bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of infant carrying on adolescent mother–infant interactions during the still‐face task
Authors: Williams Lela Rankin
Published: February 2020

Adolescent mothers have greater difficulty bonding with their baby; their infants are more likely to be difficult and their parenting is less sensitive, responsive, or positive. Research suggests that enhanced physical contact, or infant carrying, can promote positive mother‐infant interactions. Adolescent mothers, randomly assigned to two conditions at 2‐4 weeks' post‐partum: intervention (n=16; used an infant carrier, one hour daily for 3 months) and control (n=17; read to their baby), completed the Still‐Face Paradigm (SFP) at 7‐months. Infants in the intervention condition, compared to the control condition, showed the classic SF effect: heightened negative engagement and a reduction of social engagement during the SF phase. Their mothers spent more time in social positive engagement and exaggerated positive engagement. Infants in the control condition spent less time in social monitoring overall and more time in object/environment engagement during the SF phase. Their mothers were more likely to “give up” in the reunion phase: less social positive/exaggerated social positive engagement and more withdrawn behavior. This novel study provides preliminary evidence that infant carrying influences infants' early representations for their adolescent mothers' responsiveness. Infant carrying is a culturally embedded practice that promotes healthy social and emotional development among infants of adolescent mothers.

Highlights

Adolescent mothers were randomly assigned to an intervention (babywearing) and a control condition (reading) and completed the Still‐Face paradigm (i.e., a video‐taped interaction task) when infants were 7 months old. Mothers in the intervention condition spent more time in social positive/exaggerated positive engagement and their infants showed the classic SF effect: heightened negative engagement and reduced social engagement during the SF phase.

The practice of babywearing has the potential to reach other populations of mothers who experience difficulty bonding with their infant. Infant carrying is a cost‐effective and culturally relevant practice that has the potential to reduce the risk for infant abuse and neglect.
Pembrolizumab for a patient with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer with microsatellite instability‐high
Authors: Fujiwara Motohiro , Komai Yoshinobu , Yuasa Takeshi , Numao Noboru , Yamamoto Shinya , Fukui Iwao , Yonese Junji
Published: February 2020

Introduction

We report the case of a patient with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer with microsatellite instability‐high who was treated with pembrolizumab after cabazitaxel administration.

Case presentation

A 58‐year‐old patient with heavily pretreated metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer, whose prostate surgical specimen was disclosed as microsatellite instability‐high, underwent pembrolizumab therapy. After initiation of pembrolizumab, his prostate‐specific antigen level decreased, imaging findings showed good response with lymph node shrinkage, and his walking difficulty decreased dramatically.

Conclusion

The rarity of microsatellite instability‐high tumor in castration‐resistant prostate cancer may hamper pembrolizumab administration. This potentially active agent should be considered as part of a treatment regimen for patients with microsatellite instability‐high castration‐resistant prostate cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a Japanese castration‐resistant prostate cancer patient who demonstrated clinical benefit from pembrolizumab treatment.
Intermittent dosing of the transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 inhibitor, BMS‐986260, mitigates class‐based cardiovascular toxicity in dogs but not rats
Authors: Rak Gregory D. , White Melvin R. , Augustine‐Rauch Karen , Newsome Courtni , Graziano Michael J. , Schulze Gene E.
Published: February 2020

Small‐molecule inhibitors of transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFβRI) have a history of significant class‐based toxicities (eg, cardiac valvulopathy) in preclinical species that have limited their development as new medicines. Nevertheless, some TGFβRI inhibitors have entered into clinical trials using intermittent‐dosing schedules and exposure limits in an attempt to avoid these toxicities. This report describes the toxicity profile of the small‐molecule TGFβRI inhibitor, BMS‐986260, in rats and dogs. Daily oral dosing for 10 days resulted in valvulopathy and/or aortic pathology at systemic exposures that would have been targeted clinically, preventing further development with this dosing schedule. These toxicities were not observed in either species in 1‐month studies using the same doses on an intermittent‐dosing schedule of 3 days on and 4 days off (QDx3 once weekly). Subsequently, 3‐month studies were conducted (QDx3 once weekly), and while there were no cardiovascular findings in dogs, valvulopathy and mortality occurred early in rats. The only difference compared to the 1‐month study was that the rats in the 3‐month study were 2 weeks younger at the start of dosing. Therefore, a follow‐up 1‐month study was conducted to evaluate whether the age of rats influences sensitivity to target‐mediated toxicity. Using the same dosing schedule and similar doses as in the 3‐month study, there was no difference in the toxicity of BMS‐986260 in young (8 weeks) or adult (8 months) rats. In summary, an intermittent‐dosing schedule mitigated target‐based cardiovascular toxicity in dogs but did not prevent valvulopathy in rats, and thus the development of BMS‐986260 was terminated.
Positive role of calcium phosphate ceramics regulated inflammation in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Xuening , Yang Xiao , Guo Bo , Li Danyang , Zhu Xiangdong , Zhang Xingdong
Published: February 2020

Recently, researches have confirmed the crucial role of inflammatory response in Ca‐P ceramic‐induced osteogenesis, however, the underlying mechanism has not yet been fully understood. In this study, BCP and β‐TCP ceramics were used as material models to investigate the effect of physicochemical properties on inflammatory response in vitro. The results showed that BCP and β‐TCP could support macrophages attachment, proliferation, and spreading favorably, as well as promote gene expressions of inflammatory related cytokines (IL‐1, IL‐6, MCP‐1, and TNF‐α) and growth factors (TGF‐β, FGF, PDGF, VEGF, IGF, and EGF). BCP showed a facilitating function on the gene expressions earlier than β‐TCP. Further coculture experiments performed in vitro demonstrated that the CMs containing various increased cytokines for macrophages pre‐culture could significantly promote MSCs osteogenic differentiation, which was confirmed by the gene expressions of osteogenic specific markers and the intracellular OCN product accumulation under the stimulation of BCP and β‐TCP ceramics. Further evidence was found from the formation of mineralized nodules in BCM and TCM. In addition, this study showed a concise relationship between Ca‐P ceramic induced inflammation and its osteoinductivity that the increased cytokines and growth factors from macrophages could promote MSCs osteogenic differentiation.
Dimethyl fumarate protects thioacetamide‐induced liver damage in rats: Studies on Nrf2, NLRP3, and NF‐κB
Authors: Dwivedi Durgesh K. , Jena Gopabandhu , Kumar Vinod
Published: February 2020

The present study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective potential of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) against thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced liver damage. Wistar rats were treated with DMF (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg/day, orally) and TAA (200 mg/kg intraperitoneally, every third day) for 6 consecutive weeks. TAA exposure significantly reduced body weight, increased liver weight and index, and intervention with DMF did not ameliorate these parameters. DMF treatment significantly restored TAA‐induced increase in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, γ‐glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, uric acid, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, and histopathological findings such as inflammatory cell infiltration, deposition of collagen, necrosis, and bridging fibrosis. DMF treatment significantly ameliorated TAA‐induced hepatic stellate cell activation, increase in inflammatory cascade markers (NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains‐containing protein 3; NLRP3, apoptosis‐associated speck like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain; ASC, caspase‐1, nuclear factor‐kappa B; NF‐κB, interleukin‐6), fibrogenic makers (α‐smooth muscle actin; ɑ‐SMA, transforming growth factor; TGF‐β1, fibronectin, collagen 1) and antioxidant markers (nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like factor 2; Nrf2, superoxide dismutase‐1; SOD‐1, catalase). The present findings concluded that DMF protects against TAA‐induced hepatic damage mediated through the downregulation of inflammatory cascades and upregulation of antioxidant status.
Serum exosomal miR‐378 upregulation is associated with poor prognosis in non–small‐cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Yan , Xu Hongjie
Published: February 2020

Background

Deregulated circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for the early detection and prognosis prediction of non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression pattern of serum exosomal miR‐378 in NSCLC and its correlation with clinical variables.

Methods

Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was performed to detect serum exosomal miR‐378 levels in 103 patients with NSCLC and 60 control subjects.

Results

Our results showed that serum exosomal miR‐378 was significantly overexpressed in NSCLC patients, and serum exosomal miR‐378 upregulation was clearly associated with positive lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that combination of serum exosomal miR‐378 expression and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) had a high discriminating power to differentiate NSCLC subjects from controls. Moreover, serum exosomal miR‐378 levels in 73 NSCLC cases were significantly decreased after radiotherapy and could be used as an indicator of radiotherapeutic response in NSCLC. Furthermore, survival analyses revealed that patients with higher serum exosomal miR‐378 expression had poor overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that serum exosomal miR‐378 expression was independently associated with overall survival.

Conclusions

Collectively, serum exosomal miR‐378 has strong potential as a promising non‐invasive biomarker for screening and monitoring NSCLC.
Brain abnormalities on neuroimaging in Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome in Salvador, Brazil, and its possible implications on neuropsychological development
Authors: Sanders Pereira Pinto Paula , de Almeida Thalita Madeira , Monteiro Lucas , Souza Mirela Maisa da Silva , Alves dos Santos George Anderson , Cardoso Cristiane Wanderley , dos Santos Letícia Marques , Ribeiro Guilherme Sousa , dos Santos Darci Neves
Published: February 2020

Objective

To characterize the spectrum of brain damages presented in children affected by Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), verify the existence of a co‐occurrence pattern of these damages and discuss possible implications for the neuropsychological development.

Methods

Descriptive, quantitative, individualized, and cross‐sectional study using secondary sources. We selected 136 children with CZS from the database of the Center of Strategic Information on Health Vigilance of the Municipal Office of Salvador, Brazil. We conducted descriptive and multiple correspondence analyses.

Results

Among the set of analyzed variables, microcephaly (51.5%), ventriculomegaly (57.4%), and brain calcifications (77.2%) were identified as the most frequent. The multiple correspondence analysis showed that the combination of these three variables (32.4%) was what better represented the spectrum of brain damages in the Central Nervous System.

Interpretation

Damage in the sensory‐motor, cognitive and language development, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders, are described in the literature as impairments associated, either isolated or combined, with these damages, and it is worth highlighting that, in combined brain damages, impairments tend to be more severe. The findings of this study may contribute to understanding the repercussions of CZS on the neuropsychological development of children affected by the epidemic.
Structure‐guided screening of chemical database to identify NS3‐NS2B inhibitors for effective therapeutic application in dengue infection
Authors: Bhowmick Shovonlal , Alissa Siham A. , Wabaidur Saikh Mohammad , Chikhale Rupesh V. , Islam Md Ataul
Published: February 2020

Dengue infection is the most common arthropod‐borne disease caused by dengue viruses, predominantly affecting millions of human beings annually. To find out promising chemical entities for therapeutic application in Dengue, in the current research, a multi‐step virtual screening effort was conceived to screen out the entire “screening library” of the Asinex database. Initially, through “Lipinski rule of five” filtration criterion almost 0.6 million compounds were collected and docked with NS3‐NS2B protein. Thereby, the chemical space was reduced to about 3500 compounds through the analysis of binding affinity obtained from molecular docking study in AutoDock Vina. Further, the “Virtual Screening Workflow” (VSW) utility of Schrödinger suite was used, which follows a stepwise multiple docking programs such as ‐ high‐throughput virtual screening (HTVS), standard precision (SP), and extra precision (XP) docking, and in postprocessing analysis the MM‐GBSA based free binding energy calculation. Finally, five potent molecules were proposed as potential inhibitors for the dengue NS3‐NS2B protein based on the investigation of molecular interactions map and protein‐ligand fingerprint analyses. Different pharmacokinetics and drug‐likeness parameters were also checked, which favour the potentiality of selected molecules for being drug‐like candidates. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analyses of protein‐ligand complexes were explained that NS3‐NS2B bound with proposed molecules quite stable in dynamic states as observed from the root means square deviation (RMSD) and root means square fluctuation (RMSF) parameters. The binding free energy was calculated using MM‐GBSA method from the MD simulation trajectories revealed that all proposed molecules possess such a strong binding affinity towards the dengue NS3‐NS2B protein. Therefore, proposed molecules may be potential chemical components for effective inhibition of dengue NS3‐NS2B protein subjected to experimental validation.
Hypoxic‐ischemic‐related cerebrovascular changes and potential therapeutic strategies in the neonatal brain
Authors: Disdier Clémence , Stonestreet Barbara S.
Published: February 2020

Perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic (HI)‐related brain injury is an important cause of morbidity and long‐standing disability in newborns. The only currently approved therapeutic strategy available to reduce brain injury in the newborn is hypothermia. Therapeutic hypothermia can only be used to treat HI encephalopathy in full‐term infants and survivors remain at high risk for a wide spectrum of neurodevelopmental abnormalities as a result of residual brain injury. Therefore, there is an urgent need for adjunctive therapeutic strategies. Inflammation and neurovascular damage are important factors that contribute to the pathophysiology of HI‐related brain injury and represent exciting potential targets for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we address the role of each component of the neurovascular unit (NVU) in the pathophysiology of HI‐related injury in the neonatal brain. Disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) observed in the early hours after an HI‐related event is associated with a response at the basal lamina level, which comprises astrocytes, pericytes, and immune cells, all of which could affect BBB function to further exacerbate parenchymal injury. Future research is required to determine potential drugs that could prevent or attenuate neurovascular damage and/or augment repair. However, some studies have reported beneficial effects of hypothermia, erythropoietin, stem cell therapy, anti‐cytokine therapy and metformin in ameliorating several different facets of damage to the NVU after HI‐related brain injury in the perinatal period.
Hepatitis E Virus Infection in the United States: Current Understanding of the Prevalence and Significance in the Liver Transplant Patient Population and Proposed Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies
Authors: Whitsett Maureen , Feldman David M. , Jacobson Ira
Published: February 2020

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), of the family Herpesviridae, is a virus that infects nearly 20 million people per year throughout the world. HEV is most commonly transmitted via the fecal‐oral route and has long been described as a virus that afflicts only those in resource‐poor countries. However, HEV has been detected in numerous animal carriers, various food sources, and even in human blood products in resource‐rich regions of the world. HEV is of importance in the transplant patient population because of its ability to cause chronic viral infection in these patients can lead to graft loss and cirrhosis. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of HEV as it pertains to the liver transplant patient population and discuss diagnosis and treatment of this infection.
A Long‐Living Bioengineered Neural Tissue Platform to Study Neurodegeneration
Authors: Rouleau Nicolas , Cantley William L. , Liaudanskaya Volha , Berk Alexander , Du Chuang , Rusk William , Peirent Emily , Koester Cole , Nieland Thomas J. F. , Kaplan David L.
Published: February 2020

The prevalence of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases continues to rise as age demographics in the population shift, inspiring the development of long‐term tissue culture systems with which to study chronic brain disease. Here, it is investigated whether a 3D bioengineered neural tissue model derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can remain stable and functional for multiple years in culture. Silk‐based scaffolds are seeded with neurons and glial cells derived from hiPSCs supplied by human donors who are either healthy or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Cell retention and markers of stress remain stable for over 2 years. Diseased samples display decreased spontaneous electrical activity and a subset displays sporadic‐like indicators of increased pathological β‐amyloid and tau markers characteristic of Alzheimer's disease with concomitant increases in oxidative stress. It can be concluded that the long‐term stability of the platform is suited to study chronic brain disease including neurodegeneration.
Medicinal chemistry strategies toward host targeting antiviral agents
Authors: Ji Xingyue , Li Zhuorong
Published: February 2020

Direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs) represent a class of drugs targeting viral proteins and have been demonstrated to be very successful in combating viral infections in clinic. However, DAAs suffer from several inherent limitations, including narrow‐spectrum antiviral profiles and liability to drug resistance, and hence there are still unmet needs in the treatment of viral infections. In comparison, host targeting antivirals (HTAs) target host factors for antiviral treatment. Since host proteins are probably broadly required for various viral infections, HTAs are not only perceived, but also demonstrated to exhibit broad‐spectrum antiviral activities. In addition, host proteins are not under the genetic control of viral genome, and hence HTAs possess much higher genetic barrier to drug resistance as compared with DAAs. In recent years, much progress has been made to the development of HTAs with the approval of chemokine receptor type 5 antagonist maraviroc for human immunodeficiency virus treatment and more in the pipeline for other viral infections. In this review, we summarize various host proteins as antiviral targets from a medicinal chemistry prospective. Challenges and issues associated with HTAs are also discussed.
LncRNA XIST modulates HIF‐1A/AXL signaling pathway by inhibiting miR‐93‐5p in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yang Li‐guang , Cao Ming‐zheng , Zhang Jie , Li Xiao‐yan , Sun Qin‐li
Published: February 2020

Background

Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) XIST is one of the genes that exists in different types of cancers. Earlier researches showed that XIST can advance the progression of colorectal cancer. Nevertheless, the potential molecular mechanism of XIST in combination with miR‐93‐5p has not been explored in colorectal cancer.

Methods

We performed qRT‐PCR to explore the level of XIST. And a serious experiments in vitro and in vivo were performed to explore the function of XIST. The relationship between XIST/HIF‐1A and miR‐93‐5p was confirmed by RIP and dual‐luciferase assays.

Results

In the present research, our team demonstrated the upregulation of XIST expression, which was related to tumor progression, and the downregulation of miR‐93‐5p in cells and tissues of colorectal cancer. XIST is the competitive endogenous RNA of miR‐93‐5p to promote HIF‐1A, and then the upregulated AXL level facilitates the EMT process, migration, and proliferation of colorectal cancer. At last, we proved that XIST enhanced the in vivo and in vitro activities of colorectal cancer by regulating AXL signaling.

Conclusion

In summary, the above results indicate that XIST promotes colorectal cancer tumorigenesis by regulating miR‐93‐5p/HIF‐1A/AXL signaling pathway, which will supply a novel perspective to diagnose and treat colorectal cancer disease.
Nonlinear stability of laminar flows in an inclined heated layer with an imposed magnetic field
Authors: Xu Lanxi
Published: February 2020

Nonlinear stability of stationary laminar flow solutions of two inclined parallel planes filled with a hydromagnetic fluid heated from below is studied via Lyapunov direct method. In order to determine the energy stability bound for the critical Rayleigh number (
) explicitly, for
, the laminar flow solutions of the problem are nonlinearly unconditionally and exponentially stable, and we consider just transverse perturbations. Compared with the results in the literature, conditions for the nonlinear stability obtained in this article have no restriction on the magnetic Prandtl number Pm.
A T‐junction power divider with tunable operating frequency and dividing ratio
Authors: Li Wentao , Chai Xuejing , Ye Xiutiao , Shi Xiaowei
Published: February 2020

This letter presents a T‐junction power divider (PD) with both tunable operating frequency and dividing ratio, simultaneously. The proposed design consists of two adjustable 90° phase shifters and a pair of shunt stubs loaded with two varactor diodes. The operating frequency can be tuned by controlling the varactor diodes loaded onto the 90° phase shifters. In addition, the tunable shunt stubs comprised of a short circuited and an open circuited stubs loaded with varactor diodes are employed to realize impedance matching and different dividing ratios at accurate operating frequencies. For verification, a prototype of the proposed PD with dimensions of 25.9 mm × 50 mm is designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured results show that the operating frequency can be tuned from 1 to 1.55 GHz, while the power dividing ratio can be tuned from 2:1 to 20:1. Good agreement between the simulation and measurement results is observed.
Qualitative and quantitative 1H NMR spectroscopy for determination of divalent metal cation concentration in model salt solutions, food supplements, and pharmaceutical products by using EDTA as chelating agent
Authors: Hafer Elina , Holzgrabe Ulrike , Kraus Katharina , Adams Kristie , Hook James M. , Diehl Bernd
Published: February 2020

This paper introduces an 1H NMR method to identify individual divalent metal cations Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Sn2+, and Pb2+ in aqueous salt solutions through their unique signal shift and coupling after complexation with the salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Furthermore, quantitative determination applied for the divalent metal cations Ca2+, Mg2+, Hg2+, Sn2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ (limit of quantification: 5–22 μg/ml) can be achieved using an excess of EDTA with aqueous model salt solutions. An internal standard is not required because a known excess of EDTA is added and the remaining free EDTA can be used to recalculate the quantity of chelated metal cations. The utility of the method is demonstrated for the analysis of divalent cations in some food supplements and in pharmaceutical products.
MR spectroscopy using static higher order shimming with dynamic linear terms (HOS‐DLT) for improved water suppression, interleaved MRS‐fMRI, and navigator‐based motion correction at 7T
Authors: Boer Vincent O. , Andersen Mads , Lind Anna , Lee Nam Gyun , Marsman Anouk , Petersen Esben T.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To interleave global and local higher order shimming for single voxel MRS. Single voxel MR spectroscopy requires optimization of the B0 field homogeneity in the region of the voxel to obtain a narrow linewidth and provide high data quality. However, the optimization of local higher order fields on a localized MRS voxel typically leads to large field offsets outside that volume. This compromises interleaved MR sequence elements that benefit from global field homogeneity such as water suppression, interleaved MRS‐fMRI, and MR motion correction.

Methods

A shimming algorithm was developed to optimize the MRS voxel homogeneity and the whole brain homogeneity for interleaved sequence elements, using static higher order shims and dynamic linear terms (HOS‐DLT). Shimming performance was evaluated using 6 brain regions and 10 subjects. Furthermore, the benefits of HOS‐DLT was demonstrated for water suppression, MRS‐fMRI, and motion corrected MRS using fat‐navigators.

Results

The HOS‐DLT algorithm was shown to improve the whole brain homogeneity compared to an MRS voxel‐based shim, without compromising the MRS voxel homogeneity. Improved water suppression over the brain, reduced image distortions in MRS‐fMRI, and improved quality of motion navigators were demonstrated using the HOS‐DLT method.

Conclusion

HOS‐DLT shimming allowed for both local and global field homogeneity, providing excellent MR spectroscopy data quality, as well as good field homogeneity for interleaved sequence elements, even without the need for dynamic higher order shimming capabilities.
Improved autoregressive model for correction of noise serial correlation in fast fMRI
Authors: Luo Qingfei , Misaki Masaya , Mulyana Ben , Wong Chung‐Ki , Bodurka Jerzy
Published: February 2020

Purpose

In rapidly acquired functional MRI (fast fMRI) data, the noise serial correlations (SC) can produce problematically overestimated T‐statistics which lead to invalid statistical inferences. This study aims to evaluate and improve the accuracy of high‐order autoregressive model (AR(p), where p is the model order) based prewhitening method in the SC correction.

Methods

Fast fMRI images were acquired at rest (null data) using a multiband simultaneous multi‐slice echo planar imaging pulse sequence with repetition time (TR) = 300 and 500 ms. The SC effect in the fast fMRI data was corrected using the prewhitening method based on two AR(p) models: (1) the conventional model (fixed AR(p)) which preselects a constant p for all the image voxels; (2) an improved model (ARAICc) that employs the corrected Akaike information criterion voxel‐wise to automatically select the model orders for each voxel. To evaluate accuracy of SC correction, false positive characteristics were measured by assuming the presence of block and event‐related tasks in the null data without image smoothing. The performance of prewhitening was also examined in smoothed images by adding pseudo task fMRI signals into the null data and comparing the detected to simulated activations (ground truth).

Results

The measured false positive characteristics agreed well with the theoretical curve when using the ARAICc, and the activation maps in the smoothed data matched the ground truth. The ARAICc showed improved performance than the fixed AR(p) method.

Conclusion

The ARAICc can effectively remove noise SC, and accurate statistical analysis results can be obtained with the ARAICc correction in fast fMRI.
Reducing bias in dual flip angle T1‐mapping in human brain at 7T
Authors: Olsson Hampus , Andersen Mads , Lätt Jimmy , Wirestam Ronnie , Helms Gunther
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To address the systematic bias in whole‐brain dual flip angle (DFA) T1‐mapping at 7T by optimizing the flip angle pair and carefully selecting radiofrequency (RF) pulse shape and duration.

Theory and Methods

Spoiled gradient echoes can be used to estimate whole‐brain maps of T1. This can be accomplished by using only two acquisitions with different flip angles, that is, a DFA‐based approach. Although DFA‐based T1‐mapping is seemingly straightforward to implement, it is sensitive to bias caused by incomplete spoiling and incidental magnetization transfer effects. Further bias is introduced by the increased B0 and

inhomogeneities at 7T. Experiments were performed to determine the optimal flip angle pair and appropriate RF pulse shape and duration. Obtained T1 estimates were validated using inversion recovery prepared echo planar imaging and compared to literature values. A multi‐echo readout was used to increase signal‐to‐noise ratio, enabling quantification of

and susceptibility, χ.

Results

Incomplete spoiling was observed above a local flip angle of approximately 20°. An asymmetric gauss‐filtered sinc pulse with a constant duration of 700 μs showed a sufficiently flat frequency response profile to avoid incomplete excitation in areas with high B0 offsets. A pulse duration of 700 μs minimized effects from incidental magnetization transfer.

Conclusion

When performing DFA‐based T1‐mapping one should (a) limit the higher flip angle to avoid incomplete spoiling, (b) use a RF pulse shape insensitive to B0 inhomogeneities and (c) apply a constant RF pulse duration, balanced to minimize incidental magnetization transfer.
Exploring the role‐based challenges of providing culturally inclusive health care for maternal and child health nurses: Qualitative findings
Authors: Malatzky Christina , Mohamed Shaburdin Zubaidah , Bourke Lisa
Published: February 2020

Aims

To explore how maternal and child health nurses (MCHNs) working in a specific regionally located service perceive and experience delivering health care to a diverse population.

Design

Qualitative exploratory study.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with MCHNs (N = 6) working in a particular regionally located service. Data were selectively coded, categorized and interpreted through a process of argument writing influenced by poststructuralist thought and Foucauldian conceptualizations of power.

Results

The data analysed were interpreted into the following categories: (a) system‐level expectations of the maternal and child health role; (b) what these system‐level expectations mean for the role and practice of MCHNs; and (c) what MCHNs themselves report prioritizing in their work. The analysis suggests that a substantial hindrance to the development and support of culturally safe, inclusive and quality maternal and child health care lies in the very ways contemporary health institutions seek to discipline the routine practices of MCHNs.
Behavioral problems in preadolescence: Does gender matter?
Authors: Khan Bushra , Avan Bilal Iqbal
Published: February 2020

Behavioral problems in children are increasingly acknowledged as a global issue in mental health. Preadolescence is the transitory phase of development that links childhood and adolescence, and the presence of behavioral problems in this phase could be detrimental to children's present and future. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of “behavioral problems” in preadolescents aged 11 to 12 years and to examine their distribution by socioeconomic status and children's characteristics while developing an in‐depth understanding of the role of gender as a risk factor for such problems. A school‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. Participants were selected from a middle‐class, coeducational school chain. Sociodemographic questionnaires and an officially adapted version of Youth Self Report Form, which is child‐ and adolescent‐reported version of Child Behavior Checklist, were used to collect data from children. The prevalence of Overall Behavioral Problems was 28.6%. From Broadband Scales, the relative prevalence of internalizing problems was about 52% higher than that of externalizing problems. Among the Narrowband Scales, somatic complaints were the most prevalent (23.2%). Male children significantly had higher odds for being at risk of Overall Behavioral problems, internalizing problems, and co‐occurring behavioral issues, as compared to female children. The study concludes that the prevalence of overall behavioral problems is at the higher end of the global range. Male children are more at risk for overall behavioral problems, and contrary to previous studies, they are significantly more at risk of internalizing problems. Our study is the first to report the risk of co‐occurrence of multiple issues with respect to gender, and adds that male children are significantly at risk of multiple co‐occurring behavioral problems. Our study highlights the need for an in‐depth understanding of cultural, sociopolitical conditions for actionable and gender‐sensitive interventions for preadolescents.
Factors Associated with Initial Interest and Treatment Selection in Patients with Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome
Authors: Glaws Kathryn , Brown‐Taylor Lindsey , Pomeroy Matthew , Di Stasi Stephanie , Fritz Julie M. , Ryan John , Walrod Bryant , Vasileff William K.
Published: February 2020

Background

Outcomes for operative and nonoperative management of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) are variable. Understanding factors that inform patients' treatment decisions may optimize their outcomes.

Objective

To identify factors that predict which patients with FAIS proceed to surgery within 90 days of their initial evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon. The study explored potential predictors of surgical intervention, including demographic factors, activity level, symptom duration, previous treatment, hip function, pain, presence of labral tear, and patient interest in surgical and physical therapy (PT) treatment.

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

Single‐site academic medical center.

Patients

Seventy‐seven individuals with FAIS.

Intervention

After evaluation in a hip preservation clinic, participants reported activity level, symptom duration, treatment history, hip function [Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living(HOS‐ADL)], pain severity and location, and treatment interests. These variables were evaluated based on univariate analysis for entry into a multiple binomial logistic regression to identify predictors of surgery within 90 days. Adjusted marginal prevalence ratios and 95% confidence interval estimates (PR [95% CI]) were reported (P ≤ .05).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Ninety‐day treatment (surgery or not).

Results

Participants indicated initial interest in surgery (n = 27), PT (n = 22), both (n = 18), or neither (n = 10). Those only interested in PT had lower prevalence of diagnosed labral tear (P < .001) and previous PT for the hip (P < .001). Prevalence of previous injection was higher for those only interested in surgery than for those with any interest in PT (P < .001). Thirty‐six of 77 participants (46%) underwent surgery within 90 days. Surgical interest (3.56 [1.57, 5.46]), previous hip injection (3.06 [1.73, 3.89]), younger age (0.95 [0.92, 0.98]), and worse hip function (0.97 [0.95, 0.99]) were significant (P ≤ .02) predictors of surgery.

Conclusions

Treatment interest and history, patient function, and age were significantly related to participants' decision to pursue surgical intervention within 90 days. Patient engagement in the decision‐making process should include considerations of patient knowledge of, and experience with, the various treatment options.
Novel non‐chemically amplified resist utilizing interaction between hexafluoroisopropylalcohol‐containing styrene and photochemical acid generator
Authors: Doi Takashi , Yada Yuji , Nishino Kota , Sugiura Makoto , Shimokawa Tsutomu
Published: February 2020

It is very important in the design of positive‐type resists to consider the dissolution inhibition effect to form high‐resolution patterns. Previously, the phenomenon of the inhibition of hexafluoroisopropylalcohol‐containing polystyrene's dissolution into alkaline developers by sulfonium salt photochemical acid generator (PAG) was studied. In the present study, patterning was conducted to examine whether the above platform can be applied to positive‐type resists. As a result, the platform was found to be useful for the formation of resist patterns and be a novel non‐chemically amplified resist. On the other hand, a decrease in sensitivity was observed with an increase in the amount of PAG to enhance the dissolution inhibition effect, and an increase in the amounts of residues derived from decomposition products of PAG occurred by making the resist films thinner to improve the sensitivity. It was suggested that enhancement of the interaction and light transmittance by changing polymer compositions and structures of PAG and improvement of miscibility of PAG with alkaline developers might be effective. This resist system is expected to be one of the platforms as a solution when resist materials with nearly critical dimensions for which chemically amplified type cannot be applied are required in the future.
Detection and characterization of resistance to acetolactate synthase inhibiting herbicides in Anisantha and Bromus species in the United Kingdom
Authors: Davies Laura R , Onkokesung Nawaporn , Brazier‐Hicks Melissa , Edwards Robert , Moss Stephen
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Anisantha and Bromus spp. are widespread and difficult to control, potentially due to the evolution of herbicide resistance. In this study, UK populations of four brome species have been tested for the early development of resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicides commonly used in their control.

RESULTS

Glasshouse assays confirmed reduced sensitivity to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in single populations of A. diandra, B. commutatus and B. secalinus, and in three populations of A. sterilis. By contrast, all 60 brome populations tested were sensitive to the ACCase‐inhibiting herbicide propaquizafop and glyphosate. Dose–response with two ALS herbicides showed broad‐ranging resistance in the A. diandra, A. sterilis and B. commutatus populations. In the B. commutatus population, this was associated with a point mutation in the ALS enzyme conferring target site resistance (TSR). Additionally, resistant populations of A. sterilis and B. commutatus populations contained enhanced amounts of an orthologue of the glutathione transferase phi (F) class 1 (GSTF1) protein, a functional biomarker of nontarget site resistance (NTSR) in Alopecurus myosuroides. There was further evidence of NTSR as these plants also demonstrated an enhanced capacity to detoxify herbicides.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the evolution of resistance to ALS inhibiting herbicides in brome species in the UK by mechanisms consistent with the evolution of both TSR and NTSR. These findings point to the need for increased vigilance in detecting and mitigating against the evolution of herbicide resistance in brome species in Northern Europe. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluating the ecotoxicological effects of Pb contamination on the resistance against Lymantria dispar in forest plant, Larix olgensis
Authors: Jiang Dun , Tan Ming‐tao , Wang Qi , Wang Gui‐rong , Yan Shan‐chun
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Heavy metal contamination in forest ecosystems has become increasingly severe, and there is an urgent need to better understand the ecotoxicological effects of heavy metals on the whole forest ecosystems, especially their effects on insect resistance of forest plant. In the present study, the resistance against gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae in Larix olgensis seedlings grown in non‐amended or Pb‐amended (at 500 and 1500 mg kg−1) soil was evaluated.

RESULTS

Pb from the treated soil could be transferred and exerted bio‐toxicological effects along the food chain consisting of L. olgensis seedlings and gypsy moth larvae, eventually causing significantly reduction in seedlings growth, as well as larval weight, survival rate and antioxidant capacity. With regard to phytochemical defense, the activities or contents of protease inhibitors (trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors) and secondary metabolites (condensed tannin and total phenolics) in Pb‐treated larch needles presented a tendency of ‘low‐promotion, high‐inhibition’ with the increase of Pb exposure concentration. At the same time, Pearson's correlation coefficients showed that the trade‐off hypothesis on energy allocation between phytochemical defense and plant growth was not supported by the data from the L. olgensis seedlings that were exposed to Pb stress, and elemental defense might replace the dominant role of phytochemical defense in L. olgensis seedlings under Pb stress against the gypsy moth larvae.

CONCLUSION

These findings emphasize ecotoxicological effects of heavy metal contaminations along the food chains (forest plants and forest defoliators), and provide a new perspective for optimizing forest pest control strategies in the heavy metal polluted regions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Augmentative releases of the soil predatory mite Gaeolaelaps aculeifer reduce fruit damage caused by an invasive thrips in Mediterranean citrus
Authors: Navarro‐Campos Cristina , Beltrà Aleixandre , Calabuig Altea , Garcia‐Marí Ferran , Wäckers Felix L , Pekas Apostolos
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Soil‐dwelling predatory mites of the family Laelapidae are augmentatively released for the biological control of several pests with an edaphic phase in numerous greenhouse crops. Yet, there is no information about the potential of releasing these predators to control pests in open field crops. We tested, during two consecutive years, the potential of augmentative releases of Gaeolaelaps aculeifer, alone or in combination with coco fiber discs as mulch, to reduce the damage caused on citrus fruits by the invasive thrips Pezothrips kellyanus in Mediterranean citrus. In a separate trial, we also compared different mulch types (coco fiber discs, rice husks or a mixture of sawdust and wheat bran) for their potential to support the establishment and population development of the predatory mites after their release.

RESULTS

The percentage of unmarketable fruits caused by P. kellyanus was significantly reduced in the plots where G. aculeifer was released. The addition of coco fiber discs did not reduce further the percentage of unmarketable fruits. Sawdust + bran mulch was the most effective in preserving immature and adult predatory mite population after their release.

CONCLUSION

Augmentative releases of G. aculeifer have the potential to reduce fruit damage caused by P. kellyanus in citrus. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Structural Nature of Boson Peak and Low‐Temperature Heat Excess in As2S3 Glass
Authors: Holomb Roman , Tkáč Vladimír , Mitsa Vladimir , Feher Alexander , Veres Miklos
Published: February 2020

Comparative analysis of experimentally measured Raman spectra of crystalline (c), glassy (g), and powdered c‐As2S3 samples is performed based on vibrational modes of As6S6+6/2 ring‐like nanoclusters being fully (“rigid”) or partially (“soft”) interconnected with the glassy matrix, calculated using density functional theory (DFT). Although good agreement is found in the 100–500 cm−1 spectral range, the DFT simulations show additional super‐low frequency modes of “soft” rings at wavenumbers being significantly lower than the “rigid” ring's vibrational band at 26 cm−1. Broadening of the relatively narrow low‐frequency band of “rigid” clusters is found to be dependent on the number of interconnections of “soft” clusters with the glassy matrix, demonstrating mixing of “rigid” and “soft” vibrations in the boson peak region of g‐As2S3. In addition, the shift of the super‐low frequency Raman modes of “soft” nanoclusters and equivalent characteristic temperature are found to be nonlinearly dependent on the number of interconnections. Comparison with experimental Raman spectroscopic and heat capacity data indicates that the main contribution of both the LF Raman intensity and the low‐temperature anomaly of specific heat at 5.3 K comes from “soft” clusters with four and two interconnections.
Natural polyphenols in preclinical models of epilepsy
Authors: Dhir Ashish
Published: February 2020

Natural polyphenols are being tested both in preclinical and clinical settings for the treatment of different neurological disorders. The article describes the outcome of three polyphenols, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, and quercetin, in preclinical animal models of epilepsy (both acute and chronic) and epileptogenesis. In theory, the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of these natural polyphenols might be valuable in the management of acute seizures and the prevention of epileptogenesis. It is fascinating to observe that these polyphenols have a capacity to alter various signaling processes involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. The antiepileptic or antiseizure potential with these molecules delivers a mixed outcome. Some studies have demonstrated the usefulness of these molecules in preclinical models of epilepsy; however, contrary to the findings also exist. These molecules have poor bioavailability that may remain as the limiting factor in their clinical effects. The use of nanotechnology and other techniques have been tested to enhance bioavailability and brain penetration. There are no randomized double‐blinded clinical studies establishing their antiepileptic effects in humans. It is concluded that more preclinical mechanism‐based studies are needed to deliver a more certain picture regarding the use of natural polyphenols in the treatment of epilepsy.
High‐performance thin‐layer chromatography with atmospheric solids analysis probe mass spectrometry for analysis of gasoline polymeric additives
Authors: Beaumesnil Mathieu , Mendes Siqueira Anna Luiza , Hubert‐Roux Marie , Loutelier‐Bourhis Corinne , Afonso Carlos , Racaud Amandine , Bai Yang
Published: February 2020

Rationale

The offline coupling of high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) with atmospheric solids analysis probe mass spectrometry (ASAP‐MS) was evaluated for the characterization of polymeric additives in gasoline.

Methods

A protocol was developed to optimize the ion signal. A glass capillary was moistened with deionized water, and then dipped into silica gel scratched from an HPTLC plate. The capillary tube was fixed to the ASAP holder and introduced into the ionization source for analysis by MS. Silica gel, reversed‐phase C18 and cellulose stationary phases were evaluated.

Results

The effect of the stationary phase and the nature of analyte were evaluated using polypropylene glycol and polyisobutylene succinimide polyamine as analyte molecules. The optimal ionization conditions are significantly different between ASAP and HPTLC/ASAP‐MS analyses. In particular, a higher desorption gas temperature was required to produce ions from the silica gel HPTLC plate. The presence of the stationary phase reduces the internal energy of the ions and limits the fragmentation.

Conclusions

HPTLC/ASAP‐MS is a very fast and efficient technique for the analysis of polymers in formulated fuels. Good ionization efficiency was obtained with all investigated stationary phases.