineering and biomedical applications. However, besides intrinsic advantages such as high mechanical strength and a hydrolysable backbone composition, plain PU materials are generally lacking bio‐adhesive properties. To overcome this shortcoming, the authors focus on the synthesis of thermoresponsive PU hydrogels with variable mechanical and cell adhesive properties obtained from linear precursor PUs based on poly(ethylene glycol)s (pEG) with different molar masses, isophorone diisocyanate, and a dimerizable dimethylmaleimide (DMMI)‐diol. The cloud point temperatures of the dilute, aqueous PU solutions depend linearly on the amphiphilic balance. Rheological gelation experiments under UV‐irradiation reveal the dependence of the gelation time on photosensitizer concentration and light intensity, while the finally obtained gel strength is determined by the polymer concentration and spacing of the crosslinks. The swelling ratios of these soft hydrogels show significant changes between 5 and 40 °C whereby the extent of this switch increases with the hydrophobicity of the precursor. Moreover, it is shown that the incorporation of a low amount of catechol groups into the networks through the DMMI dimerization reaction leads to strongly improved cell adhesive properties without significantly weakening the gels.
Mechanically Robust Elastomers Enabled by a Facile Interfacial Interactions‐Driven Sacrificial Network
Authors: Yu Wei‐Wei , Xu Wen‐Zhe , Wei Yan‐Chan , Liao Shuangquan , Luo Ming‐Chao
Published: September 2021

Strength and toughness are usually mutually exclusive for materials. The sacrificial bond strategy is used to address the trade‐off between strength and toughness. However, the complex construction process of sacrificial network limits the application of sacrificial network. This work develops a facile strategy to construct an interfacial interactions‐driven sacrificial network. The authors' group finds that there are the interfacial interactions between arginines (A) aggregates and molecular chains. Such interfacial interactions result in the mechanical properties of samples having a strong dependence on extension rates, which shows that A aggregates construct a network structure by interfacial interactions. The interfacial interactions between A aggregates and chains improve the strength of samples; while the A aggregate network driven by interfacial interactions preferentially ruptures to dissipate large energy for the improvement of fracture toughness, which can be considered as a sacrificial network. Therefore, their designed elastomers have both high strength and high toughness. This work provides an easier strategy for the construction of sacrificial networks, which can promote the industrial application of sacrificial networks in elastomer materials.
Mild Parkinsonian Signs: A Systematic Review of Clinical, Imaging, and Pathological Associations
Authors: Buchanan Sarah M. , Richards Marcus , Schott Jonathan M. , Schrag Anette
Published: September 2021

Mild parkinsonian signs (MPS) have been widely studied during the past 3 decades and proposed as a risk marker for neurodegenerative disease. This systematic review explores the epidemiology, clinical and prognostic associations, radiological features, and pathological findings associated with MPS in older adults free from neurodegenerative disease. We find that MPS as currently defined are strongly associated with increasing age and increased risk of development of Parkinson's disease (PD), all‐cause dementia, disability, and death. Positive associations with later PD are found mainly in younger populations and those with other features of prodromal PD. There are currently no consistent radiological findings for MPS, and pathological studies have shown that MPS, at least in the oldest old, are often underpinned by mixed neuropathologies, including those associated with Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease, nigral neuronal loss, and Lewy bodies. Different subcategories of MPS appear to convey varying risk and specificity for PD and other outcomes. MPS overall are not specific for parkinsonian disorders and, although associated with increased risk of PD, can reflect multiple pathologies, particularly in older individuals. “Mild motor signs” appears a more appropriate term to avoid prognostic and pathological implications, and larger future studies to prospectively examine outcomes and associations of specific MPS subcategories are required. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
HINT1 founder mutation causing axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia in South America: A case report
Authors: de Aguiar Coelho Silva Madeiro Bianca , Peeters Kristien , Santos de Lima Elker Lene , Amor‐Barris Silvia , De Vriendt Els , Jordanova Albena , Cartaxo Muniz Maria Tereza , da Cunha Correia Carolina
Published: September 2021

Background

Recessive loss‐of‐function mutations in HINT1 are associated with predominantly motor axonal peripheral neuropathy with neuromyotonia. Twenty‐four distinct pathogenic variants are reported all over the world, including four confirmed founder variations in Europe and Asia. The majority of patients carry the ancient Slavic founder variant c.110G>C (p.Arg37Pro) that shows a distribution gradient from east to west throughout Europe.

Methods

We report a case of HINT1 neuropathy in South America, identified by massive parallel sequencing of a neuropathy gene panel. To investigate the origin of the variant, we performed haplotyping analysis.

Results

A Brazilian adolescent presented with recessive axonal motor neuropathy with asymmetric onset and fasciculations. Neuromyotonia was found on needle electromyography. His parents were not consanguineous and had no European ancestry. The patient carried biallelic pathogenic p.Arg37Pro alterations in the first exon of HINT1. Both alleles were identical by descent and originated from the same ancestral founder allele as reported in Europe.

Conclusion

Our findings expand the geographic distribution of HINT1 neuropathy to South America, where we describe a recognized founder variant in a Brazilian adolescent with no apparent European ancestry. We confirm the association of the hallmark sign of neuromyotonia with the disease.
Michigan governor: Federal dollars offer chance to improve MH system
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: September 2021

The administration of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants a portion of federal dollars from President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan to help close gaps in the state's mental health system. Whitmer this month proposed a $1.4 billion “MI Healthy Communities” package that includes numerous initiatives to expand the state's mental health infrastructure.
National Council receives technical assistance grant for CCBHCs
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: September 2021

In a move being hailed as “significant” by the mental health and substance use provider community, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) last week awarded the National Council for Mental Wellbeing a five‐year grant to operate a national center for technical assistance for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grantees.
Deadline nears for comments about SAMHSA's revision to NOMs
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: September 2021

As the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) continues to solicit comments to revise the National Outcome Measures (NOMs) Mental Health/Client Participant Outcome measures, a national health care consulting firm and its provider clients are preparing to share their strong opinion about the proposal.
Intra‐abdominal vascularized lymph node transfer for treatment of lymphedema: A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Yunzhu , Dong Ruijia , Li Zhujun , Wang Liquan , Long Xiao
Published: September 2021

Background

As a promising treatment for lymphedema, vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) is associated with a risk of iatrogenic lymphedema. Intra‐abdominal vascularized lymph node flap has been increasingly applied to minimize complication.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, and Cochrane databases were searched systematically. Clinical articles describing the application of intra‐abdominal flaps to treat lymphedema were included. Study characteristics, patient demographics, and operative details were recorded. Primary outcomes were recorded as circumference/volume reduction, episodes of cellulitis reduction and lymph flow assessment. Secondary outcomes were recorded as donor‐site complication and recipient‐site complication.

Results

Twenty‐one studies met the inclusion criteria with 594 patients in total. Donor‐sites of flaps were omental/gastroepiploic, jejunal, ileocecal, and appendicular. The mean reduction rate ranged from 0.38% to 70.8%. Significant reduction in infectious episodes was reported in 10 studies. The pooled donor‐site complication rate was 1.4% (95% CI, 0%–4.1%;I2 = 40%). The pooled recipient‐site complication rate was 3.2% (95% CI, 1.4%–5.5%;I2 = 39%). The most common donor‐site complication was minor ileus requiring prolonged nasogastric tube replacement. No donor site lymph disfunction occurred.

Conclusion

Intra‐abdominal VLNT is an effective technique for patients with lymphedema with no obvious impairment to donor‐site lymph function, as long as the operation is properly performed.
Reliability of MRI radiomics features in MR‐guided radiotherapy for prostate cancer: Repeatability, reproducibility, and within‐subject agreement
Authors: Xue Cindy , Yuan Jing , Poon Darren MC , Zhou Yihang , Yang Bin , Yu Siu Ki , Cheung Yin Kin
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The MR‐guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) images on the integrated MRI and linear accelerator (MR‐LINAC) might facilitate radiomics analysis for longitudinal treatment response assessment. However, the reliability of MRgRT radiomics features is largely unknown. This study aims to investigate MRgRT radiomics feature reliability acquired using a standardized 3D‐T2W‐TSE sequence in terms of repeatability, reproducibility, and within‐subject feature agreement on a 1.5T MR‐simulator and a 1.5T MR‐LINAC for prostate cancer (PC).

Methods

Twenty‐six consecutive PC patients who underwent one MRI‐simulator scan and two MR‐LINAC scans before dose delivery were retrospectively included. The three MRI datasets were rigidly co‐registered. 1023 first‐order and texture radiomics features were extracted with different intensity bin widths for each scan in the manually segmented clinical target volume (CTV) and planning target volume (PTV) by an experienced radiation oncologist. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate feature repeatability between MR‐LINAC scans and reproducibility between MRI‐simulator and MR‐LINAC scans. The within‐subject feature value agreements were evaluated using Bland–Altman analysis. The impact of inter‐observer segmentation on the radiomics feature reliability was also examined based on the second manual segmentation of CTV and PTV by an MRI researcher.

Results

Based on the segmentation by the radiation oncologist and the default bin width of 25, 9.6%, 24.1%, 49.6%, and 16.8% of the total 1023 features exhibited excellent (ICC > 0.9), good (0.9 > ICC > 0.75), moderate (0.75 > ICC > 0.5), and poor (ICC < 0.5) repeatability in the CTV, and 9.2%, 26.8%, 50.5%, and 13.5% in the PTV, respectively. For reproducibility, the corresponding feature percentages were 8.9%, 19.7%, 41.9%, and 29.6% in the CTV, and 8.4%, 17.8%, 47.9%, and 26% in the PTV. Feature reliability was not notably influenced by intensity bin width for discretization.

BA analysis revealed wide 95% limit‐of‐agreements and substantial biases of feature values between CTV and PTV and between any two MRI scans. The features even with excellent ICC were still subjected to considerable inter‐scan feature variations in each individual subject. The analysis on the second segmentation by the MRI researcher showed insignificantly different feature repeatability and reproducibility in terms of ICC values.

Conclusions

Only a small proportion of features exhibited excellent/good repeatability and reproducibility, highlighting the importance of reliable MRgRT feature selection. The within‐subject feature values were subjected to considerable inter‐scan variations, imposing a challenge on the determination of the smallest detectable change in future MRgRT delta‐radiomics studies.
Measurement of sub‐zero temperatures in MRI using T1 temperature sensitive soft silicone materials: Applications for MRI‐guided cryosurgery
Authors: Hankiewicz Janusz H. , Celinski Zbigniew , Camley Robert E.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

One standard method, proton resonance frequency shift, for measuring temperature using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in MRI‐guided surgeries, fails completely below the freezing point of water. Because of this, we have developed a new methodology for monitoring temperature with MRI below freezing. The purpose of this paper is to show that a strong temperature dependence of the nuclear relaxation time T1 in soft silicone polymers can lead to temperature‐dependent changes of MRI intensity acquired with T1 weighting. We propose the use of silicone filaments inserted in tissue for measuring temperature during MRI‐guided cryoablations.

Methods

The temperature dependence of T1 in bio‐compatible soft silicone polymers was measured using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and MRI. Phantoms, made of bulk silicone materials and put in an MRI‐compatible thermal container with dry ice, allowed temperature measurements ranging from –60°C to + 20°C. T1‐weighted gradient echo images of the phantoms were acquired at spatially uniform temperatures and with a gradient in temperature to determine the efficacy of using these materials as temperature indicators in MRI. Ex vivo experiments on silicone rods, 4 mm in diameter, inserted in animal tissue were conducted to assess the practical feasibility of the method.

Results

Measurements of nuclear relaxation times of protons in soft silicone polymers show a monotonic, nearly linear, change with temperature (R2 > 0.98) and have a significant correlation with temperature (Pearson's r > 0.99, p < 0.01). Similarly, the intensity of the MR images in these materials, taken with a gradient echo sequence, are also temperature dependent. There is again a monotonic change in MRI intensity that correlates well with the measured temperature (Pearson's r < ‐0.98 and p < 0.01). The MRI experiments show that a temperature change of 3°C can be resolved in a distance of about 2.5 mm. Based on MRI images and external sensor calibrations for a sample with a gradient in temperature, temperature maps with 3°C isotherms are created for a bulk phantom. Experiments demonstrate that these changes in MRI intensity with temperature can also be seen in 4 mm silicone rods embedded in ex vivo animal tissue.

Conclusions

We have developed a new method for measuring temperature in MRI that potentially could be used during MRI‐guided cryoablation operations, reducing both procedure time and cost, and making these surgeries safer.
Importance of Coarse Woody Habitat Complexity to Yellow Perch Egg Skein Deposition and Survival
Authors: Grausgruber Stephen J. , Weber Michael J. , Morris Joseph E.
Published: September 2021

Habitat introductions are often implemented in aquatic systems to meet fishery management goals. Conifer trees have been used to augment spawning habitat for Yellow Perch Perca flavescens to support and suspend their unique egg skeins above the lake bottom in hopes of increasing reproduction and recruitment; however, little is known about the influence of tree characteristics on the reproductive success of Yellow Perch. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of tree complexity on the skein deposition and survival rates of Yellow Perch. In February 2020, 30 eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana trees were manipulated to one of five complexities (from 1 = least complex [all branches removed] to 5 = most complex [all branches retained]; n = 6 per complexity) and placed on the ice. After ice-off and tree submersion, we conducted snorkeling surveys every 2 d from March 31 to May 5, 2020, and recorded the number and viability of the skeins. We observed 35 Yellow Perch egg skeins. Yellow Perch preferred to deposit their egg skeins on tree complexities 4 and 5, whereas deposition on tree complexities 1, 2, and 3 was random. The nest survival models estimated that skeins that were deposited on tree complexities 1, 2, and 5 had a 27-d survival estimate of 0.07 (95% CI = 0.06 to 0.08) that was lower (β = −1.29; 95% CI = −2.32 to −0.27) than that for skeins that were deposited on complexities 3 and 4, with a survival estimate of 0.48 (95% CI = 0.43 to 0.52). Our results indicate that Yellow Perch prefer to deposit their egg skeins on intermediate cedar tree complexities that resulted in increased skein deposition and survival. Given our results, once introduced trees have deteriorated below an intermediate complexity, managers should consider supplemental introductions of more complex trees that benefit the reproduction of Yellow Perch.