bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline Class of Natural Product Crispine A
Authors: Mohan Chithra , Krishna R. Bharath , Sivanandan Sudheesh T. , Ibnusaud Ibrahim
Published: August 2021

As a naturally occurring small‐molecule, various optical isomers of chiral pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline alkaloid crispine A represent a potential class of chiral molecules in contemporary organic chemistry, and possess diverse biological activities. The range of pharmacological activities include antidepressant, antiplatelet, antileukemic, and anticancer activities. This review provides an overview of the literature on the strategies, employed in the synthesis of crispine A in their racemic and enantiopure forms via Bischler‐Napieralski cyclization, Pictet‐Spengler cyclization, N‐Alkylation/Acylation‐cyclization, Oxidative cyclization, and Asymmetric hydrogenation in the period of 1931–2021. This study accentuates the need for the developing more effective synthesis, and search for involved biological applications for the pyrroloisoquinoline class of natural product. Attention has been drawn towards the use of relatively less documented but easily accessible naturally occurring diastereomeric scaffolds namely, garcinia and hibiscus acids. These lactones obtained from (+)‐ and (−)‐2‐hydroxycitric acids bearing chemically amenable functional groups are investigated as an ideal choice for the enantiopure synthesis of the (−)‐(R)‐ and (+)‐(S)‐Crispine A structural frame work.
Ferric Sulphate/Potassium Bisulfate Promoted Facile Synthesis of N‐Sulfonylimidates from a Multi‐Component Reaction
Authors: Li Jingjing , Zhao Yanwei , Yang Jinwei , Li Ruyi , Cao Zhiyu , Wan Xiaobing
Published: August 2021

The highly efficient Fe2(SO4)3/KHSO4 promoted synthesis of N‐sulfonylimidates from amides, sulfonamides and ethyl diazoacetate is reported. This transformation is compatible with a wide range of substrates and exhibits good functional group tolerance. This multi‐component reaction can be useful for synthesizing a variety of drugs and bioactive molecules with satisfactory yields.
High FGF‐21 level in a cohort of 22 patients with Dravet Syndrome—Possible relationship with the disease outcomes
Authors: Kwong Anna Ka‐Yee , Wong Virginia Chun‐Nei , Wong Sheila Suet‐Na , Chu Vanessa Loi‐Yan , Koene Saskia , Smeitink Jan , Fung Cheuk‐Wing
Published: August 2021

Objective

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe and intractable form of epilepsy with prolonged seizures which may evolve to other seizure types and associated with mild‐to‐severe intellectual disabilities. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF‐21) is a stress hormone mediating metabolic and oxidative stress and circulating level of FGF‐21 had been shown to increase in some patients with impairment of oxidative phosphorylation in muscles. In DS, FGF‐21 is of interest for further study as mitochondrial oxidative stress was identified previously in patients.

Methods

Plasma FGF‐21 levels were compared between 22 DS patients and 22 normal controls, and their clinical characteristics of DS patients at the time of plasma sampling were studied retrospectively. Besides, the relationships of FGF‐21 level with intellectual development, seizure frequency, valproate treatment, and types of SCN1A mutations were analyzed. Logarithmic transformation of FGF‐21 levels was performed before comparison and statistical analysis.

Results

Mean of log10 FGF‐21 level was significantly higher in DS patients when comparing with normal controls (P = .0042). Mean of log10 FGF‐21 level was significantly higher in DS patients with normal‐to‐mild ID versus mild‐to‐severe ID (P = .0193) and with valproate treatment versus without valproate treatment (P = .015). No significant difference was shown in FGF‐21 level in DS patients with missense versus truncating SCN1A variants, and no correlation could be demonstrated between seizure frequency and FGF‐21 level.

Significance

Significantly higher level of plasma FGF‐21 was identified in DS patients. The high FGF‐21 levels were shown to be associated with developmental outcome and valproate treatment. These results support further investigation on the relationship of FGF‐21 with the clinical outcomes of DS and other related mechanism which is important for possible therapeutic development for this epileptic encephalopathy.
Chemical Fate and Partitioning Behavior of Antibiotics in the Aquatic Environment—A Review
Authors: Harrower Jamie , McNaughtan Moyra , Hunter Colin , Hough Rupert , Zhang Zulin , Helwig Karin
Published: August 2021

Antibiotics in the aquatic environment is a major problem because of the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The long-term ecological impact on the aquatic environment is unknown. Many sources allow entry of antibiotics into the environment, including wastewater-treatment plants (WWTPs), agricultural runoff, hospital effluent, and landfill leachate. Concentrations of antibiotics in the aquatic environment vary significantly; studies have shown fluoroquinolones, tetracycline, macrolides, sulfonamides, and penicillins to reach 2900, 1500, 9700, 21 400, and 1600 ng L–1 in wastewater effluent samples, respectively. However, concentrations are highly variable between different countries and depend on several factors including seasonal variation, prescription, and WWTP operating procedures. Likewise, the reported concentrations that cause environmental effects vary greatly between antibiotics, even within the same class; however, this predicted concentration for the antibiotics considered was frequently <1000 ngL–1, indicating that when discharged into the environment along with treated effluent, these antibiotics have a potentially detrimental effect on the environment. Antibiotics are generally quite hydrophilic in nature; however, they can ionize in the aquatic environment to form charged structures, such as cations, zwitterions, and anions. Certain classes, particularly fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines, can adsorb onto solid matrices, including soils, sediment, and sludge, making it difficult to fully understand their chemical fate in the aquatic environment. The adsorption coefficient (Kd) varies between different classes of antibiotics, with tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones showing the highest Kd values. The Kd values for fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, macrolides, and sulfonamides have been reported as 54 600, 7600, 130, and 1.37 L kg–1, respectively. Factors such as pH of the environment, solid matrix (sediment/soil sludge), and ionic strength can influence the Kd; therefore, several values exist in literature for the same compound. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3275–3298. © 2021 SETAC
Benchmark Keystroke Biometrics Accuracy From High‐Stakes Writing Tasks
Authors: Choi Ikkyu , Hao Jiangang , Deane Paul , Zhang Mo
Published: August 2021

Biometrics are physical or behavioral human characteristics that can be used to identify a person. It is widely known that keystroke or typing dynamics for short, fixed texts (e.g., passwords) could serve as a behavioral biometric. In this study, we investigate whether keystroke data from essay responses can lead to a reliable biometric measure, with implications for test security and the monitoring of writing fluency and style changes. Based on keystroke data collected from a high‐stakes writing testing setting, we established a preliminary biometric benchmark for detecting test‐taker identity by using features extracted from their writing process logs. We report a benchmark keystroke biometric accuracy of equal error rate of 4.7% for identifying same versus different individuals on an essay task. In particular, we show that the inclusion of writing process features (e.g., features designed to describe the writing process) in addition to the widely used typing‐timing features (e.g., features based on the time intervals between two‐letter key sequences) improves the accuracy of the keystroke biometrics. The proposed keystroke biometrics can have important implications for the writing assessments administered through the remotely proctored tests that have been widely adopted during the COVID pandemic.
A comprehensive review on blockchain and Internet of Things in healthcare
Authors: Sharma Aashima , Kaur Sanmeet , Singh Maninder
Published: August 2021

Blockchain Technology, the fundamental technology behind Bitcoin, has drawn considerable recognition ever since its origin. Its potential has gained significant interest in various applications, varying from the music industry, financial services, Internet‐of‐Things (IoT), smart grid, edge computing, cybersecurity, and the healthcare industry. However, the information is divided amongst several intermediaries involved with adverse impacts on data quality in the healthcare domain. In the near future, blockchain technology can reshape the way the healthcare industry works by providing personalized and reliable patient data management, reforming the traditional healthcare practices, secure mechanisms for data sharing, efficient pharmaceutical supply chain management, and drug traceability and many more. In this study, an extensive literature review has been provided that includes the different prospects of using blockchain technology in healthcare. The review investigates the work done to enable the amalgamation of IoT and Blockchain in the health ecosystem. Significant blockchain‐based healthcare use cases such as data storage, data sharing, drug traceability, clinical trials, and remote patient monitoring are investigated. Further, the Internet of Things and blockchain technology‐based SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat) analysis and the challenges linked in the healthcare domain because of the enactment of IoT and blockchain technology are discussed to support advanced studies in this domain.
One hundred years of rare disaster concerns and commodity prices
Authors: Zhang Qunzi
Published: August 2021

This paper shows that rare disaster concern, defined as the news‐implied volatility, performs very well at predicting the return of index commodity futures throughout the whole century (1926–2016). This result holds after controlling for the current business cycle conditions, the macroeconomic variables, and the Volatility Index (VIX). We also find that rare disaster concern performs very well at predicting index commodity futures returns out‐of‐sample. The results remain robust while considering different macroeconomic conditions, such as recession (expansion), contango (backwardation), or inflation up (down).
An unusual fusion gene EML4‐ALK in a patient with congenital mesoblastic nephroma
Authors: Misove Adela , Vicha Ales , Zapotocky Michal , Malis Josef , Balko Jan , Nemeckova Tereza , Szabova Jana , Kyncl Martin , Novakova‐Kodetova Daniela , Stolova Lucie , Jencova Pavla , Broz Petr , Krskova Lenka
Published: August 2021

Congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN), the most common renal tumor of infancy, is a mesenchymal neoplasm histologically classified into classic, cellular, or mixed types. Most cellular CMNs harbor a characteristic ETV6‐NTRK3 fusion. Here, we report an unusual congenital mesoblastic nephroma presenting in a newborn boy with a novel EML4‐ALK gene fusion revealed by Anchored Multiplex RNA Sequencing Assay. The EML4‐ALK gene fusion expands the genetic spectrum implicated in the pathogenesis of congenital mesoblastic nephroma, with yet another example of kinase oncogenic activation through chromosomal rearrangement. The methylation profile of the tumor corresponds with infantile fibrosarcoma showing the biological similarity of these two entities.
A comprehensive review of contemporary strategies and approaches for the treatment of HFC‐134a
Authors: Sheraz Mahshab , Anus Ali , Le Van Cam Thi , Swamidoss Caroline Mercy Andrew , Kim Eui‐kun , Kim Seungdo
Published: August 2021

This review addresses the treatment methods for 1,1,1,2‐tetrafluoroethane (HFC‐134a) and its significant sources of global emission. HFC‐134a is considered to be one of the most common hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), with high global warming potential (GWP). The primary emission sources of HFC‐134a are its use as a refrigerant, and in the industrial sector, during the manufacturing of foam. International regulations have addressed the concerns related to HFC‐134a treatment technologies, and more stringent guidelines have been introduced. Diverse strategies and treatment technologies are employed for the reduction in emission of HFC‐134a, that is, recovery methods, incineration, plasma treatment, and catalytic decomposition (pyrolysis and hydrolysis) technologies. HFC‐134a decomposition is an important step when coping with climate change. All the methods have shown promising results for HFC‐134a abatement. It would be interesting to utilize these technologies for the production of useful materials.© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depositional evolution of a tectonically‐confined proximal‐foredeep deep‐marine system: Miocene Serra Palazzo Formation (Southern Apennines, Italy)
Authors: Cerone Davide , Gallicchio Salvatore , Patacci Marco
Published: August 2021

The Miocene Serra Palazzo Formation (SPF) was deposited in a foredeep basin in front of the growing Southern Apennines orogenic wedge. A new detailed facies analysis, based on high‐resolution physical stratigraphy, for a 570 m‐thick interval, has been undertaken in order to reconstruct the depositional history. Two phases of development can be recognized. The older one was characterized by the sedimentation of sandy channel‐lobe transition zone (cltz) deposits with various degrees of amalgamation; roughly in the middle, a 26 m‐thick sandy megaturbidite was deposited. At this time, basin topography, including the inbound slope base and topography due to the orogen‐related flexural subsidence, caused significant flow confinement illustrated by a number of sedimentary features, such as syn‐sedimentary deformation structures, hummocky laminations, and differences in the palaeocurrent directions recorded in the same event bed. The younger phase was characterized by the sedimentation of more‐proximal amalgamated sandy channel deposits, followed upwards by an even more‐proximal sequence of thick levees with thin‐bedded and fine‐grained facies. Tectonics was one of the main controls on the stacking patterns of the submarine fans of the SPF basin. Particularly, the outward thrust migration governed the evolution from the cltz deposits to the levee deposits and it might have caused the repeated waxing‐waning flow cycles recorded in the channel deposits and the changes in bed dip angles in the levee deposits.
Inappropriate requesting of parathyroid scintigraphy at an academic medical center
Authors: Kimura Brad , Nagelberg Jodi , Koo Sonya J. , Bykowski Julie , Brumund Kevin T. , McCowen Karen C.
Published: August 2021

Background

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a biochemical, not radiologic diagnosis. Parathyroid scintigraphy should only be requested for surgical planning, not to confirm diagnosis. Here we determined reasons for inappropriately ordered parathyroid scintigraphy.

Methods

We generated a database of patients undergoing parathyroid scintigraphy over 5 years, who did not undergo parathyroidectomy.

Results

Over 5 years 129 parathyroid scintigraphies (of 308 total scans) were performed in patients who did not undergo parathyroidectomy. We determined that only 58 (45%) had true primary hyperparathyroidism. The most common reason for the scan was to “confirm the diagnosis.” Only 20% were ordered for adenoma localization, although surgery was not performed. Physicians requesting parathyroid scintigraphies specialized in a variety of disciplines.

Conclusion

Forty‐two percent of parathyroid scintigraphies were requested inappropriately to “confirm” a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. We propose to change the ordering system to clarify that parathyroid scintigraphy is a functional tool to optimize surgery when the diagnosis is secure.
Thermal diffusion effect on unsteady MHD free convective flow past an impulsively started but temporarily accelerated semi‐infinite vertical plate with parabolic ramped conditions
Authors: Ahmed Nazibuddin , Sarma Subhrajit
Published: August 2021

The purpose of the present study is to analyze the problem of a free convective MHD flow of incompressible, electrically conducting, and viscous fluid past an impulsively started semi‐infinite moving vertical plate. The fluid is considered to be non‐gray and optically thick. The parabolic ramped temperature of the plate and thermodiffusion effect are also taken into account. A magnetic field having uniform strength is applied in the transverse direction to the fluid velocity. Solutions of dimensionless governing partial differential equations are attained on the adoption of the closed‐form Laplace transformation technique. Effects of different flow parameters on the velocity field, temperature field, concentration field, Nusselt number, skin friction, and Sherwood Number are discussed graphically. It is noticed that fluid concentration, temperature, and velocity decline considerably for ascending values of Prandtl Number. Increasing Ramped parameter hikes the Nusselt number and Sherwood Number but declines skin friction.
Comparing the wound healing effect of a controlled release wound dressing containing curcumin/ciprofloxacin and simvastatin/ciprofloxacin in a rat model: A preclinical study
Authors: Heydari Parisa , Zargar Kharazi Anosheh , Asgary Seddigheh , Parham Shokoh
Published: August 2021

Inflammation and infection are two main factors predisposing a wound to become a chronic one. Degradable wound dressings involving the controlled release of suitable drugs at the ulcer site are one of the solutions to make wounds healing progress smoothly and rapidly. In this research, biodegradable dressings made of polyglycerol sebacate/polycaprolactone (PGS/PCL) containing curcumin/ciprofloxacin (CUR/CIP) and simvastatin/ciprofloxacin (SIM/CIP) were prepared by using the coaxial electrospinning method. Transmission electron microscopy for uniform core/shell structure, swelling ratio, and drug release pattern of the wound dressings were evaluated. At the in vivo study, histometric, histopathologic, and collagen expression study was performed. The PGS/PCL samples containing SIM/CIP showed a burst release pattern of CIP with a delay in the release of SIM; meanwhile, in the samples containing CUR/CIP, both drugs showed a burst release behavior. No cytotoxicity response was observed in the study groups. The in vivo study showed that wound closure was almost completed only in the SIM/CIP group after 14 days. After 14 days, in the wound treated with SIM/CIP dressing, the amount of collagen deposition and angiogenesis was higher than that of the others. These results clearly showed the effect of SIM/CIP on the improvement of the wound healing efficiency in the long term (14 days) and the effect of CUR/CIP on wound contraction in the short term (4 day). It seems, therefore, that the use of SIM and CUR simultaneously in a wound dressing could cause a synergistic effect in the wound repair.
14‐3‐3β isoform is specifically acetylated at Lys51 during differentiation to the osteogenic lineage
Authors: Frontini‐López Yesica R. , Gojanovich Aldana D. , Del Veliz Samanta , Uhart Marina , Bustos Diego M.
Published: August 2021

The 14‐3‐3 protein family binds and regulates hundreds of serine/threonine phosphorylated proteins as an essential component of many signaling networks. Specific biological functions are currently been discovered for each of its seven isoforms in mammals. These proteins have been traditionally considered unregulated; however, its acetylation in an essential lysine residue, causing its inactivation, was recently published. Here, we studied the acetylation state of this lysine 49/51 during the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose‐derived stem cells. We found that during this process, the levels of 14‐3‐3β (but not its isoform 14‐3‐3γ) acK49/51 increase, representing the first report linking this PTM to a specific isoform and a cellular process. Our results suggested that this posttranslational modification could be catalyzed by the HBO1 acetyltransferase, as overexpression of HBO1 increased specifically 14‐3‐3 acK49/51 acetylation. Acetylated 14‐3‐3 proteins are located primarily in the nucleus, where their active state has been described to bind H3 histones and many transcription factors. The inhibition of the expression of different isoforms showed that the specific silencing of the 14‐3‐3β gene, but not γ, increased significantly the osteogenic potential of the cells. This result correlated to the increase in acetylation of 14‐3‐ 3β Lys 49/51 during osteogenesis. The possible role of this PTM in osteogenesis is discussed.
Emerging roles of alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) in human disease
Authors: Dharmalingam Prakash , Mahalingam Rajasekaran , Yalamanchili Hari Krishna , Weng Tingting , Karmouty‐Quintana Harry , Guha Ashrith , A. Thandavarayan Rajarajan
Published: August 2021

In the messenger RNA (mRNA) maturation process, the 3′‐end of pre‐mRNA is cleaved and a poly(A) sequence is added, this is an important determinant of mRNA stability and its cellular functions. More than 60%–70% of human genes have three or more polyadenylation (APA) sites and can be cleaved at different sites, generating mRNA transcripts of varying lengths. This phenomenon is termed as alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) and it plays role in key biological processes like gene regulation, cell proliferation, senescence, and also in various human diseases. Loss of regulatory microRNA binding sites and interactions with RNA‐binding proteins leading to APA are largely investigated in human diseases. However, the functions of the core APA machinery and related factors during disease conditions remain largely unknown. In this review, we discuss the roles of polyadenylation machinery in relation to brain disease, cardiac failure, pulmonary fibrosis, cancer, infectious conditions, and other human diseases. Collectively, we believe this review will be a useful avenue for understanding the emerging role of APA in the pathobiology of various human diseases.
Land use change and collaborative manureshed management in New Mexico
Authors: Spiegal Sheri , Williamson Jebediah C. , Flynn K. Colton , Buda Anthony R. , Rotz C. Alan , Kleinman Peter J. A.
Published: August 2021

Agricultural communities of New Mexico regularly redistribute manure nutrients from dairies to nearby croplands to fulfill agronomic nutrient needs and protect water quality. Yet competition for water resources can result in land use change that affects these cooperative manure transfers. Focusing on three clusters of New Mexico dairy farms and their surrounding lands (three manuresheds), we calculated the magnitude of land use changes in 2008–2019 and the balance between manure nutrient supply and crop demand in 2019 to assess how past change may predict future prospects for sustainable management. The overall magnitude of change was small, with each manureshed experiencing a different complement: an exchange of cropland and rangeland in the Roosevelt manureshed (7,975 ha rangeland to cropland; 7,624 ha cropland to rangeland), a 464‐ha gain in cropland but a 1,187‐ha loss of “spreadable” land (cropland, rangeland, fallow) to developed land in the Doña Ana manureshed, and relatively minor changes in the Chaves manureshed. Nutrient supply and demand were mainly in balance, but a surplus of manure phosphorus (P) in the Chaves manureshed and a thin margin of P assimilation by croplands in the Roosevelt manureshed point to the need for preserving existing croplands and understanding of effects of dairy manure on shortgrass rangeland. Our assessment suggests that an ideal scenario would entail manure being generated in landscapes with portfolios of productive lands that can sustainably use the manure nutrients to minimize environmental quality concerns and agronomic tradeoffs. Coordinated, participatory, and interdisciplinary research and planning are needed.
Maximizing the number of independent sets of fixed size in Kn‐covered graphs
Authors: Wang Anyao , Hou Xinmin , Liu Boyuan , Ma Yue
Published: August 2021

For some given graph , a graph is called ‐covered if each vertex in is contained in a copy of . In this note, we determine the maximum number of independent sets of size in ‐vertex ‐covered graphs and classify the extremal graphs. The result answers a question proposed by Chakraborti and Loh. The proof uses an edge‐switching operation on hypergraphs which never increases the number of independent sets.
The age of abundant scholarly information and its synthesis– A time when ‘just google it’ is no longer enough
Authors: Gusenbauer Michael
Published: August 2021

Academic research has changed in recent years. It has entered the age of abundant scholarly information. New scientometric data shows impressive increases in both the quantity and quality of information researchers produce. Since 2007 about the same number of publications have become accessible on databases as more than the hundred years prior. At the same time, evidence synthesis has become key in making this wealth of information understandable and useful. Researchers need to be increasingly proficient in identifying relevant information – to be able to build on an increasingly comprehensive research base and to adhere to rising standards in evidence synthesis. Both these requirements make a ‘true partnership between librarians and researchers’ in demand like never before.
The Inter‐Rater Reliability of Pediatric Point‐of‐Care Lung Ultrasound Interpretation in Children With Acute Respiratory Failure
Authors: DeSanti Ryan L. , Cowan Eileen A. , Kory Pierre D. , Lasarev Michael R. , Schmidt Jessica , Al‐Subu Awni M.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Use of point‐of‐care lung ultrasound (POC‐LUS) has increased significantly in pediatrics yet it remains under‐studied in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). No studies explicitly evaluate the reliability of POC‐LUS artifact interpretation among critically ill children with acute respiratory failure (ARF) in the PICU. We thus designed this study to determine the inter‐rater reliability of POC‐LUS interpretation in pediatric ARF among pediatric intensivists trained in POC‐LUS and an expert intensivist.

Methods

We compared the interpretation of lung sliding, pleural line characteristics, ultrasound artifacts, and POC‐LUS diagnoses among pediatric intensivists and an expert intensivist in a cohort of children admitted to the PICU for ARF. Kappa statistics (k) adjusted for maximum attainable agreement (k/kmax) were used to quantify chance–correct agreement between the pediatric intensivist and expert physician.

Results

We enrolled 88 patients, evaluating 3 zones per hemithorax (anterior, lateral, and posterior) for lung sliding, pleural line characteristics, ultrasound artifacts, and diagnosis. There was moderate agreement between the PICU intensivist and expert‐derived diagnoses with 56% observed agreement (k/kmax = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31–0.65). Agreement in identification of lung sliding (k = 0.19, 95% CI −0.17 to 0.56) and pleural line characteristics (k = 0.24, 95% CI 0.08–0.40) was slight and fair, respectively, while agreement in the interpretation of ultrasound artifacts ranged from moderate to substantial.

Conclusions

Evidence supporting the evaluation of neonatal and adult patients with POC‐LUS should not be extrapolated to critically ill pediatric patients. This study adds to the evidence supporting use of POC‐LUS in the PICU by demonstrating moderate agreement between PICU intensivist and expert‐derived POC‐LUS diagnoses.
Outcomes of Submandibular Stone Removal With and Without Salivary Endoscopes
Authors: Coca Kimberly , Benaim Ezer , Reed Leighton , Mamidala Madhu , Gillespie M. Boyd
Published: August 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

For patients with submandibular sialolithiasis, there are many gland‐preserving treatment options including sialendoscopy. Sialendoscopy, however, requires expensive instrumentation with limited availability, which may not be required for routine cases. The objective of this study is to compare the outcomes of patients with submandibular sialolithiasis undergoing sialendoscopy versus those undergoing transoral incisional sialithotomy.

Study Design

Longitudinal, prospective study of patient undergoing gland‐preserving therapy for submandibular sialolithiasis.

Methods

The study was a prospective, nonrandomized trial of 30 patients with submandibular sialolithiasis who received gland‐preserving treatment by either sialendoscopy‐assisted techniques (Scope group; 14 patients) or transoral sialithotomy with or without dochoplasty (No Scope group; 16 patients). Factors analyzed between the two groups included age, race, gender, size of stone, location of stone, gland(s) involved, surgical method, and modified salivary Oral Health Impact Profile (sOHIP) scores before and after therapy.

Results

There were no significant differences between the Scope and No Scope groups regarding age, race, or gender. There was a significant difference in stone size between the groups, with the No Scope group having larger stones on average. Both treatments led to statistically significant symptomatic improvement in sOHIP scores. There was no statistically significant difference in salivary quality of life improvement between the Scope and No Scope groups (P = .33).

Conclusions

Sialendoscopy is an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of salivary disorders, but is not associated with improved outcomes in gland‐preserving treatments for routine submandibular sialolithiasis. Transoral stone removal alone may have equivalent symptomatic outcomes in the management of select sialoliths.

Level of Evidence

3Laryngoscope, 132:754–760, 2022
Gold Coast diagnostic criteria: Implications for ALS diagnosis and clinical trial enrollment
Authors: Vucic Steve , Ferguson Toby A. , Cummings Catherine , Hotchkin Michael T. , Genge Angela , Glanzman Robert , Roet Kasper C. D. , Cudkowicz Merit , Kiernan Matthew C.
Published: August 2021

Diagnostic criteria for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are complex, incorporating multiple levels of certainty from possible through to definite, and are thereby prone to error. Specifically, interrater variability was previously established to be poor, thereby limiting utility as diagnostic enrollment criteria for clinical trials. In addition, the different levels of diagnostic certainty do not necessarily reflect disease progression, adding confusion to the diagnostic algorithm. Realizing these inherent limitations, the World Federation of Neurology, the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations, the ALS Association (United States), and the Motor Neuron Disease Association convened a consensus meeting (Gold Coast, Australia, 2019) to consider the development of simpler criteria that better reflect clinical practice, and that could merge diagnostic categories into a single entity. The diagnostic accuracy of the novel Gold Coast criteria was subsequently interrogated through a large cross‐sectional study, which established an increased sensitivity for ALS diagnosis when compared with previous criteria. Diagnostic accuracy was maintained irrespective of disease duration, functional status, or site of disease onset. Importantly, the Gold Coast criteria differentiated atypical phenotypes, such as primary lateral sclerosis, from the more typical ALS phenotype. It is proposed that the Gold Coast criteria should be incorporated into routine practice and clinical trial settings.
Quantification of fault leakage dynamics based on leakage magnitude and dip angle
Authors: Meguerdijian Saro , Jha Birendra
Published: August 2021

Subsurface leakage of fluids, such as CO, along faults is a key quantity to estimate when modeling underground fluid storage. Using our coupled multiphase flow‐geomechanics‐fault slip simulator, we quantify leakage dynamics using the fault dip angle and leakage magnitude, a proposed metric of gas leakage. We present novel leakage dynamics of faults to show that leakage is non‐trivially coupled to induced seismicity and multiphase flow along faults due to the effect of fault dip. The onset time of induced fault slip, controlled by the initial shear‐to‐effective normal stress ratio on the fault, is a non‐monotonic function of the fault dip. The leakage directions of gas and liquid phases are determined by the directions of slip propagation and the buoyancy vector, both of which depend on the dip. A consequence is that leakage evolution is non‐monotonic in time for hanging wall injection‐induced seismicity on a normal fault because of the competition between up‐dip oriented buoyancy and down‐dip oriented induced slip. With respect to monitoring, we note that subsidence at the location of an injection well could be indicative of leakage.
Prediction of planarization property in copper film chemical mechanical polishing via response surface methodology and convolutional neural network
Authors: Zhou Jiakai , Niu Xinhuan , Zhang Tianlin , Wang He , Yang Chenghui , Zhang Yinchan , Wang Wantang , Wang Zhi , Zhu Yebo , Hou Ziyang , Wang Ru
Published: August 2021

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is one of the most important and effective technologies to achieve global planarization for precision machining of the wafer surface. The planarization property of slurry is an essential index in evaluating the quality of the copper (Cu) film CMP process. Prediction of the planarization property is of vital significance for product quality control during the CMP process. Data‐driven approaches to predict results based on response surface methodology (RSM) and neural network (NN) to pursue better prediction performance were proposed in this paper. In our design, all three optimization methods (RSM, NN, RSM + NN) are proved to be accurate and reliable, which can predict the experimental results with finer grid accuracy under the condition of only 17 test data points. In particular, the prediction accuracy of RSM + NN method is higher than that of the other two methods, and the error is only 0.16 %. Notably, the results demonstrate that such less time‐consuming optimization methods can realize the acquisition of more desirable CMP process parameters and compositions of slurries, and the versatility and simplicity of our methods can also potentially provide an alternative experiment design concept for a wider range of applications.
Effects of sandplay therapy in reducing emotional and behavioural problems in school‐age children with chronic diseases: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tan Judan , Yin Huaying , Meng Tuo , Guo Xiaoli
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Children with chronic diseases exhibit a higher incidence of emotional–behavioural problems. Though sandplay therapy is a universally recognized psychological treatment method, experimental evidence for this form of therapy is lacking. Our aims were to examine the effectiveness of sandplay therapy in reducing emotional and behavioural problems in school‐age children with chronic diseases as well as anxiety and depression in their caregivers.

Design and methods

A total of 60 children and their caregivers were enrolled in the present study between January and October 2019. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China. Participants were divided into an intervention and a control group. Both groups received regular treatment, and the intervention group received additional sandplay therapy. Four behavioural rating scales were used to evaluate the differences between the two groups. The children's scores on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self‐Rating Depression Scale (SDS) before and after the intervention were compared using the Mann–Whitney test. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was also employed to compare the median results before and after treatment.

Results

The total scores for CBCL, anxiety and depression, withdrawal, and social behavioural problems for children in the intervention group were all lower than the corresponding scores for those in the control group (p < .05). The EPQ scores for emotional stability and psychosis in the intervention group were both lower than those in the control group (p < .05). The SAS and SDS scores for the caregivers of children in the intervention group were also lower than the corresponding scores for those in the control group (p < .05).

Conclusion

Sandplay therapy can reduce anxiety, withdrawal, and social behavioural problems in school‐age children with chronic diseases, as well as relieve anxiety and depression symptoms in their caregivers. Our study provided evidence for the clinical application of sandplay therapy and highlights the importance of offering and integrating psychological treatment in clinical nursing care.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor–Induced Myocarditis with Myositis/Myasthenia Gravis Overlap Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Cases
Authors: Pathak Ranjan , Katel Anjan , Massarelli Erminia , Villaflor Victoria M , Sun Virginia , Salgia Ravi
Published: August 2021

Background

The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of cancers. Despite showing remarkable efficacy, these agents can be associated with life-threatening immune-related adverse events. In recent years, several cases of myocarditis with myositis and/or myasthenia gravis overlap syndrome (IM3OS) have been reported. However, given the rarity, the clinical features and outcomes of these cases remain poorly understood. We, therefore, attempted to systematically review and summarize all cases of IM3OS reported in the literature.

Materials and Methods

Studies reporting IM3OS were identified in Embase and MEDLINE. Only case reports and case series published in journals or presented at conferences were included. We conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA Harms guidelines.

Results

A total of 60 cases were eligible. The patients’ median age was 71 years, and the majority (67%) were males; melanoma was the most common indication for ICIs (38%). The most-reported symptoms were fatigue (80%) and muscle weakness (78%). The median number of doses to the development of IM3OS was one. The average creatine kinase level was 9,645 IU/L. Cardiac arrhythmias occurred in 67% of patients, and 18% had depressed ejection fraction. Initial treatment consisted of immunosuppression with high-dose steroids and supportive therapies. Sixty percent of the patients died in hospital because of acute complications.

Conclusion

IM3OS can be associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Prospective studies are needed to understand the optimal approach to diagnose and manage these patients and to develop biomarkers to predict the occurrence and severity of this rare but serious condition.

Implications for Practice

Clinicians should suspect coexisting myositis and/or myasthenia gravis in all patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis, given their propensity to occur together. Early recognition and prompt treatment with the help of a multidisciplinary team might help improve the outcomes of this life-threatening condition.
Failure analysis of fiberglass‐vinyl ester composite cylinders subjected to fire and asymmetric transient pressure
Authors: Selahi Ehsan , Setoodeh Ali Reza , Tahani Masoud
Published: August 2021

A hybrid numerical method is developed for failure prediction of glass fiber reinforced vinyl ester (GRV) composite cylinders subjected to fire and asymmetric transient pressure. The method is composed of layerwise theory, differential quadrature method, Fourier series expansion, and Newmark's time integration method. To achieve high‐accuracy solution, the char formation, resin decomposition, volatile convection, and temperature‐dependent material properties are considered. By comparing the developed results with the experimental and numerical results presented in the available literatures, the precision of this method is confirmed. The results reveal that although the polymeric composites are flammable, they are also strong thermal insulators compared to conventional metals, which reduces the flame spread rate from one section to another.
Validation of a claims‐based algorithm for identifying non‐infectious pneumonitis in patients diagnosed with lung cancer
Authors: Neibart Shane S. , Portal Daniella E. , Malhotra Jyoti , Jabbour Salma K. , Roy Jason A. , Strom Brian L.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Non‐infectious pneumonitis (NIP) is a common complication of treatments for lung cancer. We know of no existing validated algorithm for identifying NIP in claims databases, limiting our ability to understand the morbidity and mortality of this toxicity in real‐world data.

Methods

Electronic health records (EHR), cancer registry, and administrative data from a National Cancer Institute‐designated comprehensive cancer center were queried for patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 10/01/2015–12/31/2020. Health insurance claims were searched for ICD‐10‐CM codes that indicate an inpatient or outpatient diagnosis with possible NIP. A 20‐code (Algorithm A) and 11‐code (Algorithm B) algorithm were tested with and without requiring prescription with corticosteroids. Cases with a diagnosis of possible NIP in the 6 months before their first lung cancer diagnosis were excluded. The algorithms were validated by reviewing the EHR. The positive predictive value (PPV) for each algorithm was computed with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Seventy patients with lung cancer had a diagnosis code compatible with NIP: 36 (51.4%) inpatients and 34 (48.6%) outpatients. The PPV of Algorithm A was 77.1% (95% CI: 65.6–86.3). The PPV of Algorithm B was 86.9% (95% CI: 75.8–94.2). Requiring a documented prescription for a systemic corticosteroid improved the PPV of both Algorithm A and Algorithm B: 92.5% (95% CI: 79.6–98.4) and 100.0% (95% CI: 90.0–100.0), respectively.

Conclusions

This study validated ICD‐10‐CM and prescription‐claims‐based definitions of NIP in lung cancer patients. All algorithms have at least reasonable performance. Enriching the algorithm with corticosteroid prescription records results in excellent performance.
Crystallization, structure, morphology, and properties of linear low‐density polyethylene blends made with different comonomers
Authors: Hu Xinlu , Shi Ying , Wang Ying , Liu Li‐Zhi , Ren Yi , Wang Yuanxia
Published: August 2021

Linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) 7042, which has a butene comonomer, is widely used but has poor tear and dart strengths. For practical applications, small amounts of other materials can be blended with 7042 to effectively improve its properties. In this study, four blend resins and films (cast and compressed films) were prepared by blending 7042 with four LLDPEs (2045G, 9030, 23F, and 9085) in 8:2 ratios. The results indicated that after blending 2045G, 23F, or 9030 with 7042, the crystallization ability of the three blends was significantly suppressed and crystal size decreased. Moreover, the molecular chain can pass though more lamellar stacks in the blends, leading to an increased tie‐chain concentration. Therefore, the tear and dart impact strength of the blend films improved. In contrast, the crystallization ability of the 7042/9085 blend was only slightly suppressed and did not significantly impact its properties. These findings contribute to our understanding of the relationship between material structures and properties, demonstrating that LLDPE blends can be used to improve the tear and dart strengths of 7042.
Applying theoretical models of positive emotion to improve pediatric asthma: A positive psychology approach
Authors: Jenkins Brooke N. , Moskowitz Judith , Halterman Jill S. , Kain Zeev N.
Published: August 2021

Positive emotion, encompassing feelings such as joy and happiness, has been shown to predict a multitude of health outcomes. However, the role of positive emotion in pediatric asthma is not understood. No work to date has examined how positive emotion may offer benefits to children and adolescents with asthma. Based on theory and models of positive emotion and health, we hypothesize that positive emotion may improve asthma outcomes through mediators such as health behaviors and health‐relevant physiological functioning. Moreover, boosting positive emotion during times of stress may be particularly relevant in mitigating asthma symptoms. In the present commentary, we elaborate on the hypothesized mechanisms behind such associations grounded within positive emotion theoretical frameworks. Additionally, we summarize the methodologically rigorous work of positive emotion interventions in other clinical settings to propose that positive emotion could be a useful tool in the management of pediatric asthma.
Investigation of the enzymes required for the biosynthesis of an unusual formylated sugar in the emerging human pathogen Helicobacter canadensis
Authors: Heisdorf Colton J. , Griffiths William A. , Thoden James B. , Holden Hazel M.
Published: August 2021

It is now well established that the Gram‐negative bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, causes gastritis in humans. In recent years, it has become apparent that the so‐called non‐pylori Helicobacters, normally infecting pigs, cats, and dogs, may also be involved in human pathology via zoonotic transmission. Indeed, more than 30 species of non‐pylori Helicobacters have been identified thus far. One such organism is Helicobacter canadensis, an emerging pathogen whose genome sequence was published in 2009. Given our long‐standing interest in the biosynthesis of N‐formylated sugars found in the O‐antigens of some Gram‐negative bacteria, we were curious as to whether H. canadensis produces such unusual carbohydrates. Here, we demonstrate using both biochemical and structural techniques that the proteins encoded by the HCAN_0198, HCAN_0204, and HCAN_0200 genes in H. canadensis, correspond to a 3,4‐ketoisomerase, a pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate aminotransferase, and an N‐formyltransferase, respectively. For this investigation, five high‐resolution X‐ray structures were determined and the kinetic parameters for the isomerase and the N‐formyltransferase were measured. Based on these data, we suggest that the unusual sugar, 3‐formamido‐3,6‐dideoxy‐d‐glucose, will most likely be found in the O‐antigen of H. canadensis. Whether N‐formylated sugars found in the O‐antigen contribute to virulence is presently unclear, but it is intriguing that they have been observed in such pathogens as Francisella tularensis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Brucella melitensis.
Spatial arrangement of silo bags is key to mitigate damage by wildlife
Authors: Zufiaurre Emmanuel , Abba Agustín M , Bilenca David
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Silo bag is a major harvest storage option in many countries worldwide. Wildlife interacts with this new element in the rural landscape. As a result, wildlife activity could generate breaks in silo bag lining, causing losses to the stored content. The aim of this study was to analyze the damage in silo bags by large hairy armadillos (Chaetophractus villosus) according to different spatial arrangements of silo bags, in order to propose a management strategy to reduce the damage. Our prediction was that silo bags arranged in a cluster would have less damage by large hairy armadillos than bags arranged in a row or than single (isolated) bags at a certain plot. In addition, we expected that in a cluster the exposed outside of the bags would show increased damage compared to the inside of the cluster.

RESULTS

We measured 294 silo bags. Damage intensity (number of breaks/100 m silo bag perimeter) in silo bags arranged in a cluster was 72% lower than in bags arranged in a row (P = 0.03), and 77% lower than in single bags (P = 0.001). Moreover, we detected that damage intensity inside was 75% lower than outside of a cluster (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We propose grouping in a cluster of parallel bags instead of installing them in a row or isolated bags at plot as a strategy that could be adopted and implemented by farmers in order to reduce the damage by large hairy armadillos, the most harmful wildlife species to silo bags in Argentina. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.