bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in brain ischemia enhaces axonal regeneration associated with IGF‐1
Authors: Li Ting‐Ting , Zhang Lan‐Chun , Xiong Liu‐Lin , Yu Chang‐Yin
Published: December 2021

Objective

This study was aimed to evaluate the role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in treating brain ischemia and its associated mechanism.

Methods

Forty‐five healthy adult female rats were randomly divided into three group, including sham, brain ischemia (BI) and BMSCs transplantation group. The BMSCs were harvested from the GFP‐transgenic (green fluorescence) rats. Immunohistochemical staining of CD44 and expression of neurotrophic factors (NTFs) were identified in cultured BMSCs in vitro. Then, BMSCs were injected into tail vein of the rats immediately after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Neurological function was evaluated by neurological severity scale (NSS) at 3 days (d), 7 d and 14 d post operation. The axonal regeneration and expression of IGF‐1 was assayed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and western blot.

Results

BMSCs could express several NTFs in vitro, neurological function indicated by the NSS was improved significantly at 7 d and 14 d post BMSCs transplantation compared with BI group. The expression of IGF‐1 associated with axonal growth indicated by GAP43 labelling was elevated in BMSCs treatment rats.

Conclusion

BMSCs treatment improves neurological function which is associated with IGF‐1 upregulation and axonal regeneration. This study provide a new insights into pathogenesis and treatment of BI, based on BMSCs transplantion.
The research progress of miRNA/lncRNA associated with spinal cord injury
Authors: Yuan Hao , Hu Yue , Jiang Ling , Wang Ting‐Hua
Published: December 2021

In recent years, with the rapid development of economy, the convenient transportation makes people travel more easily. However, the emergence of skyscrapers and various construction projects make high falling injury and traffic accident injury occur frequently, which are the most common types of spinal cord injury. Degeneration of nerve axons after spinal cord injury leads to paralysis of the distal limbs and death. So far, there have been no effective clinical therapy for the recovery of spinal cord function, but animal experiments have made encouraging progress. Recovery process of spinal cord injury involves axonal regeneration and the neural molecular genetic changes in the surrounding environment. Adult animals after spinal cord injury have different degrees of functional recovery in an appropriate growth environment with the benefit of some damaged neurons in the central nervous system. In this paper, we have discussed the changes of miRNA/LncRNA in the progress of regeneration and repair after spinal cord injury.
Genetic study of a Chinese pedigree with early onset Parkinson’s disease caused by novel compound heterozygous mutations in PARKIN gene
Authors: Zhang Li , Luo Ai‐Di , Pan Cheng‐Yu , Liu Mei , Liao Shu‐Sheng
Published: December 2021

Objective

To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree where two siblings were affected with early‐onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD).

Methods

Clinical examinations and genomic analyses were performed on five subjects belonging to two generations of a Han Chinese family. Target regions capture and high throughput sequencing were used to screen these genes associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), tremor, spinocerebellar ataxia, and dystonia. The multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) method was applied to detect rearrangements and large deletion in PARKIN exons.

Results

Two family members were diagnosed with PD by clinical manifestations. Compound heterozygous mutations, consisting of a fragment deletion in exon 2 and 3 of the PARKIN gene, identified by MLPA in II‐3, II‐5. Individual exon2 deletion mutations were detected in II‐1 while individual exon3 deletion mutations were detected in two thirds generations (III‐5, III‐6). The compound heterozygous mutations have co‐segregated with the disease in the pedigree. Other mutations in some genes associated with PD, tremor, dystonia and other movement disorders were not detected.

Conclusion

A novel compound heterozygous deletion mutations of the PARKIN gene were identified in a Chinese pedigree and might represent a cause of familial EOPD with autosomal dominant inheritance. Early‐onset Parkinson's disease (PD) with PARKIN gene mutation has genetic and clinical heterogeneity.
A network pharmacological approach to investigate the pharmacological effects of CZ2HF decoction on Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Wei Yu , Gao Jian‐Mei , Xu Fan , Shi Jing‐Shan , Yu Chang‐Yin , Gong Qi‐Hai
Published: December 2021

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, which brings tremendous burden to the sufferers and society. However, ideal tactics are unavailable for AD. Our previous study has shown that CZ2HF, a Chinese herb preparation, mitigates cognitive impairment in AD rats; whereas, its detailed mechanism has not been elucidated.

Methods

Public databases were applied to collect and identify the chemical ingredients of eight herbs in CZ2HF. Criteria of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion was used to screen oral bio‐availability and drug‐likeness. STITCH database and Therapeutic Target Database were applied to decipher the relationship between compounds and genes related to AD. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology term analyses were used to identify the involved signaling pathways. Cytoscape was adopted to establish the networks The molecular docking was used to validate the interactions between the candidate compounds and their potential targets.

Results

914 compounds were identiﬁed in eight herbal medicines of CZ2HF. Among them, 9 compounds and 28 genes were highly involved in the pathologic process of AD. Furthermore, the mechanism of CZ2HF to AD was based on its anti‐inflammatory effects mainly through lipopolysaccharide‐mediated signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway. Core genes in this network were TNF, ICAM1, MMP9 and IL‐10.

Conclusion

This study predicts the active compounds in CZ2HF and uncovers their protein targets using holistic network pharmacology methods. It will provide a insight into the underlying mechanism of CZ2HF to AD from a multi‐scale perspective.
Research progress of stem cell therapy for ischemic stroke
Authors: Li Ting , Zhu Gao‐Hong
Published: December 2021

Ischemic stroke is a serious cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity, disability and mortality. There is no doubt that the disease has a severe impact on the physical and mental health and quality of life of patients, as well as impose a heavy burden on families and societies. Unfortunately, there has been a lack of effective treatment. This overview reviews the pathophysiology of stem cell therapy in Ischemic stroke, and discuss its effects on neurogenesis, the latest clinical trials, and advances in tracking and monitoring of endogenous and exogenous stem cells.
Multimodal biomicroscopic system for the characterization of cells with high spatial phase sensitivity and sub‐pixel accuracy
Authors: Tayal Shilpa , Singh Veena , Kaur Tejinder , Singh Neetu , Mehta Dalip Singh
Published: December 2021

Multimodal analysis is highly advantageous for various biomedical applications including cancer and brain studies. Simultaneous measurement of quantitative phase with sub‐pixel accuracy and fluorescence image is difficult to achieve in single measurement. Conventionally, off‐axis interferograms are analyzed using the Fourier‐transform method which limits the accuracy of the phase maps by pixel size, and usually the location of the carrier peak is in sub‐pixel. We report a multimodal microscopic system consisting of high‐resolution (HR) quantitative phase interferometer to retrieve sub‐pixel accuracy in phase imaging and an oblique‐illumination‐based fluorescence imaging system which decouples the excited light from emitted signal light to avoid saturation of the camera, both integrated into a single unit. Here, highly resolved phase maps are obtained using a two‐step process. First, using a speckle‐free illumination which offers high spatial phase sensitivity. Second, using a hamming window for accurate estimation of original signal frequency information and HR discrete Fourier transform (DFT) which offers sub‐pixel accuracy in phase measurements. HR‐DFT has computational load of , where is the size of the interferogram and is the upsampling factor, making system computationally more robust and efficient compared to zero‐padded FFT. The experiment is conducted on MG63 osteosarcoma and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and their quantitative parameters are extracted with significantly improved accuracy. The average phase for MG63 cells and hMSCs, for nucleus is obtained to be 8.02 rad ± 0.80 rad and 4.29 rad ± 0.43 rad, respectively, and for cytoplasm is obtained to be 2.63 rad ± 0.96 rad and 1.73 rad ± 0.57 rad, respectively.
Low‐temperature synthesis of ZnO/ZnS/CuS heterojunction based on solution‐processed nanosheet array with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Zeng Zhi , Yuan Ye , Lu Huiqing , Gao Shiyong , Ren Shuai , Rong Ping , Jiao Shujie , Wang Dongbo , Wang Jinzhong
Published: December 2021

ZnO/ZnS/CuS net‐like nanosheet (NS) heterojunction array was fabricated via a simple solution method at a low temperature. Morphology and structure of ZnO/ZnS/CuS NS were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM). With tiny particles attaching on the rough surface, the thin ZnO/ZnS/CuS NS grew vertically and arranged regularly on Al substrate, providing large effective illumination area and massive active sites. Elemental composition and valence state were confirmed with energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The UV–vis absorbance spectra indicated that the absorption range of ZnO NS was expanded to the visible region effectively, and the original absorption intensity in the ultraviolet region was also improved after being coated with ZnS and CuS. Photocatalytic activity tests of ZnO, ZnO/ZnS, and ZnO/ZnS/CuS NS were carried out with methyl orange as a simulated pollutant, in which ZnO/ZnS/CuS heterojunction showed great enhancement when making comparison with pure ZnO and ZnO/ZnS NS. After five reuse cycles, photocatalytic performance could still be maintained well, indicating the good catalytic stability. Finally, a probable photocatalytic mechanism was also discussed.
Temperature‐dependence of metabolism and fuel selection from cells to whole organisms
Authors: Holden Kaitlyn G. , Hedrick Ashley R. , Gangloff Eric J. , Hall Steven J. , Bronikowski Anne M.
Published: December 2021

Temperature affects nearly every aspect of how organisms interact with and are constrained by their environment. Measures of organismal energetics, such as metabolic rate, are highly temperature‐dependent and governed through temperature effects on rates of biochemical reactions. Characterizing the relationships among levels of biological organization can lend insight into how temperature affects whole‐organism function. We tested the temperature dependence of cellular oxygen consumption and its relationship to whole‐animal metabolic rate in garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans). Additionally, we tested whether thermal responses were linked to shifts in the fuel source oxidized to support metabolism with the use of carbon stable isotopes. Our results demonstrate temperature dependence of metabolic rates across levels of biological organization. Cellular (basal, adenosine triphosphate‐linked) and whole‐animal rates of respiration increased with temperature but were not correlated within or among individuals, suggesting that variation in whole‐animal metabolic rates is not due simply to variation at the cellular level, but rather other interacting factors across scales of biological organization. Counter to trends observed during fasting, elevated temperature did not alter fuel selection (i.e., natural‐abundance stable carbon isotope composition in breath, δ13Cbreath). This consistency suggests the maintenance and oxidation of a single fuel source supporting metabolism across a broad range of metabolic demands.
Low serum prealbumin concentration predicts long‐term mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients with hepatitis B and/or C virus infections
Authors: Nguyen Huu Dung , Dao Bui Quy Quyen , Nguyen Minh Tuan , Nguyen Duc Loc , Truong Dinh Cam , Trung Kien Nguyen , Do Quyet , Tran Viet Tien , Le Viet Thang
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim

A low serum prealbumin concentration is common in maintenance hemodialysis patients with hepatitis B and C and may be associated with mortality. In this study, we assessed Department of Nephrology and Hemodialysis predictive value of a low serum prealbumin concentration on mortality in HD patients using reused low‐flux dialyzers who were infected with hepatitis B and/or C virus.

Methods

We used serum prealbumin levels to predict the long‐term mortality of 326 hemodialysis patients. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 140, with hepatitis B and/or C virus infections), and group 2 (n = 186, without hepatitis virus infections).

Results

During a 5‐year follow‐up, there were 75 deaths due to all‐cause mortality (23.0%). Mortality was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients with hepatitis B and/or C infection (44%) than in those without hepatitis infection (8%). Serum prealbumin was lower in the hepatitis infected group and mortality group than in non‐infected group and survival group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that long duration of HD and lower serum prealbumin and albumin were related to mortality in patients undergoing maintenance HD. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that serum prealbumin had a good prognostic value in predicting mortality in both groups with hepatitis B and/or C virus infection and without hepatitis infection (AUC = 0.792 [95% confidence interval: 0.714–0.87], P < 0.001; cut‐off value = 24.5 mg/dl, sensitivity = 62.3%, and specificity = 88.6%).

Conclusion

In HD patients, serum prealbumin was a good prognostic biomarker of mortality in both groups of patients with hepatitis B and/or C virus infections and without hepatitis infections.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography‐related complications for bile duct stones in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients
Authors: Saito Hirokazu , Kadono Yoshihiro , Shono Takashi , Kamikawa Kentaro , Urata Atsushi , Nasu Jiro , Imamura Haruo , Matsushita Ikuo , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Tada Shuji
Published: December 2021

Background and Aim

Current guidelines recommend the removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. We conducted this study because of the limited research comparing the risks of ERCP‐related complications between these two groups.

Methods

This retrospective study involved 1491 patients with native major duodenal papilla diagnosed with choledocholithiasis at three institutions in Japan. The rates of ERCP‐related complications, including post‐ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), cholangitis, bleeding, and perforation, were compared using one‐to‐one propensity score matching between the asymptomatic and symptomatic patients.

Results

Complications were observed in 112 (7.5%) of the 1491 patients (asymptomatic group: 31/172 [18.0%] vs symptomatic group: 81/1319 [6.1%], P < 0.001). The rate of severe complications was higher in the asymptomatic group than that in the symptomatic group (asymptomatic group: 5/31 [16.1%] vs symptomatic group: 3/81 [3.7%], P = 0.036). In the propensity‐matched asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, the incidences of PEP, cholangitis, bleeding, and perforation were 18/143 (12.6%) vs 4/143 (2.8%) (P = 0.003); 4/107 (3.7%) vs 6/107 (5.6%) (P = 0.75); 1/140 (0.7%) vs 3/140 (2.1%) (P = 0.62); and 2/140 (1.4%) vs 2/140 (1.4%) (P = 1.0).

Conclusions

ERCP for asymptomatic patients with CBD stones is associated with a higher risk of overall and severe complications than that for symptomatic patients with CBD stones; the overall rate is influenced by the high incidence of PEP in the asymptomatic group. Endoscopists should explain the risk of ERCP‐related complications for asymptomatic patients before performing the procedure.
Otolaryngology Department and Society Leadership: Evaluation of Diversity in a Nationwide Study
Authors: Uppal Priya A. , Kollu Tejas , Thomas Melissa , Mammen Luke , Mortensen Melissa
Published: December 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

Diversity in medicine positively influences healthcare delivery. As we aim to make otolaryngology more diverse, it is essential to analyze our current leadership.

Study Design

Observational study.

Methods

A total of 262 department chairs and chiefs, residency program directors, and assistant and associate directors from 117 otolaryngology residency programs as well as 92 society leaders from nine otolaryngology national societies from 2010 to 2020 in the United States are included in this study. The position, academic rank, name, gender, inferred race (based on name and image), and h‐index are collected and recorded from publicly available data. Fisher's exact test, unpaired t tests, and analysis of variance tests are used.

Results

The ethno‐racial breakdown of all otolaryngology residency leaders is as follows: 78.63% non‐Hispanic (NH) White, 16.03% NH Asian, 2.29% Middle Eastern, 1.91% NH Black, and 1.15% Latinx. Male gender is found to be a predictor of full professorship title (P < .0001) with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.066. NH White male is also a predictor of full professorship (P < .0001) with an OR 3.05. When comparing h‐index, males and females differ (P < .0001) across all residency leadership positions. There is a higher h‐index among full professors compared to non‐full professors (P < .0001). The ethno‐racial breakdown of society leaders is 84% NH White, 11% NH Asian, 2% NH Black, 2% Latinx, and 1% Middle Eastern.

Conclusions

In conclusion, otolaryngology leadership has an under‐representation of women and certain ethno‐racial groups. Continued efforts should be made to diversify our specialty's leadership.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 132:1729–1737, 2022
Improved mood following a single immersion in cold water
Authors: Kelly John S. , Bird Ellis
Published: December 2021

Background

An increasing volume of anecdotal and scientific evidence suggests that mood may be enhanced following swimming in cold water. The exact mechanisms responsible are largely unknown, but may include the effects of exercise from swimming and the effects of cold. This study examined the effect on mood following immersion in cold water, where swimming was not the primary activity.

Methods

The Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire was completed by 64 undergraduate students. The following week, 42 participants completed up to 20‐min immersion (18ʹ36ʺ ± 1ʹ48ʺ) in cold sea water (13.6°C). Twenty‐two participants acted as controls. The POMS was completed immediately following the cold‐water immersion by both groups.

Results

The cold‐water immersion group showed a significant decrease, with a large effect size, of 15 points from 51 to 36, compared to 2 points in the control group, 42 to 40. Positive sub‐scales increased significantly in the cold‐water immersion group (Vigour by 1.1, and Esteem‐Related Affect by 2.2 points) and negative sub‐scales showed significant reductions (Tension by 2.5, Anger 1.25, Depression 2.1, Fatigue 2.2, and Confusion 2.8 points). The control showed no significant change except for depression, which was significantly higher after the period by 1.6 points.

Conclusion

Cold‐water immersion is a well‐tolerated therapy that is capable of significantly improving mood in young, fit, and healthy individuals. A key aim of this study was to control for the effects of swimming as a mechanism responsible for the improvement in mood which has been shown in previous studies. Thus, the change in mood evidenced in this study was not due to physical activity per se. Consequently, the hypothesis that cold in and of itself can improve mood is supported.
Magnaporthe oryzae as an expression host for the production of the unspecific peroxygenase AaeUPO from the basidiomycete Agrocybe aegerita
Authors: Jacob Stefan , Bormann Sebastian , Becker Michael , Antelo Luis , Holtmann Dirk , Thines Eckhard
Published: December 2021

The filamentous fungus Magnaporthe oryzae has the potential to be developed as an alternative platform organism for the heterologous production of industrially important enzymes. M. oryzae is easy to handle, fast‐growing and unlike yeast, posttranslational modifications like N‐glycosylations are similar to the human organism. Here, we established M. oryzae as a host for the expression of the unspecific peroxygenase from the basidiomycete Agrocybe aegerita (AaeUPO). Note, UPOs are attractive biocatalysts for selective oxyfunctionalization of non‐activated carbon‐hydrogen bonds. To improve and simplify the isolation of AaeUPO in M. oryzae, we fused a Magnaporthe signal peptide for protein secretion and set it under control of the strong EF1α‐promoter. The success of the heterologous production of full‐length AaeUPO in M. oryzae and the secretion of the functional enzyme was confirmed by a peroxygenase‐specific enzyme assay. These results offer the possibility to establish the filamentous ascomycete M. oryzae as a broad applicable alternative expression system.
Frequency and Intensity of Premonitory Urges‐to‐Tic in Tourette Syndrome Is Associated With Supplementary Motor Area GABA+ Levels
Authors: He Jason L. , Mikkelsen Mark , Huddleston David A. , Crocetti Deana , Cecil Kim M. , Singer Harvey S. , Edden Richard A.E. , Gilbert Donald L. , Mostofsky Stewart H. , Puts Nicolaas A.J.
Published: December 2021

Background

Individuals with Tourette syndrome (TS) often report that they express tics as a means of alleviating the experience of unpleasant sensations. These sensations are perceived as an urge to act and are referred to as premonitory urges. Premonitory urges have been the focus of recent efforts to develop interventions to reduce tic expression in those with TS.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of brain γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate levels of the right primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1), supplementary motor area (SMA), and insular cortex (insula) to tic and urge severity in children with TS.

Methods

Edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to assess GABA+ (GABA + macromolecules) and Glx (glutamate + glutamine) of the right SM1, SMA, and insula in 68 children with TS (MAge = 10.59, SDAge = 1.33) and 41 typically developing control subjects (MAge = 10.26, SDAge = 2.21). We first compared GABA+ and Glx levels of these brain regions between groups. We then explored the association between regional GABA+ and Glx levels with urge and tic severity.

Results

GABA+ and Glx of the right SM1, SMA, and insula were comparable between the children with TS and typically developing control subjects. In children with TS, lower levels of SMA GABA+ were associated with more severe and more frequent premonitory urges. Neither GABA+ nor Glx levels were associated with tic severity.

Conclusions

These results broadly support the role of GABAergic neurotransmission within the SMA in the experience of premonitory urges in children with TS. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
An all‐dielectric metasurface long‐pass cut‐off filter based on a multi‐nanocircular array perfect cut‐off absorber
Authors: Yu Yue , Qian Qinyu , Wang Chinhua , Fan Li , Cheng Liwen , Chen Haitao , Zhao Liang
Published: December 2021

We report on an all‐dielectric cut‐off perfect absorber and an optical long‐pass filter using a gallium arsenide multi‐nanocylinder array grown on SiO2 in the wavelength from ultraviolet to infrared. A high average absorption of 0.985 is realized in the absorption band and there is a sharp cut‐off between the absorption band and the non‐absorption band, where the extinction ratio is 12.17 dB, the extinction difference is 0.88, and the cut‐off slope is 0.0047 nm−1. Based on the cut‐off absorption mechanism, a transmissive long‐pass cut‐off filter is proposed with extinction ratio of 21.56 dB, extinction difference of 0.86 and cutoff slope of 0.0049 nm−1. The average transmission of only 0.006 in the stop band and 0.967 in the pass band is realized. The demonstrated devices suggest an efficient way of designing cut‐off perfect absorbers and optical filters with metasurface, which is of important applications in advanced nanophotonic devices and integrated photonic systems.
Bandpass frequency selective surface with two sharp sidebands based on shunted quarter‐mode substrate integrated waveguide cavities
Authors: Tang Min , Liu Qikun , Pan Chenqing , Liu Qing , Zhou Dongfang , Yao Zhenning
Published: December 2021

A new highly selective bandpass frequency selective surface (FSS) is proposed with sharp sidebands and low profile. The unit element is composed of two shunted quarter‐mode substrate integrated waveguide (QMSIW) cavities with different dimensions and L‐shaped slots etched on both sides of dielectric substrates. Two transmission zeros and three transmission poles are obtained by TM0.5,0.5,0 resonance of cavities, slot resonance, and the coupling between them, which yield a flat passband with steep roll‐off in both sidebands. As unit dimension is miniaturized using quarter‐mode resonance, the FSS presents good angular stability for dual polarization. Simulated results indicate that the passband with insertion loss less than 1 dB covers 8.86–9.57 GHz, while the transitional bandwidth at both sides of the passband is 27 and 25 MHz, respectively. A prototype was fabricated and measured, the experimental results of which verified the design.
3D ring artifacts removal algorithm combined low‐rank tensor decomposition with spatial–sequential total variation regularization and its application in phase‐contrast microtomography
Authors: Li Yimin , Zhao Yuqing , Ji Dongjiang , Han Shuo , Zheng Mengting , Lv Wenjuan , Xin Xiaohong , Li Fangzhi , Zhao Xinyan , Liu Dayong , Hu Chunhong
Published: December 2021

Purpose

High‐resolution synchrotron radiation X‐ray phase contrast microtomography (PC‐μCT) images often suffer from severe ring artifacts, which are mainly caused by undesirable responses of detector elements. In the medical imaging field, the existence of ring artifacts can lead to degraded visual quality and can directly affect diagnosis accuracy. Thus, removing or at least effectively reducing ring artifacts is indispensable.

Method

The existing ring artifacts removal algorithms mainly focus on two‐dimensional (matrix‐based) priors, and these algorithms fail to consider correlations hidden in sequential computed tomography (CT) images. This paper proposed a novel three‐dimensional (tensor‐based) ring artifacts removal algorithm for synchrotron radiation X‐ray PC‐μCT images. In the sinogram domain, ring artifacts manifest as vertical stripe artifacts. From an image decomposition perspective, a degraded sinogram can be decomposed into a stripe artifacts component and an underlying clean sinogram component. The proposed algorithm is designed to detect and remove stripe artifacts from a degraded sinogram by fully identifying the characteristics of the two components. Specifically, for the stripe artifacts component, tensor Tucker decomposition is used to describe its low‐rank character. For the underlying clean sinogram component, spatial–sequential total variation regularization is adopted to enhance the piecewise smoothness. Moreover, the Frobenius norm term is further used to model Gaussian noise. An efficient augmented Lagrange multiplier method is designed to solve the proposed optimization model.

Results

The proposed method is evaluated utilizing both simulations and real data containing different ring artifacts patterns. In the simulations, the human chest CT images are used for evaluating the proposed method. We compare the peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity (SSIM), and mean absolute error (MAE) results of our algorithm with the Naghia's method, the RRRTV method, the wavelet–FFT method, and the SDRSD‐GIF method. The proposed method was also evaluated on real data from rat liver samples and rat tooth samples. Our proposed method outperforms the competing methods in terms of both qualitative and quantitative evaluation results. Additionally, the 3D visualization results were presented to make the ring artifacts removal effect more intuitive.

Conclusion

The experimental results on simulations and real data clearly demonstrated that the proposed algorithm can significantly improve the quality of PC‐μCT images compared with the existing popular algorithms, and it has great potential to promote the application of high‐resolution imaging for visualizing biological tissues.
Motor unit integrity in multifocal motor neuropathy: A systematic evaluation with CMAP scans
Authors: Stikvoort García Diederik J. L. , Kovalchuk Maria O. , Goedee H. Stephan , van Schelven Leonard J. , van den Berg Leonard H. , Franssen Hessel , Sleutjes Boudewijn T. H. M.
Published: December 2021

Introduction/Aims

Progressive axonal loss in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is often assessed with nerve conduction studies (NCS), by recording maximum compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs). However, reinnervation maintains the CMAP amplitude until a significant portion of the motor unit (MU) pool is lost. Therefore, we performed more informative CMAP scans to study MU characteristics in a large cohort of patients with MMN.

Methods

We derived the maximum CMAP amplitude (CMAPmax), an MU number estimate (MUNE), and the largest MU amplitude stimulus current required to elicit 5%, 50%, and 95% of CMAPmax (S5, S50, S95) and relative ranges ([S95 − S5] × 100 / S50) from the scans. These metrics were compared with clinical, laboratory, and NCS results.

Results

Forty MMN patients and 24 healthy controls were included in the study. CMAPmax and MUNE were reduced in MMN patients (both P < .001). Largest MU amplitude as a percentage of CMAPmax was increased in MMN patients (P < .001). Disease duration and treatment duration were not associated with MUNE. Relative range was larger in patients with anti‐GM1 antibodies than in those without anti‐GM1 antibodies (P = .016) and controls (P < .001). The largest MU amplitudes were larger in patients without anti‐GM1 antibodies than in patients with anti‐GM1 antibodies (P = .037) and controls (P = .044).

Discussion

We found that MU loss is common in MMN and accompanied by enlarged MUs. Presence of anti‐GM1 antibodies was associated with increased relative range of MU thresholds and reduction in largest MU amplitude. Our findings indicate that CMAP scans complement routine NCS, and may have potential for practical monitoring of treatment efficacy and disease progression.
Optimizing edge sets in networks to produce ground truth communities based on modularity
Authors: Kosmas Daniel , Mitchell John E. , Sharkey Thomas C. , Szymanski Boleslaw K.
Published: December 2021

We consider two new problems regarding the impact of edge addition or removal on the modularity of partitions (or community structures) in a network. The first problem seeks to add edges to enforce that a desired partition is one partition that maximizes modularity. The second problem seeks to find the sparsest representation of a network that has the same partition with maximum modularity as the original network. We present integer programming formulations, a row generation algorithm, and heuristic algorithms to solve these problems. Further, we demonstrate a counter‐intuitive behavior of modularity that makes the development of heuristics for general networks difficult. We then present results on a selection of social and illicit networks from the literature.
An adaptive order finite element method for poroelastic materials described through the Biot equations
Authors: Jonckheere Stijn , Bériot Hadrien , Dazel Olivier , Desmet Wim
Published: December 2021

Poroelastic materials are essential to engineers to improve the sound and vibration properties of a product. The most common mathematical model that describes the vibro‐acoustics of these materials is the Biot theory, which considers the fully coupled behavior of a homogenized solid phase, based on the structural skeleton, and a homogenized fluid phase, describing the inter‐penetrating fluid. This article focuses on an adaptive higher order finite element implementation to solve poroelastic models. Owing to the presence of several wave solutions, namely, two compressional wave types and one shear wave type, it is difficult to define clear meshing guidelines a priori for poroelastic material modeling and trial and error is required to ensure reliable results. Multiple scales may be present, and local resonance phenomena may significantly modify the resolution requirements in certain frequency bands. In order to remedy this, and to be able to deliver a (nearly) mesh‐independent solution, a physics based adaptivity mechanism is developed which determines the distribution of (directional) element orders at each frequency prior to the calculation, to reach a user‐defined target error. The resulting approach is verified for different element topologies and is further applied to relevant applications of poroelastic materials in vibro‐acoustics.
Complex Fourier‐based stress intensity factor analysis of plane elasticity using boundary element theories
Authors: Aghamolaei Akram , Hamzehei‐Javaran Saleh , Shojaee Saeed
Published: December 2021

In this article, the boundary element method is implemented for solving linear elastic fracture mechanics problems, using new complex Fourier shape functions which include constant and linear complex Fourier shape functions. They, unlike the classic Lagrange shape functions, can satisfy the exponential and trigonometric function fields in addition to the polynomial ones. Six numerical examples are provided to investigate the new shape functions and also, the stress intensity factors (SIF) are calculated for each so that the accuracy of the present study is illustrated. The results are compared with those obtained by classic Lagrange ones and the existing methods.
Prevalence of hearing screening failures in low‐risk childhood cancer survivors
Authors: Phelan Meghan , Hayashi Susan S. , Sauerburger Kara , Henry Jennifer , Wu Ningying , Hayashi Robert J.
Published: December 2021

Background

We sought to estimate the frequency of hearing screening failures in pediatric cancer survivors at low risk for hearing loss and evaluate the feasibility of administering screenings in this population.

Procedure

Survivors in the St. Louis Children's Hospital Late Effects Clinic were recruited. Eligibility included (a) diagnosis of a pediatric cancer treated without platinum chemotherapy or cranial radiation, (b) at least 6 months from completion of therapy, (c) between the ages of 7 and 18 years, (d) cognitively/behaviorally able to participate, and (e) English speaking. Behavioral hearing screenings from 1000 to 8000 Hz were performed by trained personnel using a calibrated audiometer. A failed screen was defined by a participant not responding to two or more of the three screening attempts for at least one frequency in at least one ear.

Results

One hundred nine patients met eligibility criteria with 78 enrolled (71.5%). Diagnoses included leukemia (57.7%), sarcoma (11.5%), Wilms tumor (14.1%), lymphoma (12.8%), and other solid tumors (3.9%). The median age was 13.2 years (Q1–Q3: 9.6–15.4) and the median time from treatment completion was 3.7 years (Q1–Q3: 2.3–7.4). Eighteen patients (23%) failed the hearing screen (95% CI: 14%–34%). No demographic or treatment‐related variables were significantly correlated to screening failure. Six screen failures (33%) underwent formal audiology assessments, with three demonstrating unilateral hearing loss: two conductive and one sensorineural.

Conclusions

A significant fraction of pediatric cancer survivors at low risk for hearing loss failed hearing screening. Broader use of hearing screening should be considered.
Trends in quality of care among children with sickle cell anemia
Authors: Reeves Sarah L. , Freed Gary L. , Madden Brian , Wu Meng , Miller Lauren , Cogan Lindsay , Anders David , Creary Susan E. , McCormick Julie , Dombkowski Kevin J.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

For decades, it has been recommended that children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) receive antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent serious infections and undergo transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening to identify those at highest risk of overt stroke. We assessed recent temporal trends in antibiotic prophylaxis prescription fills and TCD screening among children with SCA using validated quality measures.

Procedure

Using validated claims‐based definitions, we identified children with SCA who were enrolled in Michigan or New York State (NYS) Medicaid programs (2011–2018). Among recommended age groups, two outcomes were assessed yearly: (a) filling of ≥300 days of antibiotics, and (b) receipt of greater than or equal to one TCD. The proportion of children with each outcome was calculated by state. Temporal trends in each preventive service were assessed using generalized linear models.

Results

A total of 1784 children were eligible for antibiotic prophylaxis (Michigan: 384; NYS: 1400), contributing 3322 person‐years. Annual rates of filling ≥300 days of antibiotics ranged from 16% to 22% and were similar by state. There was no change in rates of antibiotic filling over time in Michigan (p‐value: .10), but there was a decrease in NYS (p‐value: .02). A total of 3439 children with SCA were eligible for TCD screening (Michigan: 710; NYS: 2729), contributing 10,012 person‐years. Annual rates of TCD screening ranged from 39% to 45%, were similar by state, and did not change over time (p‐values >.05).

Conclusions

Most children with SCA do not receive recommended antibiotic prophylaxis and/or TCD screening. New, sustainable, and coordinated interventions across preventive services are urgently needed.
Shaping the future of diabetes care: innovation, people and partnerships
Authors: Basudev Neel
Published: December 2021

The Mary MacKinnon lecture for 2021 tells the story of diabetes transformation in South London using local examples of change such as Diabetes Book and Learn and You and Type 2. The focus on projects is from the perspectives of innovation, people and partnerships. The lecture outlines factors that underpin successful partnership working, enablers of whole person care and how to gain traction for projects across a wide geography alongside key outcome data. The lecture also covers the use of technology and innovation to improve the experience for both health care professionals and people with diabetes and future directions of travel. Copyright © 2021 John Wiley & Sons.
A case series of Humulin R U‐500 in insulin resistant people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Dashora Umesh , Ahmed Suhail , Shaiq Syed , Castro Erwin , Khan Shahid Ahmed , Bossman Irene , Sathiskumar Pariasamy
Published: December 2021

Humulin R U‐500 has been in use worldwide but is not licensed in the UK. As it is five times concentrated, it has the potential to reduce the number of injections in patients requiring high doses. With the increasing use of U‐200 and U‐300 insulins, glucagon like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) agonists, pioglitazone and sodium glucose co‐transporter2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, the role of U‐500 insulin is not clear.

Ten patients with type 2 diabetes with a mean (SD) daily insulin requirement of 437.70 (112.75) units due to high mean (SD) BMI of 39.05 (4.92) were commenced on U‐500 insulin between November 2013 and August 2020. In this case series the effect on insulin dose, HbA1c, weight, hypoglycaemia and cost was investigated through a review of case notes.

Results showed that after one year of treatment the mean (95% CI) HbA1c reduced by 14.5mmol/mol (2.23 to 26.77, p=0.02). Numerically, the mean (95% CI) insulin dose reduced by 57 units (‐36.13 to 150.53), body weight increased by 2.41kg (‐22.37 to 17.55). Self‐reported minor hypoglycaemia increased. There was no severe hypoglycaemia or hospital admission from hypoglycaemia. We calculated a cost saving of £366 per person per year of treatment.

It was concluded the use of U‐500 continues to have a role in the management of the severely insulin resistant patient on existing glucose lowering therapy. There is an improvement in HbA1c for the majority of people. Weight gain and hypoglycaemia occurred as a side effect in some people as expected with potent insulin treatment. Copyright © 2021 John Wiley & Sons.
Patients’ experience of antenatal diabetic care during the current COVID‐19 pandemic: an exploratory study
Authors: Sarre Gemma , Hyer Steve , Chauhan‐Whittingham Priti , Johnson Antoinette
Published: December 2021

We conducted an audit to explore patients’ experience of antenatal diabetic maternity services during the current COVID‐19 pandemic. The frequent face‐to‐face clinics that previously characterised antenatal care have largely been replaced by virtual consultations and one‐stop appointments to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

Sixty‐one women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy, with either pre‐existing diabetes or gestational diabetes and aged between 19 to 44 years, participated in the audit. They were asked to complete a questionnaire based on the Care Quality Commission Maternity Services Survey 2019. Data were collected and are presented narratively.

Overall, more women preferred face‐to‐face consultations to virtual clinics because they felt they had more time to ask questions in the former and felt reassured from the physical checks. In all, 11 (18%) reported difficulties accessing the maternity services during the pandemic as clinics had not been booked correctly or because of a lack of clarity over whether the appointment was face to face or virtual.

Of the 33 (55%) women who had previous experience of the maternity services prior to the pandemic, respondents particularly missed not having a partner or family member present at scans or appointments.

Our findings indicate divergent views on the best form of patient contact with some women preferring face‐to‐face consultations, particularly those in their first pregnancy, those for whom English was not their first language and those with high levels of anxiety, while others favoured virtual appointments. Clinicians and clinic managers need to take account of women's preferences in order to optimise patients’ experience. Copyright © 2021 John Wiley & Sons.
Adverse outcomes in people with swimming pool associated diabetic foot infection: a case series
Authors: Haridass Sabari Anand , Bodansky Jonathan , Santhakumar Anjali
Published: December 2021

Exercise through swimming is beneficial for patients with diabetes; however, swimming pool environments are known to favour infection. There is at present no available literature on outcomes of swimming pool associated diabetic foot infections and we describe a novel case series of patients who presented with foot infections after using a swimming pool.

Individuals attending our Diabetes Limb Salvage Clinic with foot ulcers/infections who had an injury or infection after exposure to a swimming pool environment were identified. We noted ulcer characteristics, pathogens, length of hospital stay and clinical outcomes.

Seven individuals (six male, one female, aged 36–68 years) were exposed to a swimming pool environment while on holiday, and within 48 hours had a new ulcer or worsening of their pre‐existing ulcers. Five had new ulcers (two injured their feet on the swimming pool floor, three developed blisters after swimming); two had worsening of their pre‐existing foot ulcers. All patients required hospitalisation (5–20 days) at presentation with severe foot infection. Microbiology showed six patients had mixed flora isolated from their ulcers: Staphylococcus aureus (three), Corynebacterium (two), enteric flora (two), Pseudomonas (one), Streptococcus group C‐G (one) and Bacteroides (one). In terms of outcomes: one patient had a below knee amputation; two required minor amputations.

People with diabetes who sustain a foot injury in a swimming pool environment may develop complex infections with waterborne organisms that can be difficult to eradicate, resulting in considerable morbidity including amputation. These risks need to be highlighted and individuals with diabetes advised to protect their feet in water. Copyright © 2021 John Wiley & Sons.
A case of type 1 diabetes mellitus in a woman with Shwachman‐Diamond syndrome
Authors: González María Miguélez , Hualpa Juan Carlos Percovich , Moreno Diego Muñoz , Albarrán Olga González
Published: December 2021

Shwachman‐Diamond syndrome (SDS) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, consisting of neutropenia that may progress to bone marrow failure, skeletal abnormalities and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. In fact, SDS is the second most common hereditary abnormality of exocrine pancreas following cystic fibrosis. In contrast, endocrine abnormalities do not appear to be a major finding in SDS. We report a case of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) diagnosis in a woman with SDS. This case report highlights: (1) the importance of distinguishing between type 1 and atypical presentations of DM in SDS, as well as the possible aetiopathogenic relationship between SDS and type 1 DM; and (2) adds to the body of literature regarding SDS and type 1 DM. Copyright © 2021 John Wiley & Sons.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of ephedrine stimulants in urine by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhu Ting , Jin Yao , Zhao Jingjing , Jing Jing , Tian Tian , Shan Yuanhong , Xu Xin , Wang Yang
Published: December 2021

Rationale

Ephedrine analogues are stimulants that are explicitly required to be quantified and characterized in the Anti‐Doping Prohibited List of the World Anti‐Doping Agency. Given the difficulty of distinguishing diastereoisomers, the qualitative and quantitative analyses of ephedrine diastereoisomers are difficult.

Methods

An ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS/MS) method was developed to detect five ephedrine analogues, and two pairs of diastereoisomers were identified using this method. The samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using a tandem mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source in multiple reaction detection mode after one‐step dilution.

Results

The effective detection limits of this method were below 0.5 ng/mL. A matrix effect (range: 83.4% to 102%) was observed in quality control samples. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision was lower than 9.16% and 8.60%, respectively, and the accuracy was within ±8.0%.

Conclusions

The method is efficient, accurate, stable and sensitive, and fully meets the requirements for the detection of ephedrine substances in stimulants.