bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lateralization of facial emotion processing and facial paresis in Vestibular Schwannoma patients
Authors: Blom Stephanie S. A. H. , Aarts Henk , Kunst Henricus P. M. , Wever Capi C. , Semin Gün R.
Published: May 2020

Objective

This study investigates whether there exist differences in lateralization of facial emotion processing in patients suffering from Vestibular Schwannoma (VS) based on the presence of a facial paresis and their degree of facial functioning as measured by the House Brackmann Grading scale (HBG).

Methods

Forty‐four VS patients, half of them with a facial paresis and half of them without a facial paresis, rated how emotive they considered images of faces showing emotion in the left versus right visual field. Stimuli consisted of faces with a neutral half and an emotional (happy or angry) half. The study had a mixed design with emotional expression (happy vs. angry) and emotional half (left vs. right visual field) of the faces as repeated measures, and facial paresis (present vs. absent) and HBG as between subjects’ factors. The visual field bias was the main dependent variable.

Results

In line with typical findings in the normal population, a left visual field bias showed in the current sample: patients judged emotional expressions shown in the left visual field as more emotive than those shown in the right visual field. No differences in visual field bias showed based on the presence of a facial paresis nor based on patients’ HBG.

Conclusion

VS patients show a left visual field bias when processing facial emotion. No differences in lateralization showed based on the presence of a facial paresis or on patients’ HBG. Based on this study, facial paresis thus does not affect the lateralization of facial emotion processing in patients with VS.
Citric acid as a green additive to retard calcium carbonate scales on process equipment
Authors: Prisciandaro Marina , Mazziotti di Celso Giuseppe , Lancia Amedeo , Musmarra Dino , Karatza Despina
Published: May 2020

In this paper, the retarding effect of a green additive, citric acid, towards calcium carbonate scale deposition is studied. Scale formation is one of the most common causes of malfunctions in process equipment. This is the reason it is crucial to retard scale precipitation, that is, in order to reduce economic damages. With this additive in the solution, experimental runs have been carried out in supersaturation conditions in terms of concentration of calcium carbonate at equilibrium, with a supersaturation ratio ranging from 16 to 280, at 25°C. Three different concentrations of citric acid have been investigated (0.520 × 10−3, 1.041 × 10−3 and 1.561 × 10−3 M) in a laboratory scale plant. Comparing results obtained in terms of induction time with previous experimental runs, performed without additives, citric acid has shown its significant capacity to retard calcium carbonate precipitation, by increasing induction time values. This behaviour is enhanced by raising the additive concentration in solution up to a specific threshold value, beyond which no benefit in terms of calcium scale inhibition is gained. Furthermore, interfacial tension has been computed without and with citric acid at 0.520 × 10−3 and 1.041 × 10−3 M, as a function of the different concentration amounts investigated. The values obtained are in good agreement with data reported in the literature.
Cloud‐assisted elliptic curve password authenticated key exchange protocol for wearable healthcare monitoring system
Authors: Wang Zhihui , Gong Liheng , Yang Jingjing , Zhang Xiao
Published: May 2020

Wearable devices (WDs) adopting advanced microsensors and IoT technology are facing severe security risks in the process of building wearable healthcare monitoring system. In particular, new requirements are proposed for the security of the identity authentication and key agreement protocol as well as the consumption of computing resources for WDs, such as replay attack, modification attack, server‐spoofing attack, privileged‐insider attack, and denial‐of‐service attack. To satisfy such requirements, cloud‐assisted EC password authenticated key exchange (CEPAK), an identity dynamic authentication and key agreement protocol, is proposed, and it uses a cloud‐assisted authentication service and elliptic curve algorithm. The capability of CEPAK protocol is analyzed to deal with network attack and consumption of computing resources and communication resources. It is shown that on the basis of satisfying the security requirements of the system, the cloud‐assisted authentication server can greatly share the consumption of computing resources of intelligent terminals, effectively save the computing resources of intelligent terminals, and improve the system's ability to deal with attacks caused by consumption of computing resources.
Novel high step‐up DC–DC converter with increased voltage gain per devices and continuous input current suitable for DC microgrid applications
Authors: Varesi Kazem , Hassanpour Naser , Saeidabadi Saeid
Published: May 2020

This paper suggests a nonisolated noncoupled inductor‐based topology for direct current (DC)–DC converters for DC microgrids. The proposed configuration profits from advantages like high step‐up capability, continuous input current, simple structure, reduced normalized standing voltage (NSV) on switches/diodes, large gain per devices, common ground point between source‐load, and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) capability. Both the switches (T1, T2) are turned on/off simultaneously, which minimizes the number of operational modes and simplifies the control strategy. These properties lead to a more compact, less expensive, and lighter topology. The operational modes and steady‐state analysis as well as design considerations have been presented in detail. According to comparative analysis, the voltage conversion ratio per number of devices in suggested topology is higher than that of other similar topologies addressed in literature. The simulation results extracted from PSCAD/EMTDC software and the experimental outcomes obtained from laboratory‐scale prototype confirm the effectiveness and correct performance of proposed topology.
Y sail resymegol dros gymhwyso egwyddor sybsidiaredd wrth ddiwygio cwricwla a’i ganlyniadau anfwriadol
Authors: Newton Nigel
Published: May 2020

Yn dilyn tueddiadau ar draws y byd datblygedig i ddatganoli pŵer a chyfrifoldeb dros wasanaethau cyhoeddus i asiantaethau mwy lleol, mae diwygiadau i gwricwla mewn nifer o wledydd wedi’u nodweddu gan bolisïau sydd â’r bwriad o gynyddu galluedd a phroffesiynoldeb athrawon fel modd i sicrhau newid llwyddiannus. Yng Nghymru, mae’r dull hwn wedi’i hyrwyddo drwy fabwysiadu egwyddor sybsidiaredd. Cyflwynir pedwar rheswm cydgysylltiedig dros ei defnyddio wrth ddatblygu cwricwlwm newydd. Gellir crynhoi’r rhain fel a ganlyn: y bydd yn hybu proffesiynoldeb athrawon; yn sbarduno gwelliannau mewn addysgu; yn gwneud ysgolion yn fwy ymatebol i anghenion lleol a chenedlaethol; yn arwain at fwy o hyder yn y diwygiadau. Mae’r papur hwn yn edrych ar y graddau y mae’r pedwar cyfiawnhad hyn wedi’u hadlewyrchu ym mhrofiadau athrawon o ddatblygu’r cwricwlwm mewn ysgolion sy’n cymryd rhan yn y broses sy’n arwain ar ddiwygio’r cwricwlwm. Mae’n dangos, drwy dynnu ar ddata o 10 cyfweliad manwl lled‐strwythuredig ac arolwg o fwy na 600 o athrawon, fod croeso cyffredinol i egwyddor sybsidiaredd ond nad yw’n glir o bell ffordd a yw’n bodloni’r meini prawf a gyflwynwyd i’w chyfiawnhau. Trafodir cwestiynau ynghylch cymhwyso egwyddor sybsidiaredd at ddiwygio cwricwla.
Mediastinal ganglioneuroma diagnosed by transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA)
Authors: Mettler Tetyana , Stuart Jimmie , Racila Emilian , Mallery Shawn , Amin Khalid
Published: May 2020

Ganglioneuromas are rare benign tumors that arise from the sympathetic nerve fibers and represent the final maturation stage of neuroblast tumors. The most common sites of involvement in the body include posterior mediastinum, followed by retroperitoneum, adrenal gland, and soft tissues of the head and neck. In the mediastinum, this tumor is most frequently located in posterior compartment, together with other neurogenic tumors. The reports of mediastinal ganglioneuroma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA), especially endoscopic ultrasound‐guided FNA (EUS‐FNA) are very sparse. We describe the clinical, radiologic, cytologic, gross and histologic features of mediastinal ganglioneuroma diagnosed by transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration.
Recent strategies for the development of oral medicines for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: de Souza Myla Lôbo , Gonzaga da Costa Lucas Amadeu , Silva Emerson de Oliveira , de Sousa André Luiz Moreira Domingues , dos Santos Widson Michael , Rolim Neto Pedro José
Published: May 2020

Considered prevalent in many countries on five continents, especially in low‐income regions, leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease classified by World Health Organization as one of the diseases for which the development of new treatments is a priority. It is an infectious disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, whose species may cause different clinical manifestations, such as cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Treatment is exclusively by drug therapy, as it has not been possible to develop vaccines yet. Currently available drugs are not fully effective in all cases; they have parenteral administration and exhibit a number of serious and very common adverse effects. The only oral drug available is expensive and it is not available in many endemic countries. Injectable administration is the main problem of treatments, since it requires patients to go to health centers, hospitalization and professional administration, which are conditions that are not adapted to the reality of the poverty conditions of patients with the disease. In this context, the development of an oral medicine has become a focus as it may solve many of these issues. Based on this scenario, this review aimed to investigate which therapeutic alternatives have been studied for the development of oral drugs directed to the treatment of human VL.
Automated high‐throughput analysis of tramadol and O‐desmethyltramadol in dried blood spots
Authors: Luginbühl Marc , Angelova Stanislava , Gaugler Stefan , Längin Andreas , Weinmann Wolfgang
Published: May 2020

The World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Testing Agency (ITA) recently announced the development and implementation of dried blood spot (DBS) testing for routine analysis in time for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing. Following the introduction of a ban on the use of tramadol in competition in March 2019, the Union Cycliste International (UCI) started a pilot study for the manual analysis of tramadol in DBS for antidoping purposes. In this context, we present a fully automated LC–MS/MS‐based method with automated sample preparation using a CAMAG DBS‐MS 500 for the analysis of tramadol and its metabolite O‐desmethyltramadol in DBS. The presented approach reduces manual handling in the laboratory to an absolute minimum, only requiring the preparation of calibration and quality control DBS cards. The method was developed, optimized, and validated before performing cross‐validation with a liquid blood‐based analysis method using authentic samples from forensic cases. During the validation process, the method showed an extraction efficiency of 62%, linearity r2 > 0.99, accuracy and precision (within ± 15% and ± 20% at the LLOQ) for the determination of tramadol and O‐desmethyltramadol. Method comparison in liquid blood with 26 samples showed good agreement (90 ± 19% for tramadol and 94 ± 14% for O‐desmethyltramadol). In conclusion, automated analysis of tramadol and O‐desmethyltramadol in DBS provides a fast and accurate solution for antidoping screening. It is suited for high‐throughput analysis, having a run time of about 4 min per sample. Furthermore, with the automated approach, manual sample extraction becomes obsolete.
Performance evaluation of cetacean species distribution models developed using generalized additive models and boosted regression trees
Authors: Becker Elizabeth A. , Carretta James V. , Forney Karin A. , Barlow Jay , Brodie Stephanie , Hoopes Ryan , Jacox Michael G. , Maxwell Sara M. , Redfern Jessica V. , Sisson Nicholas B. , Welch Heather , Hazen Elliott L.
Published: May 2020

Species distribution models (SDMs) are important management tools for highly mobile marine species because they provide spatially and temporally explicit information on animal distribution. Two prevalent modeling frameworks used to develop SDMs for marine species are generalized additive models (GAMs) and boosted regression trees (BRTs), but comparative studies have rarely been conducted; most rely on presence‐only data; and few have explored how features such as species distribution characteristics affect model performance. Since the majority of marine species BRTs have been used to predict habitat suitability, we first compared BRTs to GAMs that used presence/absence as the response variable. We then compared results from these habitat suitability models to GAMs that predict species density (animals per km2) because density models built with a subset of the data used here have previously received extensive validation. We compared both the explanatory power (i.e., model goodness of fit) and predictive power (i.e., performance on a novel dataset) of the GAMs and BRTs for a taxonomically diverse suite of cetacean species using a robust set of systematic survey data (1991–2014) within the California Current Ecosystem. Both BRTs and GAMs were successful at describing overall distribution patterns throughout the study area for the majority of species considered, but when predicting on novel data, the density GAMs exhibited substantially greater predictive power than both the presence/absence GAMs and BRTs, likely due to both the different response variables and fitting algorithms. Our results provide an improved understanding of some of the strengths and limitations of models developed using these two methods. These results can be used by modelers developing SDMs and resource managers tasked with the spatial management of marine species to determine the best modeling technique for their question of interest.
Thin film formation of PEDOT conductive polymer and PVDF piezoelectric polymer by dip‐coating method assuming application to flexible power generation element
Authors: Takise Hiroki , Shintani Takuto , Suzuki Masato , Takahashi Tomokazu , Aoyagi Seiji
Published: May 2020

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) conductive polymer and polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric polymer thin films were formed by dip‐coating method. The relationship between drawing speed and film thickness was experimentally investigated. Dip‐coated PEDOT and PVDF thin films were characterized and confirmed that both had surely worked as electrode and piezoelectric film of a flexible power generation element, respectively. Using dip‐coating method, these thin films were successfully formed on 3D surface of a bellows shaped spring made of silicone rubber.
Noninvasive monitoring of liver fat during treatment with GLP‐1 analogues and SGLT‐2 inhibitors in a real‐world setting
Authors: Mittag‐Roussou Vasiliki , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Lammert Frank , Stokes Caroline S.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Patients with NAFLD have a two‐fold increased risk of diabetes, and conversely, NAFLD affects up to 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes. Due to the co‐occurrence of both diseases and the lack of approved pharmacotherapy for NAFLD, the anti‐steatogenic potential of diabetes‐related drugs is being explored. In this study, we aim to monitor liver fat noninvasively during treatment with SGLT‐2 inhibitors or GLP‐1 analogues in a real‐world setting.

Methods

Overall, 39 patients (49% women, age 57.7 ± 10.9 years) with type 2 diabetes and hepatic steatosis (defined by controlled attenuation parameter [CAP] values ≥ 215 dB/m) were observed for 6 months and routinely monitored with respect to hepatic fat contents and liver stiffness (VCTE); body composition (BIA); and blood biochemistry, including liver function tests (LFTs), serum lipids and glucose metabolism markers.

Results

Median liver fat contents were significantly (P = .026) reduced by 9% in patients taking either SGLT‐2 (n = 22) or GLP‐1 (n = 17) for 6 months (absolute median CAP decrease: −32 dB/m [−58 to 32 dB/m]). In parallel, serum ALT and γ‐GT activities decreased significantly (P = .002 and P = .049, respectively). These improvements were accompanied by significant (P < .0001) changes to body weight and BMI (−2.5 ± 3.3 kg and −0.9 ± 1.2 kg/m2, respectively) and glucose homeostasis, with significant reductions in HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FDG) (both P < .0001). Of note, significant reductions of intrahepatic lipid contents occured in patients receiving SGLT‐2 inhibitors only.

Conclusions

In this real‐world observational evaluation of fatty liver monitored noninvasively in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with either SGLT2 or GLP‐1, improvements in measures of hepatic steatosis, glucose and weight parameters were observed after 6 months, with significant reductions of intrahepatic lipid contents seen specifically in the SGLT2 subgroup.
A new mechanism for selective recognition of cyanide in organic and aqueous solution
Authors: Keleş Ergin , Aydıner Burcu , Nural Yahya , Seferoğlu Nurgül , Şahin Ertan , Seferoğlu Zeynel
Published: May 2020

A simple colorimetric and fluorimetric chemosensor 3,5‐dinitro‐(N‐phenyl)benzamide (DNBA), was synthesized for selective determination of cyanide anion in organic and aqueous solutions via novel chemodosimeter approach. The chemosensor DNBA showed a chromogenic and fluorogenic selective response to CN– against competing anions such as F–, AcO–, and H2PO4– in organic (DMSO and ACN) and in aqueous solutions (in DMSO/H2O: 8:2, v/v). The intensive colorimetric and fluorimetric color changes were observed in ambient light and UV‐light (λex. 365 nm) after cyanide interacted with DNBA. A method that can be used in the synthesis of new biologically active benzisoxazole compound was described by the reaction of DNBA with TBACN and KCN in DMSO or DMSO/H2O, respectively. All interaction mechanisms between DNBA and cyanide and fluoride anions were demonstrated by experimental studies using various spectroscopic methods such as UV/Vis, fluorescence, 1H/13C NMR, and mass spectrometry as well as X‐ray diffraction method. In addition, the experimental results were also explained with theoretical data. The spectroscopic results showed that cyanide interacts with three different mechanisms; deprotonation, nucleophilic aromatic substitution, and formation of benzisoxazole ring.
Recursive quadratic programming for constrained nonlinear optimization of session throughput in multiple‐flow network topologies
Authors: Mehta Ridhima
Published: May 2020

In this article, we propose and formulate a single‐objective nonlinearly constrained programming problem with delay and capacity constraints. Specifically, we consider the utility resource allocation with the goal of maximizing the throughput amongst the multiple heterogeneous sessions in the network. Several numerical experiments for multiple topologies exhibit the performance and global convergence process of the proposed iterative algorithm. These network topologies are considered with distinct source‐destination communication sessions to emphasize the traffic flow analysis and optimal rate allocation vectors. For this, we employ recursive quadratic programming method and Lagrangian multiplier approach to solve the proposed optimization problem. The presented numerical results are obtained using Octave simulation tool. The results obtained from implementation of numerical simulation demonstrate the robustness and convergence performance of the proposed optimization scheme to optimal solution within finite number of iterations. Finally, we employ various global measures of fairness including the entropy‐based index, G's fairness index, linear product‐based fairness index, and Bossaer's fairness index to assess the performance of the proposed resource allocation scheme.
Effects of different roasting methods on formation of acrylamide in pistachio
Authors: Asadi Sonia , Aalami Mehran , Shoeibi Shahram , Kashaninejad Mehdi , Ghorbani Mohammad , Delavar Mostafa
Published: May 2020

Drying and roasting are conventional processes in the nut industry. However, roasting as an important procedure in nuts manufacturing may cause some physicochemical changes in nuts. Acrylamide is one of these chemical compounds that is formed due to the roasting process. Acrylamide is known as a neurotoxicant, carcinogen, and reproductive toxicant. In this study, raw and salted pistachios were roasted under three conditions including hot‐air, infrared (IR), and microwave methods. Then, 80 pistachio kernels were analyzed by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that all samples contained different ranges of acrylamide between 57 ± 0.86 and 851 ± 2.8 μg/kg. Besides, raw pistachios and sun‐dried pistachios also contained acrylamide, with the amount of 57 ± 0.86 and 93 ± 1.07 μg/kg, respectively. The highest acrylamide amount was found in raw pistachio (unsalted) roasted by IR method, while lower acrylamide amount observed in the microwave method. The amount of acrylamide in salted and roasted pistachios was less than just roasted pistachios under the same conditions. Finally, in all the treatments, increasing temperature, time, voltage, and power lead to an increase in acrylamide levels. The results showed that acrylamide in the roasted pistachios may cause health problems. This study presents a novel investigation in the effects of roasting conditions (temperature, power, voltage, and time) on acrylamide content in pistachios.
Thermal processing methods differentially affect the protein quality of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
Authors: Nosworthy Matthew G. , Medina Gerardo , Franczyk Adam J. , Neufeld Jason , Appah Paulyn , Utioh Alphonsus , Frohlich Peter , Tar'an Bunyamin , House James D.
Published: May 2020

Chickpea is a widely produced pulse crop, but requires processing prior to human consumption. Protein bioavailability and amino acid quantity of chickpea flour can be altered by multiple factors including processing method. For this reason, the protein quality of processed chickpea flour was determined using in vivo and in vitro analyses for processed chickpeas. Processing differentially affected the protein digestibility‐corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) of chickpeas with extruded chickpea (83.8) having a higher PDCAAS score than both cooked (75.2) and baked (80.03). Interestingly, the digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) value of baked chickpea (0.84) was higher compared to both extruded (0.82) and cooked (0.78). The protein efficiency ratio, another measure of protein quality, was significantly higher for extruded chickpea than baked chickpea (p < .01). In vivo and in vitro analysis of protein quality were well correlated (R2 = .9339). These results demonstrated that under certain circumstances in vitro methods could replace the use of animals to determine protein quality.
Changes in volatile compounds of fermented minced pepper during natural and inoculated fermentation process based on headspace–gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Chen Yuyu , Xu Haishan , Ding Shenghua , Zhou Hui , Qin Dan , Deng Fangming , Wang Rongrong
Published: May 2020

Changes in volatile compounds of fermented minced pepper (FMP) during natural fermentation (NF) and inoculated fermentation (IF) process were analyzed by the headspace–gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (HS‐GC‐IMS). A total of 53 volatile compounds were identified, including 12 esters, 17 aldehydes, 13 alcohols, four ketones, three furans, two acids, one pyrazine, and one ether. Generally, fermentation time played an important role in volatile compounds of FMP. It was found that most esters, aldehydes, and alcohols obviously decreased with the increase in fermentation time, including isoamyl hexanoate, methyl octanoate, gamma‐butyrolactone, phenylacetaldehyde, methional, and E‐2‐hexenol. Only a few volatile compounds increased, especially for 2‐methylbutanoic acid, 2‐methylpropionic acid, linalool, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. However, no significant difference in volatile compounds was found between NF and IF samples at the same fermentation time. In addition, the fermentation process in all samples was well discriminated as three stages (0 days; 6 day; and 12, 18, and 24 days), and all volatile compounds were divided into two categories (increase and decrease) based on principal component analysis and heat map.
EV Customer Engagement: Enabling Benefits for Utilities, Customers, and Society
Authors: Dillon Andrew , Hagerman Shelly , Swartout Brandon , Engel Clay
Published: May 2020

In just 10 years, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road has skyrocketed a hundredfold, from less than 10,000 in 2010 to 1.2 million in 2019 (Figure 1). This rapid increase has captured the attention of consumers and policymakers, bringing the ascent of transportation electrification into public discourse, and with it a focus on whether this trend presents benefits or problems. When assessing the opportunity for broad benefits across industry and society, there is a compelling case for transportation electrification. While many technology or societal trends benefit one group, the rise of EV adoption has revealed a strong case grounded in tangible benefits for a broad group of stakeholders. Research indicates there are significant benefits for utilities, customers, and society from investments in transportation electrification at the national, state, and local levels. As will be detailed later in this article, it is possible to calculate benefits for each of these groups, such as the lifetime cost savings to customers going from petroleum fuel to electric, the increased efficiency in utilization of the electric grid, the quantifiable economics of local job creation, and lower health costs for society. Figure 2 presents some of the key benefits that accrue to customers, utilities, and society that can help justify the investment and efforts around customer engagement for EVs.
The Observational Scale of Level of Arousal: A brief tool for assessing and monitoring level of arousal in patients with delirium outside the ICU
Authors: Hall Roanna , Stíobhairt Antaine , Allerhand Mike , MacLullich Alasdair M. J. , Tieges Zoë
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Altered level of arousal, encompassing drowsiness and hypervigilance, affects at least 10% of acutely unwell patients. Existing scales provide limited coverage of milder changes in level of arousal. We devised the Observational Scale of Level of Arousal (OSLA) to enable more detailed arousal assessment. Here, we provide a preliminary case‐control study of performance of the OSLA in assessing abnormal level of arousal associated with delirium outside the ICU.

Methods

Hip fracture patients (N = 108, median age = 82 years) were assessed for delirium pre‐ and post‐operatively using the Confusion Assessment Method and the Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised‐98. The OSLA has four graded items assessing eye opening, eye contact, posture, and movement (score range 0 [normal arousal]‐15). We assessed the psychometric and diagnostic characteristics of the OSLA. Adjusted linear mixed effects models were used to explore responsiveness of the OSLA to within‐patient change in delirium status.

Results

A total of 44 patients (40.7%) were diagnosed with delirium. OSLA scores were higher in delirium (pooled median = 3, InterQuartile Range [IQR] = 2‐5) compared to no delirium (pooled median = 1, IQR = 1‐2; P‐values <.05 to <.001). The Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was 0.82 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.77‐0.86). OSLA scores were responsive to change in delirium status (ß = −3.09. SE = 1.41, P < .03).

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary evidence supporting use of the OSLA as an instrument for identifying abnormal level of arousal associated with delirium and monitoring this longitudinally. Further validation in larger cohorts with blinded raters is required. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:‐, 2020.
Cross‐cultural comparison of symptom networks in late‐life major depressive disorder: Yoruba Africans and the Spanish Population
Authors: de la Torre‐Luque Alejandro , Ojagbemi Akin , Caballero Francisco F. , Lara Elvira , Moreno‐Agostino Dario , Bello Toyin , Olaya Beatriz , Haro Josep M. , Gureje Oye , Ayuso‐Mateos Jose L.
Published: May 2020

Background

The concept of European psychologisation of depression versus somatisation in non‐European populations has been the basis of several studies of cultural psychopathology in the general population. Little is currently known about cross‐cultural differences and similarities in late‐life depression symptom reporting. We cross‐culturally compared symptom reporting in the context of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) among community‐dwelling older adults from Spain and Nigeria.

Methods

We relied on data from two household multistage probability samples comprising 3,715 persons aged 65 years or older in the Spanish and Nigerian populations. All participants underwent assessments for MDD using the World Mental Health Survey version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Cross‐cultural comparison of broad somatic and psychological categories as well as relationship and influence of individual symptoms were analysed using the Symptom Network Analysis approach.

Results

Current MDD was diagnosed in 232 and 195 older persons from Spain and Nigeria, respectively. The symptom network of the two samples were invariant in terms of global strength, S(GSPAIN, GNIGERIA) = 7.56, P = .06, with psychological and somatic symptoms demonstrating centrality in both countries. However, country‐specific relationships and influence of individual symptoms were found in the network structure of both samples, M(GSPAIN, GNIGERIA) = 2.95, P < .01.

Conclusion

Broad somatic and psychological symptoms categories contributed to the structural network of older Africans and their peers from the Spanish population. Variations in the relationship and influence of individual symptoms suggests that the functional and “communicative” role of individual symptoms may be differentiated by context specific imperatives. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:‐, 2020.
The anticholinergic effect on cognition (AEC) scale—Associations with mortality, hospitalisation and cognitive decline following dementia diagnosis
Authors: Bishara Delia , Perera Gayan , Harwood Daniel , Taylor David , Sauer Justin , Stewart Robert , Mueller Christoph
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To investigate associations between central anticholinergic burden (determined through the anticholinergic effect on cognition [AEC] scale) and mortality, hospitalisation and cognitive decline in patients with dementia.

Methods

The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) Clinical Records Interactive Search (CRIS) application was used to identify patients with a first diagnosis of dementia. Medication exposure was extracted through a natural language processing algorithm, allowing for calculations and comparisons of AEC scores. Data were linked to national mortality and hospitalisation data sources, and serially recorded Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were used to investigate cognitive decline.

Results

We identified 14 093 patients with dementia, 60.7% were female and the mean age at diagnosis was 79.8 years. Patients for whom a review of their medication was indicated (AEC score ≥ 2 for any individual drug or total AEC score ≥ 3) had an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01‐1.15) and emergency hospitalisation (1.10; 95% CI: 1.04‐1.17), but there were no associations with duration of hospitalisation. Cognitive trajectory analyses showed that this exposure group had lower MMSE scores at diagnosis and a sharper increase in MMSE scores over the subsequent 6 months, but similar slopes for the 6 to 36 months period compared to the remainder of the sample.

Conclusions

Patients with dementia receiving medication with high central anticholinergic activity appear to have worse prognosis in terms of mortality and hospitalisation risk, but have, primarily, acutely impaired cognitive function, rather than longer‐term differences in cognitive decline. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:‐, 2020.
Personalized strategies in population screening for prostate cancer
Authors: Remmers Sebastiaan , Roobol Monique J.
Published: May 2020

This review discusses evidence for population‐based screening with contemporary screening tools. In Europe, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)‐based screening led to a relative reduction of prostate cancer (PCa) mortality, but also to a substantial amount of overdiagnosis and unnecessarily biopsies. Risk stratification based on a single variable (a clinical variable or based on the presence of a lesion on prostate imaging) or based on multivariable approaches can aid in reducing unnecessary prostate biopsies and overdiagnosis by selecting men who can benefit from further clinical assessment. Multivariable approaches include clinical variables, and biomarkers, often combined in risk calculators or nomograms. These risk calculators can also incorporate the result of MRI imaging. In general, as compared to a purely PSA based approach, the combination of relevant prebiopsy information results in superior selection of men at higher risk of harboring clinically significant prostate cancer. Currently, it is not possible to draw any conclusions on the superiority of these multivariable risk‐based approaches since head‐to‐head comparisons are virtually lacking. Recently initiated large population‐based screening studies in Finland, Germany and Sweden, incorporating various multivariable risk stratification approaches will hopefully give more insight in whether the harm‐benefit ratio can be improved, that is, maintain (or improving) the ability to reduce metastatic disease and prostate cancer mortality while reducing harm caused by unnecessary testing and overdiagnosis including related overtreatment.
Overexpression of heat shock protein 70 enhanced mesenchymal stem cell treatment efficacy in phosgene‐induced acute lung injury
Authors: Jin Chaoyuan , Zhou Fangqing , Zhang Lin , Shen Jie
Published: May 2020

In our previous study, we have confirmed that in phosgene‐induced acute lung injury (ALI) rats, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can treat the disease. Moreover, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) can be used as a protective protein, and Hsp70 upregulated drastically when exposed to stressful conditions. We aimed to assess that MSCs overexpressed Hsp70 could enhance the capacity of MSCs and have a good therapeutic effect on phosgene‐induced ALI. We transduced MSCs with Hsp70 and then we tested the function of the transduced MSCs. Sprague Dawley rats inhaled phosgene in a closed container for 5 minutes. The transduced MSCs and MSCs were administered via the trachea immediately. Rats in each group were killed at 6, 24, and 48 hours after exposure. Compared to MSCs, MSCs overexpressed Hsp70 enhanced MSCs viability, antiapoptotic ability, and migration ability, and these effects disappeared when using the phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway inhibitor. Furthermore, the results of pathological alterations improved. The lung wet‐to‐dry ratio declined. The lung injury index total protein content and total cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) also declined. The level of tumor necrosis factor α declined and the level of interleukin‐10 improved in BALF and serum. MSCs overexpressed Hsp70 can enhance the capacity and efficacy of MSCs in the treatment of phosgene‐induced ALI and may be mediated through the PI3k/AKT signaling pathway. This article introduces a new approach to stem cell therapy for improving the efficacy of phosgene‐induced ALI.
A qualitative analysis of meaning‐making and mental health among OIF/OEF veterans
Authors: Keller Emily M. , Owens Gina P. , Perkins Marjorie , Hamrick Lauren A.
Published: May 2020

Objective

After combat, veterans may experience mental health symptomology and attempt to make meaning from their experiences. The present study qualitatively examined the mental health effects of deployment and meaning‐making among Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) veterans.

Method

OIF/OEF veterans who were exposed to combat (N = 14) participated in semi‐structured interviews to assess how their perspectives had changed post‐deployment. Most participants (86%) were male, with a mean age of 30.

Results

Veterans described issues post‐combat that caused psychological distress or promoted distancing from others. Veterans also discussed factors that could promote or hinder meaning‐making, including perceptions of growth, changed global beliefs, and disillusionment. Finally, veterans described psychological reactions to death, which could be related to moral injury.

Conclusion

Mental health concerns, meaning‐making, and consideration of mortality appear to characterize veterans’ experiences post‐deployment. These constructs may be important for clinicians to consider when working with OIF/OEF veterans.
Emotion dysregulation as a maintenance factor for posttraumatic stress symptoms: The role of anxiety sensitivity
Authors: Raudales Alexa M. , Preston Thomas J. , Albanese Brian J. , Schmidt Norman B.
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The current study tested whether emotion dysregulation, assessed by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), would predict posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) through anxiety sensitivity (AS). Alternate cognitive‐affective mediators (i.e., distress tolerance and intolerance of uncertainty) were explored.

Method

A total of 259 trauma‐exposed community members (ages averaging 37.39; evenly distributed by gender) from a larger clinical trial targeting suicide risk factors completed a clinical interview and self‐report questionnaires at baseline, Week‐3, and 1‐month follow‐up appointments.

Results

AS at Week 3 significantly mediated the relationship between initial emotion dysregulation and 1‐month follow‐up posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) after controlling for condition and baseline symptoms (β = .07; standard error = 0.03; 95% confidence interval = [0.01, 0.14]). Effects held for one out of six emotion dysregulation subscales. Distress tolerance and intolerance of uncertainty were not significant mediators (ps > .05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that emotion dysregulation may confer maintenance of PTSS through AS. Findings highlight potentially malleable targets for interventions.
Efficacy of a fasting‐mimicking diet in functional therapy for depression: A randomised controlled pilot trial
Authors: Maniaci Giuseppe , La Cascia Caterina , Giammanco Alessandra , Ferraro Laura , Chianetta Roberta , Di Peri Roberta , Sardella Zaira , Citarrella Roberto , Mannella Yuri , Larcan Stefania , Montana Simonetta , Mirisola Mario G. , Longo Valter , Rizzo Manfredi , La Barbera Daniele
Published: May 2020

Objective

This randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of adding a fasting‐mimicking diet to a structured psychotherapy protocol for treating depression.

Design

Of 20 patients with depression, 10 were randomly assigned to psychotherapy and dieting (i.e., experimental group) and the other 10 to psychotherapy only (i.e., control group). Patients in both groups received 20 individual sessions of functional therapy along with nutrition consultation. Patients in the control group were instructed to maintain their usual daily diets.

Results

Both treatments were effective in reducing depression as well as increasing self‐esteem and quality of life. The experimental group showed improved self‐esteem and psychological quality of life as well as a reduction in their mean body mass index, in comparison to the control group.

Conclusions

The study revealed initial evidence of the efficacy of combining psychotherapy with a fasting‐mimicking diet to treat depression and its correlates.
miRNAs, oxidative stress, and cancer: A comprehensive and updated review
Authors: Ebrahimi Seyed Omar , Reiisi Somayeh , Shareef Salar
Published: May 2020

Oxidative stress refers to elevated levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS homeostasis functions as a signaling pathway for normal cell survival and appropriate cell signaling. Chronic inflammation induced by imbalanced levels of ROS contributes to many diseases and different types of cancer. ROS can alter the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes through epigenetic modifications, transcription factors, and non‐coding RNAs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that play a key role in most biological pathways. Each miRNA regulates hundreds of target genes by inhibiting protein translation and/or promoting messenger RNA degradation. In normal conditions, miRNAs play a physiological role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, different factors that can dysregulate cell signaling and cellular homeostasis can also affect miRNA expression. The alteration of miRNA expression can work against disturbing factors or mediate their effects. Oxidative stress is one of these factors. Considering the complex interplay between ROS level and miRNA regulation and both of these with cancer development, we review the role of miRNAs in cancer, focusing on their function in oxidative stress.
Radiosensitivity enhancement by Co‐NMS‐mediated mitochondrial impairment in glioblastoma
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Taofeng , Li Guo , Li Sirui , Li Jili , Zhao Quanyi , Wu Qingfen , Xu Dan , Hu Xiaoli , Zhang Luwei , Li Qiang , Zhang Hong , Liu Bin
Published: May 2020

We investigated the radiosensitizing effects of Co‐NMS, a derivative of nimesulide based on a cobalt carbonyl complex, on malignant glioma cells. In the zebrafish exposed to Co‐NMS ranging from 5 to 20 μM, cell death and heat shock protein 70 expression in the brain and neurobehavioral performance were evaluated. Our data showed that Co‐NMS at 5 μM did not cause the appreciable neurotoxicity, and thereby was given as a novel radiation sensitizer in further study. In the U251 cells, Co‐NMS combined with irradiation treatment resulted in significant inhibition of cell growth and clonogenic capability as well as remarkable increases of G2/M arrest and apoptotic cell population compared to the irradiation alone treatment. This demonstrated that the Co‐NMS administration exerted a strong potential of sensitizing effect on the irradiated cells. With regard to the tumor radiosensitization of Co‐NMS, it could be primarily attributed to the Co‐NMS‐derived mitochondrial impairment, reflected by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the disruption of mitochondrial fusion and fission balance as well as redox homeostasis. Furthermore, the energy metabolism of the U251 cells was obviously suppressed by cotreatment with Co‐NMS and irradiation through repressing mitochondrial function. Taken together, our findings suggested that Co‐NMS could be a desirable drug to enhance the radiotherapeutic effects in glioblastoma patients.
Temporal modulation of calcium sensing in hematopoietic stem cells is crucial for proper stem cell expansion and engraftment
Authors: Uslu Merve , Albayrak Esra , Kocabaş Fatih
Published: May 2020

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are known to reside in a bone marrow (BM) niche, which is associated with relatively higher calcium content. HSCs sense and respond to calcium changes. However, how calcium‐sensing components modulate HSC function and expansion is largely unknown. We investigated temporal modulation of calcium sensing and Ca2+ homeostasis during ex vivo HSC culture and in vivo. Murine BM‐HSCs, human BM, and umbilical cord blood (UCB) mononuclear cells (MNCs) were treated with store‐operated calcium entry (SOCE) inhibitors SKF 96365 hydrochloride (abbreviated as SKF) and 2‐aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2‐APB). Besides, K+ channel inhibitor TEA chloride (abbreviated as TEA) was used to compare the relationship between calcium‐activated potassium channel activities. Seven days of SKF treatment induced mouse and human ex vivo BM‐HSC expansion as well as UCB‐derived primitive HSC expansion. SKF treatment induced the surface expression of CaSR, CXCR4, and adhesion molecules on human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. HSCs expanded with SKF successfully differentiated into blood lineages in recipient animals and demonstrated a higher repopulation capability. Furthermore, modulation of SOCE in the BM‐induced HSC content and differentially altered niche‐related gene expression profile in vivo. Intriguingly, treatments with SOCE inhibitors SKF and 2‐APB boosted the mouse BM mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and human adipose‐derived MSCs proliferation, whereas they did not affect the endothelial cell proliferation. These findings suggest that temporal modulation of calcium sensing is crucial in expansion and maintenance of murine HSCs, human HSCs, and mouse BM‐MSCs function.
Are increased left ventricular strains compensatory effects in lipedema? Detailed analysis from the three‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR‐Path Study
Authors: Nemes Attila , Kormányos Árpád , Domsik Péter , Kalapos Anita , Gyenes Nándor , Kemény Lajos , Szolnoky Győző
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Lipedema is a chronic, common but underdiagnosed disease masquerading obesity, with female predominance, characterized by disproportional abnormal adipose tissue distribution of the lower and also upper extremities. The present study was designed to determine whether lipedema is associated with three‐dimensional (3D) speckle‐tracking echocardiography (3DSTE)‐derived left ventricular (LV) deformation abnormalities, and to assess the effects of 1‐hour use of medical compression stockings (MCS).

Methods

The present study comprised 19 female patients with lipedema (mean age: 42.2 ± 12.4 years), compared to 28 age‐matched healthy female controls (mean age: 42.0 ± 9.8 years).

Results

Lipedema patients showed larger left atrial and LV dimensions and greater LV ejection fraction than controls, without significant difference in other echocardiography variables. Lipedema patients had greater 3DSTE‐derived global and mean segmental LV circumferential and area strains than controls. Following 1‐hour use of wearing MCS, neither global and nor mean segmental LV strains showed significant impairment or improvement.

Conclusions

Increased LV strains could be compensatory effects maintaining LV pumping function in lipedema. Short‐term wearing of MCS has no global effect on LV strains.