bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A population model provides support for management decisions, enables ongoing research and reinforces strong partnerships to manage a threatened freshwater crayfish
Authors: Whiterod Nick S. , Todd Charles R. , Zukowski Sylvia , Raymond Scott M.C. , Asmus Martin , Todd Macgregor J.
Published: September 2020

Many freshwater crayfish are threatened with extinction owing to varied threats such as urban development, pollution, over‐harvest, and climate change, as well as invasive species.

A recently published manuscript in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems described a stochastic, age‐based population model for the large freshwater crayfish Murray crayfish, Euastacus armatus, which is now threatened across much of its range in the Murray–Darling Basin in south‐eastern Australia.

The model was constructed for three regional populations using the best available knowledge of life‐history traits such as longevity, size at onset of sexual maturity, fecundity, and survival, along with an account of density dependence. The model provides a framework to explore aspects of the conservation and management of the species, including assessing the influence of recreational harvest and environmental disturbance such as hypoxic blackwater, which affected the species significantly in 2010–2011.

The application of the model provided retrospective justification for regulation amendments and highlighted biologically realistic timeframes for the recovery of impaired populations. This knowledge has assisted multi‐jurisdictional fisheries management agencies to undertake routine reviews of fishery regulations, as well as to inform stakeholders of the benefits of the regulation amendments.

Refinement of the modelling framework has already provided additional insight and it is anticipated that future application will help to address other important management questions. The modelling outcomes are at present informing conservation assessment of the species under the Australian Government's Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The benefit of the population model can be summarized as: providing a framework to inform and justify management decisions; enabling additional research; and guiding conservation assessment. This has strengthened strong partnerships (between ecologists, managers, and recreational fishers) required to manage the species effectively.
Environmental flow releases trigger spawning of a threatened fish: Research insights and publication enhance management, credibility and relationships
Authors: Amtstaetter Frank , Suter Stephanie
Published: September 2020

Publication is an important stage in the research process, but determining the impact of published research on environmental outcomes is a complex challenge that is seldom undertaken. In 2016, a published study used acoustic telemetry techniques and drift sampling to demonstrate that environmental flow releases triggered downstream spawning migrations by a threatened fish species, the Australian grayling (Prototroctes maraena). The study provided support for the use of these types of releases to mitigate some of the effects of river regulation on fishes.

The impacts of this research and its publication in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems were thoroughly reviewed to identify benefits to water managers, researchers, institutes, and the wider community.

Five areas in which this research, and its publication, had a recognizable impact are enhanced confidence for water managers in undertaking actions; greater acceptance in the wider community of environmental flow releases; enhanced relationships among water managers; the credibility arising from the work being published in a peer‐reviewed journal; and setting a foundation for further evidence‐based management.
The ecology of the endemic quillwort Isoëtes malinverniana: From basic research to legal and in situ conservation
Authors: Abeli Thomas , Caldeira Cecilio F. , Barni Elena , Siniscalco Consolata , Parco Valentina , Rossi Graziano
Published: September 2020

Scientific publications on the conservation of threatened species can drive practical conservation solutions for endangered species. Yet, a posteriori assessment of the impact of such publications is rarely seen in the scientific literature.

The impact of two articles published in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems (AQC) on the conservation of the endangered quillwort Isoëtes malinverniana is assessed. The articles were the result of a 10‐year study on the focal species that eventually led to the first reintroduction of I. malinverniana. The first article described the development of a cost‐effective model for the selection of suitable reintroduction sites for the species. The second article provided a summary of the techniques used to reintroduce the species and included techniques of ex situ propagation, recipient site preparation, planting methods, and monitoring.

This article reviews the practical conservation actions for I. malinverniana that followed the publication of two AQC papers and how they may affect research and conservation for other quillworts and aquatic macrophytes.

The results were surprising and went well beyond the initial expectations of the authors. Both AQC publications stimulated the conservation of I. malinverniana from different points of view. They contributed by informing scientists and policymakers of the risk of extinction of this species, leading to the establishment of a new protected area in Piedmont (northern Italy).

Our published data represent a sound starting point for funding opportunities in the context of the European Union LIFE programme. Further impacts include an expansion of knowledge on oligotrophic habitat management, the assessment of conservation status, and the education of the general public, with the last of these greatly enhanced by the two ex situ collections created in the botanic gardens of Tourin and Pavia. Interestingly, other authors are now using our approach in research and conservation on other endemic and endangered quillworts worldwide.
Conservation of fish communities: Extending the ‘research life cycle’ by achieving practical effects
Authors: Bylak Aneta , Kukuła Krzysztof
Published: September 2020

This article highlights the practical impact of our 2018 Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems publication, ‘Importance of peripheral basins: Implications for the conservation of fish assemblages’, which described fish communities in a Polish river.

Data on the fish assemblages of the Dniester River (Black Sea basin) are scarce; however, evidence indicates that the assemblages have declined. In our 2018 study, we hypothesized that the peripheral basin (the small basin on the edge) of the larger Upper Dniester River basin (the Strwiąż River) could maintain good ecological status and contained unique fish assemblages.

To examine the influence of historical factors and assess the role of peripheral basins on fish conservation, data from the Strwiąż basin were compared with the adjacent but unconnected Wiar basin (the Vistula basin; Baltic Sea basin). The Strwiąż River fish assemblages featured higher species richness and a greater number of native Ponto–Caspian species that function near the edge of their ranges.

This article focuses on four impacts of the 2018 publication: increasing awareness by various groups and organizations of the unique character of the surveyed river basin; highlighting important issues in assessing the ecological status of European rivers; driving the red‐listing of species and the development of stream fish conservation strategies; and identifying possible future impacts.

Our 2018 publication demonstrated the value of studying peripheral basins, which may affect conservation strategy development and encourage study of the importance of other peripheral basins and their role in aquatic resources conservation. Our article influenced the interpretation of fish‐based biotic indices and the conduct of monitoring work and its evaluation. It also strongly emphasized the native origin of the racer goby (Babka gymnotrachelus) in the Strwiąż River, which was important for subsequent works seeking to change the legal status of the species in Poland.
The potential for expanding sustainable biogas production and some possible impacts in specific countries
Authors: Dale Bruce E. , Bozzetto Stefano , Couturier Christian , Fabbri Claudio , Hilbert Jorge A. , Ong Rebecca , Richard Tom , Rossi Lorella , Thelen Kurt D. , Woods Jeremy
Published: September 2020

Current food production practices tend to damage and deplete soil, diminish biodiversity, and degrade water supplies. For agriculture to become environmentally sustainable and simultaneously increase food output for a growing world population, fundamental changes in agricultural production systems are required. Renewable energy can reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) but we also need simple, low‐cost approaches to remove atmospheric carbon and sequester it in stable forms. Recycling of digestate from the anaerobic digestion of agricultural and waste materials to soils can sequester atmospheric carbon and provide many other economic, social and environmental benefits. Biogasdoneright™ (BDR) is a set of practices that link biogas production with sustainable agriculture. The BDR approach to sustainable agriculture is being implemented on a large scale in Italy. In this paper, we examine the potential impact of implementing BDR in selected other countries. The biomethane potential in these countries, estimated conservatively, varies from about 10–30% of their current annual natural gas consumption. Biomethane from sequential (double) crops provides by far the greatest fraction of the biomethane potential. Double cropping also drives many of the environmental and economic benefits of BDR systems. Depending on where and how widely it is implemented, the production of biogas in BDR systems could have very significant national‐level impacts. For example, sufficient biomethane could be produced in Argentina to completely eliminate imports of natural gas, equivalent to about 28% of Argentina's 2017 trade deficit. In the USA, renewable biogas could generate electricity equal to nearly all of the electricity currently produced by domestic solar and wind resources. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Enantioseparation on Amino Alcohol‐Derived Stationary Phases by Supercritical Fluid Chromatography and High‐Performance Liquid Chromatograpy
Authors: Kim Gyuri , Ryoo Jae Jeong
Published: September 2020

Previous studies have shown that amino alcohol‐derived chiral stationary phases can effectively separate some chiral samples. With the aim at improving the chiral separation, in this study, the composition and type of the mobile phase and the particle size of the stationary phase are changed, and the analytical method is carried out in parallel using high‐performance liquid chromatograpy (HPLC) and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). By changing the type and composition of the mobile phase and reducing the particle size of the stationary phase, optimal separation and analysis conditions are obtained simultaneously for HPLC and SFC experiments. In particular, for a particle size of 3 μm, the resolution increases for dinitrobenzoyl phenylglycinol and 2,2,2‐trifluoro‐1‐(9‐anthryl)ethanol. Moreover, replacing the organic modifier from methanol to isopropanol allows obtaining better results in the SFC experiments of dinitrobenzoyl phenylglycinol, dinitrobenzoyl leucinol, and 2,2,2‐trifluoro‐1‐(9‐anthryl)ethanol GTOC,Chiral separation by SFC and HPLC.
Radiation therapy and secondary malignancy in Li‐Fraumeni syndrome: A hereditary cancer registry study
Authors: Hendrickson Peter G. , Luo Yukun , Kohlmann Wendy , Schiffman Josh , Maese Luke , Bishop Andrew J. , Lloyd Shane , Kokeny Kristine E. , Hitchcock Ying J. , Poppe Matthew M. , Gaffney David K. , Tao Randa
Published: September 2020

Background

Li‐Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) is a rare cancer‐predisposing condition caused by germline mutations in TP53. Conventional wisdom and prior work has implied an increased risk of secondary malignancy in LFS patients treated with radiation therapy (RT); however, this risk is not well‐characterized. Here we describe the risk of subsequent malignancy and cancer‐related death in LFS patients after undergoing RT for a first or second primary cancer.

Methods

We reviewed a multi‐institutional hereditary cancer registry of patients with germline TP53 mutations who were treated from 2004 to 2017. We assessed the rate of subsequent malignancy and death in the patients who received RT (RT group) as part of their cancer treatment compared to those who did not (non‐RT group).

Results

Forty patients with LFS were identified and 14 received RT with curative intent as part of their cancer treatment. The median time to follow‐up after RT was 4.5 years. Fifty percent (7/14) of patients in the curative‐intent group developed a subsequent malignancy (median time 3.5 years) compared to 46% of patients in the non‐RT group (median time 5.0 years). Four of seven subsequent malignancies occurred within a prior radiation field and all shared histology with the primary cancer suggesting recurrence rather than new malignancy.

Conclusion

We found that four of14 patients treated with RT developed in‐field malignancies. All had the same histology as the primary suggesting local recurrences rather than RT‐induced malignancies. We recommend that RT should be considered as part of the treatment algorithm when clinically indicated and after multidisciplinary discussion.
Leverage technology to prevent the spread of COVID‐19 on campus
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: September 2020

Before Joseph Thalheimer worked for the University of Central Florida (currently the second‐largest university in the United States), he worked as the Assistant Security Supervisor for the Orange County Convention Center, which sees 1.6 million visitors annually. It's an experience Thalheimer said prepped him for his future role at UCF as the Director of Emergency Management. UCF enrolls more than 69,000 students.
Study shows young adults who vape are five times more likely to contract COVID‐19
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: September 2020

College‐age students who vape are five to seven times more likely than nonvaping peers to contract COVID‐19, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. The study examined survey results from more than 4,000 people, aged 13–24, throughout the United States, and is the first study of its kind to examine the link between vaping and COVID‐19 vulnerability. While other studies have determined links between cigarette smoking and vulnerability to COVID‐19, vaping, a practice that is increasing on college campuses, had so far been unstudied in relation to the virus.
Pure erythroid leukemia
Authors: Chen Jason C. , Lee Winston Y. , Schaefer Jordan K. , Bixby Dale L.
Published: September 2020

The diagnosis of pure erythroid leukemia (PEL) can be challenging. Prompt identification of CD45+, CD34‐, CD71+, CD117+, and E‐cadherin+ erythroblasts is important. The differential diagnosis is broad and includes megaloblastic anemia.
Treatment of scleromyxedema with lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Win Hninyee , Gowin Krisstina
Published: September 2020

Scleromyxedema is a rare and progressive disease that currently has no standard treatment. Triplet therapy with lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone can be an effective therapy for scleromyxedema, especially in patients with refractory or relapsed disease.
A novel KRT1 c.1433A>G p.(Glu478Gly) mutation in a newborn with epidermolytic ichthyosis
Authors: Caroppo Francesca , Cama Elena , Salmaso Roberto , Bertolin Cinzia , Salviati Leonardo , Belloni Fortina Anna
Published: September 2020

Epidermolytic Ichthyosis is a rare genodermatosis related to point mutations affecting the genes encoding for keratin 1 or keratin 10. We report a case of Epidermolytic Ichthyosis in a newborn with a novel mutation (c.1433A>G) of KRT1 gene.
Adherence and out‐of‐pocket costs among Medicare beneficiaries who are prescribed oral targeted therapies for advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Caram Megan E. V. , Oerline Mary K. , Dusetzina Stacie , Herrel Lindsey A. , Modi Parth K. , Kaufman Samuel R. , Skolarus Ted A. , Hollenbeck Brent K. , Shahinian Vahakn
Published: September 2020

Background

Abiraterone and enzalutamide are high‐cost oral therapies that increasingly are used to treat patients with advanced prostate cancer; these agents carry the potential for significant financial consequences to patients. In the current study, the authors investigated coping and material measures of the financial hardship of these therapies among patients with Medicare Part D coverage.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective cohort study on a 20% sample of Medicare Part D enrollees who underwent treatment with abiraterone or enzalutamide between July 2013 and June 2015. The authors described the variability in adherence rates and out‐of‐pocket payments among hospital referral regions in the first 6 months of therapy and determined whether adherence and out‐of‐pocket payments were associated with patient factors and the socioeconomic characteristics of where a patient was treated.

Results

There were 4153 patients who filled abiraterone or enzalutamide prescriptions through Medicare Part D in 228 hospital referral regions. The mean adherence rate was 75%. The median monthly out‐of‐pocket payment for abiraterone and enzalutamide was $706 (range, $0‐$3505). After multilevel, multivariable adjustment for patient and regional factors, adherence was found to be lower in patients who were older (69% for patients aged ≥85 years vs 76% for patients aged <70 years; P < .01) and in those with low‐income subsidies (69% in those with a subsidy vs 76% in those without a subsidy; P < .01). Both Hispanic ethnicity and living in a hospital referral region with a higher percentage of Hispanic beneficiaries were found to be independently associated with higher out‐of‐pocket payments for abiraterone and enzalutamide.

Conclusions

There were substantial variations in the adherence rate and out‐of‐pocket payments among Medicare Part D beneficiaries who were prescribed abiraterone and enzalutamide. Sociodemographic patient and regional factors were found to be associated with both adherence and out‐of‐pocket payments.
Comparing unified, pinned, and host/device memory allocations for memory‐intensive workloads on Tegra SoC
Authors: Choi Jake , You Hojun , Kim Chongam , Young Yeom Heon , Kim Yoonhee
Published: September 2020

Edge computing focuses on processing near the source of the data. Edge computing devices using the Tegra SoC architecture provide a physically distinct GPU memory architecture. In order to take advantage of this architecture, different modes of memory allocation need to be considered. Different GPU memory allocation techniques yield different results in memory usage and execution times of identical applications on Tegra devices. In this article, we implement several GPU application benchmarks, including our custom CFD code with unified, pinned, and normal host/device memory allocation modes. We evaluate and compare the memory usage and execution time of such workloads on edge computing Tegra system‐on‐chips (SoC) equipped with integrated GPUs using a shared memory architecture, and non‐SoC machines with discrete GPUs equipped with distinct VRAM. We discover that utilizing normal memory allocation methods on SoCs actually use double the required memory because of unnecessary device memory copies, despite being physically shared with host memory. We show that GPU application memory usage can be reduced up to 50%, and that even performance improvements can occur just by replacing normal memory allocation and memory copy methods with managed unified memory or pinned memory allocation.
Ecohydrology of wetland plant communities along an estuarine to tidal river gradient
Authors: Borde Amy B. , Diefenderfer Heida L. , Cullinan Valerie I. , Zimmerman Shon A. , Thom Ronald M.
Published: September 2020

Abiotic filters that interact with wetland plant communities along tidal–fluvial gradients are highly dynamic, and understanding their quantitative thresholds and relationships to interspecific competition is important during an era of sea‐level rise and watershed hydrologic change. Yet, landscape‐scale studies of major coastal rivers from the river mouth to the head of tide, such as this study, remain rare. Here, we develop a new predictive framework for estuarine–tidal river research and management using a river‐specific low‐water datum and the wetland inundation indicator SEVg, the growing‐season sum exceedance value of hourly surface‐water depth. The distribution and variability of the wetland species pool (n = 203) on the 234 river kilometer (rkm) lower Columbia River and estuary floodplain are described for the first time. 4,940 quadrats at 50 marshes were surveyed (2005–2016). Throughout the estuarine–tidal river system, SEVgwas well suited to describe the wetland inundation regime and its variability based on the combination of longitudinal river position and elevation. SEVgincreased significantly landward. Two primary wetland inundation regimes were identified: the seaward‐tidal, usually greatest during the winter months, and landward‐fluvial, greatest during the growing season. Nearest the ocean, salinity is the abiotic factor limiting species richness and non‐native species. Farther upriver, the daily, seasonal, and interannual variability of the wetting and drying cycle encourage disturbance‐tolerant species and non‐natives and limit the number of hydrophytes and total vegetative cover. Hence, the average between‐year similarity of site‐scale areal cover significantly decreased landward. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated five vegetative groups and five ecohydrologic zones between rkm 0 and 234 were discriminated with 76 significant species–zone associations. All zones had unique indicator species. Species with high indicator values wereCarex lyngbyeithroughout the estuarine zones, andEleocharis palustris, Sagittaria latifolia, and the invasive non‐nativePhalaris arundinaceain the upper estuarine and lower, middle, and upper tidal river zones (IV > 0.90). Competition fromC. lyngbyeinearest the ocean andP. arundinaceain the tidal river was associated with reduced species richness when total cover was >65%. This framework of filters informs the design and prediction of future wetland plant communities on coastal river floodplains.
High‐severity and short‐interval wildfires limit forest recovery in the Central Cascade Range
Authors: Busby Sebastian U. , Moffett Kevan B. , Holz Andrés
Published: September 2020

Increasing forest fuel aridity with climate change may be expanding mid‐to‐high‐elevation forests' vulnerability to large, severe, and frequent wildfire. Long‐lasting changes in forests' structure and composition may occur if dominant tree species are poorly adapted to shifting wildfire patterns. We hypothesized that altered fire activity may lower existing forest resilience and disrupt the recovery of upper‐montane and subalpine conifer forest types. We empirically tested this hypothesis by quantifying post‐fire forest structure and conifer tree regeneration after spatially large, severe, and rapidly repeated wildfires (<12‐yr interval) in the Central Cascade Range in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Post‐fire conifer regeneration was generally very poor among plots that experienced either a single high‐severity fire or rapid reburn, driven primarily by lack of proximate seed source. Pre‐fire dominant, shade‐tolerant species' abundance was highly negatively correlated with increasing seed source distances and dry, exposed post‐fire environmental conditions. In rapidly reburned plots, the order of burn severity was critical and promoted establishment of all conifer species, if low‐then‐high severity, or primarily fire‐adapted pines, if high‐then‐low severity. Our findings suggest that these forests, affected by expansive high‐severity and/or short‐interval wildfire, may transition into a patchy, low‐density, pine‐dominated forest state under future warming trends. These emerging, early seral ecosystems will incorporate more fire‐adapted tree species, lower tree densities, and more non‐forest patches than prior forests, likely expanding their resilience to anticipated increases in fire frequency. If future larger, more severe, and more frequent wildfire patterns manifest as expected in the Cascade Range, previously denser, moist mid‐to‐high‐elevation forests may begin resembling their drier, lower‐elevation mixed‐conifer counterparts in structure and composition.
Perspectives on youth‐onset nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Castillo‐Leon Eduardo , Cioffi Catherine E. , Vos Miriam B.
Published: September 2020

Background

The prevalence and incidence of youth‐onset nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) far exceeds other paediatric chronic liver diseases and represents a considerable public health issue globally.

Methods

Here, we performed a narrative review of current knowledge regarding the epidemiology of paediatric NAFLD, selected concepts in pathogenesis, comorbidities, diagnosis, and management, and issues related to the transition to adulthood.

Results

Paediatric NAFLD has become increasingly more prevalent, especially in certain subgroups, such as children with obesity and certain races/ethnicities. The pathophysiology of paediatric NAFLD is complex and multifactorial, driven by an interaction of environmental and genetic factors. Once developed, NAFLD in childhood is associated with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, increased cardiovascular disease risk, and end‐stage liver disease. This predicts an increased burden of morbidity and mortality in adolescents and young adults. Early screening and diagnosis are therefore crucial, and the development of noninvasive biomarkers remains an active area of investigation. Currently, treatment strategies are focused on lifestyle changes, but there is also research interest in pharmacological and surgical options. In the transition from paediatric to adult care, there are several potential challenges/barriers to treatment and research is needed to understand how best to support patients during this time.

Conclusions

Our understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of paediatric NAFLD has increased considerably over recent decades, but several critical knowledge gaps remain and must be addressed in order to better mitigate the short‐term and long‐term risks of youth‐onset NAFLD.
Impact of right ventricular contractile reserve during low‐load exercise on exercise intolerance in heart failure
Authors: Kinoshita Masaki , Inoue Katsuji , Higashi Haruhiko , Akazawa Yusuke , Sasaki Yasuhiro , Fujii Akira , Uetani Teruyoshi , Inaba Shinji , Aono Jun , Nagai Takayuki , Nishimura Kazuhisa , Ikeda Shuntaro , Yamaguchi Osamu
Published: September 2020

Aims

Traditional criteria for heart transplantation by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) include peak oxygen uptake (VO2) < 14 mL/kg/min. Reaching a sufficient exercise load is challenging for patients with refractory heart failure (HF) because of their exercise intolerance. Recently, a substantial impact of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction was highlighted on urgent heart transplantation and mortality. This study aims to investigate the impact of RV contractile reserve, assessed by low‐load exercise stress echocardiography (ESE), on exercise intolerance defined as peak VO2 < 14 mL/kg/min, in patients with HF.

Methods and results

We prospectively examined 67 consecutive patients hospitalized for HF who underwent ESE and CPX under a stabilized HF condition. Although low‐load ESE was defined as 25 W load exercise, an increment in RV systolic (s′) velocity was regarded as the preservation of RV contractile reserve. All patients completed low‐load ESE. During low‐load ESE, the variation in RV s′ velocity significantly correlated with peak VO2 (r = 0.787, P < 0.001). The change in RV s′ velocity during low‐load ESE accurately identified patients with peak VO2 < 14 mL/kg/min (area under the curve, 0.95; sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 85%). The intraclass correlation coefficient for intra‐observer and inter‐observer agreement for the change in RV s′ velocity was 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.88–0.99, P < 0.001) and 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.64–0.95, P < 0.001), respectively. The RV‐to‐pulmonary circulation (PC) coupling, which was assessed by the slope of the relationship between RV s′ velocity and pulmonary artery systolic pressure at rest and low‐load exercise, was worse in the low‐peak VO2 group (<14 mL/kg/min) than the preserved‐peak VO2 group (≥14 mL/kg/min).

Conclusions

The change in RV s′ velocity during low‐load ESE could estimate the exercise capacity in HF patients. The assessments of RV contractile reserve and RV‐to‐PC coupling could be clinically beneficial to distinguish high‐risk HF patients.
Cardiac output improvement by pecavaptan: a novel dual‐acting vasopressin V1a/V2 receptor antagonist in experimental heart failure
Authors: Mondritzki Thomas , Mai Thuy Anh , Vogel Julia , Pook Elisabeth , Wasnaire Pierre , Schmeck Carsten , Hüser Jörg , Dinh Wilfried , Truebel Hubert , Kolkhof Peter
Published: September 2020

Aims

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) mediates deleterious effects via vascular V1a and renal V2 receptors in heart failure (HF). Despite positive short‐term decongestive effects in phase II HF studies, selective V2 receptor antagonism has shown no long‐term mortality benefit, potentially related to unopposed V1a receptor activation. We compared the novel dual V1a/V2 receptor antagonist pecavaptan with the selective V2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan in pre‐clinical HF models.

Methods and results

In vitro IC50 determination in recombinant cell lines revealed similar receptor selectivity profiles (V2:V1a) of tolvaptan and pecavaptan for human and dog AVP receptors, respectively. Two canine models were used to compare haemodynamic and aquaretic effects: (i) anaesthetised dogs with tachypacing‐induced HF, and (ii) conscious telemetric dogs with a non‐invasive cardiac output (CO) monitor. Tolvaptan and pecavaptan exhibited no differences in urinary output. In HF dogs, pecavaptan counteracted the AVP‐induced increase in afterload and decrease in CO (pecavaptan: 1.83 ± 0.31 L/min; vs. tolvaptan: 1.46 ± 0.07 L/min, P < 0.05). In conscious telemetric animals, pecavaptan led to a significant increase in CO (+0.26 ± 0.17 L/min, P = 0.0086 vs. placebo), in cardiac index (+0.58 ± 0.39 L/min/m2, P = 0.009 vs. placebo) and a significant decrease in total peripheral resistance (−5348.6 ± 3601.3 dyn × s/cm5, P < 0.0001 vs. placebo), whereas tolvaptan was without any significant effect.

Conclusions

Simultaneous blockade of vascular V1a and renal V2 receptors efficiently induces aquaresis and counteracts AVP‐mediated haemodynamic aggravation in HF models. Dual V1a/V2 antagonism may lead to improved outcomes in HF.
Self‐care of heart failure patients: practical management recommendations from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology
Authors: Jaarsma Tiny , Hill Loreena , Bayes‐Genis Antoni , La Rocca Hans‐Peter Brunner , Castiello Teresa , Čelutkienė Jelena , Marques‐Sule Elena , Plymen Carla M. , Piper Susan E. , Riegel Barbara , Rutten Frans H. , Ben Gal Tuvia , Bauersachs Johann , Coats Andrew J.S. , Chioncel Ovidiu , Lopatin Yuri , Lund Lars H. , Lainscak Mitja , Moura Brenda , Mullens Wilfried , Piepoli Massimo F. , Rosano Giuseppe , Seferovic Petar , Strömberg Anna
Published: September 2020

Self‐care is essential in the long‐term management of chronic heart failure. Heart failure guidelines stress the importance of patient education on treatment adherence, lifestyle changes, symptom monitoring and adequate response to possible deterioration. Self‐care is related to medical and person‐centred outcomes in patients with heart failure such as better quality of life as well as lower mortality and readmission rates. Although guidelines give general direction for self‐care advice, health care professionals working with patients with heart failure need more specific recommendations. The aim of the management recommendations in this paper is to provide practical advice for health professionals delivering care to patients with heart failure. Recommendations for nutrition, physical activity, medication adherence, psychological status, sleep, leisure and travel, smoking, immunization and preventing infections, symptom monitoring, and symptom management are consistent with information from guidelines, expert consensus documents, recent evidence and expert opinion.
Isobaric Expansion Engines Powered by Low‐Grade Heat—Working Fluid Performance and Selection Database for Power and Thermomechanical Refrigeration
Authors: Sleiti Ahmad K.
Published: September 2020

A database is developed for the most suitable working fluids for Worthington‐type and Bush‐type isobaric engines based on their performances for a wide range of heat source temperature, from 40 to 300 °C, and operating pressures from 1 to 100 bar. Thermodynamics models are developed and simulated to study the effects of different operating temperatures and pressures on the efficiency and back work ratio of both engines. Results show that in temperature range from 40 to 60 °C, the achieved efficiency is less than 4% for most cases, suggesting that practical applications in this range are very limited. Ammonia and R32 show the highest efficiencies (≈11%) at high pressure of 50 bar for the temperature range of 100–300 °C. The refrigerant R161 has high performance for pressures between 10 and 50 bar for the full range of temperatures from 80 to 300 °C, which makes R161 the choice fluid for a wide range of applications. Novel applications are introduced, which integrate these isobaric engines with vapor compression refrigeration systems. The thermodynamic cycles of the heat driven compressor with the selected working fluids as in the current study and the simplified technological solutions are crucial components of the study novelty.
In vitro probiotic screening and evaluation of space‐induced mutant Lactobacillus plantarum
Authors: Wang Dan , Zhang Tiehua , Ye Haiqing , Hao Hongwei , Zhang Hongxing , Zhao Changhui
Published: September 2020

Space mutation is an efficient tool in microbial breeding. The aim of the present study was to screen out space‐induced mutants of Lactobacillus plantarum with potent probiotic properties. The wild‐type Lactobacillus plantarum GS18 was subjected to 31 days and 18.5 hr of space flight, in which 13 isolates were selected for analysis. These mutants were assayed for milk fermentation performance, low pH resistance, bile salt tolerance, hydrophobicity, and antimicrobial activity. The 16S rDNA sequencing was applied to identify the stain and compare it with the wild type. Results showed that the isolate L. plantarum SS18–50 had the strongest probiotic properties with no mutation in 16S rRNA sequence compared to the wild type. Specifically, L. plantarum SS18–50 had good milk fermentation performance. The viscosity of fermented milk, acid tolerance, and bile salt tolerance were increased by approximately 10%, 8%, and 9%, respectively (p < .05). The antibacterial activity (Escherichia Coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria Monocytogenes) was also increased significantly compared to the wild type (p < .05). This study indicates that L. plantarum SS18–50 has the great potential to serve as a probiotic for dairy products.
Hybrid positron emission tomography imaging for initial staging of sinonasal tumors: Total lesion glycolysis as prognosticator of treatment response
Authors: Meerwein Christian M. , Maurer Alexander , Stolzmann Paul , Stadler Thomas M. , Soyka Michael B. , Holzmann David , Hüllner Martin W.
Published: September 2020

Background

To assess hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in the initial staging and outcome prediction of sinonasal malignancies.

Methods

Retrospective study on patients with sinonasal malignancies undergoing hybrid PET imaging for initial staging.

Results

Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 45 of 65 patients (69.2%). Overall sensitivity for detection of primaries using 18F‐fluoro‐deoxy‐d‐glucose PET (FDG‐PET) was 95.4%, for lymph node metastases 100% and distant metastases (DM) 100%. On univariate analysis, PET parameter total lesion glycolysis (TLG) was associated with achieving CR after primary treatment (176.8 ± 157.2 vs 83.7 ± 110.8, P = .03). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that TLG adjusted for the T classification best predicted achievement of CR.

Conclusions

Hybrid PET imaging yields an excellent sensitivity in detecting primary tumors, lymph node metastases and DM in sinonasal malignancies. TLG of the primary tumor is an independent prognostic factor for achieving CR after initial treatment.
Experimental exergy and entransy analyses on designed and fabricated crossflow heat exchanger
Authors: Geete Ankur , Mahajan Ajinkya , Shinde Ankit , Modak Deepak
Published: September 2020

A crossflow heat exchanger (CFHEx) is designed and fabricated in a workshop. For designing this heat exchanger (HEx), the number of passes, frontal areas, HEx volumes, heat transfer areas, free‐flow areas, ratios of minimum free‐flow area to frontal area, densities, mass flow rates of flowing fluids, maximum/minimum heat capacities, heat capacity ratio, outlet temperatures of hot/cold fluids, average temperatures, mass velocities, Reynolds numbers, and convective heat transfer coefficients are evaluated by considering Colburn/friction factors. After fabrication of the HEx, effectiveness, exergy destruction, entransy dissipation, entransy dissipation‐based thermal resistance, entransy dissipation number, and entransy effectiveness for hot/cold fluids sides are found at different flow rates and inlet temperatures of fluids. By experimental results, optimum operating conditions are found, which gives maximum effectiveness and entransy effectiveness but minimum rates of exergy destruction, entransy dissipation, entransy dissipation‐based thermal resistance, and entransy dissipation number for the fabricated CFHEx. This study is concluded as follows: minimum exergy destruction and entransy dissipation rates (ie, 3.061 kJ/s·K and 1125.44 kJ·K/s, respectively) are found during experiment 2. Maximum entransy effectiveness of hot/cold fluids (ie, 0.689/0.21) is achieved in experiment 1. Moderate values of entransy dissipation number (ie, 4.689), entransy dissipation‐based thermal resistance (ie, 0.04 s·K/J), exergy destruction (ie, 3.845 kJ/s·K), and entransy dissipation (ie, 1374.04 kJ·K/s) rates are found during experiment 1. Maximum effectiveness (ie, 0.4) for the fabricated HEx is also obtained through experiment 1. After comparative analyses, it is found that experiment 1 provides optimum results, which shows the best performance of the fabricated HEx.
An integrated approach of flash flood analysis in ungauged Mediterranean watersheds using post‐flood surveys and unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Kastridis Aristeidis , Kirkenidis Christos , Sapountzis Marios
Published: September 2020

This study analyzes the flash flood event of two ungauged ephemeral streams in Olympiada region (Chalkidiki, North Greece), which occurred at the 21–22 of November 2019. Aim of the study is to reconstruct the specific flash flood event, investigate the causes of flood generation mechanisms, evaluate the performance of SCS‐CN hydrological and HEC‐RAS hydraulic models, investigate the relation between extreme flash floods and human intervention, using the combination of ground and aerial observations obtained from the field survey and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), respectively. The results of the specific discharge ranged between 9 and 11 m3 s−1 km2, values that are typical for flash flood events in Mediterranean region. The comparison between the observed and simulated values of flood extent showed sufficiently good performance of the hydraulic model (CSI = 82%). However, the statistical analysis of the observed and simulated flood depths displayed a flood depth overestimation by the applied model, despite that the values of the used statistic indexes are acceptable (RMSE = 0.35 m, SD = 0.53, NSE = 0.56, PBIAS = 11.26%). The model overestimation of flood depth was attributed to the DEM low resolution and quality. Ground and aerial observations depicted the alluvial fan activation, the alternation of flow paths and the huge sediment transport. Human intervention in main streams, urban sprawl, wet AMC and sediment transport were among the main factors that contributed to the flash flood generation. This integrated approach revealed the necessity of the constant evaluation and validation of hydrological and hydraulic models in small ungauged Mediterranean watersheds and ephemeral streams. The use of UAVs in combination with ground observations and hydraulic simulation could significantly contribute to the enhanced understanding of flash flood mechanisms, in the direction of flood risk mitigation, improvement of the planning efficiency of flood prevent measures, flood hazard estimation, evolution of flood warning systems and floodplain geomorphology analysis.
Digital breast tomosynthesis improves diagnostic accuracy of breast microcalcifications
Authors: Liu Weimin , Long Meijun , Peng Lingrong , Qu Caihong , Guo Ruomi , Kang Zhuang , Wang Jin , Wu Juekun , Wang Xiaohong
Published: September 2020

DBT reconstructs high‐resolution tomographic images through multi‐angle scanning. We aimed at investigating the diagnostic value of DBT in breast microcalcifications of Asian women. The clinical characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of FFDM and DBT in 70 breast cancer patients were compared. 52 malignant lesions and 24 benign lesions were found in 76 breast microcalcifications. FFDM presented with high sensitivity and low specificity of 94.2% and 45.8%, while DBT presented with high sensitivity and medium specificity of 96.1% and 62.5%. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic coincidence rate of DBT were higher than those of FFDM (84.7%, 88.2%, 85.5% vs. 79.0%, 78.5%, 78.9%, respectively). The AUC of DBT was significantly higher than that of FFDM (Z = 2.322, P = 0.020), at 0.700 ± 0.055 [0.584‐0.800] and 0.793 ± 0.052 [0.685‐0.878], respectively. Thus, we concluded that DBT improves the diagnostic accuracy and detection rate of microcalcifications in Asian women.
Morphological description of the third instar larva ofLasiotrichius succinctus hananoi(Sawada) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Trichiini), using scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Dong Xu‐Ming , Jia Zhi‐Chao , Jiang Lu
Published: September 2020

Cetoniinae is one of the showiest scarab groups, exhibiting bright‐metallic body colors, and usually attract great attention from entomologists and amateur collectors. Larvae of Cetoniinae show dramatically diversity on morphology and living habits.Althoughbeing considered one of the best‐studied groups of Scarabaeidae, larvae have been described for less than 5% species to the known Cetoniinae. In this study, the final instar larva ofLasiotrichius succinctus hananoiwas described using scanning electron microscopy. The larvae are peculiar for bearing a haptomeral process dividing 10 spines into two groups: six on the left side, four on the right side, different from the previous descriptions onL. succinctus(Pallas, 1781). The morphological differences under SEM imply the further requirement of taxonomic revision inLasiotrichius. Both advantage and disadvantage of SEM utilizing in larval descriptions were briefly discussed.
Comprehension and personal value of negative non‐diagnostic genetic panel testing
Authors: Hoell Christin , Aufox Sharon , Nashawaty Nora , Myers Melanie F. , Smith Maureen E.
Published: September 2020

Increasing interest and pursuit of genetic testing by the general public have raised concerns about their understanding and use of their results. While most research has focused on individuals receiving positive genetic test results, there have been limited investigations assessing the understanding and utility of receiving negative genetic test results. Individuals who receive a negative (or uninformative) genetic test result may not appreciate the limitations of genetic testing and their residual disease risk. The goals of this study were to explore participant understanding and perceived utility of negative non‐diagnostic genetic test results. We conducted semi‐structured interviews with participants who received negative non‐diagnostic genetic test results from the electronic Medical Records and Genomics Network (eMERGE) testing panel at Northwestern University. A total of 17 participants were interviewed. While many expressed a lack of understanding of genetics and the relationship between genes, disease, and environment, most acknowledged that they had residual risk to develop a health problem and should continue with their routine health management. Additionally, participants expressed that their negative results had personal value, by providing them peace of mind and learning additional knowledge about themselves and their health. Participants did not anticipate that results would have an impact on their lifestyle, but felt the results were useful for sharing with their physician and could inform future genetic testing decisions. While mostly positive, some participants were disappointed not to learn more individualized results. While a more thorough exploration is necessary, findings in this study can aid efforts to improve or innovate informed consent for genomic testing, as well as scalable modes of result return that foster comprehension following negative genetic testing.
Novel therapies for mucopolysaccharidosis type III
Authors: Seker Yilmaz Berna , Davison James , Jones Simon A. , Baruteau Julien
Published: September 2020

Mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III) or Sanfilippo disease is an orphan inherited lysosomal storage disease and one of the most common MPS subtypes. The classical presentation is an infantile‐onset neurodegenerative disease characterised by intellectual regression, behavioural and sleep disturbances, loss of ambulation, and early death. Unlike other MPS, no disease‐modifying therapy has yet been approved. Here, we review the numerous approaches of curative therapy developed for MPS III from historical ineffective haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and substrate reduction therapy to the promising ongoing clinical trials based on enzyme replacement therapy or adeno‐associated or lentiviral vectors mediated gene therapy. Preclinical studies are presented alongside the most recent translational first‐in‐man trials. In addition, we present experimental research with preclinical mRNA and gene editing strategies. Lessons from animal studies and clinical trials have highlighted the importance of an early therapy before extensive neuronal loss. A disease‐modifying therapy for MPS III will undoubtedly mandate development of new strategies for early diagnosis.