bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creating a Periop 202 Course and Orientation Program for Open‐Heart Procedures to Increase Cardiovascular OR Nurse Recruitment and Retention
Authors: Reinhart David , Sattler Mildred , Moore Leslie
Published: September 2021

As the global population ages, hospital administrators will need to employ a sufficient number of OR nurses to meet the demands of increasing surgical volumes. However, ORs can be intimidating working environments and undergraduate nursing programs lack formal didactic courses in perioperative nursing, leaving little to entice newly graduated nurses to the perioperative specialty. It is important for nurse leaders to employ interventions for recruiting and retaining OR nurses, particularly in specialty service lines, including cardiovascular surgery. A Periop 202 course for open‐heart procedures was developed and woven into a cardiovascular OR (CVOR) orientation program for newly graduated nurses and experienced nurses who were new to the CVOR. The program aimed to increase new CVOR nurses’ competencies and knowledge of protocols and guidelines for open‐heart procedures and their self‐efficacy to function on the CVOR team. Knowledge questionnaire and learning scale results showed increased postintervention knowledge and self‐efficacy among program participants.
Clinical Issues—October 2021
Authors: Anderson Mary Alice , Kyle Erin
Published: September 2021

THIS MONTH

Parental presence protocols

Key words: anxiety reduction, parental presence, pediatric patients, induction, emergence.

Music in the OR

Key words: music intervention, headphones, patient anxiety, music selection, personal music delivery device.

Transfusion regulations

Key words: blood transfusion, documentation requirements, blood product administration, plasma.

Clinical blood product transfusions

Key words: adverse transfusion reaction, patient assessment, patient blood management, incompatibility, blood products.
Quinazoline‐tethered hydrazone: A versatile scaffold toward dual anti‐TB and EGFR inhibition activities in NSCLC
Authors: Emam Aya M. , Dahal Achyut , Singh Sitanshu S. , Tosso Rodrigo D. , Ibrahim Samy M. , El‐Sadek Mohamed , Jois Seetharama D. , Enriz Ricardo D. , Kothayer Hend
Published: September 2021

Globally, lung cancer and tuberculosis are considered to be very serious and complex diseases. Evidence suggests that chronic infection with tuberculosis (TB) can often lead to lung tumors; therefore, developing drugs that target both diseases is of great clinical significance. In our study, we designed and synthesized a suite of 14 new quinazolinones (5a–n) and performed biological investigations of these compounds in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and cancer cell lines. In addition, we conducted a molecular modeling study to determine the mechanism of action of these compounds at the molecular level. Compounds that showed anticancer activity in the preliminary screening were further evaluated in three cancer cell lines (A549, Calu‐3, and BT‐474 cells) and characterized in an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) binding assay. Cytotoxicity in noncancerous lung fibroblast cells was also evaluated to obtain safety data. Our theoretical and experimental studies indicated that our compounds showed a mechanism of action similar to that of erlotinib by inhibiting the EGFR tyrosine kinase. In turn, the antituberculosis activity of these compounds would be produced by the inhibition of enoyl‐ACP‐reductase. From our findings, we were able to identify two potential lead compounds (5i and 5l) with dual activity and elevated safety toward noncancerous lung fibroblast cells. In addition, our data identified three compounds with excellent anti‐TB activities (compounds 5i, 5l, and 5n).
Letters to the editor and the race for publication metrics
Authors: Manley Stewart
Published: September 2021

This article discusses how letters to the editor boost publishing metrics for journals and authors, and then examines letters published since 2015 in six elite journals, including the Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology. The initial findings identify some potentially anomalous use of letters and unusual self‐citation patterns. The article proposes that Clarivate Analytics consider slightly reconfiguring the Journal Impact Factor to more fairly account for letters and that journals transparently explain their letter submission policies.
Novel asymptotic stability criterion for fractional‐order gene regulation system with time delay
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Wang Yaonan , Zhang Jing , Cheng Fanyong , Liu Feng , Ding Can
Published: September 2021

At present, Routh–Herwitz criterion is the mostly applied characteristic equation of the time‐lag fractional‐order gene regulatory network systems (FGRNs) for stability analysis. However, it is limited by linearization, which makes the result have a certain error. In addition, due to the processes of obtaining the characteristic roots are too complicated, there are too many constraints on stability criterion. To solve these problems, the vector Lyapunov function method combined with the M‐matrix is used in the present study. Based on this method, the corresponding asymptotic stability theorem is derived. Our results show that this novel method not only had fewer limitations compared with conventional methods, but also is suitable to all fractional‐order operators between 0 and 1 with a large time delay.
Characterization of a phospholipase D from Streptomyces cinnamoneum SK43.003 suitable for phosphatidylserine synthesis
Authors: Li Mengli , Zhou Yanfeng , Duan Xiaoli , Zhou Licheng , Zhang Tao
Published: September 2021

A phospholipase D high producing strain with transphosphatidylation activity that is suitable for phosphatidylserine synthesis was screened by our laboratory and named as Streptomyces cinnamoneum SK43.003. The enzyme structural and biochemical properties were investigated using the molecular biology method. A 1521‐bp fragment of the phospholipase D gene from Streptomyces cinnamoneum SK43.003 was amplified by PCR and encoded for 506 amino acids. The primary structure contained two conserved HKD and GG/S motifs. The pld gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified enzyme exhibited the highest activity at a pH value of 6.0 andtemperature of 60°C. The enzyme was stable within a pH range of 4–7 for 24 h or at temperatures below 50°C. In addition, Triton X‐100, Fe2+, and Al3+ were beneficial to the enzyme activity, whereas Zn2+ and Cu2+ dramatically inhibited its activity. In a two‐phase system, the enzyme could convert phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylserine with a 92% transformation rate.
A beneficial role for elevated extracellular glutamate in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and cerebral ischemia
Authors: Schiel Kathryn A.
Published: September 2021

This hypothesis proposes that increased extracellular glutamate in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and cerebral ischemia, currently viewed as a trigger for excitotoxicity, is actually beneficial as it stimulates the utilization of glutamate as metabolic fuel. Renewed appreciation of glutamate oxidation by ischemic neurons has raised questions regarding the role of extracellular glutamate in ischemia. Is it detrimental, as suggested by excitotoxicity in early in vitro studies, or beneficial, as suggested by its oxidation in later in vivo studies? The answer may depend on the activity of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors. Early in vitro procedures co‐activated NMDA receptors (NMDARs) containing 2A (GluN2A) and 2B (GluN2B) subunits, an event now believed to trigger excitotoxicity; however, during in vivo ischemia D‐serine and zinc molecules are released and these ensure only GluN2B receptors are stimulated. This not only prevents excitotoxicity but also initiates signaling cascades that allow ischemic neurons to import and oxidize glutamate.
Desynchronized circadian clock and exposures to xenobiotics are associated with differentiated disease phenotypes
Authors: Makris Konstantinos Christos
Published: September 2021

A paradigm shift in the human chronotoxicity of xenobiotics would study two‐sided desynchronized phenomena of interfacial interactions between cyclic or periodic environmental insults and the endogenous response and recovery profile. These systems‐based networks are under the influence of well‐synchronized biological clocks and their metabolic regulators. This perspective argues in favor of addressing the concept of synchronization in studies involving critical life windows of susceptibility, or circadian rhythms, or 24‐hour (periodic) diurnal rhythms and answering whether these disruptions in synchronization would affect response and recovery or disease phenotypes associated with environmental insults, e.g., xenobiotics. Synchronization or synchrony is defined as the totality of elements that appear during the same time period within a system, including the network of interactions between the system's elements. Desynchronized interfaces during critical life windows or in time‐repeated exposure events would likely lead to initiating a cascade of adverse health effects associated with differentiated disease phenotypes.
Further investigation of resurgence following schedule thinning: Extension to an inpatient setting
Authors: Kranak Michael P. , Falligant John Michael
Published: September 2021

Schedule thinning is a common clinical procedure used to make behavioral interventions such as functional communication training more feasible in the community. Unfortunately, problem behavior is likely to recur when schedule thinning is conducted (i.e., resurgence). Recent research has identified resurgence in a rather significant number of outpatient schedule thinning applications and suggest resurgence is relatively common in clinical settings. To examine the consistency and generality of these findings, we replicated the procedures described by recent investigations to quantify the prevalence of resurgence of problem behavior following schedule thinning in an inpatient setting. We identified resurgence in 91% of schedule thinning applications, indicating that resurgence is likely to occur regardless of the treatment setting. Clinical implications, recommendations, and future directions for building more durable behavioral treatments are discussed.
Retrospective assessment of clonality of a legacy cell line by analytical subcloning of the master cell bank
Authors: Li Guanghua (Benson) , Pollard Jennifer , Liu Ren , Stevens Richard C. , Quiroz Jorge , Nelson Michael C. , Manahan Matthew , Murgolo Nicholas , Ehrick Robin S. , Wallenstein Eric J. , Hughes Jason , Tsao Yung‐shyeng , Zhao Jia , Du Zhimei , Tugcu Nihal , Pollard David
Published: September 2021

In recent years, assurance of clonality of the production cell line has been emphasized by health authorities during review of regulatory submissions. When insufficient assurance of clonality is provided, augmented control strategies may be required for a commercial production process. In this study, we conducted a retrospective assessment of clonality of a legacy cell line through analysis of subclones from the master cell bank (MCB). Twenty‐four subclones were randomly selected based on a predetermined acceptance sampling plan. All these subclones share a conserved integration junction, thus providing a high level of assurance that the cell population in the MCB was derived from a single progenitor cell. However, Southern blot analysis indicates that at least four subpopulations possibly exist in the MCB. Additional characterization of these four subpopulations demonstrated that the resulting changes in product quality attributes of some subclones are not related to the genetic heterogeneity observed in Southern blot hybridization. Furthermore, process consistency, process comparability, and analytical comparability have been demonstrated in batches produced across varying manufacturing processes, scales, facilities, cell banks, and cell ages. Finally, process and product consistency together with a high level of assurance of clonal origin of the MCB helped clear the hurdle for regulatory approval without requirement of additional control strategies.
Comparison of model fit and discriminatory ability of M category as defined by the 7th and 8th editions of the tumor‐node‐metastasis classification of colorectal cancer and the 9th edition of the Japanese classification
Authors: Shida Dai , Boku Narikazu , Nakamura Yuya , Yoshida Takefumi , Tanabe Taro , Yasui Kohei , Takashima Atsuo , Kanemitsu Yukihide
Published: September 2021

Background

In transitioning from the 7th edition of the tumor‐node‐metastasis classification (TNM‐7) to the 8th edition (TNM‐8), colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastasis was newly categorized as M1c. In the 9th edition of the Japanese Classification of colorectal, appendiceal, and anal carcinoma (JPC‐9), M1c is further subdivided into M1c1 (without other organ involvement) and M1c2 (with other organ involvement). This study aimed to compare the model fit and discriminatory ability of the M category of these three classification systems, as no study to date has made this comparison.

Methods

The study population consisted of stage IV colorectal cancer patients who were referred to the National Cancer Center Hospital from 2000 to 2017. The Akaike information criterion (AIC), Harrell's concordance index (C‐index), and time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the three classification systems. Subgroup analyses, stratified by initial treatment year, were also performed.

Results

According to TNM‐8, 670 (55%) patients had M1a, 273 (22%) had M1b, and 279 (23%) had M1c (87 M1c1 and 192 M1c2 using JPC‐9) tumors. Among the three classification systems, JPC‐9 had the lowest AIC value (JPC‐9: 10546.3; TNM‐7: 10555.9; TNM‐8: 10585.5), highest C‐index (JPC‐9: 0.608; TNM‐7: 0.598; TNM‐8: 0.599), and superior time‐dependent ROC curves throughout the observation period. Subgroup analyses were consistent with these results.

Conclusions

While the revised M category definition did not improve model fit and discriminatory ability from TNM‐7 to TNM‐8, further subdivision of M1c in JPC‐9 improved these parameters. These results support further revisions to M1 subcategories in future editions of the TNM classification system.
Highly Efficient Simulated Solar Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of 4‐Nitrophenol over CdS/Carbon/MoSx Hybrids
Authors: Kostelenos Konstantinos , Bairamis Feidias , Karamoschos Nikolaos , Sygellou Lamprini , Andrikopoulos Konstantinos S. , Konstantinou Ioannis , Tasis Dimitrios
Published: September 2021

Among the various organic pollutants and industrial chemicals, 4‐nitrophenol has been one of the most monitored substances in aqueous environments, due to its enhanced solubility in such systems. This research reports for the first time the microwave‐assisted synthesis of CdS/carbon/MoSx hybrids and the subsequent utilization of such systems as photocatalysts for 4‐nitrophenol degradation. The hybrids demonstrated a variable photocatalytic activity, by using a variety of organic substances as precursors for the solvothermal carbonization step. By using ascorbic acid as precursor, the corresponding ternary composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity, with the 4‐nitrophenol concentration been almost quantitatively decayed within 45 min of irradiation. This could be ascribed due to the generation of a high population of heterojunctions as well as the chemical speciation of Mo‐based nanostructures. Such ternary hybrids may be utilized as potential photocatalytic systems in processes, where removal of toxic water‐soluble substances is the key issue.
A Benzodiphosphaborolediide
Authors: Pearce Kyle G. , Canham Elinor P. F. , Nixon John F. , Crossley Ian R.
Published: September 2021

The first example of a diphosphaborolediide, the benzo‐fused [C6H4P2BPh]2− (12−), is prepared from ortho‐bis(phosphino)benzene (C6H4{PH2}) and dichlorophenylborane, via a sequential lithiation approach. The dilithio‐salt can be obtained as an oligomeric THF solvate or discrete TMEDA adduct, both of which are fully characterized, including by X‐ray diffraction. Alongside NICS calculations, data strongly suggest some aromaticity within 12−, which is further supported by preliminary coordination studies that demonstrate η5‐coordination to a zerovalent molybdenum center, as observed crystallographically for the oligomeric [{Mo(CO)3(η5‐1)}{μ‐η1‐Mo(CO)3(TMEDA)}2] ⋅ [μ‐Li(THF)][μ‐Li(TMEDA)].
GPhos Ligand Enables Production of Chiral N‐Arylamines in a Telescoped Transaminase‐Buchwald‐Hartwig Amination Cascade in the Presence of Excess Amine Donor
Authors: Heckmann Christian M. , Paradisi Francesca
Published: September 2021

The combination of biocatalysis and chemocatalysis can be more powerful than either technique alone. However, combining the two is challenging due to typically very different reaction conditions. Herein, chiral N‐aryl amines, key features of many active pharmaceutical ingredients, are accessed in excellent enantioselectivity (typically>99.5 % ee) by combining transaminases with the Buchwald‐Hartwig amination. By employing a bi‐phasic buffer‐toluene system as well as the ligand GPhos, the telescoped cascade proceeded with up to 89 % overall conversion in the presence of excess alanine. No coupling to alanine was observed.
Prospects and Challenges of Developing Plant‐Derived Snake Antivenin Natural Products: A Focus on West Africa
Authors: Yusuf Amina J. , Aleku Godwin A. , Bello Usman Rabiu , Liman Dahiru Umar
Published: September 2021

Snakebite envenomation (SBE) is an important public health issue that is now receiving renewed attention following its reclassification as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). Most incidences occur in rural areas of resource‐limited countries, as such, timely and appropriate medical care for SBE is often inaccessible. The administration of anti‐snake venom serum (ASV) is the only effective definitive treatment of SBE, but treatment failure to available ASVs is not uncommon. Emerging evidence highlights the potential of small‐molecule compounds as inhibitors against toxins of snake venom. This presents an encouraging prospect to develop an alternative therapeutic option for the treatment SBE, that may be amenable for use at the point of care in resource‐constraint settings. In view of the pivotal role of natural products in modern drug discovery programmes, there is considerable interest in ethno‐pharmacological mining of medicinal plants and plant‐derived medicinal compounds toward developing novel snake venom‐neutralising therapeutics. In this review, we compile a collection of medicinal plants used in the treatment of SBE in West Africa and highlight their promise as potential botanical drugs or as sources of novel small‐molecule compounds for the treatment of SBE. The challenges that must be surmounted to bring this to fruition including the need for (sub) regional collaboration have been discussed.
Incretin‐Based Drugs and Risk of Intestinal Obstruction Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Faillie Jean‐Luc , Yin Hui , Yu Oriana H. Y. , Herrero Astrid , Altwegg Romain , Renoux Christel , Azoulay Laurent
Published: September 2021

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors might increase the risk of intestinal obstruction, but real‐world evidence for this severe adverse event is lacking. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether GLP‐1 RAs and DPP‐4 inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of intestinal obstruction compared with sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT‐2) inhibitors. We used the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink and linked databases to assemble two new‐user, active comparator cohorts (2013–2019). The first included 25,617 and 67,261 GLP‐1 RA and SGLT‐2 inhibitor users, respectively. The second included 131,927 and 40,615 DPP‐4 inhibitor and SGLT‐2 inhibitor users, respectively. Propensity score fine stratification weighted Cox proportional hazards models were fit to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of intestinal obstruction requiring hospitalization. GLP‐1 RAs were associated with an increased risk of intestinal obstruction compared with SGLT‐2 inhibitors (1.9 vs. 1.1 per 1,000 person‐years, respectively; HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.04–2.74). The highest HR was observed after 1.6 years of use (HR: 3.48, 95% CI: 1.79–6.79). DPP‐4 inhibitors were also associated with an increased risk (2.7 vs. 1.0 per 1,000 person‐years; HR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.52–4.42), with the highest HR observed after 1.8 years of use (HR: 9.53, 95% CI: 4.47–20.30). The number needed to harm after 1 year of use was 1,223 and 603 for GLP‐1 RAs and DPP‐4 inhibitors, respectively. In this large real‐world study, GLP‐1 RAs and DPP‐4 inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of intestinal obstruction.
Solvent‐Controlled Intermolecular Proton‐Transfer Follows an Irreversible Eigen‐Weller Model from fs to ns
Authors: Grandjean Alexander , Pérez Lustres J. Luis , Jung Gregor
Published: September 2021

Intermolecular Proton Transfer (PT) dynamics can be best studied by optical spectroscopy, which can cover the vast timescale spanned by the process. PT in a hydrogen bonding complex between a pyranine‐based photoacid and a trialkyl‐phosphine oxide is addressed. The photoreaction is traced with the help of femtosecond transient absorption and picosecond‐resolved fluorescence. Characteristic kinetics and spectra of the intervening species are isolated by global analysis and spectral decomposition of time‐resolved fluorescence. It is found that the shared proton shifts towards the phosphine site upon photoexcitation in acetonitrile. The process occurs on the sub‐picosecond timescale, essentially, under solvent control. Despite the ultrafast rate, an equilibrium between the complex and the hydrogen‐bonded ion pair (HBIP) is established. Further reaction steps are delayed to the nanosecond timescale, where formation of the excited deprotonated form is observed. The far‐reaching consistency between the various methods supports an irreversible Eigen‐Weller mechanism in the excited state.
Application‐based guidelines for best practices in plant flow cytometry
Authors: Sliwinska Elwira , Loureiro João , Leitch Ilia J. , Šmarda Petr , Bainard Jillian , Bureš Petr , Chumová Zuzana , Horová Lucie , Koutecký Petr , Lučanová Magdalena , Trávníček Pavel , Galbraith David W.
Published: September 2021

Flow cytometry (FCM) is currently the most widely‐used method to establish nuclear DNA content in plants. Since simple, 1‐3‐parameter, flow cytometers, which are sufficient for most plant applications, are commercially available at a reasonable price, the number of laboratories equipped with these instruments, and consequently new FCM users, has greatly increased over the last decade. This paper meets an urgent need for comprehensive recommendations for best practices in FCM for different plant science applications. We discuss advantages and limitations of establishing plant ploidy, genome size, DNA base composition, cell cycle activity, and level of endoreduplication. Applications of such measurements in plant systematics, ecology, molecular biology research, reproduction biology, tissue cultures, plant breeding, and seed sciences are described. Advice is included on how to obtain accurate and reliable results, as well as how to manage troubleshooting that may occur during sample preparation, cytometric measurements, and data handling. Each section is followed by best practice recommendations; tips as to what specific information should be provided in FCM papers are also provided.
Environmental monitoring through Vehicular Ad Hoc Network: A productive application for smart cities
Authors: Ranjan Senapati Biswa , Mohan Khilar Pabitra , Ranjan Swain Rakesh
Published: September 2021

Industrial growth, technological development, and increased human activities for comfort and luxurious life increase different environmental parameters like temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, methane, and smoke. The value of these parameters are increasing steadily which has adverse effects on human life and human health and is also the cause of various disease like cancers and lung disease. It is now essential to monitor the environmental parameters of a region frequently. For the automatic continuous monitoring of environmental parameters of any location, this paper proposes to use vehicular ad hoc network (VANET), which is one of the promising subclasses of mobile ad hoc network (MANET). Automatic monitoring of environmental parameters of any location includes measurement of environmental parameters of a location, transmission of environmental parameters from the measured location to the observation center, and analysis of the parameters at the observation center. Two aspects are discussed for the transmission of parameters from the location of measurement to the observation center: first by vehicular communication and second by vehicular cloud. The analysis of the environmental parameters at the observation center is done using probabilistic neural network (PNN). Apart from this, different generic network parameters like end‐to‐end delay, number of hops, and network gaps for the proposed work are computed for the transmission of different environmental parameters and is compared with different VANET routing protocols like geographic source routing (GSR), anchor‐based street and traffic‐aware routing (A‐STAR), and peripheral node‐based geographic distance routing (P‐GEDIR). Vehicular motion is created using Simulation of Urban MObility (SUMO), and the network parameter values, like end‐to‐end delay and number of hops, are obtained using OMNET++. A testbed experiment is conducted for the classification of sensor data which is adoptable in practice.
Redox‐responsive glycosylated combretastatin A‐4 derivative as novel tubulin polymerization inhibitor for glioma and drug delivery
Authors: Zhao Yi , Zhao Ze , Cui Yamin , Chen Xing , Chen Changqing , Xie Changwei , Qin Bo , Yang Yang
Published: September 2021

Combretastatin A‐4 (CA4), a tubulin inhibitor, binds to the colchicine site of tubulin, inhibits tubulin polymerization, and leads to the apoptosis of tumor cells. However, the poor hydrophilicity and blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration ability of CA4 hampers its application in the treatment of glioma. In this study, a novel combretastatin A‐4 derivative (CA4D) was designed and developed, which was further conjugated with glucose via disulfide‐bond‐bridged (CA4D‐SS‐Glu) to enhance the BBB penetration capacity. The obtained CA4D‐SS‐Glu conjugate displayed a suitable water partition coefficient and the superior ability across BBB in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the CA4D‐SS‐Glu exhibited rapid redox‐responsive drug release in the presence of glutathione, enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity, and cell apoptosis. Our data further confirmed that CA4D‐SS‐Glu inhibited proliferation, and restrained migration via affecting microtubule stabilization. Additionally, the conjugate also showed the highest antiproliferative and antitumor action on glioma in vivo as compared to CA4D and CA4. Taken together, the novel CA4D‐SS‐Glu conjugate possess improved physicochemical property and BBB penetration ability, reduction triggered release of CA4D, and efficient antiproliferative activity. These results provided a novel and effective entry to the treatment of glioma.
Experience of disruption of capsule endoscopy after prolonged retention
Authors: Furumoto Yohei , Araki Akihiro , Matsumoto Taichi , Nozaka Takahito , Yauchi Masato , Kobayashi Katsumasa , Nitta Sayuri , Okada Eriko
Published: September 2021

Capsule endoscopy is an effective tool for evaluating small bowel diseases. Capsule retention is a complication of capsule endoscopy, but capsule disruption after retention has not been thoroughly studied. Only a few cases of capsule disruption have been reported. We report a case of capsule disruption after prolonged retention. A 73‐year‐old woman underwent capsule endoscopy for the evaluation of anemia. One week later, capsule retention was observed on radiography. Capsule removal was advised, but she refused because she did not have any symptoms. After 20 months, computed tomography revealed disrupted capsule fragments. Capsule removal was strongly recommended, and the patient agreed. All disrupted capsule fragments were removed using double‐balloon endoscopy without complications. Intestinal perforation had been prevented by removing the disrupted capsule before the battery fluid leaked into the intestinal tract. Capsule retention, documented by imaging, should be addressed by removing the retained capsule immediately before capsule disruption occurs.
What is the future of illicit drug profiling in Switzerland? Condemned to disappear or forgotten treasure
Authors: Meola Susanna , Esseiva Pierre
Published: September 2021

Illicit drug profiling bears a long history. Developments in the field from mid‐90s have led to several international profiling programs. Several countries have put their efforts to develop and implement the routine use of illicit drug profiling in the investigation and prosecution of illicit drug‐related crimes. For more than 20 years, the School of Criminal Sciences (ESC) at the University of Lausanne has, through its illicit drug expertise laboratory, played a main role in promoting the use of illicit drug profiling. In Switzerland, there is no national illicit drug profiling practice and the ESC laboratory is the only one offering such service. However, only a limited number of Swiss jurisdictions send regularly all or part of their seized specimens for analysis to the ESC laboratory. Profiling results are furnished to investigators and prosecutors regardless if they have been requested or not and are stored in a database with limited contextual information with no further data treatment. In 2020, the interruption of a project intended to develop and implement an intercantonal database gathering traditional police data, forensic data (e.g., DNA, fingerprints, etc.), and physical and chemical links, to produce intelligence and support investigation, led to the fundamental question: Is illicit drug profiling in Switzerland condemned to disappear or is it a forgotten treasure, a neglected approach that deserves to be revalued? This paper reports the Swiss situation regarding illicit drug profiling practices and discusses some factors that are thought to impact its use in day‐to‐day work.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Enantiopure HMPA Analogs in Samarium‐Diiodide‐Promoted Dearomatizations of N‐Acylated Indole Derivatives
Authors: Rao Chintada Nageswara , Reissig Hans‐Ulrich
Published: September 2021

A series of (S)‐proline‐based enantiopure phosphorus triamide derivatives were prepared and evaluated as HMPA alternative in samarium diiodide cyclization reactions of N‐acylated indole derivatives. The expected tricyclic indoline derivatives were generally obtained in good to excellent yields, however, the induced enantioselectivities were at best moderate. In our model reaction, the phosphorus triamide derivative with a (dimethyl)hydroxymethyl group at the stereogenic center provided the cyclization product in almost quantitative yield and with an enantiomeric excess of approximately 24 %. No separate proton source is required by applying this chiral Lewis base which was recovered in 93 % yield. Bulkier substituents at the stereogenic center did not furnish improved results. Although in our preliminary study only low to moderate enantioselectivities could be achieved, the observed fast conversions and the high yields demonstrate the basic suitability of chiral pyrrolidine‐based phosphoramide Lewis bases in samarium(II)‐induced reactions.
Fabrication of form‐stable phase change material with enhanced thermal performance based on the cocrystal of comb‐like polymer and paraffin
Authors: Kong Peng , Zou Wei , Du Zhongjie , Deng Jingqian , Zhang Chen
Published: September 2021

The comb‐like polymers with crystalline aliphatic side chains are synthesized and then applied as the supporting material of phase change material. First, poly(styrene‐co‐acrylic acid)n‐graft‐octadecylamine (P(S‐AA)n‐C18, wherein “n” denoted AA feed ratio) is prepared. The crystalline behaviors of the comb‐like polymer with different grafting densities are investigated. Then the paraffin@P(S‐AA)n‐C18 is obtained by packing paraffin into P(S‐AA)n‐C18. Attributed to the cocrystallization with paraffin, a form‐stable phase change material (FSPCM) with high content of paraffin (≥90 wt% paraffin in FSPCMs without obvious leakage) and enhanced thermal property is obtained. The melting and freezing enthalpies of FSPCMs reach 124.4 and 126.3 J/g, respectively, which are higher than that of pure paraffin. And good thermal cycling stability and good thermal stability of FSPCMs are also exhibited. The result offers an avenue for developing the high‐efficient thermal energy storage materials.
Effects of aerosolized citric acid–radio frequency as a pretreatment on hot‐air drying characteristics of banana
Authors: Ghorani Reza , Noshad Mohammad , Alizadeh Behbahani Behrooz
Published: September 2021

The effects of aerosolized citric acid–radio frequency (RF) pretreatment were evaluated on the quality characteristics of hot air‐dried banana. The results showed that increasing the RF intensity elevated the total phenolic content (TPC), shrinkage, and color changes, while the TPC and color changes decreased with increasing the RF exposure duration. A rise in the RF intensity reduced the rehydration ratio (RR) and firmness of the samples. Aerosolization of citric acid rendered the preservation of the phenolic compounds of the samples to a higher extent, and TPC decreased from 311 ± 3.4 mg/g in fresh banana to 252.1 ± 4.24 mg/g in the samples treated with a RF of 27.12 Hz for 40 min, 280.5 ± 8.1 mg/g in the ones treated with 1% aerosolized citric acid for 40 min, and 162.5 ± 10.8 mg/g in the ones with no pretreatment. According to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the application of aerosolized citric acid pretreatment caused tissue softening and the formation of cell holes in the samples. Cell wall collapse and damage were severe when RF was in use, which caused the blockage of some microchannels within the tissue. The Page model with the highest determination coefficient (R2) and the lowest root‐mean‐squared error (RMSE) and chi‐square (χ2) was selected as the best model.
Association of dietary magnesium intake with chronic constipation among US adults: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Zhang Lei , Du Zhang , Li Zhiang , Yu Fei , Li Lijun
Published: September 2021

The association of dietary magnesium intake with chronic constipation has not been well‐studied in general population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether increased intake of dietary magnesium is associated with the presence of chronic constipation. Data from the 2007–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used. A total of 9,519 participants (4,814 men and 4,705 women) aged ≥20 years were included. The individual's bowel habits (chronic constipation) were evaluated using the questionnaire on bowel health and two different definitions of constipation (stool consistency and stool frequency) were used. Dietary magnesium intake was obtained from 24‐h dietary recall. Participants were categorized based on the quartiles of magnesium intake. Multivariable logistic regressions models were performed controlling for confounding factors. After multivariable adjustment, dietary magnesium intake was inversely associated with chronic constipation defined by stool frequency, and the ORs (95% CIs) across quartiles 2–4 compared with the lowest quartile were 0.71 (0.51–0.99), 0.78 (0.46–1.31), and 0.39 (0.16–0.95), respectively. In addition, there was a significant trend for the decreased prevalence of chronic constipation by quartiles of magnesium intake only among men (p for trend < .001). However, no statistically significant association between magnesium intake and prevalence of chronic constipation defined by stool consistency was observed. More evidence from longitudinal studies is needed to confirm these findings.
Intergenerational health mobility: Evidence from Danish registers
Authors: Andersen Carsten
Published: September 2021

This paper is one of the first to investigate mobility in overall health using high‐quality administrative data. The attractiveness of this approach lies in objective health measures and large sample sizes allowing twin analyses. I operationalize health mobility by a variety of statistics: rank–rank slopes, intergenerational correlations (IGCs) and sibling and identical twin correlations. I find rank–rank slopes and IGCs in the range 0.11–0.15 and sibling correlations in the range 0.14–0.20. Mobility in health is thus relatively high, both when compared to similar US‐based studies, and when contrasted with outcomes such as educational attainment and income. Comparing sibling and identical twin correlations with parent–child associations confirms earlier findings in the literature on equality of opportunity, namely that sibling correlations capture far more variation than traditional IGCs. I conclude that 14%–38% of the variation in individual health outcomes can be attributed to family background and genes, factors which the individual cannot be held accountable for. This finding suggests that simple parent–child associations may be a poor metric for measuring health mobility.
Enantioselective Catalytic Crotylboration Based Syntheses of the C(7)–C(18(20)) Fragments of Polyketides Isolated from Streptomyces gramineus
Authors: Morávková Terézia , Bednářová Eva , Kotora Martin
Published: September 2021

A general modular enantioselective synthetic approach to the C(7)–C(18) and the C(7)–C(20) fragment belonging to E‐492, actinofuranone A, and JBIR‐108 was developed. The crucial synthetic step relies on highly enantioselective crotylboration of aldehydes catalyzed by a chiral TRIP PA giving rise to highly enantioenriched terminal alkenes (86 and 88 % ee on the preparative scale). The alkenes were subsequently converted into the title products. Further important synthetic steps included Ru‐catalyzed alkene cross‐metathesis and Suzuki coupling reactions. The approach consists of five synthetic steps starting from easily available aldehydes and other reaction partners.
PTH 1-34 Replacement Therapy Has Minimal Effect on Quality of Life in Patients With Hypoparathyroidism
Authors: Roszko Kelly L. , Hu Tiffany Y. , Guthrie Lori C. , Brillante Beth A. , Smith Michaele , Collins Michael T. , Gafni Rachel I.
Published: September 2021

In addition to hypocalcemia, patients with hypoparathyroidism report poor quality of life (QOL), complaining of fatigue and “brain fog.” Parathyroid hormone (PTH) therapy can effectively manage hypocalcemia; however, the effects of PTH treatment on QOL are unclear. Thirty-one patients with hypoparathyroidism were treated in an open-label study with full replacement subcutaneous PTH 1-34 twice daily for up to 5.3 years, with individualized fine-dosing titration. Prior to initiation of PTH 1-34, conventional therapy was optimized. The 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey, Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were assessed at PTH start (baseline), every 6 months on PTH, and after PTH discontinuation. The SF-36 assesses physical function (PF), physical role limitations (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), emotional role limitations (RE), social function (SF), and mental health (MH). Compared to population norms, patients at baseline had lower scores in RP, GH, VT, and MH (p < 0.05), consistent with impaired QOL. With PTH therapy, only GH at 6 months and VT at 12 months improved (p < 0.05). At the last treatment time point, RP, VT, and SF improved compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, follow-up scores were unchanged from baseline or last PTH treatment, except for SF, which had decreased at follow-up compared to on-PTH (p < 0.05). On the FSI, there were no changes in fatigue frequency; perceived interference was improved at 12 and 18 months and composite severity was improved only at 60 months (p < 0.05). The 6MWT measures did not change. In conclusion, hypoparathyroidism is associated with decreased QOL. Despite the bias in open-label studies to predict improvements in QOL, PTH therapy had limited and non-sustained effects on QOL, inconclusive changes in fatigue experience, and no change in the 6MWT. Although PTH 1-34 can adequately manage the hypocalcemia in hypoparathyroidism, its effects on QOL appear to be minimal. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Boosting the conformational sampling by combining replica exchange with solute tempering and well‐sliced metadynamics
Authors: Kapakayala Anji Babu , Nair Nisanth N.
Published: September 2021

Methods that combine collective variable (CV) based enhanced sampling and global tempering approaches are used in speeding‐up the conformational sampling and free energy calculation of large and soft systems with a plethora of energy minima. In this paper, a new method of this kind is proposed in which the well‐sliced metadynamics approach (WSMTD) is united with replica exchange with solute tempering (REST2) method. WSMTD employs a divide‐and‐conquer strategy wherein high‐dimensional slices of a free energy surface are independently sampled and combined. The method enables one to accomplish a controlled exploration of the CV‐space with a restraining bias as in umbrella sampling, and enhance‐sampling of one or more orthogonal CVs using a metadynamics like bias. The new hybrid method proposed here enables boosting the sampling of more slow degrees of freedom in WSMTD simulations, without the need to specify associated CVs, through a replica exchange scheme within the framework of REST2. The high‐dimensional slices of the probability distributions of CVs computed from the united WSMTD and REST2 simulations are subsequently combined using the weighted histogram analysis method to obtain the free energy surface. We show that the new method proposed here is accurate, improves the conformational sampling, and achieves quick convergence in free energy estimates. We demonstrate this by computing the conformational free energy landscapes of solvated alanine tripeptide and Trp‐cage mini protein in explicit water.
Impact of regional white matter hyperintensities on specific gait function in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Ogama Noriko , Endo Hidetoshi , Satake Shosuke , Niida Shumpei , Arai Hidenori , Sakurai Takashi
Published: September 2021

Background

Gait disturbance and musculoskeletal changes are evident in persons living with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because complex gait control requires the integration of neural networks, cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), which is highly prevalent in persons with AD, might have an additional impact on gait disturbance. This study investigated whether white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are more predominantly associated with gait disturbance in persons with AD than in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal cognition (NC) and further identified the regional impact of WMH on specific gait changes.

Methods

This study included 396 subjects (aged 65 to 86 years, 63.9% female) diagnosed with AD (n = 187), MCI (n = 118), or NC (n = 91). WMH, lacunes, perivascular spaces, and cerebral microbleeds were assessed as markers of SVD. The volume of WMH was quantified in each brain lobe (frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal) and sublobar regions in the basal ganglia and thalamus. Gait function was assessed using an electronic walkway. We investigated the association between regional WMH and gait disturbance in individuals with AD, MCI, and NC, adjusted for classical and musculoskeletal confounders.

Results

Among markers of SVD, WMH were most associated with gait disturbance. In AD subjects, periventricular WMH in the frontal and parietal lobes were associated with slow gait speed (rs = −0.21, P = 0.007 and rs = −0.18, P = 0.019, respectively). These lesions were also associated with changes in stride time, double‐leg support time, and walking angle (all rs > 0.20, P < 0.01). Lesions in the basal ganglia and thalamus were associated with slow gait speed (rs = −0.16, P = 0.034 and rs = −0.18, P = 0.023, respectively) and greater gait speed variability (rs = 0.16, P = 0.034 and rs = 0.20, P = 0.010, respectively). MCI subjects showed only associations between sublobar lesions and shorter stride length (rs = −0.24, P = 0.016) and increased walking angle (rs = 0.32, P = 0.002). NC subjects did not show associations between WMH and gait parameters. MCI and NC subjects were more affected by muscle weakness than WMH for global gait function (rs = 0.42, P < 0.001 and rs = 0.23, P = 0.046, respectively).

Conclusions

Persons with AD showed a predominant association between WMH and gait disturbance compared with MCI and NC subjects, and regional WMH had a detrimental effect on specific gait changes.
Higher dietary fibre intake is associated with increased skeletal muscle mass and strength in adults aged 40 years and older
Authors: Frampton James , Murphy Kevin G. , Frost Gary , Chambers Edward S.
Published: September 2021

Background

Skeletal muscle mass begins to decline from 40 years of age. Limited data suggest that dietary fibre may modify lean body mass (BM), of which skeletal muscle is the largest and most malleable component. We investigated the relationship between dietary fibre intake, skeletal muscle mass and associated metabolic and functional parameters in adults aged 40 years and older.

Methods

We analysed cross‐sectional data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2018 from adults aged 40 years and older. Covariate‐adjusted multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between dietary fibre intake and BM components (BM, body mass index [BMI], total lean mass, appendicular lean mass, bone mineral content, total fat, trunk fat; n = 6454), glucose homeostasis (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA2‐IR; n = 5032) and skeletal muscle strength (combined grip strength; n = 5326). BM components and skeletal muscle strength were expressed relative to BM (per kg of BM).

Results

Higher intakes of dietary fibre were significantly associated with increased relative total lean mass (β: 0.69 g/kg BM; 95% CI, 0.48–0.89 g/kg BM; P < 0.001), relative appendicular lean mass (β: 0.34 g/kg BM; 95% CI, 0.23–0.45 g/kg BM; P < 0.001), relative bone mineral content (β: 0.05 g/kg BM; 95% CI, 0.02–0.07 g/kg BM; P < 0.001) and relative combined grip strength (β: 0.002 kg/kg BM; 95% CI, 0.001–0.003 kg/kg BM; P < 0.001).

Conversely, higher dietary fibre intakes were significantly associated with a lower BM (β: −0.20; 95% CI, −0.28 to −0.11 kg; P < 0.001), BMI (β: −0.08 kg/m2; 95%CI, −0.10 to −0.05 kg/m2), relative total fat (β: −0.68 g/kg BM; 95% CI, −0.89 to −0.47 g/kg BM; P < 0.001), relative trunk fat (β: −0.48 g/kg BM; 95%CI, −0.63 to −0.33 g/kg; P < 0.001), fasting glucose (β: −0.01 mmol/L; 95% CI, −0.02 to −0.00 mmol/L; P = 0.017), fasting insulin (β: −0.71 pmol/L; 95% CI, −1.01 to −0.41 pmol/L; P < 0.001) and HOMA2‐IR (β: −0.02 AU; 95% CI, −0.02 to −0.01 AU; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Higher dietary fibre intakes are associated with a lower BM and enhanced body composition, characterized by a reduction in fat mass and an increase in lean mass. Higher dietary fibre intakes were also associated with improvements in glucose homeostasis and skeletal muscle strength. Increasing dietary fibre intake may be a viable strategy to prevent age‐associated declines in skeletal muscle mass.