bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crossing the hurdles of translation—a robust methodology for synthesis, characterization and GMP production of cross‐linked high molecular weight hyaluronic acid particles (cHA)
Authors: Krishna K. Vijaya , Benito Ana , Alkorta Janire , Gleyzes Christine , Dupin Damien , Loinaz Iraida , Pandit Abhay
Published: August 2020

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the most widely used extracellular matrix substrate in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and other clinical applications, due to its unique physiochemical properties and ubiquitous biological presence. In the past decade, there has been a surge in research paradigms involving HA products to evaluate their commercial feasibility. Numerous papers and reviews have reported procedures for chemical modifications and cross‐linking of HA, but the intricacies of their scale‐up in the production processes are often not discussed. Protected by confidentiality agreements with industry partners, information on these procedures is exclusive and not accessible within an academic setting. Establishing translatable synthetic protocols of HA would address this significant gap in the field and facilitate their use in other applications. The current method details a reproducible and robust method for producing particles that are composed of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (cHA) and cross‐linked via a 4‐arm polyethylene glycol amine linker using 4‐(4,6‐dimethoxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)‐4‐methyl‐morpholinium chloride chemistry. A critical analysis of previously reported procedures for their advantages and limitations (reaction parameters, molar equivalents, and reagents used for cross‐linking), forms the basis for this procedure and its subsequent adaptation to good manufacturing practices requirements. As a component of a Class III medical device, the reported cHA is in the form of non‐sized particles.
Analytical and numerical solutions of the Fitzhugh–Nagumo equation and their multistability behavior
Authors: İnan Bilge , Ali Khalid K. , Saha Asit , Ak Turgut
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we propose an analytical method and a modification of explicit exponential finite difference method (EEFDM) for analytical and numerical solutions of the Fitzhugh–Nagumo (FN) and Newell–Whitehead (NW) equations. The method is improved computationally by using the Padé approximation technique. Furthermore, multistability behavior of traveling wave solutions of the FN and NW equations are examined in presence of external forcing. It is observed that there exist coexisting periodic and quasiperiodic orbits for the FN equation, where as only quasiperiodic orbits is observed in case of NW equation.
Medical Weight‐Loss Outcomes in Patients Receiving Concomitant Psychotropic Medication: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Shukla Alpana P. , Mandel Lindsay S. , Tchang Beverly G. , Litman Ethan , Cadwell Joshua , Kumar Rekha B. , Waitman Jonathan , Igel Leon I. , Christos Paul , Aronne Louis J.
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate medical weight‐loss outcomes in patients unexposed or exposed to psychotropic medication(s).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study evaluated weight‐loss outcomes of completers treated at an academic weight‐management center between April 1, 2014, and April 1, 2016. Patients were classified as either unexposed (not prescribed psychotropic medication) or exposed (prescribed psychotropic medication) based on use of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotics during the study.

Results

Of 1,932 patients seen during the study period, 885 were eligible for inclusion, of whom 619 (70.0%) were unexposed and 266 (30.0%) were exposed to psychotropic medications. In the unexposed and exposed groups, the mean age, sex distribution, proportion with type 2 diabetes, initial BMI, and number of weight‐loss medications prescribed were similar. At 12 months, the unexposed group lost 1.6% more weight on average than the exposed group (9.1% [SD 7.6%] vs. 7.5% [SD 8.1%], respectively; P = 0.02); 71.0% and 41.2% of the unexposed group achieved ≥ 5% and ≥ 10% weight loss at 12 months, respectively, compared with 63.1% and 31.8% in the exposed group at 12 months (P = 0.04 at 5%; P = 0.02 at 10%).

Conclusions

Exposure to psychotropic medications was associated with diminished weight loss in patients with medically managed overweight and obesity.
Bariatric Surgery‐Induced Changes in Intima‐Media Thickness and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Class 3 Obesity: A 3‐Year Follow‐Up Study
Authors: Domenech‐Ximenos Blanca , Cuba Victor , Daunis‐i‐Estadella Pepus , Thió‐Henestrosa Santiago , Jaldo Francisco , Biarnes Carles , Molina Xavier , Xifra Gemma , Ricart Wifredo , Bardera Anton , Boada Imma , Essig Marco , Pedraza Salvador , Federici Massimo , Fernández‐Real José Manuel , Puig Josep
Published: August 2020

Objective

The impact of weight loss induced by bariatric surgery (BS) and nonsurgical approaches on cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) has not been fully elucidated. We assessed the effects of BS and a nonsurgical approach on carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) and CVRFs in participants with class 3 obesity.

Methods

A total of 87 participants with obesity (59 women; 46 [37‐52] years old; BMI, 43 [40‐47]) and 75 controls were recruited; 21 (25%) participants with obesity underwent BS. BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, C‐reactive protein, CIMT, and Framingham Risk Score were measured at baseline and at 3‐year follow‐up. Independent factors for reduction in CIMT were analyzed. The literature on the effects of BS and CIMT was reviewed.

Results

After BS, BMI decreased from 45.45 to 27.28 (P < 0.001), and mean CIMT decreased from 0.64 mm (0.56‐0.75 mm) to 0.54 mm (0.46‐0.65) mm (P < 0.012), equivalent to 0.005 mm/kg of weight lost. At 3‐year follow‐up, participants who had undergone BS had similar CIMT and CVRFs to the control group. No changes in CVRFs were seen related to the nonsurgical approach. BMI reduction after BS had the strongest independent association with decreased CIMT.

Conclusions

Weight loss after BS decreases CIMT and CVRFs in middle‐aged participants with class 3 obesity, resulting in CIMT similar to that observed in lean participants.
Education, employment, economic status and empowerment: Implications for maternal health care services utilization in India
Authors: Yadav Arvind Kumar , Sahni Bhavna , Jena Pabitra Kumar
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Education, Employment, Economic Status and Empowerment (introduced as the 4Es) and other explanatory socio‐demographic factors on the utilization of maternal health care services in India. This study used data from the National Family Health Survey‐4 (2015–2016). Separate logistic regression models were fitted for four or more antenatal care visits, skilled birth attendance and postnatal care to understand the effects of 4Es on the utilization of maternal health care services in India. The findings indicate positive effects of education on antenatal care, skilled birth attendance and postnatal care, the effects of higher education being even stronger in case of antenatal care. Education leads to employment, economic status and empowerment which in turn are significantly associated with the use of antenatal care and skilled birth attendance. Interestingly, in case of postnatal care, while controlling for economic status and empowerment, the effects of education vanish. Overall, education, employment, greater economic status and empowerment emerged as reliable predictors of the use of all three maternal health care services. The positive association between the 4Es and maternal health care services utilization reiterates the need for rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the existing policies and programs, coupled with efforts to change societal attitudes toward females through political advocacy and commitment which is reflected in parallel investment in girl education, job creation for poverty reduction to facilitate women empowerment.
A special filler for epoxy resin to enhance the T peel strength of adhesive
Authors: Xu Hang , Zhang Xiaorui , Hu Guangkai , Weng Ling , Liu Lizhu
Published: August 2020

The filler that could enhance the T peel strength of adhesive was prepared using graphene oxide (GO) grafted with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and amino terminated poly(butadiene‐acrylonitrile) (ATBN). As a result of structure characterization, the ATBN‐TDI‐GO structure with dissociated ‐NCO groups was built. The T peel strength of the adhesive containing 25 wt% ATBN, 17 wt% TDI, and 0.5 wt% GO increased to 18.47 N/mm, which increased by 4.75 times compared with pure epoxy resin (EP), and other mechanical properties of the adhesive were enhanced. The reason for the increasing of bonding properties was chemical bonding built between the adherent and the adhesive by the surplus ‐NCO groups provided by the ATBN‐TDI‐GO filler. The effect of physical adsorption provided by ATBN and the chemical bonding between the matrix resin and ATBN‐TDI‐GO filler also could toughen the EP resin. The design of the EP filler could provide a new method for adhesive manufacture.
Knowledge is money: Do people think cultural capital can be transformed into economic value?
Authors: Yu Feng , Peng Kaiping , Hu Xiaomeng
Published: August 2020

Cultural capital is defined as the accumulation of knowledge, behaviors, and skills that a person can tap into to demonstrate one's cultural competence and social status (Bourdieu, 1986). Cultural capital has been well‐understood in social sciences such as sociology and economics for the past decades. Little research has examined the psychological antecedences and consequences of cultural capital at the individual level. Our current work seeks to provide empirical evidence to support the claim that cultural capital (embodied, objective, and institutionalized) can be transformed into economic value. Using a 3 × 3 × 2 (Cultural Capital Conditions × Behavioral Agents × Frames) mixed experimental design, our data showed that under the gain frame rather than the loss frame, the property of people with cultural capital was judged higher than those pretending to have cultural capital, but without real knowledge. Interestingly, this pattern of results only holds true under the embodied cultural capital condition, but did not hold true under the objectified and institutionalized cultural capital conditions.
β‐Cyclodextrin‐functionalized copolymers based on multiple intermolecular forces for enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Ren Hao , Ding Xiang‐Hua , Luo Qiang , Yang Lian‐Yu , Yong Xiao‐Hua , Wei Yun , Peng Jian , Deng Yong
Published: August 2020

As one of mature enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies, polymer flooding has been extensively applied in oilfield. In this study, new hydrophobically associative copolymers were synthesized by free‐radical polymerization of acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), vinyl‐modified β‐cyclodextrins, and a water‐soluble hydrophobic macromonomer (AA‐APE‐20). Fourier transform infrared, proton‐nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy verified the structure of hydrophobically associative polymers (HDAPAMs). Compared with partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM), multiple intermolecular forces including chelation between ethoxyl (EO) group and Ca2+/Mg2+, electrostatic bridges between EO groups and carboxyl groups (COO−), hydrogen bonding between EO groups and AM groups (CONH2), hydrophobic association among nonyl phenol groups, and host‐guest inclusion interaction endowed HDAPAMs favorable temperature‐resistance, salt‐resistance, and displacement efficiency. It was found that HDAPAMs showed evident temperature‐response, salt thickening effect, favorable thixotropy, and viscoelasticity. Compared with HPAM, the core flooding experiments demonstrated that HDAPAMs could further enhance 6.97% to 8.43% oil recovery, even after HPAM flooding used. All the results revealed the EOR potential in HDAPAMs flooding.
Self‐Efficacy and Social Support are Associated with Disability for Ambulatory Prosthesis Users After Lower‐Limb Amputation
Authors: Miller Matthew J. , Cook Paul F. , Magnusson Dawn M. , Morris Megan A. , Blatchford Patrick J. , Schenkman Margaret L. , Christiansen Cory L.
Published: August 2020

Background

Interventions targeting psychosocial factors may improve rehabilitation outcomes for prosthesis users after lower‐limb amputation (LLA), but there is a need to identify targeted factors for minimizing disability.

Objective

To identify psychosocial factors related to disability for prosthesis users after LLA in middle age or later.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

General community.

Participants

Participants with LLA (N = 122) were included in this cross‐sectional study if their most recent LLA was at least 1 year prior, they were ambulating independently with a prosthesis, and they were between 45 and 88 years old.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Disability, the primary outcome, was measured using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS). Candidate psychosocial variables included self‐efficacy, social support, and motivation, measured using the Self‐Efficacy of Managing Chronic Disease questionnaire (SEMCD), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support questionnaire (MSPSS), and modified contemplation ladder (mCL), respectively. The hypothesis was that greater self‐efficacy, social support, and motivation would be associated with lower disability when controlling for covariates.

Results

The covariate model, including etiology, age, sex, U.S. military veteran status, LLA characteristics, time since LLA, medical complexity, and perceived functional capacity, explained 66.1% of disability variability (WHODAS 2.0). Backward elimination of candidate psychosocial variables stopped after removal of motivation (P = .10), with self‐efficacy (P < .001) and social support (P = .002) variables remaining in the final model. The final model fit was statistically improved (P < .001) and explained an additional 6.1% of disability variability when compared to the covariate model.

Conclusions

Greater self‐efficacy and social support are related to lower disability after LLA. Findings suggest there may be a role for interventions targeting increased physical function, self‐efficacy, and social support for ambulatory prosthesis users after LLA in middle age or later, especially when complicated by multiple chronic conditions.
Psychosocial Factors Influence Physical Activity after Dysvascular Amputation: A Convergent Mixed‐Methods Study
Authors: Miller Matthew J. , Morris Megan A. , Magnusson Dawn M. , Putnam Kelly , Cook Paul F. , Schenkman Margaret L. , Christiansen Cory L.
Published: August 2020

Background

Physical function is a common target of rehabilitation intervention to improve disability and physical activity after dysvascular lower‐limb amputation (LLA); yet, the influence of psychosocial factors on physical activity is unclear.

Objective

To identify psychosocial factors with potential to influence clinically relevant measures of physical activity, physical function, and disability in light of participants' narratives.

Design

Convergent mixed‐methods.

Setting

General community.

Participants

Twenty participants with dysvascular LLA were enrolled if their most recent LLA was at least 1 year prior, they were ambulating independently with a prosthesis, and were between 45 and 88 years old.

Intervention

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Quantitative data included physical activity (activPAL; steps/d), physical function (Timed Up‐and‐Go; TUG), and disability (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0; WHODAS 2.0). Qualitative data were collected via semistructured interviews.

Results

Higher steps/d was moderately correlated with better TUG time (r = −.58, P < .01), but was not correlated with WHODAS 2.0 score (r = −0.18; P > .10). Qualitative analysis of interviews, using an inductive, team‐based, phenomenological approach, identified four themes: (1) perceptions of their prosthesis, (2) fear during mobility, (3) influence of LLA on life activities, and (4) positive outlook within social interactions. Mixed‐methods analysis used an iterative approach to interpret and describe how psychosocial factors influence physical activity in four exemplar cases.

Conclusions

Physical activity in people with dysvascular LLA results from an interaction among perceptions of their prosthesis, fear during mobility, influence of LLA on life activities, and positive outlook within social interactions. The overlapping nature of these themes suggests that interventions targeting psychosocial factors may be associated with improved physical activity, physical function, and subsequent disability after dysvascular LLA.
Effects of RAGE inhibition on the progression of the disease in hSOD1G93A ALS mice
Authors: Liu Liping , Killoy Kelby M. , Vargas Marcelo R. , Yamamoto Yasuhiko , Pehar Mariana
Published: August 2020

Astrocytes play a key role in the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by actively inducing the degeneration of motor neurons. Motor neurons isolated from receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)‐knockout mice are resistant to the neurotoxic signal derived from ALS‐astrocytes. Here, we confirmed that in a co‐culture model, the neuronal death induced by astrocytes over‐expressing the ALS‐linked mutant hSOD1G93A is prevented by the addition of the RAGE inhibitors FPS‐ZM1 or RAP. These inhibitors also prevented the motor neuron death induced by spinal cord extracts from symptomatic hSOD1G93A mice. To evaluate the relevance of this neurotoxic mechanism in ALS pathology, we assessed the therapeutic potential of FPS‐ZM1 in hSOD1G93A mice. FPS‐ZM1 treatment significantly improved hind‐limb grip strength in hSOD1G93A mice during the progression of the disease, reduced the expression of atrophy markers in the gastrocnemius muscle, improved the survival of large motor neurons, and reduced gliosis in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. However, we did not observe a statistically significant effect of the drug in symptoms onset nor in the survival of hSOD1G93A mice. Maintenance of hind‐limb grip strength was also observed in hSOD1G93A mice with RAGE haploinsufficiency [hSOD1G93A;RAGE(+/‐)], further supporting the beneficial effect of RAGE inhibition on muscle function. However, no benefits were observed after complete RAGE ablation. Moreover, genetic RAGE ablation significantly shortened the median survival of hSOD1G93A mice. These results indicate that the advance of new therapies targeting RAGE in ALS demands a better understanding of its physiological role in a cell type/tissue‐specific context.
Design of Thermal Metamaterials with Excellent Thermal Control Functions by Using Functional Nanoporous Graphene
Authors: Jia Pin-Zhen , Wu Dan , Zhang Qian-Qian , Zhou Wu-Xing , Fan Zhi-Qiang , Feng Ye-Xin , Tang Li-Ming , Chen Ke-Qiu
Published: August 2020

Thermal metamaterials can effectively manipulate heat flux to achieve different thermal management functions, such as thermal cloak, concentrator, and rotator. To date, most of these metamaterials are based on macroscopic compound structures, such as metal/polymer. Herein, the concept of thermal metamaterials is extended to two‐dimensional (2D) graphene‐based systems because of their fast response speeds, in contrast to traditional three‐dimensional metamaterials. Three thermal metamaterials with heterogeneous thermal parameters are constructed using nano‐holed graphene, and some extraordinary thermal phenomena, such as effective shielding, accumulation and rotation of heat flux, are observed due to the significant anisotropic thermal conductivity of these 2D systems. Moreover, these thermal phenomena are insensitive to external disturbances. For designing thermal metamaterials, this study provides a novel approach, which can be applied to other 2D thermal functional materials.
To use or not to use propensity score matching?
Authors: Wang Jixian
Published: August 2020

Propensity score matching (PSM) has been widely used to reduce confounding biases in observational studies. Its properties for statistical inference have also been investigated and well documented. However, some recent publications showed concern of using PSM, especially on increasing postmatching covariate imbalance, leading to discussion on whether PSM should be used or not. We review empirical and theoretical evidence for and against its use in practice and revisit the property of equal percent bias reduction and adapt it to more practical situations, showing that PSM has some additional desirable properties. With a small simulation, we explore the impact of caliper width on biases due to mismatching in matched samples and due to the difference between matched and target populations and show some issue of PSM may be due to inadequate caliper selection. In summary, we argue that the right question should be when and how to use PSM rather than to use or not to use it and give suggestions accordingly.
Performance study of change‐point detection thresholds for cumulative sum statistic in a sequential context
Authors: Sahki Nassim , Gégout‐Petit Anne , Wantz‐Mézières Sophie
Published: August 2020

Sequential detection is based on a recursive statistic and a threshold it must reach to report a change. In this paper, we consider the score‐based cumulative sum statistic and propose to evaluate the detection performance of some thresholds on simulated data. Three thresholds come from the literature: the Wald constant, the empirical constant, and the conditional empirical instantaneous threshold (the latter two are built by a simulation‐based procedure). Two new thresholds are built by a simulation‐based procedure: the first one is instantaneous, the second is a dynamical version of the previous one. The thresholds' performance measured by an estimation of the mean time between false alarm(MTBFA)and the average detection delay(ADD)are evaluated on independent and autocorrelated data for several scenario, according to the detection objective and the real change in the data. The simulations allow us to compare the difference between the thresholds' results and to see that their performances prove to be robust when a parameter of the prechange regime is misestimated or when the data independence assumption is violated. We found also that the conditional empirical threshold is the best at minimizing the detection delay while maintaining the given false alarm rate. However, on real data, we suggest to use the dynamic instantaneous threshold because it is the easiest to build for practical implementation.
Optimal design of one‐sided exponential cumulative sum charts with known and estimated parameters based on the median run length
Authors: Qiao YuLong , Hu XueLong , Sun JinSheng , Xu Qin
Published: August 2020

As a useful tool in statistical process control (SPC), the exponential control chart is more and more popular for monitoring high‐quality processes. Considering both known and estimated parameter cases, the one‐sided exponential cumulative sum (CUSUM) charts are studied in this paper through a Markov chain approach. Because the shape of the run length (RL) distribution of the one‐sided exponential CUSUM charts is skewed and it also changes with the mean shift size and the number of Phase I samples used to estimate the process parameter, the median run length (MRL) is employed as a good alternative performance measure for the charts. The optimal design procedures based on MRL of the one‐sided exponential CUSUM charts with known and estimated parameters are discussed. By comparing the MRL performance of the chart with known parameters with the one of the chart with estimated parameters, we investigate the effect of estimated process parameters on the properties of the chart. Finally, an application is illustrated to show the implementation of the chart.
Doping control analysis of GW1516 in equine plasma using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization Q‐Exactive high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Ishii Hideaki , Leung Gary Ngai‐Wa , Yamashita Shozo , Yamada Masayuki , Kushiro Asuka , Kasashima Yoshinori , Okada Jun , Kawasaki Kazumi , Kijima‐Suda Isao
Published: August 2020

Rationale

GW1516 is a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐δ agonist in the class of hormones and metabolic modulators. The use of GW1516 is banned in both horseracing and equestrian competitions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first metabolic study of GW1516 in horses.

Methods

After protein precipitation of pre‐ and post‐administration plasma GW1516 samples, the supernatants were analyzed using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization Q‐Exactive high‐resolution mass spectrometry to detect GW1516 and its metabolites. Monoisotopic ions of GW1516 and its metabolites were monitored from the full‐scan mass spectral data of pre‐ and post‐administration samples. Quantification methods were developed and validated to establish the elimination profiles of GW1516, its sulfoxide, and its sulfone in equine plasma.

Results

GW1516 and its four metabolites GW1516 sulfoxide, GW1516 sulfone, 5‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4‐methyl‐2‐(4‐trifluoromethylphenyl)thiazole (HMTT), and M1 were detected in post‐administration plasma samples. GW1516 sulfoxide, GW1516 sulfone, and HMTT were identified by comparison with their respective reference standards whereas M1 was tentatively identified as 4‐methyl‐2‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]‐1,3‐thiazole‐5‐carboxylic acid by mass spectral interpretation. GW1516 had the longest detection time in post‐administration plasma. The elimination profiles of GW1516, its sulfoxide, and its sulfone in plasma were established.

Conclusions

For the purpose of doping control, GW1516 is recommended as the target analyte to be monitored in equine plasma due to its long detection time (around 1 week) and the ready availability of its reference material.
Multicomponent DNA Polymerization Motor Gels
Authors: Shi Ruohong , Fern Joshua , Xu Weinan , Jia Sisi , Huang Qi , Pahapale Gayatri , Schulman Rebecca , Gracias David H.
Published: August 2020

Hydrogels with the ability to change shape in response to biochemical stimuli are important for biosensing, smart medicine, drug delivery, and soft robotics. Here, a family of multicomponent DNA polymerization motor gels with different polymer backbones is created, including acrylamide‐co‐bis‐acrylamide (Am‐BIS), poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), and gelatin‐methacryloyl (GelMA) that swell extensively in response to specific DNA sequences. A common mechanism, a polymerization motor that induces swelling is driven by a cascade of DNA hairpin insertions into hydrogel crosslinks. These multicomponent hydrogels can be photopatterned into distinct shapes, have a broad range of mechanical properties, including tunable shear moduli between 297 and 3888 Pa and enhanced biocompatibility. Human cells adhere to the GelMA‐DNA gels and remain viable during ≈70% volumetric swelling of the gel scaffold induced by DNA sequences. The results demonstrate the generality of sequential DNA hairpin insertion as a mechanism for inducing shape change in multicomponent hydrogels, suggesting widespread applicability of polymerization motor gels in biomaterials science and engineering.
Spatially Separating Redox Centers on Z‐Scheme ZnIn2S4/BiVO4 Hierarchical Heterostructure for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Hu Jundie , Chen Cao , Zheng Yang , Zhang Guping , Guo Chunxian , Li Chang Ming
Published: August 2020

Photocatalysis technology using solar energy for hydrogen (H2) production still faces great challenges to design and synthesize highly efficient photocatalysts, which should realize the precise regulation of reactive sites, rapid migration of photoinduced carriers and strong visible light harvest. Here, a facile hierarchical Z‐scheme system with ZnIn2S4/BiVO4 heterojunction is proposed, which can precisely regulate redox centers at the ZnIn2S4/BiVO4 hetero‐interface by accelerating the separation and migration of photoinduced charges, and then enhance the oxidation and reduction ability of holes and electrons, respectively. Therefore, the ZnIn2S4/BiVO4 heterojunction exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance with a much higher H2‐evolution rate of 5.944 mmol g−1 h−1, which is about five times higher than that of pure ZnIn2S4. Moreover, this heterojunction shows good stability and recycle ability, providing a promising photocatalyst for efficient H2 production and a new strategy for the manufacture of remarkable photocatalytic materials.
Recognition of Single‐Point Mutation Using a Biological Nanopore
Authors: Liu Ping , Kawano Ryuji
Published: August 2020

Here the recognition of a single‐point mutation in oligonucleotides is described by using nanopore measurements. The translocation behavior of a series of mutated DNA strands, hybridized with a complementary DNA probe, is analyzed via blocking current and unzipping time. Discernment of the mutation position at the single nucleotide level is achieved by analysis of a 2D graph of the bootstrapped translocation data. The proposed approach provides a useful tool for the mutation detection of oligonucleotides secreted from tumor cells and is applicable in simple and label‐free diagnoses as a nanopore liquid biopsy.
Saliva Protein Composition Relates with Interindividual Variations in Bread Sensory Ratings
Authors: Lamy Elsa , Santos Vera , Barrambana Sara , Simões Carla , Carreira Laura , Infante Paulo , Capela e Silva Fernando
Published: August 2020

Sensory perception of starch‐based products associates with salivary α‐amylase enzymatic activity. Besides this, other proteins relate to taste sensitivity and oral food processing. As such, the participation of different salivary constituents in starch‐rich food's sensory evaluation cannot be excluded. This study aims to identify salivary proteins altered by bread mastication and correlated with sensory ratings. In Experiment 1 the effect of bread mastication in α‐amylase enzymatic activity and SDS PAGE profiles between is assessed (N = 64). In Experiment 2, a sub‐sample of these individuals (N = 22) is subjected to sensory tests and the sensory ratings obtained are correlated with saliva protein composition. Salivary α‐amylase activity, in the supernatant of saliva collected after bread mastication, is negatively correlated with sweetness and saltiness ratings. Moreover, saltiness is positively correlated with the expression levels of carbonic anhydrase VI. Bread roughness presented a positive association with α‐amylase enzymatic activity and a negative association with S‐type cystatin expression levels. Despite further studies are needed to clarify the negative association between salivary amylase enzymatic activity and sweetness ratings, observed in this study, these results reinforce the role of α‐amylase and highlights that other salivary proteins can also influence starch‐based sensory perception.
Aberrant glycosylation patterns on cancer cells: Therapeutic opportunities for glycodendrimers/metallodendrimers oncology
Authors: Moffett Serge , Shiao Tze Chieh , Mousavifar Leila , Mignani Serge , Roy René
Published: August 2020

Despite exciting discoveries and progresses in drug design against cancer, its cure is still rather elusive and remains one of the humanities major challenges in health care. The safety profiles of common small molecule anti‐cancer therapeutics are less than at acceptable levels and limiting deleterious side‐effects have to be urgently addressed. This is mainly caused by their incapacity to differentiate healthy cells from cancer cells; hence, the use of high dosage becomes necessary. One possible solution to improve the therapeutic windows of anti‐cancer agents undoubtedly resides in modern nanotechnology. This review presents a discussion concerning multivalent carbohydrate–protein interactions as this topic pertains to the fundamental aspects that lead glycoscientists to tackle glyconanoparticles. The second section describes the detailed properties of cancer cells and how their aberrant glycan surfaces differ from those of healthy cells. The third section briefly describes the immune systems, both innate and adaptative, because the numerous displays of cell surface protein receptors necessitate to be addressed from the multivalent angles, a strength full characteristic of nanoparticles. The next chapter presents recent advances in glyconanotechnologies, including glycodendrimers in particular, as they apply to glycobiology and carbohydrate‐based cancer vaccines. This was followed by an overview of metallodendrimers and how this rapidly evolving field may contribute to our arsenal of therapeutic tools to fight cancer.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
A new approach to the interpretation of XRF spectral imaging data using neural networks
Authors: Kogou Sotiria , Lee Lynn , Shahtahmassebi Golnaz , Liang Haida
Published: August 2020

Self‐organising map (SOM), an unsupervised machine learning algorithm based on neural networks, is applied to introduce a novel approach for the analysis of XRF spectral imaging data. This method automatically reduced hundreds of thousands of XRF spectra in a spectral image dataset to a handful of distinct clusters that share similar spectra. In this study, we show how clustering and the combination of spatial and spectral information can be used to aid materials identification and deduce the paint sequence. The efficiency and accuracy of the method is presented through the analysis of a Peruvian watercolour painting from the Getty Research Institute collection. Confirmation of the interpretation was provided by complementary non‐invasive techniques, such as optical microscopy, reflectance and Raman spectroscopies.
Spiritual Care Charting/Documenting/Recording/Assessment: A Perspective from the United Kingdom
Authors: Ross Linda , McSherry Wilfred
Published: August 2020

This chapter explores how spiritual aspects of care are being documented within the UK with a specific focus on healthcare primarily in the nursing and chaplaincy professions. This has not been an easy undertaking given the lack of a standardised approach, the changing and challenging landscape of healthcare in the UK and the conflicting terminology used when trying to assess, capture and record encounters, interactions and conversations with patients and their carers about their spiritual needs. The authors draw upon their own research and informal enquiries with chaplains from across England, Scotland and Wales, demonstrating that there is a wide range and variation in practice. The authors conclude that there is no standardised means of assessing and documenting spiritual needs and care in the UK and that this is unlikely to change until the many complex challenges outlined are addressed both politically and professionally.
Investigating the importance of B cells and antibodies during Trichuris muris infection using the IgMi mouse
Authors: Sahputra Rinal , Murphy Emma A , Forman Ruth , Mair Iris , Fadlullah Muhammad Z. H. , Waisman Ari , Muller Werner , Else Kathryn J.
Published: August 2020

The IgMi mouse has normal B cell development; its B cells express an IgM B cell receptor but cannot class switch or secrete antibody. Thus, the IgMi mouse offers a model system by which to dissect out antibody-dependent and antibody-independent B cell function. Here, we provide the first detailed characterisation of the IgMi mouse post-Trichuris muris(T. muris) infection, describing expulsion phenotype, cytokine production, gut pathology and changes in T regulatory cells, T follicular helper cells and germinal centre B cells, in addition to RNA sequencing (RNA seq) analyses of wild-type littermates (WT) and mutant B cells prior to and post infection. IgMi mice were susceptible to a high-dose infection, with reduced Th2 cytokines and elevated B cell-derived IL-10 in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) compared to controls. A low-dose infection regime revealed IgMi mice to have significantly more apoptotic cells in the gut compared to WT mice, but no change in intestinal inflammation. IL-10 levels were again elevated. Collectively, this study showcases the potential of the IgMi mouse as a tool for understanding B cell biology and suggests that the B cell plays both antibody-dependent and antibody-independent roles post high- and low-doseT. murisinfection.

Key messages

During a high-doseT. murisinfection, B cells are important in maintaining the Th1/Th2 balance in the MLN through an antibody-independent mechanism.

High levels of IL-10 in the MLN early post-infection, and the presence of IL-10-producing B cells, correlates with susceptibility toT. murisinfection.

B cells maintain gut homeostasis during chronicT. murisinfection via an antibody-dependent mechanism.
Tumor, host and surgery related factors predisposing to cranial nerve deficits after surgical treatment of parapharyngeal space tumors
Authors: Rzepakowska Anna , Osuch-Wójcikiewicz Ewa , Żurek Michał , Durmaj Aneta , Niemczyk Kazimierz
Published: August 2020

Propose

Identification of relevant features acquired on preoperative evaluation of parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors or related to the performed surgical approach that are predictive of the most important complication of surgical treatment of these tumors, cranial nerve palsy.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 68 patients with PPS tumors treated with surgical resection in a tertiary referral center from 2009 to 2019. The preoperative clinical symptoms, age, sex, tumor size, location, histopathological type, surgical approach, radical resection, intraoperative bleeding and the occurrence of complications were collected, evaluated and compared.

Results

Cross-table and chi-square test results revealed that cranial nerve deficits were more common in neurogenic tumors than in other types, including malignant tumors (χ2 = 6.118,p = 0.013); the cervical approach was selected more often for neurogenic tumors (χ2 = 14.134,p < 0.001); neurogenic tumors were more frequently removed intracapsularly (χ2 = 6.424,p = 0.011); and neurogenic tumors were more likely to be located in the poststyloid area (χ2 = 17.464,p < 0.001). The two-samplettest revealed a significant correlation between age and the prevalence of cranial nerve complications (t = 2.242,p = 0.031). The mean age in the group of patients with cranial nerve palsy was 45.89 years, and that of the group without complications was 54.69 years. The results of logistic regression confirmed that the risk of nerve deficits was almost 8 times higher for neurogenic tumors (OR = 7.778,p = 0.01). None of the other analyzed variables related to tumor or surgery was significantly correlated with an increased risk of cranial nerve dysfunction.

Conclusion

Surgical resection of tumors other than neurogenic tumors of the PPS reveals no significant risk for permanent neural dysfunction. Tumor size also had no significant effect on the risk of postoperative nerve palsy.
Die Darm-Leber-Achse bei nichtalkoholischer Fettlebererkrankung: molekulare Mechanismen und neue Targets
Authors: Schneider Kai Markus , Trautwein Christian
Published: August 2020

Die nichtalkoholische Fettlebererkrankung (NAFLD) ist mit weiter steigender Inzidenz die weltweit häufigste Lebererkrankung. Während Adipositas der wichtigste Risikofaktor für die Entstehung einer NAFLD ist, demonstrieren aktuelle Forschungsarbeiten, dass neben genetischen Faktoren und westlicher Diät die Darm-Leber-Achse und besonders die intestinale Mikrobiota eine Schlüsselrolle während der Krankheitsprogression spielen. Eine ungünstige Komposition der Mikrobiota beeinflusst nicht nur den Leberstoffwechsel, sondern moduliert durch mikrobielle Moleküle und Metaboliten das inflammatorische Milieu in der Leber. Hier zeigen sich vielversprechende Regelkreise für die zukünftige Diagnostik und Therapie.
Subgingival microflora in adolescent females with polycystic ovary syndrome and its association with oral hygiene, gingivitis, and selected metabolic and hormonal parameters
Authors: Wendland Natalia , Opydo-Szymaczek Justyna , Mizgier Małgorzata , Jarząbek-Bielecka Grażyna
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Research studies suggest that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may influence the composition of the oral microflora in women. This study aimed to investigate factors affecting the number of selected periopathogens in a young cohort of females with PCOS and to assess the association between oral hygiene, subgingival microbiome, gingival health, and metabolic and hormonal parameters.

Materials and methods

Thirty-two subjects with PCOS and twenty-three healthy controls aged 15–19 years were examined periodontally by a calibrated dentist. A real-time PCR method was used for the identification of 9 subgingival microorganisms. Subjects with PCOS underwent blood tests for determination of FSH, LH, total testosterone, DHEA-S, estradiol, SHBG, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and lipid profile.

Results

Gingival index (GI), the proportion of bleeding sites (BOP%), probing depth (PD), and plaque index (PLI) did not differ significantly between cases and healthy age-mates. The control group had significantly higher levels of Peptostreptococcus micros and substantially greater percentage of subjects infected by Treponema denticola. Capnocytophaga gingivalis count was positively correlated with the level of estradiol, while the concentration of HDL-C was negatively correlated with the number of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and orange complex bacteria.

Conclusions

PCOS in young patients was not associated with higher pathogenicity of subgingival biofilms.

Clinical relevance

Further studies are needed to explain the relationship between hormonal and metabolic abnormalities, subgingival microflora, and periodontal health in patients with PCOS.
Efficacy of gel-based artificial saliva on Candida colonization and saliva properties in xerostomic post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lam-ubol Aroonwan , Matangkasombut Oranart , Trachootham Dunyaporn , Tarapan Supanat , Sattabanasuk Vanthana , Talungchit Sineepat , Paemuang Wannaporn , Phonyiam Tawaree , Chokchaitam Orapin , Mungkung On-ong
Published: August 2020

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of an edible artificial saliva gel, oral moisturizing jelly (OMJ), and a topical commercial gel (GC dry mouth gel) on Candida colonization and saliva properties.

Materials and methods

This study was a secondary analysis of a single-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted in xerostomic post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients. Candida colonization, stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR), saliva pH, and buffering capacity (BC) were measured at 0, 1, and 2 months after each intervention. Candida colonization was quantified by colony counts and species identified by Candida Chromagar, polymerase chain reaction, and API 20C AUX system. Statistical significance level was 0.05.

Results

A total of 56 participants in OMJ (N = 30) and GC (N = 26) groups completed the study. OMJ significantly increased saliva pH (p = 0.042) and BC (p = 0.013) after 1-month use, while GC only improved saliva pH (p = 0.027). Both interventions tended to increase SSFR but only GC had a significant increase at 2 months (p = 0.015). GC and OMJ significantly decreased the number of Candida species at 1 and 2 months, respectively. Both groups tended to reduce Candida counts but not significant.

Conclusions

Both OMJ and GC saliva gels could improve saliva pH and decrease the number of Candida species. OMJ is superior to GC in its buffering capacity, while GC may better improve salivary flow rate. Long-term and large-scale study is warranted to test the efficacy of artificial saliva in oral health improvement.

Clinical relevance

OMJ and GC gel could decrease the number of Candida species and improve saliva properties in post-radiation xerostomic patients.

Trial registration number

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03035825. Date of registration: 25th January 2017.
Multi-Reader–Multi-Split Annotation of Emphysema in Computed Tomography
Authors: Lidén Mats , Hjelmgren Ola , Vikgren Jenny , Thunberg Per
Published: August 2020

Emphysema is visible on computed tomography (CT) as low-density lesions representing the destruction of the pulmonary alveoli. To train a machine learning model on the emphysema extent in CT images, labeled image data is needed. The provision of these labels requires trained readers, who are a limited resource. The purpose of the study was to test the reading time, inter-observer reliability and validity of the multi-reader–multi-split method for acquiring CT image labels from radiologists. The approximately 500 slices of each stack of lung CT images were split into 1-cm chunks, with 17 thin axial slices per chunk. The chunks were randomly distributed to 26 readers, radiologists and radiology residents. Each chunk was given a quick score concerning emphysema type and severity in the left and right lung separately. A cohort of 102 subjects, with varying degrees of visible emphysema in the lung CT images, was selected from the SCAPIS pilot, performed in 2012 in Gothenburg, Sweden. In total, the readers created 9050 labels for 2881 chunks. Image labels were compared with regional annotations already provided at the SCAPIS pilot inclusion. The median reading time per chunk was 15 s. The inter-observer Krippendorff’s alpha was 0.40 and 0.53 for emphysema type and score, respectively, and higher in the apical part than in the basal part of the lungs. The multi-split emphysema scores were generally consistent with regional annotations. In conclusion, the multi-reader–multi-split method provided reasonably valid image labels, with an estimation of the inter-observer reliability.
System-level understanding of gene expression and regulation for engineering secondary metabolite production in Streptomyces
Authors: Lee Yongjae , Lee Namil , Hwang Soonkyu , Kim Kangsan , Kim Woori , Kim Jihun , Cho Suhyung , Palsson Bernhard O , Cho Byung-Kwan
Published: August 2020

The gram-positive bacterium, Streptomyces, is noticed for its ability to produce a wide array of pharmaceutically active compounds through secondary metabolism. To discover novel bioactive secondary metabolites and increase the production, Streptomyces species have been extensively studied for the past decades. Among the cellular components, RNA molecules play important roles as the messengers for gene expression and diverse regulations taking place at the RNA level. Thus, the analysis of RNA-level regulation is critical to understanding the regulation of Streptomyces’ metabolism and secondary metabolite production. A dramatic advance in Streptomyces research was made recently, by exploiting high-throughput technology to systematically understand RNA levels. In this review, we describe the current status of the system-wide investigation of Streptomyces in terms of RNA, toward expansion of its genetic potential for secondary metabolite synthesis.
Assessing community resilience, housing recovery and impact of mitigation strategies at the urban scale: a case study after the 2012 Northern Italy Earthquake
Authors: Basaglia Alberto , Aprile Alessandra , Spacone Enrico , Pelà Luca
Published: August 2020

In this paper, the reconstruction process of a town affected by the 2012 Northern Italy Earthquake is analysed using information published on the town journal. Relevant aspects are highlighted, and the housing recovery is compared with that of a nearby city. Then, a what-if scenario is considered, by proposing a set of seismic mitigation strategies. These strategies are applied to a small sub-system of the city and the variation of the buildings’ vulnerability and expected damage is evaluated using a recently introduced methodology for risk assessments at the urban scale. Finally, a cost–benefit analysis is performed to assess the effectiveness of the proposed strategies. The analysis highlights a significant reduction in the expected damage and socioeconomic impact, as well as an increase in the overall performance of the urban system.