bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Problem-Solving Skills and Memory Development in Preschool Children
Authors: Aydoğan Yasemin , Özyürek Arzu
Published: October 2020

The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between problem-solving and memory skills in preschool children. The study group included 122 4-6 years olf children attending pre-school education institutions. Random sampling method was used to determine the study participants. Data were collected with Problem-Solving Skills Scale (PSSS) and Memory Scale for Children (MSC). In data analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between the scale scores. The t test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine the effect of gender of the children, parental age and educational status on problem solving and memory. The study findings demonstrated that there was a significant correlation between the PSSS and MSC subscale scores, and the problem-solving skills and memories of pre-school children were not affected by gender, school type, parental age and profession, and mother's educational status. There was a difference between memory scores of the children based on the father's educational status and no significant difference was determined in problem-solving skills.
A noninvasive flexible conformal sensor for accurate real-time monitoring of local cerebral edema based on electromagnetic induction
Authors: Chen Jingbo , Li Gen , Chen Mingsheng , Jin Gui , Zhao Shuanglin , Bai Zelin , Yang Jun , Liang Huayou , Xu Jia , Sun Jian , Qin Mingxin
Published: October 2020

Cerebral edema (CE) is a non-specific pathological swelling of the brain secondary to any type of neurological injury. The real-time monitoring of focal CE mostly found in early stage is of great significance to reduce mortality and disability. Magnetic Induction Phase Shift (MIPS) is expected to achieve non-invasive continuous monitoring of CE. However, most existing MIPS sensors are made of hard materials which makes it difficult to accurately retrieve CE information. In this article, we designed a conformal two-coil structure and a single-coil structure, and studied their sensitivity map using finite element method (FEM). After that, the conformal MIPS sensor that is preferable for local CE monitoring was fabricated by flexible printed circuit (FPC). Next, physical experiments were conducted to investigate its performance on different levels of simulated CE solution volume, measurement distance, and bending. Subsequently, 14 rabbits were chosen to establish CE model and another three rabbits were selected as controls. The 24-hour MIPS real-time monitoring experiments was carried out to verify that the feasibility. Results showed a gentler attenuation trend of the conformal two-coil structure, compared with the single-coil structure. In addition, the novel flexible conformal MIPS sensor has a characteristic of being robust to bending according to the physical experiments. The results of animal experiments showed that the sensor can be used for CE monitoring. It can be concluded that this flexible conformal MIPS sensor is desirable for local focusing measurement of CE and subsequent multidimensional information extraction for predicting model. Also, it enables a much more comfortable environment for long-time bedside monitoring.
Assessment of the Effectiveness of Internal Control Systems of Adamawa State Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Adamawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Ishaku Ahmed Adamu , Kakanda Mohammed Mahmud , Danladi Sagir
Published: October 2020

Aim: This study examines the effectiveness of internal control systems (ICS) of Adamawa state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Study Design: Survey research design.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Adamawa State in 2019.

Methodology: The sample size of the study was one hundred and sixty-five (165) target respondents which consist of all heads of MDAs, Directors of Finance, internal auditors’ and two key staff from accounts and audits of the ministries, departments and agencies. The study used primary data and questionnaire was used in collecting data used for analyses. The effectiveness of the internal control systems under four dimensions: control environment (CE), control activities (CA), information, and communication (IC), and monitoring of controls (MC) were analyzed using descriptive statistics while ANOVA test was used to test the hypothesis of the study.

Results: The study found that the effectiveness of ICS for the MDAs in Adamawa state was good. The Departments category generally had the highest rating for CE, CA, IC and MC. This is reflected in their overall effectiveness. However, other categories (Ministries & Agencies) had moderate ICS effectiveness, particularly the Agencies that recorded the lowest rating in concerning to CE and CA.

Recommendation: The study recommends that Departments should maintain their level of internal control systems through effective monitoring and separate evaluations of their systems of control. This will help enhance or maintain the current level of their internal control systems. Ministries and Agencies should strengthen their Control Environment through mechanisms such as a commitment to integrity, ethical values, and competence, and Control Activities by ensuring that unauthorized transactions are not processed and more controls are put in place to avoid overspending. This will render the other components of internal controls more effective.
Letter to the Editor: Neonatal Coronavirus Disease-2019: Presentation and Management
Authors: Parvin Ruma , Bashar A. H. M Khairul , Rahman Md Moshiur , Sonia Sheikh Farjana , Sultana Azmeri , Rahman K. M. Ziaur
Published: October 2020

The “Type of Article” of this paper is “Letter to the Editor”. This paper discuses about: “Letter to the Editor: Neonatal Coronavirus Disease-2019: Presentation and Management”. No formal abstract is available. Readers are requested to read the full article.
Organochlorine Pesticide Residue Levels in Parts of Watermelon Grown in the Ada-West District of Greater Accra Region, Ghana and Its Related Human Health Risks
Authors: Agbeve Samuel Kofi , Ewusie Ebenezer Ato , Afful Samuel , Sovoe Simon
Published: October 2020

The study involved the use of soxhlet apparatus and CP-3800 Gas Chromatograph equipped with a 63Ni electron capture detector to investigate the presence and levels of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in sampled parts of watermelon. The study revealed the presence of fifteen OCPs residues in the peel, pulp and seeds of watermelon from the selected communities in the Ada-West District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Most of the OCP residues investigated were below the limit of detection of 0.01 µg/kg. Detectable OCP residues whose concentrations were above detection limit were dieldrin and p, p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (p,p'–DDE). The seeds of watermelon from Koluedor recorded the highest level of 2.10 µg/kg of p’p-DDE while the lowest level of 0.20 µg/kg of dieldrin and p’p-DDE were recorded in the peel of watermelon from Sege. The mean levels of the detected pesticide residues in peel, pulp and seeds of watermelon were also below maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by European Union (EU). Estimated daily intake (EDI) of organochlorine pesticide residues as a result of consumption of the studied watermelon for children ranged from 0.001 µg/kg to 0.006 µg/kg and those for adults were from 0.0005 µg/kg to 0.003 µg/kg. EDIs values obtained were however, far below reference doses (RFDs) recommended by United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
Agronomic Bio-fortification of Rice and Maize with Iron and Zinc: A Review
Authors: Jan Bisma , Bhat Tauseef A. , Sheikh Tahir A. , Wani Owais Ali , Bhat M. Anwar , Nazir Ajaz , Fayaz Suhail , Mushtaq Tabish , Farooq Anees , Wani Suffiya , Rashid Aabiroo
Published: October 2020

Earlier, the agriculture system was oriented more towards achieving higher agronomic yields than the nutritional quality of food. Green revolution significantly enhanced the crop production primarily rice, wheat and maize production was boosted to meet the energy needs of growing population. As a consequence of the predominance of cereal-based staples that are fundamentally low in micronutrients, specifically Zn and Fe, more than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from an insidious type of deficiency known as micronutrient malnutrition. Just moderate amounts of micronutrient malnutrition can affect cognitive development, reduce disease resistance and increase the risk of women dying during childbirth. The approach to micronutrient fertilization has been shown to improve the yield and nutritional content of the staples. Agronomic biofortification provides an immediate and effective method to enhance accumulation of micronutrients especially Zn and Fe in cereals. An adequate amount of plant available micronutrients is a prime requisite to ensure adequate nutrient uptake. Most of the cereals are grown in soils deficit in Zn and under reduced conditions of rice ecosystem, its availability is decreased due to formation of less soluble Zn complexes with sulphate and carbonate. The form of fertilizer used, timing and method of application is critical for the enhancement of the grain quality of Zn and Fe. The effectiveness of agronomic biofortification can be enhanced by application of synthetic chelated micronutrient fertilizers and/or organic fertilizers fortified with micronutrients in combination with NPK ensuring proper nourishment of crops with adequate nutrient supply by slow release of nutrients in soil solution. Further, the response of foliar application has shown better results than soil application. Previous studies suggest that Zn fertilization not only enhances Zn concentration in grain but also improves the overall performance of maize crop. Agronomic biofortification of crops is advantageous in terms of accessibility, rapid result, ease in application and high sustainability.
A Study of Three Cases of Removing Warts Using Medorrhinum and Natrum Muriaticum in Combination
Authors: Hasan Nazmul , Ahsan Nazmul , Akhand Anwarul Azim
Published: October 2020

Warts are the results of human papillomavirus infection on the skin. Warts usually occur on the humans’ hands, feet, and also in other locations of the body. We report here a study of three warts cases treated with homeopathic medicines. Two medicines (Medorrhinum and Natrum muriaticum) combinedly were administered orally for treating all three patients. Within 3-14 weeks of treatment, warts disappeared relieving all the patients from suffering. The result of this study is encouraging because the warts were removed without harming the patients and in a cost-effective way. This study would help to develop awareness among medical practitioners regarding the available homeopathic treatment options for warts.
Mamma Mia, P‐glycoprotein binds again
Authors: Callaghan Richard , Gelissen Ingrid C. , George Anthony M. , Hartz Anika M. S.
Published: October 2020

The levels of amyloid peptides in the brain are regulated by a clearance pathway from neurons to the blood–brain barrier. The first step is thought to involve diffusion from the plasma membrane to the interstitium. However, amyloid peptides are hydrophobic and avidly intercalate within membranes. The ABC transporter P‐glycoprotein is implicated in the clearance of amyloid peptides across the blood–brain, but its role at neurons is undetermined. We here propose that P‐glycoprotein mediates 'exit' of amyloid peptides from neurons. Indeed, amyloid peptides have physicochemical similarities to substrates of P‐glycoprotein, but their larger size represents a conundrum. This review probes the plausibility of a mechanism for amyloid peptide transport by P‐glycoprotein exploiting evolving biochemical and structural models.
In silico molecular target prediction unveils mebendazole as a potent MAPK14 inhibitor
Authors: Ariey‐Bonnet Jeremy , Carrasco Kendall , Le Grand Marion , Hoffer Laurent , Betzi Stéphane , Feracci Mikael , Tsvetkov Philipp , Devred Francois , Collette Yves , Morelli Xavier , Ballester Pedro , Pasquier Eddy
Published: October 2020

The concept of polypharmacology involves the interaction of drug molecules with multiple molecular targets. It provides a unique opportunity for the repurposing of already‐approved drugs to target key factors involved in human diseases. Herein, we used an in silico target prediction algorithm to investigate the mechanism of action of mebendazole, an antihelminthic drug, currently repurposed in the treatment of brain tumors. First, we confirmed that mebendazole decreased the viability of glioblastoma cells in vitro (IC50 values ranging from 288 nm to 2.1 µm). Our in silico approach unveiled 21 putative molecular targets for mebendazole, including 12 proteins significantly upregulated at the gene level in glioblastoma as compared to normal brain tissue (fold change > 1.5; P < 0.0001). Validation experiments were performed on three major kinases involved in cancer biology: ABL1, MAPK1/ERK2, and MAPK14/p38α. Mebendazole could inhibit the activity of these kinases in vitro in a dose‐dependent manner, with a high potency against MAPK14 (IC50 = 104 ± 46 nm). Its direct binding to MAPK14 was further validated in vitro, and inhibition of MAPK14 kinase activity was confirmed in live glioblastoma cells. Consistent with biophysical data, molecular modeling suggested that mebendazole was able to bind to the catalytic site of MAPK14. Finally, gene silencing demonstrated that MAPK14 is involved in glioblastoma tumor spheroid growth and response to mebendazole treatment. This study thus highlighted the role of MAPK14 in the anticancer mechanism of action of mebendazole and provides further rationale for the pharmacological targeting of MAPK14 in brain tumors. It also opens new avenues for the development of novel MAPK14/p38α inhibitors to treat human diseases.
The genetic landscape of metaplastic breast cancers and uterine carcinosarcomas
Authors: Moukarzel Lea A. , Ferrando Lorenzo , Da Cruz Paula Arnaud , Brown David N. , Geyer Felipe C. , Pareja Fresia , Piscuoglio Salvatore , Papanastasiou Anastasios D. , Fusco Nicola , Marchiò Caterina , Abu‐Rustum Nadeem R. , Murali Rajmohan , Brogi Edi , Wen Hannah Y. , Norton Larry , Soslow Robert A. , Vincent‐Salomon Anne , Reis‐Filho Jorge S. , Weigelt Britta
Published: October 2020

Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) and uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) are rare aggressive cancers, characterized by an admixture of adenocarcinoma and areas displaying mesenchymal/sarcomatoid differentiation. We sought to define whether MBCs and UCSs harbor similar patterns of genetic alterations, and whether the different histologic components of MBCs and UCSs are clonally related. Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) data from MBCs (n = 35) and UCSs (n = 57, The Cancer Genome Atlas) were reanalyzed to define somatic genetic alterations, altered signaling pathways, mutational signatures, and genomic features of homologous recombination DNA repair deficiency (HRD). In addition, the carcinomatous and sarcomatous components of an additional cohort of MBCs (n = 11) and UCSs (n = 6) were microdissected separately and subjected to WES, and their clonal relatedness was assessed. MBCs and UCSs harbored recurrent genetic alterations affecting TP53, PIK3CA, and PTEN, similar patterns of gene copy number alterations, and an enrichment in alterations affecting the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related Wnt and Notch signaling pathways. Differences were observed, however, including a significantly higher prevalence of FAT3 and FAT1 somatic mutations in MBCs compared to UCSs, and conversely, UCSs significantly more frequently harbored somatic mutations affecting FBXW7 and PPP2R1A as well as HER2 amplification than MBCs. Genomic features of HRD and biallelic alterations affecting bona fide HRD‐related genes were found to be more prevalent in MBCs than in UCSs. The distinct histologic components of MBCs and UCSs were clonally related in all cases, with the sarcoma component likely stemming from a minor subclone of the carcinoma component in the samples with interpretable chronology of clonal evolution. Despite the similar histologic features and pathways affected by genetic alterations, UCSs differ from MBCs on the basis of FBXW7 and PPP2R1A mutations, HER2 amplification, and lack of HRD, supporting the notion that these entities are more than mere phenocopies of the same tumor type in different anatomical sites.
Phase Transformation and Kinetics in Metastable β Titanium Alloy During Isothermal Treatment
Authors: Wang Qingjuan , Wu Jincheng , Tong Libo , Wang Wei , Yin Renkun , Cao Peng
Published: October 2020

A metastable β titanium (β‐Ti) alloy, Ti–3Al–8V–4Mo–4Cr–4Zr–2Nb–1Fe, is subjected to solute and isothermal aging from 300 to 600 °C for 2–50 h. The microstructure evolution and precipitation mechanism of α‐phase during the isothermal treatment of the metastable β‐Ti alloy are studied. The different mechanisms of β → α phase transformation are revealed under several isothermal conditions. When the temperature is below 45 °C, the α‐phase nucleates at the β grain boundary and becomes plate‐like in shape. When the temperature is above 450 °C, the primary mechanism is homogeneous nucleation. When the temperature is increased to 550 °C, the shape of α‐phase changes from needle‐like to short rod‐like. The alloys exhibit phase separation during isothermal aging. Most of α phases observed in this investigation are 1α phases, which maintain the Burgers orientation relationship with β‐phase. The volume fraction and homogeneous distribution of fine α‐phase particles result in increase in the hardness of the alloy. The maximum value is related to aging at 450 °C, with peak hardness of 373 HV. The phase transformation kinetics of β → α are analyzed by the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami analysis during aging treatment at 450–600 °C.
The Problem of Feral Hogs and the Challenges of Providing a Weak‐Link Public Good
Authors: Ellis Sean F. , Masters Mark , Messer Kent D. , Weigel Collin , Ferraro Paul J.
Published: October 2020

Feral hogs are an invasive species in the United States annually inflicting $1.5 billion in damages. Although interest in mitigating this grows, control spans properties and jurisdictions, creating challenges. Because landowners and local governments cannot capture the benefits of control that accrue beyond their boundaries, they generally underinvest. Worse, the weakest contributors constrain efforts. To offer insights into this problem, we synthesized studies on best management practices, invasive species, and weak‐link public goods. We also provide estimates of farmers' willingness‐to‐pay for control efforts, finding that they require financial assistance. Together, this suggests that more investment is necessary to manage feral hogs.
Barriers to Using Economic Experiments in Evidence‐Based Agricultural Policymaking
Authors: Rosch Stephanie , Raszap Skorbiansky Sharon , Weigel Collin , Messer Kent D. , Hellerstein Daniel
Published: October 2020

Economic experiments have been used to inform evidence‐based policymaking in a variety of fields but have rarely been used to address agricultural policy topics in the United States. Several barriers exist in designing and funding experimental studies with farmer participants, which limits the usefulness of this approach for informing agricultural policymaking. We review three such barriers: heterogenous treatment effects, access to participants, and aligning funding agencies' priorities. We document the extent of these barriers using original analyses of the literature. We then suggest potential methods of mitigating these barriers through changes in how experiments are designed, reviewed, and funded.
Reversible Reductive Elimination in Aluminum(II) Dihydrides
Authors: Falconer Rosalyn L. , Nichol Gary S. , Smolyar Ivan V. , Cockroft Scott L. , Cowley Michael J.
Published: October 2020

Oxidative addition and reductive elimination are defining reactions of transition‐metal organometallic chemistry. In main‐group chemistry, oxidative addition is now well‐established but reductive elimination reactions are not yet general in the same way. Herein, we report dihydrodialanes supported by amidophosphine ligands. The ligand serves as a stereochemical reporter for reversible reductive elimination/oxidative addition chemistry involving AlIand AlIIIintermediates.
Tuning of Delicate Host–Guest Interactions in Hydrated MIL‐53 and Functional Variants for Furfural Capture from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Cao Na , Wang Honglei , Ban Yujie , Wang Yuecheng , Yang Kun , Zhou Yingwu , Zhao Meng , Deng Weiqiao , Yang Weishen
Published: October 2020

Capture of high‐boiling‐point furfural from diluted aqueous solution is a critical but challenging step in sustainable bio‐refinery processes, but conventional separation methods such as distillation and liquid‐liquid extraction requires prohibitive energy consumption. We report control over the microenvironment of hydrated MIL‐53 and isoreticular variants with diversified functional terephthalic acid linkers for the purpose of preferential binding of furfural through delicate host‐guest interactions. Methyl‐bounded MIL‐53 with improved binding energy in the hydrated form results in highly efficient capture ratio (ca. 98 %) in the extremely low concentration of furfural solution (0.5–3 wt %) and 100 % furfural specificity over xylose. The distinct hydrogen bonding sites and multiple Van de Wall interactions for furfural adsorption was testified by computational modeling. Furthermore, the recovery ratio of furfural reaches ca. 93 % in desorption.
Coherent Vibration and Femtosecond Dynamics of the Platinum Complex Oligomers upon Intermolecular Bond Formation in the Excited State
Authors: Iwamura Munetaka , Fukui Airi , Nozaki Koichi , Kuramochi Hikaru , Takeuchi Satoshi , Tahara Tahei
Published: October 2020

Femtosecond time‐resolved absorption and picosecond time‐resolved emission measurements were carried out for highly concentrated aqueous solutions of K2[Pt(CN)4] to investigate excited‐state dynamics of the [Pt(CN)42−] oligomers formed with metallophilic interactions. Time‐resolved absorption spectra exhibit complicated dynamics that are represented with five time constants. Among them, the 90‐ps and 400‐ps dynamics were assigned to the S1 → T1 intersystem crossing of the trimer and tetramer coexisting in the solution by comparison with the fluorescence decays. Clear oscillations of transient absorption were observed in the first few picoseconds, and the frequency‐detected‐wavelength 2D analysis revealed that the 135‐cm−1 and 65‐cm−1 oscillations arise from the Pt–Pt stretch motions of the S1 trimer and S1 tetramer, respectively. The obtained time‐resolved spectroscopic data provide a clear view of the excited‐state dynamics of the [Pt(CN)42−] oligomers in the femto‐/picosecond time region.
Insights into the Composition and Structural Chemistry of Gallium(I) Triflate
Authors: Boronski Josef T. , Stevens Matthew P. , van IJzendoorn Bono , Whitwood Adrian C. , Slattery John M.
Published: October 2020

“GaOTf” is a simple, convenient source of low‐valent gallium for synthetic chemistry and catalysis. However, little is currently known about its composition or reactivity. In this work, 71Ga NMR spectroscopy shows the presence of [Ga(arene)n]+ salts on oxidation of Ga metal with AgOTf in arene solvents. However, a more complex picture of speciation is uncovered by X‐ray diffraction studies. In all cases, mixed‐valence compounds containing Ga‐arene and Ga‐OTf coordination motifs, in addition to an unusual “naked” [Ga]+ ion, are found. Addition of 18‐crown‐6 allows for the isolation of a discrete GaI crown complex. Evidence of a potential intermediate in the formation of “GaOTf” has been isolated in the form of the bimetallic silver(I)/gallium(I) cluster anion [Ag4{Ga(OTf)3}4(μ‐Ga)6(OTf)4]2−.
Quantifying Planarity in the Design of Organic Electronic Materials
Authors: Che Yuxuan , Perepichka Dmitrii F.
Published: October 2020

Planarity is essential for many organic electronic materials as it maximizes the intramolecular π‐orbital overlap and enables efficient intermolecular interactions through π‐stacking. We propose a statistical way of quantifying the planarity of a wide range of conjugated systems. The quantification takes into account all torsional conformations and their relative contribution to the overall structural disorder, through a planarity index ⟨cos2ϕ⟩. The propensity for planarization and the effect of rotational disorder were examined for a series of commonly used building blocks. The application of the analysis to extended conjugated systems and the correlations between the gas‐phase ⟨cos2ϕ⟩ and crystallographically observed planarity in the solid state were explored. Our calculations also reveal a previously unrecognized effect of increasing band gap upon planarization for conjugated systems coupling strong electron donor and acceptor units.
High‐viscoelastic graft modified chitosan hydrophobic association polymer for enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Liu Tao , Gou Shaohua , Zhou Lihua , Hao Jingjing , He Yang , Liu Ling , Tang Lan , Fang Shenwen
Published: October 2020

The conventional partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) is greatly restricted by its single linear molecular structure in oil reservoirs with severe reservoir conditions such as high temperature and high salt. In this article, the chitosan (CS) grafted imidazoline monomer copolymer (CS‐g‐AM/AA/NIDA) was prepared from N‐maleyl CS (N‐MCS), acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), 1‐(2‐N‐acryloylaminoethyl)‐2‐oleoyl imidazoline (NIDA) by free radical copolymerization. The structure was determined by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, thermal gravimetric analysis, and so forth, which confirmed the successful preparation of the copolymer with good thermal stability. Under the same conditions, compared with HPAM and copolymer CS‐g‐AM/AA, CS‐g‐AM/AA/NIDA greatly increased the viscosity of the aqueous solution and exhibited excellent shear stability (viscosity retention rate 15.62, 4.91, and 11.54% at 510 s−1), temperature resistance (the viscosity retention rate reached 50.89, 24.50, and 36.59% at 120°C) and salt resistance (14,000 mg/L NaCl: viscosity retention rate up to 17.27, 8.26, and 14.60%). In addition, core flooding experiments showed that oil recovery could be enhanced by up to 8.08% by CS‐g‐AM/AA/NIDA. As a natural polymer material, CS has hardly been reported for polymer flooding, and it is expected to replace general polymers in tertiary oil recovery.
Effect of electric field on storage modulus of dielectric composites
Authors: Ma Ning , Gong Guangping , Li Nannan , Li Bo , Dong Xufeng
Published: October 2020

DCs composed by dielectric particles and elastomer matrix present electric field dependent deformation. Viscoelasticity dominates their electric field response, which has to be considered in their applications. Although the influence of strain amplitude and oscillation frequency on the viscoelasticity of DCs has been investigated, the effect of electric field has been seldom studied. In this study, DCs were prepared by dispersing TiO2 particles with different concentrations and different distributions within silicone rubbers. The areal strain and the storage modulus of the DCs under different electric fields were tested. The results indicated the electric field has significant influence on the storage modulus of the DCs. Such an electric field dependent storage modulus is more significant for the DCs with higher particle fraction, or with aligned distributed particles. The enhanced electrostatic interaction between the adjacent particles by applying electric field is responsible for the phenomena.
Distribution of PDLIM1 at actin‐rich structures generated by invasive and adherent bacterial pathogens
Authors: Dhanda Aaron S. , Yang Diana , Kooner Avneen , Guttman Julian A.
Published: October 2020

The enteric bacterial pathogens Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) remodel the eukaryotic actin cytoskeleton during their disease processes. Listeria generate slender actin‐rich comet/rocket tails to move intracellularly, and later, finger‐like membrane protrusions to spread amongst host cells. EPEC remain extracellular, but generate similar actin‐rich membranous protrusions (termed pedestals) to move atop the host epithelia. These structures are crucial for disease as diarrheal (and systemic) infections are significantly abrogated during infections with mutant strains that are unable to generate the structures. The current repertoire of host components enriched within these structures is vast and diverse. In this protein catalog, we and others have found that host actin crosslinkers, such as palladin and α‐actinin‐1, are routinely exploited. To expand on this list, we set out to investigate the distribution of PDLIM1, a scaffolding protein and binding partner of palladin and α‐actinin‐1, during bacterial infections. We show that PDLIM1 localizes to the site of initial Listeria entry into cells. Following this, PDLIM1 localizes to actin filament clouds surrounding immotile bacteria, and then colocalizes with actin once the comet/rocket tails are generated. Unlike palladin or α‐actinin‐1, PDLIM1 is maintained within the actin‐rich core of membrane protrusions. Conversely, α‐actinin‐1, but not PDLIM1 (or palladin), is enriched at the membrane invagination that internalizes the Listeria‐containing membrane protrusion. We also show that PDLIM1 is a component of the EPEC pedestal core and that its recruitment is dependent on the bacterial effector Tir. Our findings highlight PDLIM1 as another protein present within pathogen‐induced actin‐rich structures.
Valence, Size, and Shape Control of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized by Electron‐Assisted Reduction
Authors: Shi Mengge , Wang Zhao
Published: October 2020

An electron‐assisted strategy was developed to prepare gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) at room temperature. Glow discharge plasma as electron source was successfully used to control the valence state, size, and shape of AuNPs. Stable Au(I) was obtained in 3 min by plasma, and Au(I) was reduced to zero valence with the increase in treatment time. An increase in the amount of Au did not induce an increase in particle size. A narrow size distribution was also achieved. The narrowest size distribution was observed at 9 min at 600 V. AuNPs grew slowly under glow discharge plasma, which slightly changed the mean size of AuNPs. Moreover, the average size of AuNPs was smaller under alkaline conditions. The initial pH of the solution can affect the nucleation and growth of AuNPs and further affect their particle size. Spherical AuNPs, hexagonal AuNPs, rectangular AuNPs, flower‐shaped AuNPs, and Au nanorods were easily obtained within 30 min by adding different additives. The hexagonal AuNPs exhibited the largest current response toward caffeine and showed a good linear range (0.1–1000 μM) with a low detection limit (0.064 μM), because their high‐energy planes can increase the electron transfer rate and improve electrocatalytic activity.
Discussion of virtual age, is it real?
Authors: Cui Lirong
Published: October 2020

In this note, some point of views on virtual ages are presented in terms of the discussion paper written by Finkelstein and Cha, which include generalized stochastic order‐based virtual ages, system‐level virtual ages, virtual ages in Weibull distribution and repair degrees with virtual ages. Finally, some possible future researches on virtual ages are described.
Assessing nutrient loading from reclaimed water irrigation using the chemical marker iohexol
Authors: Oppenheimer Joan A. , Schwab Kellogg J. , Jacangelo Joseph G.
Published: October 2020

Reclaimed water irrigation is a beneficial practice that could worsen nitrogen impairment of surrounding waterbodies. Estimating this contribution requires development of a suitable chemical marker. Toward that end, reuse effluents throughout Florida analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry or high‐resolution atomic mass identified the radiographic contrast medium iohexol as a marker unique to reclaimed water. Because iohexol may be subject to biodegradation during subsurface transport or photolability during surficial flow, this study measured iohexol degradation from solar insolation and its stability relative to nitrate during soil transport for inclusion within a mass balance calculation for a nitrogen impaired surface water in Naples, Florida. In this application, the reuse irrigation fractional volumetric flow contribution was ≤7% of the flow to the impaired waterbody. Subsurface flow was not considered because column experiments with local soil demonstrated preferential denitrification over iohexol biodegradation. Additional studies are needed to further demonstrate the potential merit of this approach in different regions.
Microdroplet enabled cultivation of single yeast cells correlates with bulk growth and reveals subpopulation phenomena
Authors: Liu Hangrui , Xu Xin , Peng Kai , Zhang Yuxin , Jiang Lianmei , Williams Thomas C. , Paulsen Ian T. , Piper James A. , Li Ming
Published: October 2020

Yeast has been engineered for cost‐effective organic acid production through metabolic engineering and synthetic biology techniques. However, cell growth assays in these processes were performed in bulk at the population level, thus obscuring the dynamics of rare single cells exhibiting beneficial traits. Here, we introduce the use of monodisperse picolitre droplets as bioreactors to cultivate yeast at the single‐cell level. We investigated the effect of acid stress on growth and the effect of potassium ions on propionic acid tolerance for single yeast cells of different species, genotypes, and phenotypes. The results showed that the average growth of single yeast cells in microdroplets experiences the same trend to those of yeast populations grown in bulk, and microdroplet compartments do not significantly affect cell viability. This approach offers the prospect of detecting cell‐to‐cell variations in growth and physiology and is expected to be applied for the engineering of yeast to produce value‐added bioproducts.
Ferric ion crosslinking‐based 3D printing of a graphene oxide hydrogel and its evaluation as a bio‐scaffold in tissue engineering
Authors: Lu Renhao , Zhang Wuhua , He Yuting , Zhang Siyuan , Fu Qian , Pang Yuan , Sun Wei
Published: October 2020

As a precursor of graphene, graphene oxide (GO) exhibits excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, besides appreciable biocompatibility in tissue engineering applications. However, the current GO‐3D fabrication technology is still in need of optimization and simplification to ensure fine architecture and reasonable mechanical properties, which would further promote the performance of GO as bio‐scaffolds in cell or microorganism attachment and in material transformation. To address this issue, we proposed a GO ink, with appreciable rheological properties and excellent printing performance via high‐speed centrifugation and ferric ion‐assisted cross‐linking. A woodpile structure with controllable micro‐pores was produced by micro‐extrusion‐based 3D printing technology followed by an optimized freeze‐drying process. Cellular adhesion and viability were verified by inoculation and culture of HepaRG cells using the fabricated GO 3D structure, thus suggesting ferric ion‐assisted cross‐linking and controllable pore distribution for improving the performance of the GO construct as a bio‐scaffold for in vitro liver tissue models.
Cognitive impairment in NMOSD—More questions than answers
Authors: Czarnecka Dominika , Oset Magdalena , Karlińska Iwona , Stasiołek Mariusz
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a type of central nervous system antibody‐mediated disease which affects mainly optic nerves and spinal cord, but may also present with acute brainstem syndrome, acute diencephalic syndrome, and cerebral syndrome with typical brain lesions. One of the most disabling symptoms, diagnosed in 29%–67% of cases, is cognitive dysfunction, with such processes as memory, processing speed, executive function, attention, and verbal fluency being predominantly affected. However, description of cognition in NMOSD patients is still a relatively new area of research.

Methods

A systematic MEDLINE search was performed to retrieve all studies that investigated cognitive impairment and its clinical correlates in patients with NMOSD.

Results

We summarize the current knowledge on cognitive impairment profile, neuropsychological tests used to examine NMOSD patients, clinical and demographical variables affecting cognition, and magnetic resonance imaging correlates. We provide a comparison of cognitive profile of patients with multiple sclerosis and NMOSD.

Conclusion

Patients with NMOSD are at significant risk of cognitive deficits. However, the knowledge of cognitive symptoms in NMOSD and potential modifying interventions is still scarce. Further accumulation of clinical data may facilitate effective therapeutic interventions.
SARS‐CoV‐2 infections in cancer outpatients—Most infected patients are asymptomatic carriers without impact on chemotherapy
Authors: Hempel Louisa , Piehler Armin , Pfaffl Michael W. , Molnar Jakob , Kirchner Benedikt , Robert Sebastian , Veloso Julia , Gandorfer Beate , Trepotec Zeljka , Mederle Stefanie , Keim Sabine , Milani Valeria , Ebner Florian , Schweneker Katrin , Fleischmann Bastian , Kleespies Axel , Scheiber Josef , Hempel Dirk , Zehn Dietmar
Published: October 2020

Oncologic patients are regarded as the population most at risk of developing a severe course of COVID‐19 due to the fact that malignant diseases and chemotherapy often weaken the immune system. In the face of the ongoing SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, how particular patients deal with this infection remains an important question. In the period between the 15 and 26 April 2020, a total of 1227 patients were tested in one of seven oncologic outpatient clinics for SARS‐CoV‐2, regardless of symptoms, employing RT‐qPCR. Of 1227 patients, 78 (6.4%) were tested positive of SARS‐CoV‐2. Only one of the patients who tested positive developed a severe form of COVID‐19 with pneumonia (CURB‐65 score of 2), and two patients showed mild symptoms. Fourteen of 75 asymptomatic but positively tested patients received chemotherapy or chemo‐immunotherapy according to their regular therapy algorithm (±4 weeks of SARS‐CoV‐2 test), and 48 of 78 (61.5%) positive‐tested patients received glucocorticoids as co‐medication. None of the asymptomatic infected patients showed unexpected complications due to the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection during the cancer treatment. These data clearly contrast the view that patients with an oncologic disease are particularly vulnerable to SARS‐CoV‐2 and suggest that compromising therapies could be continued or started despite the ongoing pandemic. Moreover the relatively low appearance of symptoms due to COVID‐19 among patients on chemotherapy and other immunosuppressive co‐medication like glucocorticoids indicate that suppressing the response capacity of the immune system reduces disease severity.
Impact of tumor volume enlargement after induction chemotherapy on subsequent radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A propensity‐score matching analysis
Authors: Li Shan , Shen Liangfang
Published: October 2020

A small proportion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients show resistance to induction chemotherapy (IC). This study sought to investigate the impact of tumor volume enlargement after IC on the dosimetric parameters of subsequent radiotherapy. The records of a total of 240 locally advanced NPC patients who received IC followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a tumor volume enlargement of ≥10% and patients with a tumor volume reduction of ≥10% after induction chemotherapy were classified as the enlargement group and the control group, respectively. The dosimetric parameters of the planning target volumes (PTVs) and the organs at risk (OARs) were compared between the matched groups after propensity score matching (PSM). For the gross tumor volume of nasopharynx (GTVnx), 21 patients and 127 patients were classified as the enlargement group and the control group, respectively. After matching, 20 sub‐pairs of 40 patients were generated in the post‐PSM cohort. The GTVnx enlargement group exhibited no significant disadvantages in all of the dosimetric parameters, except in the planning organ‐at‐risk volume (PRV) of contralateral lens (Dmax, 722 cGy vs. 634 cGy, p = 0.041). For the gross tumor volume of lymph nodes (GTVnd), 44 patients and 144 patients were classified as the enlargement group and the control group, respectively. After matching, 39 sub‐pairs of 78 patients were generated in the post‐PSM cohort. The GTVnd enlargement group exhibited no significant disadvantages in all of the dosimetric parameters. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the enlargement of GTVnx and the enlargement of GTVnd were not independently associated with any of the dosimetric parameters. A tumor volume enlargement of ≥10% in GTVnx or GTVnd after induction chemotherapy has no significant impact on the dosimetric parameters of subsequent radiotherapy in locally advanced NPC.
Transformation Scoring System (TSS): A new assessment index for clinical transformation of follicular lymphoma
Authors: Shichijo Takafumi , Maruyama Dai , Yamauchi Nobuhiko , Maeshima Akiko Miyagi , Sugano Masato , Yuda Sayako , Tajima Kinuko , Kurihara Hiroaki , Shimada Kaoru , Suzuki Tomotaka , Toyoda Kosuke , Makita Shinichi , Fukuhara Suguru , Munakata Wataru , Suzuki Tatsuya , Kobayashi Yukio , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Minami Yosuke , Izutsu Koji , Tobinai Kensei
Published: October 2020

Although histologic analysis is the gold standard for diagnosing follicular lymphoma (FL) transformation, many patients are diagnosed with transformation by clinical factors as biopsy specimens often cannot be obtained. Despite the frequency of clinical diagnosis, no clinical assessment tool has yet been established for FL transformation in the rituximab era. We derived and validated a transformation scoring system (TSS) based on retrospective analyses of 126 patients with biopsy‐proven FL and histologic transformation (HT) at two hospitals of the National Cancer Center of Japan. In the derivation set (76 patients), the detailed analyses of the clinical characteristics at disease progression showed that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) elevation, focal lymph nodal (LN) enlargement, hemoglobin <12 g/dl, and poor performance status (PS) (2‐4) were associated with HT. The weights of these variables were decided based on the regression coefficients. Next, we constructed a TSS encompassing the above four factors: LDH, (> upper limit of normal [ULN], ≤ULN ×2) (1 point), (≥ULN ×2) (2 points); focal LN enlargement, (≥3 cm, <7 cm) (1 point), (≥7 cm) (2 points); hemoglobin <12 g/dl (1 point); poor PS (2 points). We identified a high positive predictive value (PPV) (96.4%) and negative predictive value (NPV) (85.4%) for diagnosing HT when a cutoff score of 2 was selected for our TSS. In an external validation set (50 patients), the probability of HT was high with scores ≥2 (PPV, 93.3%; NPV, 82.9%). We developed a TSS that offers a simple, yet, valuable tool, for diagnosing HT, especially in patients who cannot undergo biopsy.
Risk factors associated with suicide among leukemia patients: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results analysis
Authors: Yu Haohui , Cai Ke , Huang Yulin , Lyu Jun
Published: October 2020

Previous studies have found that the risk of suicide is higher in patients diagnosed with cancer than in the general population. We aimed to identify potential risk factors associated with suicide in leukemia patients by analyzing data obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We screened the SEER database for leukemia patients added between 1975 and 2017, and calculated their suicide rate and standardized mortality rate (SMR) relative to the total United States population from 1981 to 2017 as a reference. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors for suicide in leukemia patients. We collected 142,386 leukemia patients who had been added to the SEER database from 1975 to 2017, of whom 191 patients committed suicide over an observation period of 95,397 person‐years. The suicide rate of leukemia patients was 26.41 per 100,000 person‐years, and hence the SMR of the suicided leukemia patients was 2.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.85–2.47). The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that a high risk of suicide was associated with male sex (vs. female: hazard ratio [HR] = 4.41, 95% CI = 2.93–6.63, p < 0.001), older age at diagnosis (60–69 years vs. ≤39 years: HR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.60–4.23, p < 0.001; 70–79 years vs. ≤39 years: HR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.72–4.68, p < 0.001; ≥80 years vs. ≤39 years: HR = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.65–5.21, p < 0.001), white race (vs. black: HR = 6.80, 95% CI = 1.69–27.40, p = 0.007), acute myeloid leukemia (vs. lymphocytic leukemia: HR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.09–2.33, p = 0.016), unspecified and other specified leukemia (vs. lymphocytic leukemia: HR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.55–4.75, p < 0.001), and living in a small city (vs. large city: HR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.23–3.60, p = 0.007). Meanwhile, being a non‐Hispanic black (vs. Hispanic: HR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.01–0.62, p = 0.019) was a protective factor for suicide. Male sex, older age at diagnosis, white race, and acute myeloid leukemia were risk factors for suicide in leukemia patients, while being a non‐Hispanic black was a protective factor. Medical workers should, therefore, provide targeted preventive measures to leukemia patients with a high risk of suicide.
Colon perforation in multiple myeloma patients – A complication of high‐dose steroid treatment
Authors: Vaxman Iuliana , Al Saleh Abdullah S. , Kumar Shaji , Nitin Mishra , Dispenzieri Angela , Buadi Francis , Dingli David , Lacy Martha , Muchtar Eli , Hobbs Miriam , Fonder Amie , Hwa Lisa , Visram Alissa , Kapoor Prashant , Siddiqui Mustaqeem , Lust John , Kyle Robert , Rajkumar Vincent , Hayman Suzanne , Leung Nelson , Gonsalves Wilson , Kourelis Taxiarchis , Warsame Rahma , Gertz Morie A.
Published: October 2020

Gastrointestinal complications of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment are common and include nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. However, acute gastrointestinal events like perforations are rare. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with MM that had colonic perforations during their treatment. This is a retrospective study that included patients from all three Mayo Clinic sites who had MM and developed a colonic perforation. All patients were diagnosed with colonic perforations based on CT scans and were surgically treated. Patients diagnosed with AL amyloidosis, a perforated colon complicating neutropenic colitis during ASCT and those with perforation due to colonic cancer were excluded. A high dose of dexamethasone was defined as ≥40 mg dexamethasone once a week. Thirty patients met inclusion criteria. All patients received steroids at doses ≥10 mg once weekly prior to the perforation, while four (11%) were on high‐dose dexamethasone without chemotherapy. Fourteen patients were given high doses of dexamethasone. Twenty‐five patients required ostomies with all surviving surgery. Twenty‐four perforations (80%) were associated with diverticulitis. Treatment with steroids was resumed in 23 patients with no further gastrointestinal complications. The median OS was 20 months following perforation (IQR 8–59). Within the same timeframe 5854 patients were treated at Mayo Clinic for MM, making the risk of bowel perforation 0.5%. Intestinal perforations in MM are rare and, in our series, always occurred with dexamethasone ≥10 mg per week. Urgent surgery is lifesaving and resumption of anti‐myeloma treatment appears to be safe.