bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intersecting vulnerabilities in human biology: Synergistic interactions between climate change and increasing obesity rates
Authors: Gildner Theresa E. , Levy Stephanie B.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Increasing obesity rates and accelerating climate change represent two global health challenges shaped by lifestyle change and human environmental modifications. Yet, few studies have considered how these issues may interact to exacerbate disease risk.

Methods

In this theory article, we explore evidence that obesity‐related disease and climatic changes share socio‐ecological drivers and may interact to increase human morbidity and mortality risks. Additionally, we consider how obesity‐climate change interactions may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and how anthropological research can be applied to address this concern.

Results

Interactions between heat stress and cardiometabolic disease represent an important pathway through which climate change and obesity‐related morbidities may jointly impair health. For example, individuals with higher body fatness and obesity‐related metabolic conditions (eg, type 2 diabetes) exhibit a reduced ability to dissipate heat. The risk of poor health resulting from these interactions is expected to be heterogeneous, with low‐ and middle‐income countries, individuals of lower socioeconomic status, and minority populations facing a greater disease burden due to relative lack of resource access (eg, air conditioning). Moreover, older adults are at higher risk due to aging‐associated changes in body composition and loss of thermoregulation capabilities.

Conclusions

Few policy makers appear to be considering how interventions can be designed to simultaneously address the medical burden posed by increasing obesity rates and climate change. Anthropological research is well situated to address this need in a nuanced and culturally‐sensitive way; producing research that can be used to support community resilience, promote holistic well‐being, and improve health outcomes.
Evidence of intrauterine growth restriction and growth hormone deficiency in 49,XXXXY syndrome
Authors: Counts Debra R. , Yu Christine , Lasutschinkow Patricia C. , Sadeghin Teresa , Gropman Andrea , Samango‐Sprouse Carole A.
Published: July 2020

49,XXXXY is an X and Y chromosome variation that occurs in 1:85,000 to 1:100,000 live male births. Previous case studies have described boys with this disorder to be shorter than average when compared with boys with only one extra chromosome and with the mean stature in a small cohort reported to range from the seventh to 33rd percentile. The origin behind the possible differences in height between boys with 47,XXY and 49,XXXXY is currently unknown, however one study hypothesized that it was due to a difference in the expression of the SHOX gene. This study reports on the anthropometric measurements of 84 boys with 49,XXXXY. Forty‐five percent of children with 49,XXXXY were found to be below the third percentile in height at the time of evaluation. In addition, 7.14% of the cohort were diagnosed and given treatment for growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The analysis of this cohort demonstrates that the below average heights seen throughout childhood in this population potentially begins prenatally and suggests that boys with 49,XXXXY may be at a higher risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and GHD. Future research is needed to investigate the etiology of the poor growth in boys with 49,XXXXY and evaluate the incidence of GHD and IUGR in this population.
A homozygous variant in growth and differentiation factor 2 (GDF2) may cause lymphatic dysplasia with hydrothorax and nonimmune hydrops fetalis
Authors: Aukema Sietse M. , ten Brinke Gerdien A. , Timens Wim , Vos Yvonne J. , Accord Ryan E. , Kraft Karianne E. , Santing Michiel J. , Morssink Leonard P. , Streefland Esther , van Diemen Cleo C. , Vrijlandt Elianne JLE , Hulzebos Christian V. , Kerstjens‐Frederikse Wilhelmina S.
Published: July 2020

The etiology of nonimmune hydrops fetalis is extensive and includes genetic disorders. We describe a term‐born female neonate with late onset extensive nonimmune hydrops, that is, polyhydramnios, edema, and congenital bilateral chylothorax. This newborn was successfully treated with repetitive thoracocentesis, total parenteral feeding, octreotide intravenously and finally surgical pleurodesis and corticosteroids. A genetic cause seemed plausible as the maternal history revealed a fatal nonimmune hydrops fetalis. A homozygous truncating variant in GDF2 (c.451C>T, p.(Arg151*)) was detected with exome sequencing. Genetic analysis of tissue obtained from the deceased fetal sibling revealed the same homozygous variant. The parents and two healthy siblings were heterozygous for the GDF2 variant. Skin and lung biopsies in the index patient, as well as the revised lung biopsy of the deceased fetal sibling, showed lymphatic dysplasia and lymphangiectasia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between a homozygous variant in GDF2 with lymphatic dysplasia, hydrothorax and nonimmune hydrops fetalis.
High mortality rates of Chelonia mydas in a small‐scale bottom gillnet fishery in the south‐west Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Fiedler Fernando Niemeyer , Pazeto Daniele Maria , Valle de Lacerda Leo Lynce
Published: July 2020

In Brazil, five species of sea turtles use the region for feeding and reproduction. For these endangered species, one of the biggest impacts on their populations is incidental catches in fishing gear.

In the state of Santa Catarina (SC) ‐ Brazil, fishing is an important economic activity, with distinct and numerous industrial and artisanal fleets. These fleets incidentally capture all five species of sea turtle.

In the Canoa beach fishing community in the municipality of Barra Velha (SC), gillnet fishing holds great economic and cultural importance. The four main gillnet fisheries in this community are whitemouth croaker, leatherjacket/mackerel, hake, and grouper/catfish/flounder, the latter of which is carried out on rocky bottoms and is locally called ‘malhão’. In this fishery, fishermen have reported catching sea turtles over the years, especially the green turtle Chelonia mydas.

In the present study, 1,998 sets were monitored between September 2010 and April 2011, of which 104 (5.2%) were of gillnets for whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri; 324 (16.2%) were for leatherjackets Oligoplites spp. and mackerel Scomberomorus spp.; 1,261 (63.1%) were for hake Cynoscion spp.; and 309 (15.5%) were for grouper Epinephelus spp., catfish Genidens spp., and flounder Paralichthys spp.

Considering all fisheries, the incidental capture of sea turtles occurred in only 3% of the monitored sets. In all, 87 sea turtles were captured, 78 (89.6%) of which were recorded in the ‘malhão’. Of these captures, 68 (87.2%) were C. mydas, eight (10.2%) were loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta and two (2.6%) were ‘hard‐shelled’ turtles.

The direct mortality rate observed for C. mydas in the ‘malhão’ was 73.5%, which is the highest rate recorded in similar fisheries of the south‐west Atlantic, thus raising concern for the protection of this species in the Atlantic Ocean.
High‐Performance Magnesium‐Sulfur Batteries Based on a Sulfurated Poly(acrylonitrile) Cathode, a Borohydride Electrolyte, and a High‐Surface Area Magnesium Anode
Authors: Wang Peiwen , Trück Janina , Niesen Stefan , Kappler Julian , Küster Kathrin , Starke Ulrich , Ziegler Felix , Hintennach Andreas , Buchmeiser Michael R.
Published: July 2020

Post‐lithium‐ion battery technology is considered a key element of future energy storage and management. Apart from high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities, economic, ecologic and safety issues become increasingly important. In that regards, both the anode and cathode materials must be easily available, recyclable, non‐toxic and safe, which renders magnesium‐sulfur (Mg−S) batteries a promising choice. Herein, we present Mg−S cells based on a sulfurated poly(acrylonitrile) composite cathode (SPAN), together with a halogen‐free electrolyte containing both Mg[BH4]2 and Li[BH4] in diglyme and a high‐specific surface area magnesium anode based on Rieke magnesium powder. These cells deliver discharge capacities of 1400 and 800 mAh/gsulfur with >99 % Coulombic efficiency at 0.1 C and 0.5 C, respectively, and are stable over at least 300 cycles. Energy densities are 470 and 400 Wh/kgsulfur at 0.1 C and 0.5 C, respectively. Rate tests carried out between 0.1 C and 2 C demonstrate good rate capability of the cells. Detailed mechanistic studies based on X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electric impedance spectroscopy are presented.
Left atrial appendage (LAA) electrical isolation by Maze‐like catheter substrate modification in presence of LAA‐occluder device: A case report
Authors: Zanchi Simone , Bianchini Lorenzo , Bordignon Stefano , Bologna Fabrizio , Tohoku Shota , Chen Shaojie , Chun Julian K. R. , Schmidt Boris
Published: July 2020

Maze‐like linear substrate modification in atrial fibrillation patients nonresponders to pulmonary vein isolation represents a feasible technique to gain left atrial appendage electrical isolation even in the presence of a Watchman occluder device.
Collapsing focal segmental sclerosis in an HIV‐negative patient
Authors: Padala Sandeep Anand , Birkelo Bethany , Mohammed Azeem , Kapoor Rajan , Mulloy Laura , Rawla Prashanth
Published: July 2020

Collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is classically seen in HIV‐infected patients and carries a dismal prognosis. It can also occur in HIV‐negative patients in which case, early aggressive treatment with glucocorticoids may be helpful with improvement in both proteinuria and renal function.
Crop rotation, irrigation system, and irrigation rate on cotton yield in southwestern Georgia
Authors: Sorensen Ronald B. , Lamb Marshall C. , Butts Christopher L.
Published: July 2020

Long‐term yield data would be useful for determining crop rotation, irrigation system selection, and irrigation rate for maximum production and economic sustainability. Research was conducted at the USDA–ARS National Peanut Research Laboratory's Multi‐crop Irrigation Research Farm in Shellman, GA (84°36″ W, 30°44″ N), on a Greenville fine sandy loam (a fine, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Kandiudult) soil with 0–2% slope. This long‐term study (2001–2013) compared three irrigation systems, three cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crop rotations, and various irrigation rates on cotton lint yield and quality factors. Irrigation systems were sprinkler, subsurface drip (SSDI), and shallow subsurface drip (S3DI) irrigation compared with a dryland control. Irrigation rates were 100, 66, 50, 33, and 0% of estimated water use. Crop rotations were (a) cotton–corn (Zea mays L.)–peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), (b) cotton–cotton–peanut; and (c) cotton–peanut–cotton. There was no difference in cotton yield by crop rotation. Sprinkler and S3DI systems had greater lint yield than the SSDI system at the 100% irrigation level when averaged across all years and rotations. Lint yield tended to be lower in high rainfall years without respect to irrigation system. Irrigation increased lint yield by an average 10% when rainfall was less than average. All fiber quality factors were within acceptable ranges without any value discounts across years, rotation, or irrigation system. Irrigation system selection should not be based entirely on long‐term yield information but also on field size, system installation cost, irrigation system controls, and crop management.
New Reactivity Patterns in 3H‐Phosphaallene Chemistry [Aryl‐P=C=C(H)‐tBu]: Hydroboration of the C=C Bond, Deprotonation and Trimerisation
Authors: Tendyck Jonas C. , Hepp Alexander , Würthwein Ernst‐Ulrich , Uhl Werner
Published: July 2020

3H‐Phosphaallenes, R−P=C=C(H)C−R’ (3), are accessible in a multigram scale on a new and facile route and show a fascinating chemical reactivity. BH3(SMe2) and 3 a (R=Mes*, R’=tBu) afforded by hydroboration of the C=C bonds of two phosphaallene molecules an unprecedented borane (7) with the B atom bound to two P=C double bonds. This compound represents a new FLP based on a B and two P atoms. The increased Lewis acidity of the B atom led to a different reaction course upon treatment of 3 a with H2B‐C6F5(SMe2). Hydroboration of a C=C bond of a first phosphaallene is followed in a typical FLP reaction by the coordination of a second phosphaallene molecule via B−C and P−B bond formation to yield a BP2C2 heterocycle (8). Its B−P bond is short and the B‐bound P atom has a planar surrounding. Treatment of 3 a with tBuLi resulted in deprotonation of the β‐C atom of the phosphaallene (9). The Li atom is bound to the P atom as demonstrated by crystal structure determination, quantum chemical calculations and reactions with HCl, Cl‐SiMe3 or Cl‐PtBu2. The thermally unstable phosphaallene Ph−P=C=C(H)‐tBu gave a unique trimeric secondary product by P−P, P−C and C−C bond formation. It contains a P2C4 heterocycle and was isolated as a W(CO)4 complex with two P atoms coordinated to W (15).
Long‐Range LMCT Coupling in EuIII Coordination Polymers for an Effective Molecular Luminescent Thermometer**
Authors: Kitagawa Yuichi , Kumagai Marina , Ferreira da Rosa Pedro Paulo , Fushimi Koji , Hasegawa Yasuchika
Published: July 2020

A design for an effective molecular luminescent thermometer based on long‐range electronic coupling in lanthanide coordination polymers is proposed. The coordination polymers are composed of lanthanide ions EuIII and GdIII, three anionic ligands (hexafluoroacetylacetonate), and a chrysene‐based phosphine oxide bridges (6,12‐bis(diphenylphosphoryl)chrysene). The zig‐zag orientation of the single polymer chains induces the formation of packed coordination structures containing multiple sites for CH‐F intermolecular interactions, resulting in thermal stability above 350 °C. The electronic coupling is controlled by changing the concentration of the GdIII ion in the EuIII‐GdIII polymer. The emission quantum yield and the maximum relative temperature sensitivity (Sm) of emission lifetimes for the EuIII‐GdIII polymer (Eu:Gd=1:1, Φtot=52 %, Sm=3.73 % K−1) were higher than those for the pure EuIII coordination polymer (Φtot=36 %, Sm=2.70 % K−1), respectively. Enhanced temperature sensing properties are caused by control of long‐range electronic coupling based on phosphine oxide with chrysene framework.
Exo‐Cyclization: Intermolecular Methylene Transfer Sequence in Au‐Catalyzed Reactions of O‐Homopropargylic Oximes
Authors: Nakamura Itaru , Hirayama Arinobu , Gima Shinya , Terada Masahiro
Published: July 2020

The Au‐catalyzed reactions of O‐homopropaylic oximes afforded the 3‐alkenylated isoxazolines in good to high yields. The mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds through an exo‐cyclization followed by intermolecular methylene group transfer. In addition, oligomeric species of the starting material were observed in the reaction mixture by mass spectra, supporting our proposed mechanism, which proceeds through a repeated intermolecular C−C bond forming process.
Phospholipid Cyclosporine Prodrugs Targeted at Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Treatment: Design, Synthesis, and in Vitro Validation
Authors: Manda Jagadeesh Nagendra , Markovic Milica , Zimmermann Ellen M. , Ben‐Shabat Shimon , Dahan Arik , Aponick Aaron
Published: July 2020

Novel phospholipid (PL)‐cyclosporine conjugates were prepared and studied as potential prodrugs for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our approach relies on phospholipase A2 (PLA2), which is overexpressed in the inflamed intestinal tissues, as the prodrug activator to potentially release cyclosporine at the site of inflammation. PL‐cyclosporine prodrug conjugates with methylene linkers of various lengths between the sn‐2 position of the PL and cyclosporine were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro activation. Surprisingly, despite previous work indicating that conjugates with six methylene linkers between the lipid and drug would suffer rapid enzymatic hydrolysis, with cyclosporine this was not observed. However, compounds with longer linkers (n=10, 12 methylene units) display complete release of the drug by PLA2‐catalyzed hydrolysis, thus demonstrating the importance and profound impact of structural fine‐tuning. This study represents a proof‐of‐concept for our hypothesis and a first step towards a truly targeted IBD treatment with cyclosporine that could be administered throughout the GI tract.
Design of a reversible structure for memory in quantum‐dot cellular automata
Authors: Salimzadeh Fereshteh , Heikalabad Saeed Rasouli , Gharehchopogh Farhad Soleimanian
Published: July 2020

Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology has limitations in reducing the area and size of circuits. The disadvantages of this technology include high power consumption and temperature problems. Quantum‐dot cellular automata (QCA) is a new technology that can overcome these shortcomings. Reversible logic is technology used to reduce the power loss in QCA. QCA can be used to design memories that require high operating speed. In this paper, we propose a structure for the reversible memory in QCA. The proposed structure utilizes three‐layer technology, which has a significant impact on circuit size reduction. The proposed structure for the reversible memory has 63% improvement in cell number, a 75% improvement in area occupancy, and a 60% reduction in delay compared to the previous best structure.
A new approach for service migration in cloud‐based e‐commerce using an optimization algorithm
Authors: Huang Lixia , Abnoosian Karlo
Published: July 2020

Service‐oriented architecture (SOA) has a crucial role in backing productive cloud services. Also, the vast spread of the theoretical notion of diverse businesses (like e‐commerce) into the actual use has been recently applied by cloud computing. The service functionality could be affected by overfilling of the network traffic because of the broadly dispersed nature of e‐commerce in clouds—a key challenge for immediate jobs. Throughout the last decade, a vast range of applications or large‐scale operators has increasingly attracted to migrate the services in clouds. An effective method for accessing the applications throughout standard business hours is continually moving virtual machine containers from one data center to another. Now, with the commonness of cloud computing, many applications have been moved to the cloud fully/partly. It can be handled through the migration of cloud services to diverse platforms in a way that minimizes the communication cost of e‐commerce. As this issue has an NP‐hard nature, in the present article, we present an automatic smart service migration outline through the ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm on cloud‐oriented e‐commerce. In the presented model, we use the ACO algorithm to take the finest (near‐optimal) service migration decisions. Based on the obtained results, the proposed technique has the optimal number of migrations compared to the existing models.
Impact of co‐channel interference on performance of dual‐hop wireless ad hoc networks over α−μ fading channels
Authors: Jwaifel Arwa M. J. , Ghareeb Ibrahim , Shaltaf Samir
Published: July 2020

In this work, we investigate the performance of a dual‐hop cooperative network over α−μ fading channels with the presence of co‐channel interference (CCI) at both the relay and destination nodes. Amplify‐and‐forward (AF) relaying is considered in the relay node. The upper bound of the signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio (SINR) of the dual‐hop relay link is used to determine the system performance. The probability density function (PDF) and the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the upper bound of the SINR are analyzed. The system performance is determined in terms of the outage and error probabilities. Numerical results are used to present the performance analysis of the system.
Generation of Pecam1 endothelial specific dual reporter mouse model
Authors: Hu Donghua , Zhang Lu , Yang Fan , Chen Fuxue , Li Deqiang , Cai Chen‐Leng
Published: July 2020

Endothelial cells are specialized epithelium lining the interior surface of vessels and play fundamental roles in angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and immune response. To identify endothelial cells in vivo, we constructed a Pecam1nlacZ‐H2B‐GFP/+ knock‐in mouse model in which the endothelial cells are labeled by nuclear LacZ (nlacZ) expression. When Pecam1nlacZ‐H2B‐GFP/+ mice are bred with germline Cre deleter mice, Pecam1H2B‐GFP/+ line is created with native nuclear GFP (H2B‐GFP) expression in the endothelium of various organs. This dual reporter mouse provides us with a powerful genetic tool for definitive identification of endothelial cells and monitoring this important cell population throughout development, homeostasis, and disease conditions in mammals.
Sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors in heart failure: beyond glycaemic control. A position paper of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology
Authors: Seferović Petar M. , Fragasso Gabriele , Petrie Mark , Mullens Wilfried , Ferrari Roberto , Thum Thomas , Bauersachs Johann , Anker Stefan D. , Ray Robin , Çavuşoğlu Yuksel , Polovina Marija , Metra Marco , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Prasad Krishna , Seferović Jelena , Jhund Pardeep S. , Dattilo Giuseppe , Čelutkiene Jelena , Piepoli Massimo , Moura Brenda , Chioncel Ovidiu , Ben Gal Tuvia , Heymans Stefan , de Boer Rudolf A. , Jaarsma Tiny , Hill Loreena , Lopatin Yuri , Lyon Alexander R. , Ponikowski Piotr , Lainščak Mitja , Jankowska Ewa , Mueller Christian , Cosentino Francesco , Lund Lars , Filippatos Gerasimos S. , Ruschitzka Frank , Coats Andrew J.S. , Rosano Giuseppe M.C.
Published: July 2020

Heart failure (HF) is common and associated with a poor prognosis, despite advances in treatment. Over the last decade cardiovascular outcome trials with sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have demonstrated beneficial effects for three SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin, canagliflozin and dapagliflozin) in reducing hospitalisations for HF. More recently, dapagliflozin reduced the risk of worsening HF or death from cardiovascular causes in patients with chronic HF with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus. A number of additional trials in HF patients with reduced and/or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction are ongoing and/or about to be reported. The present position paper summarises recent clinical trial evidence and discusses the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the treatment of HF, pending the results of ongoing trials in different populations of patients with HF.
A Facile Synthesis of Robinson's NHC‐Stabilised Diborane(4)
Authors: Trose Michael , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Stasch Andreas
Published: July 2020

Reactions of bis(pinacolato)diboron (B2pin2) with [(IDip)AlH3] {IDip = (HCNDip)2C:, Dip = 2,6‐iPr2C6H3} afforded both the new diborane [(IDip)BH2B(pin)] and the known compound [(IDip)BH2BH2(IDip)] in a facile one‐pot procedure; the latter reaction is improved by the addition of free IDip. [(IDip)AlH3] transfers both IDip and hydride ligands to the diborane moiety in a halide‐free approach. [(IDip)BH2B(pin)] was structurally and spectroscopically characterised and additional spectroscopic data for [(IDip)BH2BH2(IDip)] is reported.
Cycle Stability of the Effective Thermal Conductivity of Nickel‐Activated Magnesium Hydride Powder under Operating Conditions
Authors: Albert Rene , Wagner Christian , Urbanczyk Robert , Felderhoff Michael
Published: July 2020

Herein, the transient plane source (TPS) method is used to investigate the effective thermal conductivity (ETC) of nickel‐activated magnesium hydride powder (MgH2 with 4 mass% Ni) under operating conditions at temperatures up to 400 °C and a hydrogen pressure up to 25 bar. MgH2 together with Ni can be used as heat storage material and is synthesized by mixing of the respective metal powders with subsequent temperature‐controlled hydrogenation and dehydrogenation cycles under hydrogen gas pressure. Running a hydrogenation and dehydrogenation cycle test of nickel‐activated magnesium hydride for more than 450 cycles shows a tremendous enhancement of the ETC. It can be shown that the ETC value of the MgH2 powder under hydrogen atmosphere depends on the sample temperature, the applied gas pressure, and the cycle number. The maximum ETC of dehydrogenated nickel‐activated magnesium hydrides is above 8 W m−1 K−1 at 15 bar, 400 °C, and after 201 cycles. An investigation by electron microscopy shows a percolated network of dehydrogenated magnesium hydride particles which is formed by sintering during the dehydrogenation steps and which is responsible for the enhanced thermal conductivity.
Exploration of heat and momentum transfer in turbulent mode during the precooling process of fruit
Authors: Nalbandi Habibeh , Seiiedlou Sadegh
Published: July 2020

Developing a simulator is a prevalent method for the study of any process in which various phenomena occur simultaneously, such as the precooling process; it is also necessary in package designing. During the precooling process of fruit and in the case of large packages at high airflow rates, the flow regime inside the packages is turbulent, which is in most studies assumed to be a laminar flow that causes low prediction accuracy. In the present study, a mathematical model consisting of heat and momentum transfer in the case of a transient and a k‐ɛ turbulence model, respectively, was developed in the precooling process of fruits. Two packages and two airflow rates were used to validate the model. The results demonstrate that the turbulence‐model‐based simulation of the precooling was carried out with a lower element number, within a shorter time, and with a satisfactory accuracy (R2 > .93866 & RMSE < 0.62). The model could predict the air movement between the fruit and consequently the heat transfer between the air and fruit. The simulator could be utilized to package designing and predicting the precooling time at the industrial scale to prevent the over‐cooling of fruits and reduce energy consumption. Based on the results, the precooling of apples in the commercial package was conducted in both experimental and simulation methods with high heterogeneity lasting 268 and 520 min at airflow rates of 0.5 and 1.5 L s−1 kg−1p, respectively. By using the developed simulator, the new package was designed for apple through which the cooling time and heterogeneity decreased 48% and 35%, respectively, as compared with those obtained in the commercial package.
Digenic inheritance of MSH6 and MUTYH variants in familial colorectal cancer
Authors: Schubert Stephanie A. , Ruano Dina , Tiersma Yvonne , Drost Mark , de Wind Niels , Nielsen Maartje , van Hest Liselotte P. , Morreau Hans , de Miranda Noel F. C. C. , van Wezel Tom
Published: July 2020

We describe a family severely affected by colorectal cancer (CRC) where whole‐exome sequencing identified the coinheritance of the germline variants encoding MSH6 p.Thr1100Met and MUTYH p.Tyr179Cys in, at least, three CRC patients diagnosed before 60 years of age. Digenic inheritance of monoallelic MSH6 variants of uncertain significance and MUTYH variants has been suggested to predispose to Lynch syndrome‐associated cancers; however, cosegregation with disease in the familial setting has not yet been established. The identification of individuals carrying multiple potential cancer risk variants is expected to rise with the increased application of whole‐genome sequencing and large multigene panel testing in clinical genetic counseling of familial cancer patients. Here we demonstrate the coinheritance of monoallelic variants in MSH6 and MUTYH consistent with cosegregation with CRC, further supporting a role for digenic inheritance in cancer predisposition.
Access to preventive care services and stage at diagnosis in head and neck cancer
Authors: Farquhar Douglas R. , Lenze Nicholas R. , Masood Maheer M. , Divaris Kimon , Tasoulas Jason , Blumberg Jeffrey , Lumley Catherine , Patel Samip , Hackman Trevor , Weissler Mark C. , Yarbrough Wendell , Zanation Adam M. , Olshan Andrew F.
Published: July 2020

Background

Decreased access to preventive care services has been proposed as a mechanism for the association between low socioeconomic status (SES) and advanced stage at diagnosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with HNSCC in North Carolina between 2002 and 2006.

Results

A total of 1108 patients with HNSCC were included in the study. In the multivariable analysis, use of annual routine dental services (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5‐0.9) and colonoscopy in the past 10 years (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5‐0.9) were associated with lower odds of advanced T stage at diagnosis. Having no insurance (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1‐2.9), an income <$20 000 (OR 1.6 95% CI 1.03‐2.6), and >10 pack‐years tobacco use (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.04‐2.2) were associated with advanced T stage at diagnosis.

Conclusion

Use of preventive care services and SES independently predict stage at diagnosis in HNSCC.
Chiral α‐Amino Acid‐Based NMR Solvating Agents
Authors: Nemes Anikó , Csóka Tamás , Béni Szabolcs , Garádi Zsófia , Szabó Dénes , Rábai József
Published: July 2020

Four new chiral α‐(nonafluoro‐tert‐butoxy)carboxylic acids were synthesized from naturally occurring α‐amino acids (alanine, valine, leucine and isoleucine, respectively), and tested in 1H‐ and 19F‐NMR experiments as chiral NMR shift reagents. The NMR studies were carried out at room temperature, using CDCl3 and C6D6 as solvents, and (RS)‐α‐phenylethylamine and (RS)‐α‐(1‐naphthyl)ethylamine as racemic model compounds. To demonstrate the applicability of the reagents, the racemic drugs ketamine and prasugrel were also tested.
Mental health status of pregnant and breastfeeding women during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A call for action
Authors: Ceulemans Michael , Hompes Titia , Foulon Veerle
Published: July 2020

Increased prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety among pregnant women and women in the early postpartum period was observed during the lockdown in Belgium. Obstetricians must take actions to safeguard perinatal mental health.
What is the normal range of obstetric shock index in the immediate postpartum period in a low‐resource setting?
Authors: Nwafor Johnbosco I. , Obi Chuka N. , Onuorah Olisah E. , Onwe Blessing I. , Ibo Chukwunenye C. , Onuchukwu Victor U.
Published: July 2020

Objective

To determine the normal range of shock index (SI), blood pressure (BP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) among postpartum women in a low‐resource setting.

Methods

In a prospective cohort study, vital signs were recorded 1 hour after delivery among postpartum women with normal blood loss who delivered in Abakaliki, Nigeria, from April to July 2019.

Results

Among 225 women, the median (95% reference range) was 120 (100–155.8), 70 (60–94), and 90 (66.5–116.6) mm Hg for systolic BP, diastolic BP, and MAP, respectively; 82 (65–102) bpm for HR; and 0.69 (0.48–0.89) for SI. The upper SI limit of 0.89 supported the current value of 0.9 as the upper limit; however, the lower SI limit of 0.48 corresponded to the current lower limit for a non‐obstetric population (0.5). The SI of more than half of the study women (n=126; 56.0%) was within the normal range for non‐obstetric women (0.5–0.7).

Conclusion

Although hemodynamic changes in pregnancy widen the SI range, 56.0% of women maintained SI within the non‐obstetric reference range. In low‐resource settings, the current normal obstetric SI range of 0.7–0.9 should be revised to 0.5–0.9 to accommodate this lower threshold.
The role of child‐keyworker attachment in burnout among Saudi residential staff
Authors: Sochos Antigonos , Aljasas Najla
Published: July 2020

Research on the impact of the keyworker‐child relationship on residential staff is scarce. This longitudinal study investigated the potential moderating effects of child and keyworker attachment styles on the link between child behavioural problems and staff burnout and the moderating effects of child attachment style on the link between keyworker attachment style and keyworker burnout. Participants included 261 children and 59 residential child care workers, from 5 orphanages in Saudi Arabia. Five self‐report measures were utilised: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Security Scale, the Coping Strategies Questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire. Keyworkers caring for relatively non‐avoidant children and those with an avoidant attachment style themselves experienced relatively high burnout a year later. Relatively high burnout was also reported by avoidant keyworkers who cared for avoidant and generally insecure children, while anxiously attached keyworkers reported relatively high burnout when they cared for children with any type of insecure attachment style. The present findings highlight essential interpersonal processes involved in the development of burnout in residential child care workers and call for the employment of attachment‐focused interventions as measures of burnout prevention.
Are high levels of religiosity inconsistent with a high valuation of science? Evidence from the United States, China and Iran
Authors: Payir Ayse , Davoodi Telli , Cui Kelly Yixin , Clegg Jennifer M. , Harris Paul L. , Corriveau Kathleen
Published: July 2020

We asked whether high levels of religiosity are inconsistent with a high valuation of science. We explored this possibility in three countries that diverge markedly in the relation between the state and religion. Parents in the United States (n = 126), China (n = 234) and Iran (n = 77) completed a survey about their personal and parental stance towards science. The relation between religiosity and the valuation of science varied sharply by country. In the U.S. sample, greater religiosity was associated with a lower valuation of science. A similar but weaker negative relation was found in the Chinese sample. Parents in the Iranian sample, by contrast, valued science highly, despite high levels of religiosity. Given the small size of our United States and Iranian samples, and the non‐probabilistic nature of our samples in general, we caution readers not to generalise our findings beyond the current samples. Despite this caveat, these findings qualify the assumption that religiosity is inconsistent with the valuation of science and highlight the role of sociocultural context in shaping adults' perception of the relation between religion and science.
Reforms in the irrigation sector of India
Authors: Vohra K. , Franklin M.L.
Published: July 2020

India has taken up an ambitious goal to double the average income of agricultural households from 2015 to 2022. This mammoth task requiring a sharp accelerated annual growth of over 10% would have to harness all possible sources of growth within as well as outside the agricultural sector and will need strong inclusive measures in the irrigation sector such as water productivity, participatory irrigation management, water conservation, agricultural productivity, etc.

Improper water management at the farm level leads to inefficient use of water and inequitable distribution with the tail‐end farmer often not getting water. Though an irrigation potential of 112 Mha (million hectares) has been created against an ultimate potential of 140 Mha, the utilization is only 93 Mha. Moreover, efficiency of water use in irrigation in India is about 30% to 40%. Emphasis now has to shift to resourceful management of water to meet the food grain demand of 450 million tonnes (MT) by 2050 against the present food grain production of 278 MT.

This paper highlights the various steps taken by the Government of India, various state governments, non‐governmental organizations, etc. in reforming the irrigation sector of the country.
Front Cover: Implantable self‐aligning fiber‐optic optomechanical devices for in vivo intraocular pressure‐sensing in artificial cornea
Authors: Hui Pui‐Chuen , Shtyrkova Katia , Zhou Chengxin , Chen Xiaoniao , Chodosh James , Dohlman Claes H. , Paschalis Eleftherios I.
Published: July 2020

This work addresses an unmet clinical need, that of glaucoma monitoring through intraocular pressure (IOP) interrogation in patients with artificial corneas (keratoprost hesis). We demonstrate direct integration of a low‐drift, fiber‐optic Fabry‐Perot pressure sensor embedded in the keratoprosthesis via rapid, non‐contact micromagnetic fiber alignment. IOP interrogation is achieved by using white‐light interferometry, which provides sub‐mmHg IOP sensitivity.

Further details can be found in the article by Pui‐Chuen Hui, Katia Shtyrkova, Chengxin Zhou, et al. (e202000031).

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10H‐3,6‐Diazaphenothiazines triggered the mitochondrial‐dependent and cell death receptor‐dependent apoptosis pathways and further increased the chemosensitivity of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells via inhibition of AKT1 pathways
Authors: Ren Guanghui , Hao Xiaoyan , Yang Shuyi , Chen Jun , Qiu Guobin , Ang Kok Pian , Mohd Tamrin Mohd Islahuddin
Published: July 2020

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in cancer categories, followed by lung, colorectal, and ovarian among the female gender across the world. 10H‐3,6‐diazaphenothiazine (PTZ) is a thiazine derivative compound that exhibits many pharmacological activities. Herein, we proceed to investigate the pharmacological activities of PTZ toward breast cancer MCF‐7 cells as a representative in vitro breast cancer cell model. The PTZ exhibited a proliferation inhibition (IC50 = 0.895 µM) toward MCF‐7 cells. Further, cell cycle analysis illustrated that the S‐phase checkpoint was activated to achieve proliferation inhibition. In vitro cytotoxicity test on three normal cell lines (HEK293 normal kidney cells, MCF‐10A normal breast cells, and H9C2 normal heart cells) demonstrated that PTZ was more potent toward cancer cells. Increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species results in polarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), together with suppression of mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase enzymatic activity suggested that PTZ induced oxidative damages toward mitochondria and contributed to improved drug efficacy toward treatment. The RT2 PCR Profiler Array (human apoptosis pathways) proved that PTZ induced cell death via mitochondria‐dependent and cell death receptor‐dependent pathways, through a series of modulation of caspases, and the respective morphology of apoptosis was observed. Mechanistic studies of apoptosis suggested that PTZ inhibited AKT1 pathways resulting in enhanced drug efficacy despite it preventing invasion of cancer cells. These results showed the effectiveness of PTZ in initiation of apoptosis, programmed cell death, toward highly chemoresistant MCF‐7 cells, thus suggesting its potential as a chemotherapeutic drug.
Identification of the association between HBcAg-specific T cell and viral control in chronic HBV infection using a cultured ELISPOT assay
Authors: Chen Chengcong , Jiang Xiaotao , Liu Xuan , Guo Ling , Wang Weibin , Gu Shuqin , Wen Chunhua , Yi Xuan , Tang Libo , Li Yongyin
Published: July 2020

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T cells play a critical role in determining the outcome of HBV infection. However, T cell response induced by predominant Ag in chronic infection is hardly detectable owing to the lack of a suitable assay. We herein established an optimized method to enumerate HBV-specific T cells and assessed the association between HBV surface Ag (HBsAg) and HBV DNA. Sixty chronic HBV infection patients were enrolled. HBV-specific T cells were expanded by using overlapping peptide pools covering the entire sequence of HBV genotypes B and C. IFN-γ-producing HBV-specific T cells were detected by a cultured enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay, ex vivo ELISPOT assay, or flow cytometry staining. The association between HBV-specific T cells and serum levels of HBsAg and HBV DNA were analyzed. Cultured ELISPOT assay had a higher sensitivity than ex vivo ELISPOT in the detection of HBV-specific T cells. Moreover, consistent results were acquired by flow cytometry analysis and cultured ELISPOT assay, but the latter required only a limited number of cells for detection. Interestingly, HBV core peptide pool induced a robust HBV-specific T cell response in patients with lower levels of HBV DNA and HBsAg. Specifically, the frequency of HBV core Ag-specific IFN-γ+ spot-forming cells was inversely correlated with serum levels of HBV DNA and HBsAg. An optimized cultured ELISPOT assay reveals the association between HBV core Ag-induced T cell response and HBV control; this method may favor the investigation of HBV-specific T cell in chronic HBV infection.
Microstructure, pathophysiology, and potential therapeutics of COVID‐19: A comprehensive review
Authors: Singh Satarudra Prakash , Pritam Manisha , Pandey Brijesh , Yadav Thakur Prasad
Published: July 2020

There have been over seven million cases and almost 413 372 deaths globally due to the novel coronavirus (2019‐nCoV) associated disease COVID‐19, as of 11 June 2020. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that there is a common source for these infections. The overall sequence similarities between the spike protein of 2019‐nCoV and that of SARS‐CoV are known to be around 76% to 78% and 73% to 76% for the whole protein and receptor‐binding domain (RBD), respectively. Thus, they have the potential to serve as the drug and/or vaccine candidate. However, the individual response against 2019‐nCoV differs due to genetic variations in the human population. Understanding the variations in angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) that may affect the severity of 2019‐nCoV infection could help in identifying individuals at a higher risk from the COVID‐19. A number of potential drugs/vaccines as well as antibody/cytokine‐based therapeutics are in various developmental stages of preclinical/clinical trials against SARS‐CoV, MERS‐CoV, and 2019‐nCoV with substantial cross‐reactivity, and may be used against COVID‐19. For diagnosis, the reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction is the gold standard test for initial diagnosis of COVID‐19. A kit based on serological tests are also recommended for investigating the spread of COVID‐19 but this is challenging due to the antibodies cross‐reactivity. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent reports available regarding the host‐pathogen interaction, morphological and genomic structure of the virus, and the diagnostic techniques as well as the available potential therapeutics against COVID‐19.
Efficacy and safety of umifenovir for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19): A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Dong , Yu He , Wang Ting , Yang Huan , Yao Rong , Liang Zongan
Published: July 2020

We conducted this systemic review and meta‐analysis in an attempt to evaluate the efficacy and safety of umifenovir in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and medRxiv database. We included both retrospective and prospective studies. The mean difference (MD) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were applied to assess the effectiveness of umifenovir for COVID‐19. A total of 12 studies with 1052 patients were included in our final studies. Compared with control group, umifenovir was associated with higher negative rate of PCR on day 14 (RR:1.27; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.55). However, umifenovir is not related to nucleus acid negative conversion time (MD: 0.09; 95% CI: −1.48 to 1.65), negative rate on day 7 (RR:1.09; 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.31), incidence of composite endpoint (RR:1.20; 95% CI: 0.61 to 2.37), rate of fever alleviation on day 7 (RR:1.00; 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.10), rate of cough alleviation on day 7 (RR:1.00; 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.18), or hospital length of stay (MD: 1.34; 95% CI: ‐2.08 to 4.76). Additionally, umifenovir was safe in COVID‐19 patients (RR for incidence of adverse events: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.57 to 2.92). The results of sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were similar to pooled results. There is no evidence to support the use of umifenovir for improving patient‐important outcomes in patients with COVID‐19.
Catheter vs thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation: Meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Wang Tom Kai Ming , Liao Yi‐Wen (Becky) , Wang Michael Tzu Min , Martin Andrew
Published: July 2020

Background

We meta‐analyzed the efficacy and safety of catheter (CA) vs thoracoscopic (TA) ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched until 31/12/2019 for relevant randomized trials and subsequent pooled analyses.

Results

In six trials totaling 465 patients (254 CA/211 TA), 1‐year AF recurrences were higher for CA (46% vs 26%, odds ratio 2.90 [95% CI 1.32‐6.38]), whereas total adverse events were lower (10% vs 25%, 0.35 [0.14‐0.86], respectively).

Conclusion

CA has lower efficacy but higher safety than TA. CA should remain the first‐line AF ablation strategy, and TA reserved for selected CA‐resistant patients where rhythm control is clinically necessary.
Novel affinity chromatography method for the efficient purification of recombinant Binder of SPerm homolog proteins
Authors: Zarafshan Samin Sabouhi , Manjunath Puttaswamy
Published: July 2020

In mammalian species, a family of proteins named the Binder of SPerm proteins, which are expressed in the male reproductive tract, have been shown to play a role in epididymal sperm maturation and sperm capacitation. Recently, one homolog from human and two homologs from mouse were characterized. In order to further investigate the biochemical activity of these proteins, efficient purification procedures are required to isolate the proteins. Since these proteins are produced in very minute quantities, we exploited the high capacity of Escherichia coli to produce larger quantities of recombinant proteins that were subsequently purified using affinity chromatography on a diethylaminoethyl‐Sephadex A‐25 column. Binder of SPerm proteins have been shown to interact with pseudo‐choline groups such as diethylaminoethyl through affinity rather than ionic interactions. The aim of the current study was to develop a novel method for purifying these recombinant proteins, produced in Escherichia coli cells. Diethylaminoethyl is positively charged and is a weak anion exchanger, but binder of sperm proteins interacts with affinity to this resin. This study presents a new, rapid, and cost‐effective purification method that provides with an exceptional purity level, which can be used to study their roles in mammalian fertilization.