bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validación del puntaje de valoración de la gravedad de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en población colombiana en un servicio de atención primaria
Authors: Estrada-Álvarez Jorge Mario , Orozco-Hernández Juan Pablo , Aristizábal-Franco Luis Evelio
Published: December 2020

Introducción. La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) es un importante problema de salud mundial con una alta morbimortalidad. Se requiere la medición de la gravedad de la enfermedad mediante una herramienta de fácil aplicación, bajo costo y fácil disponibilidad en áreas rurales.Objetivo. Evaluar la validez y confiabilidad del puntaje de valoración de la gravedad de la EPOC (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Severity Score, COPDSS) en una población de atención primaria en Colombia.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio de corte transversal en una muestra de 100 pacientes con diagnóstico de EPOC según las guías GOLD. La validez concurrente se evaluó correlacionando los resultados del COPDSS con otras variables de importancia como las del cuestionario sobre la enfermedad respiratoria crónica (Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire, CRQ) y el volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second, FEV1).Resultados. El COPDSS presentó una correlación significativa con el FEV1 (r=-0,33), con el CRQ (r=-0,57) y sus dimensiones: disnea (r=0,51), fatiga (r=0,53), función emocional (r=0,43) y control de la enfermedad (r=0,50). En el análisis factorial se determinó un solo factor con una varianza acumulada de 59,1 %. El análisis de coherencia interna mostró un alfa de Cronbach de 0,76, valor este considerado adecuado.Conclusiones. Se observó que el uso del COPDSS como cuestionario de valoración de la gravedad de pacientes con EPOC en Colombia tenía validez y confiabilidad adecuadas y que es de fácil aplicación en la atención primaria.
Factores asociados con la letalidad por neumonía en una unidad de atención del paciente geriátrico agudo: una cohorte retrospectiva
Authors: Quintero-González Diana C. , Ocampo José Mauricio , Reyes-Ortiz Carlos A.
Published: December 2020

Introducción. La neumonía es la principal causa de muerte por infección en el mundo y afecta principalmente a la población de adultos mayores.Objetivo. Determinar los factores de riesgo asociados con la letalidad a 30 días en pacientes con neumonía en una unidad de atención del paciente geriátrico agudo.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio observacional y analítico de cohorte retrospectiva. Se incluyeron 114 pacientes de 60 años o más hospitalizados en una unidad de atención del paciente geriátrico agudo con diagnóstico de neumonía. El resultado primario fue la letalidad a 30 días. Se hicieron análisis de regresión log-binomial bivariado y multivariable para explorar la relación entre las variables independientes y el resultado primario.Resultados. La letalidad a 30 días fue de 26,3 % y la edad media de 84,45 ± 7,37 años. El 54,4 % de los participantes era de sexo masculino. En el análisis multivariable se encontró que una edad de 90 años o más (riesgo relativo, RR=1,62; IC95%: 1,05-2,68; p=0,04), el compromiso multilobar (RR=1,92; IC95%: 1,12-3,32; p=0,02), el nitrógeno ureico elevado (mediana≥22,5; RR=3,93; IC95%: 1,67-9,25; p<0,01), y un puntaje de cero en la escala de Lawton al ingreso (RR=3,20; IC95% 1,05-9,78; p=0,04) fueron factores predictores independientes de la letalidad a 30 días en adultos mayores con neumonía.Conclusión. En los pacientes adultos mayores hospitalizados por neumonía en una unidad de atención del paciente geriátrico agudo la edad muy avanzada, la presencia de compromiso multilobar, la dependencia en el estado funcional y los niveles de nitrógeno ureico elevados fueron los principales factores de riesgo de letalidad a corto plazo.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus: Diagnostic delay
Authors: Saldarriaga-Cantillo Alejandra , Yepes-Gaviria Viviana , Rivas Juan Carlos
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Normotensive hydrocephalus is a differential diagnosis in the evaluation of the dementia syndrome. The diagnostic protocols would allow detecting this pathology that has more effective treatment than other dementias.Objective: To describe a population with clinical suspicion of normal pressure hydrocephalus evaluated in a Colombian psychiatric hospital and discuss the possible reasons for its diagnostic and therapeutic delay.Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of medical records to identify patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus during a 5-year period.Results: Thirty-five patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus underwent diagnostic lumbar puncture and five of them were considered candidates for a peritonealvenous shunt, but none underwent this surgical procedure. After three to six months of the lumbar puncture, the gait pattern improved in 22.8% of the patients, cognition in 22.8%, and sphincter control in 11.4%. Improvement was not sustained in the long term (1 year) in any of them.Conclusion: This study suggests the poor implementation of the protocols for evaluating patients with cognitive deficits and delays in the diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus. A small number of patients were identified as candidates for treatment.Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a potentially reversible clinical entity with the placement of a peritoneal ventricular shunt, but delays in diagnosis and treatment have deleterious consequences for patients and their families.
Foliar mycoendophytome of an endemic plant of the Mediterranean biome (Myrtus communis) reveals the dominance of basidiomycete woody saprotrophs
Authors: Vaz Aline Bruna M. , Fonseca Paula Luize C. , Silva Felipe F. , Quintanilha-Peixoto Gabriel , Sampedro Inmaculada , Siles Jose A. , Carmo Anderson , Kato Rodrigo B. , Azevedo Vasco , Badotti Fernanda , Ocampo Juan A. , Rosa Carlos A. , Góes-Neto Aristóteles
Published: December 2020

The true myrtle, Myrtus communis, is a small perennial evergreen tree that occurs in Europe, Africa, and Asia with a circum-Mediterranean geographic distribution. Unfortunately, the Mediterranean Forests, where M. communis occurs, are critically endangered and are currently restricted to small fragmented areas in protected conservation units. In the present work, we performed, for the first time, a metabarcoding study on the spatial variation of fungal community structure in the foliar endophytome of this endemic plant of the Mediterranean biome, using bipartite network analysis as a model. The local bipartite network of Myrtus communis individuals and their foliar endophytic fungi is very low connected, with low nestedness, and moderately high specialization and modularity. Similar network patterns were also retrieved in both culture-dependent and amplicon metagenomics of foliar endophytes in distinct arboreal hosts in varied biomes. Furthermore, the majority of putative fungal endophytes species were basidiomycete woody saprotrophs of the orders Polyporales, Agaricales, and Hymenochaetales. Altogether, these findings suggest a possible adaptation of these wood-decaying fungi to cope with moisture limitation and spatial scarcity of their primary substrate (dead wood), which are totally consistent with the predictions of the viaphytism hypothesis that wood-decomposing fungi inhabit the internal leaf tissue of forest trees in order to enhance dispersal to substrates on the forest floor, by using leaves as vectors and as refugia, during periods of environmental stress.
Evaluating a service-learning assignment in a doctor of chiropractic program public health course
Authors: Ward Krista L. , Odierna Donna H. , Smith Monica
Published: December 2020

Objective

Despite the use of service learning in other health care education programs, little is published about its use in doctor of chiropractic programs. Since 2017, the public health course at our institution has included a service-learning assignment in which students volunteer for nonprofit organizations and write an essay about their experience. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of the assignment on students' self-reported public health knowledge and attitudes.

Methods

Between April 2017 and June 2018, 56 essays were collected from students who volunteered at a nonprofit organization focused on 3 categories: youth, the environment, or poverty. Each essay was deidentified and assigned random 4-digit-number file names. Ten files were randomly selected from each of the 3 categories for qualitative thematic analysis using deductive and inductive coding.

Results

Student essays demonstrated competency in public health concepts, including organizational systems, levels of prevention, and the social ecological model. In addition, a majority of the students went beyond discussing knowledge gained from this assignment and described the impact of their experience on their personal growth.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that students respond favorably to a service-learning assignment that addresses public health competencies and may foster personal and professional development.
Team-based learning in neuroanatomy
Authors: Whillier Stephney , Lystad Reidar P. , El-Haddad Joyce
Published: December 2020

Objective

Team-based learning (TBL) is an active learning method in which student teams participate in individual work, teamwork, and the application of learned concepts to problem solving. It has been widely adopted in the education of health professions. The aim of this study was to assess whether TBL in tutorials would be beneficial to students' assessed knowledge and subjective sense of satisfaction as compared to traditional modes of teaching.

Methods

In 2018, TBL was introduced into the tutorials of a clinically oriented undergraduate course of neuroanatomy, and its benefits in improving student grades and satisfaction were assessed. The Welch 2 sample t test was used for group differences in continuous variables, and Pearson's χ2 test with Yates' continuity correction was used for group differences in dichotomous variables. Linear modeling was used to look for group differences while adjusting for significant baseline characteristics.

Results

Our study found that in comparison to more traditionally delivered teaching, TBL did not improve grades or alter overall satisfaction. A post hoc pairwise comparison of satisfaction among lectures, tutorials, and practical classes showed that students appeared to be most dissatisfied with the TBL.

Conclusion

Analysis of our methods, results, student comments, and the literature indicate that the length of the tutorials, at 1 hour, was too short to conduct TBL to the standards required. In addition, there is an imperative to persist in preparing students for a different knowledge-transfer paradigm, and it takes a few iterations to improve the approach and application of this method of teaching.
Different recognition modes of G‐quadruplex RNA between two ALS/FTLD‐linked proteins TDP‐43 and FUS
Authors: Ishiguro Akira , Katayama Akira , Ishihama Akira
Published: December 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal lobar degeneration‐linked proteins, TDP‐43 and fused in sarcoma (FUS), bind to G‐quadruplex‐containing mRNAs and transport them to distal neurites for local translation. The specificity and mechanism of G4‐RNA binding, however, remain largely unsolved. Using purified full‐length TDP‐43 and FUS and a set of seven G4‐DNA/RNA, we compared their recognition properties of G4‐RNAs. Both TDP‐43 and FUS recognized and bound to G4‐DNA/RNAs, but the target selectivity differed between two proteins. TDP‐43 recognized only parallel‐stranded G4‐DNA/RNAs, leading to stabilize the G4 conformation. In contrast, FUS bound to all three types, parallel, hybrid, and antiparallel, of G4‐DNA/RNAs, resulting in deformation of the G4 structure. We then concluded that the target selectivity and the influence on G4 RNA structure differed between TDP‐43 and FUS.
Refining complex re‐irradiation dosimetry through feasibility benchmarking and analysis for informed treatment planning
Authors: Duffy Seth R. , Zheng Yiran , Muenkel Jessica , Ellis Rodney J. , Baig Tanvir N. , Krancevic Brian , Langmack Christian B. , Kelley Kevin D. , Choi Serah
Published: December 2020

Purpose/Objectives

The purpose of this study is to dually evaluate the effectiveness of PlanIQ in predicting the viability and outcome of dosimetric planning in cases of complex re‐irradiation as well as generating an equivalent plan through Pinnacle integration. The study also postulates that a possible strength of PlanIQ lies in mitigating pre‐optimization uncertainties tied directly to dose overlap regions where re‐irradiation is necessary.

Methods

A retrospective patient selection (n = 20) included a diverse range of re‐irradiation cases to be planned using Pinnacle auto‐planning with PlanIQ integration. A consistent planning template was developed and applied across all cases. Direct plan comparisons of manual plans against feasibility‐produced plans were performed by physician(s) with dosimetry recording relevant proximal OAR and planning timeline data.

Results and Discussion

All re‐irradiation cases were successfully predicted to be achievable per PlanIQ analyses with three cases (3/20) necessitating 95% target coverage conditions, previously exhibited in the manually planned counterparts, and determined acceptable under institutional standards. At the same time, PlanIQ consistently produced plans of equal or greater quality to the previously manually planned re‐irradiation across all (20/20) trials (P = 0.05).

Proximal OAR exhibited similar to slightly improved maximum point doses from feasibility‐based planning with the largest advantages gained found within the subset of cranial and spine overlap cases, where improvements upward of 10.9% were observed. Mean doses to proximal tissues were found to be a statistically significant (P < 0.05) 5.0% improvement across the entire study. Documented planning times were markedly less than or equal to the time contributed to manual planning across all cases.

Conclusion

Initial findings indicate that PlanIQ effectively provides the user clear feasibility feedback capable of facilitating decision‐making on whether re‐irradiation dose objectives and prescription dose coverage are possible at the onset of treatment planning thus eliminating possible trial and error associated with some manual planning. Introducing model‐based prediction tools into planning of complex re‐irradiation cases yielded positive outcomes on the final treatment plans.
Efficient Infrared Solar Cells Employing Quantum Dot Solids with Strong Inter‐Dot Coupling and Efficient Passivation
Authors: Liu Sisi , Zhang Chongjian , Li Shuangyuan , Xia Yong , Wang Kang , Xiong Kao , Tang Haodong , Lian Linyuan , Liu Xinxing , Li Ming‐Yu , Tan Manlin , Gao Liang , Niu Guangda , Liu Huan , Song Haisheng , Zhang Daoli , Gao Jianbo , Lan Xinzheng , Wang Kai , Sun Xiao Wei , Yang Ye , Tang Jiang , Zhang Jianbing
Published: December 2020

Lead chalcogenide quantum dot (QD) infrared (IR) solar cells are promising devices for breaking through the theoretical efficiency limit of single‐junction solar cells by harvesting the low‐energy IR photons that cannot be utilized by common devices. However, the device performance of QD IR photovoltaic is limited by the restrictive relation between open‐circuit voltages (VOC) and short circuit current densities (JSC), caused by the contradiction between surface passivation and electronic coupling of QD solids. Here, a strategy is developed to decouple this restriction via epitaxially coating a thin PbS shell over the PbSe QDs (PbSe/PbS QDs) combined with in situ halide passivation. The strong electronic coupling from the PbSe core gives rise to significant carrier delocalization, which guarantees effective carrier transport. Benefited from the protection of PbS shell and in situ halide passivation, excellent trap‐state control of QDs is eventually achieved after the ligand exchange. By a fine control of the PbS shell thickness, outstanding IR JSC of 6.38 mA cm−2 and IR VOC of 0.347 V are simultaneously achieved under the 1100 nm‐filtered solar illumination, providing a new route to unfreeze the trade‐off between VOC and JSC limited by the photoactive layer with a given bandgap.
Stabilizing Anionic Redox Chemistry in a Mn‐Based Layered Oxide Cathode Constructed by Li‐Deficient Pristine State
Authors: Cao Xin , Li Haifeng , Qiao Yu , Jia Min , Li Xiang , Cabana Jordi , Zhou Haoshen
Published: December 2020

Li‐rich cathode materials are of significant interest for coupling anionic redox with cationic redox chemistry to achieve high‐energy‐density batteries. However, lattice oxygen loss and derived structure distortion would induce serious capacity loss and voltage decay, further hindering its practical application. Herein, a novel Li‐rich cathode material, O3‐type Li0.6[Li0.2Mn0.8]O2, is developed with the pristine state displaying both a Li excess in the transition metal layer and a deficiency in the alkali metal layer. Benefiting from stable structure evolution and Li migration processes, not only can high reversible capacity (≈329 mAh g−1) be harvested but also irreversible/reversible anionic/cationic redox reactions are comprehensively assigned via the combination of in/ex situ spectroscopies. Furthermore, irreversible lattice oxygen loss and structure distortion are effectively restrained, resulting in long‐term cycle stability (capacity drop of 0.045% per cycle, 500 cycles). Altogether, tuning the Li state in the alkali metal layer presents a promising way for modification of high‐capacity Li‐rich cathode candidates.
Performance Limits of an Alternating Current Electroluminescent Device
Authors: Wang Vivian , Zhao Yingbo , Javey Ali
Published: December 2020

The use of an alternating current (AC) voltage is a simple, versatile method of producing electroluminescence from generic emissive materials without the need for contact engineering. Recently, it was shown that AC‐driven, capacitive electroluminescent devices with carbon nanotube network contacts can be used to generate and study electroluminescence from a variety of molecular materials emitting in the infrared‐to‐ultraviolet range. Here, performance trade‐offs in these devices are studied through comprehensive device simulations and illustrative experiments, enhancing understanding of the mechanism and capability of electroluminescent devices based on alternating as opposed to direct current (DC) schemes. AC‐driven electroluminescent devices can overcome several limitations of conventional DC‐driven electroluminescent devices, including the requirement for proper alignment of material energy levels and the need to process emitting materials into uniform thin films. By simultaneously optimizing device geometry, driving parameters, and material characteristics, the performance of these devices can be tuned. Importantly, the turn‐on voltage of AC‐driven electroluminescent devices approaches the bandgap of the emitting material as the gate oxide thickness is scaled, and internally efficient electroluminescence can be achieved using low‐mobility single‐layer emitter films with varying thicknesses and energy barrier heights relative to the contact.
Tumor‐Associated Macrophage and Tumor‐Cell Dually Transfecting Polyplexes for Efficient Interleukin‐12 Cancer Gene Therapy
Authors: Qiu Nasha , Wang Guowei , Wang Jinqiang , Zhou Quan , Guo Mengyu , Wang Yaling , Hu Xuhao , Zhou Huige , Bai Ru , You Min , Zhang Zhen , Chen Chunying , Liu Ying , Shen Youqing
Published: December 2020

Interleukin 12 (IL12) is a potent pro‐inflammatory chemokine with multifunction, including promoting cytotoxic T‐cell‐mediated killing of cancer cells. IL12‐based cancer gene therapy can overcome IL12's life‐threatening adverse effects, but its clinical translation has been limited by the lack of systemic gene‐delivery vectors capable of efficiently transfecting tumors to produce sufficient local IL12. Macrophages inherently excrete IL12, and tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) are the major tumor component taking up a large fraction of the vectors arriving in the tumor. It is thus hypothesized that a gene vector efficiently transfecting both cancer cells and TAMs would make the tumor to produce sufficient IL12; however, gene transfection of TAMs is challenging due to their inherent strong degradation ability. Herein, an IL12 gene‐delivery vector is designed that efficiently transfects both cancer cells and TAMs to make them as a factory for IL12 production, which efficiently activates anticancer immune responses and remodels the tumor microenvironment, for instance, increasing the M1/M2 ratio by more than fourfold. Therefore, the intravenously administered vector retards tumor growth and doubles survival in three animal models’ with negligible systemic toxicities. This work reports the first nonviral IL12 gene delivery system that effectively makes use of both macrophages and tumor cells.
Water‐in‐Fluorocarbon Nanoemulsions Stabilized by Phospholipids and Characterized for Pharmaceutical Applications
Authors: Ullmann Kirsten , Meier Manuel , Benner Carolyn , Leneweit Gero , Nirschl Hermann
Published: December 2020

Fluorocarbons are one of the most promising hydrophobic phases for future pharmaceutical production processes and various biomedical applications. Yet, because of their specific characteristics such as high density and refractive index similar to water, analysis of water‐in‐fluorocarbon (w/fc) nanoemulsions remains a challenge. The present work examines w/fc nanoemulsions stabilized with phospholipids as natural emulsifiers and tackles the measuring problems of photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) when used for investigation of fluorocarbon nanoemulsions. These emulsions are suitable to form liposomes via centrifugation and thus, are required to meet certain criteria such as stability and size. The results imply a stability of up to 4 weeks with an average size of 180 nm. The intensity mean diameter gained from PCS measurements shows large scattering directly after sonication which is due to gas bubbles from sonication. The number mean is not influenced by gas bubbles and gives a more accurate depiction of the produced nanoemulsions. These findings are supported by small‐angle X‐ray scattering data, which are additionally applied for liposome analysis measuring a size of approximately 60 nm.
Self‐Assembled Nanoparticles as Cancer Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Ge Wei , Wang Lei , Zhang Jiayao , Ou Changjin , Si Weili , Wang Wenjun , Zhang Qingming , Dong Xiaochen
Published: December 2020

Most therapeutic agents for cancer are currently suffering from the shortcomings of poor solubility, severe side effects, and multidrug resistance. Supramolecular self‐assembly (SSA) in nanomedicines is a promising way to overcome these obstacles due to the distinguished properties of noncovalent self‐assembly such as functional diversity, easy stimulus‐response, high biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Moreover, it is more potential to transform them from lab to clinic. In this review, based on lots of state‐of‐the‐art studies, a summary is presented about the recent advances in SSA for cancer treatment, with the introduction of noncovalent driving forces, classifications, design, and applications of multifunctional self‐assembled nanoparticles (SANPs). Finally, the prospects of SANPs on both developing drugs and clinical transformation are discussed.
A High Catalytic Activity Photocatalysts Based on Porous Metal Sulfides/TiO2 Heterostructures
Authors: Qian Yongteng , Wang Le , Du Jimin , Yang Hao , Li Mancong , Wang Yina , Kang Dae Joon
Published: December 2020

Porous metal sulfides/TiO2 (P‐MST) photocatalysts are successfully prepared via a low‐cost strategy. It is found that the P‐MST possesses a high crystallinity with average pore size of ≈500 nm, which greatly enhances the structural stability as well as catalytic activity. The catalytic properties of the P‐MST are examined by monitoring the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible‐light irradiation. Particularly, the optimized 7% Bi2S3–CdS–MoS2–TiO2 heterostructures exhibit a remarkable catalytic performance (i.e., the degradation of RhB of ≈98.9%) and long‐term cyclic stability (i.e., the catalytic activity of ≈91.7% even after 30 cyclic test), compared with that of other P‐MST heterostructures. The exceptional catalytic performance may be ascribed to the following benefits: i) the porous structure supplies ample carrier charge transfer channels and lots of surface reaction sites; and ii) the suitable amount of metal sulfides grown on TiO2 have contributed to significant improvement of the electrical conductivity and the light absorption capability.
Insights into Synergistic Effect of Acid on Morphological Control of Vanadium Oxide: Toward High Lithium Storage
Authors: Zhou Yang , Pan Qiwen , Zhang Jing , Han Chunmiao , Wang Lei , Xu Hui
Published: December 2020

Morphological control is a fundamental challenge of nanomaterial development. Commonly, hierarchical nanostructures cannot be induced by a single driving force, but obtained through balancing multiple driving forces. Here, a feasible strategy is reported based on the synergistic effect of proton and acid anion, leading to the morphological variation of vanadium oxide from nanowire, bundle, to hierarchical nanoflower (HNF). Protons can only induce the formation of nanowire through reducing the pH value ≤ 2. However, acid anions with strong coordination ability, e.g., phosphate radicals, can also participate in morphological regulation at high concentration. Through coordinating with exposed vanadium ions, the enrichment of phosphate radicals at ledge and kink changes the growth directions, giving rise to the advanced structures of bundle and HNF. The lithium ion batteries using HNF as a cathode achieve a 30% improved initial discharge specific capacity of 436.23 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1, reaching the theoretical maximum value of vanadium oxide based on insertion/desertion of three lithium ions, in addition to strong cyclic stability at 1 A g−1.
Predicting within‐field cotton yields using publicly available datasets and machine learning
Authors: Leo Stephen , De Antoni Migliorati Massimiliano , Grace Peter R.
Published: December 2020

Early detection of within‐field yield variability for high‐value commodity crops, such as cotton (Gossypium spp.), offers growers potential to improve decision‐making, optimize yields, and increase profits. Over recent years, publicly available datasets have become increasingly available and at a resolution where within‐field yield prediction is possible. However, the viability of using these datasets with machine learning to predict within‐field cotton lint yield at key growth stages are largely unknown. This study was conducted on two cotton fields, located near Mungindi, New South Wales, Australia. Three years of yield data, soil, elevation, rainfall, and Landsat imagery were collected from each field. A total of 12 models were created using: (a) two machine learning algorithms: random forest (RF) and gradient boosting machines (GBM); (b) three growth stages: squaring, flowering, and boll‐fill; and (c) two different amounts of variables: all variables and the optimal variables determined by a recursive feature elimination (RFE). Results showed a strong agreement between predicted and observed yields at flowering and boll‐fill when more information was available. At flowering and boll‐fill, root mean square error (RMSE) ranged between 0.15 and 0.20 t ha−1 and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (LCCC) ranged between 0.50 and 0.66, with RF providing superior results in most cases. Models created using the optimal variables determined by the RFE provided similar results compared to using all variables, allowing greater model accuracy and resolution with targeted sampling. Overall, these findings indicate significant potential of publicly available datasets to predict within‐field cotton yield and guide decision‐making in‐season.
GLYT1 encephalopathy: Further delineation of disease phenotype and discussion of pathophysiological mechanisms
Authors: Mademont‐Soler Irene , Casellas‐Vidal Dolors , Trujillo Alberto , Espuña‐Capote Núria , Maroto Anna , García‐González Maria del Mar , Ruiz María Dolores , Diego‐Álvarez Dan , Queralt Xavier , Perapoch Josep , Obón María
Published: December 2020

GLYT1 encephalopathy is a form of glycine encephalopathy caused by disturbance of glycine transport. The phenotypic spectrum of the disease has not yet been completely described, as only four unrelated families with the disorder have been reported to date. Common features of affected patients include neonatal hypotonia, respiratory failure, encephalopathy, myoclonic jerks, dysmorphic features, and musculoeskeletal anomalies. All reported affected patients harbor biallelic genetic variants in SLC6A9. SNP array together with Sanger sequencing were performed in a newborn with arthrogryposis and severe neurological impairment. The novel genetic variant c.997delC in SLC6A9 was detected in homozygous state in the patient. At protein level, the predicted change is p.(Arg333Alafs*3), which most probably results in a loss of protein function. The variant cosegregated with the disease in the family. A subsequent pregnancy with ultrasound anomalies was also affected. The proband presented the core phenotypic features of GLYT1 encephalopathy, but also a burst suppression pattern on the electroencephalogram, a clinical feature not previously associated with the disorder. Our results suggest that the appearance of this pattern correlates with higher cerebrospinal fluid glycine levels and cerebrospinal fluid/plasma glycine ratios. A detailed discussion on the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of the disorder is also provided.
Diet, psychosocial stress, and Alzheimer's disease–related neuroanatomy in female nonhuman primates
Authors: Frye Brett M. , Craft Suzanne , Register Thomas C. , Andrews Rachel N. , Appt Susan E. , Vitolins Mara Z. , Uberseder Beth , Silverstein‐Metzler Marnie G. , Chen Haiying , Whitlow Christopher T. , Kim Jeongchul , Barcus Richard A. , Lockhart Samuel N. , Hoscheidt Siobhan , Say Brandon M. , Corbitt Sarah E. , Shively Carol A.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Associations between diet, psychosocial stress, and neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), have been reported, but causal relationships are difficult to determine in human studies.

Methods

We used structural magnetic resonance imaging in a well‐validated non‐human primate model of AD‐like neuropathology to examine the longitudinal effects of diet (Mediterranean vs Western) and social subordination stress on brain anatomy, including global volumes, cortical thicknesses and volumes, and 20 individual regions of interest (ROIs).

Results

Western diet resulted in greater cortical thicknesses, total brain volumes, and gray matter, and diminished cerebrospinal fluid and white matter volumes. Socially stressed subordinates had smaller whole brain volumes but larger ROIs relevant to AD than dominants.

Discussion

The observation of increased size of AD‐related brain areas is consistent with similar reports of mid‐life volume increases predicting increased AD risk later in life. While the biological mechanisms underlying the findings require future investigation, these observations suggest that Western diet and psychosocial stress instigate pathologic changes that increase risk of AD‐associated neuropathology, whereas the Mediterranean diet may protect the brain.
Using acetone for rapid PCR‐amplifiable DNA extraction from recalcitrant woody plant taxa
Authors: Gouker Fred E. , Guo Yonghong , Pooler Margaret R.
Published: December 2020

Premise

Quick and effective DNA extraction from plants for subsequent PCR amplification is sometimes challenging when working across diverse plant taxa that may contain a variety of inhibitory compounds. Time‐consuming methods may be needed to overcome these inhibitory effects as well as the effects of various preservation and collection methods to extract DNA from leaf samples. Our objective was to develop a rapid DNA extraction protocol that could be used with diverse plant taxa to produce high‐quality DNA suitable for downstream PCR applications.

Methods and Results

We tested the efficacy of acetone in extracting DNA from fresh, frozen, oven‐dried, acetone‐fixed, and herbarium leaf material of 22 species from 16 woody and herbaceous plant families. An improved simplified DNA extraction protocol was developed using acetone‐fixed leaf material. The addition of 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate solution resulted in the optimal extraction from all tissue samples. The DNA resulting from the extraction protocol was readily amplified using real‐time PCR assays.

Conclusions

The protocol described here resulted in the extraction of DNA from recalcitrant plant species that was of sufficient quality and quantity for PCR amplification, as indicated by the low threshold cycle values from real‐time assays. This method is simple, fast, and cost‐effective, and is a reliable tool for extracting high‐quality DNA from plant material containing PCR inhibitors.
An improved Hotelling's T2 chart for monitoring a finite horizon process based on run rules schemes: A Markov‐chain approach
Authors: Chew XinYing , Khoo Michael Boon Chong , Khaw Khai Wah , Lee Ming Ha
Published: December 2020

Quality improvement has been receiving great attention in industries. In recent years, the finite horizon process is commonly encountered in industries due to flexible manufacturing production. Past research works on finite horizon process monitoring are still limited. Because of this, three run rules Hotelling's T2 charts are proposed to monitor a finite horizon process. The performance measures of the proposed charts are derived using the Markov‐chain approach. The proposed schemes can serve as a framework for quality engineers who wish to perform process monitoring easily and efficiently. Numerical comparisons between the proposed and existing Shewhart (SH) T2 charts have been made. The statistical performance measures were investigated in this article. The findings reveal that the proposed charts outperform the SH T2 chart for detecting small and moderate process shifts in a finite horizon process. The illustration of the run rules (RR) T2 chart is shown on a real manufacturing dataset in a finite horizon process.
Homogeneous catalyzed transesterification of neem seed oil to biodiesel and its kinetic modeling
Authors: Onukwuli Dominic O , Umeuzuegbu Jonah C , Ude Callistus N , Nwobi‐Okoye Chukwuemeka C
Published: December 2020

This study focuses on the kinetic modeling of homogeneous catalyzed transesterification of neem seed oil and the determination of the rate‐limiting step (RLS). The oil was extracted from the seeds by cold solvent extraction and it was characterized to determine its physicochemical properties. The effect of factors such as time, amount of catalyst, temperature, methanol / oil molar ratio, and agitation speed on the biodiesel yield were investigated. The kinetic experiments for the transesterification reaction were carried out by batch process, assuming a pseudo second‐order reaction. Rate equations for the arrays of reversible reactions of triglyceride to glycerol and biodiesel were developed to determine the RLS. The oil yield extracted was 34%. The extracted oil contained 60.2% monounsaturated fatty acid and the dominant monosaturated fatty acid is oleic acid having 40.6% of total composition of monosaturated fatty acid in the oil. The biodiesel yield produced by transesterification of pretreated neem oil was 90% and biodiesel properties were within the limits of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) (D6751‐02) standards. The kinetic modeling of the reaction revealed that the rate constant values for forward reactions (transesterification) (k1, k3, and k5) were higher than those of backward reactions (k2, k4 and k6) at temperatures of 45, 55, and 65 °C. The rate constant (k1) for the conversion of triglyceride to diglyceride was the least among the rate constants of forward reactions at all the studied temperatures showing the RLS. The rate constants for the RLS are 0.0174, 0.0208, and 0.0303 min−1 at temperatures of 45, 55, and 65 °C respectively and the activation energy is 24.9 kJ mol−1. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Dynamic and conformational switching in proteins
Authors: Scheraga H.A. , Rackovsky S.
Published: December 2020

Using bioinformatic methods for treating protein dynamics, developed in earlier work, we study the relationship between sequence mobility and dynamics in proteins. It is shown that sequence mobility drives a transition between two dynamic regimes in proteins, and that the specific details of this transition differ qualitatively between α‐helical proteins and those in other structural classes. We examine the possibility that conformational switching is related to dynamic switching, by considering a specific system of sequences which exhibit the switching phenomenon. It is shown that a relationship between dynamic and conformational switching is entirely plausible.
Synthesis of Biuret Derivatives as Potential HIV‐1 Protease Inhibitors Using (LDHs‐g‐HMDI‐Citric Acid), as a Green Recyclable Catalyst
Authors: Ghiasifar Zahra , Salehabadi Hafezeh , Adibpour Neda , Alipour Eskandar , Kobarfard Farzad , Shoushizadeh Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2020

In this study, a novel catalyst based on layered double hydroxides (LDHs) attached by hexamethylene‐1,6‐diisocyanate (HMDI) and citric acid (LDHs‐g‐HMDI‐Citric acid) is reported and used to increase the yield of biurets synthesis. Biuret derivatives 5a–n were prepared by reaction of several phenyl allophanates (3a–d), which prepared from the reaction of phenyl chloroformate and urea derivatives (2a–d), with variously substituted amines (4a–g) in the presence of LDHs‐g‐HMDI‐Citric acid as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst at reflux condition for 60–180 min. These biurets (5a–n) were evaluated for human immunodeficiency virus type‐1 (HIV‐1) protease inhibitory activity by HIV‐1 p24 antigen ELISA kit and six of them (5n, 5i, 5j, 5 m, 5f, and 5a) showed moderate activity on HIV‐1 virus with IC50 values ranging from 55 to 100 μM compared with the azidothymidine as the reference drug (IC50 = 0.11 μM). Results of the in vitro test and docking study were in good correlation.
Cycloid psychosis as a psychiatric expression of anti‐NMDAR encephalitis. A systematic review of case reports accomplished with the authors' cooperation
Authors: Giné Servén Eloi , Boix Quintana Ester , Martínez Ramírez Maria , Guanyabens Buscà Nicolau , Muriana Batiste Desiree , Guasp Mar , Torres Rivas Cristina , Davi Loscos Eva , Casado Ruiz Virginia
Published: December 2020

Objective

We reviewed the psychotic symptoms of anti‐NMDA receptor encephalitis (NMDARE) to differentiate its presentation from those found in a primary psychiatric disorder. We hypothesized that the cycloid psychosis (CP) phenotype would be a frequent clinical presentation in the psychiatric phase of NMDARE.

Method

A systematic literature review in PubMed of all case reports published on NMDARE was performed from database inception to March 2020. We included all cases where psychotic symptoms were reported and whose diagnoses were confirmed by the presence of anti‐NMDAR antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). An email including a short test (CP phenotype, Perris and Brockington's criteria) was sent to all case report authors asking them to describe the psychotic symptoms.

Results

We identified 335 case reports fulfilling our criteria, and the authors of 200 replied. Our analyses were based exclusively on those answers and data extracted from the articles. Median patient age was 25 years (+‐11.4), 81% were female, and 39% had an ovarian teratoma. A complete CP phenotype was identified in 175 patients (87%). These were acute psychotic episodes with a sudden onset and a fluctuating clinical pattern mostly characterized by confusion (97%), delusions (75%), hallucinations (69%), motility disturbances (87%), and mood oscillations (80%).

Conclusion

The complete CP phenotype was frequently the expression of psychotic symptoms in NMDARE. We suggest that patients with a first psychotic episode who initially exhibit the CP phenotype should undergo CSF analysis to determine whether antibodies against neuronal cell surface or synaptic receptors are present to rule out a possible diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis.
Development and validation of a web‐based calculator to predict individualized conditional risk of site‐specific recurrence in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Analysis of 10,058 endemic cases
Authors: Wu Chen‐Fei , Lv Jia‐Wei , Lin Li , Mao Yan‐Ping , Deng Bin , Zheng Wei‐Hong , Wen Dan‐Wan , Chen Yue , Kou Jia , Chen Fo‐Ping , Yang Xing‐Li , Zheng Zi‐Qi , Li Zhi‐Xuan , Xu Si‐Si , Ma Jun , Sun Ying
Published: December 2020

Background

Conditional survival (CS) provides dynamic prognostic estimates by considering the patients existing survival time. Since CS for endemic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is lacking, we aimed to assess the CS of endemic NPC and establish a web‐based calculator to predict individualized, conditional site‐specific recurrence risk.

Methods

Using an NPC‐specific database with a big‐data intelligence platform, 10,058 endemic patients with non‐metastatic stage I–IVA NPC receiving intensity‐modulated radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy between April 2009 and December 2015 were investigated. Crude CS estimates of conditional overall survival (COS), conditional disease‐free survival (CDFS), conditional locoregional relapse‐free survival (CLRRFS), conditional distant metastasis‐free survival (CDMFS), and conditional NPC‐specific survival (CNPC‐SS) were calculated. Covariate‐adjusted CS estimates were generated using inverse probability weighting. A prediction model was established using competing risk models and was externally validated with an independent, non‐metastatic stage I–IVA NPC cohort undergoing intensity‐modulated radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy (n = 601) at another institution.

Results

The median follow‐up of the primary cohort was 67.2 months. The 5‐year COS, CDFS, CLRRFS, CDMFS, and CNPC‐SS increased from 86.2%, 78.1%, 89.8%, 87.3%, and 87.6% at diagnosis to 87.3%, 87.7%, 94.4%, 96.0%, and 90.1%, respectively, for an existing survival time of 3 years since diagnosis. Differences in CS estimates between prognostic factor subgroups of each endpoint were noticeable at diagnosis but diminished with time, whereas an ever‐increasing disparity in CS between different age subgroups was observed over time. Notably, the prognoses of patients that were poor at diagnosis improved greatly as patients survived longer. For individualized CS predictions, we developed a web‐based model to estimate the conditional risk of local (C‐index, 0.656), regional (0.667), bone (0.742), lung (0.681), and liver (0.711) recurrence, which significantly outperformed the current staging system (P < 0.001). The performance of this web‐based model was further validated using an external validation cohort (median follow‐up, 61.3 months), with C‐indices of 0.672, 0.736, 0.754, 0.663, and 0.721, respectively.

Conclusions

We characterized the CS of endemic NPC in the largest cohort to date. Moreover, we established a web‐based calculator to predict the CS of site‐specific recurrence, which may help to tailor individualized, risk‐based, time‐adapted follow‐up strategies.
Imaging and 2‐year clinical outcomes of thin strut sirolimus‐eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold: The MeRes‐1 extend trial
Authors: Abizaid Alexandre , Kedev Sasko , Ali Rosli Bin Mohd , Santoso Teguh , Cequier Angel , van Geuns Robert‐Jan Van Geuns , Chevalier Bernard , Hellig Farrel , Costa Ricardo , Onuma Yoshinobu , Costa Jose Ribamar , Serruys Patrick , Bangalore Sripal
Published: December 2020

Objectives

This study explores the safety and efficacy of thin strut MeRes100 sirolimus‐eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BRS) in patients with de novo coronary artery lesions.

Background

In interventional cardiology, the emergence of BRS technology is catalyzing the next paradigm shift.

Methods

The MeRes‐1 Extend was a multicenter, prospective, single‐arm, open‐label study enrolling 64 patients in Spain, Macedonia, Brazil, South Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The safety endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) which composed of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and ischemia‐driven target lesion revascularization (ID‐TLR). The imaging efficacy endpoint was mean in‐scaffold late lumen loss (LLL) evaluated by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was performed at baseline and 6‐month follow‐up.

Results

A total of 69 target lesions were identified in 64 enrolled patients (mean age 58.30 ± 9.02 years). Of the treated lesions, 49 (71.01%) lesions were of type B2/C. Procedural and device success was achieved in 64 and 62 patients, respectively. At 2‐year follow‐up, MACE was reported in one patient (1.61%) in the form of ID‐TLR. There was no case of MI, cardiac death or scaffold thrombosis through 2‐year. In a subset of 32 patients, paired QCA showed mean in‐scaffold LLL of 0.18 ± 0.31 mm at 6‐month follow‐up. In a subset of 21 patients, OCT revealed 97.95 ± 3.69% strut coverage with mean scaffold area of 7.56 ± 1.79 mm2 and no evidence of strut malapposition.

Conclusions

The clinical and imaging outcomes of MeRes‐1 Extend trial demonstrated favorable safety and efficacy of MeRes100 sirolimus‐eluting BRS in patients with de novo coronary artery lesions.
Postemergence smooth crabgrass control is not influenced by herbicide combinations with trinexapac‐ethyl
Authors: Bearss Ryan C. , Patton Aaron J. , Brosnan James T. , Breeden Gregory K.
Published: December 2020

Core Ideas

Trinexapac‐ethyl (TE) is a common plant growth regulator used in turfgrass systems.

The effects of TE on herbicide efficacy to control smooth crabgrass were unknown.

Mixing TE with postemergence herbicides did not affect smooth crabgrass control.
Keramische Membrantechnologie für die Verfügbarmachung biogener Stoffströme
Authors: Ebrahimi Mehrdad , Humpert Daniel , Schönherr Stefan , Czermak Peter
Published: December 2020

Im Rahmen dieser Forschungsarbeit wurde ein effizientes membranbasiertes Verfahren zur Rückgewinnung von gereinigtem Ligninsulfonat (LS) aus der Dünnlauge des chemischen Holzaufschlusses mithilfe von keramischen Ultrafiltrationsmembranen entwickelt. Das Ziel dabei war, die Ligninsulfonate von niedermolekularen organischen Verunreinigungen (Zucker, Carbonsäuren etc.) und Prozesschemikalien abzutrennen, sie aufzukonzentrieren und sie für eine gezielte Weiterverwertung bereitzustellen. Ein weiterer Aspekt des Projektes war die Separation der Produkte (Zielmoleküle) der Lignosulfonatspaltung mittels keramischer Membrantechnologie.
Droplet Size Distributions of Liquid‐Liquid Dispersions in Centrifugal Pumps
Authors: Schmitt Philipp , Sibirtsev Stephan , Hlawitschka Mark W. , Styn Robert , Jupke Andreas , Bart Hans‐Jörg
Published: December 2020

The generation of liquid‐liquid dispersions with defined droplet size distributions is an important aspect for process equipment design. In this work, two centrifugal pumps with different impeller diameters were used to generate dispersions at selected operating points for a paraffin oil‐water system. The droplet break‐up phenomena within the centrifugal pumps were analyzed using a transparent pump design in combination with high‐speed imaging. Droplet size distributions at centrifugal pump discharge nozzle were recorded with optical probe measurement technologies and evaluated by means of image processing using a neural network. The influence of impeller diameter, rotational speed, volumetric flow rate and dispersed phase fraction are discussed. Experimental data is correlated using fluid properties, operating data as well as centrifugal pump dimensions. The correlations developed from results of this work serve as a basis for the equipment design of centrifugal pumps.