bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound examination in detecting aspiration and pharyngeal residue in patients with dysphagia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Miura Yuka , Tamai Nao , Kitamura Aya , Yoshida Mikako , Takahashi Toshiaki , Mugita Yuko , Tobita Itoko , Arita Mikiko , Urai Tamae , Dai Misako , Noguchi Hiroshi , Matsumoto Masaru , Mukai Kanae , Nakagami Gojiro , Ota Erika , Sugama Junko , Sanada Hiromi
Published: April 2021

Aim

To estimate diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for detecting aspiration and pharyngeal residue in patients with dysphagia.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL, EMBASE, Ichushi‐Web, and Cochrane Library databases to identify articles that showed diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for detecting aspiration and residue published in English and Japanese until August 2019. Cross‐sectional studies, case–control studies, and cohort studies were included. The diagnostic accuracy results were extracted and the pooled estimated sensitivity and specificity were calculated. The risk of bias of the studies was assessed using the Revised Tool for the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology.

Results

Five studies were included in this review. The pooled estimated sensitivity and specificity for detecting aspiration were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72–0.89) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81–0.92), respectively. One study was included that evaluated ultrasound assessments of pharyngeal residue. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.62 (95% CI: 0.32–0.86) and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.22–0.96), respectively. The certainty of the evidence was low and very low for the diagnostic accuracy of aspiration and pharyngeal residue, respectively.

Conclusion

Ultrasound is a non‐invasive method with good sensitivity and specificity in detecting aspiration as well as reference standards. While risk of bias and small number of studies limited the strength of this systematic review, our results suggested that ultrasound examination was useful as a bedside screening tool for detecting aspiration.
A latent profile analysis of romantic attachment anxiety and avoidance
Authors: Vaillancourt‐Morel Marie‐Pier , Labadie Chloé , Charbonneau‐Lefebvre PhD candidate Véronique , Sabourin Stéphane , Godbout Natacha
Published: April 2021

We conducted latent profile analyses on community (n = 1663) and clinical (n = 575) samples to determine whether continuous scores of attachment anxiety and avoidance would lead to the identification of theoretically consistent and clinically useful profiles. We then compared these profiles according to gender, relationship status, psychological distress, and relationship satisfaction. Analysis on the community sample yielded four profiles: secure, preoccupied, dismissive, and fearful individuals; whereas, the clinical sample yielded three profiles: secure, preoccupied, and fearful individuals. In the community sample, there was a higher proportion of women under the preoccupied profile and a higher proportion of men under the dismissive profile compared with the other profiles. Overall, insecure individuals reported higher levels of relationship dissatisfaction and psychological distress, and a relationship status reflecting lower commitment. Our findings suggest that the Experiences in Close Relationships scale could be useful in assisting therapists in conceptualizing their cases according to their patients’ attachment profile.
Elemental mapping of labelled biological specimens at intermediate energy loss in an energy‐filtered TEM acquired using a direct detection device
Authors: Ramachandra Ranjan , Mackey Mason R. , Hu Junru , Peltier Steven T. , Xuong Nguyen‐Huu , Ellisman Mark H. , Adams Stephen R.
Published: April 2021

The technique of colour EM that was recently developed enabled localisation of specific macromolecules/proteins of interest by the targeted deposition of diaminobenzidine (DAB) conjugated to lanthanide chelates. By acquiring lanthanide elemental maps by energy‐filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) and overlaying them in pseudo‐colour over the conventional greyscale TEM image, a colour EM image is generated. This provides a powerful tool for visualising subcellular component/s, by the ability to clearly distinguish them from the general staining of the endogenous cellular material. Previously, the lanthanide elemental maps were acquired at the high‐loss M4,5 edge (excitation of 3d electrons), where the characteristic signal is extremely low and required considerably long exposures. In this paper, we explore the possibility of acquiring the elemental maps of lanthanides at their N4,5 edge (excitation of 4d electrons), which occurring at a much lower energy‐loss regime, thereby contains significantly greater total characteristic signal owing to the higher inelastic scattering cross‐sections at the N4,5 edge. Acquiring EFTEM lanthanide elemental maps at the N4,5 edge instead of the M4,5 edge, provides ∼4× increase in signal‐to‐noise and ∼2× increase in resolution. However, the interpretation of the lanthanide maps acquired at the N4,5 edge by the traditional 3‐window method, is complicated due to the broad shape of the edge profile and the lower signal‐above‐background ratio. Most of these problems can be circumvented by the acquisition of elemental maps with the more sophisticated technique of EFTEM Spectrum Imaging (EFTEM SI). Here, we also report the chemical synthesis of novel second‐generation DAB lanthanide metal chelate conjugates that contain 2 lanthanide ions per DAB molecule in comparison with 0.5 lanthanide ion per DAB in the first generation. Thereby, fourfold more Ln3+ per oxidised DAB would be deposited providing significant amplification of signal. This paper applies the colour EM technique at the intermediate‐loss energy‐loss regime to three different cellular targets, namely using mitochondrial matrix‐directed APEX2, histone H2B‐Nucleosome and EdU‐DNA. All the examples shown in the paper are single colour EM images only.
A recurrent MORC2 mutation causes Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease type 2Z
Authors: Vujovic Dragan , Cornblath David R. , Scherer Steven S.
Published: April 2021

We found a p.Ala406Val (c.1217C > T) mutation in MORC2 in three individuals, from two families. All three individuals were evaluated and clinical electrophysiology was completed. The neuropathy began in childhood to early adulthood, with distal weakness progressing to proximal weakness. Vinblastine (for Hodgkin lymphoma) acutely worsened the weakness in one patient. This finding confirms that that the p.Ala406Val mutation in MORC2 causes severe neuropathy. In addition, we report the first case of vinblastine neurotoxicity in Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease type 2Z.
The Effectiveness of Students’ Performance in Preclinical Fixed Prosthodontics Course in Predicting Subsequent Clinical Performance
Authors: Al‐Angari Nadia S. , Aldaham Atheer S. , Masuadi Emad , Nadeem Muhammad , Alkadi Lubna
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the correlation between students’ achieved grades in a preclinical fixed prosthodontics course and their performance in the same discipline's clinical courses.

Materials and methods

This study was conducted in 2019 on 76 students who passed all preclinical and clinical fixed prosthodontics courses. Their final examination grades in preclinical and clinical prosthodontics courses were compiled and made anonymous. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23) was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics and correlation coefficient were used to assess the relation between preclinical and clinical grades.

Results

A statistically significant positive correlation existed between the students’ preclinical and combined clinical final examination grades (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). In relation to sex, females showed a significantly higher correlation (r = 0.56, p = 0.001) compared to males (r = 0.25, p = 0.1). In addition, students’ clinical grade prediction from their preclinical performance was 20.5%.

Conclusion

These findings emphasize the importance of preclinical courses and suggest that maximizing preclinical years' efforts can reflect positively on students' competence in their future clinical practice.
Effect of commercially available thickening agents on ready‐to‐feed infant formulas
Authors: Gosa Memorie M. , Choquette Chloe K.
Published: April 2021

Because of the importance of providing the appropriate fluid consistency for effective management of swallowing problems (dysphagia) in infants, this project sought to determine the effect of three commercially available thickening agents on the resulting thickened consistencies of commonly prescribed, ready‐to‐feed infant formulas. Nine ready‐to‐feed infant formulas were thickened with three different thickening agents to nectar and honey consistencies following manufacturer's instructions and their resulting thickness was measured via line spread test (LST). The nine formulas with nothing added to them (thin liquids) and the 27 target‐nectar and 27 target‐honey samples together created 63 unique samples for comparison. A series of one‐way analysis of variance analyses were conducted to determine if the resulting thickness (as measured by LST values) for target categories of nectar and honey consistencies was significantly influenced by the type of thickening agent used. The achieved thickness of the formula samples as measured by LST values was statistically significantly different for the three different types of thickening agents used to achieve a target nectar consistency, F (2, 24) = 15.55, p < .001,  = .709. Additionally, the achieved thickness of the formula samples was statistically significantly different for the three different types of thickening agents used to achieve a target honey consistency, F (2, 24) = 16.18, p < .001,  = .709. The results of this study reveal that the choice of thickening agent impacts the resulting thickness of ready‐to‐feed infant formula.
CpG methylation frequency of TET2, GRIA2, and CDKN2A genes in the North Atlantic fin whale varies with age and between populations
Authors: García‐Vernet Raquel , Martín Berta , Peinado Miguel A. , Víkingsson Gísli , Riutort Marta , Aguilar Alex
Published: April 2021

Recovery rates for baleen whales that were decimated by exploitation vary between species and populations. Age determination is critical for the understanding of recovery trends and population structure, but determining age in free‐ranging individuals remains challenging. Recent research has suggested that the methylation level of some genes in skin samples may provide age determinations with accuracy. We selected nine CpG sites from three genes (TET2, CDKN2A, and GRIA2) and analyzed them in 40 skin samples from known‐age individuals pertaining to two different populations of fin whales from the North Atlantic. We observed significant correlations with age in five CpG sites. We used three of these CpG sites to perform an epigenetic age estimation. Predictions had a standard deviation of 2.94, but regression between observed and predicted ages showed a clear underestimation for older fin whales. For further development, we suggest: (1) screening for new CpG sites associated with age that exhibit higher variability between individuals, and (2) including older animals whenever the sampling allows it. We also observed subtle, but significant differences between the two populations studied in one of the CpG sites (TET2_CpG + 21). We attributed these differences to genetic differences or to the dissimilar environments that affect both populations.
Epigastric symptom response to low FODMAP dietary advice compared with standard dietetic advice in individuals with functional dyspepsia
Authors: Staudacher Heidi M. , Nevin Amy N. , Duff Christopher , Kendall Bradley J. , Holtmann Gerald J.
Published: April 2021

Background

Certain dietary constituents may provoke symptoms of functional dyspepsia (FD); however, there is an absence of dietary trials testing specific dietary interventions. Empirically derived dietary strategies and the low FODMAP diet are frequently used in practice. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of low FODMAP dietary advice with standard dietary advice for reducing epigastric and overall gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with FD.

Methods

Data were collected from 59 consecutive eligible individuals with FD attending an initial and review outpatient dietetic consultation at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Of these, 40 received low FODMAP advice and 19 received standard dietary advice. As part of usual care, the Structured Assessment of Gastrointestinal Symptom Scale (SAGIS) was used to assess epigastric (maximum score = 28) and overall gastrointestinal symptoms (maximum score = 88). Dietary adherence data were collected, and change in symptom score and proportion of responders (defined as a ≥30% reduction in score) for epigastric and total symptoms was calculated.

Key Results

Most individuals (48/59, 81%) had FD and coexisting irritable bowel syndrome. There was a greater reduction in epigastric score in those receiving low FODMAP dietary advice compared with those receiving standard advice (est. marginal mean [95% CI]: −3.6 [−4.9, −2.2] vs. −0.9 [−2.9, 1.1], p = 0.032) and total symptom score (−9.4 [−12.4, −6.4] vs. −3.3 [−7.7, 1.1] p = 0.026). A greater proportion receiving low FODMAP dietary advice were responders versus those receiving standard advice (50% vs. 16%, p = 0.012). Dietary adherence did not differ between groups (p = 0.497).

Conclusions & Inferences

The low FODMAP diet appears more effective for improving epigastric symptoms in people with FD compared with standard advice. A randomized controlled trial is required to substantiate these findings.
Networks of friends and foes and the fate of tree seedlings
Authors: Kuyper Thomas W.
Published: April 2021

This article is a Commentary on Liang et al., 230: 2061–2071.
A small Ustilago maydis effector acts as a novel adhesin for hyphal aggregation in plant tumors
Authors: Fukada Fumi , Rössel Nicole , Münch Karin , Glatter Timo , Kahmann Regine
Published: April 2021

The biotrophic basidiomycete fungus Ustilago maydis causes smut disease in maize. Hallmarks of the disease are characteristic large tumors in which dark pigmented spores are formed. Here, we functionally characterized a novel core effector lep1 (late effector protein 1) which is highly expressed during tumor formation and contributes to virulence.

We characterize lep1 mutants, localize the protein, determine phenotypic consequences upon deletion as well as constitutive expression, and analyze relationships with the repellent protein Rep1 and hydrophobins.

In tumors, lep1 mutants show attenuated hyphal aggregation, fail to undergo massive late proliferation and produce only a few spores. Upon constitutive expression, cell aggregation is induced and the surface of filamentous colonies displays enhanced hydrophobicity. Lep1 is bound to the cell wall of biotrophic hyphae and associates with Rep1 when constitutively expressed in hyphae.

We conclude that Lep1 acts as a novel kind of cell adhesin which functions together with other surface‐active proteins to allow proliferation of diploid hyphae as well as for induction of the morphological changes associated with spore formation.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and potential mitochondrial protectant treatments in tendinopathy
Authors: Zhang Xueying , Eliasberg Claire D. , Rodeo Scott A.
Published: April 2021

Tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal condition that affects a wide range of patients, including athletes, laborers, and older patients. Tendinopathy is often characterized by pain, swelling, and impaired performance and function. The etiology of tendinopathy is multifactorial, including both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Various treatment strategies have been described, but outcomes are often variable, as tendons have poor intrinsic healing potential compared with other tissues. Therefore, several novel targets for tendon regeneration have been identified and are being explored. Mitochondria are organelles that generate adenosine triphosphate, and they are considered to be the power generators of the cell. Recently, mitochondrial dysfunction verified by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased superoxide dismutase activity, cristae disorganization, and decreased number of mitochondria has been identified as a mechanism that may contribute to tendinopathy. This has provided new insights for studying tendinopathy pathogenesis and potential treatments via antioxidant, metabolic modulation, or ROS inhibition. In this review, we present the current understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction in tendinopathy. The review summarizes the potential mechanism by which mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the development of tendinopathy, as well as the potential therapeutic benefits of mitochondrial protectants in the treatment of tendinopathy.
Fruit abundance and trait matching determine diet type and body condition across frugivorous bird populations
Authors: González‐Varo Juan P. , Onrubia Alejandro , Pérez‐Méndez Néstor , Tarifa Rubén , Illera Juan C.
Published: April 2021

Research on seed‐dispersal mutualisms has been highly unbalanced towards the plants, largely overlooking the fitness effects of fruit resources on frugivorous animals. Moreover, despite morphological mismatches like gape limitation may reduce the abundance of fruits that are actually accessible to a frugivore species, there is very little evidence on the trait‐matching implications from a frugivore's perspective. Here, we refine recent resource‐provisioning models to comprehensively test the joint effects of fruit abundance and trait matching on diet type and body condition (a surrogate of fitness) across frugivorous bird populations: Sardinian warblers Curruca melanocephala inhabiting ten Mediterranean forests differing in the abundance and composition of fleshy fruits. We hypothesised the abundance of fruit resources to have positive effects on the degree of frugivory and body condition of warblers, and such effects to be more pronounced when accounting for both trait matching (accessible fruits) and resource provisioning (energy in accessible fruits). We found a sharp threshold over which warblers shifted from a diet with very little or even no fruits to a predominantly frugivorous diet with increasing the local abundance of accessible fruits. We also found a strong positive relationship between the abundance of accessible fruits and the body condition of warblers (body mass and residual body mass), an effect that was more pronounced in females than in males. Although diet type and body condition were much better predicted when accounting for trait matching, accounting for resource provisioning did not improve the explanatory power of fruit resources. The fact that we detected strong and sex‐dependent effects of fruit resources on body condition just a few weeks before the breeding season suggests that fruit resources likely affect the timing and success of reproduction, a question that deserves further research. Our findings provide new insight into the fitness consequences of seed‐dispersal mutualisms for frugivorous animals.
Facilitation promotes plant invasions and indirect negative interactions
Authors: Lortie Christopher J. , Filazzola Alessandro , Brown Charlotte , Lucero Jacob , Zuliani Mario , Ghazian Nargol , Haas Stephanie , Owen Malory , Butterfield H. Scott , Nix Emmeleia , Westphal Michael
Published: April 2021

Numerous pressures influence the ecological capacity and health of drylands globally. Shrubs are often a critical component of these systems and can function positively as foundation species through facilitation of other species. Nonetheless, limited attention has been paid to the potential negative and indirect effects of shrubs. Here, we tested the hypothesis that plant facilitation can both accelerate the invasion process and amplify the negative effects of an invader on the native community. The invasive species Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens capitalized on facilitation by resident native shrub species. This in turn further degraded California mixed grasslands by negatively impacting other annual protégé plant species in these specific microhabitats. Indirect shrub‐mediated interactions were thus a critical component of the ecological community assembly processes, and this suggests that we need to move beyond pairwise interactions to more rapidly advance grassland management and restoration theory.
Combining information across diverse sources: The II‐CC‐FF paradigm
Authors: Cunen Céline , Hjort Nils Lid
Published: April 2021

We introduce and develop a general paradigm for combining information across diverse data sources. In broad terms, suppose is a parameter of interest, built up via components from data sources 1, … , k. The proposed scheme has three steps. First, the independent inspection (II) step amounts to investigating each separate data source, translating statistical information to a confidence distribution (CD) for the relevant focus parameter associated with data source j. Second, confidence conversion (CC) techniques are used to translate the CDs to confidence log‐likelihood functions. Finally, the focused fusion (FF) step uses relevant and context‐driven techniques to construct a confidence distribution for the primary focus parameter , acting on the combined confidence log‐likelihood. In traditional setups, the II‐CC‐FF strategy amounts to versions of meta‐analysis, and turns out to be competitive against state‐of‐the‐art methods. Its potential lies in applications to harder problems, however. Illustrations are presented, related to actual applications.
Collective Exclusion: How White Heterosexual Dating App Norms Reproduce Status Quo Hookup Culture
Authors: Hanson Kenneth R.
Published: April 2021

This article analyzes how heterosexual college students use dating apps with their peer groups, and how their collective behaviors privilege heteronormativity and whiteness on a college campus in the United States. By focusing on the collective practices of heterosexual dating app users, this article draws out how taken‐for‐granted assumptions about hookup culture and dating apps manifest in group behaviors that are shown to limit the available sexual scripts for heterosexual women and men while simultaneously excluding people of color. Using interview data from 27 heterosexual college students, this article argues that offline and online interactions are sites where dating app users and their friends reconcile interpersonal and intrapsychic sexual scripts within their cultural milieu. The findings of this study suggest that their collective rationalizations appeal to heteronormative gendered expectations and whiteness in ways that reproduce social inequalities.
Grainyhead‐like transcription factors: guardians of the skin barrier
Authors: Deng Zihao , Cangkrama Michael , Butt Tariq , Jane Stephen M. , Carpinelli Marina R.
Published: April 2021

There has been selective pressure to maintain a skin barrier since terrestrial animals evolved 360 million years ago. These animals acquired an unique integumentary system with a keratinized, stratified, squamous epithelium surface barrier. The barrier protects against dehydration and entry of microbes and toxins. The skin barrier centres on the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis and consists of cornified envelopes cemented by the intercorneocyte lipid matrix. Multiple components of the barrier undergo cross‐linking by transglutaminase (TGM) enzymes, while keratins provide additional mechanical strength. Cellular tight junctions also are crucial for barrier integrity. The grainyhead‐like (GRHL) transcription factors regulate the formation and maintenance of the integument in diverse species. GRHL3 is essential for formation of the skin barrier during embryonic development, whereas GRHL1 maintains the skin barrier postnatally. This is achieved by transactivation of Tgm1 and Tgm5, respectively. In addition to its barrier function, GRHL3 plays key roles in wound repair and as an epidermal tumour suppressor. In its former role, GRHL3 activates the planar cell polarity signalling pathway to mediate wound healing by providing directional migration cues. In squamous epithelium, GRHL3 regulates the balance between proliferation and differentiation, and its loss induces squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In the skin, this is mediated through increased expression of MIR21, which reduces the expression levels of GRHL3 and its direct target, PTEN, leading to activation of the PI3K‐AKT signalling pathway. These data position the GRHL family as master regulators of epidermal homeostasis across a vast gulf of evolutionary history.
Molecular phylogenetics and premating isolation in the punctoid land snails of Belau (Republic of Palau, Oceania)
Authors: Bullis David A. , Rundell Rebecca J.
Published: April 2021

Pacific island land snails exhibit exceptionally high species diversity, morphological diversity, and endemism. Species within superfamily Punctoidea, which contains the Charopidae and Pacific‐endemic family Endodontidae, are among the most morphologically spectacular Pacific endemic land snails. The evolution of Pacific island punctoids remains poorly known, due in part to rampant human‐induced extinction within this group of minute ground‐dwellers. The Belau archipelago (Republic of Palau) with its relatively intact lowland rainforest and limestone karst Rock Islands, is home to many endemic punctoids and presents a unique opportunity to better understand the diversification of one of the most diverse but also imperiled land snail lineages on Pacific islands. For the first time, the diversification of the endemic Pacific punctoid fauna of Belau was studied using Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) methods applied to sequences from mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (ITS2) gene regions. Evolutionary relationships, molecular divergence, disjunct or complex geographic ranges, and ecological similarity among Belau punctoid species, likely reflect species’ long evolutionary history and diversification through geographic isolation. We find no evidence for adaptation in species‐level shifts in spire height within Aaadonta endodontids. We also find preliminary evidence for the evolution of premating reproductive isolation in Semperdon species in sympatry, through the study of apertural teeth. In addition, we report the first new endodontid species from living individuals as well the first new genus record from the Belau archipelago in nearly half a century.
Footwear and Elevated Heel Influence on Barbell Back Squat: A Review
Authors: Pangan Aaron Michael , Leineweber Matthew
Published: April 2021

The back squat is one of the most effective exercises in strengthening the muscles of the lower extremity. Understanding the impact of footwear has on the biomechanics is imperative for maximizing the exercise training potential, preventing injury, and rehabilitating from injury. This review focuses on how different types of footwear affect the full-body kinematics, joint loads, muscle activity, and ground reaction forces in athletes of varying experience performing the weighted back squat. The literature search was conducted using three databases, and fourteen full-text articles were ultimately included in the review. The majority of these studies demonstrated that the choice of footwear directly impacts kinematics and kinetics. Weightlifting shoes were shown to decrease trunk lean and generate more plantarflexion relative to running shoes and barefoot lifting. Elevating the heel through the use of external squat wedges is popular method during rehabilitation and was shown to provide similar effects to weightlifting shoes. Additional research with a broader array of populations, particularly novice and female weightlifters, should be conducted to generalize the research results to nonathlete populations. Further work is also needed to characterize the specific effects of sole stiffness and heel elevation height on squatting mechanics.
Behavior of photoexcited electrons in hole-transport material-free perovskite solar cells
Authors: Hirai Makoto , Takagi Yuji , Fujita Naoyuki
Published: April 2021

Hole-transport material-free perovskite solar cells were prepared by utilizing a spin-coating method. To optimize the dropping conditions of the toluene as an antisolvent in the nitrogen atmosphere, the CH3NH3PbI3/TiO2/fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)/glass specimen consisted of a high-density tissue, and crystal faults such as voids and cracks were not observed on its surface. By controlling the thickness of the mesoporous TiO2 layer with the rotation speed (x) of a spin coater, it was speculated that the thicker mesoporous TiO2 layer enables not only an efficient electron extraction from the CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite layer but also a smooth transition of electrons to the FTO electrode. Moreover, the precursor solution for CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite crystals was optimized for its molar concentration (y). The energy conversion efficiency (η) gradually increased from η = 5.8% to 9.6% with an increase in y to 2.6 M above which it decreased. The reason to obtain a superior energy conversion efficiency is so that the larger interface between the mesoporous TiO2 and perovskite layers is able to extract photoexcited electrons effectively. The above facts show for that the perovskite solar cells that have a larger area are synthesized with good reproducibility.
Shared B cell memory to coronaviruses and other pathogens varies in human age groups and tissues
Authors: Yang Fan , Nielsen Sandra C. A. , Hoh Ramona A. , Röltgen Katharina , Wirz Oliver Fabian , Haraguchi Emily , Jean Grace H. , Lee Ji-Yeun , Pham Tho D. , Jackson Katherine J. L. , Roskin Krishna M. , Liu Yi , Nguyen Khoa , Ohgami Robert S. , Osborne Eleanor M. , Nadeau Kari C. , Niemann Claus U. , Parsonnet Julie , Boyd Scott D.
Published: April 2021

Kids armed with anti-coronavirus B cells

It remains unclear whether B cell repertoires against coronaviruses and other pathogens differ between adults and children and how important these distinctions are. Yang
et al.
analyzed blood samples from young children and adults, as well as tissues from deceased organ donors, characterizing the B cell receptor (BCR) repertoires specific to six common pathogens and two viruses that they had not seen before: Ebola virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Children had higher frequencies of B cells with convergent BCR heavy chains against previously encountered pathogens and higher frequencies of class-switched convergent B cell clones against SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses. These findings suggest that encounters with coronaviruses in early life may produce cross-reactive memory B cell populations that contribute to divergent COVID-19 susceptibilities.

Science
, this issue p.
738
Disputed
rpoB
Mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Lin Wan-Hsuan , Lee Wei-Ting , Tsai Hsing-Yuan , Jou Ruwen
Published: April 2021

Discordant results between genotypic drug susceptibility testing (gDST) and phenotypic DST (pDST) for
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates with disputed mutations affect rifampin (RIF)-resistant (RR) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) treatments due to a lack of practical clinical guidelines. To investigate the role of disputed
rpoB
mutations in
M. tuberculosis
and TB treatment outcomes, initial isolates of 837 clinical RR- or MDR-TB cases confirmed during 2014 to 2018 were retested using agar-based RIF pDST and
rpoB
gene sequencing.
Tobramycin Adaptation Enhances Policing of Social Cheaters in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Abisado Rhea G. , Kimbrough John H. , McKee Brielle M. , Craddock Vaughn D. , Smalley Nicole E. , Dandekar Ajai A. , Chandler Josephine R.
Published: April 2021

The opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a model for understanding quorum sensing, a type of cell-cell signaling important for cooperation. Quorum sensing controls production of cooperative goods, such as exoenzymes, which are vulnerable to cheating by quorum sensing-defective mutants.
Effects of Different Land Use Types on Active Autotrophic Ammonia and Nitrite Oxidizers in Cinnamon Soils
Authors: Wang Xinli , Wang Yun , Zhu Fei , Zhang Chi , Wang Peiyao , Zhang Xuan
Published: April 2021

Nitrification plays an important role in the soil N cycle, and land use management has a profound effect on soil nitrifiers. It is unclear how different gradients of land use affect active ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. Our research is significant because we determined the response of nitrifiers to human disturbance, which will greatly improve our understanding of the niche of nitrifiers and the differences in their physiology.
Extreme C-to-A Hypermutation at a Site of Cytosine-N4 Methylation
Authors: Cherry Joshua L.
Published: April 2021

Mutation produces the raw material for adaptive evolution but also imposes a burden because most mutations are deleterious. The rate of mutation at a particular site is affected by a variety of factors.
Estimating private sector out-of-pocket expenditures on family planning commodities in low-and-middle-income countries
Authors: Weinberger Michelle , Bellows Nicole , Stover John
Published: April 2021

Introduction

The role of the private sector in family planning (FP) is well studied; however, few efforts have been made to quantify the role of private out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures on FP commodities across low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Calculating OOP expenditures is important to illuminate the magnitude of these contributions and to inform discussions on how financial burdens can be reduced.

Methods

Estimates of FP users and commodities consumed by women getting their FP methods from the private sector were made for 132 LMICs. Next, unit price data were compiled from to estimate the average price of commodities in the private sector at both a commercial and subsidised price point. These unit prices were applied to commodity consumption estimates to calculate total private OOP expenditures. Sensitivity testing was conducted.

Results

Total estimated private OOP expenditures for FP commodities in 2019 was $2.73 billion across 132 LMICs. Spending on contraceptive pills accounted for 80% of this total, and just over three-quarters of expenditure came from upper-middle-income countries. OOP expenditures on subsidised commodities were small but accounted for 20% of expenditures in low-income countries. Non-subsidised unit prices were found to be between 5 and 20 times higher in upper-middle-income countries compared with low-income countries, although wide variation exists. For low-income and lower-middle-income countries, subsidies appear to be greatest for intrauterine devices (IUDs) and pills.

Conclusion

Large OOP expenditures across all income levels highlight a need for financing approaches that ensure that a wide range of contraceptives are both accessible and affordable.
A GATA6-centred gene regulatory network involving HNFs and ΔNp63 controls plasticity and immune escape in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Kloesch Bernhard , Ionasz Vivien , Paliwal Sumit , Hruschka Natascha , Martinez de Villarreal Jaime , Öllinger Rupert , Mueller Sebastian , Dienes Hans Peter , Schindl Martin , Gruber Elisabeth S , Stift Judith , Herndler-Brandstetter Dietmar , Lomberk Gwen A , Seidler Barbara , Saur Dieter , Rad Roland , Urrutia Raul A , Real Francisco X , Martinelli Paola
Published: April 2021

Objective

Molecular taxonomy of tumours is the foundation of personalised medicine and is becoming of paramount importance for therapeutic purposes. Four transcriptomics-based classification systems of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exist, which consistently identified a subtype of highly aggressive PDACs with basal-like features, including ΔNp63 expression and loss of the epithelial master regulator GATA6. We investigated the precise molecular events driving PDAC progression and the emergence of the basal programme.

Design

We combined the analysis of patient-derived transcriptomics datasets and tissue samples with mechanistic experiments using a novel dual-recombinase mouse model for Gata6 deletion at late stages of KRasG12D-driven pancreatic tumorigenesis (Gata6LateKO).

Results

This comprehensive human-to-mouse approach showed that GATA6 loss is necessary, but not sufficient, for the expression of ΔNp63 and the basal programme in patients and in mice. The concomitant loss of HNF1A and HNF4A, likely through epigenetic silencing, is required for the full phenotype switch. Moreover, Gata6 deletion in mice dramatically increased the metastatic rate, with a propensity for lung metastases. Through RNA-Seq analysis of primary cells isolated from mouse tumours, we show that Gata6 inhibits tumour cell plasticity and immune evasion, consistent with patient-derived data, suggesting that GATA6 works as a barrier for acquiring the fully developed basal and metastatic phenotype.

Conclusions

Our work provides both a mechanistic molecular link between the basal phenotype and metastasis and a valuable preclinical tool to investigate the most aggressive subtype of PDAC. These data, therefore, are important for understanding the pathobiological features underlying the heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer in both mice and human.
Invasive carcinoma versus pseudoinvasion: interobserver variability in the assessment of left-sided colorectal polypectomies
Authors: Lee Michael , Kudose Satoru , Del Portillo Armando , Ko Huaibin Mabel , Lee Hwajeong , Pittman Meredith E , Salomao Marcela A , Sepulveda Antonia R , Lagana Stephen M
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Misplaced epithelium in adenomas can occasionally be difficult to distinguish from invasive adenocarcinoma. We evaluated interobserver variability in the assessment of left-sided colon polypectomies for pseudoinvasion versus invasive adenocarcinoma and further investigated relevant histological findings.

Methods

28 consecutive left-sided colon polyps with the keywords “pseudoinvasion”, “epithelial misplacement”, “herniation”, “prolapse” or “invasive adenocarcinoma” were collected from 28 patients and reviewed by eight gastrointestinal pathologists. Participants assessed stromal hemosiderin, lamina propria/eosinophils surrounding glands, desmoplasia, high grade dysplasia/intramucosal adenocarcinoma and margin status and rendered a diagnosis of pseudoinvasion, invasive adenocarcinoma, or both.

Results

Agreement among pathologists was substantial for desmoplasia (κ=0.70), high grade dysplasia/intramucosal adenocarcinoma (κ=0.66), invasive adenocarcinoma (κ=0.63) and adenocarcinoma at the margin (κ=0.65). There was moderate agreement for hemosiderin in stroma (κ=0.53) and prolapse/pseudoinvasion (κ=0.50). Agreement was low for lamina propria/eosinophils around glands (κ=0.12). For invasive adenocarcinoma, seven or more pathologists agreed in 24 of 28 cases (86%), and there was perfect agreement in 19/28 cases (68%). For pseudoinvasion, seven or more pathologists agreed in 19 of 28 cases (68%), and there was perfect agreement in 16/28 cases (57%).

Conclusion

Moderate to substantial, though imperfect, agreement was achieved in the distinction of pseudoinvasion from invasive carcinoma.
Perspectives on outpatient administration of CAR-T cell therapy in aggressive B-cell lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Myers G Doug , Verneris Michael R , Goy Andre , Maziarz Richard T
Published: April 2021

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies that specifically target the CD19 antigen have emerged as a highly effective treatment option in patients with refractory B-cell hematological malignancies. Safety and efficacy outcomes from the pivotal prospective clinical trials of axicabtagene ciloleucel, tisagenlecleucel and lisocabtagene maraleucel and the retrospective, postmarketing, real-world analyses have confirmed high response rates and durable remissions in patients who had failed multiple lines of therapy and had no meaningful treatment options. Although initially administered in the inpatient setting, there has been a growing interest in delivering CAR-T cell therapy in the outpatient setting; however, this has not been adopted as standard clinical practice for multiple reasons, including logistic and reimbursement issues. CAR-T cell therapy requires a multidisciplinary approach and coordination, particularly if given in an outpatient setting. The ability to monitor patients closely is necessary and proper protocols must be established to respond to clinical changes to ensure efficient, effective and rapid evaluation either in the clinic or emergency department for management decisions regarding fever, sepsis, cytokine release syndrome and neurological events, specifically immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. This review presents the authors’ institutional experience with the preparation and delivery of outpatient CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy.
Beyond individualisation: towards a more contextualised understanding of women’s social egg freezing experiences
Authors: De Proost Michiel , Coene Gily , Nekkebroeck Julie , Provoost Veerle
Published: April 2021

Recently, Petersen provided in this journal a critical discussion of individualisation arguments in the context of social egg freezing. This argument underlines the idea that it is morally problematic to use individual technological solutions to solve societal challenges that women face. So far, however, there is a lack of empirical data to contextualise his central normative claim that individualisation arguments are implausible. This article discusses an empirical study that supports a contextualised reading of the normative work of Petersen. Based on a qualitative interview study, we found that most women could make sense of this argument but addressed other concerns that are overlooked in the premises of moral individualisation arguments, for instance, the influence of relationship formation on the demand of egg freezing. Furthermore, women did not experience social egg freezing as morally problematic. Nonetheless, the interviewees pointed to a need of more societal solutions and even actively advocated for efforts to increase accessibility such as a partial reimbursement and better quality of information. The implications of these findings for empirical bioethics are discussed. While more research is needed, we argue that, in order to better address individualisation arguments and related ethical concerns, we need to contextualise normative evaluations within women’s moral reasoning.
Resistance of a silicone membrane to long-term UV and moisture aging in light of climate change
Authors: Masson J.-F. , Collins Peter , Riahinezhad Marzieh , Lopez-Carreon Itzel , Johansen Jocelyn
Published: April 2021

Three room-temperature fluid-applied silicone membranes intended for application in building envelopes were studied in this work. The membranes were subjected to accelerated UV and moisture aging for 5000 h to evaluate their resistance to long-term aging. The properties of the membranes were studied to understand the degradation mechanisms that might occur during accelerated aging. The weight loss, wetting propensity, cracking and oxidation resistance, and storage modulus were measured at different intervals during 5000 h of aging. Based on the material characterization results, the silicone membranes proved to be resilient under aggressive accelerated UV radiation and moisture aging, conditions that can be expected as a result of climate change.
Norm approximation by Taylor polynomials in Hardy and Bergman spaces
Authors: Park Inyoung , Zhao Jian , Zhu Kehe
Published: April 2021

For positive [Formula: see text] and real [Formula: see text] let [Formula: see text] denote the weighted Bergman spaces of the unit ball [Formula: see text] introduced in [R. Zhao and K. Zhu, Theory of Bergman Spaces on the Unit Ball in[Formula: see text], Mémoires de la Société Mathématique de France, Vol. 115 (2008)]. It is well known that, at least in the case [Formula: see text], all functions in [Formula: see text] can be approximated in norm by their Taylor polynomials if and only if [Formula: see text]. In this paper we show that, for [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], we always have [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is the [Formula: see text]th Taylor polynomial of [Formula: see text]. We also show that for every [Formula: see text] in the Hardy space [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], we always have [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. This generalizes and improves a result in [J. McNeal and J. Xiong, Norm convergence of partial sums of [Formula: see text] functions, Internat. J. Math. 29 (2018) 1850065, 10 pp.].
Performance tests and simulations for Taiji-1 inertial sensor
Authors: Min Jian , Lei Jun-Gang , Li Yun-Peng , Xi Dong-Xue , Tao Wen-Ze , Li Cun-Hui , Zhang Xiao-Qing , Wang Zuo-Lei , Fan Da , Luo Zi-Ren , Wang Jun-Biao , Wang Zhi , Qi Ke-Qi ,   On behalf of The Taiji Scientific Collaboration
Published: April 2021

Taiji-1 satellite was successfully launched on 31 August 2019, and it has been operating normally in orbit until now. A series of in-orbit experiments were carried out with the inertial sensor, which included the micro-thrust test, drag-free control test and laser interferometer test. Comprehensive performance simulations and tests of the inertial sensor were also carried out prior to the launch of Taiji-1, including the calibration and drop-tower tests. These tests were one of the preconditions for the success of these experiments. The calibration experiments were conducted in a cave-lab using the gravity-inclination method and the scale factors of the inertial sensor along Y- and Z-axis were measured. In addition, 20 drop-tower tests were carried out in the National Microgravity Laboratory of China (NMLC) drop tower and the control stability of all the axes was tested and optimized. A simulation model was used before each test, and the results showed that an accurate simulation prior to each experiment had an important role in ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of the experiment. The circuit-gain switch was realized for the first time during the drop-tower tests. The test results indicated that the microgravity level of the NMLC drop tower could reach about 13 [Formula: see text]g0along the horizontal axes, offering an important reference for researchers planning to conduct microgravity experiments in the NMLC drop tower.
A torsional thrust stand for measuring the thrust response time of micro-Newton thrusters
Authors: Yang Chao , He Jian-Wu , Duan Li , Kang Qi ,   On behalf of The Taiji Scientific Collaboration
Published: April 2021

Drag-free technology functions as the keystone for space-based gravitational wave detection satellites moving along a geodesic path, like the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Pathfinder, to achieve ultra-high microgravity level. Several prerequisites for micro-thrusters operated under the drag-free technique include constantly adjustable thrust, high resolution, low noise and fast response time. Accordingly, a torsional thrust measurement system was methodically devised to measure the thrust response time of such micro-thrusters on the ground. The characteristics of the dynamic thrust change with time are inverted by the angular displacement of the torsional pendulum, established by the dynamic equation of the same, thus, measuring the rise/fall time of the thrust applied to the torsional pendulum. Calibration of the torsional pendulum thrust measurement system is carried out by the standard electrostatic force generated by the electrostatic comb-drive or microelectromechanical actuator, facilitating the suitable identification of the pendulum parameters. Afterwards, the electrostatic and electromagnetic forces generated by the actuator are applied to validate the measurable thrust response time of the torsional thrust stand. The experimental results show that the above-mentioned thrust stand can effectively measure the thrust response time up to 10 ms for a thrust step in 10 s of micronewtons, which qualifies as the thrust response time required by micro-thrusters for space-based gravitational wave detection.