bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seed priming and foliar application with jasmonic acid enhance salinity stress tolerance of soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings
Authors: Sheteiwy Mohamed S , Shao Hongbo , Qi Weicong , Daly Paul , Sharma Anket , Shaghaleh Hiba , Hamoud Yousef Alhaj , El‐Esawi Mohamed A , Pan Ronghui , Wan Qun , Lu Haiying
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Jasmonic acid (JA) is an important molecule that has a regulatory effect on many physiological processes in plant growth and development under abiotic stress. This study investigated the effect of 60 μmol L−1 of JA in seed priming (P) at 15 °C in darkness for 24 h, foliar application (F), and/or their combination effect (P + F) on two soybean cultivars – ‘Nannong 99‑6’ (salt tolerant) and ‘Lee 68’ (salt sensitive) – under salinity stress (100 mmol L−1 sodium chloride (NaCl)).

RESULTS

Salinity stress reduced seedling growth and biomass compared with that in the control condition. Priming and foliar application with JA and/or their combination significantly improved water potential, osmotic potential, water use efficiency, and relative water content of both cultivars under salinity stress. Similarly, seed priming with JA, foliar application of JA, and/or their combination significantly improved the following properties under salinity stress compared with the untreated seedlings: net photosynthetic rate by 68.03%, 59.85%, and 76.67% respectively; transpiration rate by 74.85%, 55.10%, and 80.26% respectively; stomatal conductance by 69.88%, 78.25%, and 26.24% respectively; intercellular carbon dioxide concentration by 61.64%, 40.06%, and 65.79% respectively; and total chlorophyll content by 47.41%, 41.02%, and 55.73% respectively. Soybean plants primed, sprayed with JA, or treated with their combination enhanced the chlorophyll fluorescence, which was damaged by salinity stress. JA treatments improved abscisic acid, gibberellic acid, and JA levels by 60.57%, 62.50% and 52.25% respectively under salt stress compared with those in the control condition. The transcriptional levels of the FeSOD, POD, CAT, and APX genes increased significantly in the NaCl‐stressed seedlings irrespective of JA treatments. Moreover, JA treatment resulted in a reduction of sodium ion concentration and an increase of potassium ion concentrations in the leaf and root of both cultivars regardless of salinity stress. Monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and proline contents decreased in the seedlings treated with JA under salinity stress, whereas the ascorbate content increased with JA treatment combined with NaCl stress.

CONCLUSION

The application of 60 μmol L−1 JA improved plant growth by regulating the interaction between plant hormones and hydrogen peroxide, which may be involved in auxin signaling and stomatal closure under salt stress. These methods could efficiently protect early seedlings and alleviate salt stress damage and provide possibilities for use in improving soybean growth and inducing tolerance against excessive soil salinity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Red araçá pulp microencapsulation by hydrolyzed pinhão starch, and tara and arabic gums
Authors: Rosário Fernanda Menegon , Biduski Barbara , Santos David Fernando dos , Hadlish Elisângela Vanessa , Tormen Luciano , Santos Gustavo Henrique Fidelis dos , Pinto Vânia Zanella
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Red araçá is a Brazilian native species whose fruits are rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. To preserve the properties of compounds during processing, red araçá pulp (RAP) was encapsulated by hydrolyzed pinhão starch (PS), tara gum (TG), and arabic gum (AG) in different blends in equal proportions, serving as a coating material.

RESULTS

Fresh RAP had a gallic acid equivalent of 3098 mg per 100 g of dry weight, 156.29 μg β‐carotene per gram of dry weight, total anthocyanins of 18 mg per 100 g of dry weight and exhibited high antioxidant activity. The highest encapsulation efficiency achieved with the PS, TG, and AG blend was 80.4% for the total carotenoids, and that for the total anthocyanins was 76% with the TG and AG blend. Only one step of antioxidant activity degradation was identified, and the carrier system PSTG was efficient at maintaining the antioxidant activity, with half‐life of 23.60–37.27 days.

CONCLUSION

The use of PS alone as a coating material or associated with TG and AG gums resulted in improved retention of bioactive compounds, these being an excellent alternative coating material since they improved the stability of the antioxidant activity of RAP. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Changes in the sexual function of male patients with rectal cancer over a 2‐year period from diagnosis to 24‐month follow‐up: A prospective, multicenter, cohort study
Authors: Sakamoto Takashi , Hida Koya , Hoshino Nobuaki , Yamaguchi Takashi , Manaka Dai , Yamada Masahiro , Kadokawa Yoshio , Yamanokuchi Satoshi , Kondo Masato , Kanazawa Akiyoshi , Abe Hiroyasu , Okada Tomoaki , Morita Satoshi , Sakai Yoshiharu
Published: September 2020

Background and Objectives

This prospective study aimed to identify long‐term changes in sexual function of men with rectal cancer from point of diagnosis to 24 months postoperatively.

Methods

Male patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery were prospectively enrolled. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Questionnaire scores were collected at diagnosis; first follow‐up; and 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Missing values were managed via multiple imputations using the propensity score method. Paired t tests were applied to examine changes in IIEF scores over time.

Results

This study analyzed 115 patients. For erectile function, there were no significant changes in scores from the point of diagnosis to first treatment (9.4 vs. 9.8 as mean scores; p = .227). Scores deteriorated postoperatively and recovered until 12 months post‐surgery, but did not improve significantly from 12 months to 24 months post‐surgery (8.7 vs. 8.2 as mean scores; p = .440). This pattern of change was observed in all other domains: orgasmic function, sexual desire, orgasmic satisfaction, and overall satisfaction.

Conclusions

Sexual function was not influenced by a rectal cancer diagnosis. Sexual function deteriorated following surgery and recovered until 12 months post‐surgery; however, it did not significantly improve from 12 months to 24 months postoperatively.
Effect of Endoscope Sinus Surgery on Pulmonary Function in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Yin Mei , Gao Xiaoping , Di Lingling , Yang Pei , Liu Jing , Li Xia , Yan Xiaohui , Wang Wei , Cui Hua
Published: September 2020

Objective

The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on pulmonary function in patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Methods

The PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for studies published in English, without any language and time restrictions from their inception to March 1, 2020. Studies examining pulmonary function outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis following endoscopic sinus surgery were included. Primary outcomes were pulmonary function tests, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF25‐75).

Results

A total of 12 studies with 570 patients were included for data extraction and meta‐analysis. For FEV1 (%), the summarized mean difference (MD) was −6.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] = −19.67 to 5.83, P = .29) and 0.70 (95% CI = −3.81 to 5.21, P = .76) for the postoperative results after 6 months and 12 months, respectively. The pooled MDs for FVC (%) and FEV1/FVC ratio (%) for the postoperative results after 6 months were 0.60 (95% CI = −4.12 to 5.31, P = .80) and −1.29 (95% CI = −6.14 to 3.55, P = .60).

Conclusion

Endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis patients with cystic fibrosis did not improve the pulmonary function in chronic rhinosinusitis patients with cystic fibrosis. More prospective studies and meta‐analyses addressing the same topic are needed in the future. Laryngoscope, 131:720–725, 2021
Use of the medial canthal point (MCP) as a reliable anatomical landmark to the frontal sinus
Authors: Jolly Karan , Kontogiannis Theodoros , Pankhania Miran , Hussain Khalid , Naik Paresh Pramod , Ahmed Shahzada K.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Frontal sinus surgery is considered one of the more challenging aspects of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, due to the complex variations in normal sinus anatomy but also increased morbidity due to the close proximity of critical structures such as the anterior cranial fossa and orbits. We aim to investigate the medial canthal point (MCP) as an anatomical landmark for safe frontal sinus access.

Methods

The MCP intranasally is identified during surgery with non‐tooth forceps, with one limb just anterior to the medial canthus and the other intranasally in the same coronal plane along the skull base. This point was identified on 100 paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scan reconstructions. The distance between the anterior cranial fossa and MCP was measured on imaging—medial canthal point distance (MCPD). The maximal anterior‐posterior (AP) distance was measured on all scans.

Results

The average MCPD for males was 13.0 mm (8.7‐20.4 mm) and for females 12.0 mm (6.8‐22.8 mm). Mean AP distance for males was 12.0 mm (4.5‐20.2 mm) and for females 10.4 mm (3.8‐15.9 mm). Mean distance for all 100 patients was 12.6 mm (range 7.5‐22.8 mm). In all cases, the MCP was anterior to the cranial fossa. Mixed effects modelling analysis showed a significant correlation between the MCPD and AP distance (P = .006).

Conclusion

The MCP is a consistent anatomical landmark that can serve as an adjunct to safe frontal sinus access alongside the first olfactory fiber and CT navigation systems. However, patient selection continues to be very important, with larger well pneumatized frontal sinuses being ideal to tackle earlier in a surgeon's career.

Level of evidence

NA
Paroxysmal Cranial Dyskinesia and Nail‐Patella Syndrome Caused by a Novel Variant in the LMX1B Gene
Authors: Bech Sara , Løkkegaard Annemette , Nielsen Troels T. , Nørremølle Anne , Grønborg Sabine , Hasholt Lis , Steffensen Gudrun K. , Graehn Gabor , Olesen Jess H. , Tommerup Niels , Mang Yuan , Bak Mads , Nielsen Jørgen E. , Eiberg Hans , Hjermind Lena E.
Published: September 2020

Background

In a Danish family, multiple individuals in five generations present with early‐onset paroxysmal cranial dyskinesia, musculoskeletal abnormalities, and kidney dysfunction.

Objective

To demonstrate linkage and to identify the underlying genetic cause of disease.

Methods

Genome‐wide single‐nucleotide polymorphisms analysis, Sequence‐Tagged‐Site marker analyses, exome sequencing, and Sanger sequencing were performed.

Results

Linkage analyses identified a candidate locus on chromosome 9. Exome sequencing revealed a novel variant in LMX1B present in all affected individuals, logarithm of the odds (LOD) score of z = 6.54, predicted to be damaging. Nail‐patella syndrome (NPS) is caused by pathogenic variants in LMX1B encoding a transcription factor essential to cytoskeletal and kidney growth and dopaminergic and serotonergic network development. NPS is characterized by abnormal musculoskeletal features and kidney dysfunction. Movement disorders have not previously been associated with NPS.

Conclusions

Paroxysmal dyskinesia is a heretofore unrecognized feature of the NPS spectrum. The pathogenic mechanism might relate to aberrant dopaminergic circuits. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
A putative frameshift variant in the CHM gene is associated with an unexpected splicing alteration in a choroideremia patient
Authors: Fioretti Tiziana , Ungari Silvana , Savarese Maria , Cattaneo Fabio , Pirozzi Enza , Esposito Gabriella
Published: September 2020

Background

Due to the limited availability of mRNA analysis data, the number of exonic variants resulting in splicing impairment is underestimated although aberrant splicing correction is a promising therapeutic option to treat monogenic diseases, including choroideremia (CHM), a rare X‐linked eye disorder arising from sequence alteration of the CHM gene. Herein we report an exonic frameshift variant associated with an mRNA splicing alteration that leads to a CHM hypomorphic allele.

Methods

Total RNA and genomic DNA were extracted from peripheral blood of a patient affected by a mild form of CHM. The CHM gene was analyzed by PCR‐based methods and Sanger sequencing.

Results

Besides the known c.1335dup frameshift variant, mRNA analysis revealed a splicing alteration that restored the reading frame of the mutant transcript, likely leading to an aberrant protein with residual activity. Bioinformatic analyses identified novel putative exonic splicing enhancer elements and provided clues that also pre‐mRNA secondary structure should be taken into account when exploring splicing mechanisms.

Conclusion

A careful molecular characterization of the c.1335dup variant's effect explains the relationship between genotype and phenotype severity in a CHM patient and provides new perspectives for the study of therapeutic strategies based on splicing correction in human diseases.
The spectrum of CYP21A2 gene mutations in patients with classic salt wasting form of 2l‐hydroxylase deficiency in a Chinese cohort
Authors: Liu Yang , Zheng Jie , Liu Nan , Xu Xiaowei , Zhang Xinjie , Zhang Ying , Li Guoxu , Liu Geli , Cai Chunquan , Shu Jianbo
Published: September 2020

Background

21‐Hydroxylase deficiency (21‐OHD) caused by the CYP21A2 gene mutations is the most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. It is an autosomal recessive disorder that results in defective synthesis of cortisol and aldosterone. The incidences of various CYP21A2 gene mutations and the genotype–phenotype correlations vary among different populations.

Materials and Methods

The clinical and molecular data of 22 patients were analyzed in this study. All patients were recruited from the neonatal intensive care unit. Locus‐specific polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing were applied to identify gene micro‐conversions, and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification was used to detect large fragment deletions/conversions. Then, the genotypes were categorized in to Null, A, B, C, and D groups to analyze the relationships between genotypes and phenotypes.

Results

All 22 patients were classified into classic salt wasting form of 21‐OHD. Molecular defects were detected in 44 alleles (100%). Micro‐conversion mutation IVS2‐13A/C>G (70.5%) is most common in our cohort, followed by large gene deletions and conversions (22.7%). The other mutations present were p.R357 W (4.5%) and E6 Cluster (2.3%). Genotypes of 22 patients (100%) were consistent with the predictive phenotypes.

Conclusion

In this study, we identified the mutation spectrum of CYP21A2 gene in Chinese patients, especially the younger age cohort in pediatrics. Micro‐conversions were the most popular mutations. Moreover, the genotypes and phenotypes were well correlated in this cohort of salt wasting 21‐OHD recruited from neonatal intensive care unit.
Unilateral breast reconstruction with the free contralateral split breast flap using supermicrosurgical anastomosis: A case report
Authors: Scaglioni Mario F. , Rodi Timo , Wishart Katarina , Fritsche Elmar
Published: September 2020

Abstrct

Consecutive or simultaneous contralateral breast reduction is a frequent request from patients undergoing unilateral breast reconstruction. Both procedures can be combined using otherwise discarded tissue as a split breast graft for reconstruction of the contralateral side. There have been few reports on the use of pedicled split breast grafts. We present a 75‐year‐old female with multicentric mammary carcinoma following chemotherapy, mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy. She requested a reconstruction of the left breast as well as reduction of the right breast. Risk factors, including heavy alcohol and tobacco dependence and COPD, limited the surgical options. While a free flap breast reconstruction was the standard feasible option, we opted for a procedure with minimal surgery‐related morbidity. The right breast was evidently tumor‐free, and the patient had no family history of breast cancer. Reconstruction was performed 22 months postmastectomy. The split‐breast free flap was based on the right internal mammary artery (IMA) perforator and harvested during the right‐sided breast reduction. Microsurgical anastomosis was performed on the IMA perforator on the left side. Mastopexy was performed on the right side and the nipple‐areola complex (NAC) was transferred to its new position as a free graft to complete the breast reduction. A tattoo of the left NAC was performed 4 months postreconstruction. There was complete flap survival with a pleasant cosmetic result. Split breast reconstruction could be an alternative to more common procedures. However, this approach is only feasible in patients with hypertrophic contralateral breast and absence of risk factors for developing a second primary breast cancer.
A simple approximation of periodic solutions to microelectromechanical system model of oscillating parallel plate capacitor
Authors: Skrzypacz Piotr , He Ji‐Huan , Ellis Grant , Kuanyshbay Maksat
Published: September 2020

A nonlinear oscillator describing dynamics of parallel plate capacitor is considered with zero initial conditions. This case of initial conditions makes some effective methods, for example, the variational iteration method and the homotopy perturbation method, inapplicable. To overcome the shortcoming of classical methods, a simple transform is proposed to convert the problem into a traditional case where a standard frequency formulation is used to obtain the approximate solution. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) oscillator is used as example to show the solution process. The obtained results are illustrated and compared with high‐precision numerical solutions.
Well‐conditioned Galerkin spectral method for two‐sided fractional diffusion equation with drift and fractional Laplacian
Authors: Zhao Lijing , Wang Xudong
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we focus on designing a well‐conditioned Galerkin spectral methods for solving a two‐sided fractional diffusion equations with drift in which the fractional operators are defined neither in Riemann–Liouville nor Caputo sense, and its physical meaning is clear. Based on the image spaces of Riemann–Liouville fractional integral operators on Lp([a, b]) space discussed in our previous work, after a step by step deduction, three kinds of Galerkin spectral formulations are proposed, the final obtained corresponding scheme of which shows to be well‐conditioned—the condition number of the stiff matrix can be reduced from O(N2α) to O(Nα), where N is the degree of the polynomials used in the approximation. Another point is that the obtained schemes can also be applied successfully to approximate fractional Laplacian with generalized homogeneous boundary conditions, whose fractional order α ∈ (0, 2), not only having to be limited to α ∈ (1, 2). Several numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the derived schemes. Besides, based on the numerical results, we can observe the behavior of mean first exit time, an interesting quantity that can provide us with a further understanding about the mechanism of abnormal diffusion.
Compact wideband microstrip‐slotline bandpass filter with sharp selectivity and suppressed spurious harmonic
Authors: Chai Yongqiang , Cheng Chonghu , Shi Yanfeng , Qin Chanchan , Hu Shengbo
Published: September 2020

A novel compact wideband microstrip‐slotline bandpass filter (BPF) with roll‐off cutoff slop and extended upper stopband is proposed, which consists of two cascaded microstrip‐to‐microstrip vertical transitions. Under the influence of interdigital capacitor, a pair of transmission zeros (TZs) at both sides of passband are generated to effectively enhance shirt selectivity, the mechanism of cross‐coupling structure is theoretically interpreted in detail based on equivalent transmission line network. In order to well suppress the upper stopband spurious harmonic, there are additional five TZs are introduced by properly adjusting the electrical length of open‐ended slotline sections and etching a set of spurlines on the feeding lines. For experimental validation, two broadband BPFs with/without spurlines are designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured results demonstrate that the BPF with spurlines have more excellent electric performances compared with the one without spurlines. The return loss ≥17.38 dB, insertion loss ≤0.82 dB with the 3‐dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 134.52%, the extended upper stopband is up to 3.86 times center frequency with rejection level better than 20.63 dB, the spurious harmonic is significantly suppressed without increasing additional circuit dimension, the compact effective circuit size is only 0.95λg*0.29λg, λg is guided wavelength at center frequency. Finally, the theoretical analysis is well verified by measured and simulated results, excellent agreement between them is achieved.
A 16‐element array fed with a switchable power divider
Authors: Chen Tsair‐Rong , Liu Ting‐Yan , Cheng Hao‐Yuan , Row Jeen‐Sheen
Published: September 2020

A pattern reconfigurable design realized by a planar array integrated with a switchable feed network is presented. The array has 16 radiating elements, and each element is a printed dipole backed with a metallic box. These elements are divided into four groups, and the excitation state of each group can be controlled with the feed network. By varying the number of the active groups, the radiation pattern of the array is reconfigured. Simulated results demonstrate that the proposed array can generate broadside beams with a front‐to‐back ratio of higher than 25 dB, and the half‐power beamwidths of these main beams in E‐plane or H‐plane can be switched among 20°, 26°, and 46°; besides, the array can produce three different side lobe levels, including −1, −12, and − 25 dB, in the two principal planes. For the proposed pattern reconfigurable array, a prototype is constructed, and its experimental results are also exhibited to validate the simulated data.
Unsupervised learning for deformable registration of thoracic CT and cone‐beam CT based on multiscale features matching with spatially adaptive weighting
Authors: Duan Luwen , Ni Xinye , Liu Qi , Gong Lun , Yuan Gang , Li Ming , Yang Xiaodong , Fu Tianxiao , Zheng Jian
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a common on‐treatment imaging widely used in image‐guided radiotherapy. Fast and accurate registration between the on‐treatment CBCT and planning CT is significant for and precise adaptive radiotherapy treatment (ART). However, existing CT–CBCT registration methods, which are mostly affine or time‐consuming intensity‐ based deformation registration, still need further study due to the considerable CT–CBCT intensity discrepancy and the artifacts in low‐quality CBCT images. In this paper, we propose a deep learning‐based CT–CBCT registration model to promote rapid and accurate CT–CBCT registration for radiotherapy.

Methods

The proposed CT–CBCT registration model consists of a registration network and an innovative deep similarity metric network. The registration network is a novel fully convolution network adapted specially for patch‐wise CT–CBCT registration. The metric network, going beyond intensity, automatically evaluates the high‐dimensional attribute‐based dissimilarity between the registered CT and CBCT images. In addition, considering the artifacts in low‐quality CBCT images, we add spatial weighting (SW) block to adaptively attach more importance to those informative voxels while inhibit the interference of artifact regions. Such SW‐based metric network is expected to extract the most meaningful and discriminative deep features, and form a more reliable CT–CBCT similarity measure to train the registration network.

Results

We evaluate the proposed method on clinical thoracic CBCT and CT dataset, and compare the registration results with some other common image similarity metrics and some state‐of‐the‐art registration algorithms. The proposed method provides the highest Structural Similarity index (86.17 ± 5.09), minimum Target Registration Error of landmarks (2.37 ± 0.32 mm), and the best DSC coefficient (78.71 ± 10.95) of tumor volumes. Moreover, our model also obtains comparable distance error of lung surfaces (1.75 ± 0.35 mm).

Conclusion

The proposed model shows both efficiency and efficacy for reliable thoracic CT–CBCT registration, and can generate the matched CT and CBCT images within few seconds, which is of great significance to clinical radiotherapy.
Comparing Displays Using Luma Contours and Color Volumes
Authors: LeHoty David A. , Poynton Charles
Published: September 2020

Broad commercial deployment of high dynamic range and wide color gamut technologies calls for new characterization and measurement techniques. Here, the authors explore methods for characterizing color volume and demonstrate plots of luma contours.
Display Metrology: New Tools and Big Ideas
Authors: Fiske Tom
Published: September 2020

If display metrology is the industry's ground truth, standards are the ground. Consequently, both were well‐represented at Display Week 2020. Here, we highlight the innovative instruments and important new research on metrology, standards, and image quality that emerged from the symposium and exhibit.
Characterizing neuromuscular physician‐industry relationships in the open payments program: A work in progress
Authors: Larriviere Daniel G.
Published: September 2020

See article on pages 96–99 in this issue.
Supramolecular gels of gluconamides derived from renewable resources: Antibacterial and anti‐biofilm applications
Authors: Siva Prasad Yadavali , Manikandan S. , Lalitha Krishnamoorthy , Sandeep Miryala , Vara Prasad R. , Arun Kumar R. , Srinandan C.S. , Uma Maheswari C. , Sridharan Vellaisamy , Nagarajan Subbiah
Published: September 2020

Carbohydrates are versatile materials widely used for several applications including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and drug delivery systems due to their inherent properties such as non‐toxicity, biodegradability, and bio‐compatibility. Specifically, the urge on carbohydrate research is due to its significance in the biological system, for example, a glycoprotein found in the extracellular matrix, involved in signaling pathways, cell–cell interaction and cell–matrix interaction. Because of the increase in demand of glycolipids for biological applications, in this report, a set of three structurally related gluconamide‐based amphiphiles were synthesized from renewable resources, δ‐gluconolactone and cashew nut shell liquid. The molecular structure of the synthesized glycolipids was characterized by NMR and mass spectral techniques. Molecular self‐assembly of gluconamide‐based amphiphiles was investigated relative to the molecular structure and nature of the solvent used. Interestingly, the nature of the hydrophobic tail present in the glycolipids influences the self‐assembly pattern, which results in a hydrogel, organogel and highly insoluble nanorods. Gelation studies clearly revealed that the involvement of different magnitude of non‐covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking and van der Waals interaction. Morphology of self‐assembled architecture was investigated by optical microscopy, FESEM and FETEM analysis. The mechanism involved in the molecular self‐assembly has been deduced by small angle XRD analysis. Thermo reversibility and the thixotropic nature of the derived gels were identified by rheological measurements. Further, antimicrobial and biofilm inhibitory activity of gluconamide‐based amphiphiles were studied against various pathogenic bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and found effective in inhibition of biofilm and possesses the antibacterial property. Altogether, gluconamide‐based amphiphiles reported in this paper could be potentially used for some of the human problems caused by bacterial biofilms such as infections in the intravascular catheter, burn‐wounds, chronic sinusitis and implanted medical devices.
Genetic variants and expression changes in urgency urinary incontinence: A systematic review
Authors: Post Wilke M. , Ruiz‐Zapata Alejandra M. , Grens Hilde , de Vries Rob B. M. , Poelmans Geert , Coenen Marieke J. H. , Janssen Dick A. W. , Heesakkers John P. F. A. , Oosterwijk Egbert , Kluivers Kirsten B.
Published: September 2020

Aim

To perform a systematic review summarizing the knowledge of genetic variants, gene, and protein expression changes in humans and animals associated with urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) and to provide an overview of the known molecular mechanisms related to UUI.

Methods

A systematic search was performed on March 2, 2020, in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. Retrieved studies were screened for eligibility. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS‐I (human) and SYRCLE (animal) tool. Data were presented in a structured manner and in the case of greater than five studies on a homogeneous outcome, a meta‐analysis was performed.

Results

Altogether, a total of 10,785 records were screened of which 37 studies met the inclusion criteria. Notably, 24/37 studies scored medium‐high to high on risk of bias, affecting the value of the included studies. The analysis of 70 unique genes and proteins and three genome‐wide association studies showed that specific signal transduction pathways and inflammation are associated with UUI. A meta‐analysis on the predictive value of urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) levels showed that increased urinary NGF levels correlate with UUI.

Conclusion

The collective evidence showed the involvement of two molecular mechanisms (signal transduction and inflammation) and NGF in UUI, enhancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of UUI. Unfortunately, the risk of bias was medium‐high to high for most studies and the value of many observations remains unclear. Future studies should focus on elucidating how deficits in the two identified molecular mechanisms contribute to UUI and should avoid bias.
Targeted Therapy with Anlotinib for a Patient with an Oncogenic FGFR3-TACC3 Fusion and Recurrent Glioblastoma
Authors: Wang Yong , Liang Dandan , Chen Jimin , Chen Huan , Fan Rui , Gao Ye , Gao Yongsheng , Tao Rongjie , Zhang Henghui
Published: September 2020

We describe a case of recurrent glioblastoma treated with anlotinib in this report. The patient was administered anlotinib 12 mg p.o. once every day (days 1–14, with a 21-day cycle) (anlotinib clinical study NCT04004975) and oral temozolomide chemotherapy 100 mg/m2 (days 1–7, days 15–21, 28-day cycle; 12 cycles). After 2 months of therapy, the patient achieved a partial response that has been maintained for >17 months of follow-up. Molecular characterization confirmed the presence of a TERT promoter mutation, wild-type IDH1/2, an FGFR3-TACC3 fusion, and FGFR3 amplification in the patient. Anlotinib is a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor that was originally designed to inhibit VEGFR2/3, FGFR1–4, PDGFRα/β, and c-Kit. Patients with TERT promoter mutations and high-grade IDH-wild-type glioma have shorter overall survival than patients with IDH-wild-type glioma without TERT promoter mutations. However, this patient had a favorable clinic outcome, and FGFR3-TACC3 fusion may be a new marker for treatment of glioma with anlotinib.

Key Points

This case study is believed to be the first report that FGFR3-TACC3 fusion could be a novel indication to treat recurrent glioblastoma with the drug anlotinib. This case exhibited an exceptional response (maintained partial response >17 months) after 2-month combined therapy of anlotinib and oral temozolomide chemotherapy. This case also underscores the importance of molecular diagnosis for clinically complex cases. Tumor tissue-based assessment of molecular biomarkers in brain tumors has been successfully translated into clinical application.
Project delays and cost overruns between public and private sectors in Oman
Authors: Al Amri Tariq , Marey‐Perez Manuel
Published: September 2020

Many Middle Eastern countries have experienced lots of economic development over the last two decades. Virtually all sectors of the economy have seen astronomical growth over this period. One area that has seen massive growth is the construction industry. With such growth, this sector has seen many challenges. Construction delay is one of the main problems faced by this industry. This research aims to investigate the causes of project delays according to project managers working in the public and private sectors in Oman. A survey was used to obtain the primary data. The results show that the most significant client‐related delay factor in the private sector was the postponement in decision making by the customer. The lack of professionals and workers was found to be a significant cause of contractor‐related delays, while the delay in the approval of drawing was a main source of consultant associated delay factors in the private industry. The findings in this research may be used by different construction stakeholders in Oman to help them avert construction delays.
Fire‐retardant carbon/glass fabric‐reinforced epoxy sandwich composites for structural applications
Authors: Javaid Atif , Ashraf Hafiz Tanveer , Mustaghees Muhammad , Khalid Arslan
Published: September 2020

In this study, the fire‐retardant performance of lightweight sandwich composites, with modified epoxy impregnated carbon and glass fabric reinforcements and an aluminum honeycomb core, is investigated. The fire‐retardant performance of the fabricated sandwich composites is improved by treating carbon fiber reinforcements with phosphoric acid, and by impregnating the epoxy matrix with different loadings of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) fire‐retardant additive. The laboratory aging behavior of sandwich composites is also carried out to further investigate the degradation resistance of the panels under extreme conditions. Fire and mechanical properties of epoxy and sandwich panels are investigated using UL‐94, limiting oxygen index (LOI), thermal gravimetric analysis, compression tests, and three‐point bending tests. In the case of sandwich composites, a maximum of 1345 and 45.2 MPa flexural and compression modulus, respectively, are achieved with 10 wt% APP content in epoxy. Maximum 30% and 33% LOI values are achieved with 10% APP content in the epoxy and sandwich panels, respectively.
Motivational contagion during exercise and the role of interpersonal relationships: An experimental study
Authors: Boss Martin , Kleinert Jens
Published: September 2020

The present research focused on the phenomenon of motivational contagion while being physically active. It can be assumed that communication with significant others impacts upon a person's behavior in situations where communication or interaction is not explicitly intended to change behavior. Specifically, the purpose of the two present studies was to examine the effect of positive (i.e., intrinsically connoted) and negative (i.e., extrinsically connoted) self‐disclosure from a confederate on the motivational state of an individual simultaneously exercising with the confederate. These studies sought to replicate the experimental study of Scarapicchia, Andersen, & Bengoechea (2013). In addition, to test the further assumption that the relationship impacts upon contagion processes, we included a short team‐building intervention involving our confederate and the participant in order to manipulate the relationship quality (Study 1) and to compare friends with strangers (Study 2). Our results show that the participants who were exposed to the intrinsic cues (e.g., “I enjoy riding the bike, it's great that there is a study about it”) reported greater interest and enjoyment while exercising on the bicycle ergometer than those who were exposed to extrinsic cues (e.g., “I don't enjoy cycling at all. I'm only participating because my teacher told me to do so”). The relationship between the confederate and participant was not found to affect the main effect.
Use of telehealth platforms for delivering supportive care to adults with primary brain tumors and their family caregivers: A systematic review
Authors: Ownsworth Tamara , Chan Raymond J. , Jones Stephanie , Robertson Julia , Pinkham Mark B.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Telehealth platforms have potential utility for providing remote access to supportive care to people with brain tumour. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of delivering supportive care via telehealth platforms to adults with primary brain tumour and family caregivers.

Methods

A systematic search of PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library was conducted from 1980 to 1st June 2020 to identify eligible studies. Methodological quality was assessed by two independent reviewers.

Results

Seventeen articles, reporting on 16 studies, evaluated telephone‐based support (5 studies), videoconferencing (3 studies), web‐based programs and resources (7 studies) or combined use of videoconferencing and web‐based modules (1 study) to deliver supportive care remotely. Caregivers were involved in 31% of interventions. Mean rates of accrual (68%) and adherence (74%) were moderate, whereas acceptability or satisfaction for those completing the interventions was typically high (M satisfied or very satisfied = 81%). Adherence rates were generally higher and clinical gains were more evident for interventions involving real‐time interaction as opposed to self‐guided interventions.

Conclusions

Telehealth delivery of supportive care is feasible and acceptable to a high proportion of individuals with primary brain tumour and their caregivers. It is recommended that future research focuses on implementation outcomes, including factors influencing the uptake and sustainability of telehealth platforms in practice.
Developing a decision‐making framework for insect pest management: a case study using Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Dean Ashley N , Niemi Jarad B , Tyndall John C , Hodgson Erin W , O'Neal Matthew E
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

The profitability of farming varies based on factors such as a crop's market value, input costs and occurrence of resistant pests, all capable of altering the value of pest management tactics in an integrated pest management program. We provide a framework for calculating expected yield and expected net revenue of pest management scenarios, using the soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) as a case study. Foliar insecticide and host‐plant resistance are effective management tactics for preventing yield loss from soybean aphid outbreaks; however, pyrethroid‐resistant aphid populations pose a management challenge for farmers. We evaluated eight scenarios relevant to soybean aphid management in Iowa with varying probabilities of aphid outbreaks and insecticide‐resistant aphids occurring.

RESULTS

Our equation suggests that insecticide use is profitable when the probability of an aphid outbreak is ≥29%, and soybean production will become more costly with increasing probability of pyrethroid‐resistant aphids. If farmers continue to use pyrethroids, they will not experience financial consequences from pyrethroid‐resistant aphids until the chance of insecticide resistance is 48%. Aphid‐resistant varieties provided consistent yield and offered the highest net revenue under all conditions.

CONCLUSION

This framework can be used for other crop–pest systems to evaluate the profitability of management tactics and investigate how resistance impacts revenue for farmers. Including the cost of resistance in crop budgets can help farmers and agronomic consultants comprehend these impacts and enhance decision‐making to increase revenue and curb resistance development.
Spray drift mitigation using opposing synchronized air‐blast sprayers
Authors: Van Steenwyk Robert A , Siegel Joel P , Bisabri Barat , Cabuslay Christian S , Choi Jaimie M , Steggall J W , Mace Kevi C , Blecker Steve W , Poe Perry A , Peters‐Collaer Stephen R , Klassen Parry
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Pesticide drift is a serious environmental and safety concern that affects all of US agriculture. A number of mitigation techniques to reduce pesticide drift have been recommended by industry, academic and government agencies. These techniques are very costly or reduce the efficacy of the pest control product and have not been implemented by US agriculture.

RESULTS

When using a novel spray technique (Air‐in), pesticide drift was significantly reduced by between 53% and 99% at 7.6 m from the orchard drip line when compared to the grower standard. This technique not only reduced pesticide drift, but also maintained or improved the amount of pesticide residue deposited (by 0.7–2.6‐fold) and the percentage pesticide coverage (by 1.0–1.4‐fold) with different air‐blast speed sprayers on almond, walnut and pistachio.

CONCLUSION

The Air‐in technique shows great promise in reducing pesticide drift while maintaining or improving pesticide coverage with minimal cost to the grower.
An adaptive EWMA control chart for monitoring the process mean in Bayesian theory under different loss functions
Authors: Noor‐ul‐Amin Muhammad , Noor Surria
Published: September 2020

The Shewhart control chart is used for detecting the large shift and an exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart is used for detecting the small/moderate shift in the process mean. A scheme that combines both the Shewhart control chart and the EWMA control chart in a smooth way is called the adaptive EWMA (AEWMA) control chart. In this paper, we proposed a new AEWMA control chart for monitoring the process mean in Bayesian theory under different loss functions (LFs). We used informative (conjugate prior) under two different LFs: (1) squared error loss function and (2) linex loss function for posterior and posterior predictive distributions. We used the average run length and standard deviation of run length to measure the performance of the AEWMA control chart in the Bayesian theory. A comparative study is conducted for comparing the proposed AEWMA control chart in Bayesian theory with the existing Bayesian EWMA control chart. We conducted a Monte Carlo simulation study to evaluate the proposed AEWMA control chart. For the implementation purposes, we presented a real‐data example.
Isotopically labelled macroalgae: A new method for determining sources of excess nitrogen pollution
Authors: Bailes Imogen R. , Gröcke Darren R.
Published: September 2020

Rationale

Stable nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N) can be used to discern sources of excess nitrogen pollution in water. The δ15N values of nitrate in water often do not reflect the true δ15N source value owing to high temporal variation, and there are high analytical costs associated with obtaining δ15N values from water nitrate. To find alternative solutions, we isotopically labelled macroalgae (i.e. seaweed) beyond natural variation as a new method for determining sources of excess nitrogen pollution in seawater.

Methods

Fucus vesiculosus (bladder wrack) non‐fertile tips were collected from Easington Colliery, County Durham, UK, and cultured in two isotopically enriched solutions containing ammonium sulphate with δ15N values of 170 ± 5‰ and –60 ± 3‰ for a period of 19 days. The macroalgae were cultured in separate opened glass jars in an incubator with set temperature (11°C) and light (125 μmol photons m−2 s−2 on a light/dark rhythm of 16 h/8 h). The oven‐dried tips were analysed for δ15N over the 19‐day experiment.

Results

The macroalgal tips incorporated the isotopically enriched solutions rapidly, reaching 50% of the isotopically enriched seawater after ca 11 days for the 15N‐enriched solution and ca 15 days for the 14N‐enriched solution. δ15N values were incorporated more into the torn base of the macroalgal tips than into the middle and apex regions.

Conclusions

F. vesiculosus rapidly incorporates the isotopic ratio of the artificial seawater solution to which it is translocated. The laboratory‐developed isotopically labelled macroalgae can be manufactured to generate ‘unnatural’ δ15N values for translocation into coastal environments. This approach can provide an efficient, low‐cost alternative to current analytical methods for determining and monitoring nitrogen pollution.
The unique features of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission: Comparison with SARS‐CoV, MERS‐CoV and 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus
Authors: Wu Zhonglan , Harrich David , Li Zhongyang , Hu Dongsheng , Li Dongsheng
Published: September 2020

From 2002 to 2019, three deadly human coronaviruses (hCoVs), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV), Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) emerged to produce outbreaks of SARS, MERS and coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19), respectively. All three hCoVs are members of the Betacoronavirus genus in the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae and share many similarities in virology and epidemiology. However, the pattern and scale of Covid‐19 global spread is similar to 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza (H1N1pdm09), rather than SARS or MERS. Covid‐19 exhibits high viral shedding in the upper respiratory tract at an early stage of infection, and has a high proportion of transmission competent individuals that are pre‐symptomatic, asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic, characteristics seen in H1N1pdm09 but not in SARS or MERS. These two traits of Covid‐19 and H1N1pdm09 result in reduced efficiency in identification of transmission sources by symptomatic screening and play important roles in their ability to spread unchecked to cause pandemics. To overcome these attributes of Covid‐19 in community transmission, identifying the transmission source by testing for virus shedding and interrupting chains of transmission by social distancing and public masking are required.
Coronavirus disease‐19 and cardiovascular disease: A risk factor or a risk marker?
Authors: Liu Jing , Virani Salim S. , Alam Mahboob , Denktas Ali E. , Hamzeh Ihab , Khalid Umair
Published: September 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 causes the clinical syndrome of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) which has become a global pandemic resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. While the virus primarily affects the respiratory system, it also causes a wide variety of complex cardiac manifestations such as acute myopericarditis, acute coronary syndrome, congested heart failure, cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrhythmias. There are numerous proposed mechanisms of cardiac injury, including direct cellular injury, pro‐inflammatory cytokine storm, myocardial oxygen‐demand mismatch, and systemic inflammation causing multi‐organ failure. Additionally, medications commonly used to treat COVID‐19 patients have various cardiovascular side effects. We aim to provide a succinct review about the pathophysiology and cardiac manifestations of COVID‐19, as well as treatment considerations and the various adaptations made to the current healthcare structure as a result of the pandemic.