bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing feasibility of an adolescent relationship abuse prevention program for girls
Authors: Hill Ashley V. , Mistry Sejal , Paglisotti T.E. , Dwarakanath Namita , Lavage Daniel R. , Hill Amber L. , Iwuanyanwu Rosemary , Stokes Lynissa R. , Jones Kelley A. , Miller Elizabeth
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Sexual violence and relationship abuse are prevalent among adolescents and programs promoting gender equity, reproductive justice, and healthy relationships are key strategies for prevention. While such “gender transformative” approaches appear promising for boys, they have not been evaluated among girls. This study assessed the feasibility of this community‐based program, called Sisterhood 2.0, among girls in socially disadvantaged urban neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Methods

This quasi‐experimental trial examined feasibility of Sisterhood 2.0 (n = 246), delivered through 8 weekly sessions, assessed through attendance, retention and satisfaction. Participants completed surveys at baseline and end of program assessing other relevant measures. Generalized linear mixed models estimated changes from baseline to follow up comparing intervention to control participants.

Results

Eleven neighborhoods were assigned to Sisterhood 2.0 (n = 5 neighborhoods) or job‐readiness training (n = 6 neighborhoods). Girls were between the ages of 13 and 19, 8–10th graders (59%), and self‐identified as Black (69%). Participants most often attended because they thought the program would be interesting (74%) and returned because of the women teaching the program (71%). Girls reported experiences with physical adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) (30% in both arms), emotional ARA (66% intervention; 56% control), or sexual ARA (11% intervention; 12% control). Physical ARA perpetration was high in both arms (intervention: 47%; control: 46%). Significant intervention effects were observed in recognition of abuse (β = 0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.03–0.78). No other significant intervention effects were observed.

Conclusions

Community‐based gender‐transformative programming for girls is feasible and may be a promising approach for addressing interpersonal violence and promoting sexual health.
Therapeutic plasma exchange in a patient with acute motor axonal neuropathy subtype of Guillain‐Barre syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Akgun Yamac , Langlie Jake , Huberman Melissa Ann , Wu Yanyun
Published: February 2022

A young female in her early 20s with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus presented to the emergency department due to 4 days of progressive bilateral extremity weakness and numbness. The patient reported flu‐like symptoms that had spontaneously recovered 2 weeks prior to her presentation. She was 10 weeks pregnant at presentation. Lumbar puncture study and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) were consistent with acute motor axonal neuropathy subtype of Guillain‐Barre syndrome (GBS). Patient also had increased proteinuria and renal biopsy performed that was consistent with lupus nephritis. Despite treatment with pulse dose corticosteroids and IVIG, the patient had minimal neurological improvement and with continued decline required intubation. Her pregnancy was terminated at this point and a course of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was started. Patient was also treated with cyclophosphamide. The patient responded to the combination of therapy and had slow but gradual neurologic recovery as well as improvement of proteinuria. Here we describe a case of an acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) subtype of GBS in a young woman with active SLE and current pregnancy at the time of the presentation. Concurrent GBS and active SLE in the setting of pregnancy may be more treatment resistant, and combination therapy including TPE, immunosuppression, and termination of pregnancy may be indicated.
Decomposable super‐simple BIBDs with block size 4 and index 4, 6
Authors: Chen Jingyuan , Yu Huangsheng , Abel R. Julian R. , Wu Dianhua
Published: February 2022

Decomposable designs are important combinatorial designs, and have applications in constant weight codes, perfect threshold schemes and graph decompositions. Let be an even positive integer. A ‐decomposable super‐simple ‐balanced incomplete block design (BIBD) is a super‐simple ‐BIBD, , where , and each is a ‐BIBDs for . In this paper, for , it is proved that the necessary conditions for the existence of a ‐decomposable super‐simple ‐BIBD are also sufficient.
The Resistance Vignette Task: Validating a rapid measure of therapist skill at managing resistance
Authors: Di Bartolomeo Alyssa A. , Westra Henny A. , Javdan Salena , Olson David A.
Published: February 2022

Background

Therapist appropriate responsivity to client ambivalence and resistance is considered an important interpersonal skill to avoid disengagement and ensure a continued collaborative, productive process. The present study examined the predictive validity of the newly developed Resistance Vignette Task (RVT), a 10‐item rapidly administered measure of therapist ability to appropriately respond to various presentations of client resistance.

Methods

Following a resistance management workshop, the concurrent and prospective predictive capacity of RVT scores were examined through test interviews with ambivalent simulators and volunteers.

Results

Prospectively, in test interviews with ambivalent interviewees, higher RVT scores immediately postworkshop were associated with significantly greater responsivity (appropriate responsivity and fewer responsivity errors) at 4‐month follow‐up. RVT scores at the 4‐month follow‐up point were also concurrently associated with significantly greater therapist responsivity and lower levels of interviewee resistance.

Conclusions

These findings provide further validation for the RVT as a measure of therapist responsivity in vivo, in actual interviews by predicting and being concurrently associated with therapist performance in response to client resistance. Thus, the RVT holds promise in advancing therapist training, as well as research on resistance as it represents an efficient measure of this key therapist skill.
Ego Impairment Index (EII‐2) as a predictor of outcome in short‐ and long‐term psychotherapy during a 5‐year follow‐up
Authors: Stenius Jaakko , Heinonen Erkki , Lindfors Olavi , Holma Juha , Knekt Paul
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study examined the predictive ability of the Rorschach‐based Ego Impairment Index (EII‐2) on outcome of psychotherapy in different types and durations of therapy.

Method

A total of 326 outpatients suffering from depressive or anxiety disorders were randomized into receiving solution‐focused (n = 97), short‐term psychodynamic (n = 101), or long‐term psychodynamic psychotherapy (n = 128). Psychotherapy outcome assessments during the 5‐year follow‐up period covered psychiatric symptoms, social functioning, and work ability.

Results

Lower EII‐2 values, which indicate less problematic ego functioning, were found to predict faster improvement in both short‐term therapies as compared to long‐term psychotherapy.

Conclusion

The results provide preliminary support for the utility of EII‐2 as a complementary measure to interview‐based methods for selecting between short‐ and long‐term therapies.
Synthesis of CuFe2O4‐Ti and CuFe2O4‐Ti‐GO nanocomposite photocatalysts using green‐synthesized CuFe2O4: determination of photocatalytic activity, bacteria inactivation and antibiotic degradation potentials under visible light
Authors: Özkal C.B.
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), specifically photocatalysis have gained an essential attraction in the field of micro pollutants degradation. Synthesis and use of proper photocatalysts for target pollutant and water matrix scenarios constitute the primary field of research.

In this study, hydrothermal and sol‐gel synthesis methods were applied for the synthesis of nanocomposites in the form of spinel ferrite CuFe2O4 (CF) nanocomposites and CuFe2O4‐Ti (CFT) and CuFe2O4‐Ti‐GO (CFT‐GO) heterojunction nanocomposites with magnetic properties. And prior to photocatalytic activity based screening, bacteria inactivation and antibiotic degradation potentials of optimum NCs were determined under visible light conditions.

PEG and Cydonia oblonga seed extract were used as chemical and bio‐chemical reducing‐stabilizing agents throughout the hydrothermal synthesis step. The as produced NCs were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, BET Surface, FTIR, RAMAN, Photoluminescence and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy analysis.

RESULTS

According to the pre‐screening findings based on the methylene blue removal efficiencies of NCs under UV‐vis, CFT %1(w/w) have provided >70% removal at the end of 120 min. While CFT‐GO NCs yielded 30% removal rates (Pseudo first order kinetic constants of 0.012 and 0.0036 min−1 respectively). The reactive oxygen species formation by CFT‐GO NC photocatalysts was hindered as a result of conjugation mechanism between MB and aromatic regions of GO and due to high adsorption capacity of the NC.

Based on photocatalytic bacteria inactivation findings of the pre‐screened NCs; >99% of bacteria were inactivated following 90 min of photocatalytic oxidation by CFT‐GO 3%. According to the Modified HOM model, k2 values were estimated to be 1.36 and 1.93 for CFT 1% and CFT‐GO 3% NCs, while no initial and post delay of bacteria inactivation was observed for the latter.

Optimum photocatalyst dose was examined (to be 0.6 g L−1) based on photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole antibiotic at varying initial concentration ([C]0 SMX = 10 and 2.5 mg L−1). The CFT 1% photocatalysts have provided >89 % SMX degradation level (for [C]0 SMX = 2.5 g L−1). For the case of mixture of antibiotics [C]0 total = 2.5 g L−1, CFT 1% have provided >99.5%, >90%, >90% and 28% photocatalytic degradation levels at the end of 180 min for SMX AMP, TET and CLRT antibiotics respectively, while the total rate of degradation was 77%.

CONCLUSION

By using the green synthesis procedure, copper ferrite nanocomposites (CF) was successfully fabricated with comparable physical and chemical properties. This study not only reports on the green synthesis of common p‐type spinel CuFe2O4 but also offer new design of photocatalysts capable of providing efficient removal of antibiotics and bacteria inactivation under visible‐light irradiation. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
COVID‐19 pathophysiology and ultrasound imaging: A multiorgan review
Authors: Ito Giovana N. W. , Rodrigues Vinícius A. C. , Hümmelgen Juliana , Meschino Gustavo S. P. G. , Abou‐Rejaile Gustavo M. , Brenny Isadora D. , de Castro Júnior Carlos R. , Artigas Rafaela C. , Munhoz João Pedro S. , Cardoso Gabriela C. , Picheth Guilherme F.
Published: February 2022

COVID‐19 is a dynamic disease and may affect different tissues and organs as it progresses. Therefore, the impact generated by the disease in all its stages and organs requires a functional and versatile imaging technique able to detect particularities or artifacts dynamically. Ultrasonography fulfills all these requirements and exhibit several advantages relative to other imaging modalities, including portability, lower cost and biosafety. Throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, ultrasonography displayed a crucial role in the triage, monitoring, indicating organ damages and enabling individualized therapeutical decisions in COVID‐19 patients. This review is dedicated to highlight the main pathological effects correlated with ultrasound changes caused by COVID‐19 in the lungs, heart and liver.
ANKRD37 inhibits trophoblast migration and invasion by regulating the NF‐κB pathway in preeclampsia
Authors: Tan Wang , Fu Huijia , Zhou Xiaobo , Duan Yuhan , Yin Nanlin , Huang Jiayu , Liu Xiru
Published: February 2022

Background

Inadequate trophoblast invasion is associated with preeclampsia (PE). Ankyrin repeat domain protein 37 (ANKRD37) has been reported to be abnormally expressed in PE placentas. However, the role of ANKRD37 in trophoblasts has not been investigated. We aimed to determine the functions of ANKRD37 in PE and to explore the molecular mechanisms.

Methods

Here, fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction were used to detect protein and mRNA expression levels. Cell counting kit‐8 assay, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, transwell assay and RNA sequencing were performed to investigate the role of ANKRD37 and the underlying mechanism in HTR8/SVneo and JEG‐3 cells, and extravillous explant cultures were used to evaluate the migration and invasion abilities of extravillous cytotrophoblasts.

Results

We found that ANKRD37 expression was upregulated in PE placentas compared to normal pregnancy placentas. ANKRD37 knockdown enhanced trophoblast migration and invasion, promoted extravillous explant outgrowth, and regulated the expression of key invasion proteins, whereas ANKRD37 overexpression exerted the opposite effects. RNA sequencing indicated that nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) was the potential downstream pathway of ANKRD37, which was confirmed by the change in p‐p65 and p‐IκBα expression in JEG‐3 and HTR8/SVneo cells.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that high expression of ANKRD37 inhibits trophoblast cell migration and invasion possibly via the NF‐κB pathway, and may be related to the development of PE.
Unemployment in women with psychosocial disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Lessons from Tana River County, Kenya
Authors: Ebuenyi Ikenna D. , Gitonga Isaiah , Tele Albert , Syurina Elena V.
Published: February 2022

In low‐income settings, the informal economy is a practical alternative to work and employment for persons with disabilities. However, the COVID‐19 pandemic negatively affected the informal economy. This study aimed to explore the experiences of women with psychosocial disabilities in Kenya during the pandemic. We found that the pandemic worsened their experiences of work and employment, and they did not receive any social welfare or support from the government. Our findings suggest that pandemic management must adopt inclusive and context‐sensitive approaches that support persons with psychosocial disabilities. Social welfare and protection for persons with disabilities are relevant for socio‐economic empowerment and inclusion.
Kakonein restores hyperglycemia-induced macrophage digestion dysfunction through regulation of cathepsin B-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Lian Dawei , Zhu Li , Yu Yunhong , Zhang Xiaojuan , Lin Yike , Liu Jiaying , Han Ruifang , Guo Yitong , Cai Dongpeng , Xiao Wenjing , Chen Yulin , He Hong , Xu Danping , Zheng Chaoyang , Wang Xiao , Huang Yi , Chen Yang
Published: February 2022

In hyperglycemia-induced complications, macrophages play important roles in disease progression, and altered digestion is a key feature that dictates macrophage function. Recent evidence indicates that kakonein (Ka) possesses anti-inflammatory activities for hyperglycemia-induced complication. In this study, we established a mouse model of Nlrp3+/+ and Nlrp3−/− hyperglycemia and administering Ka, primary culture macrophages were tested by engulfing and digesting microbes. The role of macrophages in the cathepsin B–NLRP3 pathway involved in the mechanism of Ka in restoring macrophage digestion function was investigated using biochemical analyses, molecular biotechnology, and microbiology. Ka restored the function of macrophage digestion, which were same characterized by Nlrp3−/− mice. Meanwhile, kakonein could decrease NLRP3 inflammasome products expression and NLRP3/ASC or NLRP3/Casp1 colocalization in macrophage. Interestingly, Ka suppressed inflammasome response not by reducing NLRP3 and ASC expression but by reducing cathepsin B release and activation. And Ka restored macrophage digestion and inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation consistent with cathepsin B inhibitor. It is concluded that Ka reduced the release of lysosomal cathepsin B and consequently inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation to prevent macrophage digestion. Hence, Ka may contribute to new targets for treatment of hyperglycemia-associated dysfunction of macrophage digestion and development of innovative drugs.
Insights on the inhibition properties ofJatromollistatin(a cyclic heptapeptide) againstCrotalus adamanteusmetalloendopeptidase using molecular docking analysis
Authors: Jucá Thiago Lustosa , Ramos Márcio Viana , Cilli Eduardo Maffud , Neto Antônio Eufrásio Vieira , Mackessy Stephen P. , Monteiro‐Moreira Ana Cristina Oliveira
Published: February 2022

Jatropha mollissimais endemic to Brazil and is used for traditional medicinal purposes, including the treatment of snakebite. In this study, latex obtained from this plant was fractioned using reversed‐phase chromatography, and the fractions were then screened for peptides. A 755 g/mol peptide was obtained, and MS/MS analyses indicated it had a cyclic sequence (Pro‐Leu‐Gly‐Val‐Leu‐Leu‐Tyr). This peptide sequence was present in theJatrophagenome database, and an identity value of 90.71%, an E‐value of 0.0, and a score of 883 with NO‐associated protein 1/chloroplastic/mitochondria ofJatropha curcaswere obtained from the NCBI nonredundant protein sequence (nr) database. Molecular docking analyses performed with the peptide against a metalloendopeptidase belonging toCrotalus adamanteussnake venom suggested the cyclic peptide establishes favorable interactions with the catalytic site of the enzyme. Therefore, it could inhibit enzyme catalysis. This belief was corroborated by the formation of 6 hydrogen bonds with the linear form of the peptide. Tighter complexation of the cyclic form (41 kcal/mol more energetic) revealed better spatial blocking. The linear form outperformed the cyclic form in complexing the required energy, recruiting more catalytic residues (6/2), and in establishing more hydrogen bonds (6/3). However, cyclic folding provided a more significant spatial block within the catalytic site. The set of results suggests that the cycle peptide, here called Jatromollistatin, which was previously described as jatrophidin and pohlianin A in two other species of Jatropha, is a promising candidate to inhibit venom proteases. This belief is corroborated by the topical use of the latex for initial treatment of snakebites.
Analysis of influenza trend and impact of COVID‐19 in Kezhou, Xinjiang for 8 consecutive years
Authors: Zeng Lin , Zang Feng , Song Ninghong , Li Zhanjie
Published: February 2022

To study the trend of influenza and the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in Kezhou, Xinjiang from 2013 to 2020. The data of influenza in Kezhou, Xinjiang from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2020, were collected by the China Influenza Surveillance Information System to study the trend of ILI proportion, the distribution of influenza‐like cases in different age groups, the positive cases and positive rate of influenza, and the trend of different influenza subtypes, and to analyze the impact of COVID‐19 epidemic on influenza. The proportion of ILI in the Xinjiang Kezhou area was mainly children under 15 years old, and children under 5 years old accounted for the largest proportion. The proportion of ILI, the number of influenza‐positive cases, and the influenza‐positive proportion were mainly in winter and spring, especially in December and January each year. At the same time, this study found that the overall trend of H3N2 influenza in this region was on the rise, and the outbreaks in 2018 and 2019 were dominated by novel H1N1 and H3N2, respectively. The trend of influenza in Kezhou, Xinjiang is on the rise, and the prevention and control measures of COVID‐19 have significantly reduced the data of influenza. It is necessary to strengthen the vaccination work and maintain the basic prevention and control measures of respiratory infectious diseases to prevent and control influenza more effectively.
A method comparison study of the high throughput automated HISCL® SARS‐CoV‐2 antigen assay using nasopharyngeal swab samples from symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects against conventional RT‐PCR
Authors: Linssen Joachim , Schapendonk Claire , Münster Marion , Daemen Paul , Rahamat‐Langendoen Janette , Wertheim Heiman
Published: February 2022

Our study aim was to evaluate the performance of the automated Sysmex HISCL® severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) antigen assay against reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). We tested 277 remnant frozen nasopharyngeal swab samples, stored in universal transport medium (UTM), yielding a sensitivity of 94.9% against historical RT‐PCR results with cycle threshold (Ct) < 30, and a sensitivity of 76.7% for Ct < 35, and specificity of 100% (all Ct values) confirming compatibility of UTM‐diluted samples with the assay system. Thereafter, we prospectively collected 141 nasopharyngeal swab samples in UTM from healthcare workers and 1369 paired swabs (400 UTM; 969 dry) from individuals at a public health testing center, with the first swab (UTM) reserved for RT‐PCR, yielding a positivity rate of 4.6%. HISCL assay performance using UTM swabs was superior to dry swabs, with a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 71.5%–100%) at Ct < 30 versus 92.3% (95%CI 81.5%–97.9%), and a specificity of 99.3% (95% CI 98.1–99.89) against 83.3% (95%CI 80.7%–85.6%). We conclude that this antigen assay is suitable for high throughput facilities where the primary indication for testing is to rule out infection with low RT‐PCR Ct values (proxy for high viral loads) to curb viral spread.
The Effects of Endotracheal Tube Size During Bronchoscopy in Simulated Models of Intubated Patients
Authors: Kelebeyev Saveliy , Davison Wesley , Ford Branden L. , Pitman Michael J. , Bulman William A.
Published: February 2022

Objective

The aim is to use a simulation lung model to assess the possibility of performing bronchoscopy through endotracheal tubes (ETT) less than 8.0‐mm while appropriately ventilating patients with normal and ARDS lungs in the setting of SARS‐CoV‐2.

Methods

Five SHERIDAN® ETTs were used to ventilate SimMan® 3G under respiratory compliance levels representing normal and severe ARDS lungs. Baseline measurements of peak pressure, plateau pressure, and auto‐positive end expiratory pressure (auto‐PEEP) were recorded at four different inspiratory times (Ti). Three different‐sized disposable bronchoscopes were inserted, and all measurements were repeated.

Results

Normal lung model: Slim bronchoscopes in 6.0‐mm ETTs resulted in plateau pressures <30 cm H2O, and increasing Ti to minimize peak pressure resulted in low auto‐PEEP. Regular bronchoscopes in 7.0‐mm ETTs had similar results. Large bronchoscopes in 7.5‐mm ETTs generated plateau pressures ranging from 28 to 35 cm H2O with modest auto‐PEEP. Severe ARDS lung model: Slim bronchoscopes in 6.0‐mm ETTs resulted in plateau pressures of 46 and an auto‐PEEP of 5 cm H2O. Regular bronchoscopes in 7.0‐mm ETTs generated similar results. Large bronchoscopes in 8.0‐mm ETTs displayed plateau pressures of 44 and an auto‐PEEP of 2 cm H2O.

Conclusion

To mitigate risk of laryngeal injury, larger ETTs during bronchoscopy should be avoided. Our data show bronchoscopy with any ETT causes auto‐PEEP and high plateau pressures, especially in lungs with poor compliance; however, ETT less than 7.5 mm can be used when considering several factors. Our data also suggest similar studies in patients with varying degrees of ARDS would be informative.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 133:147–153, 2023
Incidental FDG‐Avid Focuses in Palatine Tonsils on PET/CT
Authors: Reinholdt Kasper Basse , Dias André Henrique , Hoff Camilla Molich , Gormsen Lars Christian , Klug Tejs Ehlers
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The management of incidental findings of FDG‐avid tonsils on PET/CT (IFT) is unclear. We aimed to explore the prevalence of malignancy in IFT, identify risk factors for malignancy, and calculate optimal cutoffs of maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) to discriminate between benign and malignant lesions.

Methods

All patients who were tonsillectomized at our institution because of IFT from October 2011 to December 2020 were included. Patients undergoing PET/CT due to suspected tonsillar disease or cancer of unknown primary were excluded.

Results

In total, 77 patients were included, of which 11 (14%) of them had IFT malignancy. Dysphagia (p = 0.019) and alcohol abuse (p = 0.035) were associated with malignancy. Absolute SUVmax cutoff (≥9: sensitivity 100%; specificity 53%) was superior to SUVmax side‐to‐side ratio (≥1.5: sensitivity 64%; specificity 70%) to discriminate between benign and malignant lesions.

Conclusion

We recommend tonsillectomy for patients with IFT displaying SUVmax ≥ 9.0, ratio ≥ 1.5, or symptoms or findings suggesting malignancy.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 132:2370–2378, 2022
Association Between Alcohol Dehydrogenase Polymorphisms and the Recurrence of Laryngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Hui‐Ying , Lau Hui‐Ching , Ji Meng‐You , Hsueh Chi‐Yao , Zhang Ming
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Alcohol consumption is closely associated with prognosis for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients. As key enzymes in ethanol metabolism, proteins in the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) family make for valuable targets to establish a novel predictive nomogram model. This study attempts to do so by focusing on the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ADH1B and ADH1C in LSCC.

Methods

Sixty eight LSCC patients that were followed up for more than 10 years were retrospectively analyzed. Endpoints of the current study included disease‐free survival and overall survival. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and evaluated by log‐rank test. The prognostic value of eight ADH1B SNPs and three ADH1C SNPs were evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. A nomogram model for disease‐free survival was established and evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the C‐index, and a calibration plot.

Results

Significant association was exhibited between rs17033 (p < 0.001) and rs1229984 (p = 0.002) with an increase in LSCC recurrence rate on Kaplan–Meier curves. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the rs17033 polymorphism of ADH1B was independently associated with an increased risk of LSCC recurrence (HR = 3.325, 95% CI = 1.684–6.566, p = 0.001). Based on these findings, a prognostic nomogram of LSCC patients involving ADH1B rs17033 was constructed.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated an independent association between ADH1B gene variants and the recurrence of LSCC. A nomogram model based on rs17033 of ADH1B, age, T, and N stages were successfully developed for the first time to predict the probability of recurrence in LSCC patients.

Level of Evidence

3 Retrospective cohort study Laryngoscope, 132:2169–2176, 2022
A multi‐method approach to analyse changes in gully characteristics between 2009 and 2018 in southeast Nigeria
Authors: Osumgborogwu Ikenna Emmanuel , Wainwright John , Turnbull Laura , Uzoigwe Luke O.
Published: February 2022

Gully erosion is the dominant environmental problem in southeast Nigeria and has led to loss of human and material resources. In this study, we evaluated changes in gully characteristics in southeast Nigeria and their potential drivers between 2009 and 2018 using a multi‐method approach: analysis of high‐resolution satellite imagery (2–5 m) and focus group discussions. Gully numbers increased from 26 to 39 and mean gully length increased from 0.39 to 0.43 km. We found that land adjacent to rivers had the highest concentration of gullies which is associated with an increase in slope angle from 10 to 58% up to 500 m from rivers. Regarding potential gully‐drivers, land‐use changes were observed. Non‐vegetated lands increased from 58.6 to 144.7 km2 between 2009 and 2018, while reductions in fallow lands from 281.2 to 57.8 km2 were observed. Results from focus group meetings indicate there was no gullying in the area before the Nigerian civil war (1967–1970). War‐time activities such as digging trenches and increased population density were said to have led to the formation of the oldest gullies in the area. Although war‐time activities have ceased, meeting attendees believed that present land‐use changes have increased the volume of surface runoff and thus enhancing gully erosion. Incorporating local knowledge in this study has therefore provided a valuable understanding on the key drivers of gullying that pre‐dates the availability of freely available high‐resolution satellite data.
A new sandwich hybridization assay method to identify and quantify Microcystis spp.
Authors: Dearth Nicole M. , Jones William J. , Espinosa Jessica I. , Mortensen Rebecca A. , Pinckney James L. , Greenfield Dianne I.
Published: February 2022

Cyanobacteria are responsible for the largest number of harmful algal blooms (HABs) worldwide. HABs caused by the genus Microcystis are health threats because they often occur within close proximity to humans and produce phycotoxins such as microcystins that can contaminate drinking water and recreational areas. Molecular techniques enable accurate and rapid (~ 1 h) HAB detection that facilitates monitoring, “early warnings” of blooms, and corresponding management responses. Sandwich hybridization assay (SHA), the technique considered here, directly (no amplification) identifies and quantifies plankton species using ribosomal RNA (rRNA)‐targeted oligonucleotides. This project focused on the development of a new SHA method for the detection of Microcystis (16S rRNA) using laboratory cultures. Assay calibration curve and limits of detection were determined using Microcystis aeruginosa, though signal intensity differed significantly (p < 0.05) between three species (M. aeruginosa, Microcystis botrys, Microcystis wesenbergii). SHA results for M. aeruginosa raised under three light intensities (40, 60, and 100 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and two temperatures (25°C and 32°C) were greatest at the highest irradiance for both temperatures, but otherwise variable, yielding an overall significant (p < 0.05) interaction between light and temperature. The 32°C treatment also resulted in significantly lower (p < 0.05) Photosystem II quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) and microcystins concentrations per light intensity. Spiked field experiments showed that SHA signal was not significantly affected (p > 0.05) by a mixed phytoplankton assemblage. The assay speed, wide detection range, and specificity indicate that this method has promise for additional field studies and HAB monitoring.
Triebel–Lizorkin–Morrey spaces and differences
Authors: Hovemann Marc
Published: February 2022

We study the Triebel–Lizorkin–Morrey spaces and prove that under certain sufficient conditions on the parameters these spaces can be characterised in terms of higher‐order differences. Moreover we show that some of the mentioned conditions are also necessary.
Novel Pyrrolo [3,4‐b] Dithieno [3, 2‐f:2″,3″‐h] Quinoxaline‐8,10 (9H)‐Dione Based Wide Bandgap Conjugated Copolymers for Bulk Heterojunction Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Keshtov Mukhamed. L. , Khokhlov Alexei R. , Godovsky Dimitry. Y. , Ostapov Ilya. E. , Alekseev Vladimir G. , Xie Zhiyuan , Chayal Giriraj , Sharma Ganesh D.
Published: February 2022

Two D‐A copolymers consisting of fused ring pyrrolo‐dithieno‐quinoxaline acceptors are synthesized with different donor units, i.e., benzodithiophene (BDT) with alkylthienyl (P134) and 2‐ethylhexyloxy (P117) side chains. These copolymers are used as donors and a narrow bandgap acceptor Y6 to fabricate bulk heterojunction polymer solar cell devices. Owing to the strong electron‐deficient fused ring pyrrolo‐bithieno‐quinoxaline and weak alkyl thienyl side chains in BDT, the polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on P134:Y6 attain the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.42%, which is higher than the P117:Y6 counterpart (12.14%). The superior value of PCE for P134:Y6 can be associated with more well‐adjusted charge transport, weak charge recombination, proficient exciton generation, and dissociation into free charge carriers and their subsequent charge collection owing to the dense π–π stacking distance and more considerable crystal coherence length for the P134:Y6 thin films. This investigation confirms the great potential of a strong acceptor‐weak donor tactic for developing efficient D‐A copolymers consists of quinoxaline acceptor for PSCs.
Understanding Recreational Angler Diversity and Its Potential Implications on Promoting Responsible Fishing Practices in a Multispecies Gulf of Maine Fishery
Authors: Capizzano Connor W. , Jones Emily A. , Scyphers Steven B. , Zemeckis Douglas R. , Danylchuk Andy J. , Mandelman John W.
Published: February 2022

Recent work in the Gulf of Maine multispecies recreational fishery has established responsible fishing practices that anglers can use to reduce bycatch and the discard mortality of three key groundfish species. However, anglers represent a diverse stakeholder group whose backgrounds and experiences may influence how they receive, support, and adopt responsible fishing practices that aim to sustain catch-and-release angling opportunities. We therefore surveyed Gulf of Maine recreational anglers who target groundfish, including Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua, Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus, and Cusk Brosme brosme, to assess whether differences among anglers influenced how likely anglers were to voluntarily adopt or consider adopting responsible fishing practices and which information channels they used to obtain such information. By broadly sampling Gulf of Maine recreational fishing license holders via an online survey, we collected responses from 306 respondents who targeted groundfish in some capacity; several topics, including fishing activity and experience, responsible fishing practices, information channels, and sociodemographics, were addressed in the survey. A latent class cluster analysis found that respondents who participate in this regional fishery can be broadly categorized into three distinct classes (Striped Bass [Morone saxatilis] Enthusiasts, All-rounders, and Offshore Groundfishers) from their primary fishing mode and target species. Despite the presence of these latent classes, class membership did not affect how likely respondents were to voluntarily adopt or consider adopting species-specific fishing practices from previous scientific investigations. However, class membership was observed to influence how respondents used information channels to receive angling information, with Offshore Groundfishers relying more often on captains and crew than the other classes. Therefore, to promote responsible fishing practices alongside regulations, we recommend that fishery managers use a mixed outreach program to effectively communicate and engage with this portion of the community until more directed studies can be conducted.
A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Controlled Phase II Study of Foliglurax in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Rascol Olivier , Medori Rossella , Baayen Corine , Such Pedro , Meulien Didier ,   AMBLED Study Group
Published: February 2022

Background

Agents targeting the metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 have emerged as a potentially attractive new class of drugs for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of foliglurax in reducing off time and dyskinesia in patients with PD.

Methods

This was a 28‐day, multicenter, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind clinical trial of foliglurax 10 and 30 mg as adjunct to levodopa in 157 randomly assigned patients with PD and motor complications.

Results

Although dose‐dependent decreases in daily awake off time were apparent following treatment with foliglurax, the change from baseline to day 28 in off time (primary endpoint) and dyskinesia (secondary endpoint) did not improve significantly compared with placebo for either foliglurax dose. Treatment with foliglurax was generally safe, and there were no relevant safety signals.

Conclusions

There was no evidence in this study that foliglurax has efficacy in improving levodopa‐induced motor complications in PD. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
On positivity and monotonicity analysis for discrete fractional operators with discrete Mittag–Leffler kernel
Authors: Mohammed Pshtiwan Othman , Goodrich Christopher S. , Hamasalh Faraidun Kadir , Kashuri Artion , Hamed Y. S.
Published: February 2022

We consider conditions under which the positivity of a fractional difference implies either positivity, monotonicity, or convexity, and we consider both the non‐sequential and sequential cases. The particular difference we study is the discrete nabla ABC‐type difference, and it possesses a Mittag–Leffler kernel; this leads to some different results when compared to other types of kernels. We conclude by applying our results to certain classes of initial value problems in discrete fractional calculus.
Multisequence MR‐generated sCT is promising for HNC MR‐only RT: A comprehensive evaluation of previously developed sCT generation networks
Authors: Qi Mengke , Li Yongbao , Wu Aiqian , Lu Xingyu , Zhou Linghong , Song Ting
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To verify the feasibility of our in‐house developed multisequence magnetic resonance (MR)‐generated synthetic computed tomography (sCT) for accurate dose calculation and fractional positioning for head and neck MR‐only radiation therapy (RT).

Methods

Forty‐five patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were retrospectively studied. By applying our previously in‐house developed network, a patient's sCT can rapidly be generated with respect to feeding the sole T1 image, T1C image, T1DixonC image, T2 image, and their combination (five pipelines in total). A k(5)‐fold strategy was implemented during model establishment. Dose recalculation was performed for each pipeline generation to attain a dosimetric feasibility evaluation. Fractional positioning evaluation was performed by calculating the digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) of the sCT and planning CT and their offset to the portal image.

Results

The dose mean absolute error values were (0.47±0.16)%, (0.48±0.15)% (p < 0.05), (0.50±0.16)% (p < 0.05), (0.50±0.15)% (p < 0.05), and (0.45±0.16)% (p < 0.05) for the T1, T1C, T1Dixon C, T2, and 4‐channel generated sCT to the prescription dose, respectively. The 4‐channel‐generated sCT outperforms any other single‐sequence pipeline. Among the single‐sequence MR imaging‐generated sCTs, the T1‐generated sCT shows the most accurate HU image quality and provides a reliable dose result. Quantified positioning errors with calculation of the difference to the planning CT offsets are (−0.26±0.50) mm, (–0.58±0.52) mm (p < 0.05), (–0.27±0.57) mm (p > 0.05), (–0.31±0.44) mm (p > 0.05), and (–0.19±0.37) mm (p > 0.05) at LNG and (0.34±0.53) mm, (0.48±0.56) mm (p > 0.05), (0.55±0.56) mm (p > 0.05), (0.37±0.61) mm (p > 0.05), and (0.24±0.43) mm (p > 0.05) at LAT of the anterior–posterior direction for the five pipelines.

Conclusion

Multisequence MR‐generated sCT allows for accurate dose calculation and fractional positioning for head and neck MR‐only RT.
In vivo assessment of hypertensive nephrosclerosis using ultrasound localization microscopy
Authors: Qiu Lanyan , Zhang Jingke , Yang Yi , Zhang Hong , Lee Fu‐Feng , He Qiong , Huang Chengwu , Huang Lijie , Qian Linxue , Luo Jianwen
Published: February 2022

Purpose

As a typical chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertensive nephrosclerosis (HN) is a common syndrome of hypertension, characterized by chronic kidney microvascular damage. Early diagnosis of microvascular damage using conventional ultrasound imaging encounters challenges in sensitivity and specificity owing to the inherent diffraction limit. Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) has been developed to obtain microvasculature and microvascular hemodynamics within the kidney, and would be a promising tool for the early diagnosis of CKD.

Methods

In this study, the advantage of quantitative indexes obtained by using ULM (mean arterial blood flow speeds of different segments of interlobular arteries) over indexes obtained using conventional clinical serum (β2‐microglobulin, serum urea nitrogen, and creatinine) and urine (24‐h urine volume and urine protein) tests and ultrasound Doppler imaging (peak systolic velocity [PSV], end‐diastolic velocity [EDV], and resistance index [RI]) and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound imaging (CEUS; rise time [RT], peak intensity [IMAX], mean transit time [mTT], and area under the time‐intensity curve [AUC]) for early diagnosis of HN were investigated. Examinations were carried out on six spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and five normal Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats at the age of 10 weeks.

Results

The experimental results show that the indicators derived from conventional clinical inspections (serum and urine tests) and ultrasound imaging (PSV, EDV, RI, RT, IMAX, mTT, and AUC) do not show significant difference between hypertensive and healthy rats (p > 0.05), while the TTP of the SHR group (28.52 ± 5.52 s) derived from CEUS is significantly higher than that of the WKY group (18.68 ± 7.32 s; p < 0.05). The mean blood flow speed in interlobular artery of SHR (12.47 ± 1.06 mm/s) derived from ULM is significantly higher than that of WKY rats (10.13 ± 1.17 mm/s; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The advantages of ULM over conventional clinical inspections and ultrasound imaging methods for early diagnosis of HN were validated. The quantitative results show that ULM can effectively diagnose HN at the early stage by detecting the blood flow speed changes of interlobular arteries. ULM may promise a reliable technique for early diagnosis of HN in the future.
Technical note: A PET/MR coil with an integrated, orbiting 511 keV transmission source for PET/MR imaging validated in an animal study
Authors: Renner Andreas , Rausch Ivo , Cal Gonzalez Jacobo , Laistler Elmar , Moser Ewald , Jochimsen Thies , Sattler Tatjana , Sabri Osama , Beyer Thomas , Figl Michael , Birkfellner Wolfgang , Sattler Bernhard
Published: February 2022

Background

MR‐based methods for attenuation correction (AC) in PET/MRI either neglect attenuation of bone, or use MR‐signal derived information about bone, which leads to a bias in quantification of tracer uptake in PET. In a previous study, we presented a PET/MRI specific MR coil with an integrated transmission source (TX) system allowing for direct measurement of attenuation. In phantom measurements, this system successfully reproduced the linear attenuation coefficient of water.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to validate the TX system in a clinical setting using animals and to show its applicability compared to standard clinical methods.

Methods

As test subject, a 15‐kg piglet was injected with 53 MBq of 18F‐NaF. The μ‐map obtained with the TX system and the reconstructed activity distribution were compared to four established AC methods: a Dixon sequence, an ultra‐short echo time (UTE) sequence, a CT scan, and a 511 keV transmission scan using a Siemens ECAT EXACT HR+ as the reference. The PET/MRI measurements were performed on a Siemens Biograph mMR to obtain the μ‐map using the TX system as well as the Dixon and UTE sequence directly followed by the CT and ECAT measurements.

Results

The reconstructed activity distribution using the TX system for AC showed similar results compared to the reference (<5% difference in hot regions) and outperformed the MR‐based methods as implemented in the PET/MRI system (<10% difference in hot regions). However, the additional hardware of the TX system adds complexity to the acquisition process.

Conclusion

Our porcine study demonstrates the feasibility of post‐injection transmission scans using the developed TX system in a clinical setting. This makes it a useful tool for PET/MRI in cases where transmission information is needed for AC. Potential applications are studies using larger animals where state‐of‐the‐art atlas‐based or artificial intelligence AC methods are not available.
Directions for future research on urban mobility and city logistics
Authors: Kaspi Mor , Raviv Tal , Ulmer Marlin W.
Published: February 2022

This survey article provides an overview on future directions for research in urban mobility and city logistics. It sets a focus on three particularly serious changes in the business models: vehicle autonomy, crowdsourced logistics, and urban micro‐consolidation centers. In the future, service fleets might fully or partially be autonomous which brings new operational opportunities and challenges. In many business models, crowdsourcing jobs are already common. While this might save costs, it also leads to uncertainty in the available workforce and their behavior. Finally, micro‐consolidation centers enable the use of smaller, cheaper, and emission‐friendlier vehicles, but lead to more complex planning and operations. For each topic, the article presents an overview on the relevant literature as well as important and open research challenges.
Reconstructing the epidermal proteolytic cascades in health and disease
Authors: Sotiropoulou Georgia , Zingkou Eleni , Pampalakis Georgios
Published: February 2022

The epidermis is the outer stratified epithelium of the skin, forming the physical barrier that is indispensable for homeostasis. Epidermal proteolysis, mainly but not exclusively executed by kallikrein‐related peptidases (KLKs), is tightly regulated to ensure maintenance of physiological skin renewal and an intact skin barrier. Perturbation of epidermal proteolytic networks is implicated in a wide array of rare and common skin pathologies of diverse genetic backgrounds. Recent studies of monogenic human skin diseases and newly developed animal models have revealed new mechanisms of regulation of proteolytic pathways in epidermal physiology and in disease states. These new data have challenged some accepted views, for example the role of matriptase in epidermal desquamation, which turned out to be restricted to mouse skin. The significance of PAR2 signaling in skin inflammation should also be reconsidered in the face of recent findings. Cumulatively, recent studies necessitate a sophisticated redefinition of the proteolytic and signaling pathways that operate in human skin. We elaborate how epidermal proteolysis is finely regulated at multiple levels, and in a spatial manner that has not been taken into consideration so far, in which specific proteases are confined to distinct epidermal sublayers. Of interest, transglutaminases have emerged as regulators of epidermal proteolysis and desquamation by spatially fixing endogenous protease inhibitors, constituting regulatory factors that were not recognized before. Furthermore, new evidence suggests a link between proteolysis and lipid metabolism. By synthesis of established notions and recent discoveries, we provide an up‐to‐date critical evaluation and synthesis of current knowledge and the extended complexity of proteolysis regulation and signaling pathways in skin. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.