bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Memantine on QT/QTc Interval in a Healthy Korean Population
Authors: Park Jin‐Woo , Kim Kyoung‐Ah , Park Ji‐Young
Published: March 2021

Studies on the effects of memantine on QT prolongation have yielded conflicting results. For a long time, memantine was reported to be a safe drug without QT prolongation; however, several case studies have reported memantine‐induced QT prolongation in Alzheimer's patients. This study evaluated the relationship between memantine blood levels, and QT interval changes. Over a 2‐week period, we orally administered 20 mg of memantine daily to achieve a steady state in 57 healthy Korean subjects. We measured and analyzed the QT interval and blood memantine concentrations simultaneously before and after treatment, as well as 2 weeks after the last dosing. Correlation analysis was done between blood memantine level and QT interval. No serious adverse events occurred during the study period. Repeated dosing of memantine did not show clinically significant QT interval changes after treatment. Regression analysis was performed based on the results; there was no statistical association between memantine blood level and QT prolongation. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated no clinically significant changes in the QT interval with therapeutic blood levels of memantine.
Phase Control of Noble Monometallic and Alloy Nanomaterials by Chemical Reduction Methods
Authors: Zhang Quan , Kusada Kohei , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: March 2021

In recent years, the phase control of monometallic and alloy nanomaterials has attracted great attention because of the potential to tune the physical and chemical properties of these species. In this Review, an overview of the latest research progress in phase‐controlled monometallic and alloy nanomaterials is first given. Then, the phase‐controlled synthesis using a chemical reduction method are discussed, and the formation mechanisms of these nanomaterials are specifically highlighted. Lastly, the challenges and future perspectives in this new research field are discussed.
Glycoproteomic Sample Processing, LC‐MS, and Data Analysis Using GlycReSoft
Authors: Wang Meizhe , Shajahan Asif , Pepi Lauren E. , Azadi Parastoo , Zaia Joseph
Published: March 2021

Identification of N‐ and O‐glycosylation on specific sites of proteins, along with glycan structural information, is necessary to determine the roles glycoproteins play in normal and pathologic cellular functions. Because such glycosylation is macro‐ and micro‐heterogeneous and alters the dissociation behavior of glycopeptides, specific sample preparation, mass spectrometry, and data analysis techniques are required. Advanced tandem mass spectrometry–based glycoproteomics coupled with powerful data mining algorithms are key elements for characterization of protein glycosylation. This article includes the detailed, streamlined sample preparation method for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry data acquisition and subsequent bioinformatics‐based data annotation using the publicly available GlycReSoft program for highly efficient identification and quantification of glycoprotein glycosylation. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 25 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol 1: Characterization of glycans and site occupancy on purified glycoprotein

Support Protocol 1: In‐gel digestion of glycoproteins

Support Protocol 2: Detection of glycoproteins from cells/tissue through glycopeptide enrichment

Basic Protocol 2: Acquisition of glycopeptides through high‐resolution nano‐LC‐MS/MS

Basic Protocol 3: Identification and quantification of glycopeptides using GlycReSoft
Chemoenzymatic Synthesis and Facile Purification of Gangliosides
Authors: Bai Yuanyuan , Yu Hai , Chen Xi
Published: March 2021

Gangliosides are biologically important sialic acid‐containing glycolipids found commonly in human and other vertebrates. Isolation of pure gangliosides from cells or tissues is difficult, and chemical synthesis of gangliosides usually involves numerous steps with low synthetic yields. We report here a chemoenzymatic synthesis and purification protocol for two ganglioside cancer antigens, GM3 and GD3. One‐pot multienzyme glycosylation reactions are used to sequentially prepare GM3 and GD3 sphingosines from chemically synthesized lactosyl sphingosine. A facile C18‐cartridge purification procedure after each glycosylation reaction provides the desired pure glycosyl sphingosine product, which is readily acylated to form the target ganglioside. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Chemoenzymatic synthesis and purification of GM3 and GD3 gangliosides

Support Protocol: Monitoring reactions by thin‐layer chromatography
Managing corporate social responsibility in the bank sector: A fuzzy and disaggregated approach
Authors: Laguir Issam , Stekelorum Rebecca , Laguir Lamia , Staglianò Raffaele
Published: March 2021

This study investigates how different activities of corporate social responsibility influence financial performance in the bank sector. In a sample of publicly listed French banks, we use a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to show that financial performance is dependent on the type of activity. The results show that various combinations of corporate social responsibility activities and bank characteristics determine the level of financial performance. Overall, our findings support and extend the recent contingent perspective, which emphasizes the interest of examining the conditions under which banks are more profitable.
Analytical strategy for the detection of ecdysterone and its metabolites in vivo in uPA(+/+)‐SCID mice with humanized liver, human urine samples, and estimation of prevalence of its use in anti‐doping samples
Authors: Kraiem Souhail , Al‐Jaber Maneera Y. , Al‐Mohammed Hana , Al‐Menhali Afnan S. , Al‐Thani Noora , Helaleh Murad , Samsam Waseem , Touil Soufiane , Beotra Alka , Georgakopoulas Costas , Bouabdallah Sondes , Mohamed‐Ali Vidya , Al Maadheed Mohammed
Published: March 2021

Ecdysteroids are of interest as potential sport performance enhancers, due to their anabolic effects. The current study aimed to analyze levels of the most abundant ecdysteroid, ecdysterone (20‐hydroxyecdysone, 20‐OHE) in easily available dietary supplements, and, outline an analytical strategy for its detection, and that, of its metabolites, (1) following administration of pure 20‐OHE to uPA(+/+)‐SCID mice with humanized liver, (2) in a human volunteer after ingestion of two supplements, one with a relatively low, and the other a high, concentration of 20‐OHE, and, (3) to estimate the prevalence of use of 20‐OHE in elite athletes (n = 1000). Of the 16 supplements tested, only five showed detectable levels of 20‐OHE, with concentrations ranging from undetectable up to 2.3 mg per capsule. Urine of uPA(+/+)‐SCID urine showed the presence of 20‐OHE and its metabolite, 14 deoxy ecdysterone, within 24 hours (hr) of ingestion. In humans, both the parent and the metabolite were detectable within 2 to 5 hr of ingestion, with the metabolite being detectable for longer than the parent. After ingestion of a low dose supplement, the parent and metabolite were detectable for 70 and 48 hr, while following the higher dose it was 96 and 48 hr, respectively. Analysis of urines from athletes (n = 1000) confirmed four positives for 20‐OHE, suggesting a prevalence of use of 0.4%. Prevalence of its use by elite athletes was relatively low, however, this needs to be confirmed in other populations, and with other related ecdysteroids.
Plankton biogeography in the North Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas: Species assemblages and environmental signatures
Authors: Kléparski Loïck , Beaugrand Grégory , Edwards Martin
Published: March 2021

Plankton biodiversity is a key component of marine pelagic ecosystems. They are at the base of the food web, control the productivity of marine ecosystems, and provide many provisioning and regulating ecological services. It is therefore important to understand how plankton are organized in both space and time. Here, we use data of varying taxonomic resolution, collected by the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey, to map phytoplankton and zooplankton biodiversity in the North Atlantic and its adjacent seas. We then decompose biodiversity into 24 species assemblages and investigate their spatial distribution using ecological units and ecoregions recently proposed. Finally, we propose a descriptive method, which we call the environmental chromatogram, to characterize the environmental signature of each plankton assemblage. The method is based on a graphic that identifies where species of an assemblage aggregate along an environmental gradient composed of multiple ecological dimensions. The decomposition of the biodiversity into species assemblages allows us to show (a) that most marine regions of the North Atlantic are composed of coenoclines (i.e., gradients of biocoenoses or communities) and (b) that the overlapping spatial distribution of assemblages is the result of their environmental signatures. It follows that neither the ecoregions nor the ecological units identified in the North Atlantic are characterized by a unique assemblage but instead by a mosaic of assemblages that overlap in many places.
Qualitative and quantitative methods show stability in patterns of Cepaea nemoralis shell polymorphism in the Pyrenees over five decades
Authors: Ramos‐Gonzalez Daniel , Davison Angus
Published: March 2021

Over the past century, the study of animal color has been critical in establishing some of the founding principles of biology, especially in genetics and evolution. In this regard, one of the emerging strengths of working with the land snail genus Cepaea is that historical collections can be compared against modern‐day samples, for instance, to understand the impact of changing climate and habitat upon shell morph frequencies. However, one potential limitation is that prior studies scored shell ground color by eye into three discrete colours yellow, pink, or brown. This incurs both potential error and bias in comparative surveys. In this study, we therefore aimed to use a quantitative method to score shell color and evaluated it by comparing patterns of C. nemoralis shell color polymorphism in the Pyrenees, using both methods on present‐day samples, and against historical data gathered in the 1960s using the traditional method. The main finding was that while quantitative measures of shell color reduced the possibility of error and standardized the procedure, the same altitudinal trends were recovered, irrespective of the method. The results also showed that there was a general stability in the local shell patterns over five decades, including altitudinal clines, with just some exceptions. Therefore, although subject to potential error human scoring of snail color data remains valuable, especially if persons have appropriate training. In comparison, while there are benefits in taking quantitative measures of color in the laboratory, there are also several practical disadvantages, mainly in terms of throughput and accessibility. In the future, we anticipate that genomic methods may be used to understand the potential role of selection in maintaining shell morph clines. In addition, photographs generated by citizen scientists conducting field surveys may be used with deep learning‐based methods to survey color patterns.
Monocytes promote UV‐induced epidermal carcinogenesis
Authors: Lelios Iva , Stifter Sebastian A. , Cecconi Virginia , Petrova Ekaterina , Lutz Mirjam , Cansever Dilay , Utz Sebastian G. , Becher Burkhard , van den Broek Maries , Greter Melanie
Published: March 2021

Mononuclear phagocytes consisting of monocytes, macrophages, and DCs play a complex role in tumor development by either promoting or restricting tumor growth. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common nonmelanoma skin cancer arising from transformed epidermal keratinocytes. While present at high numbers, the role of tumor‐infiltrating and resident myeloid cells in the formation of cSCC is largely unknown. Using transgenic mice and depleting antibodies to eliminate specific myeloid cell types in the skin, we investigated the involvement of mononuclear phagocytes in the development of UV‐induced cSCC in K14‐HPV8‐E6 transgenic mice. Although resident Langerhans cells were enriched in the tumor, their contribution to tumor formation was negligible. Equally, dermal macrophages were dispensable for the development of cSCC. In contrast, mice lacking circulating monocytes were completely resistant to UV‐induced cSCC, indicating that monocytes promote tumor development. Collectively, these results demonstrate a critical role for classical monocytes in the initiation of skin cancer.
Available technologies on improving the stability of polyphenols in food processing
Authors: Cao Hui , Saroglu Oznur , Karadag Ayse , Diaconeasa Zoriţa , Zoccatelli Gianni , Conte‐Junior Carlos Adam , Gonzalez‐Aguilar Gustavo A. , Ou Juanying , Bai Weibin , Zamarioli Cristina Mara , de Freitas Luis Alexandre Pedro , Shpigelman Avi , Campelo Pedro H. , Capanoglu Esra , Hii Ching Lik , Jafari Seid Mahdi , Qi Yaping , Liao Pan , Wang Mingfu , Zou Liang , Bourke Paula , Simal‐Gandara Jesus , Xiao Jianbo
Published: March 2021

Polyphenols are the most important phytochemicals in our diets and have received great attention due to their broad benefits for human health by suppressing oxidative stress and playing a protective role in preventing different pathologies such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. The stability of polyphenols depends on their environments of processing and storage, such as pH and temperature. A wide range of technologies has been developed to stabilize polyphenols during processing. This review will provide an overview of the stability of polyphenols in relation to their structure, the factors impacting the stability of polyphenols, the new products deriving from unstable polyphenols, and the effect of a series of technologies for the stabilization of polyphenols, such as chemical modification, nanotechnology, lyophilization, encapsulation, cold plasma treatment, polyphenol–protein interaction, and emulsion as a means of improving stability. Finally, the effects of cooking and storage on the stability of polyphenols were discussed.
Thermal diffusion and diffusion thermoeffects on the peristaltic motion of a non‐Newtonian micropolar fluid inside a nonuniform vertical channel
Authors: Eldabe Nabil T. , Shawky Hameda M.
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the effects of Dufour and Soret numbers on the peristaltic motion of a non‐Newtonian micropolar fluid are discussed. The motion inside a nonuniform vertical channel under the effect of the uniform magnetic field is considered. The Ohmic and elastic dissipations, as well as heat generation and chemical reaction, are taken into account. The problem is modulated mathematically by using continuity, momentum, angular momentum, and heat and mass transfer equations. The nonlinear partial differential equations describing these equations are written in terms of the physical parameters of the problem. The equations are transformed from the laboratory frame to the wave frame and then written in dimensionless form. The approximations of long wavelength and small Reynolds number are applied, then the equations are solved by using the homotopy perturbation method. The velocities, stream function, temperature, and concentration distributions are obtained as functions of the physical parameters of the problem. The effect of these parameters on the obtained solutions are computed mathematically and illustrated graphically through a set of figures. It is found that the parameters play an important role in controlling the solutions. It is found that the stream function decreases by increasing both non‐Newtonian and micropolar parameters on the left side of the channel and vice versa occurs on the right side.
Flow of three‐dimensional radiative Williamson fluid over an inclined stretching sheet with Hall current and nth‐order chemical reaction
Authors: Shamshuddin MD. , Mabood F. , Salawu S. O.
Published: March 2021

In the current communication, three‐dimensional Williamson fluid flow past a bidirectional inclined stretching plate with novel Hall current, nonuniform heat source/sink, and nth‐order chemical reaction features are investigated. Rosseland's diffusion model is defined for the radiation heat transfer. The nonlinear governing derivative equations satisfying the flow are transmuted to the coupled derivative equations by employing the local similarity quantities and then solved numerically through the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method utilizing the shooting quadrature. An inclusive analysis is reported via graphs for the flow rate field, temperature, and concentration distributions for different evolving terms of immense concern. Wall dragging effect and wall heat gradient and wall concentration gradient have been examined, plotted, and described. The detailed geometry reveals that dimensionless velocity field is monotonically rising as the Hall parameter rises. The chemical reaction concentration for the Williamson fluid is enhanced with expanding values of the magnetic field parameter. Transitional values of wall stress components upturn with an increase in Hall parameter while the Williamson term is boosted. Nusselt number is reduced as the Williamson term rises and the Sherwood number enhances with a rising chemical reaction term. The results are verified for limiting cases by comparing with various investigations and found to have excellent accuracy.
Spatial simulation of forest road effects on hydrology and soil erosion after a wildfire
Authors: Cao Longxi , Elliot William , Long Jonathan W.
Published: March 2021

Post‐fire catchment and water utility managers throughout the world use predictive models to estimate potential erosion risks to aid in evaluating downstream impacts of increased runoff and erosion, and to target critical areas within a fire for applying mitigation practices. Erosion prediction can be complicated by forest road networks. Using novel GIS technology and soil erosion modelling, this study evaluated the effect of roads on surface runoff, erosion and sediment yields following a wildfire and determined that the predictive models were providing reasonable results. The GeoWEPP model was used to simulate onsite erosion and offsite sediment delivery before and after fire disturbance using a 2‐m resolution DEM as the terrain layer. Erosion rates in excess of 4 Mg ha−1 year−1were predicted mainly from steep moderate and high severity burn areas. Roads influenced surface runoff flow path distributions and sub‐catchment delineations, affecting the spatial distribution of sediment detachment and transport. Roads tended to reduce estimated erosion on slopes below the roads but increases in erosion rates were estimated for road fillslopes. Estimated deposition amounts on roads and in sediment basins were similar to measured amounts. The results confirm that road prisms, culverts and road ditches influence sedimentation processes after wildfire, and they present opportunities to detain eroded sediments.
Improvement of urinary symptoms after bladder biopsy: A case of pathologically proven allergy‐related cystitis during administration of nivolumab
Authors: Yajima Shugo , Nakanishi Yasukazu , Matsumoto Shunya , Tanabe Kenji , Sugano Masato , Masuda Hitoshi
Published: March 2021

Introduction

We present a case of cystitis, which was considered to be an immune‐related adverse event associated with nivolumab administration.

Case presentation

A 47‐year‐old man suffered from sudden onset urinary symptoms after 18 cycles of nivolumab treatment for stage IV pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Urine culture and urine cytology were both negative. The symptoms were inferred to be related to nivolumab administration, and a bladder biopsy under spinal anesthesia was performed. The histopathological examination showed the evidence of allergic‐related cystitis. We planned to administer corticosteroids, but the urinary symptoms disappeared after the bladder biopsy. Nivolumab treatment was continued without recurrent bladder symptoms.

Conclusion

We reported a case of cystitis after treatment with nivolumab, which served as a reminder to consider the possibility of immune‐related adverse events as a potential cause for any symptoms that develop during treatment with immuno‐oncology drugs.
Various mentalizing concepts in mothers with postpartum depression, comorbid anxiety, and personality disorders
Authors: Stephanie Krink , Brigitte Ramsauer
Published: March 2021

Background

Mentalization is defined as the human capacity to reflect upon one's own or others’ behaviors in terms of underlying mental states and intentions. Several concepts of mentalizing exist, which differ in content, assessment, and clinical prediction.

Aims

The present study examines the relationship between the three main concepts of mentalizing, namely, reflective functioning (RF), parental reflective functioning (PRF), and Mind‐Mindedness (MM), in mothers with postpartum depression. It was hypothesized that mentalizing concepts differ in their convergent and divergent variance, as well as their clinical validity regarding comorbid anxiety and personality disorders (PDs).

Method

Fifty clinically referred mothers with postpartum depression and infants aged 3–10 months were examined by means of the Reflective Functioning Scale, Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire, and Mind‐Mindedness Coding‐System.

Results

No significant associations were found between RF and PRF, or between PRF and MM; higher RF was associated with more MM‐nonattuned mind‐related comments. Increased depression and anxiety were linked to lower PRF in terms of higher PRF‐prementalizing. Lower RF, but not PRF, was associated with comorbid PDs. Specifically, obsessive–compulsive PD was associated to considerably fewer MM‐nonattuned mind‐related comments.

Conclusion

Distinct concepts of mentalizing represent divergent competencies, differentially linked to maternal postpartum psychopathology.
Antioxidant enzyme responses of Kentucky bluegrass to simulated athletic traffic stress
Authors: Pease Benjamin W. , Thoms Adam W. , Arora Rajeev , Christians Nick E.
Published: March 2021

Increased athletic field usage and growing understanding of injury prevention have sports turf managers interested in implementing management practices that will improve turfgrass traffic stress tolerance. Previous research has shown that other abiotic stressors, such as mowing/rolling, high/low temperature, and drought, result in changes to turfgrass antioxidant enzyme activity levels. This study was conducted to determine how simulated athletic traffic affects the magnitude and duration of changes in antioxidant enzyme activity of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.; KBG). Two levels of simulated athletic traffic (0 and 2 games week−1) were applied to a blend of ‘True Blue HGT’ KBG using a modified Baldree traffic simulator for 7 simulated traffic events (STEs) in each year coinciding with the 2018 and 2019 fall football schedule. One STE of two games wk−1 represents a high school field hosting junior varsity and varsity games each week. Experimental design was a split‐plot randomized complete block with four replications. Turfgrass leaves were individually cut from sub‐plots at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after simulated traffic application to assay the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Traffic application resulted in decreased activity of APX by 30–45% in 2019, CAT by 26–28% in 2019, and SOD by 3–13% on some rating dates in 2018 and 2019. Activity of APX was lowest at 4–12 h after STE. Catalase and SOD activity was highest at 0 or 4 h after STEs in early 2019 but in late 2019 it was highest at 12 or 24 h after STEs. These results suggest that cumulative traffic stress increases the time required for antioxidant enzyme activity, directing future research to investigate timings and frequency of product application, potentially conferring protection to antioxidant enzymes.
Ten‐Year Simulation of the Effects of Denosumab on Bone Remodeling in Human Biopsies
Authors: Tourolle Duncan C , Dempster David W , Ledoux Charles , Boaretti Daniele , Aguilera Mauricio , Saleem Najma , Müller Ralph
Published: March 2021

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a disease manifesting in degradation of bone mass and microarchitecture, leading to weakening and increased risk of fracture. Clinical trials are an essential tool for evaluating new treatments and may provide further mechanistic understanding of their effects in vivo. However, the histomorphometry from clinical trials is limited to 2D images and reflects single time points. Biochemical markers of bone turnover give global insight into a drug's action, but not the local dynamics of the bone remodeling process and the cells involved. Additionally, comparative trials necessitate separate treatment groups, meaning only aggregated measures can be compared. In this study, in silico modeling based on histomorphometry and pharmacokinetic data was used to assess the effects of treatment versus control on μCT scans of the same biopsy samples over time, matching the changes in bone volume fraction observed in biopsies from denosumab and placebo groups through year 10 of the FREEDOM Extension trial. In the simulation, treatment decreased osteoclast number, which led to a modest increase in trabecular thickness and osteocyte stress shielding. Long‐term bone turnover suppression led to increased RANKL production, followed by a small increase in osteoclast number at the end of the 6‐month–dosing interval, especially at the end of the Extension study. Lack of treatment led to a significant loss of bone mass and structure. The study's results show how in silico models can generate predictions of denosumab cellular action over a 10‐year period, matching static and dynamic morphometric measures assessed in clinical biopsies. The use of in silico models with clinical trial data can be a method to gain further insight into fundamental bone biology and how treatments can perturb this. With rigorous validation, such models could be used for informing the design of clinical trials, such that the number of participants could be reduced to a minimum to show efficacy. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Enhancing arsenic removal from acidic wastewater using zeolite‐supported sulfide nanoscale zero‐valent iron: the role of sulfur and copper
Authors: Zhou Chundi , Han Caiyun , Min Xize , Yang Ting
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Modified nanoscale zero‐valent iron has been extensively used to treat wastewater. This study aimed to investigate the role of sulfur and copper in arsenic removal from CuSO4 effluent via a new arsenic adsorbent, which is sulfide‐modified nanoscale zero‐valent iron (nZVI)‐supported ZSM‐5 zeolite composite (S‐nZVI@ZSM‐5).

RESULTS

S‐nZVI@ZSM‐5 can efficiently remove As(V) from acidic wastewater. It was observed that the introduction of sulfur increased the specific surface area of nZVI@ZSM‐5 from 35.3 to 45.7 m2 g–1. The As(V) removal performance was observed in the following order: S‐nZVI@ZSM‐5 > nZVI@ZSM‐5 > ZSM‐5. The leaching experiment showed that sulfur decreased iron leaching amount from 7.68 to 1.95 mg L–1 and increased As(V) removal percentage from 89.1% to 94.5%. It was also observed that copper positively impacted As(V) removal when Cu/As concentration ratio was in the range of 0–20, while the negative effect of copper was observed at a Cu/As ratio above 20:1. A high Langmuir As(V) adsorption capacity (204.36 mg g–1) and high structure stability of S‐nZVI@ZSM‐5 demonstrated that this adsorbent was effective and environmentally friendly. Kinetic results were observed to obey the pseudo‐second‐order model. The study proposed the mechanisms of As(V) removal.

CONCLUSION

Both sulfur and copper can extend the reactive life of Fe0 and improve the As(V) adsorption performance of S‐nZVI@ZSM‐5. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Chemical binding of molecular‐imprinted polymer to biotinilated antibody: Utilization of molecular imprinting polymer as intelligent synthetic biomaterials toward recognition of carcinoma embryonic antigen in human plasma sample
Authors: Abdollahiyan Parinaz , Mohammadzadeh Arezoo , Hasanzadeh Mohammad
Published: March 2021

In this study, a novel biosensor based on molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) methodology was fabricated toward recognition of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). For this purpose, poly (toluidine blue) (PTB) was electropolymerized on the surface of gold electrode in the absence and presence of CEA. So, the target molecules were entrapped into the imprinted specific cavities of MIP. Obtained results show that, the binding affinity of the MIP system was significantly higher than that of revealed for the nonimprinted polymer (NIP) system, MIP‐based biosensor revealed linear response from (0.005 to 75 μg/L) and low limit of quantification of (0.005 μg/L) by using chronoamperometry technique, leading to CEA monitoring in real and clinical samples. Thus, a novel technique for rapid, simple, sensitive and affordable monitoring of CEA (LLOQ = 0.005 μg/L) has provided through developed biosensor. From a future perspective, moreover, this method can be considered as an applicable candidate in biomedical and clinical analysis for point‐of‐care usages.
Effects of barley flour substitution on glycemic index, compositional, rheological, textural, and sensory characteristics of chickpea flour‐based flat bread
Authors: Mansoor Remal , Ali Tahira Mohsin , Hasnain Abid
Published: March 2021

The present study investigated the impact of barley flour substitution (10%–40%) on chickpea flour‐based flat bread (CFB). The crude fiber content significantly increased on addition of barley flour, whereas a significant decline was observed in protein and fat contents. All chickpea flour doughs with and without addition of barley flour exhibited shear thinning with flow behavior index of less than one. The hardness of CFBs decreased, whereas elasticity increased with the increase in barley flour content suggesting improvement in texture of flat breads. Glycemic index of CFBs containing barley flour was significantly less than control flat bread made without any addition of barley flour. Sensory panelists also gave higher scores to CFBs prepared with barley flour, whereas in terms of flavor and overall acceptability, no significant difference was observed between control bread and CFBs containing up to 30% barley flour content. Thus, the textural, compositional, and digestibility of chickpea flour‐based breads can be greatly improved through barley flour substitution without significantly affecting sensory attributes of bread.
Educational utility of an online video‐based teaching tool for sinus and skull base surgery
Authors: Fan Timothy , Workman Alan D. , Koch George , Rathi Vinay K. , Scangas George A. , Metson Ralph
Published: March 2021

Objective

Surgical education has undergone major changes in recent years, as hands‐on learning opportunities have been replaced or supplemented with online tools. The goal of this project is to examine the educational impact of a surgical training website, SinusVideos.com, on otolaryngologists at various levels of training.

Methods

Visitors to the website were asked to complete a survey after viewing a narrated video of a surgical procedure. Surveys were analyzed for demographics, needs assessment, and educational impact.

Results

A total of 105 completed surveys were completed by 68 (64.8%) attendings/practicing physicians, 32 residents/fellows (30.5%), and 5 medical students (4.8%). Whereas 14.3% of viewers reported online videos as their primary source for surgical preparation, 70.5% considered them important secondary supplements. After viewing a video, 92.4% of respondents reported a gained confidence in performing the surgery, and 62.9% said the video altered how they would perform the surgery in the future. Viewers' ratings of their knowledge (on a 1‐7 Likert scale) of a particular surgical procedure before vs after watching the observed procedure increased significantly for participants at all levels of training—medical students (2.8 before vs 5.4 after, P < .01), residents/fellows (4.8 before vs 5.8 after, P < .0001), and attendings/practicing physicians (5.6 before vs 6.4 after, P < .0001).

Conclusion

High quality online surgical videos appear to be an effective learning tool for surgical trainees and practicing physicians alike. The educational benefit of such tools, as well as their widespread accessibility, makes them a powerful instrument for the training of surgeons worldwide.

Level of Evidence

Level 5.
Tailoring Unidirectional Water‐Penetration Janus Fabric with Surface Electrospun Deposition
Authors: Zhao Jinchao , Xu Zhaobao , Liu Shake , Zhang Teng , Huang Leping
Published: March 2021

This paper provides a new method to fabricate an integrated Janus fabric that has excellent unidirectional water‐penetration property. Based on commercial polyester fabric that is pretreated with CaCl2 solution, polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate (PVA/SA) solution is deposited directly on the fabric via electrospinning and in situ chelated with Ca2+ contained in the fabric. The in situ formed PVA/SA gel coating not only transfers the surface of polyester fabric from hydrophobic to hydrophilic but also retains original porous structure of polyester fabric. As the water droplet contacts with unelectrospun side of modified polyester fabric (M‐PET) pretreated with 10 wt% CaCl2, it penetrates through the M‐PET within 1 s from unelectrospun side to electrospun side after application, and disappears on unelectrospun side within 2 s, and in turn, droplet spreads out on electrospun side of M‐PET within 2 s after application and no penetration occurs. The M‐PET pretreated with CaCl2 solution has outstanding antistatic property, vapor, and air permeability. The impact of ratio (v/v) of the PVA and SA solution and the concentration of CaCl2 pretreating solution on properties of the M‐PET are investigated.
Ag Interconnects Enhanced Polydimethylsiloxane Microstructure for Self‐Recovery Fluid Pipe Energy Harvester
Authors: Yang Guoxin , Shao Qianqian , Li Weiye , Yang Lin , Chen Li , Li Mengke , Ma Liuhong , Zhong Yinghui , Duan Zhiyong
Published: March 2021

The fluid pipes contain various forms of energy, which can be fully utilized to realize the self‐powered pipeline detection. It is a better strategy to convert some negative energy that endangers the operation of pipelines, such as destructive water hammer vibration energy, into electrical energy. Here, it is reported that an Ag interconnects enhanced self‐recovery triboelectric nanogenerator, in which a double‐electrodes energy harvester with self‐recovery polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structure is fabricated as the base and the Cu conductive fabric is produced as the electrode. Ag interconnects are added to PDMS substrate to improve the efficiency of charge transfer. The device is able to effectively convert water harmer energy of the fluid in the pipes into electricity. Under a water flow of 12 L min−1, the peak output voltage and current of the device reached 3.9 V and 0.38 µA, respectively. The amount of charge transferred is 24 nC in 0.2 s. Besides, a single device can be formed into an energy harvesting array to meet the requirements of different environments and performances. This self‐recovery triboelectric nanogenerator provides new strategy and design to harvest energy from fluid pipes to protect them.
Dendron‐Functionalized Polyglutamate‐Pyropheophorbide‐a Conjugates as Nanomedicines for Breast Cancer Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Wang Wenjia , Zhang Qianfeng , Li Zhiqian , Zhang Jing , Pan Dayi , Wang Bing , Zhu Hongyan , Zhang Hu , Gu Zhongwei , Luo Kui
Published: March 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown its promise in the treatment of cancer. Herein, a dendron‐functionalized polyglutamic acid (PGA) polymer (PG‐L8G‐Ppa‐Dendron, PGPD) is synthesized and it is conjugated with pyropheophorbide‐a (Ppa) for the first time to treat triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), whereas a linear polyglutamate‐Ppa conjugate (PGP) is synthesized as a control. Compared to the linear counterpart, the glycosylated polymer‐based PGPD with a dendritic structure has excellent solubility and it self‐assembles to form uniform‐sized nanoparticles. PGPD displays a highly effective PDT effect in the animal model, evidenced with effective induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell apoptosis. This may be due to an enhanced efficiency in delivery and accumulation of Ppa by this glycosylated dendritic polymer at tumor sites. Therefore, PGPD can be a highly effective and biosafe nanoagent for PDT of TNBC.
Cross‐linked Poly(Octadecyl Acrylate)/Polybutadiene Shape Memory Polymer Blends Prepared by Simultaneous Free Radical Cross‐linking, Grafting and Polymerization of Octadecyl Acrylate/Polybutadiene Blends
Authors: Du Haiyan , Marin Angel Juan , Basak Sayan , Lai Tzu‐Yu , Cavicchi Kevin A.
Published: March 2021

A semi‐crystalline, shape memory polymer (SMP) is fabricated by free radical cross‐linking, polymerization, and grafting in a blend of n‐octadecyl acrylate and polybutadiene (PB). Poly(n‐octadecyl acrylate) (PODA) is a side‐chain crystalline polymer, which serves as the structure‐fixing network counterbalancing the elastically deformed, cross‐linked polymer network. At a constant 50/50 ratio of monomer and polymer the amount of free radical initiator, dicumyl peroxide (DCP) is varied from 1% to 5% w/w PB. From swelling measurements and calculation of the cross‐link density it is determined that DCP produces greater than one cross‐link per DCP molecule. It is found that lower cross‐linking efficiency is favorable for higher shape fixity. This lower efficiency is found to produce a higher degree of crystallinity of the PODA in the 2–5% DCP samples, which is determined to be the main driver of higher shape fixity of the polymer. A SMP with >90% fixity and 100% recovery at uniaxial strains from 34–79% is achieved. This material should be useful for mold processing of shape memory articles. This approach provides a method to decouple the elastomeric and thermoplastic portions of a SMP to convert commodity elastomers into SMPs and tailor the shape memory response.
Mass spectrometry‐based tear proteomics for noninvasive biomarker discovery
Authors: Ponzini Erika , Santambrogio Carlo , De Palma Antonella , Mauri Pierluigi , Tavazzi Silvia , Grandori Rita
Published: March 2021

The lacrimal film has attracted increasing interest in the last decades as a potential source of biomarkers of physiopathological states, due to its accessibility, moderate complexity, and responsiveness to ocular and systemic diseases. High‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) has led to effective approaches to tear proteomics, despite the intrinsic limitations in sample amounts. This review focuses on the recent progress in strategy and technology, with an emphasis on the potential for personalized medicine. After an introduction on lacrimal‐film composition, examples of applications to biomarker discovery are discussed, comparing approaches based on pooled‐sample and single‐tear analysis. Then, the most critical steps of the experimental pipeline, that is, tear collection, sample fractionation, and LC‐MS implementation, are discussed with reference to proteome‐coverage optimization. Advantages and challenges of the alternative procedures are highlighted. Despite the still limited number of studies, tear quantitative proteomics, including single‐tear investigation, could offer unique contributions to the identification of low‐invasiveness, sustained‐accessibility biomarkers, and to the development of personalized approaches to therapy and diagnosis.
Microbial community and metabolic function analysis of cigar tobacco leaves during fermentation
Authors: Liu Fang , Wu Zhiyong , Zhang Xiaoping , Xi Gaolei , Zhao Zhe , Lai Miao , Zhao Mingqin
Published: March 2021

Cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs) contain abundant bacteria and fungi that are vital to leaf quality during fermentation. In this study, artificial fermentation was used for the fermentation of CTLs since it was more controllable and efficient than natural aging. The bacterial and fungal community structure and composition in unfermented and fermented CTLs were determined to understand the effects of microbes on the characteristics of CTLs during artificial fermentation. The relationship between the chemical contents and alterations in the microbial composition was evaluated, and the functions of bacteria and fungi in fermented CTLs were predicted to determine the possible metabolic pathways. After artificial fermentation, the bacterial and fungal community structure significantly changed in CTLs. The total nitrate and nicotine contents were most readily affected by the bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. FAPROTAX software predictions of the bacterial community revealed increases in functions related to compound transformation after fermentation. FUNGuild predictions of the fungal community revealed an increase in the content of saprotrophic fungi after fermentation. These data provide information regarding the artificial fermentation mechanism of CTLs and will inform safety and quality improvements.
Replication of a Novel Parkinson's Locus in a European Ancestry Population
Authors: Grover Sandeep , Kumar‐Sreelatha Ashwin Ashok , Bobbili Dheeraj R. , May Patrick , Domenighetti Cloé , Sugier Pierre‐Emmanuel , Schulte Claudia ,   COURAGE‐PD Consortium, Elbaz Alexis , Krüger Rejko , Gasser Thomas , Sharma Manu ,   COURAGE‐PD Consortium
Published: March 2021

Background

A recently published East Asian genome‐wide association study of Parkinson;s disease (PD) reported 2 novel risk loci, SV2C and WBSCR17.

Objectives

The objective of this study were to determine whether recently reported novel SV2C and WBSCR17 loci contribute to the risk of developing PD in European and East Asian ancestry populations.

Methods

We report an association analysis of recently reported variants with PD in the COURAGE‐PD cohort (9673 PD patients; 8465 controls) comprising individuals of European and East Asian ancestries. In addition, publicly available summary data (41,386 PD patients; 476,428 controls) were pooled.

Results

Our findings confirmed the role of the SV2C variant in PD pathogenesis (rs246814, COURAGE‐PD PEuropean = 6.64 × 10−4, pooled PD P = 1.15 × 10−11). The WBSCR17 rs9638616 was observed as a significant risk marker in the East Asian pooled population only (P = 1.16 × 10−8).

Conclusions

Our comprehensive study provides an up‐to‐date summary of recently detected novel loci in different PD populations and confirmed the role of SV2C locus as a novel risk factor for PD irrespective of the population or ethnic group analyzed. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Cerebral Microbleeds in Fragile X–Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome
Authors: Salcedo‐Arellano María Jimena , Wang Jun Yi , McLennan Yingratana A. , Doan Mai , Cabal‐Herrera Ana Maria , Jimenez Sara , Wolf‐Ochoa Marisol W. , Sanchez Desiree , Juarez Pablo , Tassone Flora , Durbin‐Johnson Blythe , Hagerman Randi J. , Martínez‐Cerdeño Verónica
Published: March 2021

Background

Fragile X–associated tremor/ataxia syndrome is a neurodegenerative disease of late onset developed by carriers of the premutation in the fragile x mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Pathological features of neurodegeneration in fragile X–associated tremor/ataxia syndrome include toxic levels ofFMR1mRNA, ubiquitin‐positive intranuclear inclusions, white matter disease, iron accumulation, and a proinflammatory state.

Objective

The objective of this study was to analyze the presence of cerebral microbleeds in the brains of patients with fragile X–associated tremor/ataxia syndrome and investigate plausible causes for cerebral microbleeds in fragile X–associated tremor/ataxia syndrome.

Methods

We collected cerebral and cerebellar tissue from 15 fragile X–associated tremor/ataxia syndrome cases and 15 control cases carryingFMR1normal alleles. We performed hematoxylin and eosin, Perls and Congo red stains, ubiquitin, and amyloid β protein immunostaining. We quantified the number of cerebral microbleeds, amount of iron, presence of amyloid β within the capillaries, and number of endothelial cells containing intranuclear inclusions. We evaluated the relationships between pathological findings using correlation analysis.

Results

We found intranuclear inclusions in the endothelial cells of capillaries and an increased number of cerebral microbleeds in the brains of those with fragile X–associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, both of which are indicators of cerebrovascular dysfunction. We also found a suggestive association between the amount of capillaries that contain amyloid β in the cerebral cortex and the rate of disease progression.

Conclusion

We propose microangiopathy as a pathologic feature of fragile X–associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Linearized continuous Galerkin hp‐FEM applied to nonlinear initial value problems
Authors: Amrein Mario
Published: March 2021

In this note we consider the continuous Galerkin time‐stepping method of arbitrary order as a possible discretization scheme of nonlinear initial value problems. In addition, we develop and generalize a well‐known existing result for the discrete solution by applying a general linearizing procedure to the nonlinear discrete scheme including also the simplified Newton solution procedure. In particular, the presented existence results are implied by choosing sufficient small time steps locally. Furthermore, the established existence results are independent of the local approximation order. Moreover, we will see that the proposed solution scheme is able to significantly reduce the number of iterations. Finally, based on existing and well‐known a priori error estimates for the discrete solution, we present some numerical experiments that highlight the proposed results of this note.
Global classical solvability in a three‐dimensional haptotaxis system modeling oncolytic virotherapy
Authors: Ren Guoqiang , Liu Bin
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we concern with the haptotaxis system modeling oncolytic virotherapy. We present the global classical solution under appropriate regularity assumptions on the initial data. Our results generalize some well‐known results in the literature.