bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Fermentation on the Antioxidant and Antinutritional Compositions of Green Pea
Authors: Oluremi Adewale Ekundayo , Okhonlaye Ojokoh Anthony
Published: August 2020

Green peas are known to contain anti-nutritional factors like enzymes inhibitors, phytates, oxalates, saponins and polyphenolic compounds, all of which limit their utilization hence, the study evaluate the effect of fermentation on the antioxidant and antinutrients content of green pea. Fermentation of green pea was done using both submerged and solid state fermentation for 7days. Isolation and identification of microorganism from the fermented sample was done on daily basis using standard microbiological and molecular techniques. The type of organism isolated from the submerged fermentation of Green pea included the bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Micrococcus roseus, Lactobacillus lactis, and Lactobacillus fermentum) and the fungi Rhizopus oryzae, Penicillium chrysogenum and Rhizopus stolonifer. While the type of organism isolated from the solid state fermentation of Green pea included some bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus Plantarum and Lactobacillus lactis) and fungi (Penicillium notatum, Rhizopus oryzae, Penicillium chrysogenum, Candida albicans, Alternaria alternate and Rhizopus stolonifer). Fermentation reduced the antinutritional content of the fermented sample with submerged fermentation resulting in the highest reduction from 32.18 mg/g, 4.14 mg/g, 1.62 mg/g, 51.08 mg/g and 36.37 mg/g in the raw sample to 26.27 mg/g, 0.48 mg/g, 0.27 mg/g, 7.82 mg/g and 24.07 mg/g in submerged fermented green pea for saponin, tannin, oxalate, phytate and alkaloid respectively. However, Fermentation significantly p ≤ 0.05 increased the phenol, flavonoid and FRAP content of the fermented green pea with the solid state fermentation resulting in the highest increase from 3.50, 0.03 and 1.41 in the raw sample to 9.32, 0.12 and 9.66 in the solid state fermented green pea for phenol, flavonoid and FRAP content respectively. This study revealed that fermentation had significant effect on the antioxidant and antinutritional compositions of Green pea thereby reducing the antinutrient composition of Green pea in which will improve the nutrient value of Green pea.
COMBINE follow‐up: Some heavy use of alcohol compatible with recovery
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: August 2020

Newly published research casts serious doubt on whether the path to a successful long‐term recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD) must always embrace abstinence. The follow‐up analysis of individuals who participated in the Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions for Alcohol Dependence (COMBINE) study found that a group that engaged in frequent drinking and occasional heavy drinking after treatment had above‐average health outcomes and showed overall results comparable to those who were mostly abstinent.
EEOC issues new opioid guidance for patients and providers
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2020

Last week, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new guidance explaining nondiscrimination and reasonable accommodation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that apply to people “not engaged in the current illegal use of drugs” who are qualified for employment. The documents, “Use of Codeine, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids: Information for Employees” and “How Health Care Providers Can Help Current and Former Patients Who Have Used Opioids Stay Employed,” underscore the rights of people who are using opioids, are addicted to opioids or were addicted to opioids in the past but are not currently using drugs illegally.
Polymer Composites Containing Phase‐Change Microcapsules Displaying Deep Undercooling Exhibit Thermal History‐Dependent Mechanical Properties
Authors: Liu Jinyun , Streufert Jonathan R. , Mu Kai , Si Ting , Han Tianli , Han Yanqiang , Lin Xirong , Li Jinjin , Braun Paul V.
Published: August 2020

Microencapsulated materials are receiving broad attention for applications as diverse as energy storage and conversion, biomedicine, self‐healing materials, and electronics. Here, a general microfluidic approach is presented to prepare phase‐change material‐infilled microcapsules with unique thermal and mechanical properties. Aqueous sodium acetate solutions are encapsulated by an acrylate‐based shell via a microfluidic method. To understand and optimize microcapsule formation, flow behavior during the encapsulation is numerically simulated. When the microcapsules are embedded in an acrylate matrix (same composition as the shell wall material), the microcapsules exhibit a significant 46.6 ºC difference between the crystallization and melting temperatures as determined by differential scanning calorimetry at a rate of 10 ºC per min. Variable temperature dynamic mechanical analysis over the range of 50 to ‐90 ºC reveals up to a 50% change in the composite's elastic modulus at a given temperature, depending on if the sample is being cooled or heated, due to significant undercooling of the core material crystallization as shown by X‐ray diffraction.
6‐Formylindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole reduces apoptosis induced by benzo[a]pyrene in a mitochondrial‐dependent manner
Authors: Gan Min , Ding Hongbiao , Chen Gang
Published: August 2020

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a potent carcinogen, has been proved that it can induce apoptosis via activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway. The metabolite of tryptophan 6‐formylindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole (FICZ), an endogenous activator of AhR, plays bifunctional roles in cell growth and apoptosis. However, whether and how FICZ can reduce the toxicity of B[a]P and the mechanism underlying this remain unclear. In this study, FICZ interfered with the toxicity of B[a]P in mouse hepatocarcinoma cell line Hepa1‐6. The results of the MTT assay indicated that FICZ and B[a]P made opposite effects on cell proliferation. The scratch‐wound healing assay showed that B[a]P (1 µM for 24 hr) exposure triggered cell migration and that was inhibited by FICZ (10 nM). In addition, FICZ ameliorated B[a]P‐induced apoptosis by inhibiting reactive oxygen species generation and caspase‐3 activation, as well as increasing reduced glutathione level in mitochondria. Furthermore, gene expression analyses indicated that FICZ competed with B[a]P, which reduced the transcriptional activation of the cyp1a1 and cyp1b1 genes, as well as Bcl2 and P53. Accordingly, the interaction between FICZ and B[a]P in the AhR pathway inhibited apoptosis in a mitochondrial‐dependent manner, suggesting that endogenous compound may reduce the toxicity of exogenous pollutant in vivo and providing an available way to improve health condition related to the hepatic metabolic disorder.
A single stich is maybe enough
Authors: Stabile Eugenio , Esposito Giovanni
Published: August 2020

Key Points

The “pre‐close” technique is a widely established technique to achieve vascular closure after TAVI or TAAR, with most centers utilizing two suture‐mediated vascular closure devices (ProGlide) to pre‐close the arteriotomy site.

In this study, the authors provided new data on the safety and efficacy of utilizing a single ProGlide based strategy for closure during TAVI with good clinical outcomes.

These information may be very useful pending that randomized data from multicenter trials will be collected in order to confirm safety and efficacy of the technique.
One or two diagnostic catheters with radial access: Does single yield celerity or double cause trouble?
Authors: Blankenship James C.
Published: August 2020

Key Points

One‐third of interventionalists still use dedicated left and right coronary catheters for diagnostic angiography with radial access, despite some evidence that a single “universal” catheter strategy is superior.

This meta‐analysis of seven randomized controlled studies of one‐ versus two‐catheter strategies with radial access showed no differences in procedural time, fluoroscopy time, or contrast use. Use of an additional catheter was more frequent with the one‐catheter strategy but radial spasm was more common with a two‐catheter strategy.

This meta‐analysis did not address cost, complication rates, or radial occlusion rates. Differences in these factors, if found in future studies, may yet prove one strategy or the other to be superior.
Otolaryngological complications of hypopharyngeal‐esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH monitoring
Authors: Bobin Francois , Saussez Sven , Lechien Jérôme R.
Published: August 2020

Probe of pH study may kink in the esophagus leading to nasal symptoms during the removal.
An Exploratory Investigation of Spinel LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 as Cathode Material for Potassium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Bhatia Ankush , Pereira‐Ramos Jean‐Pierre , Emery Nicolas , Laïk Barbara , Smith Ronald I. , Baddour‐Hadjean Rita
Published: August 2020

Invited for this month's cover picture is the research team of Dr. Rita Baddour‐Hadjean (BATTion group, ICMPE, France). The cover picture incorporates the idea of K‐ion batteries as promising alternative to Li‐ion batteries, owing to the high abundance and lower cost of potassium carbonate, hence addressing the storage issues associated with all types of renewable energy sources. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/celc.202000462.
Functionally impactful TP53 mutations are associated with increased risk of extranodal extension in clinically advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Gleber‐Netto Frederico O. , Neskey David , Costa Ana Flávia de Mattos , Kataria Pranav , Rao Xiayu , Wang Jing , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Pickering Curtis R. , Dias‐Neto Emmanuel , Myers Jeffrey N.
Published: August 2020

Background

The treatment of advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a clinical challenge because it is unclear which therapeutic approaches are the best for this highly heterogeneous group of patients. Because TP53 mutations are the most common genetic event in these tumors, the authors investigated whether they could represent an ancillary biomarker in the management of advanced OSCC.

Methods

The TP53 gene was sequenced in 78 samples from patients with advanced OSCC who received treatment at 2 institutions located in the United States and Brazil. TP53 mutations were classified according to an in‐silico impact score (the evolutionary action score of p53 [EAp53]), which identifies mutations that have greater alterations of p53 protein function (high‐risk). Associations between TP53 mutation status/characteristics and clinicopathologic characteristics were investigated. The relevant findings were validated in silico by analyzing 197 samples from patients with advanced OSCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Results

No differences in clinical outcomes were detected between patients with TP53‐mutant and wild‐type TP53 disease. However, patients who had tumors carrying high‐risk TP53 mutations had a significantly increased risk of developing extranodal extension (ENE) compared with those who had wild‐type TP53‐bearing tumors. The increased chances of detecting ENE among patients who had high‐risk TP53 mutations was validated among patients with advanced OSCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort.

Conclusions

High‐risk TP53 mutations are associated with an increased chance of detecting ENE in patients with advanced OSCC. Because ENE is 1 of the major factors considered for OSCC patient management, TP53 mutation status may represent a potential ancillary biomarker for treatment decisions regarding postoperative adjuvant therapy.
Management of immunotherapy colitis: Special considerations in the COVID‐19 era
Authors: Grover Shilpa , Bond Sheila A. , Mansour Michael K. , Friedman Sonia
Published: August 2020

The evaluation and management of patients with cancer with suspected immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) colitis have distinct challenges within the setting of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. The approach to the treatment of patients with ICI colitis requires consideration of the risks and benefits of individual immunosuppressive medications and varies based on the presence of a concurrent COVID‐19 infection.
Patterns of recurrence and survival probability after second recurrence of retroperitoneal sarcoma: A study from TARPSWG
Authors: van Houdt Winan J. , Fiore Marco , Barretta Francesco , Rutkowski Piotr , Blay Jean‐Yves , Lahat Guy , Strauss Dirk , Gonzalez Ricardo J. , Ahuja Nita , Grignani Giovanni , Quagliuolo Vittorio , Stoeckle Eberhard , De Paoli Antonino , Schrage Yvonne , Cardona Kenneth , Pennacchioli Elisabetta , Pillarisetty Venu G. , Nessim Carolyn , Swallow Carol J. , Bagaria Sanjay P. , Canter Robert , Mullen John T. , Callegaro Dario , Fairweather Mark , Miceli Rosalba , Raut Chandrajit P. , Gronchi Alessandro , Gladdy Rebecca A.
Published: August 2020

Background

In this series from the Transatlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG), the authors examined longitudinal outcomes of patients with a second recurrence of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) after complete resection of a first local recurrence (LR).

Methods

Data from patients undergoing resection of a first LR from January 2002 to December 2011were collected from 22 sarcoma centers. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) after second recurrence.

Results

Second recurrences occurred in 400 of 567 patients (70.5%) after an R0/R1 resection of a first locally recurrent RPS. Patterns of disease recurrence were LR in 323 patients (80.75%), distant metastases (DM) in 55 patients (13.75%), and both LR and DM in 22 patients (5.5%). The main subtype among the LR group was liposarcoma (77%), whereas DM mainly were leiomyosarcomas (43.6%). In patients with a second LR only, a total of 200 patients underwent re‐resection (61.9%). The 5‐year OS rate varied significantly based on the pattern of failure (P < .001): 45.6% for the LR group, 25.5% for the DM group, and 0% for the group with LR and DM. The only factors found to be associated with improved OS on multivariable analysis were both time between second surgery and the development of the second recurrence (32 months vs 8 months: hazard ratio, 0.44 [P < .001]) and surgery for second recurrence (yes vs no: hazard ratio, 3.25 [P < .001]). The 5‐year OS rate for patients undergoing surgery for a second LR was 59% versus 18% in the patients not deemed suitable for surgical resection.

Conclusions

Survival rates after second recurrence of RPS varied based on patterns of disease recurrence and treatment. Durable disease‐free survivors were identified after surgery for second LR in patients selected for this intervention.
Reconstruction enhanced probabilistic model for semisupervised tongue image segmentation
Authors: Zhou Changen , Fan Haoyi , Zhao Wen , Xu Hongben , Lei Huangwei , Yang Zhaoyang , Li Zuoyong , Li Candong
Published: August 2020

Tongue segmentation is a key step of automatic tongue diagnosis, and the major challenges for the effective segmentation lie in the large appearance variations of tongue caused by different diseases, for example, tongue coating and tongue texture. Moreover, the limited labeled data also hinders traditional supervised methods from their powerful learning ability. To alleviate these challenges, in this work, we propose a reconstruction enhanced probabilistic model for semisupervised tongue segmentation, named SemiTongue, in which, image reconstruction constraint combined with adversarial learning is used to improve the accuracy of tongue segmentation. Specifically, based on a shared feature encoder that served as an inference model, two separate branches in SemiTongue as the generative model, which are composed of a segmentation decoder and a reconstruction decoder, are utilized to generate the tongue segmentation and reconstruct original tongue image respectively. Then, a discriminator is employed to differentiate the generated segmentation map from the ground truth segmentation distribution. Moreover, semisupervised learning is conducted through discriminator by discovering the reliable region in the generated segmentation map of unlabeled images, which is further utilized to supervise the segmentation branch. Experimental results compared with state‐of‐the‐art methods on real‐world datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of SemiTongue.
Optimizing unbalanced text classification tasks by integrating critical data mining and restricted rewriting techniques
Authors: Zhou Jiale , Li Hong , Wang Chiyu , Li Xinrong , Shi Jiawen , Pang Zhicheng
Published: August 2020

Oversampling technology has been widely used to improve the classification task of unbalanced data. However, unlike structured data, the basic unit of text is words or characters, which can cause oversampling instances in digital space to lose word similarity in semantic space. To solve this problem, use text rewriting to directly generate artificial samples. Unfortunately, existing rewriting techniques usually destroy the grammatical structure and logic of the original text. In this article, we improve and limit some existing text rewriting methods, and propose an effective algorithm to mine feature words in various texts to help complete text rewriting. At the same time, by calculating the similarity between texts, various types of data are divided into key data and non‐key data, and finally different rewriting processes are designed for them. The experimental results of four unbalanced text classification tasks show that our method is superior to the previous text rewriting method, which can improve the classification accuracy of the model by 1.7% to 2.9%, and the AUC can be increased by 0.012 to 0.058. The ablation experiment also explored the effects of various variables and methods on the experimental results.
Nitrate and phosphate removal from treated wastewater by Chlorella vulgaris under various light regimes within membrane flat plate photobioreactor
Authors: Azizi Soroush , Bayat Bahareh , Tayebati Hanieh , Hashemi Ali , Pajoum Shariati Farshid
Published: August 2020

The membrane photobioreactor (MPBR) is a well‐operated system concerning microalgae cultivation and nutrients assimilation from wastewater effluent. In the present paper, a sample of pulp and paper wastewater was primarily treated by activated sludge system (ACS), and the concentration of nitrate and phosphate decreased as about 26 and 10%, respectively. Then, it was transferred into six flat plate MPBR systems with 5 L capacity and 0.45 μm membrane pore size for the secondary treatment process (nitrate and phosphate assimilation) by Chlorella vulgaris (green microalgae) species during six cultivation periods. In this section, the effects of different light intensities (100 and 300 μmol m−2 s−1) and light–dark cycles (24–0, 16–8, and 12–12) on nitrate and phosphate uptake through the treated pulp and paper wastewater effluent after 24 hr were investigated. The maximum photosynthetic productivity and nitrate‐phosphate removals after 24 hr (nitrate: 57% and phosphate: 43%) were recorded for the culture under 300 μmol m−2 s−1 and 24–0 light–dark regime within the MPBR system.
Assessment of the phenolic compounds of pearl and finger millets obtained from South Africa and Zimbabwe
Authors: Hassan Zahra Mohammed , Sebola Nthabiseng Amenda , Mabelebele Monnye
Published: August 2020

Millet grains are rich in phenolic compounds which have health benefits. This study aims to elucidate the phenolic properties of pearl and finger millet grown in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The milled samples were analyzed by Waters Synapt G2 Quadrupole time‐of‐flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer (MS). A total of eight phenolic compounds were detected and quantified in the millet varieties, which included derivatives of benzoic acid such as protocatechuic and p‐hydroxybenzoic acids. Flavonoids such as catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B1, procyanidin B2, and kaempferol glycoside were also detected. Generally, catechin was the dominant phenolic compound, followed by epicatechin. The mean values for catechin ranged from 2.50 to 12.6 mg/kg for the pearl millet and 610.4 to 675.1 mg/kg for the finger millet. While the epicatechin mean values ranged between 1.2 to 1.8 for pearl millet and 99.1 to 139.5 for finger millet. Procyanidins B1 and B2 were only detected and quantified in the finger millet types, While Kaempferol glycoside was only recorded in the pearl millets with mean values of 196.0 mg/kg for pearl millet South Africa and 213.6 mg/kg for pearl millet Zimbabwe. There was a difference among the varieties for the content of kaempferol glycoside. Protocatechuic and p‐hydroxybenzoic acids were only present in the finger millet types, their mean values were (20.9, 23.7 mg/kg) and (16.8,13.5 mg/kg) respectively. It can be substantiated from the outcome of this study that millet can be used as a source of valuable phenolic compounds and that the variety of millet is the determining factor of the phenolic compound content.
Foreign investor dominance and low domestic investor absorption capacity: Implications on capital outflows
Authors: Özel Özgür , Özmen Mustafa Utku , Yılmaz Erdal
Published: August 2020

This study puts forward the increased share of foreign investors as a potential stabilizer for local financial markets, especially equity markets, because domestic investors' weak absorption capacity may create liquidity constraints acting as an obstacle for foreign investor. We pin down the effects of foreign investor dominance based on a detailed stock‐ownership data. Our findings suggest that in emerging financial markets with high foreign investor ownership and low absorption capacity of domestic investors, capital outflows might be staggered, and this phenomenon might reduce the probability of large and sudden depreciation of local currencies.
A moving average heterogeneous autoregressive model for forecasting the realized volatility of the US stock market: Evidence from over a century of data
Authors: Salisu Afees A. , Gupta Rangan , Ogbonna Ahamuefula E.
Published: August 2020

This study forecasts the monthly realized volatility of the US stock market covering the period of February 1885 to September 2019 using a recently developed novel approach – a moving average heterogeneous autoregressive (MAT‐HAR) model, which treats threshold as a moving average generated time‐varying parameter rather than as a fixed or unknown parameter. The significance of asymmetric information in realized volatility of stock market forecasting is also considered by examining the case of good and bad realized volatility. The Clark and West, Journal of Econometrics, 2007, 138, 291–311 forecast evaluation approach is employed to evaluate the forecast performance of the proposed predictive model vis‐à‐vis the conventional HAR and threshold HAR (T‐HAR) models. We find evidence in favour of the MAT‐HAR model relative to the HAR and T‐HAR models. Also observed is the significant role of asymmetry in modelling the realized volatility as good realized volatility and bad realized volatility yield dissimilar predictability results. Our results are not sensitive to the choice of sample periods and realized volatility measures.
Pharmacokinetic Enhancement of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy During Pregnancy
Authors: Salama Engie , Eke Ahizechukwu C. , Best Brookie M. , Mirochnick Mark , Momper Jeremiah D.
Published: August 2020

Pharmacokinetic boosting of antiretroviral (ARV) therapies with either ritonavir or cobicistat is used to achieve target drug exposure, lower pill burden, and provide simplified dosing schedules. Several ARVs require boosting, including the integrase inhibitor elvitegravir as well as protease inhibitors such as darunavir, atazanavir, and lopinavir. The use of boosted regimens in pregnant women living with HIV has been studied for a variety of ARVs; however, a recent recommendation by the US Food and Drug Administration advised against cobicistat‐boosted regimens in pregnancy due to substantially lower drug exposures observed in clinical pharmacokinetic studies. The objectives of this article are to review pharmacokinetic enhancement of ARVs with ritonavir and cobicistat during pregnancy and postpartum, describe clinical implications, and provide recommendations for future research.
Synthesis of some novel 7‐substituted [1,3,4]thiadiazolo[3,2‐c][1,3,5]thiadiazine‐6,6‐dioxides with antifungal evaluation against rice pathogens
Authors: Borthakur Susanta K. , Konwar Lakhya J. , Nath Gayatri , Kalita Pabitra K. , Borthakur Sukanya
Published: August 2020

Synthesis of a new series of novel [1,3,4]thiadiazolo[3,2‐c][1,3,5]thiadiazine‐6,6‐dioxide by [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 3‐benzylidineamino[1,3,4]thiadiazole with sulfene generated in situ from methanesulfonyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine is described. The novel compounds thus synthesized were screened for their antifungal activity against two fungal species, namely Rhizoctonia solani and Dreschslera oryzae. Carbendazim was the standard used for the evaluation of antifungal activity.
Ultrasound Imaging of Renal Cysts in Children
Authors: Thomas Christy Cathreen , Jana Manisha , Sinha Aditi , Bagga Arvind , Ramachandran Anupama , Sudhakaran Dipin , Gupta Arun Kumar
Published: August 2020

Renal cysts can be focal or diffuse and unilateral or bilateral. In childhood, most renal cysts are due to hereditary diseases rather than simple cysts or acquired cystic diseases, unlike adults. Inherited cystic diseases can be ciliopathies due to a primary ciliary defect (as in polycystic kidney diseases and nephronophthisis). Acquired causes include obstructive cystic dysplasia, dyselectrolytemia, and acquired cysts in renal replacement therapy. The final diagnosis requires a multispecialty approach, including radiology, pathology, and genetics. Imaging is a very important component in treating patients with cystic renal diseases. This article discusses the ultrasound findings of cystic renal diseases in children, along with a brief discussion of other imaging modalities and a suggested ultrasound reporting format.
An Expedited Intracranial Pressure Monitoring Protocol Following Spontaneous CSF Leak Repair
Authors: McCormick Justin P. , Tilak Ashwini , Lampkin H. Brooks , Thompson Harrison M. , Miller Peter L. , West John M. , Cho Do‐Yeon , Riley Kristen O. , Grayson Jessica W. , Woodworth Bradford A.
Published: August 2020

Objective

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks represent a unique subset of skull base pathology and require distinctive management. Perioperative evaluation and management of intracranial hypertension are essential in preventing further erosion of the skull base and development of recurrent leak. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and utility of an expedited protocol for recording and managing intracranial hypertension following endoscopic repair of spontaneous CSF leaks.

Methods

Prospectively collected data was reviewed in patients undergoing endoscopic repair of spontaneous CSF leaks between January 2017 and March 2020. A standard intracranial pressure monitoring protocol was compared to an expedited protocol (EP), and data regarding the two groups was compared for leak location, short‐term success of skull base repair, complications, hospital length of stay, and cost‐based analysis.

Results

Fifty‐five patients (standard protocol, n = 28 vs. EP, n = 27) were included in the study. Leak location was similar between cohorts, with the lateral recess being the most common locations in both groups (37.9% vs. 40.6%; P = .90). Postoperative complications (3.6% vs. 7.4%; P = .53) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt rate (32.1% vs. 22.2%; P = .41) were similar among cohorts. There was no difference in lumbar drain complications (0% vs. 7.4%; P = .14) or recurrent leak (7.1% vs. 0%; P = .16). Length of stay was shorter in the EP group [median(interquartile range): 3(1) vs. 2 (1); P < .01]. Total hospital charges were similar between groups (median (USD/$1,000): 83.57 ± 49.58 vs. 83.93 ± 46.11; P = .18).

Conclusion

An expedited monitoring protocol shortened hospital stay without increased risk of complications.

Level of Evidence

III Laryngoscope, 131:E408–E412, 2021
Effect of Patient Demographics and Tracheostomy Timing and Technique on Patient Survival
Authors: Park Christopher , Bahethi Rohini , Yang Anthony , Gray Mingyang , Wong Kevin , Courey Mark
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The ideal timing and technique of tracheostomy vary among patients and may impact outcomes. We aim to examine the association between tracheostomy timing, placement technique, and patient demographics on survival.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed for all patients who underwent tracheostomy in 2016 and 2017 at one urban academic tertiary‐care hospital. Kaplan–Meier curves were created based on combinations of tracheostomy timing and technique (early percutaneous, early non‐percutaneous, late percutaneous, and late non‐percutaneous). Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine multivariable effects of timing, technique, and other demographic factors. Primary outcome measures were tracheostomy‐related mortality and overall survival. Secondary outcomes were in‐hospital, 30‐day, and 90‐day mortality.

Results

Our study included 523 patients. There were six tracheostomy‐related deaths, with hemorrhage and tracheoesophageal fistula being the most common causes. Tracheostomy timing and technique combinations were not associated with differences in all‐cause mortality or survival following discharge. Cox proportional hazard models showed that Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and unknown partner status were associated with a decrease in survival (P < .01 and P = .05, respectively). Additionally, patient age, gender, race, CCI, and body mass index were not independently associated with changes in survival.

Conclusion

Late and non‐percutaneous tracheostomies were associated with more tracheostomy‐related deaths, but timing and technique were not associated with differences in patient survival. Multiple regression analysis showed that increased patient comorbidities, measured via CCI, and unknown partner status were independently associated with decreased survival. Proceduralists should discuss timing, technique, and patient social factors together with the medical care team when constructing plans for postdischarge management.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:1468–1473, 2021
Diagnostic Accuracy of Narrow Band Imaging in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus: A Prospective Study
Authors: Deganello Alberto , Paderno Alberto , Morello Riccardo , Fior Milena , Berretti Giulia , Del Bon Francesca , Alparone Marco , Bardellini Elena , Majorana Alessandra , Nicolai Piero
Published: August 2020

Objective

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous immune‐mediated disease affecting 1% to 4% of the worldwide population. Development of malignant lesions is reported but only affects a minority of patients. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic potential of narrow band imaging (NBI) in OLP patients; focusing on the identification of high‐grade dysplasia/carcinoma in newly developed lesions.

Methods

Prospective evaluation of 56 patients with histopathologic diagnosis of OLP and presenting newly developed lesions not responding to medical treatment. All lesions were assessed by high‐definition (HD) white light (WL) and HD‐NBI endoscopy. All patients underwent biopsy regardless of the appearance at HD‐WL and HD‐NBI. Histology was defined as “positive” in case of high‐grade dysplasia or carcinoma.

Results

Five lesions (9%) were diagnosed as high‐grade dysplasia/carcinoma. In this setting, overall diagnostic potential of HD‐NBI was optimal, with a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 48–100), specificity of 96% (95% CI, 86–99), negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI, not calculable), positive predictive value of 71% (95% CI, 39–91), and accuracy of 96% (95% CI, 88–100).

Conclusions

Despite the diffuse inflammatory pattern derived from OLP, NBI improved the diagnostic accuracy and the capability to detect high‐grade dysplasia/carcinoma.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1156–E1161, 2021
Compactness and dichotomy in nonlocal shape optimization
Authors: Parini E. , Salort A.
Published: August 2020

We prove a general result about the behaviour of minimizing sequences for nonlocal shape functionals satisfying suitable structural assumptions. Typical examples include functions of the eigenvalues of the fractional Laplacian under homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. Exploiting a nonlocal version of Lions' concentration‐compactness principle, we prove that either an optimal shape exists or there exists a minimizing sequence consisting of two “pieces” whose mutual distance tends to infinity. Our work is inspired by similar results obtained by Bucur in the local case.
Role of the microbiota in ileitis of a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease—Glutathione peroxide isoenzymes 1 and 2‐double knockout mice on a C57BL background
Authors: Chu Fong‐Fong , Esworthy R. Steven , Shen Binghui , Doroshow James H.
Published: August 2020

C57Bl6 (B6) mice devoid of glutathione peroxidases 1 and 2 (Gpx1/2‐DKO) develop ileitis after weaning. We previously showed germ‐free Gpx1/2‐DKO mice of mixed B6.129 background did not develop ileocolitis. Here, we examine the composition of the ileitis provoking microbiota in B6 Gpx1/2‐DKO mice. DNA was isolated from the ileum fecal stream and subjected to high‐throughput sequencing of the V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene to determine the abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs). We analyzed the role of bacteria by comparing the microbiomes of the DKO and pathology‐free non‐DKO mice. Mice were treated with metronidazole, streptomycin, and vancomycin to alter pathology and correlate the OTU abundances with pathology levels. Principal component analysis based on Jaccard distance of abundance showed 3 distinct outcomes relative to the source Gpx1/2‐DKO microbiome. Association analyses of pathology and abundance of OTUs served to rule out 7–11 of 24 OTUs for involvement in the ileitis. Collections of OTUs were identified that appeared to be linked to ileitis in this animal model and would be classified as commensals. In Gpx1/2‐DKO mice, host oxidant generation from NOX1 and DUOX2 in response to commensals may compromise the ileum epithelial barrier, a role generally ascribed to oxidants generated from mitochondria, NOX2 and endoplasmic reticulum stress in response to presumptive pathogens in IBD. Elevated oxidant levels may contribute to epithelial cell shedding, which is strongly associated with progress toward inflammation in Gpx1/2‐DKO mice and predictive of relapse in IBD by allowing leakage of microbial components into the submucosa.
Corporate diversification and innovation: Managerial myopia or inefficient internal capital markets?
Authors: Klein Peter G. , Wuebker Robert
Published: August 2020

Which is more innovative: the decentralized, diversified firm, or the centralized, more narrowly focused firm? The economics and finance literatures argue that diversified firms have innovation advantages as their operating units have access to an internal capital market. In contrast, the strategy and entrepreneurship literatures argue that managers of these firms suffer from “managerial myopia,” discouraging them from investing in projects with long‐term, uncertain payoffs. We take a fresh look at the relationship between innovation and diversification using a comprehensive sample of diversified and nondiversified firms and a novel approach that teases out the mechanisms influencing the relationship between diversification and innovation. Consistent with conceptual and empirical work in strategy, we find a robust negative correlation between diversification and R&D intensity, suggesting that diversification reduces innovation by discouraging investment. However, our analysis suggests that internal capital market inefficiencies, rather than managerial myopia, is responsible for this observed negative relationship.
Recurrent fever of unknown origin: An overlooked symptom of Fabry disease
Authors: Luo Yi , Wu Di , Shen Min
Published: August 2020

Objective

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X‐linked lysosomal storage disorder due to the absent or deficient activity of lysosomal hydrolase a‐galactosidase A (α‐Gal A), which leads to the accumulation of its substrates in various organs and tissues. Classic clinical manifestations include angiokeratomas, proteinuria, renal failure, neuropathic pain, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Fever is one of the rare symptoms that may occur during FD.

Methods

Three Chinese Han patients with FD referred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital were reported. The complete medical records were established, and detailed data were collected. Whole‐exome sequencing by next‐generation sequencing and α‐Gal A enzyme activity assay were performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Results

These three patients all presented with recurrent fever of unknown origin initially, accompanied with arthralgia/arthritis and other symptoms. We identified two known variants in the GLA gene, c.1176_1179delGAAG and c.782G>A (p.G261D), and a novel variant c.440G>A (p.G147E) which is likely pathogenic in our patient.

Conclusions

FD should be considered as a rare cause of recurrent fever of unknown origin. The coexistence of gene variants related to systemic autoinflammatory diseases may make the clinical phenotypes of FD more complex and prone to recurrent fever.
Clinical reappraisal of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3.0 in the Saudi National Mental Health Survey
Authors: Kessler Ronald C. , Al‐Desouki Majid , King Andrew J. , Sampson Nancy A. , Al‐Subaie Abdullah S. , Al‐Habeeb Abdulhameed , Bilal Lisa , Shahab Mona K. , Aradati Maggie , Altwaijri Yasmin A.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The DSM‐IV diagnoses generated by the fully structured lay‐administered Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3.0 (CIDI 3.0) in the Saudi National Mental Health Survey (SNMHS) were compared to diagnoses based on blinded clinical reappraisal interviews.

Methods

Telephone follow‐up interviews were administered using the clinician‐administered non‐patient edition of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID) in separate sub‐samples of SNMHS respondents who screened positive for four disorders that are of special importance in Arab countries: obsessive–compulsive disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, and major depressive episode.

Results

Initial diagnoses based on the CIDI were found to have higher prevalence than those based on the SCID for all four disorders. For reasons having to do with respondent denial of symptoms in the SCID reported in the CIDI, we interpreted these differences as due more to under‐diagnoses in the SCID than over‐diagnoses in the CIDI. Nonetheless, CIDI diagnostic thresholds for three of the four disorders were increased to make sure prevalence estimates based on the CIDI were conservative. The procedures used to implement these recalibrations are described in this paper.

Conclusions

The CIDI interviews used in the SNMHS generated valid but conservative diagnoses of common mental disorders in the Saudi population.
The Saudi National Mental Health Survey: Survey instrument and field procedures
Authors: Altwaijri Yasmin A. , Al‐Habeeb Abdulhameed , Bilal Lisa , Shahab Mona K. , Pennell Beth‐Ellen , Mneimneh Zeina , Bin Mummar Abdulrahman , Baig Mansoor , Talal Naseem Mohamad , Hyder Sanaa , Akkad Luma , Al‐Subaie Abdullah S.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To present an overview of the survey and field procedures developed for the Saudi National Mental Health Survey (SNMHS).

Methods

The SNMHS is a face‐to‐face community epidemiological survey of DSM‐IV mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of the household population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) (n = 4,004). The SNMHS was implemented as part of the WHO World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative. WMH carries out coordinated psychiatric epidemiological surveys in countries throughout the world using standardized procedures designed to provide valid cross‐national comparative data on prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders. However, these procedures need to be adapted to the unique experiences in each country. We focus here on the adaptations made for the SNMHS.

Results

Modifications were needed to several interview sections and expansions were needed to address issues of special policy importance in KSA. Several special field implementation challenges also had to be addressed because of the need for female interviewers to travel with male escorts and for respondents to be interviewed by interviewers of the same gender.

Conclusions

Thoughtful revisions led to a high‐quality field implementation in the SNMHS.
COVID‐19 and obesity
Authors: Hinchliffe Nigel , Bullen Valerie , Haslam David , Feenie John
Published: August 2020

There is mounting evidence that obesity is a major risk factor for severe illness and mortality from COVID‐19. There is an urgent need for research to elucidate the mechanisms by which obesity contributes to the severity of COVID‐19 illness, in order to identify potential targets for treatment. In this report, the authors analyse key factors which influence the relationship between COVID‐19 and obesity.
Engineering and characterization of a pH‐sensitive homodimeric antiparallel coiled coil
Authors: Nagarkar Radhika P. , Fichman Galit , Schneider Joel P.
Published: August 2020

Structure‐based engineering starting from the antiparallel coiled coil domain of the Bcr‐Abl oncoprotein (BCR30‐65) afforded a new homodimeric antiparallel coiled coil whose folding is responsive to solution pH. The BCR30‐65 homodimer contains two glutamic acids (Glu52) buried in its hydrophobic core which one would expect to impart pH responsive folding behavior. Surprisingly, BCR30‐65 is resistant to thermal denaturation over a wide pH range. This behavior arises from stabilizing salt bridges formed between solvent‐exposed Arg55 and Glu52 that passivates the glutamates’ negative charge within the protein’s core. Replacing Arg55 with alanine imparts pH‐responsive folding behavior, but also results in the loss of directional specificity between the coiled coil’s helices. We find that an Ile42Glu mutation preserves the salt bridges and imparts the desired pH responsive folding behavior. The Ile42Glu protein forms an antiparallel homodimeric coiled coil under acidic conditions but unfolds under basic conditions and is only marginally less thermally stable compared to BCR30‐65.
Injection and Retention Characterization of Trapped Charges in Electret Films by Electrostatic Force Microscopy and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
Authors: Wang Jin , Zhang He , Cao Guo-sheng , Xie Ling-hai , Huang Wei
Published: August 2020

Charge trapping memory has become a promising memory device due to its reliability, low cost, and simplicity. Its storage mechanism has attracted increasing attention. The properties of the storage layer are very important for the research of the device performance and mechanism. Herein, the technologies for the charge trapping properties of the storage layer are introduced first and then the study of charge trapping by electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) is reviewed. The properties of trapped charges for inorganic, polymers, nanomaterials, and organic small molecules are reviewed, when different experimental parameters such as the atmospheric moisture, injection time\bias, and hydrophilicity of films are used. The injection and retention mechanisms are also summarized.
Smooth, time‐invariant regulation of nonholonomic systems via energy pumping‐and‐damping
Authors: Yi Bowen , Ortega Romeo , Zhang Weidong
Published: August 2020

In this article we propose an energy pumping‐and‐damping technique to regulate nonholonomic systems described by kinematic models. The controller design follows the widely popular interconnection and damping assignment passivity‐based methodology, with the free matrices partially structured. Two asymptotic regulation objectives are considered: drive tozerothe state or drive the systemstotal energyto a desired constant value. In both cases, the control laws aresmooth, time‐invariant, state‐feedbacks. For the nonholonomic integrator we give an almost global solution for both problems, with the objectives ensured for all system initial conditions starting outside a set that has zero Lebesgue measure and is nowhere dense. For the general case of higher order nonholonomic systems in chained form, a local convergence result is given. Simulation results comparing the performance of the proposed controller with other existing designs are also provided.
Emerging Group‐VI Elemental 2D Materials: Preparations, Properties, and Device Applications
Authors: Lin Ziyuan , Wang Cong , Chai Yang
Published: August 2020

Due to the ultrathin thickness and dangling‐bond‐free surface, 2D materials have been regarded as promising candidates for future nanoelectronics. In recent years, group‐VI elemental 2D materials have been rediscovered and found superior in electrical properties (e.g., high carrier mobility, high photoconductivity, and thermoelectric response). The outstanding semiconducting properties of group‐VI elemental 2D materials enable device applications including high‐performance field‐effect transistors and optoelectronic devices. The excellent environmental stability also facilitates fundamental studies and practical applications of group‐VI elemental 2D materials. This Review first focuses on the crystal structures of group‐VI elemental 2D materials. Afterward, preparation methods for nanostructures of group‐VI materials are introduced with comprehensive studies. A brief Review of the electronic structures is then presented with an understanding of the electrical properties. This Review also contains the device applications of group‐VI elemental 2D materials, emphasizing transistors, photodetectors, and other appealing applications. Finally, this Review provides an outlook for the development of group‐VI elemental 2D materials, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in fundamental studies and technological applications.
Efficient Bifacial Passivation Enables Printable Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells with Improved Photovoltage and Fill Factor
Authors: Zhao Jianhong , Zhang Yumin , Zhang Qin , Zhao Xinbo , Li Bo , Zhang Jin , Zhu Zhongqi , Liu Jing , Liu Qingju
Published: August 2020

Surface defects, which mediate nonradiative recombination, are detrimental to both the photovoltaic performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Improving photovoltage and fill factor (FF) in screen‐printed mesoporous PSCs is a major challenge for approaching the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the planar configured devices. Herein, a novel bifacial passivation strategy which simultaneously suppresses deep trap states within TiO2 and perovskite through interaction between functional groups and defects is demonstrated for fully printable mesoscopic PSCs. The application of monoethanolamine (MEA) treatment to TiO2 surface not only reduces the energy barrier between TiO2 and perovskite for accelerating the charge transfer but also passivates the uncoordinated Pb defects on the perovskite interface. Due to the synergistic effect of charge extraction promotion and trap passivation, the fabricated PSCs deliver a champion PCE of 15.5% with an enhanced Voc of 0.94 V and FF of 70.4% compared with PSCs without MEA passivation, and the device maintains 97% of its topmost PCE after 240 h under constant simulated solar illumination in air atmosphere. This investigation helps exploit new approaches for defect passivation to further improve both the efficiency and stability of printable mesoscopic PSCs.