bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of autophagy by 3‐methyladenine restricts murine cytomegalovirus replication
Authors: Zhang Xinyan , Zhang Linlin , Bi Yidan , Xi Ting , Zhang Zhan , Huang Yuan , Lu Yuan Yuan , Liu Xinglou , Shu Sainan , Fang Feng
Published: January 2021

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) induced autophagy affects virus replication and survival of the infected cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of autophagy inhibition by 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) on murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) replication and whether it is associated with caspase‐3 dependent apoptosis. The eyecup isolated from adult C57BL/6J mice (6–8 weeks old) and mouse embryo fibroblast cells (MEFs) were infected with MCMV K181 strain, followed by the treatment of 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA), chloroquine, or rapamycin to block or stimulate autophagy. In cultured MEFs, the ratio of LC3I/II was reduced at 24 hours post infection (hpi), but was increased at 48 hpi In the eyecup culture, LC3I/II ratio was also decreased at 4 and 7 days post infection (dpi). In addition, caspase‐3 cleavage was increased at 48 hpi in MEFs and also elevated in MCMV infected eyecups at 4, 7, 10, and 14 dpi. 3‐MA treatment significantly inhibited the virus replication in MEFs and eyecups. The expression of early antigen (EA) of MCMV was also decreased in MEFs and eyecups. Meanwhile, cleaved caspase‐3 dependent cell death was promoted with the presence of 3‐MA in MCMV infected MEFs and eyecups, while RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL pathway was inhibited by 3‐MA in eyecups. Inhibition of autophagy by 3‐MA restricts virus replication and promotes caspase‐3 dependent apoptosis in the eyecup and MEFs with MCMV infection. It can be explained that during the early period of MCMV infection, the suppressed autophagy process directly reduced virus release, but later caspase‐3 dependent apoptosis dominated and resulted in decreased virus replication.
Prognostic roles of KL‐6 in disease severity and lung injury in COVID‐19 patients: A longitudinal retrospective analysis
Authors: Deng Kai , Fan Qinghong , Yang Yanhong , Deng Xizi , He Ruiying , Tan Yizhou , Lan Yun , Deng Xilong , Pan Yuejun , Wang Yaping , Guan Yujuan , Liu Huiyuan , Chen Fengjuan , Mo Xiaoneng , Tan Xinghua , Luo Chun , Wen Xueliang , Liu Ying , Liu Jinxin , Zhang Lieguang , Tang Xiaoping , Hu Fengyu , Li Feng
Published: January 2021

To investigate the dynamic changes of Krebs von den Lungen‐6 (KL‐6) among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and the role of KL‐6 as a noninvasive biomarker for predicting long‐term lung injury, the clinical information and laboratory tests of 166 COVID‐19 patients were collected, and a correlation analysis between KL‐6 and other parameters was conducted. There were 17 (10.2%, 17/166) severe/critical and 149 (89.8%, 149/166) mild COVID‐19 patients in our cohort. Serum KL‐6 was significantly higher in severe/critical COVID‐19 patients than in mild patients (median 898.0 vs. 451.2 U/ml, p < .001). KL‐6 was next confirmed to be a sensitive and specific biomarker for distinguishing mild and severe/critical patients and correlate to computed tomography lung lesions areas. Serum KL‐6 concentration during the follow‐up period (>100 days postonset) was well correlated to those concentrations within 10 days postonset (Pearson r = .867, p < .001), indicating the prognostic value of KL‐6 levels in predicting lung injury after discharge. Finally, elevated KL‐6 was found to be significantly correlated to coagulation disorders, and T cells subsets dysfunctions. In summary, serum KL‐6 is a biomarker for assessing COVID‐19 severity and predicting the prognosis of lung injury of discharged patients.
The nucleotide usages significantly impact synonymous codon usage inMycoplasma hyorhinis
Authors: Wu Yaqin , Jin Li , Li Yicong , Zhang Derong , Zhao Yongqing , Chu Yuefeng , Ma Zhong‐ren , Ma Xiao‐xia , Shang Youjun
Published: January 2021

Five annotated genomes ofMycoplasma hyorhiniswere analyzed for clarifying evolutionary dynamics driving the overall codon usage pattern. Information entropy used for estimating nucleotide usage pattern at the gene level indicates that multiple evolutionary dynamics participate in forcing nucleotide usage bias at every codon position. Moreover, nucleotide usage bias directly contributes to synonymous codon usage biases with two different extremes. The overrepresented codons tended to have A/T in the third codon position, and the underrepresented codons strongly used G/C in the third position. Furthermore, correspondence analysis and neutrality plot reflect an obvious interplay between mutation pressure and natural selection mediating codon usage inM. hyorhinisgenome. Due to significant bias in usages between A/T and G/C at the gene level, different selective forces have been proposed to contribute to codon usage preference inM. hyorhinisgenome, including nucleotide composition constraint derived from mutation pressure, translational selection involved in natural selection, and strand‐specific mutational bias represented by different nucleotide skew index. The systemic analyses of codon usage forM. hyorhiniscan enable us to better understand the mechanisms of evolution in this species.
Sugarcane/peanut intercropping system improves the soil quality and increases the abundance of beneficial microbes
Authors: Tang Xiumei , Jiang Jing , Huang Zhipeng , Wu Haining , Wang Jin , He Liangqiong , Xiong Faqian , Zhong Ruichun , Liu Jing , Han Zhuqiang , Tang Ronghua , He Longfei
Published: January 2021

Sugarcane/peanut intercropping is a highly efficient planting pattern in South China. However, the effects of sugarcane/peanut intercropping on soil quality need to be clarified. This study characterized the soil microbial community and the soil quality in sugarcane/peanut intercropping systems by the Illumina MiSeq platform. The results showed that the intercropping sugarcane (IS) system significantly increased the total N (TN), available N (AN), available P (AP), pH value, and acid phosphatase activity (ACP), but it had little effect on the total P (TP), total K (TK), available K (AK), organic matter (OM), urease activity, protease activity, catalase activity, and sucrase activity, compared with those in monocropping sugarcane (MS) and monocropping peanut (MP) systems. Both intercropping peanut (IP) and IS soils contained more bacteria and fungi than soils in the MP and MS fields, and the microbes identified were mainly Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria, respectively. Intercropping significantly increased the number of unique microbes in IS soils (68 genera), compared with the numbers in the IP (14), MS (17), and MP (16) systems. The redundancy analysis revealed that the abundances of culturable Acidobacteriaceae subgroup 1, nonculturable DA111, and culturable Acidobacteria were positively correlated with the measured soil quality in the intercropping system. Furthermore, the sugarcane/peanut intercropping significantly increased the economic benefit by 87.84% and 36.38%, as compared with that of the MP and MS, respectively. These results suggest that peanut and sugarcane intercropping increases the available N and P content by increasing the abundance of rhizospheric microbes, especially Acidobacteriaceae subgroup 1, DA111, and Acidobacteria.
Clothing resistance and potential evapotranspiration as thermal climate indicators—The example of the Carpathian region
Authors: Ács Ferenc , Zsákai Annamária , Kristóf Erzsébet , Szabó Amanda Imola , Feddema Johannes , Breuer Hajnalka
Published: January 2021

Clothing resistance parameter rcl and potential evapotranspiration (PET), a major component of Thornthwaite type climate classifications, are used as thermal climate indicators for characterizing the thermal climate of the Carpathian region. rcl is simulated by a model based on clothed human body energy balance considerations. rcl refers to a walking human in outdoor conditions, whose somatotype can differ. Somatotype shapes are determined by applying the Heath–Carter somatotype method. PET is estimated using only air temperature and latitude as inputs. In addition rcl is linked to PET. The annual mean of rcl is statistically interconnected with annual sum of PET, and the annual fluctuation of rcl (drcl = rclmax − rclmin) with the annual fluctuation of PET (dPET = PETmax − PETmin). The Carpathian region's thermal climate is analysed by comparing PET results with rcl model results and rcl results obtained by statistical link. We showed that rcl model results are strongly sensitive to human body somatotype variations. It is also shown that the spatial heterogeneity of thermal climates is the lowest in the lowlands and the highest in the mountains. The spatial heterogeneity of rcl and drcl values obtained by statistical link is comparable to the spatial heterogeneity of PET, but is lower than that obtained from the rcl model. Similarly to rcl model results, rcl results obtained by statistical link are also sensitive to human body somatotype variations. All these results suggest that statistical connections between rcl and PET and drcl and dPET can be used as subunits in Thornthwaite type climate classifications to obtain human thermal climate information. Lastly, areas with the largest thermal contrast are reproduced in terms of both the annual sum of PET and the rcl, which is obtained by both the model and the statistical link.
Convective rain cell characteristics and scaling in climate projections for Germany
Authors: Purr Christopher , Brisson Erwan , Ahrens Bodo
Published: January 2021

Extreme convective precipitation is expected to increase with global warming. However, the rate of increase and the understanding of contributing processes remain highly uncertain. We investigated characteristics of convective rain cells like area, intensity, and lifetime as simulated by a convection‐permitting climate model in the area of Germany under historical (1976–2005) and future (end‐of‐century, RCP8.5 scenario) conditions. To this end, a tracking algorithm was applied to 5‐min precipitation output. While the number of convective cells is virtually similar under historical and future conditions, there are more intense and larger cells in the future. This yields an increase in hourly precipitation extremes, although mean precipitation decreases. The relative change in the frequency distributions of area, intensity, and precipitation sum per cell is highest for the most extreme percentiles, suggesting that extreme events intensify the most. Furthermore, we investigated the temperature and moisture scaling of cell characteristics. The temperature scaling drops off at high temperatures, with a shift in drop‐off towards higher temperatures in the future, allowing for higher peak values. In contrast, dew point temperature scaling shows consistent rates across the whole dew point range. Cell characteristics scale at varying rates, either below (mean intensity), at about (maximum intensity and area), or above (precipitation sum) the Clausius–Clapeyron rate. Thus, the widely investigated extreme precipitation scaling at fixed locations is a complex product of the scaling of different cell characteristics. The dew point scaling rates and absolute values of the scaling curves in historical and future conditions are closest for the highest percentiles. Therefore, near‐surface humidity provides a good predictor for the upper limit of for example, maximum intensity and total precipitation of individual convective cells. However, the frequency distribution of the number of cells depending on dew point temperature changes in the future, preventing statistical inference of extreme precipitation from near‐surface humidity.
Term Infants Fed Exclusively With Donor Milk May Require Vitamin C Supplementation
Authors: Castro Marina , Pitino Michael A. , Bando Nicole , Aufreiter Susanne , Stone Debbie , O'Connor Deborah L. , Unger Sharon
Published: January 2021

Background

When there is insufficient mother's milk for preterm infants, fortified human donor milk (DM) is the preferred supplement. Recently, there is growing interest in providing DM to term infants. Aside from vitamin D, mother's milk is a complete source of nutrition for term infants. It is unknown whether supplementation of micronutrients is required for term infants exclusively fed DM, particularly for nutrients affected by heat processing, such as vitamin C. The objective of this study was to determine the total vitamin C content in DM and whether it would be adequate for an infant exclusively fed DM.

Methods

DM samples (n = 56) were collected at a Canadian milk bank from April to August 2018. Vitamin C concentration was determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results

DM samples had a vitamin C concentration of 17.7 ± 9.8 mg/L (mean ± SD) and were variable, ranging from 1.9 to 43.2 mg/L. Using these values and assuming an exclusive DM consumption of 780 mL/day, the estimated vitamin C intake would be 13.8 ± 8.6 mg (mean ± SD), falling below the adequate intake of 40 mg/day for infants (0–6 months old).

Conclusion

Vitamin C supplementation is required for all infants if DM is the sole source of nutrition. Future studies should investigate other heat‐ and light‐sensitive nutrients.
Quantifying nitrogen loss and water use via regionalization and multiple‐year scenario simulations in the North China Plain
Authors: Michalczyk Anna , Kersebaum Kurt Christian , Dauck Hans-Peter , Roelcke Marco , Yue Shan-Chao , Chen Xin-Ping , Zhang Fu-Suo
Published: January 2021

Background: Intensive winter wheat–summer maize (Triticum aestivum L.–Zea mays L.) double‐cropping systems in the North China Plain often show high nitrogen (N) losses and water use causing harmful threats to the environment.

Methods: Continuous multiple‐year simulations (31 years) with the HERMES model were used to spatially quantify N and water losses at county scale in order to identify best‐practice management applications.

Results: Results show simulated annual long‐term N losses for the investigated Quzhou County, Hebei Province of 297 kg N ha−1 under common farmers practice treatment (FP) and 102 kg N ha−1 under optimized treatment including model derived N fertilizer recommendation and automated irrigation (OPTai). Total losses by N leaching, volatilization and denitrification were 57% (FP) and 40% (OPTai) of the applied fertilizer N, respectively. Spatial differences in N losses were found due to survey‐specific differences of average N inputs among the townships. More than 260 kg N ha−1 y−1 of fertilizer input, N losses of 190 kg N ha−1 y−1, and around 116 mm y−1 of irrigation water could be saved on average by optimized treatments compared to farmers practice.

Conclusion: On clay loam soil only OPTai could maintain crop yield without drought stress. The optimized treatments had the lowest N inputs and N losses but they did not seem to be able to sustain the organic N pools.
Hyper‐Raman spectroscopy of alcohols excited at 532 nm: Methanol, ethanol, 1‐propanol, and 2‐propanol
Authors: Okuno Masanari
Published: January 2021

Hyper‐Raman (HR) measurements of four simple alcohols have been demonstrated. High‐quality HR spectra with high signal to noise ratios allow us to discuss spectral features in detail. Measured HR spectra are compared with IR and Raman spectra. High similarities between HR and IR spectra are found both in the fingerprint and the CH stretching regions. Meanwhile, HR and IR spectra show differences in spectral features including relative intensities of the OH stretch to the CH stretches. Besides, the frequencies of the hydrogen‐bonded OH stretching mode in HR spectra locate around 3,360 cm−1, higher than those observed in IR spectra. These differences reflect the difference in the selection rules of spectroscopic methods.
Early postoperative outcomes among patients with delayed surgeries after preoperative positive test for SARS‐CoV‐2: A case‐control study from a single institution
Authors: Baiocchi Glauco , Aguiar Samuel , Duprat Joao P. , Coimbra Felipe J. F. , Makdissi Fabiana B. , Vartanian José G. , Zequi Stenio de C. , Gross Jefferson L. , Nakagawa Suely A. , Yazbek Guilherme , Diniz Thiago P. , Gonçalves Bruna T. , Zurstrassen Charles E. , Campos Heloisa G. do A. , Joaquim Eduardo H. G. , França e Silva Ivan A. , Kowalski Luiz P.
Published: January 2021

Background

There are limited data on surgical complications for patients that have delayed surgery after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. We aimed to analyze the surgical outcomes of patients submitted to surgery after recovery from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

Methods

Asymptomatic patients that had surgery delayed after preoperative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for SARS‐CoV‐2 were matched in a 1:2 ratio for age, type of surgery and American Society of Anesthesiologists to patients with negative RT‐PCR for SARS‐CoV‐2.

Results

About 1253 patients underwent surgical procedures and were subjected to screening for SARS‐CoV‐2. Forty‐nine cases with a delayed surgery were included in the coronavirus disease (COVID) recovery (COVID‐rec) group and were matched to 98 patients included in the COVID negative (COVID‐neg) group. Overall, 22 (15%) patients had 30‐days postoperative complications, but there was no statistically difference between groups –16.3% for COVID‐rec and 14.3% for COVID‐neg, respectively (odds ratio [OR] 1.17:95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45–3.0; p = .74). Moreover, we did not find difference regarding grades more than or equal to 3 complication rates – 8.2% for COVID‐rec and 6.1% for COVID‐neg (OR 1.36:95%CI 0.36‐5.0; p = .64). There were no pulmonary complications or SARS‐CoV‐2 related infection and no deaths within the 30‐days after surgery.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that patients with delayed elective surgeries due to asymptomatic preoperative positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test are not at higher risk of postoperative complications.
The role of 18F‐FDG PET/CT in retroperitoneal sarcomas—A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Subramaniam Suren , Callahan Jason , Bressel Mathias , Hofman Michael S. , Mitchell Catherine , Hendry Shona , Vissers Frederique L. , Van der Hiel Bernies , Patel Dakshesh , Van Houdt Winan J. , Tseng William W. , Gyorki David E.
Published: January 2021

Background

The role of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F‐FDG PET/CT) in the evaluation of retroperitoneal sarcomas is poorly defined. We evaluated the correlation of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) with pathologic tumor grade in the surgical specimen of primary retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS).

Methods

Patients with the above histological subtypes in three participating institutions with preoperative 18F‐FDG PET/CT scan and histopathological specimen available for review were included. The association between SUVmax and pathological grade was assessed. Correlation between SUVmax and relapse‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were also studied.

Results

Of the total 58 patients, final pathological subtype was DDLPS in 44 (75.9%) patients and LMS in 14 (24.1%) patients. The mean SUVmax was 8.7 with a median 7.1 (range, 2.2–33.9). The tumors were graded I, II, III in 6 (10.3%), 35 (60.3%), and 17 (29.3%) patients, respectively. There was an association of higher histological grade with higher SUVmax (rs = 0.40, p = .002). Increasing SUVmax was associated with worse RFS (p = .003) and OS (p = .003).

Conclusion

There is a correlation between SUVmax and pathologic tumor grade; increasing SUVmax was associated with worse OS and RFS, providing a preoperative noninvasive surrogate marker of tumor grade and biological behavior.
Establishing the Most Accurate Due Date in Dichorionic Twin Gestations by First and Second Trimester Ultrasound
Authors: DeYoung Tracey H. , Stortz Sharon K. , Riffenburgh Robert H. , Wren Garrett M. , Spitzer Trimble L. , Lutgendorf Monica A. , Thagard Andrew S.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To determine the optimal sonographic dating of dichorionic gestations.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed dichorionic pregnancies conceived with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) at 2 institutions between 2006–2016, excluding fetuses with major anomalies. Gestational age was calculated with smaller, larger, and mean of the crown‐rump lengths (CRL) and biometry midgestation and compared to the ART age. The mean and mean absolute deviation of the observed gestational age from the ART age was calculated to assess accuracy, precision, and presence of bias. The incidence of small for gestational age using the smaller and larger CRLs was compared to the ART age via McNemar's test.

Results

Based on 140 ultrasounds, the CRL from the smaller twin best approximates the true gestational age with least bias compared to the larger twin or average (mean absolute deviation: 2.8, mean deviation: –0.1 [95% CI: −0.4, 0.2] versus 2.7, −0.9 [−1.1, −0.6] and 2.9, −1.5 [−1.8, −1.3], in days, respectively). Based on 165 ultrasounds, biometry from the smaller fetus is least accurate compared to the larger or mean (11.8, 2.5 [1.5, 3.6] versus 11.7, 0.8 [−0.3, 1.8] and 11.9, −1.0 [−2.0, 0.04], respectively). The incidence of small for gestational age neonates did not differ from the true rate using either the CRL from the larger or smaller twin (p > .05).

Conclusion

In ART dichorionic gestations, ultrasound of the smaller fetus is most accurate in establishing gestational age in the first trimester but least accurate in the second, though all methods performed well with little clinical difference.
Noninvasive Assessment of Schistosoma‐Related Periportal Fibrosis
Authors: Hashim Ahmed , Berzigotti Annalisa
Published: January 2021

Schistosomiasis affects nearly 250 million individuals in the world. Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) results in periportal fibrosis (PPF) and portal hypertension (pHTN). Ultrasound has been extensively used for the diagnosis of Schistosoma‐related PPF and a number of staging methods have been validated for this purpose such as Strickland classification and Niamey protocol. Nevertheless, the application of noninvasive techniques, particularly elastography modalities, has not been well explored. In this review, we describe the various noninvasive diagnostic tools for assessment of Schistosoma‐related PPF including US parameters, serum biomarkers, and US‐based elastography techniques. While elastography techniques have demonstrated value in the evaluation of HSS, the evidence remains limited with most studies recruiting a small number of patients. Longitudinal studies with larger sample size are required in order to devise robust criteria to accurately assess the performance of noninvasive techniques in the prediction of both regression and progression of the degree of PPF and identify their cost‐effectiveness in community screening.
Patterns of Facial Fractures in a Major Metropolitan Level 1 Trauma Center: A 10‐year Experience
Authors: Long Sallie , Spielman Daniel B. , Losenegger Tasher , Obayemi Adetokunbo A. , Neuner Romy , Cosiano Michael F. , Reeve Gwendolyn , Kacker Ashutosh , Stewart Michael G. , Sclafani Anthony P.
Published: January 2021

Objective/Hypothesis

To report characteristics and management of facial fractures in a major metropolitan center within the United States.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

Retrospective review at a level 1 trauma academic medical center of 3,946 facial fractures in 1,914 patients who presented from 2008 to 2017. Demographics, injury mechanism, associated injuries, and treatment information were collected. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with management.

Results

There were 1,280 males and 630 females with a median age of 42 years. Orbital fractures were the most common (41.4%) followed by maxilla fractures (21.9%). The most common mechanism was fall (43.6%). Surgical management was recommended for 38% of patients. The odds of surgical management were less for females (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.48–0.73). Patients over 70 years were significantly less likely to undergo surgery compared to other age groups (OR 0.15–0.36, P < .001). The odds of surgical management were 1.69 times greater for patients with more than three fractures than for a single fracture (95% CI 1.18–2.42) and 2.23 times greater for traffic injuries compared to injuries from activities of daily living (95% CI 1.42–3.5).

Conclusions

This represents one of the largest comprehensive databases of facial fractures. Our patients were most frequently injured during activities of daily living, most commonly from falls. The majority of patients were managed conservatively. Gender, age, fracture number, and mechanism of injury were independently associated with the decision to treat surgically. Our data are in stark contrast to that from other populations in which assault or motor vehicle accidents predominate.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2176–E2180, 2021
RFA and benign thyroid nodules: Review of the current literature
Authors: Muhammad Haris , Santhanam Prasanna , Russell Jonathon O. , Kuo Jennifer H.
Published: January 2021

Benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) are commonly found in the general population. They are usually asymptomatic and their incidence has increased as a result of wide‐spread use of ultrasound. Benign nodules are typically monitored clinically until they increase in size, resulting in compressive symptoms warranting surgery. However, although surgery is generally well‐tolerated and of low‐risk, it is associated with a small risk for several complications including hypothyroidism, nerve injury, hematoma, injury to other structures and wound infection. Recently, newer image‐guided ablation techniques including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have been introduced. RFA has a similar safety profile when compared to surgery and has shown promising results in challenging surgical candidates. Though several studies have been published in Asian and European countries on the efficacy of RFA, limited data is available on the North American population. The aim of the study is to review the current literature establishing the clinical outcomes and safety of RFA for benign nodules.

Level of evidence

V.
Exceptional Points as Lasing Prethresholds
Authors: Zyablovsky Alexander A. , Doronin Ilya V. , Andrianov Eugeny S. , Pukhov Alexander A. , Lozovik Yurii E. , Vinogradov Alexey P. , Lisyansky Alexander A.
Published: January 2021

The genesis of lasing, as an evolution of the laser hybrid eigenstates comprised of electromagnetic modes and atomic polarization, is considered. It is shown that the start of coherent generation at the laser threshold is preceded by the formation of a special hybrid state at the lasing prethreshold. This special state is characterized by an enhanced coupling among excited atoms and electromagnetic modes. This leads to an increase in the rate of stimulated emission in the special state and, ultimately, to lasing. At the lasing prethreshold, the transformation of hybrid eigenstates has the features of an exceptional point (EP) observed in non‐Hermitian systems. The special state is formed when eigenfrequencies of two hybrid states coalesce or come close to each other. Below the prethreshold, lifetimes of all hybrid states grow with increasing pump rate. When the pump rate crosses the prethreshold, resonance trapping occurs with the lifetime of the special state continuing to increase while the lifetimes of all other eigenstates begin to decrease. Consequently, the latter eigenstates do not participate in the lasing. Thus, above the prethreshold, a laser transitions into the single‐mode regime.
Classification of Salivary Gland Tumors Based on Quantitative Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Yang Zihan , Shang Jianwei , Liu Chenlu , Zhang Jun , Liang Yanmei
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

Visual inspection is the primary diagnostic method for oral diseases, and its accuracy of diagnosis mainly depends on surgeons’ experience. Histological examination is still the golden standard, but it is invasive and time‐consuming. In order to address these issues, as a noninvasive imaging technique, optical coherence tomography (OCT) can differentiate oral tissue with advantages of real‐time, in situ, and high resolution. The aim of this study is to explore optimal quantitative parameters in OCT images to distinguish different salivary gland tumors.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

OCT images of four salivary gland tumors were obtained from 14 patients, including mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MC), adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), basal cell adenoma (BCA), and pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Two parameters of optical attenuation coefficient (OAC) and standard deviation (SD) along the depth of OCT signal were combined to create a computational model of classification, and sensitivity/specificity of classification was calculated statistically to evaluate their results.

Results

A total of 5,919 two‐dimensional (2D) OCT images were used for quantitative analysis. The classification sensitivities of 89.6%, 95.0%, 89.5%, 97.8%, and specificities of 97.6%, 99.0%, 98.0%, 98.2%, respectively, were obtained for MC, ACC, BCA, and PA, with the thresholds of 3.6 mm−1 based on OAC and 0.22/0.18 based on SD.

Conclusion

It was demonstrated that OAC and SD could be considered as important parameters in quantitative analysis of OCT images for salivary gland tissue characterization and intraoperative diagnosis. It is of great potential value in promoting the application of this method based on OCT in clinical practice. Lasers Surg. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Evaluation of Cooling‐Induced Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation of Ureido Polymers as a Cold‐Shock Stress Granules Model
Authors: Komachi Takuya , Maruyama Atsushi , Shimada Naohiko
Published: January 2021

Many intracellular reactions occur in membrane‐less organelles that form due to liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). Cold‐shock stress granules, which are membrane‐less organelles, are formed in response to a significant decrease in temperature and recruit biomolecules for regulation of their activities. The authors have reported that synthetic ureido copolymers exhibit cooling‐induced LLPS under physiologically relevant conditions. In this study, influences of the cooling‐induced LLPS of ureido polymers on enzymatic activity is investigated to evaluate whether the ureido polymers can mimic cold‐shock stress granules. The enzyme β‐galactosidase (β‐Gal) is efficiently entrapped into phase‐separated coacervates of ureido polymers upon cooling. The activity of β‐Gal is significantly suppressed by the entrapment. The enzymatic activity is recovered after heating, which dissolves the coacervate. Thus, the LLPS formed by ureido polymers are a suitable model for cold‐shock stress granules.
A New Class of Oxyimides: Oxyimide Ethers and their Use as Flame Retardants
Authors: Spieß Bianca , Metzsch‐Zilligen Elke , Pfaendner Rudolf
Published: January 2021

Oxyimides have gained wide interest in different applications because of radical generating properties, such as flame retardants in various polymers. As polyamide‐6 (PA6) is highly flammable and shows burning dripping during incineration the mentioned issues have to be overcome by the use of a flame retardant. All previously developed oxyimides already show these properties, but this is based on the ester structure with the consequence of transesterification/transamidation in polyesters/polyamides. In this work, a new class of oxyimides based on ether bonds is synthesized. Oxyimide ethers do not degrade PA6, only sometimes slightly increase MVR, and show excellent flame retardancy in PA6. Depending on the structure, UL 94 V‐0 can be reached with very low loadings. This makes oxyimide ethers an alternative to commonly used flame retardants for PA6.
Multiple positive steady states of a diffusive predator‐prey model in spatially heterogeneous environments
Authors: Wang Biao , Wu Jianhua
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we discuss a diffusive predator‐prey model with predator cannibalism in spatially heterogeneous environments. In contrast with spatially homogeneous environments, we find the dynamics of the model in spatially heterogenous environments is more complicated. For the spatially heterogeneous case, we could classify death rate of the predator into four different regions and demonstrate that for every region, this model with Neumann boundary conditions has at least one positive steady state for some ranges of dispersal rates of the predator and prey via Leray–Schauder degree theory. In particular, for some scopes of death rate of the predator, this model has multiple positive steady states for certain ranges of dispersal rates of the predator and prey.
Breast cancer stem cells: A review of their characteristics and the agents that affect them
Authors: Shan Naing L. , Shin Yoosub , Yang Ge , Furmanski Philip , Suh Nanjoo
Published: January 2021

The evolving concept that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the driving element in cancer development, evolution and heterogeneity, has overridden the previous model of a tumor consisting of cells all with similar sequentially acquired mutations and a similar potential for renewal, invasion and metastasis. This paradigm shift has focused attention on therapeutically targeting CSCs directly as a means of eradicating the disease. In breast cancers, CSCs can be identified by cell surface markers and are characterized by their ability to self‐renew and differentiate, resist chemotherapy and radiation, and initiate new tumors upon serial transplantation in xenografted mice. These functional properties of CSCs are regulated by both intracellular and extracellular factors including pluripotency‐related transcription factors, intracellular signaling pathways and external stimuli. Several classes of natural products and synthesized compounds have been studied to target these regulatory elements and force CSCs to lose stemness and/or terminally differentiate and thereby achieve a therapeutic effect. However, realization of an effective treatment for breast cancers, focused on the biological effects of these agents on breast CSCs, their functions and signaling, has not yet been achieved. In this review, we delineate the intrinsic and extrinsic factors identified to date that control or promote stemness in breast CSCs and provide a comprehensive compilation of potential agents that have been studied to target breast CSCs, transcription factors and stemness‐related signaling. Our aim is to stimulate further study of these agents that could become the basis for their use as stand‐alone treatments or components of combination therapies effective against breast cancers.
Contents of product attributes and the decoy effect: A study on traceable pork from the perspective of consumer utility
Authors: Wu Linhai , Liu Pingping , Chen Xiujuan , Hu Wuyang , Fan Xuesen
Published: January 2021

From the perspective of consumer utility, this study conducted a survey‐based experimental analysis involving two types of traceable pork hindquarters on grocery shoppers from the city of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Results showed that decoy effect existed in the purchase of traceable pork hindquarters. Furthermore, the decoy effect associated with traceability information reflecting pork quality and safety was higher than that associated with appearance and a comparable price. This study has implications on marketing of food, including pork, and contributes to establishing a multilevel traceable pork system through a combination of different product attributes.
Pre‐ataxic Changes of Clinical Scales and Eye Movement in Machado–Joseph Disease: BIGPRO Study
Authors: de Oliveira Camila Maria , Leotti Vanessa Bielefeldt , Bolzan Gabriela , Cappelli Amanda Henz , Rocha Anastacia Guimarães , Ecco Gabriela , Kersting Nathalia , Rieck Mariana , Martins Ana Carolina , Sena Lucas Schenatto , Saraiva‐Pereira Maria‐Luiza , Jardim Laura Bannach
Published: January 2021

Background

The pathological burden of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, also known as Machado–Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD), accumulates before the beginning of symptoms. Our study aims at validating biomarkers for disease progression since pre‐ataxic periods. We report on baseline findings of clinical scales and oculomotor neurophysiology.

Methods

Ataxic (Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia > 2.5) and at 50% risk subjects were included. The latter were subdivided into noncarriers, pre‐ataxic carriers near (PAN), or pre‐ataxic carriers far from (PAFF) ataxia onset (AO), with 4 years from the predicted age at onset being the cutoff. The subjects were assessed by Neurological Examination Score for Spinocerebellar Ataxia (NESSCA), International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), Inventory of Non‐Ataxic Signs (INAScount), Composite Cerebellar Functions Score and SCA Functional Index, and video‐oculography, including the regression slope of vestibulo‐ocular reflex gain (VORr), main sequence of volitional and reflexive vertical saccades, slow‐phase velocity of central and gaze‐evoked (SPV‐GE) nystagmus, and vertical pursuit gain. Correction for multiple comparisons was performed; the threshold for statistical significance was P < 0.05.

Results

A total of 35 ataxic, 14 PAN, 24 PAFF, and 22 noncarriers were included. All variables showed significant differences between groups and correlated to time to onset or time after onset, among all 73 SCA3/MJD carriers; none significantly changed with age in controls. NESSCA, ICARS, INAScount, VORr, main sequence of volitional saccades, and SPV‐GE not only distinguished PAN from controls but also correlated with time left to AO.

Conclusions

Clinical scales and video‐oculography variables were already altered in pre‐ataxic SCA3/MJD carriers and worsened with time. NESSCA, ICARS, INAScount, VORr, main sequence of vertical volitional saccades, and SPV‐GE are good candidates to measure preclinical changes in SCA3/MJD. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Visual Dysfunction Predicts Cognitive Impairment and White Matter Degeneration in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Zarkali Angeliki , McColgan Peter , Leyland Louise‐Ann , Lees Andrew J. , Weil Rimona S.
Published: January 2021

Background

Visual dysfunction predicts dementia in Parkinson's disease (PD), but whether this translates to structural change is not known. The objectives of this study were to identify longitudinal white matter changes in patients with Parkinson's disease and low visual function and also in those who developed mild cognitive impairment.

Methods

We used fixel‐based analysis to examine longitudinal white matter change in PD. Diffusion MRI and clinical assessments were performed in 77 patients at baseline (22 low visual function/55 intact vision and 13 PD‐mild cognitive impairment/51 normal cognition) and 25 controls and again after 18 months. We compared microstructural changes in fiber density, macrostructural changes in fiber bundle cross‐section and combined fiber density and cross‐section, across white matter, adjusting for age, sex, and intracranial volume.

Results

Patients with PD and visual dysfunction showed worse cognitive performance at follow‐up and were more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment compared with those with normal vision (P = 0.008). Parkinson's with poor visual function showed diffuse microstructural and macrostructural changes at baseline, whereas those with mild cognitive impairment showed fewer baseline changes. At follow‐up, Parkinson's with low visual function showed widespread macrostructural changes, involving the fronto‐occipital fasciculi, external capsules, and middle cerebellar peduncles bilaterally. No longitudinal change was seen in those with mild cognitive impairment at baseline or converters, even when the 2 groups were combined.

Conclusion

Parkinson's patients with poor visual function show increased white matter damage over time, providing further evidence for visual function as a marker of imminent cognitive decline. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Comparison of the BMA and EMOS statistical methods for probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasting
Authors: Javanshiri Zohreh , Fathi Maede , Mohammadi Seyedeh Atefeh
Published: January 2021

The main approach to probabilistic weather forecasting has been the use of ensemble forecasting. In ensemble forecasting, the probability information is generally derived by using several numerical model runs, with perturbation of the initial conditions, physical schemes or dynamic core of the numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. However, ensemble forecasting usually tends to be under‐dispersive. Statistical post‐processing has, therefore, become an essential component of any ensemble prediction system aiming to improve the quality of numerical weather forecasts as they seek to generate calibrated and sharp predictive distributions of future weather quantities. Different versions of the ensemble model output statistics (EMOS) and the Bayesian model averaging (BMA) post‐processing methods are used in the present paper to calibrate 24, 48 and 72 hr forecasts of 24 hr accumulative precipitation. The ensemble employs the weather and research forecasting (WRF) model with eight different configurations which were run over Iran for six months (September 2015–February 2016). The results reveal that the BMA and EMOS‐censored, shifted gamma (CSG) techniques are substantially successful at improving the raw WRF ensemble forecasts; however, each approach improves different aspects of the forecast quality. The BMA method is more accurate, skilful and reliable than the EMOS‐CSG method, but has poorer discrimination. Moreover, it has better resolution in predicting the probability of high‐precipitation events than the EMOS‐CSG method.
Observation and numerical simulation of a weak waterspout at Hong Kong International Airport
Authors: Hon K. K. , Tse S. M. , Chan P. W. , Li Q. S.
Published: January 2021

A weak waterspout was observed at the Hong Kong International Airport on the morning of June 8, 2020. This paper documents the meteorological observations of this weak system, which was well captured by surface wind sensors and a Doppler weather radar, and this study also investigated the capability of a high‐resolution numerical weather prediction model to simulate the system in a near real‐time configuration. Despite the short‐lived nature of the vortex, the model effectively reproduced the occurrence of a weak vortex around the time the system was observed, although with positional errors of the order of a few kilometres. The simulated vertical cross‐sections of the reflectivity and Doppler velocity were consistent with the actual radar observations and reflected the slanting nature of the micro‐vortex. These results may serve as a useful reference for the study of weak waterspouts worldwide.
Gain‐of‐function mutation Met136Val in SCN8A may not be a common cause of trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Sekula Raymond F. , Deeley Kathleen , Denwood Hayley , Vieira Alexandre R.
Published: January 2021

Background

The Met136Val mutation in SCN8A was described in a case of trigeminal neuralgia but no frequency among affected individuals was provided.

Methods

Direct sequencing of 123 individuals diagnosed with classic trigeminal neuralgia was performed aimed to detect the Met136Val change.

Results

No cases of classical trigeminal neuralgia studied had the Met136Val mutation in SCN8A.

Conclusion

Met136Val mutation in SCN8A is not a frequent cause of classical trigeminal neuralgia.
COVID‐19 makes clear why deinstitutionalization is essential
Authors: Rosenthal Harvey
Published: January 2021

In a little less than a week, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will begin to launch a broad array of new policy initiatives that we hope will include a signature focus on reducing the use of institutions in our nation. The deadly impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic makes especially clear why this should be one of their top priorities.
Effects of local nonequilibrium in rapid eutectic solidification—Part 2: Analysis of effects and comparison to experiment
Authors: Xu Junfeng , Rettenmayr Markus , Galenko Peter K.
Published: January 2021

The developed model of diffusion‐limited and diffusionless solidification of a eutectic alloy describes the relation “undercooling (ΔT)‐velocity (V)‐interlamellar spacing (λ)” for two cases. Namely, when the solidification front velocity V is smaller than the solute diffusion speed in bulk liquid VD, V < VD, the model predicts a regime of eutectic solidification similarly to known classical models. If the solidification front velocity V is higher than the diffusion speed, V > VD, the solidification is mainly controlled by kinetic and thermal undercoolings. New expressions for the solute distribution coefficient and slope of the liquidus lines are supplied. The influence of the model parameters on the growth kinetics during eutectic solidification is discussed. Model predictions are compared with experimental data for the solidification of an Fe–B alloy with eutectic composition. Computational results show that the model agrees well with experimental data especially for low and high undercoolings, extending the undercooling range that can be covered by sharp interface modeling.
New approach to uniformly quasi circular motion of quasi velocity biharmonic magnetic particles in the Heisenberg space
Authors: Körpınar Talat
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we define concept of the uniformly quasi circular motion (UQCM) with biharmonicity condition in the Heisenberg space. That is, we aim to define a new class of UQCM in the three‐dimensional Heisenberg space. We further improve an alternative method to find uniformly quasi circular potential electric energy of biharmonic velocity magnetic particles in the Heisenberg space. We also give the relationships between physical and geometrical characterizations of uniformly quasi circular potential electric energy. Finally, we illustrate important figures for uniformly quasi circular potential electric energy with respect to its electric field in the radial direction.
Abundant explicit periodic wave solutions and their limit forms to space‐time fractional Drinfel'd–Sokolov–Wilson equation
Authors: Wen Zhenshu , Li Huijun , Fu Yanggeng
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we exploit the generalized bifurcation method to study space–time fractional Drinfel'd–Sokolov–Wilson equation and derive its various new exact explicit periodic wave solutions. Especially and interestingly, we find the so‐called M/W‐shaped periodic wave solutions, which were not found in previous studies. Furthermore, we uncover their inside limit relations as well as their limit relations with other solutions under corresponding parameters conditions. The previous results are extended.