bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics, Management, and Case-Fatality of Patients Hospitalized for Stroke with a Diagnosis of COVID-19 in France
Authors: Gabet Amélie , Grave Clémence , Chatignoux Edouard , Tuppin Philippe , Béjot Yannick , Olié Valérie
Published: June 2021

Introduction: COVID-19 was found to be associated with an increased risk of stroke. This study aimed to compare characteristics, management, and outcomes of hospitalized stroke patients with or without a hospital diagnosis of CO­VID-19 at a nationwide scale. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on all French hospitals covering the entire French population using the French national hospital discharge databases (Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d’Information, included in the Système National des Données de Santé). All patients hospitalized for stroke between 1 January and 14 June 2020 in France were selected. A diagnosis of COVID-19 was searched for during the index hospitalization for stroke or in a prior hospitalization that had occurred after 1 January 2020. Results: Among the 56,195 patients hospitalized for stroke, 800 (1.4%) had a concomitant COVID-19 diagnosis. Inhospital case-fatality rates were higher in stroke patients with COVID-19, particularly for patients with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 (33.2%), as compared to patients hospitalized for stroke without CO­VID-19 diagnosis (14.1%). Similar findings were observed for 3-month case-fatality rates adjusted for age and sex that reached 41.7% in patients hospitalized for stroke with a concomitant primary diagnosis of COVID-19 versus 20.0% in strokes without COVID-19. Conclusion: Patients hospitalized for stroke with a concomitant COVID-19 diagnosis had a higher inhospital and 3 months case-fatality rates compared to patients hospitalized for stroke without a COVID-19 diagnosis. Further research is needed to better understand the excess of mortality related to these cases.
Geriatric Patients and Symptomatic Urinary Tract Infections: Analysis of Bacterial Range and Resistance Rates at a 3rd Level of Care Hospital in Germany
Authors: Manseck Ann-Sera , Otto Wolfgang , Schnabel Marco , Denzinger Stefan , Burger Maximilian , Spachmann Philipp Julian
Published: June 2021

Background: Increasing life expectancy and demographic change result in a rising number of geriatric patients, but knowledge about geriatric treatment options and adapted diagnostic pathways is low. Simultaneously, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in older people and often difficult to treat. Methods: Patients with a UTI at a urological outpatient department between January 01, 2016, and December 31, 2017, were retrospectively identified in the data system. One thousand one hundred fifteen patients with “N30” and “N39” diagnosis were included in this study, 965 of which were under the age of 75 (group 1) and 150 of which 75 years or older (group 2). Results: Of 150 patients in group 2, 41.6% had nitrite-positive urine (vs. 20.9% in group 1, p < 0.05 in χ2 testing). Patients in group 2 often had indwelling devices (30.3 vs. 6.0%, p < 0.05) and presented a sterile urine culture in only 20.7% (vs. 40.1% in group 1). Regarding calculated antibiotic therapy, there were significant differences concerning prescription of ciprofloxacin (34.9 vs. 25%, p < 0.05) and fosfomycin (12.7 vs. 40.7%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: UTI in geriatric patients should be treated differently than in younger patients because antibiotic resistance is high. The group with indwelling devices is complex. Individual strategies for geriatric patients should be considered.
Long-Term Analgesia following a Single Application of Fentanyl Transdermal Solution in Pigs
Authors: Goutchtat Rebecca , Chetboun Mikael , Wiart Jean-François , Gaulier Jean-Michel , Pattou François , Allorge Delphine , Hubert Thomas
Published: June 2021

Introduction: In animal research, obtaining efficient and constant pain control is regulatory but challenging. The gold standard pain management consists of opioid analgesic administration, such as buprenorphine or fentanyl extended-release patches. However, as in all drugs with a short half-life time, repeated buprenorphine administrations are needed, leading to multiple injections that affect the research protocol. On the other hand, fentanyl patch efficacy is discussed in some species. These elements highlight the need of an optimal formulation of analgesic drugs for laboratory animals. In this study, we investigated how Recuvyra®, a fentanyl transdermal solution (FTS), validated in dog perioperative pain management, could provide sustained analgesia after a single topical administration in pigs in a surgical context. Methods: A total of 11 minipigs were used in this study. As a preliminary experiment, two different doses were tested as a single application on five pigs: two pigs at full dose (2.6 mg/kg) and three pigs at half dose (1.3 mg/kg). Plasma fentanyl dosages were performed during 4 consecutive days, using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. The efficacy of FTS was then evaluated in a perioperative period. Six minipigs benefited from a surgical intervention comprising a laparotomy. The FTS was blotted on the skin in a single application 20 min before the surgical incision and plasma fentanyl dosages, clinical examination (body weight, food intake, heart rate, and body temperature) and pain assessment were performed for 7 consecutive days. Results: During the preliminary experiment, all fentanyl concentrations reached the minimum effective concentration (MEC) extrapolated in pigs (fentanylemia ≥0.2 ng/mL) throughout the 4 days. The half dose was chosen for the next step of the study. After the surgical intervention, all plasma fentanyl concentrations remained above the MEC up to 7 days post administration. Pig clinical examinations and pain evaluations showed efficient and constant pain control at the half dose, and few adverse events were observed. Discussion and Conclusion: This study confirms the pharmacological and clinical efficacy of FTS at 1.3 mg/kg in pigs throughout at least 7 postoperative days following laparotomy. The clinical analgesic effect of FTS appears more efficient and well-tolerated than the one observed with repeated injections of buprenorphine. This analgesic drug formulation could be universally used in animal research to provide optimal perioperative pain management and long-term analgesia.
Racial-Ethnic Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life among Adults and Children with Glomerular Disease
Authors: Krissberg Jill R. , Helmuth Margaret E. , Almaani Salem , Cai Yi , Cattran Daniel , Chatterjee Debanjana , Gbadegesin Rasheed A. , Gibson Keisha L. , Glenn Dorey A. , Greenbaum Laurence A. , Iragorri Sandra , Jain Koyal , Khalid Myda , Kidd Jason M. , Kopp Jeffrey B. , Lafayette Richard , Nestor Jordan G. , Parekh Rulan S. , Reidy Kimberly J. , Selewski David T. , Sperati C. John , Tuttle Katherine R. , Twombley Katherine , Vasylyeva Tetyana L. , Weaver Donald Jack , Wenderfer Scott E. , O’Shaughnessy Michelle M.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Disparities in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have been inadequately studied in patients with glomerular disease. The aim of this study was to identify relationships among race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disease severity, and HRQOL in an ethnically and racially diverse cohort of patients with glomerular disease. Methods: Cure Glomerulonephropathy (CureGN) is a multinational cohort study of patients with biopsy-proven glomerular disease. Associations between race/ethnicity and HRQOL were determined by the following: (1) missed school or work due to kidney disease and (2) responses to Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) questionnaires. We adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic status, and disease characteristics using multivariable logistic and linear regression. Results: Black and Hispanic participants had worse socioeconomic status and more severe glomerular disease than white or Asian participants. Black adults missed work or school most frequently due to kidney disease (30 vs. 16–23% in the other 3 groups, p = 0.04), and had the worst self-reported global physical health (median score 44.1 vs. 48.0–48.2, p < 0.001) and fatigue (53.8 vs. 48.5–51.1, p = 0.002), compared to other racial/ethnic groups. However, these findings were not statistically significant with adjustment for socioeconomic status and disease severity, both of which were strongly associated with HRQOL in adults. Among children, disease severity but not race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status was associated with HRQOL. Conclusions: Among patients with glomerular disease enrolled in CureGN, the worse HRQOL reported by black adults was attributable to lower socioeconomic status and more severe glomerular disease. No racial/ethnic differences in HRQOL were observed in children.
Inconsistent Definitions of Bullying: A Need to Examine People’s Judgments and Reasoning about Bullying and Cyberbullying
Authors: Chang Viviane
Published: June 2021

Despite decades of research efforts, researchers have yet to reach a consensus on the definition of bullying. There are ambiguities around the conceptualization of bullying relating to the intent, harm, repetitions of an act, and power disparity in episodes of bullying. Practically, the lack of differentiation between bullying and playful teasing as well as between bullying and other types of aggression has made it difficult to accurately measure bullying and derive the prevalence rate. There has been scant attention to how people evaluate an intent, harm, repetitions of an act, and power disparity between bullies and targets. If bullying is a moral issue, it involves people’s moral judgments and cannot be understood solely by empirical descriptions of the behavior. In this paper, I considered how social domain theory can be applied to help understand people’s judgments about bullying behaviors, which, in turn, is helpful in improving our conceptualization of bullying.
COVID-19 Impact on Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment at 9 Comprehensive Stroke Centers across Los Angeles
Authors: Padrick M. Maximillian , Sangha Navdeep , Paletz Laurie , Mirocha James , Figueroa Sonia , Manoukian Vicki , Schlick Konrad , Lyden Patrick D. , Liebeskind David S. , Chatfield Fiona K. , Tarpley Jason W. , Burgos Adrian , Tenser Matthew , Gaffney Denise , Pech Marco A. , Nazareth Edward , Jackson Robert , Kauffman Helaine , Arnold Lisa , Cox Jennifer , Joyce Treasure , Nakamura Catrice , Fitzgerald Darcie , Ogami Kyle , Steiner Nili , Wolber Nicole , Robertson Betty , Izzo Rachel , Gorski Stefanie , Manuel Heather , Valdez Krystal , Reyes Liliana , Sharma Latisha K. , Song Shlee S.
Published: June 2021

Objective: To describe the impact of COVID-19 on acute cerebrovascular disease care across 9 comprehensive stroke centers throughout Los Angeles County (LAC). Methods: Volume of emergency stroke code activations, patient characteristics, stroke severity, reperfusion rates, treatment times, and outcomes from February 1 to April 30, 2020, were compared against the same time period in 2019. Demographic data were provided by each participating institution. Results: There was a 17.3% decrease in stroke code activations across LAC in 2020 compared to 2019 (1,786 vs. 2,159, respectively, χ2 goodness of fit test p < 0.0001) across 9 participating comprehensive stroke centers. Patients who did not receive any reperfusion therapy decreased by 16.6% in 2020 (1,527) compared to 2019 (1,832). Patients who received only intravenous thrombolytic (IVT) therapy decreased by 31.8% (107 vs. 157). Patients who received only mechanical thrombectomy (MT) increased by 3% (102 vs. 99). Patients who received both IVT and MT decreased by 31.8% (45 vs. 66). Recanalization treatment times in 2020 were comparable to 2019. CSCs serving a higher proportion of Latinx populations in the eastern parts of LAC experienced a higher incidence of MT in 2020 compared to 2019. Mild increase in stroke severity was seen in 2020 compared to 2019 (8.95 vs. 8.23, p = 0.046). A higher percentage of patients were discharged home in 2020 compared to 2019 (59.5 vs. 56.1%, p = 0.034), a lower percentage of patients were discharged to skilled nursing facility (16.1 vs. 20.7%, p = 0.0004), and a higher percentage of patients expired (8.6 vs. 6.3%, p = 0.008). Conclusion: LAC saw a decrease in overall stroke code activations in 2020 compared to 2019. Reperfusion treatment times remained comparable to prepandemic metrics. There has been an increase in severe stroke incidence and higher volume of thrombectomy treatments in Latinx communities within LAC during the pandemic of 2020. More patients were discharged home, less patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities, and more patients expired in 2020, compared to the same time frame in 2019.
Urine pH Value and Bacteriology in Purple Urine Bag Syndrome
Authors: Su Yu-Jang , Yang Hsiu-Wu , Chang Chen-Wang
Published: June 2021

Background: Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) is an unusual phenomenon in patients with urinary tract infections. The urine of most of these patients has an alkaline pH. Objective: The goal of this study was to identify infectious bacteria and determine urinary pH in patients with PUBS and to evaluate their correlation. Methods: PubMed was searched using the term “Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS)” for studies on this condition published from October 1980 to September 2019. Sixty-seven patients were identified and divided into those with urine cultures positive for Gram-positive bacteria (GPB; n = 3), Gram-negative bacteria (GNB; n = 45), and mixed Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (MGPNB; n = 19). Age, gender, urinary pH, comorbidities (diabetes and uremia), fever, shock, and mortality were compared in the 3 groups. The correlation between urinary pH and type of bacteria in urine cultures was assessed by regression analysis. Results: Presentation of fever in PUBS accounted for 66.7, 11.1, and 5.3%, p < 0.05, in GPB, GNB, and MGPNB. Regression analyses showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa was associated with less alkaline urine (regression coefficient −0.936, p < 0.05), whereas Proteus spp. was associated with more alkaline urine (regression coefficient 0.489, p = 0.04). GNB were the most predominant pathogens in patients with PUBS. Conclusion: In PUBS, urine pH and symptom presentation are different by variable bacteria. Fever is associated with urinary GPB. Proteus spp. correlates with more alkaline urine, whereas Pseudomonas spp. correlates significantly with less alkaline urine.
Paediatric Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Disease: Long-Term Sequelae in the Hypothalamic Endocrine System
Authors: Vaiani Elisa , Felizzia Guido , Lubieniecki Fabiana , Braier Jorge , Belgorosky Alicia
Published: June 2021

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a disorder of the mononuclear phagocyte system that can affect almost any organ and system. The most common central nervous system (CNS) manifestation in LCH is the infiltration of the hypothalamic-pituitary region leading to destruction and neurodegeneration of CNS tissue. The latter causes the most frequent endocrinological manifestation, that is, central diabetes insipidus (CDI), and less often anterior pituitary hormone deficiency (APD). The reported incidence of CDI is estimated between 11.5 and 24% and is considered a risk factor for neurodegenerative disease and APD. Three risk factors for development of CDI are recognized in the majority of the studies: (1) multisystem disease, (2) the occurrence of reactivations or active disease for a prolonged period, and (3) the presence of craniofacial bone lesions. Since CDI may occur as the first manifestation of LCH, differential diagnosis of malignant diseases like germ cell tumours must be made. APD is almost always associated with CDI and can appear several years after the diagnosis of CDI. Growth hormone is the most commonly affected anterior pituitary hormone. Despite significant advances in the knowledge of LCH in recent years, little progress has been made in preventing long-term sequelae such as those affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary system.
The Development of Giving in Forms of Object Exchange: Exploring the Roots of Communication and Morality in Early Interaction around Objects
Authors: Carpendale Jeremy I.M. , Müller Ulrich , Wallbridge Beau , Broesch Tanya , Cameron-Faulkner Thea , Ten Eycke Kayla
Published: June 2021

Giving is an act of great social importance across cultures, with communicative as well as moral dimensions because it is linked to sharing and fairness. We critically evaluate various explanations for how this social process develops in infancy and take a process-relational approach, using naturalistic observations to illustrate forms of interaction involving the exchange of objects and possible developmental trajectories for the emergence of different forms of giving. Based on our data, we propose that the object becomes a pivot point for interaction, and through the process of such interaction the social actions of showing and giving emerge and take on diverse social meanings within the relations between infants and caregivers.
Depression as a Risk Factor for Incident Ischemic Stroke Among HIV‐Positive Veterans in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study
Authors: Sico Jason J. , Kundu Suman , So‐Armah Kaku , Gupta Samir K. , Chang Chung‐Chou H. , Butt Adeel A. , Gibert Cynthia L. , Marconi Vincent C. , Crystal Stephen , Tindle Hilary A. , Freiberg Matthew S. , Stewart Jesse C.
Published: June 2021

Background

HIV infection and depression are each associated with increased ischemic stroke risk. Whether depression is a risk factor for stroke within the HIV population is unknown.

Methods and Results

We analyzed data on 106 333 (33 528 HIV‐positive; 72 805 HIV‐negative) people who were free of baseline cardiovascular disease from an observational cohort of HIV‐positive people and matched uninfected veterans in care from April 1, 2003 through December 31, 2014.
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision
(
ICD‐9
) codes from medical records were used to determine baseline depression and incident stroke. Depression occurred in 19.5% of HIV‐positive people. After a median of 9.2 years of follow‐up, stroke rates were highest among people with both HIV and depression and lowest among those with neither condition. In Cox proportional hazard models, depression was associated with an increased risk of stroke for HIV‐positive people after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and cerebrovascular risk factors (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03–1.34; 0.014). The depression‐stroke relationship was attenuated by alcohol use disorders, cocaine use, and baseline antidepressant use, and unaffected by combined antiretroviral therapy use or individual antiretroviral agents. A numerically higher HR of depression on stroke was found among those younger than 60 years.

Conclusions

Depression is associated with an increased risk of stroke among HIV‐positive people after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, traditional cerebrovascular risk factors, and HIV‐specific factors. Alcohol use disorders, cocaine use, and baseline antidepressant use accounted for some of the observed stroke risk. Depression may be a novel, independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in HIV, particularly among younger people.
Long‐Term Survival and Freedom From Coronary Artery Reintervention After Arterial Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries: A Population‐Based Nationwide Study
Authors: Koubský Karel , Gebauer Roman , Tláskal Tomáš , Matějka Tomáš , Poruban Rudolf , Jičínská Denisa , Hučín Bohumil , Janoušek Jan , Chaloupecký Václav
Published: June 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate long‐term survival and freedom from coronary artery reintervention after the arterial switch operation (ASO).

Methods and Results

This single‐center nationwide retrospective study included consecutive children who underwent ASO between 1990 and 2016 (n=605). Long‐term outcomes were obtained by cross‐mapping individual data with the National Death Registry and the National Registry of Cardiovascular Interventions for adults. A control group was randomly retrieved at a 1:10 ratio from the National Birth and Death Registries. Early mortality was 3.3% and late mortality was 1.7% during a median follow‐up of 10 (interquartile range, 5–16) years. The probability of overall survival at 20 years after ASO was 94.9% compared with 99.5% in the background population (hazard ratio [HR] 15.6; 95% CI, 8.9–27.5,
P
<0.001). Independent multivariable predictors of worse survival were an intramural coronary artery (HR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.8–15.2,
P
=0.002) and period of ASO 1990 to 1999 (HR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.5–13.6,
P
<0.001). Fourteen patients (2.3%) required 16 coronary artery reoperations. Freedom from coronary artery reintervention at 20 years after ASO was 96%. The only independent multivariable predictor associated with a higher hazard for coronary artery reintervention was an intramural coronary artery (HR, 33.9; 95% CI, 11.8–97.5,
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

Long‐term survival after ASO is excellent. Coronary artery reinterventions are rare. An intramural coronary artery was an independent predictor associated with a higher risk for coronary artery reintervention and death, regardless of the surgical period.
Legislative Capacity & Administrative Power Under Divided
Polarization
Authors: Farhang Sean
Published: June 2021

Conventional wisdom holds that party polarization leads to legislative gridlock, which in turn disables congressional oversight of agencies and thus erodes their constitutional legitimacy and democratic accountability. At the root of this argument is an empirical claim that higher levels of polarization materially reduce legislative productivity as measured by the number of laws passed or the number of issues on the legislative agenda addressed by those laws, both of which are negatively associated with party polarization. By focusing on the content of statutes passed rather than their number, this essay shows that in the era of party polarization and divided government, Congress has actually 1) enacted an ever growing volume of significant regulatory policy (packaged into fewer laws); 2) increasingly employed implementation designs intended to limit bureaucratic and presidential power; and 3) legislated regulatory policy substance in greater detail (reducing bureaucratic discretion) when relying on litigation and courts as a supplement or alternative to bureaucracy. This essay thereby complicates, both empirically and normatively, the relationship between Congress and administrative power in the era of party polarization and divided government.
Curtailing Covid Casualties, From Hospital Room to Courtroom: An Analysis of Ireland’s Deficient Liability Regime During Public Health Emergencies
Authors: O’Leary Diarmuid
Published: June 2021

This article considers the liability of healthcare professionals during public health crises in Ireland. It argues that Covid-19 has shown that Irish law lacks protective measures for healthcare practitioners who elect to value high-capacity care over best possible treatment to smaller numbers of patients. Such a prohibition, it is contended, has the potential to be fatal to the management of public health emergencies and can lead to defensive clinical practices which serve to slow or halt progress in the provision of emergency healthcare. As such, a broad, accessible and clearly-defined immunity regime limited to periods of crisis is recommended in order to allow for the protection of the practitioner and the provision of healthcare to the masses.
The Lament of the Melons
Authors: Storey Tessa
Published: June 2021

Regimens advising on the management of the non-naturals constituted a significant proportion of the vernacular medical texts in sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe. Scholars however are divided as to the extent to which such medical advice was familiar to the majority of the population. This article shows that cheap Italian 8vo song pamphlets, sung in the streets and sold by cantastorie and peddlers, provide evidence for the widespread circulation of preventive medical advice. Street singers were not deliberately transmitting medical knowledge but assumed it was already common knowledge, a shared discourse with which they could entertain their publics. The article concludes with a brief exploration of whether similar texts communicated medical ideas in France and England.
Materia Medica and the History of the Book in Seventeenth-Century Portugal
Authors: Barreiros Bruno , Fontes da Costa Palmira
Published: June 2021

This article provides an analysis of the most successful books on materia medica printed in Portugal in the seventeenth century and their influence on subsequent works. The study is informed by methodologies and concerns from the field of the history of the book and pays particular attention to paratexts, genres as well as to physical formats. It shows that these elements were fundamental in defining intended audiences and in constructing strategies of legitimation for their authors. In addition, it assesses issues of readership by considering the marginalia preserved in some copies of these books. The investigation has also into account a significant number of manuscripts on the subject. In spite of their limited circulation, this article shows the advantage of manuscript culture in the dissemination of knowledge on materia medica. Since they could circumvent censorship, particularly in the case of chemical remedies, they reveal a more open approach towards therapeutic innovations and the integration of new ideas and practices.
The Triumph of Theriac
Authors: Di Gennaro Splendore Barbara
Published: June 2021

A survey of early modern texts whose titles include the terms theriac and mithridate reveals over 500 publications printed across Europe between 1497 and 1800. These texts present a distinct sequence of medical genres: most of the early theriac-related texts were medical treatises for medical practitioners written by physicians and scholars. Later, apothecaries issued theriac-related publications for lay audiences. Theriac underwent a slow transition from being the object of scientific study to a common drug consumed by patients across the social spectrum. I argue that such theriac-related apothecary publications were fundamental components in the commodification of theriac. My analysis of these publications—especially formulas, virtues, and celebrations—shows that apothecaries reinterpreted and disseminated scholarly medical knowledge, thereby granting lasting visibility to theriac and mithridate.
Joining the UN Family?
Authors: Bradley Megan
Published: June 2021

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) became a related organization in the United Nations system in 2016, and has rebranded itself as the “UN Migration Agency.” This article examines the drivers and significance of IOM’s new relationship with the UN. It traces the evolution of the IOM-UN relationship, and the processes that led to IOM becoming a related organization. While some contend that IOM is still not really part of the UN system, through an analysis of the status and political positioning of related organizations this article demonstrates that, as a related organization, IOM is indeed now part of the UN system. It argues that IOM’s work with forced migrants in the humanitarian sector played a pivotal role in enabling this shift, and considers its implications.
A new endemic species of Mollinedia (Mollinedieae, Monimiaceae) from the southern limit of the Atlantic coastal moist forest
Authors: MOLZ MARTIN , SILVEIRA DENISE
Published: June 2021

A revision of Monimiaceae from the Southern limit of the Atlantic forest domain resulted in the discovery of a species heretofore undescribed. Mollinedia leucantha, a treelet endemic to the Atlantic coastal moist forest in southern Brazil, is described and illustrated. Morphologically the new species is most similar to Mollinedia schottiana, from which it is set apart by characteristics in the rhytidome, leaves, trichomes, flowers and fruitlets, as well as by distinct flowering times. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the flowers and a key to distinguish morphologically similar or related species in the subtropical Atlantic forest are presented. A preliminary extinction risk assessment is also provided for the new species.
Pestalotiopsis abietis sp. nov. from Abies fargesii in China
Authors: GU MO , HU DONG-WEI , HAN BING , JIANG NING , TianTIAN CHENG-MING
Published: June 2021

Pestalotiopsis is a common genus worldwide and causes diseases on many plant hosts. During our investigation on plant diseases in Qinling Mountain in China, Pestalotiopsis species on needles of Abies fargesii was discovered. Based on the phylogeny of combined ITS, TEF and TUB genes, three Pestalotiopsis isolates from present study cluster into a distinct clade close to P. parva in the genus. However, conidia of Pestalotiopsis abietis are obviously larger than those from P. parva. Hence, Pestalotiopsis abietis sp. nov. is introduced herein.
Hemolytic, Biocompatible, and Functional Effect of Cellularized Polycaprolactone-Hydrolyzed Collagen Electrospun Membranes for Possible Application as Vascular Implants
Authors: Atehortua Camilo , Montoya Yuliet , García Alejandra , Bustamante John
Published: June 2021

In search of bioactive vascular prostheses that exhibit greater biocompatibility through the combination of natural and synthetic polymers, tissue engineering from a biomimetic perspective has proposed the development of three-dimensional structures as therapeutic strategies in the
field of cardiovascular medicine. Techniques such as electrospinning allow obtaining of scaffolds that emulate the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix of native vessels; thus, this study aimed to evaluate the biological influence of microarchitecture on polycaprolactone (PCL) and
hydrolyzed collagen (H-Col) electrospun scaffolds, which have a homogeneous (microscale) or heterogeneous (micro-nanoscale) fibrillar structure. The hemolytic, biocompatible, and functional effect of the scaffolds in interaction with an in vitro fibroblast model was determined, in view
of its potential use for vascular implants. Scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wettability, static permeability, tensile test, and degradation. In addition, direct and indirect 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium
bromide assays were used to identify the cell viability of fibroblasts, fluorescence assays were performed to establish morphological changes of the cell nuclei, and the hemolytic effect of the scaffolds was calculated. Results showed that ethanol-treated biocompositescaffolds exhibited mass
losses lower than 6.65% and slow wettability and absorption, resulting from an increase in secondary structures that contribute to the crystalline phase of H-Col. The scaffolds demonstrated stable degradation in saline during the incubation period because of the availability of soluble structures
in aqueous media, and the inclusion of H-Col increased the elastic properties of the scaffold. As regards hemocompatibility, the scaffolds had hemolysis levels lower than 1%; moreover, in terms of biocompatible characteristics, scaffolds exhibited good adhesion, proliferation, and cell viability
and insignificant changes in the circularity of the cell nuclei. However, scaffolds with homogeneous fibers showed cell agglomerates after 48 h of interaction. By contrast, permeability decreased as the incubation period progressed, because of the cellularization of the three-dimensional structure.
In conclusion, multiscale scaffolds could exhibit a suitable behavior as a bioactive small-diameter vascular implant.
A Gelatin-Hyaluronic Acid Double Cross-Linked Hydrogel for Regulating the Growth and Dual Dimensional Cartilage Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Ren Ying , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Han , Wang Yunping , Liu Lingrong , Zhang Qiqing
Published: June 2021

Owing to its unique physiochemical properties similar to the extracellular matrix (ECM), three-dimensional (3D) crosslinked hydrogels are widely studied materials for tissue engineering. In this study, to mimic the ECM microenvironment, a two-step covalent cross-linking with hyaluronic
acid and gelatin was performed to form an interpenetrating polymer network structure. Gelatin as the first network greatly improved the mechanical strength of the hydrogels, while a hyaluronic acid network as the second network improved the tenacity and biological activity. Compared with a
single network hydrogel, the interpenetrating hydrogel system can further regulate the mechanical properties of the hydrogel by adjusting the ratio of the two components, thereby changing the proliferation, activity, and direction of cartilage differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem
cells (BMSCs). Not only that, with two culture methods for BMSCs on the surface and 3D wrapped in the double cross-linked hydrogels, they exhibited their potential to induce BMSCs to cartilage differentiation under the condition of 3D encapsulation of BMSCs and contact with BMSCs on its surface.
As a scaffold material for cartilage tissue engineering, this double cross-linked hydrogel demonstrated its high feasibility and applicability in delivering BMSCs in vivo and repairing defects.
Bone Piezoelectricity-Mimicking Nanocomposite Membranes Enhance Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Amplifying Cell Adhesion and Actin Cytoskeleton
Authors: Sun Xiaowen , Bai Yunyang , Zheng Xiaona , Li Xiaochan , Zhou Yingying , Wang Yijun , Heng Boon Chin , Zhang Xuehui
Published: June 2021

Ferroelectric biomaterials have been widely investigated and demonstrated to enhance osteogenesis by simulating the inherent electrical properties of bone tissues. Nevertheless, the underlying biological processes are still not wellunderstood. Hence, this study investigated the underlying biological processes by which bone piezoelectricity-mimicking barium titanate/poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) nanocomposite membranes (BTO nanocomposite membranes) promote osteogenesis of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs). Ourresults revealed that the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of nanocomposite membranes aftercontrolled corona poling was similar to that of native bone, and exhibited highly-stable piezoelectrical properties and concentrated surface electrical potential. These nanocomposite membranes significantly enhanced the adhesion and spreading of BMSCs, which was manifested as increased number and area of mature focal adhesions. Furthermore, the nanocomposite membranes significantly promoted the expression of integrin receptors genes (α1,α5 andβ3), which in turn enhanced osteogenesis of BMSCs, as manifested by upregulated Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP2) expression levels. Further investigations found that the Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK)-Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase1/2 (ERK 1/2) signaling axis may be involved in the biological process of polarized nanocomposite membrane-induced osteogenesis. This study thus provides useful insights for betterunderstanding of the biological processes by which piezoelectric or ferroelectric biomaterials promote osteogenesis.
Bioinspired Heteromultivalent Chitosan-α-Fe2O3/Gadofullerene Hybrid Composite for Enhanced Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Pneumonia
Authors: Huang Jing , Guo Jiquan , Zou Xiaoling , Zhu Jiaxin , Wu Shaozhu , Zhang Tiantuo
Published: June 2021

Herein, we have designed and developed a heteromultivalent chitosan base α-Fe2O3/Gadofullerene (GdF) hybrid composite through a simple chemical precipitation method. Unlike other methods, the addition of external stabilizing agents to generate GdF
nanoparticles (NPs) was not necessary herein. The prepared chitosan-α-Fe2O3/GdF hybrid nanocomposites were characterized using UV, FT-IR, XRD and morphological microscopic analyses. The results showed that α-Fe2O3 and GdF
hybrid nanocomposites were successfully grown on the surface of chitosan. The FT-IR vibration peaks showed the formation of Fe2O3 NPs, and the vibration peak for Fe–O was 568 cm−1. The broad absorption peak observed in the range of 250–350
nm and a sharp absorption peak at 219 nm represents the UV absorption of the synthesized hybrid composites. XRD pattern showed sharp peaks of crystallinity and purity of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Finally, the synthesized chitosan-α-Fe2O3/GdF
hybrid composites were screened for their antibacterial resistance against the Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacilus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aereus. In addition, in vitro biocompatibility results exhibited that developed hybrid samples have provided high
cell compatibility with fibroblast (L929) cell line. The in vivo bio inspired nanotherapeutics have the potential action to effective inhibition ability on antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa, which has been main factor of inducing pneumonia. In conclusion, we expect biomimicking
systems combined with the effective antibacterial agent could be the suitable next generation therapeutic potential factors for prevention and treatment of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
Facile Synthesis of Thermo-Sensitive Composite Hydrogel with Well Dispersed Ag Nanoparticles for Application in Superior Antibacterial Infections
Authors: Zhang Tianyu , Zhu Dongdong , Wang Wanni , Qian Haisheng , Chu Zhaoyou , Chen Benjing , Ruan Juan , Shao Min , Zha Zhengbao
Published: June 2021

In this study, we have described a facile process for fabrication of multifunctional composite hydrogel, in which sodium alginate was subjected to cross-linking using Ca2+ derived from ZnO/CaCO3/Ag composite nanospheres. The ZnO/CaCO3/Ag composite nanospheres
were prepared based on our previously reported AA-[Zn(OH)4]2− composite nanosphere reaction conducted with silver and calcium salt following hydrothermal method, that led to the disintegration and release of Ca2+ under acidic conditions for application
as a cross-linking agentto catalyze reaction with sodium alginate. Ag nanoparticles were well-dispersed in the multifunctional composite hydrogel, exhibiting excellent antibacterial activity. Additionally, polydopamine (PDA) with photothermal effect was also added to obtain a multifunctional
composite hydrogel, and this hydrogel showed photothermal conversion performance and facilitated the release of Ag+ to achieve the rapid antibacterial effect. Simultaneously, PDA NPs could scavenge free radicals and improve cell adhesion. All such features would promote wound healing.
The potent antimicrobial activity of the prepared composite hydrogel was demonstrated in the mouse model of S. aureus infection, and biosafety of the hydrogel was confirmed by conducting histopathological examination in the mouse model. This type of multifunctional hydrogel wound dressing
with photosensitive and antibacterial properties presents with broad applications and prospects in antibacterial treatment.
Steady Magnetohydrodynamic Micropolar Casson Fluid of Brownian Motion Over a Solid Sphere with Thermophoretic and Buoyancy Forces: Numerical Analysis
Authors: Hazarika Silpi , Ahmed Sahin
Published: June 2021

The impact of heat transfer in micropolar fluid may be developed due to its various promising applications in engineering, bio-medical sciences, geo-thermal progression, spherical storage tanks, nuclear power plants, automobile sectors etc. Motivated by such significance, the current
study is to expound the influences of micropolar Casson fluid flow over a solid sphere with Brownian motion, thermophoretic force and buoyancy force surrounded by porous medium. The adopted model having complex PDE’s are reduced to dimensionless ODE’s by utilizing proper similarity
solutions. A numerical approach have been carried out for velocity, micro rotation, temperature and concentration, the solutions are procured by Matlab Bvp4c code and plotted graphs for diverse involved parameters. An adequate result is acquired by an assessment with earlier available work.
The effects of key parameters on surface drag coefficient, surface thermal flux and particles concentration flux are examined and displayed in tabular form. Grash of number raises the profiles of thermal flux and concentration flux where the buoyancy force is more dominant. Further, the obtained
results indicate that the angular velocity is elevated near the surface of the sphere, and they behaves asymptotically far away from the surface due to the effect of micropolar parameter. Moreover, temperature and molar species concentration are enriched with upper values of micropolar factor.
It is perceived that, augmented values of Casson parameter amplifies the velocity outline.
Thermo-Solutal Convection of a Nanofluid Utilizing Fourier’s-Type Compass Conditions
Authors: Umavathi J. C. , Chamkha Ali J.
Published: June 2021

Nanotechnology has infiltrated into duct design in parallel with many other fields of mechanical, medical and energy engineering. Motivated by the excellent potential of nanofluids, a subset of materials engineered at the nanoscale, in the present work, a new mathematical model is developed
for natural convection in a vertical duct containing nanofluid. Numerical scrutiny for the double-diffusive free and forced convection within a duct encumbered with nanofluid is performed. Buongiorno’s model is deployed to define the nanofluid. Robin boundary conditions are used to define
the surface boundary conditions. Thermal and concentration equations envisage the viscous, Brownian motion, thermosphores of the nanofluid, Soret and Dufour effects. Using the Boussi-nesq approximation the solutal buoyancy effect as a result of gradients in concentration are incorporated.
The conservation equations which are nonlinear are numerically estimated using fourth order Runge-Kutta methodology and analytically ratifying regular perturbation scheme. The mass, heat, nanoparticle concentration and species concentration fields on eight dimensionless physical parameters
such as thermal and mass Grashof numbers, Brownian motion parameter, thermal parameter, Prandtl number, Eckert number, Schmidt parameter, and Soret parameter are calculated. The impact of these parameters are outlined pictorially. The velocity and temperature fields are boosted with the thermal
Grashof number. The Soret and the Schemidt parameters reduces the nanoparticle volume fraction but it heightens the momentum, temperature and concentration. At the cold wall thermal and concentration Grashof numbers reduces the Nusselt values but they increase the Nusselt values at the hot
wall. The reversal consequence was attained at the hot plate. The perturbation and Runge-Kutta solutions are equal in the nonappearance of Prandtl number. The (E. Zanchini, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 41, 3949 (1998)). results are restored for the regular fluid. The heat transfer rate
is high for nanofluid when matched with regular fluid.
Overview of the Lake Michigan Ozone Study 2017
Authors: Stanier Charles O. , Pierce R. Bradley , Abdi-Oskouei Maryam , Adelman Zachariah E. , Al-Saadi Jay , Alwe Hariprasad D. , Bertram Timothy H. , Carmichael Gregory R. , Christiansen Megan B. , Cleary Patricia A. , Czarnetzki Alan C. , Dickens Angela F. , Fuoco Marta A. , Hughes Dagen D. , Hupy Joseph P. , Janz Scott J. , Judd Laura M. , Kenski Donna , Kowalewski Matthew G. , Long Russell W. , Millet Dylan B. , Novak Gordon , Roozitalab Behrooz , Shaw Stephanie L. , Stone Elizabeth A. , Szykman James , Valin Lukas , Vermeuel Michael , Wagner Timothy J. , Whitehill Andrew R. , Williams David J.
Published: June 2021

The Lake Michigan Ozone Study 2017 (LMOS 2017) was a collaborative multiagency field study targeting ozone chemistry, meteorology, and air quality observations in the southern Lake Michigan area. The primary objective of LMOS 2017 was to provide measurements to improve air quality modeling of the complex meteorological and chemical environment in the region. LMOS 2017 science questions included spatiotemporal assessment of nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) emission sources and their influence on ozone episodes; the role of lake breezes; contribution of new remote sensing tools such as GeoTASO, Pandora, and TEMPO to air quality management; and evaluation of photochemical grid models. The observing strategy included GeoTASO on board the NASA UC-12 aircraft capturing NO2 and formaldehyde columns, an in situ profiling aircraft, two ground-based coastal enhanced monitoring locations, continuous NO2 columns from coastal Pandora instruments, and an instrumented research vessel. Local photochemical ozone production was observed on 2 June, 9–12 June, and 14–16 June, providing insights on the processes relevant to state and federal air quality management. The LMOS 2017 aircraft mapped significant spatial and temporal variation of NO2 emissions as well as polluted layers with rapid ozone formation occurring in a shallow layer near the Lake Michigan surface. Meteorological characteristics of the lake breeze were observed in detail and measurements of ozone, NOx, nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, VOC, oxygenated VOC (OVOC), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) composition were conducted. This article summarizes the study design, directs readers to the campaign data repository, and presents a summary of findings.
Moisture sources of heavy precipitation in Xinjiang characterized by meteorological patterns
Authors: Yao Shibo , Jiang Dabang , Zhang Zhongshi
Published: June 2021

In this study, the FLEXible PARTicle dispersion model (FLEXPART) is applied to determine the moisture source of heavy precipitation in Xinjiang in the wet season (April–September) from 1979 to 2018. This is investigated for different meteorological patterns of heavy precipitation categories based on the self-organizing maps (SOM) method. The SOM results suggest that there are four main meteorological patterns (N1, N2, N3 and N4) for heavy precipitation in Xinjiang. These match the strength and position of geopotential height anomalies at middle-high levels over Central Asia and indicate the anomalous activities of the Central Asia trough and vortex. Further analysis shows that the heavy precipitation is centered at the Tianshan Mountains and the Kunlun Mountains in the N1 and N3 patterns and around the Tianshan Mountains in the N2 and N4 patterns. There are four moisture source regions that contribute to each of the four meteorological patterns for heavy precipitation in Xinjiang, which are listed in descending order of their contribution rates: southern Xinjiang (29–37%), North–Central Asia (19–27%), northern Xinjiang (14–19%), and South–Central Asia (13–16%). The contribution of each source to the heavy precipitation in Xinjiang varies with the meteorological pattern. Additionally, the contribution rates of each source region match well with the precipitation-related particle aggregation before heavy precipitation days. These results help us better understand the moisture source of the heavy precipitation in Xinjiang.
“Special Circumstances” and the Politics of Climate Vulnerability: African Agency in the UN Climate Change Negotiations
Authors: Chan Nicholas
Published: June 2021

African countries are well recognised as being among the worst affected by the impacts of climate change. However, efforts to secure recognition of these “special circumstances” of African countries within the UN climate negotiations have been unsuccessful, despite this being a continental priority prior to and following adoption of the Paris Agreement. Such status is linked to global priorities for funding adaptation to climate change. This article explores why some other groups of developing countries have been successful in securing such recognition when African countries have not. It provides a historical institutionalist explanation of the path-dependent politics of such institutional recognition, emphasising the timing of when different groups have advanced vulnerability claims, which shapes the opposition that African countries have encountered in their efforts, as relative late-movers, to exercise agency. It highlights contestation surrounding what “vulnerability” to climate impacts means, and how this contestation has divided Global South solidarity.