bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic effect of salt ions and water‐soluble amphiphilic compounds of acidic crude oil on surface and interfacial tension
Authors: Horeh Mohsen B. , Hassani Kamran , Rostami Behzad , Ghorbanizadeh Salman
Published: January 2021

This study investigated the effect of solubility of amphiphilic compounds of acidic crude oil in water on the surface and interfacial tension (IFT) with NaCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, and Na2SO4 salts. Accordingly, distilled water, along with the salts mentioned in zero ionic strength up to 2 mol were put in contact with crude oil to become saturated with amphiphilic compounds. The effects of these compounds were investigated on the properties of contact water by pH, total organic carbon (TOC), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), water‐air surface tension (ST), and water‐n‐decane IFT tests. The results showed that some of the organic components of crude oil, especially acidic and basic compounds, are present or soluble in water, which have a significant effect on reducing the surface and IFT. The IFT reduction of water‐n‐decane was greater than the water‐air ST system. Also, the observations showed that for both NaCl and Na2SO4 salt water, with increasing ionic strength of water, there was an optimum salinity within the range of 0.1‐0.25 mol/L for both salts with the amount of surface and IFT minimized at this point. In the other two salts, this point was delayed upon elevation of ionic strength and was observed at high salinity. In this case, divalent cations reduce tension rate compared to monovalent cations. Due to solubility of acidic and basic groups in water, pH of salt water illustrates an acidic trend. Results of the FTIR test confirmed solubility of these compounds as well.
Fabrication of Magnetically Driven Helical Micro/nanoscale Motors and Their Functionalization for Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Qin Fengying , Zhang Yuhan , Peng Fei
Published: January 2021

With the development and progress of nanotechnology, major advances have been achieved in the micro/nanoscale motors field. Compared with tubular, wire, and sphere nanomotors, magnetically driven helical micro/nanoscale motors show broad prospects of future biomedical applications, especially in targeted drug delivery, due to their excellent movement performance in low Reynolds numbers fluids. In recent years, many fabrication methods of helical micro‐nano motors have been reported. This review set out to provide a summary of the fabrication of helical micro/nanoscale motors. In addition, the design strategies and further functionalization to achieve targeted drug delivery will be introduced as well. With this, we hope to spur further development of novel helical micro/nanomotors and speed up their clinical translation.
Thyroid sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia in conjunction with parotid basal cell adenoma: Cytologic, histologic, and molecular features
Authors: Noor Mushal , Russell Donna K. , Israel Anna‐Karoline , Lott Limbach Abberly
Published: January 2021

Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia (SMECE) is a rare malignancy in the thyroid: only 56 cases with histologic descriptions are reported in the literature and fewer reports describe the cytomorphology. Given the rarity of SMECE, data on the cytomorphologic and molecular features are limited. We report a case of a 53‐year‐old woman with a 5 cm left thyroid mass. Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) revealed atypia of undetermined significance and pathology of left thyroid lobectomy specimen showed SMECE. Additionally, a left pre‐auricular lump was noted and FNA followed by left superficial parotidectomy showed basal cell adenoma. Next‐generation sequencing showed point mutations in NTRK3 and NF1. Unlike salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma, MAML2 translocations are not present in SMECE. Even though it is a rare entity, awareness of SMECE of the thyroid is important. In this case report we review the cytomorphologic, histologic, and molecular features.
Digital re‐evaluation of down‐dip channel‐fill architecture in deep‐water slope deposits: Multi‐scale perspectives from UAV‐SfM
Authors: Nesbit Paul R. , Hubbard Stephen M. , Daniels Benjamin G. , Bell Daniel , Englert Rebecca G. , Hugenholtz Christopher H.
Published: January 2021

Recent advances in sea floor measurements and modelling have revealed new insight into submarine channel processes; however, understanding how these short‐term perspectives influence long‐term evolution of submarine channels has been limited by the difficulty in linking processes to products in the stratigraphic record. Outcrops present opportunities to characterise the detailed internal architecture of deep‐water channel fills over a wide range of timescales, but obtaining observations is compounded by challenges in outcrop accessibility and perspective along broad exposures. To demonstrate the potential value of modern remote sensing techniques in supplementing fieldwork, an extensive dip‐oriented outcrop exposure of Cretaceous deep‐water channel deposits was re‐evaluated using a 3D digital outcrop model generated from uninhabited/unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry. Results confirmed previous field‐based documentation of depositional element‐scale stratigraphic architecture, but also revealed nuanced internal detail that was not captured from field‐based perspectives alone. Subtle internal channel‐fill architecture, including discontinuous sandstone wedges and the interpreted stratigraphic products of upslope‐migrating bedforms, are also recognised. This study demonstrates the sedimentary detail that can be uncovered by integrating conventional field‐based approaches limited by viewable scale, perspective, and/or accessibility, with emerging remote sensing techniques. The unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry approach used here provides valuable supplemental data in the investigation of deep‐water channel system deposits and has the potential to overcome inherent challenges in outcrop mapping for numerous applications.
Relative genetic diversity of the rare and endangered Agave shawii ssp. shawii and associated soil microbes within a southern California ecological preserve
Authors: Vu Jeanne P. , Vasquez Miguel F. , Feng Zuying , Lombardo Keith , Haagensen Sora , Bozinovic Goran
Published: January 2021

Shaw's Agave (Agave shawii ssp. shawii) is an endangered maritime succulent growing along the coast of California and northern Baja California. The population inhabiting Point Loma Peninsula has a complicated history of transplantation without documentation. The low effective population size in California prompted agave transplanting from the U.S. Naval Base site (NB) to Cabrillo National Monument (CNM). Since 2008, there are no agave sprouts identified on the CNM site, and concerns have been raised about the genetic diversity of this population. We sequenced two barcoding loci, rbcL and matK, of 27 individual plants from 5 geographically distinct populations, including 12 individuals from California (NB and CNM). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the three US and two Mexican agave populations are closely related and have similar genetic variation at the two barcoding regions, suggesting the Point Loma agave population is not clonal. Agave‐associated soil microbes used significantly more carbon sources in CNM soil samples than in NB soil likely due to higher pH and moisture content; meanwhile, soil type and soil chemistry analysis including phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen, organic matter, and metals revealed significant correlations between microbial diversity and base saturation (p < 0.05, r2 = 0.3676), lime buffer capacity (p < 0.01, r2 = 0.7055), equilibrium lime buffer capacity (p < 0.01, r2 = 0.7142), and zinc (p < 0.01, r2 = 0.7136). Soil microbiome analysis within the CNM population revealed overall expected richness (H′ = 5.647–6.982) for Agave species, while the diversity range (1 − D = 0.003392–0.014108) suggests relatively low diversity marked by high individual variation. The most prominent remaining US population of this rare species is not clonal and does not seem to be threatened by a lack of genetic and microbial diversity. These results prompt further efforts to investigate factors affecting Agave's reproduction and fitness.
In Situ/Operando (Soft) X‐ray Spectroscopy Study of Beyond Lithium‐ion Batteries
Authors: Yang Feipeng , Feng Xuefei , Liu Y.‐Sheng , Kao Li Cheng , Glans P.‐A. , Yang Wanli , Guo Jinghua
Published: January 2021

The lightweight, rechargeable lithium‐ion battery is one of the dominant energy storage devices globally in portable electronics due to its high energy density, no memory effect, wide operating voltage, lightweight, and good charge efficiency. However, due to safety concerns, the depletion of lithium reserves, and the corresponding increase of cost, an alternative battery system becomes more and more desirable. To develop alternative battery systems with low cost and high material abundance, for example, sodium, magnesium, zinc, and calcium, it is important to understand the chemical and electronic structure of materials. Soft X‐ray spectroscopy, for example, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X‐ray emission spectroscopy (XES), and resonant inelastic soft X‐ray scattering (RIXS), is an element‐specific technique with sensitivity to the local chemical environment and structural order of the element of interest. Modern soft X‐ray systems enable operando experiments that can be applied to amorphous and crystalline samples, making it a powerful tool for studying the electronic and structural changes in electrode and electrolyte species. In this article, the application of in situ/operando (soft) X‐ray spectroscopy in beyond lithium‐ion batteries is reviewed to demonstrate how such spectroscopic characterizations could facilitate the interpretation of interfacial phenomena under in situ/operando condition and subsequent development of the beyond lithium‐ion batteries.
Considering the flanking region variants of nonbinary SNP and phenotype‐informative SNP to constitute 30 microhaplotype loci for increasing the discriminative ability of forensic applications
Authors: Wen Dan , Sun Shule , Liu Ying , Li Jienan , Yang Zedeng , Kureshi Aliye , Fu Yan , Li Henan , Jiang Bowei , Jin Chuan , Cai Jifeng , Zha Lagabaiyila
Published: January 2021

The flanking region variants of nonbinary SNPs and phenotype‐informative SNPs (piSNPs) have been observed, which may greatly improve the discriminative ability after constituting microhaplotype. In this study, 30 microhaplotype loci based on the nonbinary SNPs and piSNPs (shown to be related to phenotypes such as hair and eye color) were selected. Genotyping were conducted on 100 unrelated northern Han Chinese, and the 26 populations from the 1000 Genome Project were also included for comparison of populations differentiation. The simulated study was conducted for evaluating the efficiency of kinship testing. These 30 microhaplotype loci we selected had good polymorphism, with a mean effective number of alleles (Ae) of 3.46. The average Ae increase was 1.27 compared with the target SNPs. The populations from the five regions worldwide could also be distinguished using these loci. The results of kinship testing showed that these microhaplotype loci had the similar ability as 15 STR loci of AmpFlSTRR IdentifilerR PCR Amplification Kit to identify the biological parent and a stronger ability to exclude the nonbiological parents. So, these 30 microhaplotype loci may be multifunctional for forensic application, including the ability of personal identification and kinship testing equivalent to 15 STR loci, and the power of ancestry inference for distinguishing the main intercontinental population. Moreover, our selected phenotypic microhaplotype loci may theoretically have phenotype prediction capabilities. But the phenotype prediction efficiency of these phenotypic microhaplotype loci may be worse than that of piSNPs and the detailed prediction accuracy of different populations needs to be further studied.
A new energy‐compatible nonstationary stochastic ground‐motion simulation method
Authors: Wang Shaoqing , Yu Ruifang , De Risi Raffaele , Li Xiaojun
Published: January 2021

A new time‐frequency modulating function with a novel equivalent average‐intensity envelope based on the instantaneous energy is proposed to simulate fully nonstationary ground motions. The new model utilizes simple, uncoupled, and statistically well‐studied temporal and spectral nonstationary parameters. Then, a period‐by‐period simulation method based on the proposed stochastic model is developed to match multiple targets. A numerical comparison shows that the new method replicates well both the target temporal and spectral nonstationarities and it is efficient and easy to use in engineering practice. This study also demonstrates that for obtaining site‐specific seismic input by means of site response analysis: (1) the frequency contents of bedrock motion, including the energy concentration in terms of frequency and frequency decaying with respect to time, have a significant impact on the site response with moderate and large PGA levels; (2) using the proposed instantaneous‐frequency‐related time modulating function to approximate the real ground motion leads to results sufficiently close to the record for nonlinear site response regardless PGA levels and site condition. Therefore, attention should be paid to the change of nonstationary characteristics of ground‐motion frequency according to the source, path, and site condition when simulating ground motion on bedrock. As the proposed methods can approximately control various ground‐motion characters, different targets of ground‐motion simulation can be matched for different engineering purpose such as site response analysis, time‐history analysis of special structures, etc.
Variability of white matter anatomy in the subcallosal cingulate area
Authors: Tsolaki Evangelia , Sheth Sameer A. , Pouratian Nader
Published: January 2021

The subcallosal cingulate (SCC) area is a putative hub in the brain network underlying depression. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting a particular subregion of SCC, identified as the intersection of forceps minor (FM), uncinate fasciculus (UCF), cingulum and fronto‐striatal fiber bundles, may be critical to a therapeutic response in patients with severe, treatment‐resistant forms of major depressive disorder (MDD). The pattern and variability of the white matter anatomy and organization within SCC has not been extensively characterized across individuals. The goal of this study is to investigate the variability of white matter bundles within the SCC that structurally connect this region with critical nodes in the depression network. Structural and diffusion data from 100 healthy subjects from the Human Connectome Project database were analyzed. Anatomically defined SCC regions were used as seeds to perform probabilistic tractography and to estimate the connectivity from the SCC to subject‐specific target areas believed to be involved in the pathology of MDD including ventral striatum (VS), UCF, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Four distinct areas of connectivity were identified within SCC across subjects: (a) postero‐lateral SCC connectivity to medial temporal regions via UCF, (b) postero‐medial connectivity to VS, (c) superior‐medial connectivity to ACC via cingulum bundle, and (d) antero‐lateral connectivity to mPFC regions via forceps minor. Assuming white matter connectivity is critical to therapeutic response, the improved anatomic understanding of SCC as well as an appreciation of the intersubject variability are critical to developing optimized therapeutic targeting for SCC DBS.
Diminished substrate‐mediated cardiac mitochondrial respiration and elevated autophagy in adult male offspring of gestational diabetic rats
Authors: Raji Sasikala Rajendran , Nandini Ravikumar Jayakumari , Ashok Sivasailam , Anand Chellappan Reghuvaran , Vivek Velayudhan Pillai , Jayakumar Karunakaran , Harikrishnan Vijayakumar Sreelatha , Manjunatha Shankarappa , Gopala Srinivas
Published: January 2021

Heart diseases are common in the offspring of diabetic mother (ODM). Defects in mitochondrial metabolism and autophagy may, in part, be responsible for the adverse structural and functional alterations in the heart. The principal objective of this study was to investigate cardiac mitochondrial respiration and autophagy in male and female offspring of diabetic pregnancy at two different developmental stages of life, weaning and adult. Male and female offspring of rats with streptozotocin‐induced gestational diabetes were used for the study and compared with offspring of control (non‐diabetic) mother (OCM) rats. High‐resolution respirometry was used to measure substrate‐mediated respiration in mitochondria isolated from ventricular tissues of ODM and OCM. Expression of proteins associated with autophagy and oxidative stress was examined by western blot analysis. Mitochondrial complex I and complex II respiration was significantly reduced in adult male ODM while it was unaltered or less affected in weaning male, adult and weaning female ODM. Elevated autophagy was observed in adult male but not in adult female ODM. Expression of oxidative stress markers was observed to be similar in all the groups. Altered cardiac mitochondrial respiration and autophagy were observed in adult male ODM compared to OCM, while the male and female offspring at weaning stage were less affected. The results of the study show that maternal hyperglycemia affects mitochondrial respiration and autophagy in the ODM heart, which may potentially be responsible for the cardiovascular complications observed in adult life.
Characterization of Primary Cilia in Osteoblasts Isolated From Patients With ADPKD and CKD
Authors: Pereira Renata C , Gitomer Berenice Y , Chonchol Michel , Harris Peter C , Noche Kathleen J , Salusky Isidro B , Albrecht Lauren V
Published: January 2021

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and leads to a specific type of bone disease. The primary cilium is a major cellular organelle implicated in the pathophysiology of ADPKD caused by mutations in polycystin‐1 (PKD1) and polycystin‐2 (PKD2). In this study, for the first time, cilia were characterized in primary preosteoblasts isolated from patients with ADPKD. All patients with ADPKD had low bone turnover and primary osteoblasts were also obtained from patients with non‐ADPKD CKD with low bone turnover. Image‐based immunofluorescence assays analyzed cilia using standard markers, pericentrin, and acetylated‐α‐tubulin, where cilia induction and elongation were chosen as relevant endpoints for these initial investigations. Osteoblastic activity was examined by measuring alkaline phosphatase levels and mineralized matrix deposition rates. It was found that primary cilia can be visualized in patient‐derived osteoblasts and respond to elongation treatments. Compared with control cells, ADPKD osteoblasts displayed abnormal cilia elongation that was significantly more responsive in cells with PKD2 nontruncating mutations and PKD1 mutations. In contrast, non‐ADPKD CKD osteoblasts were unresponsive and had shorter cilia. Finally, ADPKD osteoblasts showed increased rates of mineralized matrix deposition compared with non‐ADPKD CKD. This work represents the first study of cilia in primary human‐derived osteoblasts from patients with CKD and patients with ADPKD who have normal kidney function, offering new insights as bone disease phenotypes are not well recapitulated in animal models. These data support a model whereby altered cilia occurs in PKD‐mutated osteoblasts, and that ADPKD‐related defects in bone cell activity and mineralization are distinct from adynamic bone disease from patients with non‐ADPKD CKD. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever
Authors: Beştepe Dursun Zehra , Korkmaz Serdal , Türe Zeynep , Kaynar Leylagül , Dursun Adem , Çelik İlhami
Published: January 2021

Objective

To examine the efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in patients critically ill with Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF).

Methods

Patients with CCHF received supportive treatment (ST) or TPE. After laboratory and clinical evaluations, the patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe CCHF groups according to the severity score index (SSI). To assess the efficacy of TPE, the incubation period, time of admission to hospital, hospitalization duration, mortality rate and times to recovery of the platelet count and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were compared between patients receiving ST and TPE.

Result

A total of 119 confirmed CCHF cases was analyzed. The median SSIs were 7 in the TPE group and 5 in the ST group. The SSI stages, median incubation times and admission times were similar in the two groups. However, the duration of hospitalization was longer in the TPE group. The overall mortality rates were 9% (3 of 33 patients) in the TPE group and 16% (5 of 31 patients) in the ST group; the difference was significant. The platelet count recovered after a median of 6 (4‐7) days in the ST group.

Conclusion

The mortality rate was lower in the TPE group than in the ST group, but the duration of hospitalization and the time to platelet recovery were longer in the TPE group than in the ST group. TPE did not contribute significantly to the prognosis of patients with intermediate‐severity CCHF. However, TPE might be efficacious in patients with severe CCHF.
Advertising and the impact on stock price accuracy
Authors: Hyman Michael , Jayamohan Parvathi , Watts Omar
Published: January 2021

This paper examines how advertising impacts the information environment in which stocks are priced and whether it serves to benefit or obfuscate the stock pricing environment. We find that advertising leads to stock prices which better anticipate future earnings, suggesting that the information contained within marketing campaigns is price relevant despite its potential for puffery. We find that this result is concentrated in firms with greater information availability as proxied by size and analyst coverage, more sophisticated investors, and periods of low investor sentiment. Altogether, we find as the information environment is richer and investors are more capable of utilizing financial information to invest, advertising becomes a more useful tool in anticipating future operating performance and creating accurate stock prices.
Establishment of age‐ and sex‐specific reference intervals for serum liver function tests in pediatric population aged 1–<18 years: A prospective study
Authors: Zhu Xuetong , Wang Kaijin , Zhou Qi , Xu Jiancheng
Published: January 2021

Background

The diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of pediatric diseases rely on the accurate establishment of the reference interval (RI). This study aimed to establish pediatric RIs for liver function tests and evaluated the correlation of the analytes.

Methods

Pediatric population (aged 1–<18 years) was prospectively recruited in Jilin Province, China. Analytes detected by Ortho VITORS 5600 automatic biochemical analyzer. All strata were divided using the regression tree and Harris and Boyd's method. The dynamic changes of RI were evaluated by the lambda‐mu‐sigma method.

Results

Reference individuals were comprised of 6,322 children and adolescents. Age and sex differences were present in all analytes except serum total protein. The serum albumin, total protein, γ‐glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, and unconjugated bilirubin levels increased with age while serum aspartate aminotransferase was opposite. The serum alanine aminotransferase level reached a trough at the age of 5 and later steadily in males but slowly decreased in females. The serum alkaline phosphatase level dropped rapidly after reaching a peak at 9 years old in females and 12 years old in males. RIs were divided into 11 partitions at most and 5 partitions at least. The strongest correlation between analytes was total bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin (r = 0.788), followed by total bilirubin and albumin (r = 0.511).

Conclusions

Analytes show unique dynamic changes in pediatric population. The correlations among liver function tests can inform future studies of particular variables. Age‐ and sex‐special pediatric RIs should be established to help an accurate diagnosis of disease.
Equivalence relations do exist before they are tested: Confirmatory evidence revealed by EEG measurements
Authors: Silveira Marcelo V. , Silvestrin Mateus , Vilela Eduardo C. , de Rose Julio C. , Arntzen Erik , Caetano Marcelo S.
Published: January 2021

We examined equivalence‐based N400 effects by comparing EEG data from participants with different experiences with equivalence testing. Before a priming task used in EEG measurement, Group 1 was given only matching‐to‐sample training trials whereas Group 2 was exposed to matching‐to‐sample training and equivalence probe trials. We asked whether exposure to the reinforcement contingency was sufficient to bring about an N400 outcome that might indicate potentially emergent equivalence relations or if such a response depended on experience with equivalence tests. Results showed robust N400 in both groups. Experience with equivalence tests did not further increase the N400 effects. Our findings add confirmatory evidence that equivalence relations may originate via the reinforcement contingency alone. Furthermore, complementary EEG data collected from priming tasks involving words from natural language showed functional overlap between laboratory‐defined equivalence and natural word‐based N400 effects.
Helicobacter pylori rescue treatment with vonoprazan, metronidazole, and sitafloxacin in the presence of penicillin allergy
Authors: Sue Soichiro , Sasaki Tomohiko , Kaneko Hiroaki , Irie Kuniyasu , Kondo Masaaki , Maeda Shin
Published: January 2021

Background and Aim

To assess the efficacy and safety of 7‐day Helicobacter pylori rescue treatment consisting of a vonoprazan (VPZ), metronidazole (MNZ), and sitafloxacin (STFX) regimen (VPZ‐MNZ‐STFX therapy) in patients with penicillin allergy.

Methods

This was a registered prospective intervention study. Patients with penicillin allergy who were diagnosed with H. pylori infection and had a history of H. pylori eradication were eligible for inclusion. Seventeen patients were prospectively treated with VPZ 20 mg bid, MNZ 250 mg bid, and STFX 100 mg bid for 7 days. Safety was evaluated using a questionnaire on adverse effects.

Results

The eradication rate of 7‐day VPZ‐MNZ‐SFTX therapy was 88.2% (95% confidence interval: 63.6–98.5%; n = 17) in both intention‐to‐treat and per‐protocol analyses. On the questionnaire, 25% of patients reported experiencing diarrhea, with a score of 2 or 3. All patients undergoing VPZ‐MNZ‐STFX therapy completed 100% of their medication course.

Conclusion

Rescue H. pylori eradication with VPZ‐MNZ‐STFX therapy is effective and well tolerated in patients with penicillin allergy (UMIN000016335, jRCTs031180133).
Evaluation of microchannel plate gain drops caused by high ion fluxes in time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry: A novel evaluation method using a multi‐turn time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroshi , Hondo Toshinobu , Toyoda Michisato
Published: January 2021

Use of a two‐stage microchannel plate (MCP) detector is common in time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass spectrometry because it shows excellent time resolution with sufficient gains. However, the gain drops significantly when the detector detects intense ion fluxes, such as matrix ions, by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. As a result, significant ion signals corresponding to analytes, such as proteins, are hidden, thereby hampering the mass spectral interpretation. However, details of this phenomenon have not previously been investigated using ions because of the lack of suitable measurement methods and apparatus. Thus, we herein report a novel method for controlling the TOF of two selected ions, as a function of time differences between each other using a multi‐turn TOF mass spectrometer. This method involves the use of an isotope cluster of ions that fly in a figure‐of‐eight orbit and the extraction of an ion at a given lap number. A series of time differences (∆t) between two ions in a TOF spectrum can be generated using this method. We evaluated the time constants of gain recovery after high ion‐flux detection for two sets of two‐stage MCP detectors to obtain values of 1,600 and 180 μs for channel plate resistances of 500 and 71 MΩ, respectively. The obtained time constants from the gains determined at various values of ∆t were 0.48 and 0.38 fold (for 500 and 71 MΩ, respectively) of the values suggested from the channel plate resistance and capacitance.
Chondrocytes from osteoarthritic cartilage of obese patients show altered adiponectin receptors expression and response to adiponectin
Authors: Harasymowicz Natalia Sara , Azfer Asim , Burnett Richard , Simpson Hamish , Salter Donald M.
Published: January 2021

Obesity and osteoarthritis (OA) are well‐known comorbidities and their precise molecular interactions are still unidentified. Adiponectin, a major adipokine, known to have an anti‐inflammatory effect in atherosclerosis or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), has also been postulated to be pro‐inflammatory in OA. This dual role of adiponectin is still not explained. The precise mechanism by which adiponectin affects cartilage and chondrocytes remains to be elucidated. In the present observational study chondrocytes from 30 patients with OA (18 females and 12 males) undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) were isolated. Expression of adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) was examined both at gene and protein levels in chondrocytes. The difference in adiponectin receptor expression between lean and obese patients with OA and the role of adiponectin in regulating pro‐inflammatory genes (MCP‐1, IL‐6, and VCAM‐1, MMP‐1, MMP‐2, and TIMP‐1) has been investigated. We found that ADIPOR1 represented the most abundant adiponectin receptor in primary OA chondrocytes. ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 genes and ADIPOR1 protein were differently expressed in OA chondrocytes obtained from obese compared with lean patients with OA. Adiponectin induced gene expression of MCP‐1, IL‐6, and MMP‐1 in all OA patients’ chondrocytes. In contrast, VCAM‐1 and MMP‐2 were differently regulated by adiponectin depending on the patient's body mass index. This study suggests that adiponectin and ADIPOR1 may have important roles in the pathogenesis of cartilage degeneration in OA of obese subjects.
Effect of Daikenchuto for Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Enteral Feeding Intolerance: A Propensity Score–Matched Analysis Using a Nationwide Administrative Inpatient Database
Authors: Ohbe Hiroyuki , Jo Taisuke , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: January 2021

Background

Daikenchuto, a Japanese herbal Kampo medicine, is used to improve gastrointestinal motility in critically ill patients with enteral feeding intolerance (EFI) in Japan. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Daikenchuto for critically ill patients with EFI.

Methods

Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database from July 2010 to March 2018, we identified mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units (ICUs) who had EFI during mechanical ventilation. We defined EFI as receipt of intravenous metoclopramide during mechanical ventilation. Patients who started Daikenchuto within 2 days of EFI onset were defined as the Daikenchuto group, and the remaining patients were defined as the control group. Propensity score–matched analyses were performed to compare the outcomes between the 2 groups.

Results

A total of 61,454 patients were included. Of these, 8842 patients (14%) were in the Daikenchuto group. One‐to‐one propensity score matching created 8701 matched pairs. After propensity score matching, the total number of days receiving enteral nutrition within 28 days of EFI onset was significantly longer in the Daikenchuto group than in the control group (risk difference, 0.9 days; 95% CI, 0.5–1.3 days). There were no significant differences in 28‐day in‐hospital mortality, hospital‐acquired pneumonia, ventilator‐free days, length of ICU stay, time to discharge alive, and adverse complications.

Conclusion

This nationwide observational study suggested that use of Daikenchuto may increase the total number of days receiving enteral nutrition in mechanically ventilated patients with EFI.
Gas exchange variables as promising criteria for screening freezing‐tolerant faba bean (Vicia faba L.) landraces at early growth stages
Authors: Nabati Jafar , Hasanfard Alireza , Nezami Ahmad , Ahmadi‐Lahijani Mohammad Javad , Boroumand Rezazadeh Elaheh
Published: January 2021

Photosynthesis is one of the parameters first affected by freezing stress. So studying the efficiency of photosynthetic parameters could be an effective strategy in screening freezing‐tolerant genotypes. An experiment was conducted to assess freezing temperature effects (0°C, −4°C, −8°C, −12°C, −16°C, −20°C, and −24°C) on two faba bean landraces (Borujerd and Neyshabur). Leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid content were decreased as the temperature declined below 0°C. Net photosynthetic and transpiration rate declined earlier in Neyshabur, whereas a relatively constant trend was observed in Borujerd at temperatures between 0°C and −12°C. A 43% greater Np was recorded in Borujerd than Neyshabur at −12°C. Np recovered by 30% and 36% in Borujerd and Neyshabur, respectively, on Day 14 compared with the second day of the recovery period. Except for Ci, which showed a relatively constant trend, the other parameters showed a decreasing trend till 7 days after freezing stress (DAF). WUEi increased more significantly in Neyshabur than in Borujerd after the seventh day of the recovery period. With a subtle evaluation of the landraces' freezing tolerance, both landraces LT50su and RDMT50 remained up to −10°C and −12.5°C, respectively, indicating faba bean plants (the landraces here) can tolerate freezing stress up to −10°C (by enduring minor damages). The positive relationship between the survival percentage and Np indicated that Np could be a reliable criterion to screen freezing‐tolerant faba beans at early growth stages.
APA on MLK Day apologizes for its role in structural racism in psychiatry
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2021

Acknowledging past practices and events in psychiatry that contributed to racial inequality, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) last week issued a formal apology to Blacks, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) for its contribution to structural racism in psychiatry. The apology fittingly occurred on Jan. 18, the national holiday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.
New literature review examines suicide risk during COVID‐19
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2021

Observing that the current pandemic represents many challenges, including the chances of a significant increase in suicide risk, vigilance and care are needed for mental health well‐being to limit the spread of suicide, say researchers of a new literature review that examines the risk factors for suicide during the pandemic. Lesser‐known mental health issues, such as post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), may also affect those infected with the virus and those who are not, they stated.
McCance‐Katz resigns from SAMHSA following Capitol riot
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2021

Elinore F. McCance‐Katz, M.D., Ph.D., the assistant secretary for mental health and substance use at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced her resignation Jan. 7, one day following the violent protests in Washington, D.C.
Least‐squares virtual element method for the convection‐diffusion‐reaction problem
Authors: Wang Gang , Wang Ying , He Yinnian
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we introduce a least‐squares virtual element method for the convection‐diffusion‐reaction problem in mixed form. We use the (div) virtual element and continuous virtual element to approximate the flux and the primal variables, respectively. The method allows for the use of very general polygonal meshes. Optimal order a priori error estimates are established for the flux and the primal variables in suitable norms. The least‐squares method offers an efficient a posteriori error estimator without extra effort. Moreover, the hanging nodes are naturally treated in the virtual element method, which provides the high flexibility in mesh refinement because the local mesh postprocessing is never required. Both attractive features motivate us to develop the a posteriori error estimate of the method. Numerical experiments are shown to illustrate the accuracy of the theoretical analysis and demonstrate that the adaptive mesh refinement driven by the proposed estimator can efficiently capture the boundary and the interior layers.
A numerical method for solving variable‐order fractional diffusion equations using fractional‐orderTaylorwavelets
Authors: Vo Thieu N. , Razzaghi Mohsen , Toan Phan Thanh
Published: January 2021

This paper aims to provide a new numerical method for solving variable‐order fractional diffusion equations. The method is constructed using fractional‐order Taylor wavelets. By using the regularized beta function, a formula for computing the exact value of Riemann‐Liouville fractional integral operator of the fractional‐order Taylor wavelets is given. The Taylor wavelets properties and the formula are used in combination with a spectral collocation method to reduce the given diffusion equation to a system of algebraic equations. The method is easy to implement, and gives very accurate solutions. Several examples are given to show the applicability and the effectiveness of the method.
A superlinear convergence scheme for the multi‐term and distribution‐order fractional wave equation with initial singularity
Authors: Huang Jianfei , Zhang Jingna , Arshad Sadia , Tang Yifa
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a superlinear convergence scheme for the multi‐term and distribution‐order fractional wave equation with initial singularity is proposed. The initial singularity of the solution of the multi‐term time fractional partial differential equation often generate a singular source, it increases the difficulty to numerically solve the equation. Thus, after discretizing the spatial distribution‐order derivative by the midpoint quadrature, an integral transformation is applied to deal with the temporal direction for obtaining a temporal superlinear convergence scheme based on the uniform mesh. Then, the fully discrete scheme is constructed by using Crank–Nicolson technique and L1 approximation in time, and fractional centered difference approximation in space. The convergence and stability of the proposed scheme are rigorously analyzed. Finally, numerical experiments are presented to support the theoretical results of our scheme.
New oral cytodiagnostic criteria predict change to oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and cancerization
Authors: Suzuki Taiki , Isaka Eisaku , Hiraga Chiho , Akiyama Yurie , Okamura Masahiro , Oomura Yusuke , Hashimoto Kazuhiko , Sato Kazumichi , Tanaka Yoichi , Nomura Takeshi
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The purpose of this retrospective observational study was to evaluate the specificity of the new oral cytodiagnostic criteria and whether the new criteria predict change to oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and cancerization for leukoplakia and oral lichen planus (OLP).

Study design

Fifty‐three cases of leukoplakia without OED and 126 cases of OLP were included in this study. Liquid‐based cytology (LBC) was performed just before biopsy. We evaluated the specificity of the new oral cytodiagnostic criteria and the rates of change to OED and cancerization for each cytodiagnosis in leukoplakia and OLP.

Results

One hundred and seventy patients were negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM), seven had low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs), and two were indefinite for neoplasia (IFN). The specificity was 95% and the rates of OED change and cancerization in the observation period were 3.4% and 1.7%. In leukoplakia, there was a significant difference in the rates of change to OED and cancerization between negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) and LSIL (odds ratio: 12.9; 95% CI: 1.72‐96.73).

Conclusions

The new oral cytodiagnostic criteria have high specificity for oral mucosal lesions. And, it was suggested that the cases diagnosed with LSIL using new criteria have a high possibility of change to OED or cancerization in leukoplakia.
Bone marrow trephine biopsies from posterior superior iliac crest in neonates
Authors: Bartakke Sandip , Lukade Umesh , Sethuratnam Shrividya
Published: January 2021

Cytopenias are common among neonates in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Although, bone marrow aspirations (BMAs) are often performed as part of diagnostic workup, but trephine bone marrow biopsies (BMBs) have not been reported from living neonates. BMB is indispensable to accurately assess the cellularity and architecture. There is paucity of literature regarding the technique of BMB in neonates. In this report, for the first time, we describe trephine BMB from posterior superior iliac crest (PSIC) using 18‐gauge BMA needle in six living neonates admitted to NICU where BMB findings helped in understanding the underlying mechanism and diagnosis of cytopenias.
Comparison of chemotherapy with or without asparaginase for extranodal nasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma in children and adolescents
Authors: Zhen Zijun , Huang Huiqiang , Lin Tongyu , Li Zhiming , Zhen Xi , Xia Zhongjun , Zhu Jia , Lu Suying , Sun Feifei , Wang Juan , Huang Junting , Sun Xiaofei
Published: January 2021

Purpose

As extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma (ENKTL) occurs rarely in children and adolescents, standardized therapy is yet to be determined. This study aimed to describe the clinical features and determine the optimal chemotherapy regimen for childhood ENKTL.

Methods

The treatment outcomes of radiotherapy combined with asparaginase‐based (P‐GEMOX or P‐GMED) or asparaginase‐absent chemotherapy regimens (CHOP, EPOCH, or NHL‐BFM‐90/95) in patients aged ≤18 years with newly diagnosed ENKTL from December 2006 to December 2018 were compared.

Results

Among the 34 patients included in the study, 21 had stage I/II disease. The overall response rates of chemotherapy with or without asparaginase were 85.0% and 78.6%, respectively. With a median follow‐up of 54 months, the 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) rates of patients with stage I/II and III/IV disease were 66.2 ± 11.3% and 26.0 ± 12.8%, respectively (P = .027). In stage III/IV patients treated with asparaginase‐based or asparaginase‐absent regimens, the 5‐year EFS rates were 40.0 ± 17.4% and 0%, respectively (P = .236). The 5‐year EFS rates of stage III/IV patients who received or did not receive hematopoietic stem cell transplant were 66.7 ± 27.2% and 11.1 ± 10.5%, respectively (P = .054). In addition, chemotherapy‐associated side effects were significantly less in patients treated with asparaginase‐based regimens as compared to asparaginase‐absent regimens in this cohort.

Conclusion

P‐GEMOX and P‐GMED regimens are effective and safe for treating childhood ENKTL.
Donor characteristics and intraoperative total nucleated cell count influence hematopoietic progenitor cell yield of healthy donor bone marrow grafts
Authors: Kalin Jacob , Nguyen Anh Thy H. , Oshrine Benjamin
Published: January 2021

Background

Bone marrow graft cell content impacts engraftment potential after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Surrogates, such as intraoperative total nucleated cell count (ioTNC), are of unclear utility in predicting final graft characteristics. In addition, demographic and clinical factors may influence graft cellular profile and recipient engraftment.

Procedure

We retrospectively reviewed marrow harvests at our institution performed between 2009 and 2019. During this time, an ioTNC was measured after 50% of the projected final graft volume was collected. Regression models were used to assess associations between ioTNC (cells/µL) and final graft CD34+ (cells/mL), and between graft and donor characteristics and final graft CD34+ (cells/mL).

Results

Fifty‐three marrow harvests and donor‐recipient pairs were analyzed. Median (range) donor and recipient ages were 13 (0.7‐28) years and 9 (0.2‐21) years, respectively. The median ratio of donor/recipient weight was 1.225 kg (range 0.31‐7.13). Median total volume of harvested marrow was 15.3 mL/kg (range 4.3‐20.4) of donor weight and 19.4 mL/kg (range 4.7‐87.4) of recipient weight. Median ioTNC was 20 930/µL (range 6600‐44310) or 2.1 × 109/mL, corresponding to median predicted final graft TNC of 3.59 × 108/kg recipient weight (range 1.28‐19.42 × 108). Simple linear regression between ioTNC and CD34+ cells/mL resulted in an R2 of 0.42. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression produced a moderately predictive model consisting of ioTNC, donor age, and donor weight (adjusted R2 = 0.7) of final graft CD34+ cells/mL.

Conclusions

ioTNC and certain donor characteristics correlate moderately well with marrow product CD34+ cells/mL, potentially informing donor selection and marrow procurement strategies.
Missed connections: recombination and human aneuploidy
Authors: Hassold Terry J. , Hunt Patricia A.
Published: January 2021

The physical exchange of DNA between homologs, crossing‐over, is essential to orchestrate the unique, reductional first meiotic division (MI). In females, the events of meiotic recombination that serve to tether homologs and facilitate their disjunction at MI occur during fetal development, preceding the MI division by several decades in our species. Data from studies in humans and mice demonstrate that placement of recombination sites during fetal development influences the likelihood of an MI nondisjunction event that results in the production of an aneuploid egg. Here we briefly summarize what we know about the relationship between aneuploidy and meiotic recombination and important considerations for the future of human assisted reproduction.
The impact of cognitive impairment on self‐regulatory styles in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Becker Jacqueline H. , Ezratty Charlotte , Jahan Nusrat , Goel Mita , Harris Yael Tobi , Lin Jenny J.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Cognitive impairment (CI) is highly prevalent in breast cancer survivors (BCS), and can be a barrier to health‐promoting behaviours. However, the ways in which CI may affect self‐regulation or motivation to perform such behaviours have not been explored. We assessed if BCS with CI report greater extrinsic self‐regulation compared to those without CI and if this relationship persists after controlling for depression.

Methods

We recruited BCS with diabetes and assessed cognition and motivation to perform healthy diabetes management behaviours (e.g., diet and exercise). Participants completed a cognitive battery evaluating attention, working memory, executive functioning (EF), processing speed (PS), language and memory. The Treatment Self‐Regulation Questionnaire (TSRQ) assessed intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. Depression was determined by a score ≥16 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Wilcoxon rank‐sum test compared associations between CI and TSRQ scores.

Results

Participants were 118 older adults (mean age 65 years). Participants with CI in the following domains had higher extrinsic self‐regulation scores compared to those without CI: attention (p < 0.01), PS (p = 0.01), EF (p < 0.01), language (p = 0.02; p = 0.04) and memory (p = 0.04; p = 0.03). After adjusting for depression, the relationship between CI and higher extrinsic self‐regulation scores remained significant.

Conclusions

BCS with CI appear to rely more on external sources of motivation to perform health behaviours, regardless of depression. Future studies and interventions to improve health behaviours should consider screening for CI and involving caregivers for those with CI to improve outcomes.